JP2001042332A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the degradation of the display quality of a liquid crystal display device caused by alignment failure. SOLUTION: In the liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is held between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a first alignment film 45 is formed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel electrodes 47 and a controlling layer 49 having opening 50 are formed between the first substrate and the first alignment film 45. When the substrate is observed from its normal direction, the opening 50 is formed over the two pixel electrodes 47 adjacent to each other and almost parallel to the rubbing direction. Thereby, the wall face of the first alignment film 45 faces the direction except for the direction 55 opposite to the rubbing direction 53, and the first alignment film 45 is continuous in the part where the surface of the film has equal height from the surface of the first substrate in the region where the adjacent two pixel electrodes 47 almost parallel to the rubbing direction are arranged. Thereby, degradation in the display quality of the liquid crystal display device caused by the level difference of the first alignment film 45 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device which performs a rubbing process when forming an alignment film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display device is characterized by its thinness and low power consumption, and is equipped with a OA device such as a word processor and a personal computer, a portable information device such as an electronic organizer, and a camera-integrated video having a monitor. Widely used in tape recorders (VTRs) and the like. The liquid crystal display device includes at least a liquid crystal display element in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix. The liquid crystal display device performs display using light from outside the liquid crystal display element, unlike a self-luminous display device represented by a cathode ray tube and an EL display device. In a transmissive liquid crystal display device, a back light source realized by a fluorescent tube or the like is disposed on the back of the liquid crystal display element, and light emitted from the back light source and incident on the liquid crystal display element is used for display. In a reflection type liquid crystal display device, a reflection plate is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display element, and external light incident on the liquid crystal display element from the front surface of the liquid crystal display element is used for display.

[0003] Since a transmissive liquid crystal display device performs display using a back light source, a bright and high contrast display can be performed without being affected by the brightness around the device. Since the power consumption of the rear light source accounts for 50% or more of the total power consumption of the transmissive liquid crystal display device, the power consumption of the entire transmissive liquid crystal display device tends to increase. In addition, when the transmission type liquid crystal display device is placed in an extremely bright environment, for example, in clear weather, the visibility tends to decrease. Since the reflective liquid crystal display device does not use a back light source, the power consumption of the entire device can be significantly reduced. In a reflection type liquid crystal display device, the brightness and contrast of the display are influenced by the use environment such as the brightness around the device.

In order to solve the problems of the transmission type and the reflection type liquid crystal display device, the applicant of the present application has proposed a transmission / reflection type liquid crystal display device having both functions of the transmission type and the reflection type. Type LCD ”) is disclosed in
No. 109417 proposes this. Dual-use LC
In D, a transmission region through which light from a rear light source can pass and a reflection region through which external light can be reflected are formed in a region for one pixel of the liquid crystal display element. When the surroundings of the device are dark, the dual-purpose LCD is used as a transmissive liquid crystal display device that performs display using light emitted from a back light source and passing through a transmissive region. If the surroundings of the device are bright, use the dual-purpose LC
D is used as a reflection type liquid crystal display device that performs display by reflecting external light in a reflection region having a high light reflectance.

[0005] In a liquid crystal display element of a transflective type (hereinafter abbreviated as "dual type") provided in a dual-purpose LCD, a liquid crystal layer is formed by a main substrate portion including an insulating substrate and a light-transmitting substrate. And a counter substrate portion. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view of a region corresponding to two pixels on a main substrate portion of a liquid crystal display element in a dual-purpose LCD. FIG. 8 is an AA end view of the main board portion of FIG. The liquid crystal display element in FIG. 7 has an active matrix type configuration using three terminal elements as switching elements.

In the main board part 1, an insulating first board 2
A transmission region 4 and a reflection region 5 are set in a region 3 for one pixel on the surface of the liquid crystal layer side. In the transmission area 3, the IT
A pixel electrode transmitting portion 6 formed of O (indium-tin oxide) and capable of transmitting light is provided. In the reflection area 4, a pixel electrode reflection section 7 formed of aluminum and capable of reflecting light is arranged. The pixel electrode transmitting portion 6 and the pixel electrode reflecting portion 7 constitute a pixel electrode 8 for one pixel. An adjustment layer 9 made of a resin of an insulating material is interposed between the pixel electrode reflection section 7 and the first substrate 2. A pixel electrode 8 is provided around the pixel region 3 on the surface of the first substrate.
The wiring 10 related to the control is provided. Adjustment layer 9
Extends not only in the reflection region 5 but also in a region around the pixel region 3 and covers the wiring 10. Main board 1
The alignment film 11 is provided at a position closest to the liquid crystal layer. In FIG. 7, a part of the alignment film 11 is omitted.

If the dual-purpose LCD has a structure in which a polarizing plate is arranged at least on the front side of the liquid crystal display element, an effective optical path of light used for display when the dual-purpose LCD operates as a transmission type liquid crystal display device. Long and dual-purpose LCD
It is necessary to ensure consistency with the effective optical path length of light used for display when the device operates as a reflective liquid crystal display device. The adjustment layer 9 is a member for adjusting the optical path length. By adjusting the layer thickness of the adjustment layer 9, the difference between the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmission region 4 and the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region 5 is adjusted, and the above-described two optical path lengths are matched. . The layer thickness of the adjustment layer 9 is about half the layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer facing the transmission region, and when the layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer facing the transmission region is 5.0 μm, The layer thickness of No. 9 is 2.5 μm.

In some cases, the dual-purpose liquid crystal display device has an additional capacitance unit for each pixel. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged plan view of a region corresponding to two pixels of the main substrate portion 13 of a dual-purpose liquid crystal display device having an additional capacitance portion. FIG. 10 is a BB end view of the main board portion 13 of FIG. The configuration of the liquid crystal display device of FIG. 9 other than the main substrate 13 is the same as the configuration of the liquid crystal display device of FIG. Of the components of the main board 13 in FIG.
Components having the same functions as the components of the main board unit 1 in FIG.
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. In FIG. 9, a part of the alignment film 11 is not shown.

The liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 9 has an active matrix type configuration using three terminal elements as switching elements. In the main substrate section 13 of FIG. 9, the common wiring 14 for the additional capacitance passes through the position immediately below the pixel electrode reflection section 7 and is parallel to the control wiring 10 in the first direction.
It is arranged on the liquid crystal layer side surface of the substrate 2. Common wiring 14
A portion where the pixel electrode reflection section 7 and the pixel electrode reflection section 7 overlap with each other via the adjustment layer 9 functions as an additional capacitance section 15 of the pixel. The pixel electrode transmitting portion 6 extends to the reflection region 4 and overlaps the pixel electrode reflecting portion 7 via the adjustment layer 9. Pixel electrode reflector 7
Is electrically connected to the pixel electrode transmitting portion 6 through a contact hole 16 provided in the adjustment layer 9.

[0010]

In the main substrates 1 and 13 of the liquid crystal display device of the dual-use LCD described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the transmission region 4 and the reflection region are caused by the adjustment layer 9 of the liquid crystal layer thickness. A step occurs on the surface of the alignment film 11 near the boundary with the region 5.
Steps of the alignment film 11 caused by the adjustment layer 9 are formed at various positions over the entire surface of the substrate.

The alignment film 11 of the main substrate portions 1 and 13 is formed by applying a material for an alignment film on the first substrate 2 after the pixel electrode 8 is formed, and performing an alignment process on a thin film made of the applied material. It is formed. For the orientation treatment, specifically, a rubbing roller rubs the surface of the thin film made of the coating material in a predetermined rubbing direction 18 while applying a predetermined pressure. When the adjustment layer 9 is provided on the main substrate portions 1 and 13, since the surface of the thin film has irregularities, the effect of the alignment treatment on the concave portion on the thin film surface is weaker than that on the convex portion, and the entire surface of the alignment film becomes uniform. No orientation treatment.

In the main substrate portion shown in FIG. 7, the wall surface having a step due to the adjustment layer 9 in the surface of the alignment film 11 is:
It has a tapered shape. Liquid crystal molecules 22 near the wall surface 21 facing the rubbing direction 18 among the wall surfaces of the alignment film 11
Is different from the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules 24 near the flat portion 23 having no step on the surface of the alignment film 11 due to the influence of the taper shape. Are equal to each other. The wall surface 21 facing the rubbing direction 18 hardly affects the display. The liquid crystal molecules 26 near the wall surface 25 facing the direction opposite to the rubbing direction on the surface of the alignment film 11
The direction in which the liquid crystal molecules 26 in the vicinity of the wall surface 25 tilt is different from the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules 24 in the vicinity of the flat portion 23 having no step on the surface of the alignment film 11 tilt. . The liquid crystal molecules 26 near the wall surface 25 opposite to the rubbing direction 18 are inclined in a direction opposite to a predetermined tilt direction, that is, a so-called reverse tilt state. As a result, the rubbing direction 18
A disclination line 27 is formed between the region where the wall surface 25 facing in the opposite direction and the region where the liquid crystal molecules are normally aligned, and the region where the wall surface 25 facing in the opposite direction to the rubbing direction 18 is reversed. Tilt domain 2
8 results. As a result, the display quality of the dual-purpose LCD having the main substrate 1 shown in FIG. 7 is reduced.

