US5178571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for manufacturing an electro-optical device
Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-12-06
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Granted: 1993-01-12
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Expires: 2011-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device is disclosed. The first step of the method is distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 pm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 pm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 pm and containing a liquid crystal therein and coated with heat curable resin or photocurable resin or a polymerizable material on the outside surfaces thereof. Secondly, the substrate is joined to another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween. Finally, the joined substrates are pressed against each other under an environmental pressure less than atmospheric pressure. In case of the heat curable resin, said pressing step is carried out with the substrates heated. In case of the photocurable resin, said pressing step is carried out with the distributed mixture irradiated with light. In case of the polymerizable, material, the material is polymerized during said pressing step. Liquid crystal devices having a more distinct threshold value and hence having an increased drive margin are realized.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Mase
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1334; C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/52; C09K19/54; C09K19/542; C09K19/544; G02F1/1339; G02F1/13392; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/1368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 μm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 μm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 μm and containing an electrically responsive liquid crystal therein, at least said covers coated with heat curable resin on the outside surfaces thereof; joining said substrate with another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween; and pressing the substrates against each other with the substrates heated, whereby said heat curable resin is cured to fix the positions of said covers with respect to said substrates.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 μm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 μm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 μm and containing an electrically responsive liquid crystal therein, at least said covers coated with heat curable resin on the outside surfaces thereof; joining said substrate with another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween; and pressing the substrates against each other with the substrates heated, whereby said heat curable resin is cured to fix the positions of said covers with respect to said substrates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the distributed mixture has a film form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said plastic spherical covers contain coloring matter therein together with said liquid crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said distributing step is carried out by dissolving said mixture in a solvent followed by distributing the solution on said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said distributing step is carried out without dissolving said mixture in a solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said distributing step is carried out by dispersing said mixture in an organic solvent followed by applying the dispersion on said substrate by printing or spincoat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a silica particle is provided on the surface of said heat curable resin.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 μm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 μm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 μm and containing an electrically responsive liquid crystal therein, at least said covers coated with photocurable resin on the outside surfaces thereof; joining said substrate with another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween; and pressing the substrates against each other with the distributed mixture irradiated with light, whereby said photocurable resin is cured to fix the positions of said covers with respect to said substrates.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 μm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 μm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 μm and containing an electrically responsive liquid crystal therein, at least said covers coated with photocurable resin on the outside surfaces thereof; joining said substrate with another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween; and pressing the substrates against each other with the distributed mixture irradiated with light, whereby said photocurable resin is cured to fix the positions of said covers with respect to said substrates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the distrubuted mixture has a film form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said plastic spherical covers contain coloring matter therein together with said liquid crystal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said distributing step is carried out by dissolving said mixture in a solvent followed by distributing the solution on said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said distributing step is carried out without dissolving said mixture in a solvent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said distributing step is carried out by dispersing said mixture in an organic solvent followed by applying the dispersion on said substrate by printing or spincoat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein a silica particle is provided on the surface of said photocurable resin.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 μm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 μm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 μm and containing an electrically responsive liquid crystal therein, at least said covers coated with a polymerizable material on the outside surfaces thereof; joining said substrate with another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween; and pressing the substrates against each other; and polymerizing said material during said pressing step to fix the positions of said covers with respect to said substrates.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: distributing on a substrate at a thickness of 1 to 500 μm a mixture which comprises spacers having a diameter of 1 to 50 μm and plastic spherical covers having an inner diameter of 0.2 to 50 μm and containing an electrically responsive liquid crystal therein, at least said covers coated with a polymerizable material on the outside surfaces thereof; joining said substrate with another substrate with the distributed mixture therebetween; and pressing the substrates against each other; and polymerizing said material during said pressing step to fix the positions of said covers with respect to said substrates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the distributed mixture has a film form.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said plastic spherical covers contain coloring matter therein together with said liquid crystal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said distributing step is carried out by dissolving said mixture in a solvent followed by distributing the solution on said substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said distributing step is carried out without dissolving said mixture in a solvent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said distributing step is carried out by dispersing said mixture in an organic solvent followed by applying the dispersion on said substrate by printing or spincoat.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pressing step is performed at an environmental pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said pressing step is performed at an environmental pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pressing step is performed at an environmental pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-12 | 1996-07-13 | 1997-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | 2001-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-12 | 2004-07-13 | 2005-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |