Two-Layer Photo-Alignment Film for Liquid Crystal Displays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid crystal display devices using photo-alignment methods suffer from low alignment stability, leading to afterimages due to weak azimuthal anchoring strength and charge accumulation, which are irreversible and reversible respectively.

Innovation Solution

A two-layer alignment film structure is implemented, with a photo-alignment film made of polyamide acid ester or polyamide acid containing cyclobutane in the upper layer and a lower layer with enhanced film strength made of polyamide acid or polyamide acid ester without cyclobutane, irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light and then heated to improve anchoring strength and prevent afterimages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If photo-alignment method is used to provide alignment films with LC alignment control capability, then the disturbance of LC alignment due to complex level difference configuration is decreased and thin-film transistor breakdown caused by static electricity is eliminated, but the alignment stability becomes lower compared to rubbing method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidafterimages
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining photo-alignment film and charge removal film in a single alignment layer structure. The photo-alignment film provides LC alignment control through light irradiation, while the charge removal film simultaneously removes accumulated charges that cause afterimages. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating both alignment functionality and charge removal capability, eliminating afterimages while maintaining alignment stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If rubbing method is used to provide alignment films with LC alignment control capability, then alignment stability is maintained, but static electricity generated during rubbing causes thin-film transistor breakdown and pilling of rubbing cloth occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidstatic electricity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing method with a photo-alignment method that uses light irradiation instead of physical contact. This substitution eliminates the generation of static electricity during the alignment process, preventing thin-film transistor breakdown. The photo-alignment film achieves LC alignment control through photolytic action without mechanical friction, thereby removing the harmful static electricity effect while maintaining alignment stability.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If alignment film is made thinner to reduce pixel region complexity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but charge accumulation occurs leading to afterimages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel region uniformityVSAvoidcharge accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the alignment film to perform multiple functions simultaneously: photo-alignment for LC orientation control and charge removal to prevent afterimages. The charge removal film component specifically addresses charge accumulation in thin-film transistor regions, enabling the alignment film to maintain effectiveness even in thinned structures. This universal design allows the alignment system to function properly regardless of film thickness variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 enhances the azimuthal anchoring strength of the alignment film, reducing the occurrence of irreversible afterimages and facilitating the quick disappearance of reversible afterimages, thereby improving the long-term reliability and image quality of liquid crystal display devices.

Implementation Method 1

a photo-alignment process, namely, a photolytic LC alignment by irradiation of light such as, typically, ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-alignment: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light and then heated to improve anchoring strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11156875B2Liquid crystal display device
Publication Date: 2021.10.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • US11156875B2 patent drawing
  • US11156875B2 patent drawing
  • US11156875B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate having a first alignment film and an opposing substrate having a second alignment film with liquid crystals sandwiched therebetween. One of the first and second alignment films, comprises a first polyimide produced via polyamide acid ester containing cyclobutane as a precursor and a second polyimide produced via polyamide acid as a precursor. The polyamide acid has a higher polarity than that of the polyamide acid ester. The one of the first and second alignment films is responsive to photo-alignment. A first side of the one of the first and second alignment films is adjacent to the liquid crystals, and a second side thereof is closer to one of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate than the first side. The first side contains more of the first polyimide and less of the second polyimide than the second side.