throbber
US0077l 82.3482
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Tomioka et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`May 18, 2010
`
`(SM
`
`LIQUID (IRYSTAI. DISPLAY AND MlC'l'il()l)
`FOR MANUF.-\(,'TURI.VG SAME
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Yasushi Tomioka, Hitacllinaka (JP);
`Hidetoshi Abe. Hitachinaka (J 1’);
`Katsumi Kondo. Mito (JP)
`
`428/1.1,
`(58) Field ofClassification Search
`428/1.31.1.5. 1.2.1.25. 1.26: 252/299.01;
`349/123. 134. 135
`Sec application tile for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DO(‘UMF.NTS
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Hitachi Displays, [.td.. Mobara-sl1i(.TP)
`
`4.345349 A
`
`8.-1982 Togashi
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. l54(b) by 1369 days.
`
`El’
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/537,825
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`X50975
`"‘
`7. I998
`
`(Continued)
`
`()'I‘llI;'R PUBLIC‘.-\'l‘IONS
`
`(22)
`
`PCT Filed:
`
`Dec. 8, 2003
`
`Wayne M. Gibbons. et al.. Nature. 351. pp. 49-50 (May 2. 1991).
`
`l’("l‘ No.:
`
`P(T'l'/JP03/15658
`
`§ 37] mt] ),
`(2). (4) Date:
`
`Jun. 8, 2005
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primmjv Examiner—Shcan C W11
`(74) .-trtorney, Agent. or Firm»—-~~Antonelli. Terry, Stout &
`Klaus, LLP.
`
`PC'1‘ Pub. No.: W02004/053582
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`l’("l‘ Pub. Date: Jun. 24, 2004
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0061719 Al
`
`Mar. 23. 2006
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 9. 2002
`
`(JP)
`
`........................... .. 2002-35646]
`
`(51)
`
`[nt.(‘|.
`(2006.01)
`(‘09K 19/00
`(2006.01)
`G021" 1/133
`(2006.01)
`G021" I/I337
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`.................... .. 428/l.2:428/1.25:428!l.26:
`428/1.271349/I23: 349/134: 349/135
`
`A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable ot’rcduc-
`ing the occurrence o.i‘dei'ectivc display due to variations in the
`initial alignment direction ofa liquid crystal alignment con-
`trol film in a liquid crystal display ofan IPS scheme. realizing
`the stable liquid crystal alignnicnt. providing excellent mass
`productivity. and having high image quality with a higher
`contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal
`layer disposed between a pair of substrates. at least one ofthe
`substrates being transparent. and an alignment control film
`formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At
`least one of the alignment control films comprises photore-
`activc polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with em
`alignment control ability by imidiation of substantially lin-
`early polarized light.
`
`24 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`(86)
`
`(87)
`
`(65)
`
`H3
`
`.\\‘1:€:1:3:3:3:3:3:~‘7IIIIl I
`
`I09 '
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`"/3.’!//2
`
`
`
`5
`
`Page 1 of 30
`
`Tianma Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`
`
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`Page 2
`
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`J 3‘
`
`J
`
`J)
`
`J)
`
`J
`
`J
`
`J3
`
`J)
`
`J
`
`J
`
`J)
`
`J
`
`J
`
`J)
`
`J
`
`J
`
`J3
`
`J3
`
`J
`
`TW
`
`
`W0
`
`7-209650
`
`7-209653
`
`07_2g7235
`
`g_361g3
`
`9.73101
`
`g_297313
`
`10_307295
`
`11_218765
`
`11.264932
`
`20oo-ogo164
`
`2000319510
`
`2000231671
`
`2001_517317
`
`2002431751
`
`3303766
`
`2002253262
`
`2002253303
`
`2003_73471
`
`2003_255349
`
`473497
`
`
`
`W0 91/1093“
`
`8/1995
`
`8/1995
`
`10’/1995
`
`2/1996
`
`3/1997
`
`11/1997
`
`11/199g
`
`8/1999
`
`9/1999
`
`3/2000
`
`11/2000
`
`10/2001
`
`10/2001
`
`5‘/2002
`
`5/2002
`
`9/2002
`
`972002
`
`3/2003
`
`9/2003
`
`1/2002
`
`
`7/1991
`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Japanese Official Action issued Jan. 26, 2010, in Application No.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2003403382.
