Stacked Liquid Crystal Cell Electrode Angles to Suppress Moire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal devices suffer from moire patterns due to overlapping electrodes with similar extension directions and alignment treatments.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal device comprising multiple liquid crystal cells with strip electrodes having different extension directions and alignment treatment angles, ensuring that the electrodes in each cell intersect at angles other than 90 degrees, thereby preventing complete overlap and suppressing moire patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If strip electrodes with similar extension directions are used in overlapping liquid crystal cells, then device structure is simplified, but moire patterns occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring strip electrodes in different liquid crystal cells with different extension directions. Specifically, the first liquid crystal cell has strip electrodes extending in a first direction, while the second liquid crystal cell has strip electrodes extending in a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction. This asymmetric configuration prevents the periodic interference patterns (moire) that would otherwise occur when identical or parallel electrode patterns overlap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the moire pattern issue by introducing directional variation as an additional degree of freedom. Instead of varying only the position or size of electrodes (one-dimensional adjustments), the invention changes the extension direction of electrodes in different cells, adding a angular/directional dimension to the electrode configuration. This dimensional change effectively breaks the periodicity that causes moire patterns.
2Ease of manufacture
If alignment treatment directions are made parallel in overlapping cells, then manufacturing process is simplified, but interference patterns appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry to the alignment treatment directions of liquid crystal molecules in different cells. The first liquid crystal cell has molecules aligned in a first direction, while the second liquid crystal cell has molecules aligned in a second direction that intersects with the first direction at a predetermined angle. This asymmetric alignment configuration prevents the formation of interference patterns that would occur with parallel alignment, while still maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
3Ease of operation
If liquid crystal cells are stacked with identical electrode orientations, then assembly is simplified, but optical uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring liquid crystal cells with different electrode orientations rather than identical ones. The first liquid crystal cell has strip electrodes extending in a first direction, while the second liquid crystal cell has strip electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting at a predetermined angle. This asymmetric configuration maintains relatively simple assembly procedures while significantly improving optical uniformity by preventing moire patterns and interference effects.
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 suppresses moire patterns by ensuring that electrodes in each cell have distinct alignment and extension directions, reducing interference and enhancing the device's optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
controls an alignment state of liquid crystal molecules or a refractive index distribution of a liquid crystal layer to refract light
Implementation Method 2
a first alignment film, a first strip electrode and a second strip electrode located between the first transparent substrate and the first alignment film
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the embodiments is to provide a liquid crystal device in which it is possible to suppress moire. According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal device comprises a first liquid crystal cell and a second liquid crystal cell. The first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell each comprise a first strip electrode and a second strip electrode, a first alignment film, a third strip electrode and a fourth strip electrode, a second alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer located between the first alignment film and the second alignment film. The extension direction of the first strip electrode and the second strip electrode in the first liquid crystal cell is different from the extension direction of the first strip electrode and the second strip electrode in the second liquid crystal cell. In each of the first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell, the alignment direction of the first alignment film intersects with the alignment direction of the second alignment film at an angle of 90° or smaller, and the extension direction of each of the first strip electrode and the second strip electrode intersects with the extension direction of each of the third strip electrode and the fourth strip electrode at an angle other than 90° in plan view.