KR102172900B1 - Curved liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes: a first substrate and a second substrate having a curvature along a first direction; A seal pattern formed at an edge between the first and second substrates; And a liquid crystal layer positioned in the seal pattern between the first and second substrates, the seal pattern includes first, second, third and fourth patterns, and the first and third patterns are the It corresponds to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second and fourth patterns correspond to the first direction, and at least one of the second and fourth patterns is a multiple structure including a plurality of parts. It provides a curved liquid crystal display device characterized by.

Description

Curved liquid crystal display device

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a curved liquid crystal display device.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices for displaying images is increasing in various forms, liquid crystal display devices (LCD devices), plasma display panel devices (PDP devices), Various flat panel display devices (FPD devices) such as organic light emitting diode devices (OLED devices) have been widely developed and applied to various fields.

Among these flat panel display devices, liquid crystal display devices are widely used because they have advantages such as miniaturization, weight reduction, thinness, and low power driving.

In general, a liquid crystal display device uses optical anisotropy and polarization properties of a liquid crystal, and includes a liquid crystal layer between two substrates and a liquid crystal layer, and a pixel electrode and a common electrode for driving liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display device causes liquid crystal molecules to move by an electric field generated by applying a voltage to a pixel electrode and a common electrode, thereby expressing an image by a transmittance of light that varies accordingly. Such liquid crystal display devices are applied in various ways from portable devices such as mobile phones and multimedia devices to notebook computers or computer monitors and large-sized televisions.

However, a liquid crystal display device as a flat panel display device has a problem in that a distance deviation from the main viewing area of the viewer to the display screen occurs depending on the location.

This will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a schematic diagram of a general liquid crystal display device.

As shown in Fig. 1, since the liquid crystal display 10 is manufactured in a flat plate shape, the first distance d1 from the main viewing area of the viewer to the central area of the liquid crystal display 10 and the liquid crystal from the main viewing area The second distances d2 to the left and right regions of the display device 10 are different from each other. That is, the second distance d2 is greater than the first distance d1, and a distance deviation from the main viewing area to the display screen of the liquid crystal display 10 occurs.

The problem of such distance deviation appears larger as the screen of the liquid crystal display 10 increases, and thus, the degree of immersion in the image displayed through the liquid crystal display 10 decreases.

The present invention has been presented to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a curved liquid crystal display device capable of solving the distance deviation problem.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate having a curvature along a first direction; A seal pattern formed at an edge between the first and second substrates; And a liquid crystal layer positioned in the seal pattern between the first and second substrates, the seal pattern includes first, second, third and fourth patterns, and the first and third patterns are the It corresponds to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second and fourth patterns correspond to the first direction, and at least one of the second and fourth patterns is a multiple structure including a plurality of parts. It provides a curved liquid crystal display device characterized by.

Each of the first, second, third and fourth patterns includes a bent portion, and the seal pattern has an octagonal shape.

Each of the second and fourth patterns is a multi-structure including first to n-th portions (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2).

Each of the second and fourth patterns has a double structure including a first portion and a second portion.

The first portion and the second portion have the same width.

Alternatively, the width of the first portion and the width of the second portion are different from each other.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are initially arranged parallel to the second direction.

The first direction corresponds to the long sides of the first and second substrates, and the second direction corresponds to the short sides of the first and second substrates.

According to the present invention, by providing a curved liquid crystal display, it is possible to prevent a deviation between the distance from the main viewing area to the central area of the display device and the distance to both areas. Therefore, there is an effect of improving the degree of immersion of the viewer.

In addition, since the seal pattern in the curved direction has a double structure, the twist angle of the liquid crystal molecules can be reduced by dispersing the stress in the curved direction, thereby improving light leakage.

On the other hand, by forming a bent portion in the seal pattern in each direction, there is an effect of further reducing the twist angle of liquid crystal molecules by dispersing the stress and further improving light leakage.

In addition, since an annealing process is not required, manufacturing time and cost can be reduced.

