Abstract
`
`A liquid crystal device is provided which includes: a first substrate and a second substrate that
`are disposed to face each other; a liquid crystal layer that is sandwiched between the first
`substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode that is provided on the liquid crystal layer
`side of the first substrate; an insulating layer that is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of
`the first electrode; and a second electrode that is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the
`insulating layer, in which the first substrate has formed thereon a plurality of data lines and a
`plurality of scan lines which intersect each other; sub-pixels are formed at regions surrounded by
`the data lines and the scan lines; the second electrode has a plurality of linear electrodes that is
`disposed with a gap therebetween; each of the plurality of linear electrodes extends in a long-axis
`direction of the sub-pixels and has at least one bent portion; the bent portion has such a shape
`that both sides thereof are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the long-axis direction
`of the sub-pixels; and the data lines or the scan lines are bent in an extending direction of the
`linear electrodes having the bent portion.
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present invention contains subject matter relatedThis application is a continuation
`application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/397,408 filed Mar. 4, 2009, which application
`claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-009615 filed in the Japanese Patent
`Office on Jan. 20, 200920, 2009, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-055867 filed in the
`Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 6, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Technical Field
`
`The invention relates to a liquid crystal device and an electronic apparatus.
`
`2. Related Art
`
`Hitherto, as one means for achieving a wide viewing angle of an liquid crystal device, there has
`been used a mode in which an electric field is applied to a liquid crystal layer in a direction of a
`substrate plane to thereby control alignment of liquid crystal molecules (such a mode will be
`referred to as a lateral electric field mode), and an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode and an FFS
`(Fringe-Field Switching) mode have been known as such a lateral electric field mode. In a lateral
`electric field mode liquid crystal device, a pixel electrode and a common electrode are typically
`formed on the same substrate. In the case of the IPS mode, the pixel electrode and the common
`electrode are formed on the same layer and have a comb-teeth shape. On the other hand, in the
`case of the FFS mode, the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on different
`layers, respectively, and one of them has a comb-teeth shape and the other has a beta shape. In
`particular, in the case of the FFS mode, since the pixel electrode and the common electrode are
`formed on different layers, a strong electric field is generated from a fringe portion of the
`electrode in a direction inclined with respect to the substrate plane. Therefore, the FFS mode has
`1
`
`Page 1 of 17
`
`Tianma Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`a merit that the alignment of liquid crystal molecules disposed right above the electrode can be
`easily controlled compared with the IPS mode.
`
`As a method for achieving a further wider viewing angle with the lateral electric field mode
`liquid crystal device, there is a known method that forms a plurality of regions, a so-called multi-
`domain, in which liquid crystal molecules within one sub-pixel are aligned in different directions
`upon voltage application (a region where liquid crystal molecules are aligned in approximately
`one direction is referred to as a domain). Since the viewing angle characteristics corresponding
`to inherent contrast ratios of respective domains are compensated by forming multiple domains,
`it is possible to achieve a wide viewing angle. In order to form a multi-domain structure, the
`shape of a comb-teeth shaped electrode needs to be studied. When electrode fingers constituting
`a comb-teeth shaped electrode are referred to as “linear electrodes,” rather than arranging the
`entire linear electrodes within one sub-pixel to extend in the same direction, for example, as
`illustrated in FIG. 11, linear electrodes 101 a corresponding an upper half part of one sub-pixel
`are arranged to be inclined toward the top left corner in FIG. 11 and linear
`electrodes 101 b corresponding to a lower half part thereof are arranged to be inclined toward the
`bottom left corner. A electric field is generated in a direction perpendicular to the extending
`direction of the linear electrodes 101 a and 101 b upon application of an electric voltage. Liquid
`crystal molecules are caused to be aligned in accordance with the electric field. In the case
`of FIG. 11, two regions (the upper half part and the lower half part of the sub-pixel) where liquid
`crystal molecules are aligned in different directions are generated, whereby a dual-domain
`structure is achieved.
`
`Here, since a uniform lateral electric field is generated in portions (encircled region indicated by
`symbol A in FIG. 11) of an liquid crystal layer disposed in the vicinity of the center portions of
`the linear electrodes 101 a and 101 b, images can be properly displayed. However, since lateral
`electric fields are generated in various directions in portions (encircled regions indicated by
`symbol B in FIG. 11) of the linear electrodes 101 a and 101 b disposed in the vicinity of end
`portions thereof, the alignment of the liquid crystals is disordered, and thus, light transmittance
`during bright display is remarkably deteriorated at these locations. Therefore, in this
`configuration, the area capable of substantially contributing to display is decreased, and thus, it is
`difficult to obtain a sufficient aperture ratio of the pixel and to achieve a high display luminance.
`In this respect, there is proposed a multi-domain liquid crystal display device in which in lieu of
`the configuration of FIG. 11 where the linear electrodes are arranged to extend in a short-axis
`direction of the sub-pixel, the linear electrodes are arranged to extend in the long-axis direction
`of the sub-pixel (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-014374).
`Specifically, the pixel electrode and the common electrode are arranged to extend in the long-
`axis direction of the sub-pixel so that they are bent several times.
`
`According to the configuration disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
`Publication No. 2002-014374, since the area of the end portions of the linear electrodes within
`one sub-pixel is small compared with the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11, it is possible to
`increase the area, which is able to substantially contribute to display, to thereby increase the
`aperture ratio of the pixel. However, since the pixel electrode and the common electrode are bent
`with respect to the sub-pixel having an approximately rectangular shape, there is generated a
`triangular dead space which does not contribute to display along the data line (the longer side of
`
`
`
`2
`
`Page 2 of 17
`
`

`

`the sub-pixel), and thus, the aperture ratio is decreased in this portion. Consequently, there is a
`problem that it is difficult to achieve a high display luminance.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a liquid crystal device having a
`high pixel aperture ratio, a high display luminance and a wide viewing angle and an electronic
`apparatus using the liquid crystal device.
`
`According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device including a first
`substrate and a second substrate that are disposed to face each other; a liquid crystal layer that is
`sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode that is provided
`on the liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate; an insulating layer that is provided on the
`liquid crystal layer side of the first electrode; and a second electrode that is provided on the
`liquid crystal layer side of the insulating layer, in which the first substrate has formed thereon a
`plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines which intersect each other; sub-pixels are
`formed at regions surrounded by the data lines and the scan lines; the second electrode has a
`plurality of linear electrodes that is disposed with a gap therebetween; each of the plurality of
`linear electrodes extends in a long-axis direction of the sub-pixels and has at least one bent
`portion; the bent portion has such a shape that both sides thereof are inclined in opposite
`directions with respect to the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels; and the data lines or the scan
`lines are bent in an extending direction of the linear electrodes having the bent portion. Here,
`“sub-pixel” in the invention is a region which serves as the minimum unit of displaying an
`image. Moreover, the sub-pixels are provided so as to correspond to colored layers having
`different colors of color filters, and one pixel is formed by a plurality of adjacent sub-pixels.
`
`According to the liquid crystal device of the above aspect of the invention, since each of the
`linear electrodes constituting the second electrode is generally arranged to extend in the long-
`axis direction of the sub-pixels and includes at least one bent portion, and the bent portion has
`such a shape that both sides thereof are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the long-
`axis direction of the sub-pixels, a multi-domain structure is formed, and thus, it is possible to
`achieve a wide viewing angle. Moreover, since the data line is bent in the extending direction of
`the linear electrodes having the bent portion, it is possible to suppress dead spaces which do not
`contribute to display from generating along the longer sides of the sub-pixel, and thus, a high
`aperture ratio can be maintained.
`
`In the above aspect of the invention, the first electrode may be a pixel electrode and the second
`electrode may be a common electrode.
`
`According to such a configuration, since the insulating layer is formed on the pixel electrode and
`the common electrode having a plurality of linear electrodes is formed on the surface of the
`insulating layer so as to cover the entire sub-pixels, it is possible to maximize the aperture ratio
`of the sub-pixels.
`
`In the aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of linear electrodes may be linearly
`symmetric about a short-axis direction of the bent portion.
`
`
`
`3
`
`Page 3 of 17
`
`

