Micro-ridged, polymeric liquid crystal display substrate and display device
First Claim
1. A substrate element suitable for use in making electrically addressable liquid crystal displays comprising a polymeric sheet having a microstructure profile on at least one major surface thereof, said profile comprising a plurality of protruding, substantially parallel ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, each rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from the main body of the substrate thereby forming support for a second substrate spaced from the main body of said first substrate, said surface surrounding said ridges having independently addressable, electrically conductive areas.
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Abstract
Substrate elements for making liquid crystal display devices are disclosed as well as display devices using such elements. The substrate elements are polymeric sheets which include spacing elements physically and chemically integral with the substrate so that when mated with a second substrate element, a precise, uniform spacing can be maintained between substrates. This allows large area displays to be fabricated which will provide uniform display properties throughout the display area.
171 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A substrate element suitable for use in making electrically addressable liquid crystal displays comprising a polymeric sheet having a microstructure profile on at least one major surface thereof, said profile comprising a plurality of protruding, substantially parallel ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, each rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from the main body of the substrate thereby forming support for a second substrate spaced from the main body of said first substrate, said surface surrounding said ridges having independently addressable, electrically conductive areas.
- 12. A substrate element comprising a polymeric sheet having a microstructure profile on both major surfaces thereof, said profile comprising a pattern, of protruding, substantially parallel ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, the ridges on each major surface rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from each surface of said main body thereby forming support for a pair of additional substrates spaced from said main body, said substrate element having independently addressable, electrically conductive areas.
- 16. A liquid crystal display comprising a pair of cell walls in overlying register with one another and confining a liquid crystal material therebetween, said cell walls including addressable electrodes on their opposed faces, the improvement comprising at least one of said cell walls comprising a polymeric sheet having a microstructure profile on at least one major surface thereof, said profile comprising a plurality of protruding, substantially parallel ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, each rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from the main body of the substrate thereby forming support for a second substrate spaced from the main body of said first substrate, said surface surrounding said ridges having independently addressable, electrically conductive areas.
- 18. A liquid crystal display cell comprising a pair of opposed, electrically addressable exterior cell walls and at least one intermediate cell element, interposed between said exterior cell walls, having a microstructure profile on both major surfaces, said profile comprising a pattern of ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, the ridges on each major surface rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from each surface of said main body thereby forming support for a pair of additional substrates spaced from said main body, said element having independently addressable, electrically conductive areas, wherein said exterior cell walls and said intermediate cell element or elements are stacked in overlying register to form at least one independent cavity on both sides of each of said intermediate cell elements.
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21. A display device comprising a liquid crystal display cell comprising a pair of opposed, electrically addressable exterior cell walls and at least one intermediate cell element, interposed between said exterior cell walls, having a microstructure profile on both major surfaces, said profile comprising a pattern of ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, the ridges on each major surface rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from each surface of said main body thereby forming support for a pair of additional substrates spaced from said main body, said element having independently addressable, electrically conductive areas, wherein said exterior cell walls and said intermediate cell element or elements are stacked in overlying register to form at least one independent cavity on both sides of each of said intermediate cell elements.
- 22. A method of making a substrate element comprising molding said substrate element with a microstructure profile on at least one major surface thereof, said profile comprising a plurality of protruding, substantially parallel ridges physically and chemically integral with the main body of the substrate, each rising to a common level defined by a plane spaced from the main body of the substrate thereby forming support for a second substrate spaced from the main body of said first substrate.
Specification