US5381256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ferroelectric liquid crystal device with fine particles on insulator, having diameter less than substrate gap
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-12-10
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Granted: 1995-01-10
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Expires: 2012-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A ferroelectric liquid crystal device of a cell structure having a suppressed increase of cell thickness along a cell side is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of electrode plates each sequentially provided with an electrode, an insulating film and an alignment film on a substrate. The alignment film is provided with a surface unevenness for suppressing a liquid crystal movement causing the increase in cell thickness. The surface unevenness is provided to the alignment film directly or to the insulating film below the alignment film, e.g., by wet forming the relevant film by using at least two solvents having different boiling points or dispersing fine particles within the relavant film, optionally followed by removal of the fine particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Hanyu
- 👤 Kenji Onuma
- 👤 Yoshio Hotta
- 👤 Osamu Taniguchi
- 👤 Hideaki Takao
- 👤 Masanobu Asaoka
- 👤 Tadashi Mihara
- 👤 Yasuto Kodera
- 👤 Makoto Kojima
- 👤 Katsutoshi Nakamura
- 👤 Takatsugu Wada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133345; G02F1/13378; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface, and a liquid crystal disposed between the inner surfaces of said first and second substrates; said device further comprising between the first and second substrates a spacer contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; and fine particles dispersed on the first substrate providing corresponding projections on the inner surface of the first substrate, the projections contacting the liquid crystal but not contacting the inner surface of the second substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface, and a liquid crystal disposed between the inner surfaces of said first and second substrates; said device further comprising between the first and second substrates a spacer contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; and fine particles dispersed on the first substrate providing corresponding projections on the inner surface of the first substrate, the projections contacting the liquid crystal but not contacting the inner surface of the second substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fine particles are contained in an insulating film formed on the first substrate, with an alignment film disposed on the insulating film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying di<D<50 di with respect to the thickness di of the insulating film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying da<D<100 da with respect to the thickness da of the alignment film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein the insulating film has been formed of a coating liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying di<2D with respect to the thickness di of the insulating film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said alignment film comprises a polyimide represented by the following formula (1): ##STR13## wherein A denotes a tetravalent organic residue group, and R 1 and R 2 independently denote an alkyl or fluoroalkyl group each having 1-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said alignment film comprises a polyamide represented by the following formula (2): ##STR14## wherein B denotes a divalent organic residue group, and R 3 and R 4 independently denote an alkyl or fluoroalkyl group each having 1-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
17 words
A device according to any of claims 1-8, wherein said liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
18 words
A device according to any of claims 1-8, wherein said liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is in an alignment state satisfying H<α+δ, wherein α denotes a pretilt angle, H denotes a tilt angle and δ denotes an inclination angle of chiral smectic C phase.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is in an alignment state providing at least two stable states of optical axes which form an angle 2Θa therebetween satisfying H>Θa>H/2, wherein H denotes a tilt angle of the liquid crystal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface, and a liquid crystal disposed between the inner surfaces of said first and second substrates; said device further comprising between the first and second substrates a spacer contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; and fine particles dispersed on the first substrate providing corresponding projections on the inner surface of the first substrate, the projections having a height which is substantially smaller than a spacing between the first and second substrates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface, and a liquid crystal disposed between the inner surfaces of said first and second substrates; said device further comprising between the first and second substrates a spacer contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; and fine particles dispersed on the first substrate providing corresponding projections on the inner surface of the first substrate, the projections having a height which is substantially smaller than a spacing between the first and second substrates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein said fine particles are contained in an insulating film formed on the first substrate, with an alignment film disposed on the insulating film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying di<D<50 di with respect to the thickness di of the insulating film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying da<D<100 da with respect to the thickness da of the alignment film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 16, wherein the insulating film has been formed of a coating liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying di<2D with respect to the thickness di of the insulating film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said alignment film comprises a polyimide represented by the following formula (1): ##STR15## wherein A denotes a tetravalent organic residue group, and R 1 and R 2 independently denote an alkyl or fluoroalkyl group each having 1-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said alignment film comprises a polyamide represented by the following formula (2): ##STR16## wherein B independently denotes a divalent organic residue group, and R 3 and R 4 denote an alkyl or fluoroalkyl group each having 1-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
17 words
A device according to any of claims 13-20, wherein said liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
18 words
A device according to any of claims 13-20, wherein said liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 21, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is in an alignment state satisfying H<α+δ, wherein α denotes a pretilt angle, H denotes a tilt angle and δ denotes an inclination angle of chiral smectic C phase.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is in an alignment state providing at least two stable states of optical axes which form an angle 2Θa therebetween satisfying H>Θa>H/2, wherein H denotes a tilt angle of the liquid crystal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
94 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface, and a liquid crystal disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; said device further comprising between the first and second substrates a spacer contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; and fine particles dispersed on the first substrate providing corresponding projections on the inner surface of the first substrate, the fine particles having a diameter which is substantially smaller than a spacing between the first and second substrates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
94 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first substrate having an inner surface, a second substrate having an inner surface, and a liquid crystal disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; said device further comprising between the first and second substrates a spacer contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates; and fine particles dispersed on the first substrate providing corresponding projections on the inner surface of the first substrate, the fine particles having a diameter which is substantially smaller than a spacing between the first and second substrates.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 25, wherein said fine particles are contained in an insulating film formed on the first substrate, with an alignment film disposed on the insulating film.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying di<D<50 di with respect to the thickness di of the insulating film.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying da<D<100 da with respect to the thickness da of the adjustment film.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein the insulating film has been formed of a coating liquid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein the fine particles have a diameter D satisfying di<2D with respect to the thickness di of the insulating film.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein said alignment film comprises a polyimide represented by the following formula (1): ##STR17## wherein A denotes a tetravalent organic residue group, and R 1 and R 2 independently denote an alkyl or fluoroalkyl group each having 1-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein said alignment film comprises a polyamide represented by the following formula (2): ##STR18## wherein B denotes a divalent organic residue group, and R 3 and R 4 independently denote an alkyl or fluoroalkyl group each having 1-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
17 words
A device according to any of claims 25-32, wherein said liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
18 words
A device according to any of claims 25-32, wherein said liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is in an alignment state satisfying H<α+δ, wherein α denotes a pretilt angle, H denotes a tilt angle and δ denotes an inclination angle of chiral smectic C phase.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is in an alignment state providing at least two stable states of optical axes which form an angle 2Θa therebetween satisfying H>Θa>H/2, wherein H denotes a tilt angle of the liquid crystal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-07-11 | 1999-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-09 | 2002-07-11 | 2003-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-09 | 2006-07-11 | 2007-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |