Transflective LCD Multi-Gap Structure for Viewing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transflective liquid crystal display devices have a narrow viewing angle due to the use of a single polarizing plate for reflective display, leading to alignment disorder caused by strong electric fields from switching elements, resulting in colored display light and low display quality.
Innovation Solution
An active matrix transflective liquid crystal display device with a multi-gap structure, where the liquid crystal layer thickness is adjusted using a liquid-crystal-layer-thickness adjusting layer, and contact holes are placed outside the reflective display region to minimize thickness variations and prevent alignment disorder, allowing for high-quality display without colored light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overlayer structure with contact holes is used to prevent alignment disorder, then alignment disorder is prevented, but the liquid crystal layer thickness becomes larger in the concave portion causing colored display light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different liquid crystal layer thicknesses in different regions: a first thickness in the reflective display region and a second thickness in the transmissive display region. This allows the contact holes to be positioned in regions where thickness variations are acceptable, while maintaining optimal thickness in the reflective region to prevent colored display light.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display region into reflective display regions and transmissive display regions with different liquid crystal layer thicknesses. This segmentation allows the overlayer structure with contact holes to be implemented without causing colored display light, as the thickness variation is confined to specific regions rather than uniformly affecting the entire display.
2Device complexity
If a single polarizing plate is used for reflective display, then device complexity is reduced, but viewing angle becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the liquid crystal display device universal by enabling it to perform both reflective display and transmissive display functions. The multi-gap structure with different thicknesses in reflective and transmissive regions allows the device to achieve wide viewing angles in both modes, eliminating the need for separate devices for each display type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the liquid crystal molecules to reorient in response to electric fields applied through the overlayer structure. This dynamic control enables the device to switch between reflective and transmissive display modes while maintaining wide viewing angles, providing versatility without increasing device complexity.
3Power
If strong electric field from switching elements is applied, then switching performance is improved, but liquid crystal alignment becomes disordered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an overlayer structure as an intermediary between the switching elements and the liquid crystal layer. This overlayer acts as a mediator that allows strong electric fields from switching elements to be applied while preventing direct interaction with the liquid crystal molecules, thus maintaining alignment orderliness despite high switching power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful effect by separating the switching elements from the liquid crystal layer through the overlayer structure. This extraction removes the direct harmful interaction between strong electric fields and liquid crystal molecules, preventing alignment disorder while preserving switching element functionality.
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 prevents alignment disorder and coloration of display light, enabling high-brightness, high-quality displays with wide viewing angles and uniform contrast in both reflective and transmissive modes.
Implementation Method 1
liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy, the liquid crystal being vertically aligned in an initial state
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal layer 50 composed of liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy and vertically aligned in an initial state is interposed between the substrates 10 and 25
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display device includes liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy, a liquid-crystal-layer-thickness adjusting layer provided between the liquid crystal layer and a substrate, an insulating film formed with a contact hole that brings an element electrode into electrical connection with an element forming layer. The contact hole is located within a dot region that includes reflective and transmissive display regions. The contact hole being disposed at a position outside of the reflective display region of the dot region.