1 is a schematic diagram of a general liquid crystal display device.
2 is a schematic diagram of a curved liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating light leakage generated in the curved liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a curved liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a schematic plan view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
6A is a view showing an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on an inner surface of a first substrate at one corner of a curved liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a curved surface according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram showing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on the inner surface of the second substrate at one corner of the liquid crystal display, and FIG. 6C is a view showing the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of FIGS. 6A and 6B together.
7 is a schematic plan view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
8A is a view showing an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on an inner surface of a first substrate at one corner of a curved liquid crystal display according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a curved surface according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a view showing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on the inner surface of the second substrate at one corner of the liquid crystal display, and FIG. 8C is a view showing the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of FIGS. 8A and 8B together.
9 is a schematic plan view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
10A is a view showing an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on an inner surface of a first substrate at one corner of a curved liquid crystal display according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a curved surface according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a view showing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on the inner surface of the second substrate at one corner of the liquid crystal display, and FIG. 10C is a view showing the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of FIGS. 10A and 10B together.

Hereinafter, the present invention capable of solving the above problems will be described with reference to the drawings.

-First Example-

2 is a schematic diagram of a curved liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the curved liquid crystal display 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a curved shape. That is, the flat display device is curved at a constant curvature based on the center to form a curved surface.

Accordingly, the first distance d11 from the viewer's main viewing area to the center area of the curved liquid crystal display 100 and the second distance d12 from the main viewing area to the left and right sides of the curved liquid crystal display 100 are Since they are substantially the same, the problem of distance deviation in the conventional flat panel display device is solved and the viewer's immersion is improved.

However, the curved liquid crystal display 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention artificially forms a curvature, so that light leakage occurs at four corners, as shown in FIG. 3.

This light leakage will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6C.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 5, the curved liquid crystal display 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate 110, a second substrate 120, and first and second substrates. It includes a liquid crystal layer 130 between (110, 120). A seal pattern 140 is formed at an edge between the first and second substrates 110 and 120.

In FIG. 5, the first and second substrates 110 and 120 have the same area and are completely overlapped so that the first substrate 110 may not be exposed, but for convenience, the first substrate 110 is shown to be exposed. . Alternatively, the first substrate 110 may have a larger area than the second substrate 120.

The seal pattern 140 is formed on the first substrate 110 or the second substrate 120 to surround the display area to bond the first and second substrates 110 and 120 together, and the two substrates 110 and 120 A sealed space is formed therebetween to prevent leakage of the liquid crystal layer 130. The seal pattern 140 has a uniform width w1 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a thermosetting or photocurable material may be used as a material of the seal pattern 140.

Although not shown, a gate line and a data line crossing each other to define a pixel area, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and data line, and a pixel formed in the pixel area and connected to the thin film transistor on the inner surface of the first substrate 110 A common electrode for generating an electric field is formed together with the electrode and the pixel electrode. This first substrate 110 is referred to as an array substrate.

Also, although not shown, a black matrix and a color filter layer may be formed on the inner surface of the second substrate 120. The black matrix is positioned corresponding to the gate wiring, the data wiring, and the thin film transistor, has an opening corresponding to the pixel area, and blocks light other than the pixel area. The color filter layer corresponds to the opening of the black matrix and includes red, green, and blue color filters sequentially arranged, and one color filter corresponds to one pixel area. This second substrate 120 is referred to as a color filter substrate.

Meanwhile, first and second alignment layers (not shown) having alignment axes in a predetermined direction are formed on the uppermost layer of the inner surfaces of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120, respectively, so that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 130 Determine the initial arrangement. The orientation axes of each of the first and second alignment layers are parallel to the direction of the short sides of the substrates 110 and 120.

In addition, first and second polarizing plates (not shown) are disposed on outer surfaces of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120, respectively, and the light transmission axis of the first polarizing plate is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizing plate. Arranged in a way.

The curved liquid crystal display 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is transformed from a flat state to a curved state. As an example, the curved liquid crystal display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention controls the flat display device along the horizontal direction by artificially applying force in order to implement a curved surface in a horizontal direction, that is, a long side direction. 2 By being bent toward the substrate 120 at a constant curvature, it has a curved shape.

However, since the edges of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 are bonded to each other by the seal pattern 140, the behavior of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 to bend is different.

That is, in the curved liquid crystal display device 100, a tensile stress is applied to the first substrate 110 on the outside of the bent side along the horizontal direction, and the second substrate 120 on the inside of the curved surface is applied along the horizontal direction. Compressive stress is applied. However, since the edges of the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are fixed by the seal pattern 140, torsional stress is applied to the edges of the first and second substrates 110 and 120. ) Is generated, and the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 are shifted in opposite directions.

At this time, the torsional stress is greatest at the four corners of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120, and the alignment axes of the first and second alignment layers (not shown) are twisted due to the torsional stress. And the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the inner surfaces of the second substrates 110 and 120 are distorted, and light leakage occurs at four corners.

Hereinafter, the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules due to torsional stress will be described in more detail.

6A is a view showing an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on an inner surface of a first substrate at one corner of a curved liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a curved surface according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram showing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on the inner surface of the second substrate at one corner of the liquid crystal display, and FIG. 6C is a view showing the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of FIGS. 6A and 6B together. As an example, FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the upper left corner of the display device of FIG. 5.

Liquid crystal molecules located on the inner surfaces of the first substrate (110 of FIG. 5) and the second substrate (120 of FIG. 5) of the curved liquid crystal display (100 of FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a flat state ( The long axes of the 131 and 132 are arranged along the vertical direction, that is, the short side direction of the display device 100 in FIG. 5.

That is, when the long side direction of the curved liquid crystal display device (100 in FIG. 5) is the first direction and the short side direction is the second direction, the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) and the second substrate (FIG. 5 The first and second alignment layers (not shown) on 120) of are rubbed along the second direction to have an alignment axis in the second direction, and the liquid crystal molecules 131 and 132 are arranged along the second direction.

A flat liquid crystal display device (100 in FIG. 5) having such a structure is bent toward a second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) along the first direction to transform it into a curved state.

At this time, the stress applied to the first and second substrates (110 and 120 in FIG. 5) differs between the inner and outer surfaces of each, and the outer surface and the second surface of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) located on the outside Tensile stress is applied to the inner surface of the substrate (120 in FIG. 5) along the first direction, and the inner surface of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) and the outer surface of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) located inside the bend A compressive stress is applied along the first direction.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, a compressive stress CS11 is applied along the first direction to an edge parallel to the first direction on the inner surface of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5 ). Here, since the edge of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) is bonded and fixed with the edge of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) through a seal pattern (140 in FIG. 5), the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) Tensile stress TS11 is applied along the second direction to the edge parallel to the second direction from the inner surface.

Accordingly, a torsional stress S11 due to the compressive stress CS11 in the first direction and the tensile stress TS11 in the second direction occurs at one corner of the inner surface of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5 ).

Due to this torsional stress S11, the orientation axis (not shown) of the first alignment layer (not shown) of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) is the center of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5). The liquid crystal molecules 131 are bent toward the inside, and the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules 131 is also bent, so that the liquid crystal molecules 131 located at one corner of the inner surface of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) are counterclockwise with respect to the initial alignment axis. Rotates in the direction.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, a tensile stress TS12 is applied along the first direction to the edge parallel to the first direction from the inner surface of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5), and the edge parallel to the second direction. Compressive stress CS12 is applied along the second direction.

Accordingly, a torsional stress S12 due to the tensile stress TS12 in the first direction and the compressive stress CS12 in the second direction is generated at one corner of the inner surface of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5).

Due to this torsional stress S12, the alignment axis (not shown) of the second alignment film (not shown) of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) is the center of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5). The liquid crystal molecules 132 are bent toward the outside, and the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules 132 is also bent, so that the liquid crystal molecules 132 located at one corner of the inner surface of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) are clockwise with respect to the initial alignment axis. Is rotated.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6C, the liquid crystal molecules 131 disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) and the liquid crystal molecules 132 disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) are first It is arranged twisted with an angle (θ1).