In the main substrate portion 13 shown in FIG. 9, a portion overlapping the common wiring 14 and a portion overlapping the wiring 10 have a convex shape on the surface of the alignment film in a region for one pixel. Wall surfaces 2 of these convex portions facing in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction.
The liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of 9, 30 are in a reverse tilt state. As a result, a disclination line 27 is generated between the region where the wall surfaces 29 and 30 facing in the opposite direction of the rubbing direction 18 and the region where the liquid crystal molecules are normally aligned, and faces in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction 18. Reverse tilt domain 2 in the area where the wall surfaces 29 and 30
8, the dual-use mold L having the main substrate 13 shown in FIG.
The display quality of the CD is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having an alignment film formed by using a rubbing process, by reducing as much as possible the wall surface of the alignment film opposed in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction 18 so that the display caused by poor alignment is achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display element in which occurrence of defects is prevented.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at an interval, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a first substrate. A first alignment film disposed between the substrate and the liquid crystal layer; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film; and a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer. And a counter electrode facing each pixel electrode, and an interlayer film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film and having an opening, wherein the first alignment film is disposed on the surface of the first substrate. A thin film is formed by overlapping the thin film in a rubbing direction, which is a predetermined direction, and a part of the opening of the interlayer film overlaps the pixel electrode. The wall surface, which is the surface of the portion where the step of the first alignment film is formed, is opposite to the rubbing direction. It is opposed to the direction other than a liquid crystal display element characterized.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
There is no wall surface facing the rubbing direction in the first alignment film on the first substrate side. As a result, in the liquid crystal display device, the reverse tilt domain and disclination due to the wall surface opposite to the rubbing direction do not occur. Therefore, a decrease in display quality due to disclination in the liquid crystal display element is prevented.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the wall surface of the first alignment film is opposed to a direction opposite to the rubbing direction and a direction other than the rubbing direction.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
The first alignment film on the first substrate side does not have both the rubbing direction and the wall surface facing the opposite direction to the rubbing direction due to the interlayer film. In order to form the first alignment film in this manner, the interlayer film only needs to be formed in a strip shape in which the rubbing direction and the longitudinal direction are substantially parallel. This makes it possible to easily and completely eliminate the edge of the interlayer film that causes the wall surface facing in the opposite direction.

According to the present invention, a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at an interval, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A first alignment film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film, a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film, and a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer to face each pixel electrode; And an interlayer film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film and having an opening, wherein the first alignment film has a pixel electrode and an interlayer disposed on the surface of the first substrate. It is manufactured by a process of depositing a thin film on a film and a process of rubbing the thin film in a rubbing direction which is a predetermined direction. Of the first alignment film surface in a region where two adjacent pixel electrodes are arranged side by side Height equal portions from the plate surface is a liquid crystal display element, characterized in that continuous.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
The interlayer film is formed such that a portion having the same level difference in a region where two adjacent pixel electrodes are arranged in parallel in the rubbing direction, that is, a portion having the same height from the substrate surface in the first alignment film is continuous. Are provided. Thus, the size of the wall surface of the first alignment film between two adjacent pixel electrodes and facing the opposite direction to the rubbing direction is sufficiently large that disclination due to the wall surface does not affect display quality. Become smaller. As described above, the liquid crystal display device is configured to reduce as much as possible the wall surface facing in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction.
Deterioration of display quality due to disclination can be reliably prevented.

