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`P QU D CRYSTAL )fiV Cfi AND fiPfiCflRON C APPARATUS
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`CROSS RfiPfiRfiNCfiS TO RfiPATfi) APPP CAT ONS
`
`[0001]
`
`The present invention contains subject matter
`
`
`related to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009—009615 filed
`
`
`in the Japanese Patent 0 "ice on January 20, 2009,
`
`
`
`the
`
`
`entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
`
` reference.
`
`
`
`
`SACKGROUNJ
`
`1. Technical Field
`
`[0002]
`
`The invention relates to a liquid crystal device
`
`and an electronic apparatus.
`
`2. Related Art
`
`[0003]
`
`
`Hitherto, as one means for achieving a wide viewing
`
`
`
`angle 0" 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 0: a substrate plane to thereby
`
`
`
`control alignment 0" liquid crysta' molecu'es (such a mode
`
`
`wil' be referred to as a lateral e'ectric field mode), and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`( n—Plane Switching) mode and an FFS (Fringe—Field
`PS
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`an
`
`Switching) mode have been known as such a lateral electric
`
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`field mode.
`
`
`
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`"n a lateral electric field mode liquid crystal
`
`Page 1 of 58
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`Tianma Exhibit 1006
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`Page 1 of 58
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`Tianma Exhibit 1006
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`
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`device,
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`a pixel eleCtrode and a common electrode are
`
`
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`the same substrate.
`
`
`In the case of
`
`the
`
`typically formed on
`
`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,
`
`layers, respectively,
`
`
`and one of
`
`them
`
`has a comb—teeth shape
`
`and the other has a beta shape.
`
`
`fn pa
`
`rticular,
`
`in the case
`
`electrode
`
`and the common eleCtrode are
`
`in the case 0
`
`the FFS
`
`
`
`mode,
`
`the pixel
`
`
`
`
`"erent
`formed on di
`
`
`
`0
`
`the FFS mode,
`
`since the pixel elect
`
`
` "erent
`'ayers,
`
`rode and the common
`
`a strong electric
`
` electrode are formed on di
` field is generated
`
`
`
` from a
`
`
`
`
`
`fringe portion of
`
`the electrode in
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`a direction inclined with respect
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`to the
`
`substrate plane.
`
`
`Therefore,
`
`the FFS mode has a merit
`
`
`t? at the alignment 0:
`
`
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`liquid crystal molecu' es disposed rigr t above the electrode
`
`can be easily control:
`
`_ed compared witr
`
`the
`
`
`IPS mode.
`
`[0004]
`
`As a method
`for achieving a
`
`further wider viewing
`
`angle with the
`
`lateral electric
`
`device,
`
`there is a known method
`
`
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`field mode liquid crystal
`
`
`,hat
`forms a plurality o;
`
`
`
`
`
`regions,
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`a so—called multi—domain,
`
`in which
`
`molecules within one sub—pixel are aligned
`
`liquid crystal
`
`
` "erent
`
`in di
`
`directions upon voltage application
`
`(a
`
`region where liquid
`
`crystal molecules
`
`are aligned in approximately one direction
`
`is
`
`re
`
`
`ferred to as
`
`a domain).
`
`Since th
`
`e viewing angle
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`charaCteristics corresponding to inherent contraSt
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`
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`respeCtive domains
`
`are compensated by
`
`'1
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`ratios 0;
`
`
` forming multiple
`
`Page 2 of 58
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`Page 2 of 58
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`
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`domains, it is possible to achieve a wide viewing angle.
`
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`In
`
`
`order to form a multi—domain structure,
`
`the shape of a comb—
`
`
` fingers constituting a comb—teeth shaped electrode are
`
`teeth shaped electrode needs to be studied. When electrode
`
`
`referred to as "linear electrodes," rather than arranging
`
`ntir
`lin ar
`l ctrodes within one sub—pixel
`
`th
`
`to extend
`
`in the same direction,
`
`
`for example, as illustrated in Fig.
`
`l’,
`
`
`linear electrodes lOla corresponding an upper half part
`
` of one stb—pixel are arranged to be inclined toward the top
`
` left correr in Fig.
`
`ll and linear electrodes lOlb
`
`
`correspording to a lower ha"
`part
`
`
`thereof are arranged to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be inclired toward the bottom left corner.
