JP2000298280A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformly determine the gap between substrates with high accuracy by forming columnar spacers projecting to the height corresponding to a prescribed gap between substrates, in such a manner that the top faces of the spacers are in contact with the inner face of the other substrate. SOLUTION: A plurality of columnar spacers 20 for regulating the gap between a pair of substrates are formed as being projected to the height corresponding to the specified gap between substrates with the top faces of the spacers in contact with the inner face of the other substrate. Namely, the inner face of the region (on the face of an alignment film 14), where a gate wiring 10 and a bent part 11a of a data wiring on a TFT substrate 1 is used as a spacer accepting face (A) to be in contact with the end face of the columnar spacer 20, and the columnar spacer 20 is formed projecting on the inner face of the counter substrate 2 as the other substrate corresponding to the spacer accepting face (A). The top face of the columnar spacer 20 is brought into contact with the spacer accepting face (A) of the TFT substrate 1 as the other substrate. Thereby, display failure due to disturbance in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules or production of bright spots or black spot defects are prevented in the effective pixel region.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an active matrix type liquid crystal display device using a thin film transistor (hereinafter, referred to as a TFT) as an active device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An active matrix liquid crystal display element using a TFT as an active element is provided with a line direction on an inner surface of a first substrate of a first and a second pair of transparent substrates opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. A plurality of transparent pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix in the column direction, a plurality of TFTs respectively connected to these pixel electrodes, a plurality of gate wirings formed along each pixel electrode row, A plurality of data wirings are respectively formed along the pixel electrode rows, and a counter electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes is provided on the inner surface of the second substrate.

[0003] The pair of substrates are joined via a frame-shaped sealing material, and the liquid crystal layer fills a liquid crystal in a region between the pair of substrates and surrounded by the frame-shaped sealing material. It is formed.

The active matrix liquid crystal display devices include a device for displaying a monochrome image and a device for displaying a multi-color image such as a full-color image. A liquid crystal display device for displaying a color image is one of them. Substrate, generally, on the inner surface of a second substrate provided with the counter electrode, a plurality of colors, for example, red, corresponding to a plurality of pixel regions where the plurality of pixel electrodes and the counter electrode face each other. The configuration is such that three color filters of green and blue are provided.

The display characteristics (electro-optical characteristics) of a liquid crystal display element are determined by the product Δnd of the birefringence Δn of the liquid crystal and the thickness d of the liquid crystal layer. , That is, the liquid crystal layer thickness must be set with high accuracy.

Conventionally, when joining the pair of substrates via the frame-shaped sealing material, a bead-shaped spacer having a predetermined diameter is sprayed on one of the substrates, and the bead-shaped spacer is used to spread the substrate. Regulates the spacing.

[0007]

However, in the conventional active matrix liquid crystal display device, the inner surface of the first substrate on which the pixel electrode, the TFT, the gate wiring, and the data wiring are formed has a raised TFT portion or wiring portion. Due to the uneven surface, and the dispersed bead-like spacers are randomly distributed, a uniform and accurate substrate spacing cannot be obtained.

Further, in the conventional active matrix liquid crystal display element, the bead-shaped spacer is provided also in an effective pixel area through which light is transmitted among a plurality of pixel areas where the plurality of pixel electrodes and the counter electrode face each other. Due to the distribution, in the effective pixel region, not only a display failure due to disorder of the alignment of liquid crystal molecules near the spacer occurs, but also in a case where the bead-shaped spacer is a transparent spacer, In the case where a bright spot defect occurs due to light leakage from the spacer distribution portion during dark display, and when the bead-shaped spacer is a black spacer, the effective pixel region has a bright spot defect at the spacer distribution portion during bright display. Black spot defect due to the absorption of light.

Therefore, the conventional active matrix liquid crystal display element has a problem that uniform display characteristics cannot be obtained and a good image with good contrast cannot be displayed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a display device in which a distance between substrates is set uniformly and accurately so that a display defect due to a disturbance in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules and a bright spot or a black spot defect do not occur in an effective pixel area. It is an object of the present invention to provide an active matrix type liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a good image with uniform characteristics and good contrast.

[0011]

According to the present invention, a first and a second pair of substrates opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween are arranged in a matrix in the row and column directions on the inner surface of the first substrate. A plurality of pixel electrodes to be arranged, a plurality of TFTs (thin film transistors) respectively connected to the pixel electrodes, a plurality of gate wirings formed along each pixel electrode row, and a line along each pixel electrode column. A plurality of data wirings formed in parallel with each other, and an active matrix type liquid crystal display element in which a counter electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes is provided on an inner surface of a second substrate. The light-transmitting regions of the plurality of pixel regions where the and the counter electrode face each other are each an effective pixel region, and at least one of the substrates of the pair of substrates. On the inner surface, a plurality of columnar spacers for regulating the interval between the pair of substrates, corresponding to the light opaque region between the plurality of effective pixel regions, have a height corresponding to a predetermined substrate interval. These pillar-shaped spacers are protruded, and their top surfaces are in contact with the inner surface of the other substrate.

That is, in the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, a plurality of columnar spacers are provided on the inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates in correspondence with the light-impermeable region between the plurality of effective pixel regions. The column spacers are projected at a height corresponding to the distance between the substrates, and these columnar spacers are brought into contact with the inner surface of the other substrate at the top surface to regulate the distance between the pair of substrates.

In this liquid crystal display device, since a plurality of columnar spacers are protruded from the inner surface of the substrate, the positions of the spacers are determined. Therefore, the height of these columnar spacers is set to a predetermined substrate interval. By setting so that it can be obtained, a uniform and accurate substrate interval can be obtained.

Further, in this liquid crystal display device, since the plurality of columnar spacers are provided corresponding to the light opaque regions between the plurality of effective pixel regions, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is provided in the effective pixel region. Display defects, and no bright spots or black spot defects.

Therefore, according to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, it is possible to display a good image with uniform display characteristics and good contrast.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As described above, a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has an inner surface of at least one of a pair of substrates corresponding to a light opaque region between a plurality of effective pixel regions. A plurality of columnar spacers are projected at a height corresponding to a predetermined substrate interval, and these columnar spacers are brought into contact with the inner surface of the other substrate at the top surface to regulate the interval between the pair of substrates. This enables uniform and accurate setting of the substrate spacing, prevents display defects due to disordered alignment of liquid crystal molecules, and prevents the occurrence of bright spots or black spot defects in the effective pixel area. It is possible to display a good and good image.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the columnar spacers are arranged in at least one ratio with respect to one effective pixel region. In this manner, the substrate spacing can be made more uniform. In addition, the strength against external pressure can be made high and uniform.

It is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided so as to avoid a region corresponding to the TFT, so that an external pressure is not applied to the TFT via the columnar spacer. Accordingly, the TFT can be prevented from being broken by an external pressure.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid crystal layer is a nematic liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are twist-aligned, and the liquid crystal layer faces an inner surface of the first substrate with an edge of the plurality of pixel electrodes via an insulating film. When applied to a TN (twisted nematic) type or STN (super twisted nematic) type liquid crystal display element provided with a capacitance electrode, the columnar spacer is formed of the gate wiring, the data wiring, and the compensation capacitance electrode. In this case, the substrate spacing can be set uniformly and accurately, and display defects due to disturbance of the orientation of liquid crystal molecules can be formed in the effective pixel region. , Or a bright spot or a black spot defect can be prevented.

