WO2020024404A1 - Mask plate, and manufacturing method for flexible liquid crystal display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a mask plate (400) and a manufacturing method for a flexible liquid crystal display panel. The method comprises: obtaining a CF substrate (100) and a TFT substrate (200), which are aligned; implanting PSVA-type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerization monomer (302) between the CF substrate (100) and the TFT substrate (200), so as to form a liquid crystal layer (300); and applying a voltage to the CF substrate (100) and the TFT substrate (200), taking the mask plate (400) as a photomask, and using ultraviolet light to perform illumination on the liquid crystal layer (300) from a CF substrate (100) side, so that a polymer retaining wall (304) structure and a polymer particle (303), which helps to form a pretilt angle, are synchronously formed.

Description

Mask plate and preparation method of flexible liquid crystal display panel Technical field

The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular, to a method for preparing a mask plate and a flexible liquid crystal display panel.

Background technique

Flexible display panels have become the current development trend in the display technology field. They have the characteristics of being bendable, thin, and not easy to break. However, the difficulty lies in that besides replacing glass with transparent plastic and adapting to the TFT process, it also needs to be suitable. The liquid crystal material enables flexible display devices to maintain a fixed liquid crystal cell thickness during repeated and prolonged bending or curling. Through the PWLC (polymer wall liquid crystal) technology, the chemical structure and composition ratio of liquid crystal and polymer monomers are adjusted. A polymer barrier wall of a suitable width can be formed in the middle of the liquid crystal layer, and the barrier wall can maintain the stability of the thickness of the box. At the same time, through proper design, the liquid crystal flow can also be effectively controlled, and the Mura caused by external forces and gravity is better eliminated (shadow).

The existing PWLC technology research is mainly based on the IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode or the FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode, while the important display technology of large-size panels PSVA (Polmer Stabilized Vertivally Aligned) has few examples. On the one hand, it is easier to implement the flexible LCD technology on small-sized panels; on the other hand, it is because the commonly used PWLC technology uses ordinary photomasks to expose the liquid crystal to form a barrier wall. At this time, after this exposure process, because the polymer monomers mostly participate in the reaction, the formation of the polymer retaining wall and the polymer serving as an alignment cannot be effectively distinguished, and it is difficult to form it on the alignment layer. Polymer particles that help the liquid crystal form a pretilt.

technical problem

The embodiments of the present application provide a method for preparing a mask plate and a flexible liquid crystal display panel, which can ensure that the liquid crystal display panel can maintain a stable liquid crystal cell thickness when it is bent or curled, and that certain liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal display panel can be obtained Pretilt angle.

Technical solutions

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, including:

Obtaining a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair;

Provide a PSVA type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer and inject it between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair to form a liquid crystal layer;

Providing a mask plate, the mask plate comprising a plurality of first regions arranged in an array, a second region located outside the first region, and an opaque region surrounding the first region, Wherein, the first region and the second region are both transparent, but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different, and a plurality of the first regions respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque regions. A light region, the opaque region is used to separate the first region and the second region;

A voltage is applied to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, the mask is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer is illuminated with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side, corresponding to the first region / second region. Forming a granular polymer on the surface of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; forming a polymer retaining wall between the CF substrate corresponding to the second region / the first region and the TFT substrate;

The opaque area is treated with light, so that there is a gap between the formed particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, a size of a pixel structure of the mask plate is 50 μm to 5000 μm.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the first region is a semi-transparent region, and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region, and the first The two areas are semi-transparent areas;

After the light treatment, granular polymers are formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transparent region, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; a polymer is formed between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully-transmissive region. Retaining wall.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, thereby forming a polymer retaining wall connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the CF substrate and the TFT substrate obtained as a pair of boxes include:

Providing a first flexible substrate, and using the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate;

Providing a second flexible substrate, and manufacturing a TFT substrate by using the second flexible substrate;

The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are grouped into a box pair group to obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the fully transparent area accounts for 10% to 40% of the mask area, and the semi-transparent area accounts for 50% of the mask area. 90%.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, including:

Obtaining a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair;

Provide a PSVA type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer and inject it between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair to form a liquid crystal layer;

A mask is provided, and the mask includes a plurality of first regions arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region, wherein the first region and the second region are both Light transmission but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different;