`
`
`* cited by exaiuiner
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,335,249 A 4‘
`
`
`5,612,450 A
`
`
`5,731,405 A *
`
`
`5,756,649 A
`
`
`5,928,733 A *
`
`
`5,929,201 A
`
`
`5.940.156 A ‘J
`
`
`3990.856 A *
`
`
`6,063,829 A
`
`
`
`6.242.060 B1 *
`
`6,294,639 B1
`
`
`6,344,889 B1 *
`
`
`6,433,764 131"‘
`
`
`6,685,997 B1
`
`
`6,746,730 B1
`
`
`2001/0048498 A1 ”‘
`
`
`2004/0012725 A1
`
`
`2005/0271833 Al"‘
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`528/353
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`349/156
`
`345/97
`
`
`
`......... .. 528/353
`5/1989 Gallagher 61 a1.
`
`
`
`
`
`3/1997 Mizushima et al.
`
`
`
`
`3/1998 Gibbons et a1.
`
`
`
`5/1998 Mizushima et al.
`
`
`
`
`7/1999 Yoneyaet al.
`.............. .. 428/1.3
`
`
`
`
`
`7/1999 Gibbons et al.
`
`
`
`
`8/1999 Nisl1ig11chi at al.
`
`
`
`
`11/1999 Takeda et a1.
`
`
`
`5/2000 Endou et 31.
`
`
`
`
`............ .. 428/1.23
`6/2001 Yoneya et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`9/2001 Sawahata et al,
`
`
`
`
`2/2002 Hasegawa 61:11.
`
`
`
`8/2002 Hebiguchi et al.
`
`
`
`2/2004 Murata et al.
`
`
`
`6/2004 Taniolca et :11.
`
`
`
`
`12/2001 Touliuka elal.
`
`
`
`1/2004 Tomioka et al.
`
`
`
`12/"2005 Matsumoriet £11.
`
`
`
`
`
`......... .. 349/129
`
`
`.......... .. 345/87
`
`
`
`........... .. 349/123
`
`
`
`
`
`428/1.25
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`1037092
`972000
`6341907
`5/1988
`6-160878
`6/1994
`6-202127
`7/1994
`
`
`
`7-36047
`
`
`
`2/ 1 995
`
`EP
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`JP
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 30
`
`Page 2 of 30
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`May18,2010
`
`
`
`Sheet10f8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US 7,718,234 132
`
`
`
`7____.__
`
`
`
`
`
`.V"V‘.‘\"‘vI.V".V ‘V 'v'.V"Y.
`k~,+,¢.¢.o,: 0.4.0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 3 of 30
`
`Page 3 of 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 13, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`F|G.2
`
`I0!
`
`I05
`/03 /03'
`
`/09
`
`/08
`
`'07
`
`(
`
`)C
`
`/06
`
`IOI
`
`I05
`
`I20
`
`I08
`
`//2
`
`’°5
`
`/07
`
`Page 4 of 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 13, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`77//A
`
`h‘t3:5:3:¥:?:?:?:‘2'lTIlIIlIIl.'i
`
`\
`%
`3
`"""""""'
`
`I
`
`Page 5 of 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 0f8
`
`Us 7,718,234 B2
`
`/06
`
`I07
`
`I05
`O3’
`
`I08
`/03
`
`{O3
`
`Page 6 of 30
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 2010
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 5 0f8
`
`
`
`
`
`Us 7,718,234 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 7 of 30
`
`Page 7 of 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 13, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of8
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`Z=r"""""\.’a‘I'II\..4'
`
`IO
`
`Page 8 of 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 13, 2010
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`F|G.7
`
`71/1I1/1/111/11I/II/I/I//////I/1//////4
`
`1 14
`
`102
`
`111
`
`.,
`
`..
