Pixel unit, liquid crystal display panel, electro-optical apparatus, and methods for manufacturing the same

• US 7,969,535 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2008
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Inventors: Chiu, Chung-Hsiang, Lin, Ching-Huan, Liu, Sung-Kao, Jeng, Yue-Shih
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, HUYEN LE
• Application Number:
  US12/111,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20090213307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 349/104, 349/129, 438/261, 204/192.26
• US Class Current: 349/104
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133707 Structures for producing distorted electric fields, e.g. bumps, protrusions, recesses, slits in pixel electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133757 with different alignment orientations
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133761 with different pretilt angles
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133788 by light irradiation, e.g. linearly polarised light photo-polymerisation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/086 UV absorbing

Abstract

A pixel unit having a display area is provided. The pixel unit includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and at least one ultraviolet light (UV) absorption pattern. The second substrate is disposed in parallel to the first substrate, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The UV absorption pattern is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A part of the display area overlaps the UV absorption pattern to define at least one first alignment area, while the part of the display area which does not overlap the UV absorption pattern defines at least one second alignment area. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer present different pre-tilt angles in the first alignment area and the second alignment area.

Claims

1. A pixel unit, having a display area, the pixel unit comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate, disposed in parallel to the first substrate;

a liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and

at least one ultraviolet light (UV) absorption pattern, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a part of the display area overlaps the UV absorption pattern to define at least one first alignment area, and the part of the display area which does not overlap the UV absorption pattern defines at least one second alignment area, and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer present different pre-tilt angles in the first alignment area and the second alignment area.

2. The pixel unit according to claim 1, further comprising at least one polymer layer disposed on at least one of a part of the first substrate and a part of the second substrate, wherein the polymer layer is directly contacted with the liquid crystal layer such that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer present different pre-tilt angle in the first alignment area and the second alignment area.

3. The pixel unit according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate further comprises at least one dielectric layer and at least one common electrode, and the common electrode is disposed between the dielectric layer and the liquid crystal layer.

4. The pixel unit according to claim 3, wherein the UV absorption pattern is located between the dielectric layer and the common electrode, or the dielectric layer is located between the UV absorption pattern and the common electrode.

5. The pixel unit according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate has at least one pixel electrode, and where the pixel electrode is located defines the display area.

6. The pixel unit according to claim 5, wherein the second substrate further has at least one dielectric layer, and the pixel electrode is disposed between the dielectric layer and the liquid crystal layer.

7. The pixel unit according to claim 6, wherein the UV absorption pattern is located between the dielectric layer and the pixel electrode, or the dielectric layer is located between the UV absorption pattern and the pixel electrode.

8. The pixel unit according to claim 5, wherein the pixel electrode has at least one central portion, a plurality of strip portions and a plurality of slits, the stripe portions extended outwards from the central portion, and the slits are formed between the central portion and the strip portions.

9. The pixel unit according to claim 8, wherein when a voltage is provided to the pixel electrode, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are substantially arranged along the extended direction of the slits.

10. The pixel unit according to claim 5, wherein the second substrate further has at least one scan line, at least one data line, and at least one active device, wherein the data line intersects the scan line, the active device is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line, and the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the active device.

11. The pixel unit according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the surface area of the first alignment area to the total surface area of the first alignment area and the second alignment area is substantially greater than 0 and substantially less than 1.

12. The pixel unit according to claim 1, wherein the material of the UV absorption pattern comprises at least one UV absorption material and at least one solvent, or at least one UV absorption material.

13. A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, comprising the pixel unit according to claim 1.

14. An electro-optical apparatus, comprising the LCD panel according to claim 13.