Further, when the present invention is applied to a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal layer is a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal layer and does not require a compensation capacitor,
The columnar spacer may be provided so as to partially correspond to at least one of the gate wiring and the data wiring. In this way, the substrate spacing is set uniformly and accurately, and the effective pixel It is possible to prevent a display defect and a bright spot or a black spot defect from being generated in the region due to the disorder of the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the columnar spacer includes the gate wiring formed on the first substrate and the data formed on an insulating film provided over the gate wiring. It is preferable to provide the area corresponding to the area where the wiring overlaps, and thus, the raised area of the inner surface of the first substrate where the gate wiring and the data wiring overlap with the insulating film interposed therebetween. By providing the columnar spacers, the height of the columnar spacers required to obtain a predetermined substrate spacing can be reduced, and the strength of the columnar spacers can be increased.

In this case, a plurality of pixel electrodes in each column are alternately arranged in the row direction by approximately 1.5 pitches for each row, and the data wiring has a bent portion overlapping the gate wiring. In the liquid crystal display element formed in a shape, it is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to a region where the gate wiring and the bent portion of the data wiring overlap with each other. The spacer can be formed thick, and its strength can be further increased.

A plurality of pixel electrodes in each column are arranged in a straight line, and the data line is formed in a straight line, and the data line is formed with a projection overlapping the gate line. In the liquid crystal display device, it is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided in correspondence with a region where the gate line and the protruding portion of the data line overlap with each other. In this manner, the columnar spacer is formed thick, Its strength can be higher.

Further, the TFT is provided on a gate electrode formed on the first substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode, and provided on the gate insulating film so as to face the gate electrode. an i-type semiconductor film, a blocking insulating film formed on a channel region of the i-type semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain formed on both sides of the i-type semiconductor film via an n-type semiconductor film In the case of being composed of electrodes, a gate insulating film of the TFT is formed so as to cover the gate wiring, and the gate wiring on the gate insulating film overlaps with the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring. An i-type semiconductor film and a blocking insulating film, which are the same as the i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film of the TFT, are formed in a region, and the bent portion of the data wiring is formed thereon. Others preferred to form the protrusions.

According to such a configuration, the height of the region corresponding to the columnar spacer on the inner surface of the first substrate is further increased, and the height of the columnar spacer necessary for obtaining a predetermined substrate interval is further increased. While reducing the strength to further increase the strength, the gate insulating film, the i-type semiconductor film, and the blocking insulating film insulate between the gate wiring and the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring. In addition, the withstand voltage between the gate wiring and the data wiring can be further increased.

The i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film, which are formed on the gate insulating film so as to correspond to a region where the gate wiring and the bent portion or the projecting portion of the data wiring overlap with each other, Since the TFTs can be formed at the same time by utilizing the TFT forming process, the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display element does not increase.

As described above, when the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to a region where the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data line overlaps with the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data line, the gate line is connected to a pixel adjacent in the column direction. It is preferable that the columnar spacer is formed to have a width close to the interval between the electrodes, and the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate wiring. It can be formed thicker and its strength can be further increased.

In the case where the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to the region where the gate line and the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data line overlap, as described above, An inner surface of a region where the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring overlaps is a spacer receiving surface that is in contact with an end surface of the columnar spacer, and the inner surface of the second substrate corresponds to the spacer receiving surface. It is preferable that the columnar spacers are protruded, and the end surfaces of the columnar spacers and the spacer receiving surfaces are respectively formed to be flat surfaces. In this manner, a pair of the paired members that are joined via the frame-shaped sealing material are preferably used. Even if there is an error in the alignment accuracy of the substrate, the end surface of the columnar spacer provided on the inner surface of the second substrate is connected to the spacer receiving surface of the inner surface of the first substrate. By securely contact, it is possible to obtain a predetermined distance between the substrates.

In this case, the width of the end face of the columnar spacer in the row and column directions and the width of the spacer receiving face in the row and column directions may be set arbitrarily. If the width in the row direction and the column direction is made smaller than the width in the row direction and the column direction of the spacer receiving surface, respectively, the end face of the columnar spacer can be used for any substrate alignment error in either the row direction or the column direction. Can be secured.

If the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction and the column direction is made larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction and the column direction, respectively, the substrate alignment in either the row direction or the column direction can be performed. Even for errors, a spacer contact area corresponding to the area of the spacer receiving surface can be ensured.

The width in the row direction of the end face of the columnar spacer is made smaller than the width in the row direction of the spacer receiving surface.
If the width in the column direction of the end face of the columnar spacer is made larger than the width in the column direction of the spacer receiving surface, a spacer contact corresponding to the width of the columnar spacer in the row direction with respect to a substrate alignment error in the row direction. An area can be ensured, and a spacer contact area corresponding to the width in the column direction of the end face of the spacer receiving surface can be ensured against a substrate alignment error in the column direction.

Further, the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction is made larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction, and the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the column direction is set to the width of the spacer receiving surface in the column direction. If it is smaller than this, a spacer contact area corresponding to the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction is secured for the row-to-board substrate alignment error, and the columnar spacer is A spacer contact area corresponding to the width of the end face in the column direction can be secured.

Further, when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display device having a plurality of color filters corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions on the inner surface of the second substrate, the color filter comprises: Although the columnar spacer may be formed over the corresponding region, if the color filter is formed so as to avoid the region corresponding to the columnar spacer, external pressure is applied to the columnar spacer without passing through the color filter. Therefore, the strength against external pressure can be further increased.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the light opaque area between the plurality of effective pixel areas is formed by the gate wiring and the data wiring and the TN type or S-type.
Although it may be formed by the compensation capacitance electrode provided in the TN type liquid crystal display element, a light-shielding film for regulating light transmission regions of the plurality of pixel regions is provided on an inner surface of the second substrate. If the columnar spacers are provided in the region corresponding to the light-shielding film, it is possible to reliably prevent a display defect due to a disorder in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules and a bright spot or a black spot defect in the effective pixel region.

[0035]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display element, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.

This liquid crystal display element is surrounded by a pair of first and second transparent substrates 1 and 2 joined via a frame-shaped sealing material (not shown) and the sealing material between these substrates 1 and 2. And a liquid crystal layer 21 provided in a region that is separated from the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is of the TN mode or the STN mode, and the liquid crystal layer 21 is a nematic liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are twist-aligned.

This liquid crystal display element is of an active matrix type using a TFT as an active element. Among the pair of substrates 1 and 2 facing each other with a liquid crystal layer 21 interposed therebetween, FIG.
In the lower first substrate (hereinafter referred to as TFT substrate)
1 has a row direction (horizontal direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a column direction (vertical direction in FIGS. 1 and 2).
Transparent pixel electrodes 3 arranged in a matrix
And a plurality of T connected to these pixel electrodes 3 respectively.
FT4, a plurality of gate wirings 10 formed along each pixel electrode row, a plurality of data wirings 11 formed along each pixel electrode column, and a plurality of data wirings 11 formed for each pixel electrode row. A compensating capacitance electrode 12 facing the edge of the plurality of pixel electrodes via an insulating film is provided.

The TFT 4 has an inverted stagger structure, and its cross-sectional structure is not shown.
A gate electrode 5 integrally formed with the gate electrode 5;
A gate insulating film 6 covering the gate insulating film 6, an i-type semiconductor film provided on the gate insulating film 6 so as to face the gate electrode 5, and a blocking insulating film formed on a channel region of the i-type semiconductor film 7b, and a source electrode 8 formed on both sides of the i-type semiconductor film via an n-type semiconductor film
And a drain electrode 9.