`
`111
`
` 42
`
`‘ 05
`
`111/,
`1111/
`111/
` L'1.'/7 '.'/ ///l/
`pg’ 1 <\\\\V /.1./gem////T..\\V////I .\\s//Axxvé
`7//////////////44
`.
`_ __ _
`9 _ -
`_
`‘CTL““““““““‘€
`\\\\\\\\\V€.k\\\I&\\\\\\\\\\&\\\\\\'&\\\\\\\\\\m\w\\%Q
`
`'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII//llI/ll
`
`‘I10
`
`1 O 9
`
`‘ 08
`1 O 7
`
`103
`
`101
`
`114
`
`Page 9 of 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2010
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`F|G.8
`
`"'1....
`
`jlz...
`
`
`
`"a!i'.I!§'!%"—————-!|';E:'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘i_;fl—l
`
`
`106
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 10 of 30
`
`

`
`
`
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`
`1
`LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND METHOD
`
`
`
`
`
`FOR MANUFACTURING SAME
`
`
`
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display of a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`so-called IPS (In-Plane Switching) scheme in wlnch an elec-
`tric field substantially in parallel with a substrate is applied to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a liquid crystal layer for operation, and to a production pro-
`cess thereo T.
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In general, display ofa liquid crystal display is realized by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`applying an electric field to liquid crystal molecules in a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of sub strates to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`change the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and utilizing the resulting change in the optical property ofthe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal layer. Conventionally, a liquid crystal display of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a so—called active drive type having a switching device such as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a thin-film transistor for each pixel is represented by a TN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Twisted Nematic) display scheme in which an electrode is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provided for each ofa pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal layer between them, the direction of an electric field
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`applied to the liquid crystal layer is set to be substantially
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`perpendicular to the interface between the substrates, and the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`optical rotatory power of tlie liquid crystal molecules consti-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tuting the liquid crystal layer is utilized to achieve display. In
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the liquid crystal display of the TN scheme, a small viewing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`angle is regarded as the greatest problem.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`On the other hand, “Patent Document l,” “Patent Docu-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ment 2,” “Patent Document 3,” “Patent Document 4," “Patent
`Document 5” and the like have disclosed an IPS scheme in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which an inter-digital electrode formed on one of a pair of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`substrates is used to produce an electric field having a corn-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ponent substantially in parallel with the substrate surface to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rotate liquid crystal molecules constituting a liquid crystal
`layer in a plane substantially in parallel with the substrate and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer is used to realize
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`display, The IPS scheme has advantages such as a wider
`viewing angle and a lower load capacity due to the in-plane
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`switching of the liquid crystal molecules as compared with
`the conventional TN scheme. The IPS scheme is considered
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as a new and promising liquid crystal display which will
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`replace the TN scheme and has made rapid advances in recent
`years. In addition, another type of the IPS scheme has been
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`disclosed in “Patent Document 6” iii which at least one of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`paired electrodes for applying an electric field to a liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal layer is made of a transparent conductive film to
`
`
`improve transmittance.