`

`In the aspect of the invention, a region disposed between bent portions of two linear electrodes
`adjacent in a short-axis direction of the sub-pixels may be a gap between the two adjacent linear
`electrodes.
`
`The configuration can be restated as follows: when the gap between two adjacent linear
`electrodes is referred to as a “slit,” since the slit is formed between bent portions of the two
`adjacent linear electrodes, the configuration means that the slits are connected with each other
`across both sides of the bent portions in the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels. According to
`such a configuration, it is possible to maximize the aperture ratio of the sub-pixels.
`
`Alternatively, a connection portion may be provided to a region disposed between bent portions
`of two adjacent linear electrodes in a short-axis direction of the sub-pixels so as to connect the
`two adjacent linear electrodes with each other.
`
`The configuration can be restated as follows: the configuration means that the slits on both sides
`of the bent portions in the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels are divided by the connection
`portion. When the slits are connected with each other across both sides of the bent portions, there
`is a fear that it may cause problems that display defects resulting from an alignment disorder
`(disclination) of liquid crystals at the bent portions may spread or that the display defects may be
`unstably transferred to other positions upon application of an external force to the liquid crystal
`device. However, it is possible to solve the problems by dividing the slits on both sides of the
`bent portions by the connection portion.
`
`In the above aspect of the invention, among the linear electrodes and the gaps alternately
`arranged in a short-axis direction of the sub-pixels, the linear electrode and the gap disposed at a
`region located close to the bent data line (or the bent scan line) may have a width larger than a
`width of the linear electrode and the gap disposed at a region located distant from the bent data
`line (or the bent scan line).
`
`Alternatively, among the plurality of linear electrodes arranged in a short-axis direction of the
`sub-pixels, the linear electrode disposed at a region located close to the bent data line (or the bent
`scan line) may have a width larger than a width of the linear electrode disposed at a region
`located distant from the bent data line (or the bent scan line).
`
`Alternatively, among a plurality of the gaps arranged in a short-axis direction of the sub-pixels,
`the gap disposed at a region located close to the bent data line (or the bent scan line) may have a
`width larger than a width of the gap disposed at a region located distant from the bent data line
`(or the bent scan line).
`
`According to the configuration of the above aspect of the invention, although it is possible to
`provide a high aperture ratio, there is a fear that when a larger part of the outer border of the
`second electrode is located in close proximity of the data line, due to the influence of an electric
`field generated between the data line and the second electrode, the alignment of the liquid crystal
`molecules between them is disordered, thus leading to display defects. Therefore, when the width
`of at least one of the linear electrode and the gap disposed at a region located in the vicinity of
`the circumference of the sub-pixel and close to the data line is larger than the width of at least
`one of the linear electrode and the gap disposed at a region located in the vicinity of the center of
`
`
`
`4
`
`Page 4 of 17
`
`

`

`the sub-pixel and distant from the data line, it is possible to make the second electrode less likely
`to be influenced by the data line to thereby suppress the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal
`molecules between them.
`
`The liquid crystal device according to the above aspect may further include a light shielding film
`configured to overlap with the data line (or the scan line) which is at least bent in plan view, the
`light shielding film being provided on the first substrate.
`
`According to such a configuration, since the data line and the light shielding film are formed on
`the first substrate, it is possible to perform the positional alignment between the data line and the
`light shielding film with a high accuracy compared with the case where the data line and the light
`shielding film are formed on different substrates. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a high
`aperture ratio.
`
`Further, the liquid crystal device may further include a light shielding film configured to overlap
`with the data line (or the scan line) which is at least bent in plan view, the light shielding film
`being provided on the second substrate.
`
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having the
`liquid crystal device according to the above aspect of the invention. According to such a
`configuration, it is possible to realize an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display unit
`capable of achieving a high display luminance and a wide viewing angle.
`
`Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following
`Detailed Description and the figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIGURES
`
`The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
`numbers reference like elements.
`
`FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an liquid crystal device according to a first
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal device
`according to the first embodiment.
`
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal
`device according to the first embodiment.
`
`FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal device according
`to a second embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal device according
`to a third embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal device according
`to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
`
`
`
`5
`
`Page 5 of 17
`
`

`

`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal
`device according to the fourth embodiment.
`
`FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of optical axes of the liquid crystal device
`according to the fourth embodiment.
`
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal device according to a modification.
`
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an electronic apparatus according to the
`invention.
`
`FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an example configuration of a pixel of a known lateral electric
`field mode liquid crystal device.
`
`FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal device
`according to the first embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
`
`Embodiments of the present application will be described below in detail with reference to the
`drawings.
`
`First Embodiment
`
`A liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described herein
`below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The liquid crystal device according to this embodiment is
`an example of a FFS mode color liquid crystal display device. FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit
`diagram of the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view
`illustrating a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional
`view illustrating the configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal device. In the drawings
`below, individual members are appropriately depicted with different reduced scales in order to
`make them large enough to be recognized on the drawings.
`
`A liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment is a color liquid crystal display device in
`which one pixel is configured by three sub-pixels capable of outputting color light of red (R),
`green (G) and blue (B). Here, a display region which serves the minimum unit of display will be
`referred to as “sub-pixel,” and a display region composed of a group (R, G and B) of sub-pixels
`will be referred to as “pixel.” Further, in this specification, “a long-axis direction of the sub-
`pixel” corresponds to the Y-axis direction in FIG. 2. That is, “the long-axis direction of the sub-
`pixel” is defined not as a direction extending along an extending direction of bent portions of
`later-described pixel electrodes, but as a direction in which sub-pixels of the same color are
`arranged. Moreover, “a short-axis direction of the sub-pixel” corresponds to the X-axis direction
`perpendicular to the Y-axis direction in FIG. 2.
`
`As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment, pixel
`electrodes (second electrodes) 11 are provided to correspond to respective one of a plurality of
`sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B (see FIG. 2) which is arranged in a matrix to form a display region.
`Moreover, the pixel electrodes 11 are connected to pixel switching TFT (Thin Film Transistor)
`
`
`
`6
`
`Page 6 of 17
`
`

`

`elements 12 for controlling the conduction state of the corresponding pixel electrodes 11. Data
`lines 13 are electrically connected to respective sources of the TFT elements 12. Image signals
`S1, S2, . . . , and Sn are supplied from a data line driving circuit 16 to the respective data
`lines 13. It is to be noted that capacitance lines 20 are not always necessary and may be provided
`as necessary.
`
`Moreover, scan lines 14 are electrically connected to respective gates of the TFT elements 12.
`Scan signals G1, G2, . . . , and Gm are supplied in a pulsating manner at a predetermined timing
`from a scan line driving circuit 17 to the respective scan lines 14. The scan signals G1, G2, and
`Gm are applied in this order to the respective scan lines 14 in a line-sequential manner. Further,
`the pixel electrodes 11 are electrically connected to respective drains of the TFT elements 12.
`When the TFT elements 12 which are switching elements are turned on for only a predetermined
`period by the scan signals G1, G2, . . . , and Gm supplied from the scan lines 14, the image
`signals S1, S2, . . . , and Sn supplied from the data lines 13 are written to liquid crystals of
`respective pixels at a predetermined timing.
`
`The image signals S1, S2, . . . , and Sn having a predetermined level having written to the liquid
`crystals are held for a predetermined period by liquid crystal capacitances formed between the
`pixel electrodes 11 and later-described common electrodes (first electrodes). Further, in order to
`prevent the held image signals S1, S2, . . . , and Sn from leaking, storage capacitances 18 are
`formed between the pixel electrodes 11 and the capacitance lines 20 so as to be parallel with the
`liquid crystal capacitances. When voltage signals are applied to the liquid crystals, the alignment
`state of the liquid crystal molecules is changed in accordance with the applied voltage level. In
`this way, light incident on the liquid crystals is modulated to perform gradation display.
`
`Next, the configuration of the pixel of the liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment
`will be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a pattern configuration of one pixel composed
`of three sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B of three colors R, G and B. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pixel
`electrode 11 provided to each of the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B has such a rectangular shape that
`is bent at the center in a long-axis direction thereof. Specifically, both sides of a bent portion K
`are bent to be inclined in opposite directions with respect to the long-axis direction of the sub-
`pixels 2R, 2G and 2B so that an upper half part thereof is inclined toward the top left corner
`in FIG. 2 while a lower half part thereof is inclined toward the bottom left corner.
`
`Moreover, inside the pixel electrode 11, a plurality of slits (gaps) 3 is formed so as to extend in
`the same direction as an extending direction of an outer border 11 a of the pixel electrode 11.
`That is, the slits 3 are bent so that both sides of the bent portion K are inclined in opposite
`directions with respect to the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B in a manner
`similar to the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B in which the upper half parts thereof are inclined toward
`the top left corner in FIG. 2 while the lower half parts thereof are inclined toward the bottom left
`corner. Although only four slits 3 are illustrated in FIG. 2 in order to make them large enough to
`be recognized on the drawings, many more slits may be formed in practical cases. As a result,
`linear electrodes 4 are formed by both sides of the slits 3.
`
`In the case of this embodiment, a region disposed between bent portions K of two linear
`electrodes 4 adjacent in the short-axis direction of the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B corresponds to
`the slit 3. That is, the slits 3 are formed between bent portions K of two adjacent linear
`
`
`
`7
`
`Page 7 of 17
`
`

`

`electrodes 4, and the slits 3 are connected with each other across both sides of the bent portions
`K in the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B. Further, in this embodiment, the
`width L of the linear electrodes 4 and the width S of the slits 3 are constant within the pixel
`electrode 11.
`
`The TFT element 12 is provided at the top right corner of each of the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B
`in FIG. 2. The TFT element 12 includes a gate electrode 22 formed to be integral with the scan
`line 14, a semiconductor layer 23, a source electrode 24 formed to be integral with the data
`line 13, and a drain electrode 25. Here, reference numeral 26 is a contact hole for electrically
`connecting the drain electrode 25 and the pixel electrode 11 to each other. The data line 13 is
`formed to be bent along the same direction as the extending direction of the linear
`electrode 4 having the bent portion K. In the case of this embodiment, since the extending
`direction of the linear electrode 4 is identical with the extending direction of the outer
`border 11 a of the pixel electrode 11, the configuration can be restated as follows: the data
`line 13 is formed to be bent along the extending direction of the outer border 11 a of the pixel
`electrode 11 with a predetermined gap from the outer border 11 a of the pixel electrode 11. It is
`to be noted that the pixel electrode 11 may be bent so that both sides of the bent portion K are
`inclined in opposite direction to the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B in a
`manner that the upper half part thereof is inclined toward the top right corner while the lower
`half part thereof is inclined toward the bottom right corner. Although it is preferable that the
`inclination angles are equal to each other, the inclination angles may be different from each
`other.
`
`Next, a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment will
`be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal device 1 includes an element substrate
`(first substrate) 28, a counter substrate (second substrate) 29 that is disposed to face the element
`substrate 28, a liquid crystal layer 30 that is sandwiched between the element substrate 28 and
`the counter substrate 29, a polarization plate 31 that is provided on an outer surface side (a side
`opposite the liquid crystal layer 30) of the element substrate 28, and a polarization plate 32 that is
`provided an outer surface side of the counter substrate 29. The liquid crystal device 1 is
`configured such that an illumination light is irradiated thereto from a backlight (not illustrated)
`disposed on the outer surface side of the element substrate 28. Further, in the liquid crystal
`device 1, sealing members (not illustrated) are provided along the circumferences of opposite
`surfaces of the element substrate 28 and the counter substrate 29, and the liquid crystal
`layer 30 is sealed within a space surrounded by the sealing members, the element
`substrate 28 and the counter substrate 29.
`
`The element substrate 28 includes a substrate body 33 formed of a transparent material such as
`glass, quartz or plastic, and a gate insulating film 34, an interlayer insulating film 35 and an
`alignment film 36 for controlling an initial alignment direction (rubbing direction) of the liquid
`crystal layer 30, which are stacked in this order on a surface on an inner side (a side close to the
`liquid crystal layer 30) of the substrate body 33.
`
`The element substrate 28 is provided with the gate electrode 22 (scan line 14) disposed on the
`inner surface of the substrate body 33, the common electrodes (first electrodes) 37 provided so as
`to correspond to each of the sub-pixels, common lines 38 configured to connect the common
`electrodes 37 with each other, the data line 13 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the inner surface of the
`
`
`
`8
`
`Page 8 of 17
`
`

`

`gate insulating film 34, the semiconductor layer 23, the source electrode 24, the drain
`electrode 25, and the pixel electrode 11 disposed on the inner surface of the interlayer insulating
`film 35. The gate insulating film 34 is formed of a transparent material having insulating
`properties such as a silicon nitride or a silicon oxide so as to cover the scan lines 14, the common
`lines 38 and the common electrodes 37 formed on the substrate body 33.
`
`The interlayer insulating film 35 is formed of a transparent material having insulating properties
`such as a silicon nitride or a silicon oxide, similar to the gate insulating film 34 so as to cover the
`semiconductor layer 23, the source electrodes 24 and the drain electrode 25 formed on the gate
`insulating film 34. Further, contact holes 26 which are through-holes for achieving conduction
`between the pixel electrodes 11 and the TFT elements 12 are formed at portion of the interlayer
`insulating film 35 where the drain electrodes 25 and the pixel electrodes 11 overlap with each
`other in plan view illustrated in FIG. 2. The alignment film 36 is formed of an organic material
`such as polyimide so as to cover the pixel electrodes 11 on the interlayer insulating film 35.
`Further, an alignment treatment for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules
`constituting the liquid crystal layer 30 is performed to the upper surface of the alignment film 36.
`
`The counter substrate 29 includes a substrate body 40 formed of a transparent material such as
`glass, quartz or plastic, and colored layers 41 of color filters and an alignment film 42 which are
`stacked in this order on a surface on an inside (a side close to the liquid crystal layer 30) of the
`substrate body 40. The colored layers 41 are disposed so as to correspond to the sub-
`pixels 2R, 2G and 2B, are formed of acryl, for example, and contain coloring materials
`corresponding to colors to be displayed by the sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B. The alignment
`film 42 is formed of an organic material such as polyimide or an inorganic material such as a
`silicon oxide similar to the alignment film 36 and has an alignment direction thereof identical
`with an alignment direction of the alignment film 36.
`
`Polarization plates 31 and 32 provided on outer surfaces of the respective substrates have
`transmission axes thereof being perpendicular to each other. Therefore, a transmission axis of
`one of the polarization plates is parallel with the alignment direction of the alignment
`film 36 while a transmission axis of the other polarization plate is perpendicular to the alignment
`direction of the alignment film 36.
`
`In the liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment, since both sides (the upper and lower
`sides in FIG. 2) of the bent portion K of each of the linear electrodes 4 constituting the pixel
`electrode 11 have such a shape that is inclined in opposite directions, two domains are formed
`within one sub-pixel 2R, 2G or 2B, whereby it is possible to achieve a wide viewing angle.
`Moreover, since the linear electrodes 4 (or the slits 3) extend in the long-axis direction of the
`sub-pixels 2R, 2G and 2B, the respective parts of the linear electrodes 4 (or the slits 3) extend in
`a direction parallel with the outer border 11 a of the pixel electrode 11, and the data line 13 is
`bent along the extending direction of the outer border 11 a of the pixel electrode 11, it is possible
`to suppress generation of spaces, which do not contribute to display, at positions along the longer
`sides of the pixel electrode 11, thereby increasing the aperture ratio compared with the known
`example. Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, since the slits 3 are connected with each
`other across both sides of the bent portions K, it is possible to further increase the aperture ratio.
`In this way, a liquid crystal device having a high display luminance can be provided. In addition,
`the sub-pixel is long in the extending direction of the data line 13. That is, the extending
`
`
`
`9
`
`Page 9 of 17
`
`

`

`direction of the data line 13 corresponds to the long-axis direction of the sub-pixel. However, the
`sub-pixel may be long in the extending direction of the scan line 14. That is, when the extending
`direction of the scan line 14 corresponds to the long-axis direction of the sub-pixel, the linear
`electrodes are formed along the extending direction of the scan line 14. FIG. 12 shows an
`example where the scan lines 14 are bent, and the sub-pixel is long in the extending direction of
`the scan lines 14.
`
`Second Embodiment
`
`A liquid crystal device according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described
`herein below with reference to FIG. 4. A basic configuration of the liquid crystal device
`according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the pixel
`electrode is configured d