A voltage is applied to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, the mask is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer is illuminated with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side, corresponding to the first region / second region. A granular polymer is formed on the surface of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; and a polymer retaining wall is formed between the CF substrate corresponding to the second region / the first region and the TFT substrate.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, a size of a pixel structure of the mask plate is 50 μm to 5000 μm.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the first region is a semi-transparent region, and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region, and the first The two areas are semi-transparent areas;

After the light treatment, granular polymers are formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transparent region, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; a polymer is formed between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully-transmissive region. Retaining wall.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, thereby forming a polymer retaining wall connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated by the ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, forming a pillar structure connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the CF substrate and the TFT substrate obtained as a pair of boxes include:

Providing a first flexible substrate, and using the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate;

Providing a second flexible substrate, and manufacturing a TFT substrate by using the second flexible substrate;

The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are grouped into a box pair group to obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the fully transparent area accounts for 10% to 40% of the mask area, and the semi-transparent area accounts for 50% of the mask area. 90%.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the opaque area occupies 0% to 20% of the area of the mask plate.

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the central wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 260 nm to 380 nm, the ultraviolet light irradiation time is 10 to 150 min, and the ultraviolet light intensity is 1 to 50 mW / cm ² .

In the method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, the mask plate further includes an opaque area surrounding the first area, and a plurality of the first areas respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque areas. region.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a mask plate, which includes a plurality of first regions arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region, wherein the first region and all The second regions are all transparent, but the light transmittances of the first and second regions are different.

In the mask, the first region is a semi-transparent region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region and the second region is a semi-transmissive region Light transmitting area.

The mask plate further includes an opaque area surrounding the first area, and a plurality of the first areas respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque areas.

In the mask plate, the mask plate includes a substrate, a light-shielding film, and a semi-transparent film that are sequentially stacked, and is used to form a semi-transparent region, a fully-transmissive region, and an opaque layer on the mask. Light area.

Beneficial effect

Compared with the prior art, a masking plate and a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel of the present application, by controlling the ultraviolet light exposure intensity at different positions on the exposure area, make the polymer retaining wall structure and help to form a pretilt angle polymerization The simultaneous formation of particles makes the PWLC technology equally applicable to the PSVA technology, which ensures that the liquid crystal display panel can maintain a stable liquid crystal cell thickness when it is bent or curled, and that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal display panel can obtain a certain pretilt angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a mask plate provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application; FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side structural view of a middle mask plate provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application; FIG.

3 is a schematic structural diagram of another mask plate provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a liquid crystal layer injected between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application;

5 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application;

6 is a schematic view of a preparation state of the flexible liquid crystal display panel provided in Example 1 of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a mask plate provided in Embodiment 2 of the present application.

Embodiments of the invention

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This application may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to explain the principles of the application and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of the application and the various modifications that are suited to the particular intended application. In the drawings, the shapes and sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will always be used to represent the same or similar elements.

The flexible display panel has the characteristics of being bendable, thin, and not easily broken, and has a wide range of potential applications in the fields of portable devices, vehicle displays, the Internet of Things, and commercial displays. Compared with the OLED architecture, the production of flexible screens based on the LCD architecture has the characteristics of mature process technology and high product reliability, which is expected to be applied to large-sized displays. However, the difficulty lies in that in addition to changing the glass to transparent plastic and adapting to the TFT process, a suitable liquid crystal material is also required to enable the flexible display device to maintain the fixed liquid crystal cell thickness during repeated and prolonged bending or curling.

The polymer system liquid crystal is a mixture of polymer monomers in a liquid crystal material. After the liquid crystal forming process is completed, the liquid crystal layer is subjected to process conditions such as ultraviolet irradiation or heating, so that the polymer monomers are polymerized and separated from the liquid crystal. In this way, the desired polymer structure can be formed at a specific position. The polymer formed by this method has a certain adhesion on the upper and lower substrates, which can better maintain the thickness of the box. Among them, PWLC (polymer wall liquid crystal) refers to the adjustment of the chemical structure and composition ratio of liquid crystal and polymer monomers, so that after the collimated ultraviolet light exposure of the liquid crystal layer, a polymer barrier wall of a suitable width can be formed in the middle The position of this retaining wall is related to the area irradiated by the ultraviolet light, and the area irradiated by the ultraviolet light can be controlled by the design of the photomask. Due to the existence of the polymer retaining wall, the cell thickness can be stably maintained. At the same time, through proper design, the liquid crystal flow can also be effectively controlled, and the Mura (darkness) caused by external forces and gravity can be better eliminated.

