Pre-aligned Liquid Crystal Display Using Photopolymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) is inefficient due to the time-consuming and equipment-intensive process of aligning liquid crystal molecules, which affects production yields and response speed, especially when initial alignment is not well established.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display design featuring pre-aligned liquid crystal molecules, achieved through a manufacturing method where a photopolymerizable prepolymer is used between substrates, allowing for simultaneous alignment under an electric field and subsequent polymerization, reducing manufacturing time and improving uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ultraviolet light is used to irradiate the unit cell to produce alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the initial alignment process, then the liquid crystal molecules can be aligned, but the process requires a lot of time and equipment and causes low LCD production yields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning liquid crystal molecules during the manufacturing process before the display is fully assembled and put into service. Specifically, alignment layers are formed on the substrates before assembling the liquid crystal layer, establishing proper molecular orientation in advance. This eliminates the need for time-consuming post-manufacturing alignment procedures and ultraviolet irradiation equipment, thereby improving production yield while maintaining alignment uniformity.
2Reliability
If the initial alignment of the liquid crystal is not well established, then the response speed of the liquid crystal is decreased and the uniformity quality of the liquid crystal display may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures reliable response speed by pre-establishing proper liquid crystal alignment during manufacturing through the formation of alignment layers on substrates before assembly. This preliminary alignment action guarantees that liquid crystal molecules are properly oriented from the outset, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing alignment adjustments and ensuring both fast response speed and uniform display quality throughout the product lifecycle.
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
This approach enables a highly uniform and efficient bulk production of LCDs with improved response speed and viewing angles by ensuring consistent pretilt alignment of liquid crystal molecules, thereby enhancing production efficiency and yield.
Implementation Method 1
a photopolymerizable prepolymer is used between substrates, allowing for simultaneous alignment under an electric field and subsequent polymerization
Implementation Method 2
voltages are applied to the field-generating electrodes to generate an electric field through the liquid crystal layer, and the magnitude of an alignment of liquid crystal (LC) molecules of the liquid crystal layer is determined by the electric field strength
Implementation Method 3
the polarization of incident light is controlled via the interaction of the polarized light with the aligned liquid crystal molecules
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealant coupling the first substrate and the second substrate and enclosing the liquid crystal layer; a display signal line arranged on the first substrate and including an end portion; and a first spacer disposed between the end portion of the display signal line and the sealant. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules exhibiting a pretilt alignment with respect to the first and second substrates.