`
`
`A electric field
`
`is generated in a direction perpendicular to the extending
`
`
`directior of
`
`the linear electrodes 101a and lOlb upon
`
`application 0: an electric voltage. Liquid crystal
`
`molecules are caused to be aligned in accordance with the
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`two regions (the
`"n the case of Fig. ll,
`electric field.
`
`
`
`upper half part and the lower hal
`part 0
`
`the sub—pixel)
`
`
`
`"erent
`where liquid crystal molecules are aligned in di
`
`directions are generated, whereby a dual—domain Structure is
`
`achieved.
`
`[0005]
`
`
`
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`Here, since a uniform lateral electric field is
`
`generated in portions (encircled region indicated by symbol
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`'l) of an liquid crysta'
`A in Fig.
`layer disposed in the
`
`vicinity of the center portions of the linear electrodes
`
`
`
`
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`Page 3 of 58
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`Page 3 of 58
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`101a and lOlb,
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`images can be properly displayed. However,
`
`
`since lateral electric fields are generated in various
`
`directions in portions (encircled regions indicated by
`
`
`
`symbol a in Fig.
`ll) of the linear electrodes 101a and lOlb
`
`
`
`the
`
`
`disposed in the viciniuy of end portions thereof,
`
`
`alignment of
`
`she liquid crystals is disordered, and thus,
`
`
`light transmittance during bright display is remarkably
`
`
`
`deteriorated at these locations.
`
`
`the area capable of subsuanuially
`
`
`
`r‘herefore,
`in this
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`configuration,
`
`
`
`conuributing to display is decreased, and thus, it is
`
`
`
`
` "icient aperture ratio of the pixel
` di””icul,
`
`to obtain a su
`
`and to achieve a high display luminance.
`
`
`In this respect,
`
`
`there is proposed a multi—domain liquid crysta' display
`
`
`device in which in lieu of the configuration of Fig. 11
`
`
`
`wh r
`
`th lin ar
`
`l ctrodes 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.
`
`[0006]
`
`
`According to the configuration disclosed in
`
`Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002—
`
`
`the end portions of
`
`she linear
`
`
`
`
`014374, since the area 0:
`
`Page 4 of 58
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`Page 4 of 58
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`
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`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 thereby incr as
`th ap rtur
`ratio of the
`
`to display,
`
`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
`
`
`
`triangilar dead space which does not contribute to display
`
`
`along the data line (the longer side of the sub—pixel), and
`
`thus,
`
`the aperture ratio is decreased in this portion.
`
`Conseqiently,
`
`
`there is a problem that it is difficult to
`
`
`
`
`
`achieve a high display luminance.
`
`S UMMARY
`
`[0007]
`
`
`
`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.
`
`[0008]
`
`
`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;
`
`
`
`
`
`substrate and the second Sibstrate; a first electrode that
`
`layer that is sandwiched between the first
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a liquid crystal
`
`Page 5 of 58
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`Page 5 of 58
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`
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`is provided on the liquid crystal
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`
`
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`layer side 0:
`the jirst
`
`substrate; an insulating layer that is provided on the
`
`
`
`
`the jirs, electrode; and a
`liquid crystal
`layer side 0
`
`second eleCtrode that is provided on the liquid crystal
`
`
`
`
`
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`layer side of the insulating layer,
`
`in which the first
`
`
`
`substrate has formed thereon a plurality 0: data lines and a
`
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`plurality o: scan lines which interseCt each Other;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sub—
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`
`
`pixels are formed at regions surrounded by the data lines
`I]
`
`
`the second electrode has a plura'ity 0'
`
`and the scan lines;
`
`linear electrodes that is disposed with a gap therebetween;
`
`
`each of the plurality 0‘ linear electrodes extends in a
`
`long—axis direction of the sub—pixels and has at least one
`
`
`
`bent portion;
`
`the bent portion has SJCh a shape that both
`
`
`sides thereo‘ 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
`
`
`
`
`
`"erent co'ors 0" color tilters, and one
`layers having di
`
`
`
`pixel is formed by a plura'ity 0" adjacent sub—pixels.
`
`
`
`
`
`[0009]
`
`
`According to the liquid crystal device O"
`
`the above
`
`
`aspect of the invention, since each 0:
`
`the linear electrodes
`
`constituting the second electrode is generally arranged to
`
`
`
`Page 6 of 58
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`Page 6 of 58
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`
`
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`extend in the long—axis direction of the sub—pixels and
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`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
`
`
` of
`
`the sub—pixel, and
`
`from generating along the longer sides
`
` thus, a high aperture ratio can be
`
`maintained.
