Plastic Cell Sealing Part With Wavy Line Shape

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid crystal cells with plastic substrates face challenges in maintaining sealing properties when deformed into free shapes with roughness or curved surfaces, as existing sealing agents fail to provide adequate flexibility and durability.

Innovation Solution

A plastic cell design featuring a sealing part with a wavy line shape, formed by thermal fusion welding of plastic substrates, which maintains sealing properties even when the substrates are deformed, using a configuration where the period (P) of the wavy line shape is less than or equal to 40 times the amplitude (A), and the substrates are elongated films wound in a roll form or have a curved surface region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plastic substrate is deformed into a free shape with roughness or curved surfaces, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but sealing properties are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsealing property

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing part is designed with a wavy line shape consisting of multiple curved sections instead of a straight line. This curved configuration allows the sealing part to follow the deformation of the plastic substrates when bent or shaped into free forms, maintaining continuous contact and sealing effectiveness throughout the deformation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing part's geometric parameters (wave period P and amplitude A satisfying P≤40A) are specifically optimized to balance flexibility and sealing performance. The wavy configuration with controlled dimensions allows the sealing part to accommodate substrate deformation while maintaining adequate contact pressure and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a straight line sealing part is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but sealing reliability during deformation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing property during deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing part is designed with a wavy line shape consisting of multiple curved sections instead of a straight line. This curved configuration allows the sealing part to follow the deformation of the plastic substrates when bent or shaped into free forms, maintaining continuous contact and sealing effectiveness throughout the deformation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the wavy line shape has large period or amplitude, then flexibility is improved, but sealing contact pressure is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsealing contact pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing part's geometric parameters (wave period P and amplitude A satisfying P≤40A) are specifically optimized to balance flexibility and sealing performance. The wavy configuration with controlled dimensions allows the sealing part to accommodate substrate deformation while maintaining adequate contact pressure and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures that the plastic cell maintains sealing properties during deformation, stretching, or shrinkage, preventing leakage of the fluid layer and maintaining functionality in flexible and curved forms.

Implementation Method 1

by deforming (for example, performing a thermal fusion welding of) a part of plastic substrates disposed above and below the plastic cell to seal a fluid layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal fusion welding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

a step of heating the plastic cell according to [1] to 100° C. or higher and molding the plastic cell to have a curved surface region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

even in a case where the plastic substrates are deformed into a free shape with roughness and curved surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10690967B2Plastic cell and method for manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a plastic cell having a sealing part that does not lose a sealing property even in a case where a plastic substrate is deformed into a free shape with roughness or curved surfaces, and a method for manufacturing the same. The plastic cell of the present invention is a plastic cell including a first plastic substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, a fluid layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and a second plastic substrate, in this order, in which the plastic cell further includes a sealing part that seals the fluid layer by deformation of a part of the first plastic substrate or the second plastic substrate, and the sealing part is a sealing part having a region of a wavy line shape that satisfies Expression (1),P≤40 A (1)in Expression (1), P represents a period of the wavy line shape, and A represents an amplitude of the wavy line shape.