Polysiloxane Alignment Film for Liquid Crystal Display Side Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Super Vertical Alignment (SVA) mode in liquid crystal display devices experiences persistence defects due to unhardened reactive mesogen remaining in the liquid crystal layer, which reduces display quality, and there is a need for a uniform alignment of liquid crystal molecules.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal display device with a reduced residual polymer in the liquid crystal layer, utilizing an alignment film composed of first and second polysiloxanes with specific bonding structures and pre-tilting functional groups to uniformly align and tilt liquid crystal molecules, and a phase separation enhancer to improve alignment and reduce defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If reactive mesogen is used in the liquid crystal layer to pre-tilt liquid crystal molecules, then the side visibility is improved, but non-hardened reactive mesogen remains in the liquid crystal layer causing persistence defects and reducing display quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside visibilityVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful unhardened reactive mesogen from the liquid crystal layer through a dual-layer alignment film structure. The first polysiloxane layer interacts with liquid crystal molecules to provide alignment, while the second polysiloxane layer with cross-linking chains prevents reactive mesogen from remaining in the liquid crystal layer, thereby eliminating persistence defects while maintaining the pre-tilting effect for improved side visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite alignment film structure consisting of two different polysiloxane layers with distinct functions. The first polysiloxane layer provides liquid crystal molecule alignment through vertical functional groups, while the second polysiloxane layer with cross-linked pre-tilting functional groups prevents residual reactive mesogen formation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining the benefits of pre-tilting for side visibility with mechanisms to eliminate persistence defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If a conventional alignment layer is used to align liquid crystal molecules, then the alignment function is provided, but uniform alignment is difficult to achieve and persistence defects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment functionVSAvoiduniform alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the alignment function into two distinct polysiloxane layers, each with specialized functions. The first polysiloxane layer focuses on uniform alignment of liquid crystal molecules through its vertical functional groups, while the second polysiloxane layer with cross-linked pre-tilting functional groups prevents persistence defects. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function, achieving both uniform alignment and elimination of persistence defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by giving each polysiloxane layer distinct properties tailored to its specific function. The first polysiloxane layer has properties optimized for liquid crystal interaction and uniform alignment, while the second polysiloxane layer has cross-linked pre-tilting functional groups specifically designed to prevent residual reactive mesogen. This localized functional differentiation enables precise control over alignment quality and defect prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces the persistence defects and enhances the uniform alignment of liquid crystal molecules, leading to improved display quality and side visibility in liquid crystal display devices.

Implementation Method 1

First portion of silicon atoms of the second polysiloxanes is bonded to vertical functional groups interacting with the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular interaction:

Implementation Method 2

first pre-tilting functional groups causing the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to be tilted with respect to at least one of the first and second display panels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular alignment:

Implementation Method 3

second pre-tilting functional groups cross-linked to the first pre-tilting functional groups through second cross-linking chains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking:

Data Source

PatentEP2520972B1Liquid crystal display device alignment film, and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2520972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2520972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2520972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device, including a liquid crystal layer interposed between a first display panel and a second display panel; and an alignment film formed on at least one of the first and second display panels, the alignment film including first polysiloxanes and second polysiloxanes disposed on the first polysiloxanes, wherein a first portion of silicon atoms of the second polysiloxanes are bonded to vertical functional groups interacting with liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer, and to first pre-tilting functional groups aligning the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to be tilted with respect to at least one of the first and second display panels by being crosslinked. The bonding structure of the first and the second polysiloxanes being different.