Patent
1988-03-18
1989-06-13
Miller, Stanley D.
350335, 350350S, G02F 113
Patent
active
048386537
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a large, low current, liquid crystal display, a method of making such a display and to methods of using said display to detect a voltage or an electric field.
The use of a liquid crystal display to detect a voltage or an electric field is disclosed in the art. For example, German Patent Application No. 2,949,561 to Walter discloses an analog voltage display which uses liquid crystals. The liquid crystal device comprises a number of liquid crystal display areas formed by an overlapping electrode pattern. Each successive display area is sized so that it is not activated in the same voltage range as any preceeding display area. As a result of this requirement, the individual display areas become large so that when it is used to indicated more than about five different voltages, the device requires significant current for its operation. This limits practicality of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,210 to Ignatjev discloses a device used to detect the presence of air ions or an electric field. The device of Ignatjev utilizes a single liquid crystal element having electrodes which are connected to large metal plates, at least one of which is grounded through the person operating the device. Use a single liquid crystal element limits the size of the display making it difficult to observe at a distance.
The detection or measurement of a voltage or an electric field using a liquid crystal device is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,408 of Fergason, German patent applications Nos. 3,219,703 of Kehr, 3,308,972 of Haverhagen et al and 3,402,655 of Goehlich. In each instance, a single liquid crystal display is used and/or the device would require significant current if used in practical display sizes.
I have discovered how to increase the size of a liquid crystal display to produce a large display which utilizes relatively low current and can be used for detecting and/or measuring a voltage or an electric field.
One aspect of the invention comprises a liquid crystal display comprising an array of a plurality of liquid crystal elements, said array comprising:
(a) a first liquid crystal element having a capacitance in the non-energized state lower than the capacitance of any other of said liquid crystal elements and comprising a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric amisotropy so that said liquid crystal element has a capacitance in the energized state higher than its capacitance in the nonenergized state; and
(b) a second liquid crystal element electrically connected in series with said first liquid crystal element, said second liquid crystal element having a capacitance in the non-energized state lower than the capacitance of the first liquid crystal element in its energized state.
Another aspect of this invention comprises a method of making a display comprising an array of a plurality of liquid crystal elements connected in series, said method comprising:
(a) providing first and second support members;
(b) providing said first support member with electrodes in a first predetermined pattern;
(c) providing said second support member with electrodes in a second predetermined pattern, said first and second patterns being such that when the support members are superimposed and aligned, the electrodes of said first support member partially overlap the electrodes of said second support member providing areas of overlap;
(d) positioning a layer of liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy between said first and second support members;
(e) superimposing and aligning said support members such that their respective electrodes are facing said liquid crystal layer and the overlap areas of the electrodes with liquid crystal material therebetween form a plurality of liquid crystal elements connected in series by the overlapping electrodes, said array having a first liquid crystal element having a capacitance in the non-energized state lower than the capacitance of any other liquid crystal element and a second liquid crystal element having a capacitance in the non-ener
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Burkard Herbert G.
Chao Yuan
Miller Stanley D.
Pellman Anita E.
Raychem Corporation
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