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US6400430B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Light control element, optical device, and electrical device having lightweight, and method of producing thereof
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1999-11-12
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2019-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal display device of the invention comprises a transparent substrate 2 a transparent electrode 6 formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate 2, an alignment layer 7 formed over the transparent electrode 6, a composite 5 formed over the alignment layer 7, and a transparent electrode 8 on the upper surface of the composite 5. The composite 5 comprises a transparent polymer 4 and a liquid crystal droplet 3. The liquid crystal droplet 3 is configured in a substantially hemispherical shape such that a bottom surface of the droplet is in contact with the alignment layer and the remaining surface excluding the bottom surface bulges towards an upper surface of the composite 5 . The polymer 4 constitutes the other surface of the composite 5 such that the polymer 4 covers the hemispherical liquid crystal droplets 3. Thus, the invention achieves a liquid crystal display device in which one of the pair of substrates is eliminated and thereby the weight of the device is significantly reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenji Nakao
- 👤 Seiji Nishiyama
- 👤 Hirofumi Kubota
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Uemura
- 👤 Masao Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1341; G02F1/1334; G02F1/133368; G02F1/133377
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A light control element, comprising a composite composed of a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, and a resin film formed on one surface of the composite, the light control element driven by applying an electric field to the composite, the light control element characterized in that: the resin film was previously subjected to an alignment treatment, the liquid crystal is in contact with the resin film in one surface of the composite, a layer of the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that the layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal is sealed by the resin film and the layer of the polymer resin, and the light control element does not employ a substrate for sealing the liquid crystal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A light control element, comprising a composite composed of a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, and a resin film formed on one surface of the composite, the light control element driven by applying an electric field to the composite, the light control element characterized in that: the resin film was previously subjected to an alignment treatment, the liquid crystal is in contact with the resin film in one surface of the composite, a layer of the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that the layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal is sealed by the resin film and the layer of the polymer resin, and the light control element does not employ a substrate for sealing the liquid crystal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A light control element according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal is formed in the form of a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate so as to form a single layer of the droplets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Alight control element according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid crystal has a flattened shape having a substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A light control element according to claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of pixels each having the plurality of liquid crystal droplets therein, the optical device wherein a diameter of a bottom surface of the liquid crystal droplet is larger than a thickness of the composite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided on a substrate, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with the substrate on a surface of the composite adjacent to the substrate, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, the liquid crystal comprises a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate as a single layer structure, and the liquid crystal has a substantially hemispherical shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided on a substrate, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with the substrate on a surface of the composite adjacent to the substrate, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, the liquid crystal comprises a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate as a single layer structure, and the liquid crystal has a substantially hemispherical shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical device according to claim 5 , wherein a diameter of a bottom surface of the liquid crystal is larger than a thickness of the composite.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 5 , wherein a surface of the substrate facing the composite is subjected to a wettability controlling treatment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 5 , wherein a surface of the substrate facing the composite is subjected to a predetermined alignment treatment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 8 , wherein the alignment treatment is a horizontal alignment treatment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical device according to claim 9 , wherein a chiral agent is doped to the liquid crystal, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a twisted nematic mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical device according to claim 9 , wherein the means for applying an electric field is a means for applying an electric field in a direction of a substrate plane, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is an in-plane switching mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 8 , wherein the alignment treatment is a vertical alignment treatment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the liquid crystal has a negative dielectric anisotropy, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a vertical alignment mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device according to claim 5 , wherein a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a scattering type display mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical device according to claim 5 , wherein a reflective electrode is provided outside the composite, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a reflective liquid crystal display mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical device according to claim 5 , wherein a gas barrier layer is provided on the polymer resin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 16 , wherein the gas barrier layer is an SiOx layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided on a substrate, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with the substrate on a surface of the composite adjacent to the substrate, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, a surface energy of the substrate is larger than a surface energy of the liquid crystal, and the surface energy of the substrate is 30 dyne/cm or higher.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided on a substrate, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with the substrate on a surface of the composite adjacent to the substrate, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, a surface energy of the substrate is larger than a surface energy of the liquid crystal, and the surface energy of the substrate is 30 dyne/cm or higher.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 18 , wherein a surface of the substrate facing the composite is subjected to a predetermined alignment treatment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 19 , wherein the alignment treatment is a horizontal alignment treatment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical device according to claim 20 , wherein a chiral agent is doped to the liquid crystal, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a twisted nematic mode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical device according to claim 20 , the means for applying an electric field is a means for applying an electric field in a direction of a substrate plane, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is an in-plane switching mode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 19 , wherein the alignment treatment is a vertical alignment treatment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical device according to claim 23 , wherein the liquid crystal has a negative dielectric anisotropy, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a vertical alignment mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device according to claim 18 , wherein a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a scattering type display mode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical device according to claim 18 , wherein a reflective electrode is provided outside the composite, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a reflective liquid crystal display mode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical device according to claim 18 , wherein a gas barrier layer is provided on the polymer resin.