Transmittance-Variable Film With Splay-Oriented Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transmittance-variable films face challenges in controlling liquid crystal pretilt and achieving uniform driving and fast response speed due to the complexity of the rubbing process, which limits their ability to realize various liquid crystal modes.

Innovation Solution

A transmittance-variable film utilizing a liquid crystal alignment film with splay oriented liquid crystal molecules, allowing for horizontal orientation of the liquid crystal layer based on the average tilt angle of the alignment film, thereby excluding the need for the rubbing process and enabling simple coating-drying-curing methods for pretilt control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rubbing process is used to control liquid crystal pretilt, then pretilt control is achieved, but the process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepretilt controlVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the rubbing process from the manufacturing sequence by using a liquid crystal alignment film that provides pretilt control through its inherent molecular structure and splay orientation characteristics, rather than through mechanical rubbing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing process with a chemical/molecular approach using a liquid crystal alignment film containing splay oriented liquid crystal molecules, which control pretilt through molecular self-organization rather than mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If a liquid crystal alignment film with splay oriented molecules is used, then the rubbing process is excluded and pretilt control is simplified, but control over liquid crystal orientation must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidorientation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the average tilt angle of the liquid crystal alignment film as a key parameter to determine the horizontal orientation of the liquid crystal layer, enabling precise orientation control through parameter optimization rather than complex processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal alignment film with splay oriented molecules provides self-alignment capabilities, where the molecular structure automatically orients the liquid crystal molecules through its inherent properties rather than requiring external mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures uniform driving and fast response speed while allowing for various liquid crystal modes, improving the control over liquid crystal pretilt and orientation without the complexity of the rubbing process.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal alignment film comprising splay oriented liquid crystal molecules and capable of horizontally orienting a liquid crystal layer or a liquid crystal interface according to an average tilt angle of the liquid crystal alignment film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal orientation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP3534200B1Variable transmittance film
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3534200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3534200B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3534200B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present application relates to a transmittance-variable film and a use thereof, and the transmittance-variable film of the present application can control pretilt of a liquid crystal interface by applying a liquid crystal alignment film containing splay oriented liquid crystal molecules, and can vertically and horizontally orient a liquid crystal layer or a liquid crystal interface according to an average tilt angle of the liquid crystal alignment film to ensure uniformity of driving and fast response speed. In addition, by applying a liquid crystal alignment film, the transmittance-variable film of the present application can be implemented in various modes with a simple coating-drying-curing method excluding the rubbing process by controlling an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal alignment film other than the pretilt control method using the conventional rubbing method.