In the TFT 4, after forming a metal film on the substrate 1 and forming a gate electrode 5 by patterning the metal film, the gate insulating film 6, the i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film 7b are sequentially formed. Then, first, the blocking insulating film 7b is patterned into the shape of a channel region, then the n-type semiconductor film is formed, and the n-type semiconductor film is patterned to form a source region and a drain region. When patterning the n-type semiconductor film, the i-type semiconductor film is patterned using the resist mask formed thereon and the blocking insulating film 7b as masks, and thereafter, the source electrode 8 and the drain are formed by forming and patterning a metal film. The i-type semiconductor film is formed by a method of forming an electrode 9, wherein the i-type semiconductor film is Over under the n-type semiconductor film of said source and drain regions from under the grayed insulating film 7b,
It is formed in the same shape as these contour shapes.

Further, the gate wiring 10 and the compensation capacitance electrode 12 are formed on the TFT substrate 1,
The gate electrode 5 of the FT 4 is formed integrally with the gate wiring 10.

The gate wiring 10 and the compensation capacitance electrode 12
Is formed of a low-resistance metal film such as an aluminum-based alloy, and its surface is removed except for a terminal portion (not shown) in order to increase the dielectric strength with respect to the data wiring 11. Anodized. In FIG. 3, 10
a is an anodic oxide film on the surface of the gate wiring 10, and 12a is an anodic oxide film on the surface of the compensation capacitor electrode 12.

The gate wiring 10 and the compensation capacitance electrode 12 are covered with a gate insulating film (transparent film) 6 of the TFT 4 except for the terminal portions. The drain electrode 9 of the TFT 4 is formed integrally with the data wiring 11.

Although the data wiring 11 is shown as a single-layer film in FIG. 3, the data wiring 11 and the drain electrode 9 and the source electrode 8 have good contact with the n-type semiconductor film. This is a laminated film in which a low-resistance metal film such as an aluminum-based alloy is laminated on a metal film such as chromium, and a protective metal film made of chromium or the like is further formed thereon.

However, in this embodiment, the drain electrode 9 of the TFT 4 is formed integrally with the data wiring 11, but the TFT 4 is covered with an interlayer insulating film and a data wiring is formed thereon. May be connected to the drain electrode 9 of the TFT 4 at a contact hole provided in the interlayer insulating film.

Further, a transparent overcoat insulating film 13 is provided on the gate insulating film 6 so as to cover the TFT 4 and the data wiring 11, and the pixel electrode 3 is formed on the overcoat insulating film 13. Formed on
A contact hole (not shown) provided in the overcoat insulating film 13 is connected to the source electrode 8 of the TFT 4.

The compensation capacitance electrode 12 is formed substantially in parallel with the gate wiring 10 along the edge of one end (the upper end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the pixel electrode 3. The compensation capacitor (storage capacitor) for holding the potential of the pixel electrode 3 during the non-selection period is provided by the compensation capacitor electrode 13, the edge of the pixel electrode 3, and the gate insulating film 6 and the overcoat insulating film 13 therebetween. )
Are formed.

In this embodiment, the compensating capacitance electrode 13 is extended to a region between the pixel electrodes 3 adjacent in the row direction, and opposing the side edges of the adjacent pixel electrodes 3 at both side edges. The compensation capacitor is formed from one edge of the pixel electrode 3 to both edges.

The liquid crystal display element of this embodiment is of a so-called delta arrangement type, in which a plurality of pixel electrodes 3 of each column to which a data signal is supplied from the same data wiring 11 via the TFT 4 are provided. , Each row is alternately shifted by about 1.5 pitches in the row direction.

The data lines 11 are substantially 1.
A wiring portion along the right edge of the pixel electrode 3 shifted to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 among the plurality of pixel electrodes 3 in each column alternately shifted in the row direction by 5 pitches, And a bent portion 11a having a length substantially half the pitch of the data line 11 connecting these wiring portions. Reference numeral 11a overlaps the gate wiring 10 with the gate insulating film 6 interposed therebetween.

Further, an alignment film 14 made of polyimide or the like is provided on the innermost surface of the TFT substrate 1, that is, on the surface on which the pixel electrode 3 is formed.
By rubbing the film surface in one direction, the film is oriented in a predetermined direction.

On the other hand, on the inner surface of an upper second substrate (hereinafter, referred to as an opposing substrate) 2 in FIG. 3, a single film-shaped transparent opposing electrode 15 facing the plurality of pixel electrodes 3 is provided. , The plurality of pixel electrodes 3 and the counter electrode 15
And color filters 16R, 16G, and 16G of three colors, for example, red, green, and blue, formed corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions facing each other, and the light transmitting regions of the plurality of pixel regions. A light shielding film 17 for regulation is provided.

The light-shielding film 17 is formed on the counter substrate 2, and the color filters 16R, 16G, 16G are formed on the substrate 2 so as to cover the light-shielding film 17 and to be arranged without gaps in the row direction and the column direction. The counter electrode 15 is formed on the color filters 16R, 16G, 16G.

The light-shielding film 17 is formed in a shape in which a plurality of openings 17a having an area slightly smaller than the area of the pixel electrode 3 are formed corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions, respectively. A region corresponding to the opening 17a of the plurality of pixel regions, that is, a region through which light is transmitted, is an effective pixel region.
The region corresponding to 7, that is, the region between the periphery of the plurality of pixel regions and each pixel region is a light-impermeable region.

The light-shielding film 17 is made of a metal film. Although the light-shielding film 17 is shown as a single-layer film in FIG. 3, the light-shielding film 13 is made of chromium oxide or the like formed on the substrate 2. Of a black metal film and a metal film of chromium or the like formed thereon.

The red, green and blue color filters 1
6R, 16G, and 16G are provided with a red filter 16R and a green filter 16R for a plurality of pixel regions arranged in the row direction.
G and the blue filter 16B alternately correspond to each other, and a filter of the same color corresponds to a pixel region to which a pixel electrode 3 to which a data signal is supplied from the same data line 11 corresponds corresponds to a row direction and a column direction. The color filters 16R and 1R are formed side by side without any gap.
The counter electrode 15 provided on 6G and 16G is formed almost flat over the entire area.

Further, an alignment film 18 made of polyimide or the like is provided on the innermost surface of the counter substrate 2, that is, on the surface on which the counter electrode 15 is formed.
By rubbing the film surface in one direction, the film is oriented in a predetermined direction.

Also, at least one of the pair of substrates 1 and 2, in this embodiment, on the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1, a plurality of effective pixels respectively corresponding to the plurality of openings 17 a of the light shielding film 17. A plurality of columnar spacers 19 for regulating the distance between the pair of substrates 1 and 2, that is, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 21, corresponding to the light-impermeable area (area corresponding to the light-shielding film 17) between the areas. Is protruding.

These columnar spacers 19 are formed at a height corresponding to a predetermined substrate interval by a photosensitive resin. The substrate interval is such that the plurality of columnar spacers 19 are the other substrate on the top surface. It is regulated by making contact with the inner surface of the opposing substrate 2 (the film surface of the alignment film 18).

Note that the columnar spacers 19 protrude from the overcoat insulating film 13, and the alignment film 14 on the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1 is formed to cover the columnar spacers 19.

The columnar spacers 19 are arranged in at least one ratio with respect to one effective pixel region, and the columnar spacers 19 are provided so as to avoid the region corresponding to the TFT 4. .