The existing PWLC technology research is mainly based on the IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode or the FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode, while the important display technology of large-size panels PSVA (Polmer Stabilized Vertivally Aligned) has few examples. On the one hand, it is easier to implement the flexible LCD technology on small-sized panels; on the other hand, it is because the commonly used PWLC technology uses ordinary photomasks to expose the liquid crystal to form a barrier wall. At this time, after this exposure process, because the polymer monomers mostly participate in the reaction, the formation of the polymer retaining wall and the polymer serving as an alignment cannot be effectively distinguished, and it is difficult to form it on the alignment layer. Polymer particles that help the liquid crystal form a pretilt.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present application proposes a method for preparing a mask plate and a flexible liquid crystal display panel. By controlling the ultraviolet light exposure intensity at different positions on the exposure area, the polymer retaining wall structure and the polymer particles that help to form a pretilt angle are synchronized. It is formed so that the PWLC technology is also applicable to the PSVA technology, which ensures that the liquid crystal display panel can maintain a stable liquid crystal cell thickness when it is bent or rolled, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal display panel can obtain a certain pretilt angle.

Example 1

An embodiment of the present application provides a mask plate, which includes a plurality of first regions arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region, wherein the first region and the second region The regions are all transparent but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different.

In some embodiments, the first region is a semi-transparent region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region and the second region is a semi-transmissive region .

In some embodiments, the method further includes an opaque region surrounding the first region, and a plurality of the first regions respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque regions.

In some embodiments, the mask plate includes a substrate, a light-shielding film, and a semi-transparent film that are sequentially stacked in order to form a semi-transparent region, a fully-transmissive region, and an opaque region on the mask.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a mask plate provided in an embodiment of the present application. The mask plate 400 is a photomask in the form of a half-tone mask (HTM), which includes a plurality of first masks arranged in an array. Region 1, a second region 2 located outside the first region 1, and an opaque region 3 surrounding the first region 1.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view structure view of a mask plate provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first region 1 is a semi-transparent region and is used to cooperate with the pixel region to form a pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules. The second area 2 is a fully transparent area, which is used to form a polymer retaining wall structure, and an opaque area is used to separate the fully transparent area and the semi-transparent area.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mask 400 includes a substrate A (transparent), a light-shielding film C, and a semi-transparent film B stacked in this order to form a semi-transparent region (first region 1) on the mask 400, Totally transparent area 2 (second area 2) and opaque area 3.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, which includes:

Obtaining a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair;

Provide a PSVA type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer and inject it between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair to form a liquid crystal layer;

A mask is provided, and the mask includes a plurality of first regions arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region, wherein the first region and the second region are both Light transmission but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different;

A voltage is applied to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, the mask is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer is illuminated with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side, corresponding to the first region / second region. A granular polymer is formed on the surface of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; and a polymer retaining wall is formed between the CF substrate corresponding to the second region / the first region and the TFT substrate.

In some embodiments, the size of the pixel structure of the mask is 50 μm to 5000 μm.

In some embodiments, the first region is a semi-transparent region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region and the second region is a semi-transmissive region ;

After the light treatment, granular polymers are formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transparent region, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; a polymer is formed between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully-transmissive region. Retaining wall.

In some embodiments, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, thereby forming a polymer retaining wall connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

In some embodiments, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated by the ultraviolet light L diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent region, forming a pillar structure that is connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

In some embodiments, the CF substrate and the TFT substrate that obtain the boxed pair include:

Providing a first flexible substrate, and using the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate;

Providing a second flexible substrate, and manufacturing a TFT substrate by using the second flexible substrate;

The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are grouped into a box pair group to obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group.

In some embodiments, the fully transparent area accounts for 10% to 40% of the mask area, and the semi-transparent area accounts for 50% to 90% of the mask area.

