Segment LCD Common Electrode Extraction and Resin Film Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal displays face display defects due to the complexity of patterning common electrodes and the random dispersion of spherical spacers, which can lead to non-uniform alignment and reduced display quality, especially when using flexible plastic substrates that lack high-temperature process resistance and chemical resistance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display design where a common electrode covers the entire surface of one substrate, with a non-conductive liquid-crystalline resin film interposed between the routing wire and the common electrode to electrically isolate and match the optical properties, and a translucent resin film used to adjust refractive index anisotropy, thereby avoiding display defects and allowing the use of flexible substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common electrode is patterned on the substrate to connect to segment electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but the patterning process becomes complex and causes alignment defects in overlapping areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the common electrode from the second substrate and relocates it to cover the entire surface of the first substrate. This eliminates the need for complex patterning of the common electrode on the second substrate while maintaining electrical connection functionality. The segment electrodes and routing wires remain on the second substrate, but the common electrode is now a simple full-surface layer on the first substrate, removing the harmful overlapping area between common electrode and routing wires.
2Length of stationary object
If spherical spacers are used to maintain substrate gap, then gap maintenance is achieved, but random dispersion causes non-uniform liquid crystal alignment and display defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid-crystalline resin film that matches the optical properties (refractive index anisotropy) of the liquid crystal material. This causes the resin film area to optically blend with the liquid crystal film area, making the display appearance uniform across both regions. The visual defect caused by spacers or resin film presence is eliminated through optical property matching rather than physical removal.
3Manufacturing precision
If photolithography is used for electrode patterning, then precise patterning is achieved, but numerous damaging processes including heating, cooling, UV irradiation, and chemical exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for common electrode patterning processes entirely by relocating the common electrode to the first substrate as a full-surface layer. This eliminates multiple photolithography steps, heating/cooling cycles, UV irradiation, and chemical etching that would otherwise be required to pattern the common electrode on the second substrate, significantly reducing substrate damage.
4Ease of manufacture
If the entire substrate surface is used as common electrode to simplify patterning, then patterning is simplified, but alignment defects occur in routing wire overlapping areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid-crystalline resin film as an intermediary layer in the routing wire area. This resin film serves multiple functions: it electrically isolates the routing wire from the common electrode to prevent unwanted capacitance effects, maintains the substrate gap like spacers, and matches optical properties to blend visually with the liquid crystal area. This intermediary solution allows the common electrode to cover the entire first substrate without causing alignment defects.
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 design simplifies the patterning process, reduces display defects by matching optical properties, and enables the use of flexible substrates, improving display quality and flexibility while maintaining high transmittance in the normally white mode.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid-crystalline resin film has refractive index anisotropy which is substantially equal to refractive index anisotropy of a liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal film
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal film provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and being subject to twisted alignment between the first substrate and the second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display includes first and second substrates placed opposite each other, a common electrode on one side of the first substrate to substantially cover a whole surface, a segment electrode on one side of the second substrate, a routing wire on one side of the second substrate and connected to the segment electrode, a liquid-crystalline resin film without electrical conductivity on one side of the second substrate, and a liquid crystal film between the substrates, and being subject to twisted alignment between the substrates. The liquid-crystalline resin film has refractive index anisotropy being substantially equal to that of a liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal film, is subject to twisted alignment, and is disposed to fill a space between the routing wire and the common electrode. The liquid crystal film is disposed to fill a space between the segment electrode and the common electrode.