`The liquid crystal display of the IPS scheme (abbreviated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as IPS-TFT-LCD) with favorable viewing angle characteris-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tics (luminance contrast ratio, tone and color reversal) and
`bright display represents prospective technology formonitors
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or televisions with a large display area. In the liquid crystal
`display, an alignment control film provided with a liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal alignment control ability is formed on the interface
`between a liquid crystal layer and each of a pair of substrates
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sandwiching the liquid crystal layer between them. However,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to put IPS-TFT-LCDs for supporting large screens of 20
`inches or more into practiceuse in the future, it is necessary to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`develop a new structure and process for large-size displays
`(large panels).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In particular, for an IPS-TFT-LCD having many stepped
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`structures on a surface opposite to a liquid crystal layer, it is
`difficult to perform u11ifon11 alig1n11ei1t processing 011 an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment control film over a large screen. A margin in per-
`
`10
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`2(J
`
`
`
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`forming the alignment processing o11 the alignment control
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`film is significantly smaller than that of the conventional TN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scheme, especially a normally open type TN scheme which is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`predominant at present (bright display at low voltage and dark
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`display at high voltage). The reasons for the small margin
`include three points described below as (l) to (3).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(1) Stepped Structure
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the IPS—TFT-LCD, it is necessary to provide a number of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elongated electrodes (which may be referred to as inter digital
`electrodes) having a width of approximately several microns
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in principle. This causes minute stepped structures to be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`formed therein. The height of the step depends on the thick-
`ness of the electrodes or the shapes of various films formed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`thereon, andtypically is equal to 0.l micron (mp) orlarger.An
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment control film (also referred to as an alignment film)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`made of a polymer film such as polyimide is formed in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`uppenno st layer of the se films.
`
`
`
`
`
`In conventional mass production teclmology, the align-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ment control film is subjected to rubbing processing to pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vide a liquid crystal alignment ability (initial alignment).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Meanwhile, a cloth for the rubbing is formed by binding thin
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fibers with a thickness of approximately l0 to 30 microns.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Essentially, each of the thin fibers provides shearing force in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a predetermined direction for a local portion of the alignment
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`film to perform the processing of giving the liquid crystal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment ability. While very thin fibers of approximately
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`several microns are present the fibers, such very thin fibers
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`have not been put into practical use since rigidity for provid-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing certain frictional force is required for the rubbing. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`interval between the electrodes in the IPS scheme is approxi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mately IO to 30 microns which is substantially the same as the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`diameter of the fibers, so that sufficient rubbing is not per-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`formed near the steps and misalignment tends to occur. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`misalignment leads to reduced image quality such as a higher
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`black level, an associated lower contrast ratio, and uneven
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`luminance.
`
`
`
`
`(2) Alignment Angle
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the IPS-TFT-LCD, the initial alignment direction needs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to be set in principle at a certain angle or more shi Fted from the
`direction in which the electrode extends or the direction per-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pendicular thereto. The electrode refers to a signal wiring
`electrode, a common electrode in pixels, and a pixel elec-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`trode. The definition ofthe initial alignment direction through
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the rubbing requires the fibers of approximately l0 to 30
`microns to rub in a predetermined angular direction as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`described above. However, the step of the wire such as the
`signal wiring electrode. the common electrode in pixels, or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the pixel electrode extending in a certain direction at their
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ends draws the fibers toward the step from the set angle to
`produce misalignment, thereby reducing image quality such
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as a higher black level,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(3) Expression of Dark Level
`One ofthe characteristics of the IPS-TFT-LCD is excellent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`expression of a dark level (black display). Thus, misalign-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ment is easily noticeable as compared with the other schemes.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the conventionally normally open type TN scheme, the
`dark level is provided while a high voltage is applied. In this
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`case, most ofliquid crystal molecules align in the direction of
`the electric field which is one direction perpendicular to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`substrate surface at a high voltage, and the dark level is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provided from the relationship between the arrangement of
`the liquid crystal molecules and the placement of a polarizing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plate. Thus, the uniformity ofthe dark level hardly depends on
`the initial aligmnent state at a low voltage i11 principle. In
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`addition, since human eyes recognize uneven luminance as a