In some embodiments, the opaque area accounts for 0% to 20% of the area of the mask.

In some embodiments, the central wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 260 nm to 380 nm, the ultraviolet light irradiation time is 10 to 150 min, and the ultraviolet light intensity is 1 to 50 mW / cm ² .

In some embodiments, the mask plate further includes an opaque area surrounding the first area, and a plurality of the first areas respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque areas.

In some embodiments, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated by the ultraviolet light L diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent region, forming a pillar structure that is connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel, which includes:

Obtaining a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair;

Provide a PSVA type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer and inject it between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair to form a liquid crystal layer;

Providing a mask plate, the mask plate comprising a plurality of first regions arranged in an array, a second region located outside the first region, and an opaque region surrounding the first region, Wherein, the first region and the second region are both transparent, but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different, and a plurality of the first regions respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque regions. A light region, the opaque region is used to separate the first region and the second region;

A voltage is applied to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, the mask is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer is illuminated with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side, corresponding to the first region / second region. Forming a granular polymer on the surface of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; forming a polymer retaining wall between the CF substrate corresponding to the second region / the first region and the TFT substrate;

The opaque area is treated with light, so that there is a gap between the formed particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall.

In some embodiments, the size of the pixel structure of the mask is 50 μm to 5000 μm.

In some embodiments, the first region is a semi-transparent region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region and the second region is a semi-transmissive region ;

After the light treatment, granular polymers are formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transparent region, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; a polymer is formed between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully-transmissive region. Retaining wall.

In some embodiments, forming the particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall includes:

Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction;

Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side;

The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle;

The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, thereby forming a polymer retaining wall connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

In some embodiments, the CF substrate and the TFT substrate that obtain the boxed pair include:

Providing a first flexible substrate, and using the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate;

Providing a second flexible substrate, and manufacturing a TFT substrate by using the second flexible substrate;

The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are grouped into a box pair group to obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group.

In some embodiments, the fully transparent area accounts for 10% to 40% of the mask area, and the semi-transparent area accounts for 50% to 90% of the mask area.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment also provides a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel using the mask plate of this embodiment. It includes steps:

S1. Obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group;

4 and FIG. 5, FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the liquid crystal layer between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate provided in the embodiment of the present application. The CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 obtained in a box pair group specifically include:

S11. Provide a first flexible substrate, and use the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate 100;

S11. Provide a second flexible substrate, and use the second flexible substrate to obtain a TFT substrate 200.

S13. The CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 are grouped into a box pair to obtain the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 in a box pair group.

S2. In conjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a PSVA-type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer 302 is provided, and the PSVA-type liquid crystal doped with the photopolymerizable monomer is injected into a CF substrate 100 and a cell pair. A liquid crystal layer 300 is formed between the TFT substrates 200. The liquid crystal can be injected by means of vacuum crystal filling or ODF.

S3. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a preparation state of the flexible liquid crystal display panel provided in the embodiment of the present application, and a mask 400 according to the embodiment is provided.

S4. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a voltage is applied to the CF substrate 100 and the TFT 200 substrate, the mask 400 is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer 300 is subjected to ultraviolet light L from the CF substrate 100 side. In light treatment, the first region 1 is a semi-transparent region, and a granular polymer 303 is formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 corresponding to the first region 1 so that the liquid crystal molecules 301 obtain a pretilt angle; In a fully transparent region, a polymer retaining wall 304 is formed between the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 corresponding to the second region 2; the opaque region is treated with light to make the granular polymer 303 formed There is a gap from the polymer retaining wall 304.

Specifically, forming the granular polymer 303 and the polymer retaining wall 304 includes steps:

S41. Apply a voltage to the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200, so that the liquid crystal molecules 301 and the photopolymerizable monomer 302 in the liquid crystal layer 300 are inclined along a certain direction;

S42. Keep the applied voltage state, and use the mask 400 as a photomask to irradiate the liquid crystal layer 300 with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate 100 side;

S43. The photopolymerizable monomer 302 irradiated by the ultraviolet light L diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer 303, so that the liquid crystal molecules 301 obtain a inclination;

At the same time, the photopolymerizable monomer 302 irradiated by the ultraviolet light L diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 corresponding to the fully transparent area, and the upper and lower ends are respectively connected to the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate. 200 phase connected polymer retaining wall 304. The formed polymer retaining wall 304 not only ensures that the flexible liquid crystal display panel maintains a fixed liquid crystal cell thickness during bending or bending, but also the liquid crystal molecules are placed in the space formed by the polymer retaining wall 304, which prevents the flexible liquid crystal display panel Liquid crystals flow when bent.