`
`[0010]
`
`
`In the above
`
`aspect of the invention,
`
`
`the first
`
`electrode may be a pixel electrode and the second electrode
`
`may be a common electrode.
`
`[0011]
`
`According to
`
`
`such a configuration, since the
`
`
`
`insulating layer is formed on the pixel electrode and the
`
`
`common electrode having a plurality 0“ linear electrodes is
`
`
`
`formed on the surface 0:
`
` the entire sub—pixels,
`
`the insulating layer so as to cover
`
`it is possible to maximize the
`
`
`aperture ratio of the sub—pixels.
`
`[0012]
`
`
`
`
`In the aspect of the invention, each or
`
`the
`
`
`
`plurality 0“ linear eleCtrodes may be linearly symmetric
`
`
`about a short—axis direCtion O"
`
`the bent portion.
`
`
`
`[0013]
`
`
`
`In the aspect of the invention,
`
`a region disposed
`
`Page 7 of 58
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`Page 7 of 58
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`
`
`
`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.
`
`[0014]
`
`
`
`The configuration can be restated as follows: when
`
`
`
`the gap between two adjacent linear electrodes is referred
`
`since the slit is formed between bent
`
`
`
` to as a "slit,
`
`
`
`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 0
`
`f the sub—pixels. According to such a
`
`
`
`configuration, it is possible to maximize the aperture ratio
`
`
`of
`
`the sub—pixels.
`
`[0015]
`
`Alternatively, a connection portion may be provided
`
`
`to a region disposed between bent portions of two adjacent
`
`
`linear electrodes in a short—axis direCtion 0“ the sub—
`
`the two adjacent linear electrodes
`
`
`
`pixels so as to connect
`
`with each other.
`
`[0016]
`
`
`
`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 0:
`
`the bent
`
`
`
`portions,
`
`there is a fear that it may cause problems that
`
`display defects resulting from an alignment disorder
`
`
`
`
`O f liquid crystals at the bent portions may
`
`(disclination)
`
`Page 8 of 58
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`Page 8 of 58
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`
`
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`spread or that the display defects may be unstably
`
`
`
`transferred to other positions upon application of an
`
`external force to :he
`
`liquid crystal device. However, it is
`
`possible to solve the problems by dividing the slits on both
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sides 0:
`
`,he bent portions by the connection portion.
`
`[0017]
`
`
`In the above aspect of the invention,
`
`among the
`
`linear electrodes and the gaps alternately arranged in a
`
`short—axis direction or the sub—pixels,
`
`the linear electrode
`
`and the gap disposed a : 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).
`
`[0018]
`
`
`
`Alternatively, among the plurality 0‘ 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).
`
`[0019]
`
`Alternatively, among a plurality of the gaps
`
`
`arranged in a short—axis direction 0‘ 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
`
`the gap disposed at a region located distant from the
`
`
`
`
`o:
`
`Page 9 of 58
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`Page 9 of 58
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`
`
`lO
`
`bent data line (or the bent scan line).
`
`
`According to the configuration of the above aspect
`
`[0020]
`
`
`o;
`
`aperture ratio,
`
`the invention, although it is possible to provide a high
`
`
`
`there is a fear that when a 'arger part of
`
`
`
`the outer border of the second eleCtrode is located in close
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`proximity of the data line, due to the inf'uence of an
`
`
`electric fi ld g n rat d b tw n th data line and the
`
`
`
`
`
`second electrode,
`
`
`
`the alignment of the liquid crystal
`
`mol cul s b tw n th m is disordered,
`
`
`
`Th r for , wh n th width of at least one
`
`
`display defects.
`
`thus leading to
`
` 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 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 mol cul
`s b tw n th m.
`
`[0021]
`
`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.
`
`[0022]
`
`
`According to such a configuration, since the data
`
`Page 10 of 58
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`Page 10 of 58
`
`
`
`ll
`
`
`
`
`line and the light shie'ding film are formed on the first
`
`
`substrate, it is possible to perform the positional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment between the data line and the light shie'ding film
`
`
`
`with a high accuracy compared with the case where the data
`
`
`
`line and the light shielding film are formed on di""erent
`
`substrates. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a high
`
`
`
`aperture ratio.
`
`[0023]
`
`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
`
`second subStrate.
`
`
`
`
`film being provided on the
`
`
`
`[0024]
`
`
`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
`
`
` it is
`invention. According to such a con: figuration,
`
`possible to realize an electronic apparatus having a liquid
`
`
`crystal display unit capable o: achieving a high display
`
`
`
`
`
`luminance and a wide viewing angle.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` QR" 41F WESCR Br]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ON OF TH 0RAWWNGS
`
`[0025]
`
`The invention will be described with re:
`
`
`
`ference to
`
`the accompanying drawings,
`
`wherein like numbers re:
`
`erence
`
`
`
`like elements.
`
`Page 11 0f58
`
`Page 11 of 58
`
`
`
`12
`
`[0026]
`
`Fig.
`
`
`
`l is an equivalent circuit diagram 0'
`
`an
`
`
`
`liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the
`
`invention.
`
`[0027]
`
`Fig.
`
`
`2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration
`
`
`
`of one pixel of the liquid crystal device according to the
`
` first embodiment.
`
`
`3 is a cross—sectional view illustrating the
`Fig.
`[0028]
`
`
`
`
`configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal device
`
`
`according to the first embodiment.
`
`[0029]
`
`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.
`
`[0030]
`
`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.
`
`[0031]
`
`Fig.
`
`
`6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration
`
`
`
`0; one pixel O" a liquid crystal device according to a
`
`
`
`fourth embodiment of the invention.
`
`
`7 is a cross—sectional view illustrating the
`Fig.
`[0032]
`
`
`
`
`configuration 0' one pixel of the liquid crystal device
`
`
`according to the fourth embodiment.
`
`[0033]
`
`Fig.
`
`
`8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement 0:
`
`
`optical axes of
`
`,he liquid crystal device according to the
`
`
`
` fourth embodiment.
`
`[0034]
`
`Fig.
`
`9 is a cross—sectional view of a liquid
`
`Page 12 of 58
`
`Page 12 of 58
`
`
`
`13
`
`crystal device according to a modification.
`
`Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an
`
`[0035]
`
`
`example of an electronic apparatus according to the
`
`invention.
`
`Fig. ll is a plan view illustrating an example
`[0036]
`
`
`
`
`
`configuration of a pixel of a known lateral electric field
`
`mode liquid crystal device.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DiZSCR PT ON Oh'
`i1XiZMPT.ARY iZM-%O) MiZNTS
`
`
`First Embodiment
`
`[0037]
`
`
`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 'iquid crystal display device.
`Fig.
`l
`is an
`
`
`equivalent circuit diagram of the liquid crystal device
`
`
`
`
`
`according to this embodiment.
`
`Fig.
`
`2 is a plan view
`
`
`
`
`illustrating a configuration 0" one pixel of the liquid
`
`crystal device.
`
`Fig.
`
`3 is a cross—sectional view
`
`
`
`
`
`
`illustrating the configuration 0' 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.
`
`Page 13 0f58
`
`Page 13 of 58
`
`
`
`14
`
`[0038]
`
`A_liquid crystal device l 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 (3).
`
`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 9) O“ 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. 9.
`
`
`rlhat 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.
`
`[0039]
`
`As illustrated in Fig.
`
`l,
`
`in the liquid crystal
`
`
`
`
`
`device 1 according to this embodiment, pixel electrodes
`
`
`
`(second electrodes)
`
`ll are provided to correspond to
`
`
`
`
`a p'urality O" sub—pixels 2R,
`respective one 0'
`
`
`2G and 23
`
`
`(see Fig. 7) which is arranged in a matrix to form a display
`
`region. Moreover,
`
`the pixel electrodes ll are connected to
`
`
`
`
`
`pixel switching r1FT ("hin Film Transistor) elements 12 for
`
`controlling the conduction state of the corresponding pixel
`
`Page 14 of 58
`
`Page 14 of 58
`
`
`
`l5
`
`
`electrodes 11. Data lines 13 are electrically connected to
`
`
`respective sources 0:
`
`
`
`Image signals S1,
`the TFT elements 12.
`
`
`S2, m, and Sn are supp'ied trom a data line driving circuit
`
`
`
`
`It is to be noted that
`
`
`
`16 to the respective data lines 13.
`
`
`
`capacitance lines 20 are not always necessary and may be
`
`provided as necessary.
`
`[0040]
`
`Moreover, scan lines 14 are electrically connected
`
`
`
`to respective gates of the TFT elements 12.
`
`Scan signals G1,
`
`G2, m, 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, m,
`
`and Gm are app'ied in this order to the respective scan
`
`lines 14 in a line—seqiential manner. Further,
`
`the pixel
`
`
`
`
`
`
`electrodes ll are e'eCtrica'ly conneCted to respective
`
`
`
`
`drains of the r“F" e'ements 12. When the TFT elements 12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which are switching elements are turned on for only a
`
`predetermined period by the scan signals G1, G2, m, and Gm
`
`
`supplied from the scan lines 14,
`
`the image signals 81, 82, m,
`
`
`and Sn supplied from the data lines 13 are written to liquid
`
`
`crystals or respective pixels at a predetermined timing.
`
`[0041]
`
`The image signals 81, 82, m, and Sn having a
`
`predetermined level having written to the liquid crystals
`
`
`are held for a predetermined period by liquid crystal
`
`
`capacitances formcd bctwccn thc pixcl clcctrodes 11 and
`
`
`
`
`later—described common electrodes (first electrodes).
`
`Page 15 of 58
`
`Page 15 of 58
`
`
`
`l6
`
`Further,
`
`in order to prevent the held image signals
`
`51, 52,
`
`m, and Sn
`
` from leak
`
`storage capacitances 18 are
`
`and the capacitance
`
`formed
`
` lines 20
`
`ing,
`
`e.
`ectrodes ll
`between the pixe'
`
`so as to be para"
`
`
`
` le' with the
`
`liquid crystal capacitances.
`
`liquid crystals,
`
`the
`
`
`
`is changed
`
`mo' ecules
`
`When voltage signals are applied to the
`
`alignmenu
`
`
`state Ol
`
`she
`
`liquid crystal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in accordance with
`
`the applied vol
`
`:age level.
`
`
`in this way,
`
`light incident
`'iquid crystals
`
` per
`Sorm gradation d
`isp'
`
`on t
`
`he
`
`
`
`
`
`ay.
`
`is modulated to
`
`[0042]
`
`Next,
`
`the
`
`
`
`
`con‘iguration o:
`
`the pixel of
`
`the liquid
`
`crystal device 1 according to this embodiment will be
`
`
`illuS'
`is a p'an view
`:rating a pattern
`
`2
`
` composed ol
`
`
`
`
`,hree sub—pixels 2R,
`
`described.
`Fig.
`
`
`
`conjiguration 0: one pixel
`
`
`2G and 9? or three colors R, G and
`
`As illustrated in Fig.
`
`
`
`provided to each ol
`the pixe' electrode ll
`
`2,
`
`
`
`3.
`
`
`
`she sub—pixels
`
`2R,
`
`
`2G and Z
`
`3 has such a rectangular shape tha"
`
`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
`
`O:
`
`the sub—pixels 2R,
`
`
`2G and 23 so tha'
`
`thereo:
`
`is inclined toward the top
`
`le
`
`
`
`
`
` part
`an upper hal:
`
`corner
`
`in Fig.
`
`7
`
`
`while a lower hal‘
`
`
`part thereo:
`
`18
`
`inclined toward the
`
`bottom le:
`
`ft corner.
`
`Moreover,
`(“1
`(“1
`O
`O
`
`Ol
`
`
`lit
`
`inside the pixel
`
`electrode ll,
`
`a
`
`(gaPS)
`
`3 is
`
` formed SO as
`
`to extend in the
`
`[0043]
`
`plurality
`
`Page 16 of 58
`
`Page 16 of 58
`
`
`
`l7
`
`
`same direction as an extending direction of an outer border
`
`
`lla of the pixel electrode ll.
`
`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 23 in a manner
`
`similar to the sub—pixels 2R,
`
`
`2G and 23 in which the upper
`
`
`
`hal: parts thereof are inclined toward the top left corner
`
`
`2 while the 'ower hal parts thereo‘ are inc'ined
`
`
`toward the bottom left corner. Although on'y tour s'its 3
`
`in Fig.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`are illustrated in Fig.
`
`2
`
`in order to make them large enough
`
`to be recognized on the drawings, many more slits may be
`
`
`
`‘ormed in practical cases.