`
`Page 11 of 30
`
`Page 11 of 30
`
`

`
`
`
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`4
`
`
`ciated with the rubbing processing technique such as TFT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`breakage due to static electricity produced by friction, unfa-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vorable display due to misalignment from disordered fiber
`ends of a rubbing cloth or dust, and the need for frequent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`exchanges of rubbing cloths. For the purpose of solving the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`problems associated with the rubbing alignment processing, a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`so-called “rubbing-less” alignment technique for aligning
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal molecules without the rubbing has been studied
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and various processes thereof have been proposed. Among
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`other things, a process has been proposed in which polarized
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ultraviolet rays or the like are irradiated to the surface of a
`polymer film to align liquid crystal molecules without the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rubbing.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As an example, a process disclosed in “Non-Patent Docu-
`ment 1” is characterized in that it does not require the con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ventional rubbing proccssing and realizes the alignment of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal molecules in a predetermined direction through
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`irradiation of polarized light. The process is advantageous in
`presenting no problems such as damages on the film surface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and static electricity associated with the rubbing technique
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and providing a simpler production process in View of indus-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`trial production. The process has attracted attention as a new
`liquid crystal aligmrtent processing process without using the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rubbing processing.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As a material ofthe liquid crystal alignment filmused in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`previous reports, the use of a polymer compound having a
`photoreactive group in the side chain of a polymer has been
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`proposed for the need to provide photochemical sensitivity to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`polarized light. A representative example thereof is polyvi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nylcinnamate, in which case it is thought that dimerization in
`the side chain through light irradiation develops anisotropy in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a polymer film to align the liquid crystal. Another proposal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`involves dispersing low-molecular dichroic azo dye in a poly-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mer material and irradiating a film surface with polarized
`light to allow the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`predetermined direction. In addition, the alignment of liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal molecules achieved by irradiating a particular poly-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`imide film with polarized ultraviolet rays or the like has been
`reported. In this case, it is contemplated that the light irradia-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion decomposes the polyimide main chain in a certain direc-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion to develop the liquid crystal alignment.
`Patent Document 1: JP-B-63-21907
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,249
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 3: W091/l 0936
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 4: JP-A-6-22739
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 5: JP-A-6-160878
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 6: JP-A-9-73101
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent No. 3303766
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent Document 8: JP-A-ll-218765
`
`
`
`
`Non-Patent Document 1: W. M. Gibbons et al., Nature,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`351, 49(l99l)
`
`
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`In this mamter, the photo-alignment process through light
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`irradiation has been proposed and studied as the rubbing-less
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment teclmique for solving the problems in the rubbing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment technique, but it has the following problems from
`a practical standpoint. In a polymeric material obtained by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`introducing a photoreactive group in the side chain ofa poly-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mer represented by polyvinylcinnamate, the heat stability of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment is insufficient and satisfactory reliability is not
`
`ensured from a practical viewpoint. hi this case, since it is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`thought that the side chain of the polymer corresponds to the
`
`10
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`')t]
`
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`~
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`relative ratio of luminance and 111ake response close to a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`logarithmic scale, they are sensitive to variations in the dark
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`level. From this viewpoint, the conventional nonnally open
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`type TN scheme in which the liquid crystal molecules are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`forcedly arranged in one direction at a high voltage is advan-
`tageous in that it is not sensitive to the initial alignment state.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`On the other hand, in the IPS scheme. display of a dark
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`level is performed at a low voltage or no voltage, so that it is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sensitive to disturbance of the initial alignment state. In par-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ticular, when liomogeneous alignment is used ir1 which the
`alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules are in paral-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lel with each other on an upper substrate and a lower sub-
`strate. and the light transmission axis of one of polarizing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plates is set in parallel with the alignment direction of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal molecules and the light transmission axis of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`other polarizing plate is set orthogonally thereto (called a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`birefringence mode), polarized light incident on the liquid
`crystal layer is transmitted with almost no disturbance of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lineal polarization. This is effective in providing excellent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`expression of the dark level.