According to the present invention, a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at an interval, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A first alignment film disposed between the first substrate and a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film; and a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer and facing each pixel electrode. And an interlayer film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film and having an opening, wherein the first alignment film has a pixel electrode and an interlayer disposed on the surface of the first substrate. It is manufactured by a process of forming a thin film on the film and a process of rubbing the thin film in a rubbing direction which is a predetermined direction, and the openings of the interlayer film are arranged substantially parallel to each other in the rubbing direction. A liquid crystal display element characterized by being overlapped over two pixel electrodes.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
The opening of the interlayer film is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the rubbing direction and to straddle two adjacent pixel electrodes. As a result, a region where no interlayer film exists is formed between two adjacent pixel electrodes that are arranged substantially parallel to the rubbing direction. A region of the two adjacent pixel electrodes that does not overlap with the interlayer film of one of the two pixel electrodes is interposed between a region of the other pixel electrode of the two adjacent pixel electrodes via a region having no interlayer film between the pixel electrodes. It is continuous with the area that does not overlap with the film. When the region of the pixel electrode that does not overlap with the interlayer film is continuous without being independent for each pixel, the first alignment film wall surface due to the end of the interlayer film does not exist in the continuous region. As a result, the number or size of the first alignment film wall surface facing the direction opposite to the rubbing direction due to the edge of the interlayer film in the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is caused by the edge of the interlayer film in the conventional liquid crystal display device. The number is smaller than the number or the size of the first alignment film wall facing in the opposite direction of the rubbing direction. As described above, the liquid crystal display device is configured to reduce the number of wall surfaces facing each other in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction as much as possible, so that deterioration in display quality due to disclination in the liquid crystal display element is reliably prevented.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the opening of the interlayer film is located on the rubbing direction side of two adjacent pixel electrodes arranged substantially in parallel to the rubbing direction and on the rubbing direction side of the pixel electrode. Of the two pixel electrodes on the opposite side of the two pixel electrodes in the opposite direction.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
The opening of the interlayer film is located on the rubbing direction side of two adjacent pixel electrodes arranged side by side substantially in parallel with the rubbing direction, while one end of the pixel electrode on the rubbing direction side extends from the rubbing direction side of the two pixel electrodes. The other pixel electrode on the opposite side reaches the end on the opposite side. Thereby, in the region from the end of the one pixel electrode on the rubbing direction side to the end of the other pixel electrode on the opposite side, the first alignment film wall surface facing the opposite direction due to the end of the interlayer film is not exist. In the liquid crystal display device having such an interlayer film, the reverse tilt domain and disclination due to the wall surface facing in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction do not occur. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element can prevent a decrease in display quality due to disclination.

Further, in the liquid crystal display element according to the present invention, the end of the opening of the interlayer film in the direction orthogonal to the rubbing direction is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
The end of the opening of the interlayer film on the side perpendicular to the rubbing direction is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction. As a result, there is no wall surface of the alignment film facing the opposite direction of the rubbing direction between two adjacent pixel electrodes arranged in parallel in the rubbing direction. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element can more reliably prevent a decrease in display quality due to disclination.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the first alignment film has a stepped wall surface, and
The step of the wall facing the rubbing direction is:
The liquid crystal layer is less than 10% of a maximum layer thickness of a portion facing the pixel electrode.

According to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device,
The step of the wall surface facing the direction opposite to the rubbing direction of the alignment film on the first substrate side is larger than 0 and less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer facing the pixel electrode. Has become. A wall surface having a step less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness does not affect the rubbing treatment. Therefore, the wall surface of the first alignment film overlapping the end surface of the interlayer film on the pixel electrode is left on the first alignment film while facing in a direction other than the direction opposite to the rubbing direction, or in a direction other than the rubbing direction and the opposite direction. If the step of the wall surface of the first alignment film facing in the opposite direction of the rubbing direction is suppressed to less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness, occurrence of reverse tilt domain and disclination can be prevented. As a result, the liquid crystal display element can reliably prevent a decrease in display quality due to disclination.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the pixel electrode includes a transmitting portion transmitting light, and a reflecting portion reflecting light coming from the liquid crystal layer side.
The opening portion of the interlayer film is disposed between the reflection portion of the pixel electrode and the first substrate, the opening portion of the interlayer film overlaps the transmission portion of the pixel electrode, and the first substrate, the pixel electrode transmission portion, the liquid crystal layer, The light passing through a first optical path sequentially passing through the counter electrode and the second substrate, and the light passing through the second substrate, the counter electrode, and the liquid crystal layer, being reflected by the pixel electrode reflection portion, and being reflected by the liquid crystal layer At least one of the light that has passed through the second optical path that re-passes through the counter electrode and the second substrate is used for display, and the phase difference between the light before and after passing through the first optical path and the second
The thickness of the interlayer film is set so that the phase difference between the light before and after passing through the optical path matches.