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the columnar spacers 19 are connected to the gate wirings 10, the data wirings 11, and the compensation lines in the light-impermeable area around one effective pixel area. It is provided so as to partially correspond to the capacitor electrode 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the columnar spacer 19 provided corresponding to the gate wiring 10 corresponds to a region of the gate wiring 10 where the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlaps. The height of the columnar spacer 19 depends on the gate wiring 1.
The predetermined board interval is set according to the swelling height on the inner surface of the substrate 1 in the area where the 0 and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlap.

The columnar spacers 19 provided corresponding to the data wiring 11 and the compensation capacitance electrode 12 respectively correspond to the center of the data wiring 11 in the vertical width direction of the effective pixel region. And a region corresponding to the central portion of the compensation pixel electrode 12 in the width direction of the effective pixel region. The heights of the columnar spacers 19 are respectively set to the substrate 1 of the data line 11. A predetermined substrate interval is set according to the height of the protrusion on the inner surface and the height of the protrusion of the compensation capacitor electrode 12 on the inner surface of the substrate 1.

As described above, the opposing electrode 15 provided on the color filters 16R, 16G, 16G of the opposing substrate 2 is formed almost flat over the entire area thereof, and therefore, the spacer on the inner surface of the opposing electrode 15 is provided. Since the contact surface (the film surface of the alignment film 18) is a flat surface parallel to the surface of the counter substrate 2, in this embodiment, the area where the gate wiring 10 and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlap and the data The height of each columnar spacer 19 provided on the wiring 11 and the compensation capacitor electrode 12 is set such that the top surfaces of these columnar spacers 19 are flush with each other.

The liquid crystal layer 21 is formed by enclosing a nematic liquid crystal in a region surrounded by the sealing material between a pair of substrates 1 and 2 joined via a frame-shaped sealing material (not shown). The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 21 in the vicinity of the substrates 1 and 2 is regulated by the alignment films 14 and 18 provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 1 and 2. Twist orientation is performed at a predetermined twist angle between 1 and 2.

Although not shown in the figure, the liquid crystal display device includes a pair of polarizing plates disposed on the outer surfaces of the pair of substrates 1 and 2, respectively.
Each optical axis (transmission axis or absorption axis) is provided in a predetermined direction.

This liquid crystal display element is provided on at least one of the pair of substrates 1 and 2, in this embodiment, on the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1 so as to correspond to the light-impermeable region between a plurality of effective pixel regions. , A plurality of columnar spacers 19 are protruded at a height corresponding to a predetermined substrate interval, and these columnar spacers 19 are provided.
On the top surface thereof to contact the inner surface of the opposite substrate 2 as the other substrate to regulate the distance between the pair of substrates 1 and 2, so that the distance between the substrates can be set uniformly and accurately and effective. It is possible to display a good image with uniform display characteristics and good contrast by preventing display defects due to disorder in the orientation of liquid crystal molecules and occurrence of bright spots or black spot defects in the pixel region.

That is, since this liquid crystal display element has a plurality of columnar spacers 19 protruding from the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1, the positions of the spacers 19 are determined. By setting the distance so that a predetermined substrate interval is obtained, a uniform and accurate substrate interval can be obtained.

Further, in this liquid crystal display device, since the plurality of columnar spacers 19 are provided corresponding to the light opaque regions between the plurality of effective pixel regions, liquid crystal molecules are contained in the effective pixel regions. There is no occurrence of display failure or bright spot or black spot defect due to the disorder of the orientation.

Therefore, according to this liquid crystal display device,
A good image with uniform display characteristics and good contrast can be displayed.

Further, in this embodiment, since the columnar spacers 19 are provided so as to avoid the region corresponding to the TFT 4, the columnar spacers 19 can be used when joining the pair of substrates 1 and 2 with the frame-shaped sealing material. When the display surface (outer surface of the counter substrate 2) of the liquid crystal display element mounted on the electronic device is pressed with a finger or the like, external pressure is not applied to the TFT 4 via the columnar spacer 19, Therefore, it is possible to prevent the TFT 4 from being broken due to an external pressure and to prevent the display pixel from being chipped off due to the TFT 4 being broken.

In addition, the liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal layer 21.
Is a nematic liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are twist-aligned, and a TN mode in which a compensation capacitance electrode 12 for forming a compensation capacitance between the TFT substrate 1 and a plurality of pixel electrodes 3 is provided. Although the STN type is used, in the above embodiment, since the columnar spacers 19 are provided so as to partially correspond to the gate wiring 10, the data wiring 11, and the compensation capacitance electrode 12, respectively, Can be shared and received by the columnar spacers 19 at a plurality of locations around each effective pixel area, and therefore, the strength of the liquid crystal display element against external pressure can be increased.

Further, the liquid crystal display element includes a gate wiring 1
Since a compensation capacitance electrode 12 is provided in addition to the 0 and the data line 11, a light-impermeable region between a plurality of effective pixel regions is formed by the gate line 10, the data line 11, and the compensation capacitance electrode 12. In the above embodiment, a light-shielding film 17 is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 for regulating the light-transmitting regions of the plurality of pixel regions.
Since the columnar spacers 19 are provided in the area corresponding to 7, it is possible to more reliably prevent a display defect or a bright point or a black point defect from being generated in the effective pixel area due to disorder in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. it can.

In the above embodiment, the columnar spacer 19 is provided so as to partially correspond to the gate wiring 10, the data wiring, and the compensation capacitor electrode 12. 10, the data line, and the compensation capacitor electrode 12 may be provided so as to partially correspond to each other. In this way, the distance between the substrates can be set uniformly and accurately, and the effective pixel region In addition, it is possible to prevent display defects due to disorder in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules and the occurrence of bright spots or black spot defects.

However, it is desirable that the columnar spacers 19 are arranged at least one or more in one effective pixel region. In this way, the substrate spacing can be made more uniform and externally. Can have high and uniform strength with respect to the pressing force.

In this case, the columnar spacer 19 is composed of the gate wiring 10 formed on the TFT substrate 1 and the data wiring 11 formed on the gate insulating film 6 provided over the gate wiring 10. Are preferably provided corresponding to the region where the gate wiring and the data wiring overlap on the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1 in such a manner that the gate wiring and the data wiring overlap with the gate insulating film 6 interposed therebetween. By providing the spacers 19, it is possible to reduce the height of the columnar spacer required to obtain a predetermined substrate interval, and to increase the strength of the columnar spacer.

Further, in the delta arrangement type liquid crystal display element, a plurality of pixel electrodes 3 in each column are alternately arranged in the row direction by approximately 1.5 pitches for each row.
Since the data wiring 11 is formed in a shape having a bent portion 11 a overlapping the gate wiring 10, a columnar spacer 19 provided corresponding to the gate wiring 10 as in the above embodiment is formed with the gate wiring 10. It is preferable that the columnar spacers 19 are formed thicker, and the strength thereof can be further increased.

In the above embodiment, all the columnar spacers 19 are protruded from the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1, and the top surfaces of these columnar spacers 19 are brought into contact with the inner surface of the opposite substrate 2 as the other substrate. However, conversely, all the columnar spacers 19 may be protruded from the inner surface of the counter substrate 2, and the top surfaces of these columnar spacers 19 may be in contact with the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1. 1 and the opposing substrate 2 are provided on a plurality of columnar spacers 19 with their positions shifted from each other,
The top surfaces of these columnar spacers 19 may be respectively brought into contact with the inner surface of the other substrate.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display device, and FIGS.
4 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

This embodiment is directed to a ferroelectric liquid crystal or antiferroelectric active matrix liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal layer 21 is a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal layer.

