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`a2, United States Patent
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`US 6,798,486 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
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`Sep. 28, 2004
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Yanagawaetal.
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`US006798486B2
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`(54) LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE WITH
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`SPACERS FORMED ON A PLANARIZING
`FILM DISPOSED OVER COLOR FILTERS
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`(56)
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`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`(75)
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`(73)
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`(*)
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`(65)
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`Inventors: Kazuhiko Yanagawa, Mobara (JP);
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`Keiichiro Ashizawa, Mobara (JP);
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`Masahiro Ishii, Mobara (JP);
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`Masayuki Hikiba, Mobara (JP)
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`Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
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`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
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`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
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`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
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`Notice:
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`Appl. No.:
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`Filed:
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`10/228,320
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`Aug. 27, 2002
`Prior Publication Data
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`US 2003/0020864 Al Jan. 30, 2003
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`Related U.S. Application Data
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`(63)
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`Continuation of application No. 09/542,870,filed on Apr. 4,
`2000.
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`(30)
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`Apr.
`Apr.
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`(61)
`(52)
`(58)
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`(TP)
`(IP)
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`Foreign Application Priority Data
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`14, 1999
`ceccesseessessssesseeesessteesecseessess 11-106382
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`14, 1999
`ceccesscesssesssessseesessteesecsseessess 11-106383
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`Int. Cl?ee G02F 1/1343; GO2F 1/1339
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`US. Che oe 349/156; 349/106; 349/139
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`Field of Search .............cc cece 349/106, 139,
`349/156
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`9/1999 Park oo. eeeeeeeeeee 349/139
`5,949,511 A *
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`8/2000 Fujimakiet al.
`............ 349/155
`6,097,467 A *
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`4/2001 Miyachiet al. ............ 349/156
`6,211,937 B1 *
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`6,317,188 B1 * 11/2001 Shibahara .........00...... 349/155
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`6,411,360 B1 *
`6/2002 Matsuyamaetal. ........ 349/156
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`JP
`JP
`JP
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`08076131
`08114809
`10048636
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`3/1996
`5/1996
`2/1998
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`* cited by examiner
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`Primary Examiner—Huyen Ngo
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`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Reed Smith LLP;Stanley P.
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`Fisher, Esq.; Juan Carlos A. Marquez, Esq.
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`ABSTRACT
`(57)
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`A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of opposing
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`substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the
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`opposing substrates, plural scanning signallines disposed on
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`one of the opposing substrates, plural video signal lines
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`intersecting the plural scanning signal lines and disposed on
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`the one of the opposing substrates, plural pixels arranged in
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`a matrix formed by the plural scanning signal lines and the
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`plural video signal lines, plural spacers for establishing a
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`spacing between the opposing substrates, color filters dis-
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`posed on anotherof the opposing substrates, and a planariz-
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`ing film disposed over the colorfilters.
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`5 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
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`Tianma Exhibit 1010
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`Tianma Exhibit 1010
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 2 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`Sheet 3 of 25
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`FIG, 4A
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`Sheet 5 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`FIG. GA
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`Sheet 7 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`FIG, 23
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`Sheet 21 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`Sheet 22 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`Sep. 28, 2004
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`Sheet 23 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`Sheet 24 of 25
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`FIG,
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`1
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`LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE WITH
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`SPACERS FORMED ON A PLANARIZING
`FILM DISPOSED OVER COLOR FILTERS
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`10
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`This application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 09/542,870
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`filed Apr. 4, 2000.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display
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`device, and particularly to a liquid crystal display device
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`provided with spacers sandwiched betweena pair of oppos-
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`ing substrates with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebe-
`tween.
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`disposed approximately at a center of at least one of said
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`plurality of pixels for establishing a spacing between said
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`pair of opposing substrates, said at least one spacer being
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`fixed to one of said pair of opposing substrates and covered
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`with one of (1) a corresponding one of said plurality of
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`electrodes of said first kind and (2) a corresponding one of
`said at least one electrode of said second kind.
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`To accomplish the above object,
`in accordance with
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`another embodiment of the present invention, there is pro-
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`vided a liquid crystal display device comprising: a pair of
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`opposing substrates, at least one of said pair of opposing
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`substrates being transparent, a liquid crystal film sand-
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`wiched between said pair of opposing substrates, a plurality
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`of electrodes of a first kind disposed on an inner surface of
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`Placement of spacers between a pair of opposing sub-
`one of said pair of opposing substrates for defining a
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`strates with a liquid crystal layer therebetween can establish
`plurality of pixels, at least one electrode of a second kind
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`a uniform thickness of the liquid crystal layer and thereby
`disposed on an inner surface of one of (1) said one of said
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`prevent occurrence of non-uniformity in a displayed image.
`pair of opposing substrates so as to be adjacentto, but spaced
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`from said plurality of electrodes of said first kind and (2)
`Beads, for example, are used as spacers. Initially beads
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`anotherof said pair of opposing substrates so as to face said
`are dispersed on a surface of one of a pair of substrates
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`plurality of electrodes of said first kind, and at least one
`facing towardaliquid crystal layer, and then the other of the
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`spacer disposed approximately at a center of at least one of
`pair of substrates is overlapped over the one of the pair. But
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`said plurality of pixels for establishing a spacing between
`the surfaces of the substrates are uneven, some spacers are
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`said pair of opposing substrates, said at least one spacer
`positioned in indented portions in the surfaces of the
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`being fixed to one of said pair of opposing substrates and
`substrates, others are positioned in raised portions in the
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`covered with one of (1) a corresponding oneof said plurality
`surfaces in the substrates, and consequently,
`the desired
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`of electrodes of said first kind and (2) a corresponding one
`spacing between the pair of substrates are not sometimes
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`obtained.
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`of said at least one electrode of said second kind, and another
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`of said corresponding one ofsaid plurality of electrodes of
`There is another type of spacers which are fixed at
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`said first kind and said corresponding oneofsaid at least one
`predetermined positions on a surface of one of a pair of
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`electrode of said second kind being patterned so as not to
`substrates facing toward a liquid crystal layer before the
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`face said at least one spacer.
`other of the pair of substrates is overlapped over the one of
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`To accomplish the above object, in accordance with still
`the pair. The spacers are formed only on indented portions
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`an embodimentof the present invention, there is provided a
`in the uneven substrate, for example, and consequently, the
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`liquid crystal display device comprising: a pair of opposing
`desired spacing between the pair of substrates is obtained.
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`substrates, at least one of said pair of opposing substrates
`Spacers are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
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`being transparent, a liquid crystal film sandwiched between
`Laid-open No. Hei 8-76131 (laid-open on Mar. 22, 1996),
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`said pair of opposing substrates, a plurality of electrodes of
`Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 8-114809
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`a first kind disposed on an inner surface of one of said pair
`(laid-open on May 7, 1996) and Japanese Patent No. 2,907,
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`of opposing substrates for defining a plurality of pixels, a
`137 (registered on Apr. 2, 1999).
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`plurality of wiring lines of a first kind coupled to said
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
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`plurality of electrodes of said first kind, at least one electrode
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`of a second kind disposed on an inner surface of one of (1)
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`The spacers of the above-explained type having the
`said one of said pair of opposing substrates so as to be
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`spacers fixed on a substrate have the above advantage and
`adjacent to, but spaced from said plurality of electrodes of
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`can also improve the display quality further by optimizing
`said first kind and (2) another of said pair of opposing
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`the arrangementof the spacers.
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`substrates so as to face said plurality of electrodes of said
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`The present invention has been madein this situation, and
`first kind, at least one wiring line of a second kind coupled
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`the purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid
`to said at least one electrode of said second kind,andat least
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`crystal display device having the quality of a displayed
`one spacer disposed approximately at a center ofat least one
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`image improved.
