US5815230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid crystal device and process for production thereof
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-01-27
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Granted: 1998-09-29
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Expires: 2015-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes. The opposing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates have been subjected to an aligning treatment such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field. The liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, wherein the effective optical modulation region and the photosensitive member have been subjected to different aligning treatments. In the liquid crystal device thus constituted, a liquid crystal movement liable to cause yellowing or fluctuation in drive parameters otherwise is effectively compensated by a liquid crystal movement in the peripheral region.
Inventors
- 👤 Seishi Miura
- 👤 Hideaki Takao
- 👤 Masanobu Asaoka
- 👤 Bunryo Sato
- 👤 Tadashi Mihara
- 👤 Yasuto Kodera
- 👤 Makoto Kojima
- 👤 Masamichi Saito
- 👤 Sunao Mori
- 👤 Kazuhiro Aoyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/141; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133753; G02F1/133388
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, said effective optical region including a multiplicity of pixels and spacings between the pixels; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to an aligning treatment such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and each opposing inner surface in the effective optical modulation region is subjected to a single aligning treatment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, said effective optical region including a multiplicity of pixels and spacings between the pixels; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to an aligning treatment such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and each opposing inner surface in the effective optical modulation region is subjected to a single aligning treatment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to the alignment treatments so as to provide mutually different pretilts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to rubbing under different conditions as the alignment treatments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness as the alignment treatments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region are homeotropically aligned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one substrate in the effective optical modulation region is provided with a homeotropic alignment film free from rubbing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness respectively by dispersion of minute particles therein, and the dispersion density of the minute particles in the alignment film having a smaller degree of roughness is 50-90% of that of the minute particles in the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and the alignment film having a smaller degree of roughness has an inner surface showing an average difference in height which is 50-90% of that of the inner surface of the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and at least one substrate is provided with minute particles having an average diameter of 1 to 20 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to mutually different number of times of rubbing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the substrates in the peripheral region are provided with a film of a perfluoropolymer and subjected to rubbing while being masked with a masking film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for producing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, said process comprising: coating at least one substrate with an alignment film in the effective optical modulation region and a different alignment film in the peripheral region, disposing a masking member on the alignment films in the peripheral region, and rubbing the alignment films.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 13, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process for producing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, said process comprising: applying a masking film in the peripheral region of at least one substrate, and selectively rubbing the effective optical modulation region of said at least one substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein said masking film has a thickness of at most 100 nm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein said masking film comprises a polymer film having a thickness of at most 100 nm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein one of said peripheral region and said effective optical modulation region has received no aligning treatment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes, said liquid crystal device having an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; wherein at least one of the substrates in the peripheral region is coated with an alignment film comprising a perfluoro-polymer so as to provide a larger pretilt of liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region than in the effective optical modulation region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes, said liquid crystal device having an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; wherein at least one of the substrates in the peripheral region is coated with an alignment film comprising a perfluoro-polymer so as to provide a larger pretilt of liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region than in the effective optical modulation region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 20, wherein said perfluoro-polymer has an alicyclic skeleton.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
A liquid crystal device according to claim 21, wherein said perfluoro-polymer having an alicyclic skeleton is represented by the following formula: ##STR7## wherein l and n are 0 or a positive integer of at least 1; m is a positive integer of at least 1, and x is a positive integer of at least 1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an exposure means including a liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1-20, a photosensitive member, a developing means, and a transfer means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image display apparatus, comprising: a display means including a liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1-20, a drive means for supplying drive signals to the display means, and a polarizers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image display apparatus according to claim 21, further including a signal source for supplying image signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image display apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said signal source comprises an image sensor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image display apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said signal source comprises a computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
183 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness as the alignment treatments.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
183 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness as the alignment treatments.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
218 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness respectively by dispersion of minute particles therein, and the dispersion density of the minute particles in the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness is 50-90% of that of the minute particle in the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
218 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness respectively by dispersion of minute particles therein, and the dispersion density of the minute particles in the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness is 50-90% of that of the minute particle in the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
214 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness, and the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness has an inner surface showing an average difference in height which is 50-90% of that of the inner surface of the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
214 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness, and the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness has an inner surface showing an average difference in height which is 50-90% of that of the inner surface of the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
190 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and at least one substrate is provided with minute particles having an average diameter of 1-20 nm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
190 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and at least one substrate is provided with minute particles having an average diameter of 1-20 nm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
183 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the inner surfaces of the substrates in the peripheral region are provided with a film of a perfluoropolymer and subjected to rubbing while being masked with a masking film.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
183 words
A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the inner surfaces of the substrates in the peripheral region are provided with a film of a perfluoropolymer and subjected to rubbing while being masked with a masking film.
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