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 27 , wherein the gas barrier layer is an SiOx layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided between a pair of substrates, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with one of the substrates on a surface of the composite adjacent to the one of the substrates, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite adjacent to the other one of the substrates such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, the liquid crystal comprises a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate as a single layer structure, and the liquid crystal has a substantially hemispherical shape.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided between a pair of substrates, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with one of the substrates on a surface of the composite adjacent to the one of the substrates, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite adjacent to the other one of the substrates such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, the liquid crystal comprises a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate as a single layer structure, and the liquid crystal has a substantially hemispherical shape.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical device according to claim 29 , wherein a diameter of a bottom surface of the liquid crystal is larger than a thickness of the composite.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 29 , wherein a surface of the substrate facing the composite is subjected to a wettability controlling treatment.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 29 , wherein a surface of the substrate facing the composite is subjected to a predetermined alignment treatment.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device according to claim 29 , wherein a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a scattering type display mode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical device according to claim 29 , wherein a reflective electrode is provided outside the composite, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a reflective liquid crystal display mode.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical device according to claim 29 , wherein at least one of the pair of substrates is a film substrate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 35 , wherein the film substrate serves as a gas barrier.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided between a pair of substrates, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with one of the substrates on a surface of the composite adjacent to the one of the substrates, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite adjacent to the other one of the substrates such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, a surface energy of the substrate is larger than a surface energy of the liquid crystal, and the surface energy of the substrate is 30 dyne/cm or higher.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical device comprising a composite provided between a pair of substrates, the composite comprising a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, the optical device wherein: the liquid crystal is in contact with one of the substrates on a surface of the composite adjacent to the one of the substrates, the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite adjacent to the other one of the substrates such that a layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, a means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal is provided, a surface energy of the substrate is larger than a surface energy of the liquid crystal, and the surface energy of the substrate is 30 dyne/cm or higher.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 37 , wherein a surface of the substrate facing the composite is subjected to a predetermined alignment treatment.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device according to claim 37 , wherein a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a scattering type display mode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical device according to claim 37 , wherein a reflective electrode is provided outside the composite, and a liquid crystal display mode of the device is a reflective liquid crystal display mode.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical device according to claim 37 , wherein at least one of the pair of substrates is a film substrate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device according to claim 41 , wherein the film substrate serves as a gas barrier.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
119 words
A light control element comprising a composite composed of a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, and a resin film on one surface of the composite, the light control element driven by applying an electric field to the composite, the light control element characterized in that: in one surface of the composite, the liquid crystal is in contact with the resin film, a layer of the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that the layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal comprises a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate as a single layer structure, and the liquid crystal has a substantially hemispherical shape.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
119 words
A light control element comprising a composite composed of a polymer resin and a liquid crystal, and a resin film on one surface of the composite, the light control element driven by applying an electric field to the composite, the light control element characterized in that: in one surface of the composite, the liquid crystal is in contact with the resin film, a layer of the polymer resin constitutes the other surface of the composite such that the layer of the polymer resin covers the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal comprises a plurality of droplets, and the plurality of droplets are juxtaposed on the substrate as a single layer structure, and the liquid crystal has a substantially hemispherical shape.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
A light control element according to claim 43 , wherein a diameter of a bottom surface of the liquid crystal is larger than a thickness of the composite.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electric device comprising a composite provided on a substrate, the composite comprising at least a first substance being a solid substance and a second substance, the composite wherein: the second substance is in contact with the substrate in a surface of the composite adjacent to the substrate, the other surface of the composite is composed of the first substance such that the first substance covers the second substance, a surface energy of the substrate is larger than a surface energy of the liquid crystal, and the surface energy of the substrate is 30 dyne/cm or higher.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electric device comprising a composite provided on a substrate, the composite comprising at least a first substance being a solid substance and a second substance, the composite wherein: the second substance is in contact with the substrate in a surface of the composite adjacent to the substrate, the other surface of the composite is composed of the first substance such that the first substance covers the second substance, a surface energy of the substrate is larger than a surface energy of the liquid crystal, and the surface energy of the substrate is 30 dyne/cm or higher.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electric device according to claim 45 , wherein the first substance is a polymer resin.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electric device according to claim 45 , wherein the first substance is a transparent substance.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electric device according to claim 45 , wherein the first substance is a liquid glass.
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