Light leakage occurs due to the misalignment of the liquid crystal molecules 131 and 132.

On the other hand, by manufacturing a curved liquid crystal display by annealing the liquid crystal display in a flat state for a long time, it is possible to prevent initial light leakage.

However, annealing is a method of forming a curved surface using uniform shrinkage by evaporating moisture from a polarizing plate. When the thus manufactured curved liquid crystal display is left at room temperature, the polarizing plate absorbs moisture and the curved liquid crystal display is It changes back to the flat state.

At this time, compressive stress is generated along the first direction in the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5), and tensile stress acts in the first direction in the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5), so that the first substrate (FIG. 5 110) and the edge of the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) are subjected to torsional stress in a direction opposite to that when deformed from a flat state to a curved state.

The alignment axes of the first and second alignment layers are bent due to such torsional stress, and the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the inner surfaces of the first substrate (110 in FIG. 5) and the second substrate (120 in FIG. 5) is distorted. Light leakage occurs at the four corners.

In addition, this annealing method requires specific equipment, which is expensive and requires a lot of manufacturing time.

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-Second Example-

7 is a schematic plan view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the curved liquid crystal display 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate 410, a second substrate 420, and first and second substrates 410. It includes a liquid crystal layer (not shown) between the 420. A seal pattern 440 is formed at an edge between the first and second substrates 410 and 420.

Here, the first and second substrates 410 and 420 may have the same area and are completely overlapped so that the first substrate 410 may not be exposed, but for convenience, the first substrate 410 is shown to be exposed. Alternatively, the first substrate 410 may have a larger area than the second substrate 420.

Although not shown, on the inner surface of the first substrate 410, a gate wiring and a data wiring crossing each other to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor connected to the gate wiring and data wiring, and a pixel formed in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor A common electrode for generating an electric field is formed together with the electrode and the pixel electrode.

Further, although not shown, a black matrix and a color filter layer may be formed on the inner surface of the second substrate 420. The black matrix is positioned corresponding to the gate wiring, the data wiring, and the thin film transistor, has an opening corresponding to the pixel area, and blocks light other than the pixel area. The color filter layer corresponds to the opening of the black matrix and includes red, green, and blue color filters sequentially arranged, and one color filter corresponds to one pixel area.

In order to increase the aperture ratio, the color filter layer may be formed on the first substrate 410.

On the other hand, first and second alignment layers (not shown) having alignment axes in a certain direction are formed on the uppermost layers of the inner surfaces of the first substrate 410 and the second substrate 420, respectively, so that the initial arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is Decide. The orientation axis of each of the first and second alignment layers is parallel to the direction of short sides of the substrates 410 and 420.

In addition, first and second polarizing plates (not shown) are disposed on outer surfaces of the first substrate 410 and the second substrate 420, respectively, and the light transmission axis of the first polarizing plate is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizing plate. Arranged in a way.

The seal pattern 440 is formed on the first substrate 310 or the second substrate 420 to surround the display area to bond the first and second substrates 410 and 420 together, and the two substrates 410 and 420 A sealed space is formed between the liquid crystal layer to prevent leakage. As a material of the seal pattern 440, a thermosetting or photocurable material may be used.

Here, the seal pattern 440 includes first, second, third, and fourth patterns 442, 444, 446, and 448. The first to fourth patterns 442, 444, 446, and 448 are sequentially arranged and connected to each other to form a closed space.

The first and third patterns 442 and 446 are formed along the short side direction of the display device 400 and have a first width w41. The second and fourth patterns 444 and 448 are formed along the long side direction of the display device 400, and each of the second and fourth patterns 444 and 448 is spaced apart from first to n-th portions (n Is a multiple structure including 2 or more natural numbers), for example, each of the second and fourth patterns 444 and 448 is a dual structure including first parts 444a and 448a and second parts 444b and 448b to be. It is preferable that the distance between the first portions 444a and 448a and the second portions 444b and 448b is 10 micrometers or more, and when smaller than this, the second and fourth patterns 444 and 448 have a single structure. The first portions 444a and 448a have a second width w42, the second portions 444b and 448b have a third width w43, and the first, second and third widths w41, w42, w43) can be the same. Unlike this, the first, second, and third widths w41, w42, and w43 may be different, and the sum of the second and third widths w42 and w43 is greater than the first width w41, at this time, The second and third widths w42 and w43 may be the same or different from each other.

Meanwhile, the first width w41 may be the same as the width w1 of the seal pattern (140 in FIG. 5) of the curved liquid crystal display device (110 in FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment.

The curved liquid crystal display 400 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a curved surface shape by being bent with a constant curvature toward the second substrate 420 along a long side direction.

At this time, in the curved liquid crystal display device 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the second and fourth patterns 444 and 448 of the seal pattern 440 formed along the long side have a dual structure, the bending direction It is possible to reduce the twist angle of liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 410 and 420, respectively, by dispersing the stress of.

8A is a view showing an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on an inner surface of a first substrate at one corner of a curved liquid crystal display according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a curved surface according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a view showing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on the inner surface of the second substrate at one corner of the liquid crystal display, and FIG. 8C is a view showing the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of FIGS. 8A and 8B together. For example, FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the upper left corner of the display device of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when the long side direction of the curved liquid crystal display device (400 in FIG. 7) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is referred to as the first direction and the short side direction is referred to as the second direction, the first substrate ( Compressive stress CS41 is applied along the first direction to an edge parallel to the first direction on the inner surface of 410 of FIG. 7. Here, since the edge of the first substrate (410 in FIG. 7) is bonded and fixed with the edge of the second substrate (420 in FIG. 7) through a seal pattern (440 in FIG. 7), the first substrate (410 in FIG. 7) A tensile stress TS41 is applied along the second direction to an edge parallel to the second direction from the inner surface.

Accordingly, a torsional stress S41 due to the compressive stress CS41 in the first direction and the tensile stress TS41 in the second direction occurs at one corner of the inner surface of the first substrate (410 in FIG. 7 ).

At this time, since the second and fourth patterns (444, 448 of FIG. 7) of the seal pattern (440 of FIG. 7) formed along the first direction have a double structure, the stress in the first direction is dispersed to reduce the compressive stress (CS41 ) Becomes smaller than the compressive stress (CS11 in Fig. 6A) in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the magnitude of the torsional stress S41 is also smaller than the torsional stress (S11 in FIG. 6A) in the first embodiment, and the direction of the torsional stress S41 is also less inclined compared to the initial alignment axis, and the alignment axis is bent. Becomes smaller.

Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 431 located at one corner of the inner surface of the first substrate (410 in FIG. 7) rotate less in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the initial alignment axis than the liquid crystal molecules (131 in FIG. 6A) in the first embodiment. do.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8B, a tensile stress TS42 is applied from the inner surface of the second substrate (420 in FIG. 7) to the edge parallel to the first direction along the first direction, and the edge parallel to the second direction. Compressive stress CS42 is applied along the second direction.

Accordingly, a torsional stress S42 due to the tensile stress TS42 in the first direction and the compressive stress CS42 in the second direction is generated at one corner of the inner surface of the second substrate (420 in FIG. 7 ).

At this time, since the second and fourth patterns (444, 448 of FIG. 7) of the seal pattern (440 of FIG. 7) formed along the first direction have a dual structure, the stress in the first direction is dispersed to cause the tensile stress (TS42 ) Becomes smaller than the tensile stress (TS12 in Fig. 6B) in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the magnitude of the torsional stress (S42) is also smaller than the torsional stress (S12 in FIG. 6B) in the first embodiment, and the direction of the torsional stress (S42) is also less inclined than the initial alignment axis, and the bending of the alignment axis Becomes smaller. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 432 located at one corner of the inner surface of the second substrate (420 in FIG. 7) rotate less clockwise than the liquid crystal molecules (132 in FIG. 6B) in the first embodiment with respect to the initial alignment axis. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8C, the liquid crystal molecules 431 located on the inner surface of the first substrate (410 in FIG. 7) and the liquid crystal molecules 432 located on the inner surface of the second substrate (420 in FIG. 7) are It is arranged to be twisted at an angle θ4, and the second angle θ4 is smaller than the first angle (θ1 in FIG. 6C).

As such, light leakage can be improved by reducing the twist angle θ4 between the liquid crystal molecules 431 and 432 adjacent to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates (410 and 420 in FIG. 7 ).

-Third Example-

9 is a schematic plan view of a curved liquid crystal display according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9, the curved liquid crystal display 500 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate 510, a second substrate 520, and first and second substrates 510, respectively. It includes a liquid crystal layer (not shown) between the 520. A seal pattern 540 is formed at an edge between the first and second substrates 510 and 520.

Here, the first and second substrates 510 and 520 may have the same area and completely overlap so that the first substrate 510 may not be exposed, but for convenience, the first substrate 510 is shown to be exposed. Alternatively, the first substrate 510 may have a larger area than the second substrate 520.

Although not shown, a gate line and a data line crossing each other to define a pixel area, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and data line, and a pixel formed in the pixel area and connected to the thin film transistor on the inner surface of the first substrate 510 A common electrode for generating an electric field is formed together with the electrode and the pixel electrode.

Further, although not shown, a black matrix and a color filter layer may be formed on the inner surface of the second substrate 520. The black matrix is positioned corresponding to the gate wiring, the data wiring, and the thin film transistor, has an opening corresponding to the pixel area, and blocks light other than the pixel area. The color filter layer corresponds to the opening of the black matrix and includes red, green, and blue color filters sequentially arranged, and one color filter corresponds to one pixel area.

In order to increase the aperture ratio, the color filter layer may be formed on the first substrate 510.

Meanwhile, first and second alignment layers (not shown) having an alignment axis in a predetermined direction are formed on the uppermost layer of the inner surfaces of the first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520, respectively, so that the initial arrangement of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is achieved. Decide. The orientation axes of each of the first and second alignment layers are parallel to the direction of the short sides of the substrates 510 and 520.

In addition, first and second polarizing plates (not shown) are disposed on outer surfaces of the first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520, respectively, and the light transmission axis of the first polarizing plate is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizing plate. Arranged in a way.

The seal pattern 540 is formed on the first substrate 510 or the second substrate 520 to surround the display area to bond the first and second substrates 510 and 520 together, and the two substrates 510 and 520 A sealed space is formed between the liquid crystal layer to prevent leakage. A thermosetting or photocurable material may be used as the material of the seal pattern 540.

Here, the seal pattern 540 includes first, second, third, and fourth patterns 542, 544, 546, and 5348. The first to fourth patterns 542, 544, 546, and 548 are sequentially arranged and connected to each other to form a closed space, and each of the first to fourth patterns 542, 544, 546, and 548 is a display device. The seal pattern 540 has an octagonal shape including a portion bent to the outside of 500.

At this time, the bent portions of the first to fourth patterns 542, 544, 546, 548 are preferably located in the center of each pattern 542, 544, 546, 548, and each pattern 542, 544, 546, It is moved toward the edge of the display device 500 by a certain separation distance d2 compared to both ends of 548, the separation distance d2 may vary according to the area of the non-display area, that is, the bezel area, For example, it may be 0.5 to 3 mm.

The first and third patterns 542 and 546 correspond to the short sides of the display device 500, and the second and fourth patterns 544 and 548 correspond to the long sides of the display device 500. That is, the first and third patterns 542 and 546 are formed along the short side direction of the display device 500 and have a first width w31. In addition, the second and fourth patterns 544 and 548 are formed along the long side direction of the display device 500, and each of the second and fourth patterns 544 and 548 is spaced apart from first to n-th portions. (n is a natural number of 2 or more) is a multi-structure including, for example, each of the second and fourth patterns 544 and 548 includes first portions 544a and 548a and second portions 544b and 548b. It is a double structure. It is preferable that the interval between the first portions 544a and 548a and the second portions 544b and 548b is 10 micrometers or more, and when smaller than this, the second and fourth patterns 444 and 448 have a single structure. The first portions 544a and 548a have a second width w52, the second portions 544b and 548b have a third width w53, and the first, second and third widths w51, w52, w43) can be the same. Unlike this, the first, second, and third widths w51, w52, and w53 may be different, and the sum of the second and third widths w52 and w53 is greater than the first width w51, and at this time, the The second and third widths w52 and w53 may be the same or different from each other.

Meanwhile, the first width w51 may be the same as the width w1 of the seal pattern (140 of FIG. 5) of the curved liquid crystal display (110 of FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment.

The curved liquid crystal display device 500 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a curved shape by bending toward the second substrate 520 along a long side direction with a constant curvature.

At this time, in the curved liquid crystal display device 500 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, since the second and fourth patterns 544 and 548 of the seal pattern 540 formed along the long side have a dual structure, the bending direction It is possible to reduce the twist angle of liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 510 and 520, respectively, by dispersing the stress of.

10A is a view showing an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on an inner surface of a first substrate at one corner of a curved liquid crystal display according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a curved surface according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a view showing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules on the inner surface of the second substrate at one corner of the liquid crystal display, and FIG. 10C is a view showing the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of FIGS. 10A and 10B together. As an example, FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the upper left corner of the display device of FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the long side direction of the curved liquid crystal display device (500 of FIG. 9) according to the third embodiment of the present invention is referred to as the first direction and the short side direction is referred to as the second direction, the first substrate ( Compressive stress CS51 is applied along the first direction to an edge parallel to the first direction on the inner surface 510 of FIG. 9. Here, since the edge of the first substrate (510 in FIG. 9) is bonded and fixed with the edge of the second substrate (520 in FIG. 9) through a seal pattern (540 in FIG. 9), the first substrate (510 in FIG. 9) A tensile stress TS51 is applied along the second direction to the edge parallel to the second direction from the inner surface.

However, since the seal pattern (540 in FIG. 9) has an octagonal shape, the actual compressive stress CS51 and the tensile stress TS51 are applied in a direction oblique to the first and second directions, respectively.

Accordingly, a torsional stress S51 due to a compressive stress CS51 oblique in the first direction and a tensile stress TS51 obliquely in the second direction occurs at one corner of the inner surface of the first substrate (510 in FIG. 9).

At this time, since the second and fourth patterns (544 and 548 of FIG. 9) of the seal pattern (540 of FIG. 9) formed along the first direction have a double structure, the stress in the first direction is dispersed to reduce the compressive stress (CS51 ) Becomes smaller than the compressive stress (CS11 in Fig. 6A) in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the magnitude of the torsional stress S51 is also smaller than the torsional stress (S11 in Fig. 6A) in the first embodiment.

In addition, since the directions of the compressive stress CS51 and the tensile stress TS51 are oblique to the first and second directions, respectively, by the seal pattern of the octagonal structure (440 in FIG. 9), the direction of the torsional stress S51 is also It is less inclined than the initial alignment axis, and the bending of the alignment axis becomes small.

Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 531 located at one corner of the inner surface of the first substrate (510 in FIG. 9) are the liquid crystal molecules in the first embodiment (131 in FIG. 6A) and in the second embodiment with respect to the initial alignment axis. It rotates less in the counterclockwise direction than the liquid crystal molecule (431 in FIG. 8A).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10B, a tensile stress TS52 is applied along the first direction to the edge parallel to the first direction from the inner surface of the second substrate (520 in FIG. 9), and the edge parallel to the second direction. A compressive stress CS52 is applied along the second direction. However, since the seal pattern (540 in FIG. 9) has an octagonal shape, the actual tensile stress TS52 and the compressive stress CS52 are applied in a direction oblique to the first and second directions, respectively.

Accordingly, a torsional stress S52 due to a tensile stress TS52 oblique to the first direction and a compressive stress CS52 oblique to the second direction occurs at one corner of the inner surface of the second substrate (520 in FIG. 9 ).

At this time, since the second and fourth patterns (544 and 548 of FIG. 9) of the seal pattern (540 in FIG. 9) formed along the first direction have a double structure, the stress in the first direction is dispersed to cause the tensile stress (TS52). ) Becomes smaller than the tensile stress (TS12 in Fig. 6B) in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the magnitude of the torsional stress S52 is also smaller than the torsional stress (S12 in Fig. 6B) in the first embodiment.

In addition, since the directions of the tensile stress TS52 and the compressive stress CS52 are oblique to the first and second directions, respectively, by the seal pattern of the octagonal structure (540 in FIG. 9), the direction of the torsional stress S52 is also It is less inclined than the initial alignment axis, and the bending of the alignment axis becomes small.

Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules 532 located at one corner of the inner surface of the second substrate (520 in FIG. 9) are the liquid crystal molecules in the first embodiment (132 in FIG. 6B) and in the second embodiment with respect to the initial alignment axis. It rotates less clockwise than the liquid crystal molecule of (432 in FIG. 8B).

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10C, the liquid crystal molecules 531 located on the inner surface of the first substrate (510 in FIG. 9) and the liquid crystal molecules 532 located on the inner surface of the second substrate (520 in FIG. 9) They are arranged to be twisted with an angle θ5, and the third angle θ5 is smaller than the first angle (θ1 in FIG. 6C) and the second angle (θ4 in FIG. 8C).

As described above, light leakage may be improved by reducing the twist angle θ3 between the liquid crystal molecules 531 and 532 adjacent to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates (510 and 520 of FIG. 9 ), respectively.

In the previous embodiment, it has been described that the curved liquid crystal display device has a curvature along a long side direction, and the seal pattern in the long side direction has a double or more structure, but the curved liquid crystal display device of the present invention may have a curvature along the short side direction, In this case, the seal pattern in the direction of the short side may have a double or more structure.

Although the above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will variously modify and change the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the following claims. You will understand that you can do it.

400, 500: curved liquid crystal display
410, 510: first substrate 420, 520: second substrate
431, 432, 531, 532: liquid crystal molecules
440, 540: seal pattern
442, 542: first pattern 444, 544: second pattern
446, 546: third pattern 448, 548: fourth pattern
CS21, CS22, CS31, CS32, CS41, CS42, CS51, CS52: compressive stress
TS21, TS22, TS31, TS32, TS41, TS42, TS51, TS52: tensile stress
S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, S51, S52: torsional stress

Claims (10)

A first substrate and a second substrate having a curvature along the first direction;
A seal pattern formed at an edge between the first and second substrates;
A liquid crystal layer positioned in the seal pattern between the first and second substrates
Including,
The seal pattern includes first, second, third and fourth patterns, the first and third patterns correspond to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second and fourth patterns Corresponds to the first direction,
At least one of the second and fourth patterns is characterized in that it is a multi-structure including a plurality of parts,
The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are initially arranged parallel to the second direction.
The method of claim 1,
Each of the first, second, third, and fourth patterns includes a bent portion, and the seal pattern has an octagonal shape.
The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Each of the second and fourth patterns has a multiple structure including first to n-th portions (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2).
The method of claim 3,
Each of the second and fourth patterns has a double structure including a first portion and a second portion.
The method of claim 4,
The curved liquid crystal display device, wherein the first portion and the second portion have the same width.
The method of claim 4,
A curved liquid crystal display device, characterized in that the width of the first portion and the width of the second portion are different from each other.
delete The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The first direction corresponds to a long side of the first and second substrates, and the second direction corresponds to a short side of the first and second substrates. The method of claim 3,
A curved liquid crystal display device in which a width of each of the first and third patterns is smaller than a width of each of the second and fourth patterns.
The method of claim 1,
Each of the first and third patterns has a single structure, and each of the second and fourth patterns has a double structure.

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