After the UV curing of the liquid crystal layer is completed, the flexible liquid crystal display panel can be subjected to subsequent cutting, peeling and other module manufacturing processes.

The central wavelength of the ultraviolet light L used is 260 nm to 380 nm, preferably 310 nm to 370 nm. The irradiation time of the ultraviolet light is 10 min to 150 min, preferably 30 min to 90 min; the intensity of the ultraviolet light is 1 to 50 mW / cm ² , and preferably 2 to 20 mW / cm ² .

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of another mask plate provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which a fully transparent area accounts for 10% to 40% of the mask plate area, and preferably 20% to 30%. The semi-transparent area occupies 50% to 90% of the area of the mask, and preferably 60% to 80%. The opaque area occupies 0% to 20% of the mask area, and preferably 5% to 15%.

The polymer retaining wall formed by the mask shown in Figure 3 is relatively sparse (the area of full light transmission used to form the polymer retaining wall occupies less area). This design has a slightly poorer control over the thickness of the LCD cell, but it is more A good guarantee of the aperture ratio.

Preferably, the size of the pixel structure of the mask may be equivalent to the pixel structure of the color resist, or may be larger than the pixel structure of the color resist layer, and the size (length or width) is from 50 μm to 5000 μm, preferably 80-800 μm.

Example 2

Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a mask plate according to an embodiment of the present application. The mask plate 400 ′ includes a plurality of first regions 1 arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region 1. Region 2 and an opaque region 3 surrounding the first region 1.

This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 only in that the first area 1 is a fully transparent area for forming a polymer retaining wall structure; the second area 2 is a semi-transparent area for matching the pixel area to make liquid crystal molecules Forms a pretilt angle; opaque areas are used to separate fully transparent and semi-transparent areas.

Similarly, the flexible liquid crystal display panel is prepared according to the above-mentioned manufacturing method, and only the mask plate 400 'in this embodiment is used to replace the mask plate 400 in step S3 of Example 1.

Then, the photopolymerizable monomer 302 irradiated by the ultraviolet light L diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer 303, so that the liquid crystal molecules 301 obtain a pretilt angle ;

At the same time, the photopolymerizable monomer 302 irradiated by the ultraviolet light L diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate 200 corresponding to the fully transparent area, and the upper and lower ends are respectively connected to the CF substrate 100 and the TFT substrate. 200-connected pillar structures, and the main structures are independent, which cannot form the wall in Example 1. This design cannot control the flow of liquid crystal but can maintain the cell thickness well, and it can also ensure the aperture ratio.

A mask plate and a method for preparing a flexible liquid crystal display panel of the present application, by controlling the ultraviolet light exposure intensity at different positions on the exposure area, the polymer barrier wall structure and the polymer particles that help to form a pretilt angle are formed simultaneously, The PWLC technology is also applicable to the PSVA technology, which ensures that the liquid crystal display panel can maintain a stable liquid crystal cell thickness when it is bent or curled, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal display panel can obtain a certain pretilt angle.

Although the present application has been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the form and form may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the claims and their equivalents. Various changes in details.

Claims (20)

A method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel includes: Obtaining a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair; Provide a PSVA type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer and inject it between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair to form a liquid crystal layer; Providing a mask plate, the mask plate comprising a plurality of first regions arranged in an array, a second region located outside the first region, and an opaque region surrounding the first region, Wherein, the first region and the second region are both transparent, but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different, and a plurality of the first regions respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque regions. A light region, the opaque region is used to separate the first region and the second region; A voltage is applied to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, the mask is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer is illuminated with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side, corresponding to the first region / second region. Forming a granular polymer on the surface of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; forming a polymer retaining wall between the CF substrate corresponding to the second region / the first region and the TFT substrate; The opaque area is treated with light, so that there is a gap between the formed particulate polymer and the polymer retaining wall. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein a size of a pixel structure of the mask plate is 50 μm to 5000 μm. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the first region is a semi-transmissive region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region The second region is a translucent region; After the light treatment, granular polymers are formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transparent region, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; a polymer is formed between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully-transmissive region. Retaining wall. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 3, wherein forming the granular polymer and the polymer retaining wall comprises: Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction; Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side; The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, thereby forming a polymer retaining wall connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 4, wherein the CF substrate and the TFT substrate obtained in the box-pair group comprise: Providing a first flexible substrate, and using the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate; Providing a second flexible substrate, and manufacturing a TFT substrate by using the second flexible substrate; The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are grouped into a box pair group to obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 5, wherein the fully transparent area occupies 10% to 40% of the mask area, and the semi-transparent area occupies the mask area 50% ~ 90%. A method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel includes: Obtaining a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair; Provide a PSVA type liquid crystal doped with a photopolymerizable monomer and inject it between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair to form a liquid crystal layer; A mask is provided, and the mask includes a plurality of first regions arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region, wherein the first region and the second region are both Light transmission but the light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different; A voltage is applied to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, the mask is used as a photomask, and the liquid crystal layer is illuminated with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side, corresponding to the first region / second region. A granular polymer is formed on the surface of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; and a polymer retaining wall is formed between the CF substrate corresponding to the second region / the first region and the TFT substrate. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 7, wherein the size of the pixel structure of the mask plate is 50 μm to 5000 μm. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 7, wherein the first region is a semi-transmissive region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region The second region is a translucent region; After the light treatment, granular polymers are formed on the surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transparent region, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; a polymer is formed between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully-transmissive region. Retaining wall. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 9, wherein forming the granular polymer and the polymer retaining wall comprises: Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction; Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side; The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, thereby forming a polymer retaining wall connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 9, wherein forming the granular polymer and the polymer retaining wall comprises: Applying a voltage to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules and photopolymerizable monomers in the liquid crystal layer are inclined along a certain direction; Maintaining the applied voltage state, using the mask as a photomask, and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light from the CF substrate side; The photopolymerizable monomers irradiated with ultraviolet light diffuse, and a polymerization reaction occurs on both surfaces of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the semi-transmissive area to form a particulate polymer, so that the liquid crystal molecules obtain a pretilt angle; The photopolymerizable monomer irradiated by the ultraviolet light diffuses, and a polymerization reaction occurs between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate corresponding to the fully transparent area, forming a pillar structure connected to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate at the upper and lower ends, respectively. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 10, wherein the CF substrate and the TFT substrate obtained in the box pair group comprise: Providing a first flexible substrate, and using the first flexible substrate to fabricate a CF substrate; Providing a second flexible substrate, and manufacturing a TFT substrate by using the second flexible substrate; The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are grouped into a box pair group to obtain a CF substrate and a TFT substrate in a box pair group. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 10, wherein the fully transparent area occupies 10% to 40% of the mask area, and the semi-transparent area occupies the mask area 50% ~ 90%. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 10, wherein the opaque area accounts for 0% to 20% of an area of the mask plate. The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 10, wherein the central wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 260 nm to 380 nm, the ultraviolet light irradiation time is 10 to 150 min, and the ultraviolet light intensity is 1 to 50 mW / cm ² . The method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display panel according to claim 7, wherein the mask plate further comprises an opaque area surrounding the first area, and a plurality of the first areas respectively correspond to a plurality of areas. The opaque area is described. A mask plate comprising a plurality of first regions arranged in an array and a second region outside the first region, wherein the first region and the second region are both transparent but The light transmittances of the first region and the second region are different. The mask according to claim 17, wherein the first region is a semi-transmissive region and the second region is a fully-transmissive region; or the first region is a fully-transmissive region and the first The two areas are semi-transparent areas. The mask plate according to claim 17, further comprising an opaque region surrounding the first region, and a plurality of the first regions respectively correspond to a plurality of the opaque regions. The mask plate according to claim 17, wherein the mask plate comprises a substrate, a light-shielding film, and a semi-transmissive film which are sequentially stacked in order to form a semi-transmissive region and total light transmission on the mask. Area and opaque areas.