VA LCD Panel Polymer Protrusion Alignment Method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost of manufacturing vertical alignment (VA) type liquid crystal display (LCD) panels are increased due to the need for special exposure processes and ITO etching, which complicate the production of protrusions and slits required for pre-tilt angles of liquid crystal molecules.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of a photo-initiator and polymeric monomer to the liquid crystal material, followed by UV irradiation through a mask to form polymer protrusions on the TFT array substrate, eliminating the need for ITO etching and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protrusions or slits are produced on the CF substrate or TFT substrate to provide pre-tilt angles for LC molecules, then the LC molecules can achieve stable alignment, but the manufacturing process complexity increases due to special exposure processes and ITO etching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pre-tilt angle formation function with the liquid crystal material itself by adding photopolymerizable monomers to the LC composition. This merges the alignment layer function into the LC material, eliminating the need for separate protrusion or slit structures on the substrates, thereby reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining alignment stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the liquid crystal material by incorporating photopolymerizable monomers (such as acrylate or methacrylate groups) and photo-initiators. This parameter change enables the LC material to form polymer protrusions through UV irradiation, providing pre-tilt angles without requiring traditional substrate modifications like ITO etching or special exposure processes
2Reliability
If ITO etching is performed on the TFT substrate to produce slits for pre-tilt angles, then LC molecules can achieve proper alignment, but manufacturing costs and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment control function from the substrate structure (ITO layer and protrusions/slits) and transfers it to the liquid crystal material composition. By removing the dependency on substrate modifications, the manufacturing process is simplified while the alignment function is preserved through the photopolymerizable LC composition that forms polymer protrusions upon UV irradiation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the substrate to control LC alignment (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by modifying the LC material itself to control alignment. The photopolymerizable monomers in the LC composition form the alignment-determining structures (polymer protrusions) when irradiated, reversing the traditional sequence of alignment control
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
This method allows for the formation of pre-tilt angles in liquid crystal molecules without ITO etching, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while achieving stable alignment of LC molecules, similar to traditional protrusions or slits.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric monomer having reactive mesogen able to perform polymerization reaction under UV irradiation
Implementation Method 2
using UV light to shine through the mask on the array substrate side to irradiate the LC panel, so that the polymeric monomer in the LC panel polymerized under UV irradiation to form spaced polymer protrusions
Implementation Method 3
applying a voltage to the LC panel, after the LC molecules in the LC layer of the LC panel deflecting, continuing to use UV light irradiation, so that the remaining polymeric monomer polymerized to form polymer bumps on the array substrate and CF substrate, to achieve anchoring the LC molecules
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a manufacturing method for VA type LCD panel. The manufacturing method of the present invention adds a photo-initiator and a polymeric monomer to LC material, and uses UV light to irradiate through a mask so that the polymeric monomer polymerizes in accordance with the mask pattern to form polymer protrusions on the array substrate side to achieve the effect similar to protrusion or slit. The method is applicable for the LC molecules to form the pre-tilt angle so that the LC molecules in the panel are lined up along the normal direction. The method is simple, eliminates ITO etching process on the array substrate side, and reduces costs.