Alignment film transfer printing plate and manufacturing method thereof

This application provides an alignment film transfer printing plate including a substrate, a first dot arranged on the substrate, and a plurality of second dots arranged around the first dot. A height of each of the second dots in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate is less than or equal to a height of the first dot in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, a blocking portion is formed on an end of the first dot away from the substrate, and an area of an end surface of each of the second dots away from the substrate is less than an area of an end surface of the blocking portion away from the substrate.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Field of Invention

This application relates to the field of displays, and particularly relates to an alignment film transfer printing plate and a manufacturing method of the same.

Description of Prior Art

Blind-hole screens have been developed to fulfill full screen display. The so-called blind-hole screens refer to a technology in which openings are formed on a backlight layer of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and a camera is arranged under a protective cover plate and an LCD panel of the liquid crystal display device. In the blind-hole screens, as alignment films are formed at positions of the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to blind-holes, a low light transmittance is induced by the alignment films, affecting imaging effect of cameras, and making appearance of the blind-holes poorer.

In view of this, the present application aims to provide an alignment film transfer printing plate and a manufacturing method of the same, which could increase the light transmittance of the blind-holes and improve the appearance of the blind-holes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This application provides an alignment film transfer printing plate configured to prevent an alignment film material from stacking in a blind-hole, wherein the alignment film transfer printing plate comprises a substrate, a first dot arranged on the substrate and a plurality of second dots arranged around the first dot, a height of each of the second dots in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate is less than or equal to a height of the first dot in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, a blocking portion is formed on an end of the first dot away from the substrate, and an area of an end surface of each of the second dots away from the substrate is less than an area of an end surface of the blocking portion away from the substrate.

In one embodiment, an area of an end surface of the first dot close to the substrate is greater than the area of the end surface of the blocking portion away from the substrate.

In one embodiment, an area of an end surface of the first dot close to the substrate is less than or equal to the area of the end surface of the blocking portion away from the substrate.

In one embodiment, the first dot comprises a tapered portion connected to the blocking portion, and a cross-sectional area of the tapered portion gradually reduces along a direction of the substrate towards the blocking portion.

In one embodiment, the end surface of the blocking portion away from the substrate has a polygonal shape.

In one embodiment, the end surface of each of the second dots away from the substrate has a polygonal shape.

In one embodiment, materials of the first dot and the second dots are elastic photosensitive resin materials.

A manufacturing method of an alignment film transfer printing plate is also provided by this application, comprising steps of:providing the alignment film transfer printing plate of claim1, and coating the alignment film material on a surface of the alignment film transfer printing plate containing the first dot and the second dots;providing an alignment substrate, and transfer printing the alignment film material to the alignment substrate using the alignment film transfer printing plate, wherein the blind-hole is provided on the alignment substrate, and the blocking portion is configured to prevent the alignment film material from entering the blind-hole; andcuring the alignment film material to form an alignment film.

In one embodiment, the blocking portion is configured to embed into the blind-holes.

In one embodiment, the blocking portion is configured to cover the blind-holes.

Compared to prior art, in the alignment film transfer printing plate and the manufacturing method of same of this application, by configuring the blocking portion on a dot corresponding to the blind-holes of a liquid crystal display panel, when transfer printing the alignment film material to form the alignment film, the blocking portion is configured to block the alignment film material from entering the blind-holes. Stacking of the alignment film material in the blind-holes can be prevented, light transmittance of where the blind-holes locate can be increased, so as to achieve better light-sensing effect and improve appearance of products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the following described embodiments are only part of the present disclosure but not all. A person having ordinary skill in the art may obtain other embodiments based on the embodiments provided in the present disclosure without making any creative effort, which all belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

Please refer toFIG.1andFIG.2, a liquid crystal display device100of a this application includes a liquid crystal display panel10, a backlight module20, and a light-sensitive component30. The backlight module20is disposed on a side of the liquid crystal display panel10. A receiving portion20ais provided in the backlight module20. The light-sensitive component30is received in the receiving portion20a. The receiving portion20acan be a through-hole provided in the backlight module20. The light-sensitive component30includes but is not limited to a front-facing camera, a face recognition light-sensitive component, and a gesture sensor, etc.

The liquid crystal display device100further comprises a first polarizer (not shown in the figures) disposed between the display panel10and the backlight module20, and a second polarizer (not shown in the figures) disposed on a side of the display panel10away from the backlight module20. It can be understood that the liquid crystal display device100further includes other normal components of liquid crystal display devices, such as a cover glass, and a frame, etc.

The liquid crystal display panel10comprises a first substrate11, a second substrate12, and liquid crystal molecules13disposed between the first substrate11and the second substrate12. The first substrate11includes a first base substrate111, a first functional film layer112disposed on the first base substrate111, and a first alignment film113disposed on the first functional film layer112. A first opening112ais provided in the first functional film layer112. A second opening113ais provided in the first alignment film113. The first opening112ais connected with the second opening113a. For example, the first opening112ais coaxially arranged with the second opening113a. The first opening112aand the second opening113acorrespond to the light-sensitive component30so as to allow light to enter the light-sensitive component30. In one embodiment of this application, the first substrate11can be an array substrate. The first functional film layer112includes a thin film transistor layer. The first functional film layer112further comprises an insulating layer, a passivation layer, and a planarization layer. The first opening112ais a through-hole penetrating the first functional film layer112, and the first base substrate111is exposed from the first opening112a. In other embodiment of this application, the first opening112acan also be a blind-hole provided in the first functional film layer112. For example, in one embodiment of this application, the thin film transistor layer comprises a light-shielding layer, a buffer layer, a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode layer, an interlayer insulation layer, and a source/drain electrode layer, etc. The first opening112apenetrates to the semiconductor layer, and the buffer layer is exposed from the first opening112a.

The second substrate12includes a second base substrate121, a second functional film layer122disposed on the second base substrate121, and a second alignment film123disposed on the second functional film layer122. A third opening122ais provided in the second functional film layer122. A fourth opening123ais provided in the second alignment film123. The third opening122ais connected with the fourth opening123a. For example, the third opening122ais coaxially arranged with the fourth opening123a. The third opening122aand the fourth opening123acorrespond to the first opening122a, the second opening113a, and the light-sensitive component30so as to allow light to enter the light-sensitive component30. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second substrate12can be a color filter substrate, and the second functional film layer122comprises a color filter layer and a black matrix. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the third opening122apenetrates the second functional film layer122. The second base substrate122is exposed from the third opening122a. In other embodiment of this application, the third opening122acan also be a blind-hole provided in the second functional film layer122.

Please refer toFIG.1toFIG.4at the same time, an alignment film transfer printing plate1of a second embodiment of this application can be configured to manufacture a blind-hole screen type liquid crystal display device100(as shown inFIG.1andFIG.2). The alignment film transfer printing plate1is configured to prevent alignment films (such as the first alignment film113and the second alignment film114) from stacking in the blind-holes (such as the first opening112aand the third opening122a). Hereby, the blind-holes refer to blind-holes for the liquid crystal display device100.

Also known as relief plate, flexographic printing, or pillar covering, the alignment film transfer printing plate1comprises a substrate101, a first dot102arranged on the substrate101, and a plurality of second dots103arranged around the first dot102. Materials of the first dot102and the second dots103can be elastic photosensitive resin materials. In one embodiment, the material of the first dot102and the second dots103can be ASAHI KASEI photosensitive resin (APR for short). That is to say, the alignment film transfer printing plate1can be an APR plate.

When transfer printing an alignment film material200to form an alignment film, the alignment film material200is distribute between the first dot102and the second dots103. Each of the first dot102and the second dots103can be shaped into a pillar, such as a cylinder or a prism, etc. A height of each of the second dots103in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate101is less than or equal to a height of the first dot102in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate101. The blocking portion1021is configured to prevent the alignment film material200from entering the blind-holes. An area of an end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101is less than an area of an end surface of a blocking portion1021away from the substrate101. The area of an end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101is designed to be less than the area of an end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101, so that the alignment film material200can be uniformly distributed on the first functional film layer112to form a uniform first alignment film113. The blocking portion1021is formed on an end of the first dot102away from the substrate101. An area of an end surface of the first dot102close to the substrate101is greater than the area of the end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101.

The end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101could have a polygonal shape. The end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101also could have a polygonal shape. Compared to a circular end surface, the polygonal end surface will be more helpful for the alignment film material to diffuse along sides of the polygon so as to distribute uniformly.

The first substrate11is taken as example as below to illustrate a structure and use of the alignment film transfer printing plate1. It can be understood that the alignment film transfer printing plate1can also be configured to form the alignment film123of the second substrate12.

Please refer toFIG.5(a)toFIG.5(c), in one embodiment of this application, the blocking portion1021can be configured to embed into the first opening112awhen transfer printing the alignment film material200to form the first alignment film113, so that the alignment film material200will not enter the first opening112awhen transfer printing the alignment film material200. After the transfer printing is completed, a second opening113aconnected with the first opening112ais formed in the first alignment film113.

The blocking portion1021is configured to a corresponding shape to the first opening112aof the first substrate11. The so-called corresponding shape can be a same shape or an almost same shape. For example, under the circumstance that the first opening112ais configured as a cylindrical through hole, the blocking portion1021is also configured as a cylinder which is a circle in top view and matches the first opening112a. The area of the blocking portion1021is equal to or slightly less than that of the first opening112a. That is to say, a diameter of the blocking portion1021is equal to or slightly less than that of the first opening112a. As a material of the APR plate includes an elastic resin, the blocking portion1021will slightly expand and deform under a downward pressure during transfer printing. Under the circumstance that the diameter of the blocking portion1021is equal to or less than that of the first opening112a, when performing the transfer printing of the alignment film material, the blocking portion1021can closely fit the first opening112a. In other embodiments of this application, under the circumstance that the first opening112ais an opening which is circular in top view, the blocking portion1021is configured as a polygon in top view, such as a hexagon, an octagon, or a decagon. And a distance from a center to an end point of the polygon is equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the first opening112a. Similarly, when performing the transfer printing of the alignment film material, the blocking portion1021will slightly expand and deform under a downward pressure during transfer printing and then closely fit the first opening112a.

Please refer toFIG.6(a)toFIG.6(c), in another embodiment of the application, the blocking portion1021can be configured to locate over the first opening112aand cover the first opening112awhen transfer printing the alignment film material200to form the alignment film113, so that the alignment film material200will not enter the first opening112awhen transfer printing the alignment film material200. After the transfer printing is completed, a second opening113aconnected with the first opening112ais formed in the first alignment film113.

A height of each of the second dots103in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate101is less than or equal to a height of the first dot102in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate101. An area of an end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101is less than an area of an end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101. An area of an end surface of the first dot103close to the substrate101is less than or equal to the area of the end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101. Besides, the first dot102further comprises a tapered portion1022connected with the blocking portion1021. A cross-sectional area of the tapered portion1022gradually reduces along a direction of the substrate101towards the blocking portion1021. The end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101could have a polygonal shape. The end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101also could have a polygonal shape.

In this embodiment, the shapes of the blocking portion1021and the first opening112aare not limited, as long as the blocking portion1021can totally cover the first opening112awhen performing the transfer printing. For example, under the circumstance that the first opening112ais an opening which is circular in top view, the blocking portion1021is configured to be circular in top view. The area of the blocking portion1021is greater than that of the first opening112a. That is to say, a diameter of the blocking portion1021is greater than that of the first opening112a.

A manufacturing method of an alignment film is provided by embodiment of this application, using the above-mentioned alignment film transfer printing plate. The manufacturing method of the alignment film transfer printing plate comprises the steps of:

S1: Please refer toFIG.5(a), providing an alignment film transfer printing plate1, and coating an alignment film material200on a surface of the alignment film transfer printing plate1with the first dot102and the second dots103thereon.

For example, the alignment film material200can be a polymer material, and the polymer material can be polyimide. As illustrated in above embodiments, the alignment film transfer printing plate1is configured to prevent an alignment film from stacking in blind-holes, and the alignment film transfer printing plate1includes a substrate101and the first dot102arranged on the substrate101, and a blocking portion1021is formed on an end of the first dot102away from the substrate101.

S2: Please refer toFIG.5(b), providing an alignment substrate11a, and transfer printing the alignment film material200to the alignment substrate11ausing the alignment film transfer printing plate1, wherein a blind-hole is provided on the alignment substrate11a. The blocking portion1021is configured to prevent the alignment film material200from entering the blind-hole.

Herein, a first substrate11is yet taken as example to illustrate a structure and usage of the alignment film transfer printing plate1. The first substrate11includes a first base substrate111and a first functional film layer112disposed on the first base substrate111. A first opening112ais provided in the first functional film layer112. The first opening112ameans the blind-hole. When transfer printing the alignment film material200to the alignment substrate11a, the alignment film material200located between the dots is squeezed to the alignment substrate11aand distributes on the alignment substrate11ato form a uniform film layer. Due to the existence of the blocking portion1021, the alignment film material200cannot enter the first opening112a. After removing the alignment film transfer printing plate1, a second opening113ais formed in a first alignment film113. The first opening112ais connected with the second opening113a. In one embodiment, an area of an end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101is designed to be less than the area of an end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101, so that the alignment film material200can be uniformly distributed on the first functional film layer12to form a uniform first alignment film113. The end surface of the blocking portion1021away from the substrate101could have a polygonal shape. The end surface of each of the second dots103away from the substrate101is also configured to have a polygonal shape. Compared to a circular end surface, the polygonal end surface will be more helpful for the alignment film material to diffuse along sides of the polygon so as to distribute uniformly.

It can be understood that the alignment substrate11acould be a color filter substrate or an array substrate. In another embodiment, a structure of the alignment film transfer printing plate1can be the one illustrated inFIG.6(a). Herein description is omitted. The blocking portion1021is configured to cover the blind-hole.

S3: Removing the alignment film transfer printing plate1and curing the alignment film material200to form the alignment film. For example, methods to cure the alignment film material200is thermal curing or ultraviolet curing.

In the alignment film transfer printing plate and the manufacturing method of the same of this application, by configuring the blocking portion on a dot corresponding to the blind-holes of a liquid crystal display panel, when transfer printing the alignment film material to form the alignment film, the blocking portion is configured to block the alignment film material from entering the blind-holes. Stacking of the alignment film material in the blind-holes can be prevented, and light transmittance of where the blind-holes locate can be increased, so as to achieve better light-sensing effect and improve appearance of products.

The above description provides a detailed introduction to the application. In this disclosure, specific examples are applied to explain principle and embodiments of the application. The description of the above embodiments is only configured to help understand the application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the thought of the present disclosure, there will be changes in the specific embodiments and application scope. In conclusion, the content of the specification should not be understood as the limitation of the application.