`The transmittance T in the birefringence mode is expressed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`by the following equation:
`
`T‘7"0‘sin2 {29(E)}-sinz {(fl£'d,_,f[\71)/7\.}
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`where To represents a coefficient which is a numerical value
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`determined mainly by the transmittance of the polarizing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plate for use in the liquid crystal panel, E)(E) represents an
`angle between the alignment direction of liquid molecules
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(the effective optical axis of the liquid crystal layer) and the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`polarized light transmission axis, E represents an applied
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`electric field intensity, dqfrepresent the effective thickness of
`the liquid crystal layer, An represents the refractive index
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`anisotropy of liquid crystal, and A represents the wavelength
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`oflight. The product ofthe effective thicknes s defofthe liquid
`crystal layer and the refractive index anisotropy An of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal, that is, d,f~A11 is called retardation. The thick-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ness defof the liquid crystal layer does not refer to the tl1ick-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ness of the whole liquid crystal layer but corresponds to the
`thickness ofthe liquid crystal layer which actually changes in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the alignment direction when a voltage is applied thereto.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This is because the liquid crystal molecules near the interface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the liquid crystal layer do not change in the alignment
`direction due to the influence of anchoring at the interface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`even when a voltage is applied thereto. Thus, assuming the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`thickness of the whole liquid crystal
`layer sandwiched
`between the substrates is dm, the relationship de <dLC is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`always found between the thicknesses dm and def The dif-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ference between them can be estimated at approximately 20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nm to 40 nm, although it depends on the liquid crystal mate-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rial used in the liquid crystal panel and the type of the inter-
`face in contact with the liquid crystal layer, for example the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`material of the alignment film.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As apparent from the above equation, the term sing {26(E)}
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`depends on the electric field intensity, and the luminance can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be adjusted by changing the angle 6 in accordance with the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`electric field intensity E. For the normally close type, polar-
`izing plates are set to satisfy 6"0 when no voltage is applied,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and it is sensitive to disturbance of the initial alignment direc-
`tion.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In this manner, the uniformity ofalignment is a very impor-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tant factor in the IPS scheme, and problems in the currently
`used rubbing tecmique have become apparent. In general, the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rubbing alignment processing includes many problems asso-
`
`
`
`Page 12 of 30
`
`Page 12 of 30
`
`

`
`
`
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`5
`
`
`site of the structure which develops the alignment of liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal, it is difficult to say that the technique is preferable in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`providing more uniform alignment of liquid crystal mol-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ecules and more resistant alignment. When low-molecular
`dichroic dye is dispersed in a polymer, the dye itself for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`aligning liquid crystal is the low molecular substance, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`from the viewpoint ofpractical use, problems remain i11 terms
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of reliability for heat and light.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ln addition, in the process ofirradiating particular polyim-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ide with polarized ultraviolet rays, the polyimide itself is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`reliable in heat resistance or the like, but it is thought that the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment mechanism is caused by decomposition through
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the light, and it is thus difficult to ensure sullicient reliability
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for practical use. Specifically, when the liquid crystal align-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ment with the polarized light irradiation is applied in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`future, it is necessary not only to initially align the liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal but also to develop more stable alignment from the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`viewpoint of reliability. lll view of actual industrial applica-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion, selection of a thermally stable polymer structure is
`desired. From those points, the polymer material proposed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`conventionally for the liquid ciystal alignment through light
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`irradiation is not sufficient in the alignment property and the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stability, which actually presents a significant problem in .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`realizing the rubbing-less alignment through light irradiation.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`particularly, a large-sized liquid crystal display capable of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`solving the inherent problem of the small production margin
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in the alignment processing in the lPS-TFT-LCD described 30
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`above, reducing the occurrence of defective display due to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`variations in the initial alignment direction, realizing the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stable liquid crystal alignment, and having high image quality
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with a higher contrast ratio. It is another object of the present
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`invention to provide a process ofproducing a high-quality and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`high-definition liquid crystal display with excellent mass pro-
`ductivity.
`
`To achieve the abovementioned objects, the present inven-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion provides a liquid crystal display comprising: a pair of 40
`
`substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent; a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates; a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`group ofelectrodes formed on one ofthe pair of substrates for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`applying an electric field having a component substantially in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`parallel with a surface of the substrate to the liquid crystal M
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`layer; a plurality of active devices connected to the group of
`“
`electrodes; an alignment control film disposed between the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal layer and at least one of the pair of substrates;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and optical means formed on at least one of the pair of sub-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`strates for changing the optical property of the liquid crystal <0
`layer in accordance with an alignnent state of molecules of i
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`said liquid crystal layer, wherein at least one of the alignment
`control films is an alignment control film comprising photo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`reactive polyimide andjor polyamic acid provided with an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially lin-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`early polarized light.
