Soft Polymer Spacer Anchoring for OCB LCD Bend Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal displays with an Optically Compensated Bend (OCB) mode, achieving a fast and complete bend transition of liquid crystal molecules is hindered by the time required for the transition, which can be mitigated by increasing voltage, leading to higher power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polymer spacer with soft polymers between the substrates, where the polymer chains are arranged vertically to apply anchoring energy to the liquid crystal molecules, facilitating a rapid bend transition without increasing power consumption by allowing deformation and rearrangement under pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a high voltage is applied to accelerate the bend transition of liquid crystal molecules, then the response speed is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebend transition speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer spacer is pre-formed with vertically arranged polymer chains before liquid crystal molecules are introduced. These pre-arranged polymer chains create anchoring energy that preliminarily prepares the liquid crystal molecules for bend alignment, reducing the voltage and time needed for transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer spacer acts as an intermediary between the substrates and liquid crystal molecules. The polymer chains in the spacer mediate the interaction with liquid crystal molecules, providing anchoring energy that facilitates faster bend transition without requiring high voltage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the voltage is increased to ensure complete bend transition of all liquid crystal molecules, then the alignment completeness is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebend transition completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer spacer provides localized anchoring energy at specific positions where liquid crystal molecules need assistance for bend transition. This local quality enhancement ensures complete transition of all molecules, including those that would otherwise require high voltage, while maintaining low overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If a rigid spacer is used to maintain structural stability, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the ability to facilitate bend transition is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidbend transition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer spacer uses soft polymers with specific chain arrangements that can deform under pressure during manufacturing while maintaining vertical orientation. This parameter change in polymer flexibility allows the spacer to both maintain structural stability and facilitate rapid bend transition through anchoring energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer combines structural stability with functional properties through the use of polymer materials that possess both mechanical strength and the ability to provide anchoring energy. The composite nature of the polymer structure enables it to serve dual purposes: maintaining device integrity and accelerating liquid crystal transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 reduces the transition time and voltage needed for bend alignment, enabling efficient and fast image formation while maintaining low power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer chains are arranged vertically to apply anchoring energy to the liquid crystal molecules, facilitating a rapid bend transition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnchoring energy:

Implementation Method 2

nematic liquid crystal molecules having a positive dielectric constant anisotropy (Δε)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric anisotropy: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

an alignment of liquid crystal molecules located between pixel electrodes and a counter electrode is changed by applying an electric field between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field effect: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS7589815B2Liquid crystal display having OCB mode liquid crystal layer and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2009.09.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

There are provided a liquid crystal display having an Optically Compensated Bend (OCB) mode liquid crystal layer and a method of manufacturing the same. The liquid crystal display includes a lower substrate having pixel electrodes. An upper substrate is disposed above the lower substrate. The upper substrate has an opposite surface opposing the lower substrate and a counter electrode disposed on the opposite surface. Polymer spacers having soft polymers are disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. An OCB mode liquid crystal layer is also disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate.