US6233034B1 — Liquid crystal display and fabrication method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 254 words

A liquid crystal display comprising: a first and second substrates, said first substrate being disposed opposite said second substrate a first distance apart, each of said substrates having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the two substrates, said liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; a first electrode formed on the inner surface of the first substrate, the first electrode having a squared frame structure; a second electrode formed on the inner surface of the first substrate, the second electrode comprising a plurality of strips, the strips each being disposed to overlap with the first electrode and to have a first width and a second distance therebetween, wherein surface of the first electrode is partially exposed through spaces between the strips, the exposed portions of the first electrode each having a width of the second distance; and an insulating layer for insulating the first electrode and second electrode from each other, wherein the first and second electrodes each is made of a transparent conductor, wherein the first distance between the first and second substrates is greater than a thickness of the insulating layer, and the second distance and the first width are such that the liquid crystal molecules above the exposed portions of the first electrode and the strips of the second electrode are substantially aligned by the electric field produced between the exposed portions of the first electrode and the strips of the second electrode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 254 words

A liquid crystal display comprising: a first and second substrates, said first substrate being disposed opposite said second substrate a first distance apart, each of said substrates having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the two substrates, said liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; a first electrode formed on the inner surface of the first substrate, the first electrode having a squared frame structure; a second electrode formed on the inner surface of the first substrate, the second electrode comprising a plurality of strips, the strips each being disposed to overlap with the first electrode and to have a first width and a second distance therebetween, wherein surface of the first electrode is partially exposed through spaces between the strips, the exposed portions of the first electrode each having a width of the second distance; and an insulating layer for insulating the first electrode and second electrode from each other, wherein the first and second electrodes each is made of a transparent conductor, wherein the first distance between the first and second substrates is greater than a thickness of the insulating layer, and the second distance and the first width are such that the liquid crystal molecules above the exposed portions of the first electrode and the strips of the second electrode are substantially aligned by the electric field produced between the exposed portions of the first electrode and the strips of the second electrode.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 14 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 1 , wherein the transparent conductor is ITO.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 2 , wherein a ratio of the width of the strip to the second distance between the strips of the second electrode is approximately in a range of 0.2 to 5.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 3 , wherein the width of the strip is approximately in a range of 1 μm to 8 μm.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 40 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 4 , wherein a ratio of the interval between the strips of the second electrode to the first distance between the first and second substrates is approximately in a range of 0.1 to 5.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 5 , wherein the first electrode further comprises a first connecting portion parallel to the first direction, for connecting one sided ends of the strips to each other, the first connecting portion being overlapped with the second electrode.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 6 , wherein the first electrode further comprises a second connecting portion parallel to the first direction, for connecting the other sided ends of the strips to each other, said second connecting portion being overlapped with said second electrode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 122 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 6 , further comprising a first alignment layer formed on the inner surface of the first substrate and a second alignment layer formed on the inner surface of the second substrate, the first alignment layer having a first rubbing axis which differs by a first selected angle from the electric field direction, and aligning the liquid crystal molecules to a direction of the first rubbing axis in an absence of the electric field, and the second alignment layer having a second rubbing axis which differs by a second selected angle from the electric field direction, and arranging the liquid crystal molecules to a direction of the second rubbing axis in the presence of the electric field.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 8 , wherein the liquid crystal molecules have a pretilt angle, the pretilt angle being approximately in a range of 0 degree to 10 degrees.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 32 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 9 , wherein the first rubbing axis of the first alignment layer differs by 180 degree from the second rubbing axis of the second alignment layer.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 73 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 10 , further comprising a polarizer disposed on the outer surface of the first substrate and an analyzer disposed on the outer surface of the second substrate, the polarizer having a polarizing axis in a given direction, the polarizing axis being optically related with the liquid crystal layer, the analyzer having an absorbing axis in a given direction, the absorbing axis being optically related with the polarizer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 60 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 11 , wherein an angle between the polarizing axis of the polarizer and the first rubbing axis of the first alignment layer is approximately in a range of 0 degree or 90 degrees, and an angle between the absorbing axis of the analyzer and the polarizing axis of the polarizer is approximately 90 degrees.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 75 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 12 , wherein when an angle between the first rubbing axis and the electric field direction is approximately in a range of 0 degree to 45 degrees, dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer is negative, while when an angle between the first rubbing axis and the electric field direction is approximately in a range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees, dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal is positive.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 53 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 13 , wherein the liquid crystal layer is a nematic liquid crystal, and a product of the anisotropy of the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer and the first distance is approximately in a range of 0.2 μm to 0.6 μm.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 53 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal layer is a nematic liquid crystal, and a product of the anisotropy of the refraction index of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer and the first distance is approximately in a range of 0.2 μm to 0.6 μm.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 47 words

The liquid crystal display in claim 1 , wherein the gate bus lines, data bus lines, and common signal lines are formed of one element metal or alloy of at least two elements selected from a group being comprised of Al, Mo, Ti, W, Ta, and Cr.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 176 words

A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display, the method comprising: providing a first transparent substrate; forming a first transparent conductive layer on the first transparent substrate; forming a first metal film on the first transparent conductive material; patterning the first metal film such that said first transparent conductive layer is exposed, to form a plurality of gate bus lines and a common signal line; patterning the first transparent conductor to form a plurality of second electrodes; forming a gate insulator on the resulting structure including the gate bus lines, common signal lines, and second electrodes; forming a channel layer on a selected portion of the gate insulating layer; forming a second transparent conductive layer on the gate insulator; patterning the second transparent conductive layer to overlap with the second electrode, to form a plurality of first electrodes; depositing a second metal film on the gate insulating layer and then patterning the second metal film to form a plurality of data bus lines, sources and drains; and forming a first alignment layer on the resultant structure.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 176 words

A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display, the method comprising: providing a first transparent substrate; forming a first transparent conductive layer on the first transparent substrate; forming a first metal film on the first transparent conductive material; patterning the first metal film such that said first transparent conductive layer is exposed, to form a plurality of gate bus lines and a common signal line; patterning the first transparent conductor to form a plurality of second electrodes; forming a gate insulator on the resulting structure including the gate bus lines, common signal lines, and second electrodes; forming a channel layer on a selected portion of the gate insulating layer; forming a second transparent conductive layer on the gate insulator; patterning the second transparent conductive layer to overlap with the second electrode, to form a plurality of first electrodes; depositing a second metal film on the gate insulating layer and then patterning the second metal film to form a plurality of data bus lines, sources and drains; and forming a first alignment layer on the resultant structure.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method in claim 17 , wherein the first and second transparent conductive material is ITO.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 247 words

A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display, the method comprising: providing a first transparent substrate; forming a first transparent conductive layer on the first transparent substrate; patterning the first transparent conductive layer to form a plurality of second electrodes; forming a first metal film on the first transparent conductive layer; patterning the first metal film to form a plurality of gate bus lines and a common signal line such that the common signal line is contact with each of the second electrodes; forming a gate insulating layer on the resultant structure including the gate bus lines, the common signal line, and the second electrodes; forming a channel layer on a selected portion of the gate insulating layer; forming a second transparent conductive layer on the gate insulating layer; patterning the second transparent conductive layer to overlap with the second electrode, to form a plurality of first electrodes; depositing a second metal film on the gate insulating layer and then patterning the second metal film, to form a plurality of data bus lines, sources and drains; and forming a first alignment layer on the resultant structure, wherein the forming a first metal film on the first transparent conductive layer and patterning the first metal film to form a plurality of gate bus lines and a common signal line, is exchangeable with the forming a first transparent conductive layer on the first transparent substrate and patterning the first transparent conductive layer to form a plurality of second electrodes.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 247 words

A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display, the method comprising: providing a first transparent substrate; forming a first transparent conductive layer on the first transparent substrate; patterning the first transparent conductive layer to form a plurality of second electrodes; forming a first metal film on the first transparent conductive layer; patterning the first metal film to form a plurality of gate bus lines and a common signal line such that the common signal line is contact with each of the second electrodes; forming a gate insulating layer on the resultant structure including the gate bus lines, the common signal line, and the second electrodes; forming a channel layer on a selected portion of the gate insulating layer; forming a second transparent conductive layer on the gate insulating layer; patterning the second transparent conductive layer to overlap with the second electrode, to form a plurality of first electrodes; depositing a second metal film on the gate insulating layer and then patterning the second metal film, to form a plurality of data bus lines, sources and drains; and forming a first alignment layer on the resultant structure, wherein the forming a first metal film on the first transparent conductive layer and patterning the first metal film to form a plurality of gate bus lines and a common signal line, is exchangeable with the forming a first transparent conductive layer on the first transparent substrate and patterning the first transparent conductive layer to form a plurality of second electrodes.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 19 , wherein the first and second transparent conductive material is ITO.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-05-14	2004-11-13	2005-05-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-05-14	2008-11-13	2009-05-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-05-14	2012-11-13	2013-05-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Liquid crystal display and fabrication method

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