`
`As a result,
`
`linear electrodes 4
`
`
`
`are formed by both sides of the slits 3.
`
`[0044]
`
`
`
`In the case of this embodiment,
`
`a region disposed
`
`
`between bent portions K of two linear electrodes 4 adjacent
`
`
`in the short—axis direction 0" the sub—pixels 2R,
`
`
`
`2G and 23
`
`
`
`corresponds to the slit 3.
`
`That is,
`
`
`the slits 3 are formed
`
`
`
`
`between bent portions K of two adjacent linear electrodes 4,
`
`and the slits 3 are connected with each other across both
`
`
`
`
`sides of the bent portions K in the long—axis direction 0;
`
`
`
`2G and 23. Firther,
`
`
`
`in this embodiment,
`
`
`
`
`
`the sub-pixels 23,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the width L o:
`
`
`
`
`the linear electrodes 4 and the width S o:
`
`the slits 3 are constant within the pixel electrode ll.
`
`[0045]
`
`The TFT element 12 is provided at tre top right
`
`2G and 23 in Fig. 2.
`
`
`
`
`corner of each of the sub—pixels 2R,
`
`Page 17 of 58
`
`Page 17 of 58
`
`
`
`18
`
`The TFT element 12 includes a gate electrode 22
`
`:h the scan line 14,
`
`a semiconduC'
`
`:OI
`
`formed to be
`
`
`
`layer 23,
`
`a
`
`integral wi'
`
`source elec
`
` trode 24
`
`tormed to be integral wi'
`
`:h the data line
`
` :rode 25.
`
` I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`
`
`JCI’IC
`
`num ral 26 is
`
`H
`
`13,
`
`and a drain elec
`
`
`
`a contact
`
`hole
`
`
`‘or 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 0:
`
`
`
`the linear electrode 4 having
`
`the bent portion K.
`
`
`in the case of this embodiment,
`
`since
`
`the extending direction 0:
`
`
`
`the linear elec
`
`trode 4 is
`
`identical with the ex'
`
`
`tending direction of
`
`,he outer border
`
`11a 0
`
`eleCtrode 11,
`
`
`the con:
`
`figuration can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`restated as
`
`the pixe:
`
`"Ol'
`
`along the ex'
`
`
` OWS:
` :ending direction 0
`
`the data line 13 is
`
`
`formed to be ben'
`
`the outer border lla o.
`
` :ermined gap
`
`
` ter
`
` from the ou'
`
`he
`
`ectrode ll
`
`pixel
`
`0
`
`border
`la
`
`e"
`
`with a prede'
`
`"t
`e.
`ectrode ll.
`is to be noted
`the pixel
`
`tha
`
` O
`
`
`
`the pixel
`
`electrode ’1
`
`may be bent so that both sides
`
`,he bent portion K are inclined in opposite direction to
`
`
`
`the long—axis direction 0:
`
`the sub—pixels 2R,
`
`2G and Z
`
`3 in a
`
`manner that
`
`the upper ha'
`
`
`part thereo:
`
`is inclined toward
`
`the top righ' corne
`
`r whi:
`
`_e
`
`the lower hal:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`part thereo:
`
`is
`
`Although it is
`
`
`
`Other,
`
` Other.
`
`Page 18 of 58
`
`inclined toward
`
`the bottom right corner.
`
`
`
`preferable that the
`
`are equal
`
`
`
`
`"erent from each
`the inclination angles may be di
`
`inclination angles
`
`to each
`
`Page 18 of 58
`
`
`
`l9
`
`[0046]
`
`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 sandwich d b two n th
`
`l m nt substrate 28 and the
`
`counter substrate 29, a polarization plate 31 that is
`
`
`provided on an outer sirface side (a side opposite the
`
`
`
`
`
`liquid crystal
`layer 33) of the element substrate 28, and a
`
`
`polarization plate 32 that is provided an outer surface side
`
`
`
`of
`
`
`
`
`
`The liquid crystal device 1
`
`is
`
`the counter sibstraue 29.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`configured such shad an illumination light is irradiated
`
`thereto from a backlight
`
`(not illustrated) disposed on the
`
`
`
`outer surface side of the element subStrate 28. Further,
`
`
`the liquid crystal device l, sealing members
`
`(not
`
`
`
`illustrated) are provided along the circumferences o;
`
`
`
`
`opposite surfaces 0:
`
`the element substrate 28 and the
`
`counter subStrate 29, and the liquid crysta'
`
`
`
`layer 30 is
`
`
`
`in
`
`the
`
`sealed within a space surrounded by the sealing members,
`
`element substrate 28 and the counter substrate 29.
