Transflective LCD Phase-Layer Layout for Wide Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transflective liquid crystal display devices suffer from poor viewing angle characteristics and high costs, particularly when used as in-cell type touch panels, and they lack adequate viewability in varying illuminance environments.
Innovation Solution
A transflective liquid crystal display device with a specific configuration of phase difference layers, polarizers, and electrodes on one substrate, utilizing a liquid crystal layer with negative-type anisotropy and twist alignment, and incorporating a reflective and transmissive display regions, along with a touch sensor function, to enhance viewing angle characteristics and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transmissive liquid crystal display device is used, then the display brightness is sufficient in low illuminance environments, but the viewability is poor in high illuminance environments such as outdoors under direct sunlight
Solution Approach 1:
The display surface is divided into two distinct regions: a transmissive region that allows backlight transmission for use in low illuminance environments, and a reflective region that reflects external light for use in high illuminance environments. This segmentation enables the display to adapt to different lighting conditions by utilizing the appropriate region, thereby resolving the contradiction between display brightness and viewability across varying illuminance levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal layer dynamically changes its molecular orientation in response to applied voltage, switching between different display modes. In the transmissive region, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented to allow backlight transmission, while in the reflective region, they are oriented to reflect external light. This dynamic response enables the display to automatically adapt to different illuminance conditions, improving both brightness and viewability.
2Reliability
If a reflective liquid crystal display device is used, then the viewability is good in high illuminance environments, but the display is darker and has poor viewability in low illuminance environments
Solution Approach 1:
The display surface is segmented into transmissive and reflective regions, allowing the reflective region to provide good viewability in high illuminance environments while the transmissive region compensates for brightness in low illuminance environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The transflective liquid crystal display device performs multiple functions by combining both transmissive and reflective display capabilities in a single device. This multi-functionality allows the display to maintain good viewability across both high and low illuminance environments, resolving the contradiction between viewability in high illuminance and display brightness in low illuminance.
3Length of moving object
If existing transflective liquid crystal display devices are used as in-cell type touch panels, then the frame can be narrowed and thickness reduced, but the viewing angle characteristics are poor and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes key parameters including the liquid crystal material composition, phase difference layer configuration, and electrode arrangement to improve viewing angle characteristics. Specifically, the use of negative-type anisotropy liquid crystal material with twist alignment, combined with specific phase difference layers, enables wider viewing angles while maintaining the in-cell type structure for reduced thickness and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material structures including multiple phase difference layers with different optical properties, combined with specific liquid crystal materials and electrode configurations. This composite approach optimizes both viewing angle characteristics and the in-cell type structure, achieving wide viewing angles while maintaining thin profile and cost-effectiveness.
4Length of moving object
If existing transflective liquid crystal display devices are used as in-cell type touch panels, then the frame can be narrowed and thickness reduced, but the manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the touch sensor function directly into the display panel structure by integrating the touch sensor electrode with the common electrode of the liquid crystal display. This integration eliminates the need for separate touch sensor layers and reduces the number of manufacturing steps, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining the thin profile characteristic of in-cell type designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrode serves dual functions as both the liquid crystal driving electrode and the touch sensor electrode. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the manufacturing process, making the in-cell type touch panel more cost-effective while maintaining reduced thickness.
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 device provides excellent viewing angle characteristics and functionality as an in-cell type touch panel at a lower cost, ensuring good viewability in both high and low illuminance environments.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer (20), a first polarizer (51), a first phase difference layer (41), a first substrate (10), a second substrate (30), a second phase difference layer (42), and a second polarizer (52
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material having a negative-type anisotropy of dielectric constant and takes a twist alignment when no voltage is applied
Implementation Method 3
a reflective layer (130)
Implementation Method 4
The first phase difference layer includes a first λ/2 plate and a first λ/4 plate. The second phase difference layer includes a second λ/2 plate and a second λ/4 plate
Implementation Method 5
a first polarizer (51), a second polarizer (52)
Data Source
AI summary
A transflective liquid crystal display device includes a first polarizer, a first phase difference layer, a first substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a second substrate, a second phase difference layer, and a second polarizer. The first substrate includes a reflective layer, a pair of electrodes configured to generate a transverse electrical field in the liquid crystal layer, and a first horizontal alignment film. The second substrate includes a second horizontal alignment film. The first phase difference layer includes a first λ/2 plate and a first λ/4 plate. The second phase difference layer includes a second λ/2 plate and a second λ/4 plate. At least one of the first phase difference layer and the second phase difference layer further includes a positive C plate. The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material having a negative-type anisotropy of dielectric constant and takes a twist alignment when no voltage is applied. Each of pixels includes a reflective region in which light is reflected by the reflective layer to perform display and a transmissive region in which light is transmitted to perform display.