In the ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device, the ferroelectric liquid crystal or the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is such that the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the normal direction of the smectic layer structure according to the direction of the applied electric field. In order to maintain the alignment state after the application of the electric field is stopped, no compensation capacitance for holding the potential of the pixel electrode during the non-selection period is not provided.

The ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal display element of this embodiment is of a delta arrangement type, has no compensation capacitance electrode for forming the compensation capacitance, and has a substrate spacing (liquid crystal layer). Thickness) is set smaller than that of the TN type or STN type, and
Although the alignment processing directions of the alignment films 14 and 18 provided on the inner surfaces of the liquid crystal display elements are substantially parallel to each other, the basic element structure is the same as that of the TN type or STN type liquid crystal display element shown in FIGS. Therefore, the overlapping description is given the same reference numeral in the figure and omitted.

In the ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device of this embodiment, the columnar spacers 20 for regulating the distance between the substrates are arranged at one ratio with respect to one effective pixel region. In this embodiment, the columnar spacer 2
0 is the bent portion 11a of the gate wiring 10 and the data wiring 11
Are provided so as to correspond to the region where the gate insulating film 6 is overlapped.

In this embodiment, the inner surface (the film surface of the alignment film 14) of the region where the gate wiring 10 of the TFT substrate 1 and the bent portion 11 a of the data wiring 11 overlap each other is formed by the columnar spacer 2.
The columnar spacer 20 is provided so as to correspond to the spacer receiving surface A on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 which is the other substrate.

The columnar spacers 20 project from the counter electrodes 15 formed on the color filters 16R, 16G, 16B. The alignment film 18 on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 is formed by the columnar spacers. 20 is formed.

This ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal display element does not require a compensation capacitor, and differs from the TN type or STN type liquid crystal display element of the first embodiment.
A sufficient aperture ratio can be obtained without forming the pixel electrode 3 large in order to form a compensation capacitor.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the interval between the pixel electrodes 3 adjacent in the column direction is widened as long as a sufficient aperture ratio can be obtained, and the gate wiring 10 is connected to the pixel electrodes 3 adjacent in the column direction. , And the bent portion 11 a of the data wiring 11 is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate wiring 10.

Further, in this embodiment, the bent portions 11 of the gate wiring 10 and the data wiring 11 on the gate insulating film 6 are formed.
The i-type semiconductor film 7a and the blocking insulating film 7b ', which are the same as the i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film 7b (not shown) of the TFT 4, are formed to have a width somewhat larger than the width of the gate wiring 10 corresponding to the region where Are laminated.

The blocking insulating film 7b 'provided in a region where the gate wiring 10 and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlap is formed at the same time as the patterning of the blocking insulating film 7b of the TFT 4 is performed. The semiconductor film 7a is formed simultaneously when the n-type semiconductor film and the i-type semiconductor film of the TFT 4 are pan-turned, and the i-type semiconductor film 7a is entirely formed under the blocking insulating film 7b '. Has been left over.

In this embodiment, the inner surface (the film surface of the alignment film 14) of the region where the gate wiring 10 of the TFT substrate 1 and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlap with each other is brought into contact with the end surface of the columnar spacer 20. The spacer receiving surface A is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 which is the other substrate.
The columnar spacers 20 are protruded so as to correspond to the above, and the end surfaces of the columnar spacers 20 and the spacer receiving surfaces A are formed on flat surfaces parallel to the TFT substrate 1 surface and the counter substrate 2 surface, respectively.

In this embodiment, as described above, the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate wiring 10, and the data wiring 11 and the gate wiring 10 on the gate insulating film 6 are connected to each other. Since the i-type semiconductor film 7a and the blocking insulating film 7b 'are formed to have a width somewhat larger than the width of the gate wiring 10 corresponding to a region where the bent portion 11a of the wiring 11 overlaps, the spacer receiving portion is formed. The surface A is a region shaded in parallel with FIG. 5 in which the bent portion 11a of the gate wiring 10 and the data wiring 11, the i-type semiconductor film 7a and the blocking insulating film 7b 'all overlap.

In this embodiment, the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row and column directions is set smaller than the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row and column directions, respectively. The difference between the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer 20 in the row direction and the column direction and the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction and the column direction is determined by joining the pair of substrates 1 and 2 via a frame-shaped sealing material. In view of the substrate alignment error at the time of performing, the value is set to at least the error.

That is, the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is
The columnar spacers 20 are projected from the inner surface of the opposing substrate 2, and the top surface of the columnar spacers 20 is brought into contact with the spacer receiving surface A of the other substrate, the TFT substrate 1, thereby regulating the substrate spacing. .

Also in the liquid crystal display element of this embodiment, since the positions of the columnar spacers 20 are determined, the height of these columnar spacers 20 is set so as to obtain a predetermined substrate interval, so that the uniformity can be obtained. An accurate substrate spacing can be obtained, and the columnar spacers 20 are provided in correspondence with the light opaque regions between the plurality of effective pixel regions. Since no display defects or bright spots or black spot defects are caused by the disturbance of the image, a good image with uniform display characteristics and good contrast can be displayed.

In this embodiment, the columnar spacers 19 are arranged at a ratio of one to the effective pixel region so as to partially correspond to the gate wiring 10.
External pressure can be shared and received by the plurality of columnar spacers 20 corresponding to the respective effective pixel regions. Therefore, the distance between the substrates can be made more uniform, and the strength against the external pressure can be increased. It can be uniform.

Further, in this embodiment, the columnar spacer 20 is connected to the gate wiring 10 on the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1.
And the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 are provided so as to correspond to the raised region where the gate insulating film 6 is sandwiched, so that the height of the columnar spacer 20 necessary to obtain a predetermined substrate interval is reduced. The columnar spacer 20
Can be increased in strength.

Further, in this embodiment, the not-shown i-th TFT (not shown) of the TFT 4 is formed in a region on the gate insulating film 6 where the gate line 10 and the bent portion 11a of the data line 11 overlap.
Since the i-type semiconductor film 7a and the blocking insulating film 7b ', which are the same as the type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film 7b, are laminated and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 is formed thereon, The bulge in the area corresponding to the columnar spacer 20 on the inner surface is further increased, and the columnar spacer 2 necessary for obtaining a predetermined substrate interval is provided.
The height of the gate insulating film 6 and the i-type semiconductor film 7 between the gate line 10 and the bent portion 11a of the data line 11 are further reduced.
a and the blocking insulating film 7b ', the dielectric strength between the gate wiring 10 and the data wiring 11 can be further increased.

The i-type semiconductor film 7a is formed on the gate insulating film 6 so as to correspond to the region where the gate wiring 10 and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlap.
And the blocking insulating film 7b 'can be formed at the same time by utilizing the step of forming the TFT 4, so that the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display element does not increase.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above,
The gate line 10 is formed to have a width close to the distance between the pixel electrodes 3 adjacent in the column direction, and the bent portion 1 of the data line 11 is formed.
Since 1a is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate wiring 10, the columnar spacer 20 is formed to be further thicker.
Its strength can be further increased.

In this embodiment, the columnar spacer 20 is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2, and the other substrate, TF
Bent portion 1 of gate wiring 10 and data wiring 11 of T substrate 1
1a is defined as a spacer receiving surface A in contact with an end surface of the columnar spacer 20, and the end surface of the columnar spacer 20 and the spacer receiving surface A are respectively defined as the TFT substrate 1 surface and the counter substrate. Since it is formed on a flat surface parallel to the two surfaces, even if there is an error in the alignment accuracy of the pair of substrates 1 and 2 joined via the frame-shaped sealing material, the pair is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2. The end surfaces of the columnar spacers 20 are securely brought into contact with the spacer receiving surface A on the inner surface of the TFT substrate 1 so that a predetermined substrate interval can be obtained.

That is, in this embodiment, the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row direction and the column direction is smaller than the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction and the column direction, respectively. A spacer contact area corresponding to the area of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 can be ensured for any substrate alignment error in any of the column directions.

The width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row and column directions and the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row and column directions may be set arbitrarily. 7 to 9 show other examples of setting the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row and column directions and the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row and column directions.

That is, FIG. 7 shows the columnar spacer 20.
In this example, the width of the end face in the row direction and the column direction is set to be larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction and the column direction, respectively. A spacer contact area corresponding to the area of the spacer receiving surface A can be ensured even with respect to the substrate alignment error in the direction.

FIG. 8 shows that the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer 20 in the row direction is smaller than the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction, and the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer 20 in the column direction is smaller than that of the spacer. This shows an example in which the width of the receiving surface A is set to be larger than the width in the column direction. In this case, a spacer abutment corresponding to the width of the columnar spacer 20 in the row direction is prevented against the alignment error in the row direction. An area can be ensured, and a spacer contact area corresponding to the width in the column direction of the end face of the spacer receiving surface A can be ensured with respect to a substrate alignment error in the column direction.

Further, FIG. 9 shows that the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row direction is larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction, and the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the column direction is larger than that of the spacer. An example is shown in which the width of the receiving surface A in the column direction is set smaller than that of the receiving surface A. In this way, a spacer alignment error corresponding to the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction is prevented against a row-to-board alignment error. A contact area can be secured, and a spacer contact area corresponding to the width in the column direction of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 can be secured against a substrate alignment error in the column direction.

10 to 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display element, FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 10, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG.

In this embodiment, a plurality of pixel electrodes 3 in each column are arranged in a straight line, the data lines 11 are formed in a straight line, and the red, green and blue color filters 16 are formed.
The present invention is directed to a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric active matrix liquid crystal display element generally called a stripe arrangement type in which R, 16G, and 16B are formed in a stripe state.

The liquid crystal display element of this embodiment is of a stripe arrangement type, in which the arrangement pattern of the pixel electrodes 3, the shape of the data wiring 11, the color filters 16R,
Although the formation states of 16G and 16B are different, the basic element structure is the same as that of the delta array type ferroelectric or antiferroelectric active matrix liquid crystal display element shown in FIGS. Are given the same reference numerals in the figures and are omitted.

In this liquid crystal display element, the columnar spacers 20 for regulating the distance between the substrates are arranged at one ratio for one effective pixel region.
The columnar spacer 20 is provided corresponding to a region where the gate wiring 10 and the data wiring 11 overlap with the gate insulating film 6 interposed therebetween.

However, in the stripe type liquid crystal display element, since the data lines 11 are formed in a straight line, the gate lines 10 and the data lines 11 only overlap at their intersections. And the area of the overlap region between the data wiring 11 and the data wiring 11 is small.

For this reason, in this embodiment, at the portion of the data wiring 11 intersecting with the gate wiring 10, a protruding portion 11 b overlapping the gate wiring 10 is formed, and the columnar spacer 20 is connected to the gate wiring 10 and the gate wiring 10. Data wiring 1
One of the protrusions 11b is provided so as to correspond to the region where the protrusion 11b overlaps.

Further, in this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the interval between the pixel electrodes 3 adjacent in the column direction is widened in a range where a sufficient aperture ratio can be obtained, and the gate wiring 10 is formed. A width close to the distance between the pixel electrodes 3 adjacent in the column direction,
Is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate wiring 10, and T T is set corresponding to a region where the gate wiring 10 on the gate insulating film 6 and the protruding portion 11 a of the data wiring 11 overlap.
The i-type semiconductor film 7a and the blocking insulating film 7b ', which are the same as the i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film 7b of the FT 4, are laminated to have a width somewhat larger than the width of the gate wiring 10.

Note that the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment also has a TF
Bent portion 1 of gate wiring 10 and data wiring 11 of T substrate 1
The inner surface (the film surface of the alignment film 14) of the region overlapping with the first spacer 1a is placed on the spacer receiving surface A which is in contact with the end surface of the columnar spacer 20.
The columnar spacer 20 is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 as the other substrate so as to correspond to the spacer receiving surface A. The end surface of the columnar spacer 20 and the spacer receiving surface A are respectively It is formed on a flat surface parallel to the TFT substrate 1 surface and the counter substrate 2 surface.

Also in this embodiment, the spacer receiving surface A is such that the projections 11b of the gate wirings 10, the data wirings 11, the i-type semiconductor film 7a and the blocking insulating film 7b 'are all overlapped. This is a region where a parallel oblique line is given to 11.

That is, the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is
Although it is a stripe array type, the basic configuration is
This is the same as the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment described above, so that the same effects as those of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment can be obtained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row direction and the column direction is set to the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row direction and the column direction, respectively. By making it smaller, it is possible to secure a spacer contact area corresponding to the area of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 with respect to the substrate alignment error in any of the row direction and the column direction. However, the width of the end face of the columnar spacer 20 in the row and column directions and the width of the spacer receiving surface A in the row and column directions may be set as shown in FIGS.

In the first to third embodiments, the red, green, and blue color filters 16R, 16G, and 16B provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 1 are combined with the columnar spacers 19 and 2 respectively.
Although the color filters 16R, 16G, and 16B are formed over the region corresponding to 0, the color filters 16R, 16G, and 16B may be formed avoiding the region corresponding to the columnar spacers 19 and 20.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display element, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of a spacer arrangement part of the liquid crystal display element. is there.

This embodiment is directed to a delta-array type ferroelectric or antiferroelectric active matrix liquid crystal display device.
The green and blue color filters 16R, 16G, 16B are formed so as to avoid the area corresponding to the columnar spacer 20. The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment.

The liquid crystal display element is a TFT substrate 1
The inner surface of the region where the gate wiring 10 and the bent portion 11a of the data wiring 11 overlap with each other (the film surface of the alignment film 14) is defined as a spacer receiving surface A that is in contact with the end surface of the columnar spacer 20. 2, the columnar spacers 20 are provided so as to protrude in correspondence with the spacer receiving surface A, and the color filters 16R, 16G, 16B are formed so as to avoid areas corresponding to the spacer receiving surface A, respectively. Have been.

The columnar spacer 20 is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 with the color filters 16R, 16R.
G, 16B from above without a color filter (light shielding film 1
7 is formed on the portion of the counter electrode 15 where the color filter is not formed on the counter electrode 15 formed so as to protrude to a predetermined height from the surface of the color filters 16R, 16G, and 16B. Have been.

That is, in this embodiment, the columnar spacer 20 is provided in a portion of the opposing substrate 2 where the color filters 16R, 16G, 16B are not provided, so that an external pressure is applied through the color filters 16R, 16G, 16B. Instead, they are received by the columnar spacer 20.

According to the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment, the color filters 16R, 1 which are easily crushed and deformed by the compressive force.
Since the distance between the substrates can be regulated without passing through the 6G and 16B, the strength against the external pressure can be further increased.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a portion of a liquid crystal display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which a spacer is provided.

In this embodiment, the red, green, and blue color filters 16R, 16G, and 16B provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 1 are provided.
Is formed in a region excluding the region where the light shielding film 17 provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 1 is formed, and the light shielding film 17 is formed.
Is formed with a material having a high compressive strength to a thickness substantially equal to that of the color filters 16R, 16G, and 16B.
A columnar spacer 20 is projected from a portion of the opposing electrode 15 formed on the color filters 16R, 16G, 16B and the light-shielding film 17 on the light-shielding film 17, and other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment. Same as the example. The light-shielding film 17 includes, for example, a black metal film such as chromium oxide,
It is a laminated film with a metal film such as chromium.

That is, in this embodiment, the color filters 16R, 16G and 16B are provided so as to avoid the area corresponding to the columnar spacers 20, and the columnar spacers 20 are protruded above the light shielding film 17 having a high compressive strength. Accordingly, the external pressure is applied to the color filter 16R,
The columnar spacer 20 is received without passing through 16G and 16B, and therefore, the strength against external pressure can be further increased.

Further, according to this embodiment, the light-shielding film 17 is formed to have substantially the same thickness as the color filters 16R, 16G, 16B, and the columnar spacer 20 is provided thereon (on the counter electrode 15). Therefore, compared to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, it is possible to reduce the height of the columnar spacer 20 necessary to obtain a predetermined substrate interval and increase the strength of the columnar spacer 20. it can.

In each of the above embodiments, the light shielding film 17 for regulating the light transmitting area of the plurality of pixel areas is provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 2 which is the second substrate. The light-impermeable area between the areas may be formed by the gate wiring 10 and the data wiring 11 and the compensation capacitance electrode 12 provided in the TN or STN liquid crystal display element without providing the light-shielding film 17.

The first embodiment is directed to a TN type or STN type active matrix liquid crystal display device. The second to fifth embodiments are not required to provide a compensation capacitor. Although the present invention is directed to a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric active matrix liquid crystal display device, the present invention can be applied to other types of active matrix liquid crystal display devices and does not include a color filter. The present invention can also be applied to an active matrix liquid crystal display device that displays a monochrome image.

[0130]

According to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, a plurality of columnar spacers are provided on the inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates in correspondence with the light opaque region between the plurality of effective pixel regions. Projecting at a height corresponding to the distance between the substrates, and these columnar spacers are brought into contact with the inner surface of the other substrate at the top surface thereof to regulate the distance between the pair of substrates. A good image with uniform display characteristics and good contrast with good uniformity and high accuracy, while preventing display defects and bright spots or black spot defects from being generated in the effective pixel area due to disordered alignment of liquid crystal molecules. Can be displayed.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the columnar spacers are arranged in at least one or more ratio with respect to one effective pixel region. In addition, the strength against external pressure can be made high and uniform.

It is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided so as to avoid a region corresponding to the TFT, so that an external pressure is not applied to the TFT via the columnar spacer. Accordingly, the TFT can be prevented from being broken by an external pressure.

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, wherein the liquid crystal layer is a nematic liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are twist-aligned, and the liquid crystal layer faces an inner surface of the first substrate to an edge of the plurality of pixel electrodes via an insulating film. When applied to a TN or STN liquid crystal display element provided with a capacitor electrode, the columnar spacer partially corresponds to at least one of the gate line, the data line, and the compensation capacitor electrode. By doing so, it is possible to uniformly and accurately set the distance between the substrates, and to cause a display defect or a bright spot or a black spot defect in the effective pixel region due to disorder in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. Can be prevented.

Further, when the present invention is applied to a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device which does not require a compensation capacitor, wherein the liquid crystal layer is a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal layer,
The columnar spacer may be provided so as to partially correspond to at least one of the gate wiring and the data wiring. In this way, the substrate spacing is set uniformly and accurately, and the effective pixel It is possible to prevent a display defect and a bright spot or a black spot defect from being generated in the region due to the disorder of the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the columnar spacer includes the gate wiring formed on the first substrate and the data formed on an insulating film provided over the gate wiring. It is preferable to provide the area corresponding to the area where the wiring overlaps, and thus, the raised area of the inner surface of the first substrate where the gate wiring and the data wiring overlap with the insulating film interposed therebetween. By providing the columnar spacers, the height of the columnar spacers required to obtain a predetermined substrate spacing can be reduced, and the strength of the columnar spacers can be increased.

In this case, the plurality of pixel electrodes in each column are alternately arranged in the row direction by approximately 1.5 pitches for each row, and the data wiring has a bent portion overlapping the gate wiring. In the liquid crystal display element formed in a shape, it is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to a region where the gate wiring and the bent portion of the data wiring overlap with each other. The spacer can be formed thick, and its strength can be further increased.

A plurality of pixel electrodes in each column are linearly arranged, and the data lines are formed in a straight line, and the data lines are formed with projections overlapping the gate lines. In the liquid crystal display device, it is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided in correspondence with a region where the gate line and the protruding portion of the data line overlap with each other. In this manner, the columnar spacer is formed thick, Its strength can be higher.

Further, the TFT is provided on a gate electrode formed on the first substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode, and provided on the gate insulating film so as to face the gate electrode. an i-type semiconductor film, a blocking insulating film formed on a channel region of the i-type semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain formed on both sides of the i-type semiconductor film via an n-type semiconductor film In the case of being composed of electrodes, a gate insulating film of the TFT is formed so as to cover the gate wiring, and the gate wiring on the gate insulating film overlaps with the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring. An i-type semiconductor film and a blocking insulating film, which are the same as the i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film of the TFT, are formed in a region, and the bent portion of the data wiring is formed thereon. Alternatively, it is preferable to form the protruding portion. By doing so, the bulge of the area corresponding to the columnar spacer on the inner surface of the first substrate is further increased, and it is necessary to obtain a predetermined substrate interval. The height of the columnar spacer is made smaller to further increase its strength, and the space between the gate wiring and the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring is formed between the gate insulating film and the i-type semiconductor film. Insulation is achieved by the blocking insulating film, and the withstand voltage between the gate wiring and the data wiring can be further increased.

The i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film, which are formed on the gate insulating film so as to correspond to a region where the gate wiring and the bent portion or the projecting portion of the data wiring overlap with each other, Since the TFTs can be formed at the same time by utilizing the TFT forming process, the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display element does not increase.

As described above, when the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to a region where the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data line overlaps with the data line, the gate line is connected to the adjacent pixel in the column direction. It is preferable that the columnar spacer is formed to have a width close to the interval between the electrodes, and the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate wiring. It can be formed thicker and its strength can be further increased.

In the case where the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to the region where the gate line and the bent portion or the projecting portion of the data line overlap, as described above, An inner surface of a region where the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring overlaps is a spacer receiving surface that is in contact with an end surface of the columnar spacer, and the inner surface of the second substrate corresponds to the spacer receiving surface. It is preferable that the columnar spacers are protruded, and the end surfaces of the columnar spacers and the spacer receiving surfaces are respectively formed to be flat surfaces. In this manner, a pair of the paired members that are joined via the frame-shaped sealing material are preferably used. Even if there is an error in the alignment accuracy of the substrate, the end surface of the columnar spacer provided on the inner surface of the second substrate is connected to the spacer receiving surface of the inner surface of the first substrate. By securely contact, it is possible to obtain a predetermined distance between the substrates.

In this case, the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row and column directions and the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row and column directions may be arbitrarily set. If the width in the row direction and the column direction is made smaller than the width in the row direction and the column direction of the spacer receiving surface, respectively, the end face of the columnar spacer can be used for any substrate alignment error in either the row direction or the column direction. Can be secured.

If the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction and the column direction is made larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction and the column direction, respectively, the substrate alignment in either the row direction or the column direction can be performed. Even for errors, a spacer contact area corresponding to the area of the spacer receiving surface can be ensured.

Further, the width of the end face of the columnar spacer in the row direction is made smaller than the width of the spacer receiving face in the row direction,
If the width in the column direction of the end face of the columnar spacer is made larger than the width in the column direction of the spacer receiving surface, a spacer contact corresponding to the width of the columnar spacer in the row direction with respect to a substrate alignment error in the row direction. An area can be ensured, and a spacer contact area corresponding to the width in the column direction of the end face of the spacer receiving surface can be ensured against a substrate alignment error in the column direction.

Further, the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction is made larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction, and the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the column direction is set to the width of the spacer receiving surface in the column direction. If it is smaller than this, a spacer contact area corresponding to the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction is secured for the row-to-board substrate alignment error, and the columnar spacer is A spacer contact area corresponding to the width of the end face in the column direction can be secured.

Further, when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display element in which a plurality of color filters corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions are provided on the inner surface of the second substrate, the color filter is Although the columnar spacer may be formed over the corresponding region, if the color filter is formed so as to avoid the region corresponding to the columnar spacer, external pressure is applied to the columnar spacer without passing through the color filter. Therefore, the strength against external pressure can be further increased.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the light opaque region between the plurality of effective pixel regions is formed by the gate wiring and the data wiring and the TN type or the S type.
Although it may be formed by the compensation capacitance electrode provided in the TN type liquid crystal display element, a light-shielding film for regulating light transmission regions of the plurality of pixel regions is provided on an inner surface of the second substrate. If the columnar spacers are provided in the region corresponding to the light-shielding film, it is possible to reliably prevent a display defect due to a disorder in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules and a bright spot or a black spot defect in the effective pixel region.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of setting the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction and the column direction and the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction and the column direction in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of setting the width of the end face of the columnar spacer in the row direction and the column direction and the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction and the column direction in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of setting the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction and the column direction and the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction and the column direction in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a part of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer arrangement portion of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a spacer arrangement portion of a liquid crystal display element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... TFT substrate (1st substrate) 2 ... Counter substrate (2nd substrate) 3 ... Pixel electrode 4 ... TFT (thin film transistor) 5 ... Gate electrode 6 ... Gate insulating film 7a ... i-type semiconductor film 7b, 7b '... Blocking insulating film 8 ... Source electrode 9 ... Drain electrode 10 ... Gate wiring 11 ... Data wiring 11a ... Bend portion 11b ... Protrusion 12 ... Compensation capacitance electrode 13 ... Overcoat insulating film 14 ... Orientation film 15 ... Counter electrode 16R, 16G, 16B: color filter 17: light-shielding film 18: alignment film 19, 20: columnar spacer A: spacer receiving surface 21: liquid crystal layer

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix in a row direction and a column direction on an inner surface of a first substrate among a first and second pair of substrates opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; A plurality of thin film transistors respectively connected to these pixel electrodes, a plurality of gate lines formed along each pixel electrode row, and a plurality of data lines formed along each pixel electrode column are included. A liquid crystal display element of an active matrix type provided with a counter electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes on an inner surface of a second substrate, wherein the plurality of pixel electrodes and the counter electrode face each other. The regions of the pixel region through which light passes are the effective pixel regions, respectively, and the inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is provided between the plurality of effective pixel regions. In correspondence with the light opaque region, a plurality of columnar spacers for regulating the interval between the pair of substrates are protruded at a height corresponding to a predetermined substrate interval, and these columnar spacers are A liquid crystal display element having a top surface in contact with an inner surface of the other substrate. 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein said columnar spacers are arranged in at least one ratio with respect to one effective pixel region. 3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the columnar spacer is provided so as to avoid a region corresponding to the thin film transistor. 4. The liquid crystal layer is a nematic liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are twist-aligned, and a compensating capacitance electrode is provided on an inner surface of the first substrate, facing an edge of the plurality of pixel electrodes via an insulating film. The columnar spacer according to claim 1, wherein the columnar spacer is provided so as to partially correspond to at least one of the gate line, the data line, and the compensation capacitance electrode. Liquid crystal display element. 5. The liquid crystal layer is a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal layer, and the columnar spacer is provided so as to partially correspond to at least one of the gate wiring and the data wiring. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The gate wiring is formed on the first substrate, and the data wiring is formed on an insulating film provided so as to cover the gate wiring. 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to a region overlapping the insulating film. 7. A shape in which a plurality of pixel electrodes in each column are alternately arranged in a row direction by approximately 1.5 pitches for each row, and the data wiring has a bent portion overlapping the gate wiring. 7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6, wherein the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to a region where the gate line and the bent portion of the data line overlap. 8. A plurality of pixel electrodes in each column are arranged in a straight line, and the data line is formed in a straight line, and a protrusion overlapping the gate line is formed in the data line. 7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6, wherein said columnar spacer is provided corresponding to a region where said gate wiring and said projection of said data wiring overlap. 9. The thin film transistor is provided on a gate electrode formed on the first substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode, and provided on the gate insulating film so as to face the gate electrode. an i-type semiconductor film, a blocking insulating film formed on a channel region of the i-type semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain formed on both sides of the i-type semiconductor film via an n-type semiconductor film A region in which the gate insulating film of the thin film transistor is formed so as to cover the gate wiring, and the gate wiring and the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring on the gate insulating film overlap each other. Then, an i-type semiconductor film and a blocking insulating film, which are the same as the i-type semiconductor film and the blocking insulating film of the thin film transistor, are formed in layers, and the The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the bent portion or the protruding portion of the data wiring is formed. 10. The gate line is formed to have a width close to a distance between pixel electrodes adjacent in a column direction, and the bent portion or the projecting portion of the data line is formed to have a width substantially equal to the width of the gate line. 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7, wherein 11. An inner surface of a region where said gate wiring of said first substrate and said bent portion or said protruding portion of said data wiring overlap serves as a spacer receiving surface which abuts on an end surface of said columnar spacer. On the inner surface of the second substrate, the columnar spacer is provided so as to correspond to the spacer receiving surface, and the end surface of the columnar spacer and the spacer receiving surface are formed as flat surfaces, respectively. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: 12. The width of the end face of the columnar spacer in the row direction and the column direction is smaller than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction and the column direction, respectively.
3. The liquid crystal display device according to item 1. 13. A width of an end face of the columnar spacer in a row direction and a column direction is larger than a width of the spacer receiving surface in a row direction and a column direction, respectively.
3. The liquid crystal display device according to item 1. 14. The width of the end face of the columnar spacer in the row direction is smaller than the width of the spacer receiving face in the row direction, and the width of the end face of the columnar spacer in the column direction is smaller than the width of the spacer receiving face in the column direction. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein 15. The width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the row direction is larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the row direction, and the width of the end surface of the columnar spacer in the column direction is larger than the width of the spacer receiving surface in the column direction. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the liquid crystal display element is also small. 16. A plurality of color filters respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions are provided on an inner surface of the second substrate, and these color filters are formed over a region corresponding to the columnar spacer. The liquid crystal display element according to claim 1, wherein 17. A plurality of color filters respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions are provided on the inner surface of the second substrate, and these color filters avoid the region corresponding to the columnar spacer. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display device is formed by: 18. A light-shielding film for regulating light-transmitting regions of the plurality of pixel regions is provided on an inner surface of the second substrate, and the columnar spacer is provided in a region corresponding to the light-shielding film. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein: