EP0113064A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Liquid crystal cell employing surface tension forces to achieve uniform interplate spacing, and method of construction thereof
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1983-12-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal display cell is provided in which a first wall-forming plate (51) of the cell is provided with a plurality of spacers (54) on its surface. A uniform loading force is applied to the cell which seats a second wall-forming plate (55) against the spacers on the first plate, thereby conforming and uniformly spacing the plates. The force is provided by the surface tension of a metered amount of liquid crystal material (57) which contacts the facing surfaces of the cell plates and draws them together. The liquid crystal material is confined to a delimited space between the plates by a raised ledge (53) which is placed in a closed pattern upon the surface of the first plate, the ledge and the inner surface of the second plate cooperating to reduce the meniscus (59) of the liquid crystal material which creates a pressure differential tending to limit the flow of the material.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane A. Haven
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1339; G02F1/13394; G02F1/13392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A liquid crystal cell comprising: (a) a first plate; (b) spacer means of substantially uniform thickness disposed on one surface of said first plate at multiple locations for maintaining a minimum separation between said first plate and a second plate: (c) a second plate having one surface disposed against said spacer means: and (d) a predetermined amount of liquid crystal material sandwiched between and contacting said first and said second plates, the surface tension of said liquid crystal material exerting a uniformly distributed force on said plates so that said second plate is seated against said spacer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A liquid crystal cell comprising: (a) a first plate; (b) spacer means of substantially uniform thickness disposed on one surface of said first plate at multiple locations for maintaining a minimum separation between said first plate and a second plate: (c) a second plate having one surface disposed against said spacer means: and (d) a predetermined amount of liquid crystal material sandwiched between and contacting said first and said second plates, the surface tension of said liquid crystal material exerting a uniformly distributed force on said plates so that said second plate is seated against said spacer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The liquid crystal cell of claim 1 further comprising a raised ledge formed on said one surface of said first plate, said raised ledge forming a closed pattern which delimits an area on said one surface, said spacer means disposed within said delimited area and extending above said ledge, and said liquid crystal material confined in the space between said plates defined by said delimited area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The liquid crystal cell of claim 2 wherein said ledge and said spacer means are formed of the same material deposited onto said first plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The liquid crystal cell of claim 2, further comprising sealing means, disposed at the periphery of said plates outside said ledge, for containing said liquid crystal material between said plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The liquid crystal cell of claim 4 wherein said predetermined amount is such that the meniscus of said material is confined between said ledge and said one surface of said second plate, said sealing means enclosing a space between said meniscus and said sealing means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for constructing a liquid crystal cell, comprising the steps of: (a) placing spacing material of substantially uniform thickness on one surface of a first plate at multiple locations; (b) thereafter, placing a predetermined amount of liquid crystal material on said one surface of said first plate; (c) thereafter, placing a second plate over said spacing material and liquid crystal material and waiting an amount of time sufficient for the surface tension of said liquid crystal material to uniformly load said second plate so that it is seated against said spacing material; and (d) thereafter, sealing the space between said first and said second plates at the periphery thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for constructing a liquid crystal cell, comprising the steps of: (a) placing spacing material of substantially uniform thickness on one surface of a first plate at multiple locations; (b) thereafter, placing a predetermined amount of liquid crystal material on said one surface of said first plate; (c) thereafter, placing a second plate over said spacing material and liquid crystal material and waiting an amount of time sufficient for the surface tension of said liquid crystal material to uniformly load said second plate so that it is seated against said spacing material; and (d) thereafter, sealing the space between said first and said second plates at the periphery thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6, step (a) further comprising placing a raised ledge of material on said one surface of said first plate in a closed pattern which delimits an area, said spacing material being disposed within said delimited area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said ledge and said spacing material are placed on said first plate by depositing on said first plate a suitable separating material and thereafter etching said separating material to form said ledge and spacing material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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