Trap Electrodes in Display Column Spacers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses face contamination of liquid crystal layers due to ionic impurities, which affects image quality and longevity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of light-shielding or low reflection column spacers with trap electrodes and a sealing member to create an electric field that traps ionic impurities, preventing them from reaching the liquid crystal layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If column spacers are disposed inside the black matrix area, then cell gap maintenance is improved, but aperture ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light-shielding column spacer that serves as an intermediary element. This spacer is disposed on the first substrate within the black matrix area, using the black matrix region as a carrier or mediator to position the spacer without encroaching on the aperture area. The light-shielding material of the spacer further integrates with the black matrix function, allowing the spacer to maintain cell gap while being optically invisible.
2Ease of manufacture
If ionic impurities are present in the display structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but liquid crystal layer contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes ionic impurities from the display structure by introducing trap electrodes that selectively capture and hold ionic impurities in designated trap regions. These trap electrodes are positioned to intercept ionic impurities before they can migrate into and contaminate the liquid crystal layer, effectively extracting the harmful elements from the functional display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ionic impurities into a beneficial trapping mechanism. By designing trap electrodes with specific potentials, the ionic impurities that would normally cause contamination are instead attracted and held in trap regions, where their presence is contained and neutralized. The impurities become trapped in controlled locations rather than freely migrating and damaging the liquid crystal layer.
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
Effectively reduces contamination of the liquid crystal layer by ionic impurities, enhancing image quality and extending the lifespan of the display apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
In order to prevent or at least reduce contamination of a liquid crystal layer by an ionic impurity, trap electrodes may be disposed on a lower portion of the light-shielding column spacer and to face the common electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a first base substrate (BS), a second BS facing the first BS, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first BS and the second BS, a color filter layer, pixel electrodes, a light-shielding column spacer, a common electrode, and trap electrodes. The first BS includes a display area and a non-display area. The color filter layer is disposed on the first BS in the display area. The pixel electrodes are disposed on the color filter layer. The light-shielding column spacer is disposed on the first BS in the non-display area and includes a light-shielding material. The common electrode is disposed on the second BS and faces the pixel electrodes. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the common electrode and the pixel electrodes. The trap electrodes are disposed on a lower portion of the light-shielding column spacer and face the common electrode.