`
`[0047]
`
`The element substrate 28 includes a substrate body
`
`
`
`33 formed 0: 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
`
`Page 19 of 58
`
`Page 19 of 58
`
`
`
`20
`
`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.
`
`[0048]
`
`The element substrate 28 is provided with the gate
`
`electrode 22
`
`(scan line 14)
`
`'1
`
`
`disposed on the inner surface 0;
`
`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 gate insulating
`
` film 34,
`
`the semiconductor layer 23,
`
`the source electrode 24,
`
`the
`
`drain electrode 25, and the pixel
`
`electrode ll
`
`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 38 and the common electrodes 37
`
`lines 14,
`
` formed on
`
`the common
`
` the
`
`substrate body 33.
`
`[0049]
`
`The interlayer insulating
`
`
`film 35 is
`
`
`
`formed 0; 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,
`
`Page 20 of 58
`
`contact holes
`
`26
`
`
`
`Page 20 of 58
`
`
`
`2l
`
`which are through—holes for achieving conduction between the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pixel elec:rodes ll and the TFT elements 12 are formed at
`
`
`
`
`portion of the interlayer insulauing i'm 35 where the drain
`
`electrodes 25 and the pixel elec:rodes ll 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 ll on the interlayer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`insulacing film 35. Further, an alignment treatment for
`
`
`controlling the alignmens of the liquid crystal molecules
`
`
`
`
`
`constituting the 'iquid crystal
`
`layer 30 is performed to the
`
`
`
`
`upper surface of the alignmert film 36.
`
`[0050]
`
`The counter substrate 29 includes a substrate body
`
`
`
`40 formed of a transparent material such as glass, quartz or
`
`
`
`
`
`plastic, and colored layers Tl of color filters and an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alignment film 42 which are stac<ed 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,
`
`
`
`
`
`and 2?, are formed 0" acryl,
`for example, and contain
`
`2G
`
`coloring materials corresponding to colors to be displayed
`
`
`
`
`2G and 23.
`rlhe alignment film 42 is
`
`by the sub-pixels 2R,
`
`
`
` 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
`
`
`
`Page 21 of 58
`
`Page 21 of 58
`
`
`
`22
`
`36.
`
`[0051]
`
`Polarization plates 31 and 32 provided on outer
`
`SUI
`
`
`
` faces of
`
`the respective s
`
`Jbstrates have transmission axes
`
`to each other.
`being perpendicular
`
`one 0..
`
`
`
`,he polarization p:
`
`
`There:
`fore, a
`
`_ates is
`
`_ignment
`
` film
`
`
`
`the a:
`
`thereof
`
`
`
`transmission axis of
`
`
`
`
`
`:h the alignment
`
`parallel wi'
`
`36 while a
`
`
`
`
`direction of
`
`
`transmission axis of
`
`is perpendicular to the alignment
`
`she other polari
`
` direction
`
`ation plate
`
` of
`
`the alignment
`
`
`film 36.
`
`[0052]
`
`
`In the
`
`liguid crystal
`
`device 1
`
`according to this
`
`embodiment,
`
`Fig
`
`. 2)
`
` O
`
`since both sides
`
`(the upper and lower sides in
`
`
`the bent portion K of
`
`
`each of
`
`the linear
`
`electrodes
`
`4 constituting the pixel
`
`electrode ll
`
`have such a
`
`shape that
`
`is inclined in opposite directions,
`
`two domains
`
`are
`
`
`formed within one sub—pixel 2R,
`
`2G or 2
`
`possible to achieve a wide viewing angle.
`
`3,
`
`
`
`whereby it is
`
`Woreover,
`
`since
`
`(or the slits 3)
`
`extend in the long—
`
`the linear electrodes 4
`
`
`axis direction of
`
`she sub—pixels 2R,
`
`respective parts of
`
`the linear electrodes 4
`
`(or
`
`the slits 3)
`I)
`
` O"
`’la
`extend in a direction parallel with the outer border
`
`
`2G and 23,
`
`the
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