`
`
`
`The present invention is characterized in that liquid crystal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`molecules in the liquid crystal layer on the alignment control
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`film have a long axis in a direction orthogonal to a polariza-
`tion axis of the substantially linearly polarized light for irra-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`diation. In particular, it is desirable that the photoreactive
`alignment control film is polyamic acid or polyimide com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`prising at least cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as acid anhydride and at least aromatic diamine as diamine.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present invention is characterized in that the cyclobu-
`tanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride a11d its derivative are a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`compound represented by a formula [l7]:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`where R1, R2, R3, R4 each represent a hydrogen atom, a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fluorine atom, an alkyl group or alkoxyl group with a carbon
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`number of l to 6.
`
`
`
`
`On the other hand, the aromatic diamine compound con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tains at least one of compounds selected from a group of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`compounds consisting of ones represented by formulas [18]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to [32]:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[13]
`
`[19]
`
`
`
`[20]
`
`
`[31]
`
`
`[22]
`
`
`
`l
`
`R
`_/_
`\ l /
`
`R2
`
`NH;
`
`H7l\
`
`NH;
`
`Hzb
`
`\ R2
`
`Rt
`
`HaN
`
`NH)
`
`R1)\\_..9\<‘R;
`
`R
`
`1
`
`J?H2l\‘
`
`’ /
`R2
`
`X
`
`R,
`
`/ / NH;
`R4
`
`R1
`
`R3
`
`.3”7.A XI
`
`/1 \t
`
`2F
`
`
`
`5
`
`10
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 13 of 30
`
`Page 13 of 30
`
`

`
`
`
`
`US 7,718,234 B2
`
`7
`
`
`
`-continued
`
`
`8
`
`
`
`-continued
`
`
`R3
`
`R4
`
`[31]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`R1
`
`
`R2
`
`
`/
`\
`
`
`
`R3/\‘—’/\R.1
`
`
`
`R/\\_}‘~R,
`
`l \
`l X
`R1
`
`| \
`/ X
`R1
`
`HZN
`
`H2N
`
`\
`/\f’
`R2
`
`\
`/Y
`R3
`
`
`
`Page 14 of 30
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`[36]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[39]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`R1
`
`E
`
`\
`
`),Z°‘/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`where R1, R2, R3, R4 each represent a hydrogen atom, a
`
`
`
`
`fluorine atom, an alkyl group or alkoxyl group witl1 a carbon
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`number of 1 to 6, or a vinyl group 1 ———————(CHZ),,,———————CH:CH3.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`111:0, 1, 2} or an acetyl group {—(CHZ)n—(‘,E(",H, 11:0, 1,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2}, and in the formula [5], X represents a bond group —S—,
`—CO-, ——NI~'I-—.
`
`
`When the alignment control film is fonned as a thin film
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`l1avi11g a thickness from I 11111 to 10011111, the ligl1t transn1it-
`tance is improved and the efiiciency of light reaction with
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`polarized light irradiation is effectively improved. In addi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion, when the liquid crystal display is produced, the voltage
`for driving the liquid crystal is effectively applied to the liquid
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`crystal layer. Furthermore, when the alignment control filn1
`on the electrode is fonned as a thin film having a thickness
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`from 1 nm to 50 nm, and even from 1 nm to 30 nm, it is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`possible to reduce a direct current voltage component (a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`so-called residual DC voltage) remaining between the elec-
`
`
`
`
`
`trode/alignment control film/liquid crystal layer/alignment
`control film/electrode in each pixel of the liquid crystal d's-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`play, and after-image and persistence characteristics are
`effectively enhanced.
`
`
`In addition. the present invention is characterized in tlr at
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the liq

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket