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US4759614A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ferroelectric liquid crystal element with particular alignment film and a method for manufacturing the same

Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1986-07-10
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Granted: 1988-07-26
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Expires: 2006-07-10
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Abstract

Abstract The element comprises a pair of transparent substrates, a pair of light-transmitting electrodes each provided on the respective substrates, a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates and orientation control films for the molecules of the ferroelectric liquid crystal provided between the electrodes and the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer. The orientation control film controls a tile angle of a biphenyle series nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring system below 1.5 DEG and causes a uniform molecule orientation characteristic and a memory property for the ferroelectric liquid crystal element of smectic C* liquid crystal and having a liquid crystal layer thickness of even more than 4 mu m.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hisao Yokokura
  • 👤 Katsumi Kondo
  • 👤 Yasuo Hanawa
  • 👤 Susumu Era
  • 👤 Kishiro Iwasaki
  • 👤 Tadao Nakata
  • 👤 Masato Isogai
  • 👤 Teruo Kitamura
  • 👤 Akio Mukoh
  • 👤 Yasuhiko Kando

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 17:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/133345; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133711; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/141; C; C09; C09K; C09K2323/00; C09K2323/05

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim 129 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprising a pair of substrates having electrodes thereon, at least one of which substrates is transparent and is provided with a light-transmitting electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between said pair of substrates, wherein at least one of said pair of substrates has formed thereon, between the liquid crystal layer and electrode on the at least one substrate, an orientation control film, said orientation control film being a film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.5°, so as to provide a memory function for the ferroelectric liquid crystal element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 129 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprising a pair of substrates having electrodes thereon, at least one of which substrates is transparent and is provided with a light-transmitting electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between said pair of substrates, wherein at least one of said pair of substrates has formed thereon, between the liquid crystal layer and electrode on the at least one substrate, an orientation control film, said orientation control film being a film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.5°, so as to provide a memory function for the ferroelectric liquid crystal element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said orientation control film essentially consists of a polymer containing SO 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said polymer containing SO 2 is a polymer of imide series, imide siloxane series, imido-isoindol-quinazoline-dion series, hydrazide imide series, amide series or amide imide series.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 63 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 3 further characterized in that said orientation control film of said polymer containing SO 2 is provided on said at least one of said pair of substrates having electrodes thereon with an insulating layer of inorganic material between the orientation control film and said at least one of said pair of substrates having electrodes thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 4 further characterized in that said insulating layer of inorganic material contains at least one of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and titanium dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 63 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said orientation control film of said polymer containing SO 2 is provided on said at least one of said pair of substrates having electrodes thereon with an insulating layer of inorganic material between the orientation control film and said at least one of said pair of substrates having electrodes thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said insulating layer of inorganic material contains at least one of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and titanium dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said polymer containing SO 2 is admixed with a coupling agent of silane series.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said ferroelectric liquid crystal is one which exhibits isotropic phase→cholesteric phase→smectic C* phase or isotropic phase→smectic C* phase starting from a high temperature side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 38 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said polymer containing SO 2 is a polymer of imide series, imide siloxane series, imido-isoindol-quinazoline-dion series, hydrazide imide series, amide series or amide imide series.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 10 further characterized in that an insulating layer of inorganic material is provided between said orientation control film of said polymer containing SO 2 and said substrate with the light transmitting electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 57 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 1 further characterized in that each of said pair of substrates is transparent and is provided with a light-transmitting electrode, and that each of said pair of substrates is provided with said orientation control film formed thereon, postioned between the respective light-transmitting electrode and the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 51 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 1 further characterized in that each of the pair of substrates is provided with electrodes, and that each of said pair of substrates is provided with said orientation control film formed thereon, positioned between the respective electrodes and the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 35 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the pair of substrates are spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap therebetween of at least 4 μm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 57 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 1 wherein said orientation control film is a film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.0°.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 235 words
A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprising a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent and is provided with a light-transmitting electrode and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, characterized in that an SO 2 -containing polyamic acid and/or SO 2 -containing polyamic hydrazide varnish obtained by reacting diamine with SO 2 radical or dihydrazide with SO 2 radical with 2-4 carboxylic anhydride or 2-4 carboxylic halide is applied to at least one of said pair of substrates so as to be between said electrodes and said ferroelectric liquid crystal; a thin film of a polymer containing SO 2 is formed by heating said varnish at a temperature which permits ring closure of said varnish, said thin film of a polymer containing SO 2 being a film that forms an orientation control film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.5°; and an orientation control film for said ferroelectric liquid crystal is formed by rubbing the surface of the thin film in a predetermined direction, whereby use of said thin film of an SO 2 -containing polymer, in forming the orientation control film, provides a ferroelectric liquid crystal element having a memory function.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 235 words
A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprising a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent and is provided with a light-transmitting electrode and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, characterized in that an SO 2 -containing polyamic acid and/or SO 2 -containing polyamic hydrazide varnish obtained by reacting diamine with SO 2 radical or dihydrazide with SO 2 radical with 2-4 carboxylic anhydride or 2-4 carboxylic halide is applied to at least one of said pair of substrates so as to be between said electrodes and said ferroelectric liquid crystal; a thin film of a polymer containing SO 2 is formed by heating said varnish at a temperature which permits ring closure of said varnish, said thin film of a polymer containing SO 2 being a film that forms an orientation control film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.5°; and an orientation control film for said ferroelectric liquid crystal is formed by rubbing the surface of the thin film in a predetermined direction, whereby use of said thin film of an SO 2 -containing polymer, in forming the orientation control film, provides a ferroelectric liquid crystal element having a memory function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 66 words
A method for manufacturing the ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 16 further characterized in that a light-transmitting insulating layer of inorganic material is formed on the substrate with the light-transmitting electrode; said varnish of polyamic acid containing SO 2 and/or polyamic hydrazide containing SO 2 is applied on the insulating layer of inorganic material; and said heating acts to cause ring-closing of the varnish.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method for manufacturing the ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 17 further characterised in that said insulating layer of inorganic material contains at least one of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and titanium dioxide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 160 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprising light-transmitting electrodes respectively provided to a pair of substrates, at least one of which substrates is transparent, a light-transmitting insulating layer covering said light-transmitting electrodes, an orientation control film of a polymer of imide series, imide siloxane series, imide-isoindolquinazoline-dion series, hydrazide imide series, amide series, or amide imide series each containing SO 2 in its skeletal structure provided on said light-transmitting insulating layer, a spacer disposed between the substrates capable of freely controlling the intersubstrate gap and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between said substrates, periphery of which substrates is air tightly sealed, wherein said orientation control film is a film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.5°, so as to provide a memory function for the ferroelectric liquid crystal element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 160 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprising light-transmitting electrodes respectively provided to a pair of substrates, at least one of which substrates is transparent, a light-transmitting insulating layer covering said light-transmitting electrodes, an orientation control film of a polymer of imide series, imide siloxane series, imide-isoindolquinazoline-dion series, hydrazide imide series, amide series, or amide imide series each containing SO 2 in its skeletal structure provided on said light-transmitting insulating layer, a spacer disposed between the substrates capable of freely controlling the intersubstrate gap and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between said substrates, periphery of which substrates is air tightly sealed, wherein said orientation control film is a film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.5°, so as to provide a memory function for the ferroelectric liquid crystal element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 34 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 19 further characterized in that said ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits isotropic phase→cholesteric phase→smectic C* phase or isotropic phase→smectric C* phase starting from a high temperature side.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 33 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 20 further characterized in that a dichroic dye is additionally disposed between the substrates, the dichroic dye being in admixture with the ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 27 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 19 further characterized in that said polymer containing SO 2 is admixed with a coupling agent of silane series.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 29 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 19 further characterized in that said light-transmitting insulating layer contains at least one of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and titanium oxide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 35 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 19 further characterized in that the pair of substrates are spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap therebetween of at least 4 μm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 24 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 19 further characterized in that the polymer containing SO 2 is polyimide containing SO 2 .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 57 words
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element defined in claim 19 wherein said orientation control film is a film that controls an orientation tilt angle of a nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring, when the nematic liquid crystal is enclosed and oriented between the pair of substrates in place of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, to an angle below 1.0°.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4367924A Cited
US4381886A Cited
GB2101760A Cited
EP0091661A1 Cited
US4508429A Cited
DE3427597A1 Cited
DE3443011A1 Cited
EP0160302A2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-07-26 1992-01-25 1992-07-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-07-26 1996-01-25 1996-07-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-07-26 2000-01-25 2000-07-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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