`of said plurality of pixels for establishing a spacing between
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`The representative ones of the inventions disclosed in this
`said pair of opposing substrates, said at least one spacer
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`specification can be summarized as follows.
`being fixed to one of said pair of opposing substrates and
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`covered with one of (1) a corresponding oneof said plurality
`To accomplish the above object, in accordance with an
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`of electrodes of said first kind and (2) a corresponding one
`embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
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`of said at least one electrode of said second kind, and said
`liquid crystal display device comprising: a pair of opposing
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`at least one spacer being disposed so as to face one of (1)
`substrates, at least one of said pair of opposing substrates
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`said plurality of wiring lines of said first kind and (2) said at
`being transparent, a liquid crystal film sandwiched between
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`least one wiring line of said second kind.
`said pair of opposing substrates, a plurality of electrodes of
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`a first kind disposed on an inner surface of one of said pair
`In the liquid crystal display device employing a spacer
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`of opposing substrates for defining a plurality of pixels, at
`covered with an electrode, directions of electric fields gen-
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`least one electrode of a second kind disposed on an inner
`erated between the side wall of the spacer and another
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`electrode are different from directions of electric fields
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`surface of one of (1) said one of said pair of opposing
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`substrates so as to be adjacent to, but spaced from said
`generated by the electrode and the another electrode in the
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`plurality of electrodes of said first kind and (2) another of
`remaining region of one pixel associated with the spacer, and
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`said pair of opposing substrates so as to face said plurality
`consequently,
`the so-called “multi-domain” effect is pro-
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`of electrodes of said first kind, and at least one spacer
`duced in the region in the vicinity of the side wall. The
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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`3
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`reversal
`intensity through the liquid
`in transmitted light
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`crystal layer occurs at viewing angles deviating considerably
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`from the main anticipated viewing angle due to the angular
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`dependence of the electro-optic characteristics of the liquid
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`layer. The so-called multi-domain effect
`is that
`crystal
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`obtained by subdividing one pixel into a plurality of regions
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`provided with different angular dependence of the electro-
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`optic characteristics to reduce the angular dependenceof the
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`one pixel as a whole and thereby to eliminate or reduce the
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`above-mentioned reversal in transmitted light intensity.
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`And in the liquid crystal display device of the horizontal
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`electric field type described subsequently,
`the optimum
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`arrangement of spacers is secured.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
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`numerals designate similar components throughout
`the
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`figures, and in which:
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`FIG. 1A isa plan view ofa pixel in a liquid crystal display
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`device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
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`invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the pixel
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`taken along line b—b of FIG. 1A;
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`FIG. 2 is anillustration of an arrangement of main chains
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`in an example of liquid crystal orientation film used in a
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`liquid crystal display device of the present invention before
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`being subjected to a rubbing treatment;
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`FIG. 3 is anillustration of an arrangement of main chains
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`in the example of the liquid crystal orientation film of FIG.
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`2 after having been subjected to a rubbing treatment;
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`FIG. 4A is a plan view ofa pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention, and FIG. 4Bis a cross-sectional view of
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`the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 4A;
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`FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 6A is a plan view of an intersection of a gate line and
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`a drain line with an insulating film interposed therebetween
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`for explaining a problem with the intersection, and FIG. 6B
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`is a cross-sectional view of the intersection taken along line
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`b—of FIG. 6A;
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`FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 8A is a plan view of a thin film transistor for
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`explaining a problem with the thin film transistor, and FIG.
`8B is a cross-sectional view of the thin film transistor taken
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`along line b—b of FIG. 8A;
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`FIG. 9 is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 10 is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 11A is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional
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`view of the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 11A;
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`FIG. 12A is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional
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`view of the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 12A;
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`FIG. 13A is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`Page 28 of 36
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`4
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`of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional
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`view of the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 13A;
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`FIG. 14A is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional
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`view of the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 14A;
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`FIG. 15 is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 16 is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal display
`device in accordance with still another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 17A is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention, and FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional
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`view of the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 17A;
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`FIG. 18A is a plan view of a pixel in a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional
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`view of the pixel taken along line b—b of FIG. 18A;
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`FIG. 19 is a plan view of an example of a spacer used in
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`a liquid crystal display device of the present invention;
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`FIG. 20 is a plan view of the spacer of FIG. 19 for
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`explaining an advantage provided by the spacer;
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`FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view of a liquid
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`crystal display device in accordance with still another
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`embodiment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 22 is a plan view of a liquid crystal display device
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`in accordance with still another embodiment of the present
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`invention;
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`FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another example of a
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`spacer used in a liquid crystal display device of the present
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`invention;
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`FIG. 24 is a perspective view of still another example of
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`a spacer used in a liquid crystal display device of the present
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`invention;
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`FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention;
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`FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention;
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`FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention;
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`FIG. 28Ais a plan view of a liquid crystal display device
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`in accordance with still another embodiment of the present
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`invention, and FIG. 28B is a plan view ofa liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention;
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`FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention;
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`FIGS. 30A to 30E illustrate the steps of an exemplary
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`method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device of
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`FIG. 29;
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`FIGS. 31A to 31E illustrate the steps of another exem-
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`plary method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display
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`device of FIG. 29;
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`FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention; and
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`FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal
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`display device in accordance with still another embodiment
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`of the present invention.
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`Page 28 of 36
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`

`

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`US 6,798,486 B2
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`5
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
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`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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`The embodiments of the liquid crystal display device
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`according to the present
`invention will be explained by
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`reference to the drawings.
`Embodiment 1
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`FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a configuration of an embodi-
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`ment of the liquid crystal display device according to the
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`present
`invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of one of a
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`plurality of pixels in a liquid crystal display device of the
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`so-called horizontal electric field type, FIG. 1B is a cross-
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`sectional view of the pixel of FIG. 1A taken along line b—b
`of FIG. 1A.
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`The pixels as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B are arranged
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`in the form of a matrix to constitute a display area.
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`In the liquid crystal display device of the horizontal
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`electric field type (commonly called the in-plane switching
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`(IPS) type), the transmission of light at each pixel is con-
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`trolled by a horizontal electric field applied in parallel with
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`a layer ofliquid crystal material sandwiched between oppos-
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`ing transparent electrodes formed on the inner surfaces of
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`the opposing transparent substrates. Each pixel is formed by
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`two electrodes formed on one of a pair of opposing sub-
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`strates. For
`the purpose of device construction and
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`operation, U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,285, issued to Kondoetal. on
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`Jan. 28, 1997, is hereby incorporated by reference.
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`On a surface on a liquid crystal layer side of one of a pair
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`of opposing transparent substrates sandwiching the liquid
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`crystal layer, a scanning signalline (a gate line) 2 extends in
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`the x direction in FIG. 1A and is made of a chromium film,
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`for example. As shown in FIG. 1A,
`the gate line 2 is
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`disposed below the pixel area, for example, to maximize the
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`effective area of the pixel. The gate line 2 is supplied with
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`a gate signal from a circuit external to the display area so as
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`to drive a thin film transistor TFT described subsequently.
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`Approximately at the center of the pixel area, a counter-
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`voltage signal line 4 extends in the x direction in FIG. 1A
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`and is made of the same material as the gate line 2, for
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`example. A plurality (three, for example) of counter elec-
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`trodes 4A made integrally with the counter-voltage signal
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`line 4 extend in a direction perpendicular to the counter-
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`voltage signal line 4, 1.e. +y direction, for example.
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`The counter electrodes 4A are supplied with a signal
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`serving as a reference voltage for a video signal supplied to
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`a pixel electrode 5 subsequently described via the counter-
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`voltage signal line 4, so as to generate an electric field of the
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`strength correspondingto the video signal between the pixel
`electrode 5 and the counter electrodes 4A.
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`The generated electric field contains a componentparallel
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`with the major surface of the transparent substrate 1 a