According to the present invention, the liquid crystal display device is of a transflective type. The interlayer film of the liquid crystal display element
It is used for matching the phase difference between light before and after passing through the first optical path and the phase difference between light before and after passing through the second optical path. In such a liquid crystal display device, since the wall surface facing the rubbing direction on the surface of the first alignment film on the first substrate side does not exist or is reduced as much as possible, the reverse tilt domain and the disk caused by the wall surface are reduced. The occurrence of ligation is sufficiently suppressed. Therefore, the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element can prevent a decrease in display quality due to disclination.

[0031]

FIG. 1 shows a main substrate portion 3 of a dual-purpose liquid crystal display element 33 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is the elements on larger scale of 3A. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a transflective liquid crystal display device (hereinafter abbreviated as “dual LCD”) 31 including the liquid crystal display element 33 of FIG. 1 and 2 will be described together. The cross-section of the dual-purpose LCD 31 in FIG. 2 includes the cross-section CC of the main board portion 33A in FIG. Note that, in the plan view of FIG. 1, description of a part of a first alignment film 45 described later is omitted.

The dual-purpose LCD 31 includes a first polarizer 35, a second polarizer 36, and a first polarizer 35 in addition to the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element 33.
Optical compensator 37, second optical compensator 38, and light source 39
including. Each of the optical compensators 37 and 38 is realized by a １ ／ wavelength plate. The liquid crystal display element 33 is roughly
Substrate 41, second substrate 42, liquid crystal layer 43, first alignment film 4
5, the second alignment film 46, the plurality of pixel electrodes 47, the pixel electrode 4
7, the same number of the counter electrodes 48 and the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 49.
including.

The first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 have a light-transmitting property and are opposed to each other with an interval. Two substrates 4
At least the first substrate 41 of the first and second substrates 42 has an insulating property. The liquid crystal layer 43 is disposed between the two substrates 41 and 42. The first alignment film 45 includes the first substrate 41 and the liquid crystal layer 43.
And placed between. The second alignment film 46 is formed on the second substrate 42.
And the liquid crystal layer 43. Two alignment films 45,
46 is closest to the liquid crystal layer 43. All pixel electrodes 47
It is disposed between the first substrate 41 and the first alignment film 45. Each counter electrode 48 is arranged between the second substrate 42 and the second alignment film 46 and faces each pixel electrode 47. Adjustment layer 4
9 is an interlayer film interposed between the first substrate 41 and the first alignment film 47, and has at least one opening 50. The single opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to a rubbing direction 53 to be described later and overlap with two adjacent pixel electrodes.

The portion sandwiched between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48 constitutes a pixel. A region where each pixel electrode 47 is arranged in one surface 51 of the first substrate 41 on the liquid crystal layer 23 side is referred to as a pixel region 52. Liquid crystal display element 33
The portion composed of the first substrate 41 and the member between the first substrate 41 and the liquid crystal layer 43 is collectively referred to as “main substrate portion 33A”. The first alignment film 45 is closest to the liquid crystal layer 63 than any member in the main substrate portion 33A. The portion of the liquid crystal display element 33 including the second substrate 42 and the member between the second substrate 42 and the liquid crystal layer 43 is generically referred to as a “counter substrate portion 33B”.

The first alignment film 45 includes the pixel electrode 47 and the adjustment layer 49 already arranged on one surface 51 of the first substrate 41.
And a step of rubbing the thin film in a rubbing direction 53 which is a predetermined direction. Similarly to the first alignment film 45, the second alignment film 45 may be manufactured by a thin film forming process and a rubbing process, or may be manufactured using another manufacturing method, for example, an evaporation method.

The surface of the stepped portion of the first alignment film 45 (hereinafter referred to as “wall surface”) is opposed to a direction other than the rubbing direction 53 (hereinafter referred to as “reverse rubbing direction”) 55. Is preferred. When the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 remains in the first alignment film 45, the step of the remaining wall surface is larger than 0 and the maximum layer thickness d of the portion of the liquid crystal layer 43 facing the pixel electrode 47.
It is preferable that the value be less than 10% of t. In the present embodiment, of the wall surfaces of the first alignment film 45, the wall surface 54 of the alignment film that covers the end surface of the adjustment layer 49 in the pixel region 52 faces the reverse rubbing direction 55 and the remaining directions other than the rubbing direction 53. The step of the wall surface of the alignment film covering the end surfaces of the remaining members other than the adjustment layer 49 among all the members between the first alignment film 45 and the first substrate 41 is 10% of the maximum layer thickness dt. Is less than.

In the present embodiment, since the liquid crystal display element 33 is a dual-use type, the pixel electrode 47 is made of a reflective portion 47 made of a conductive material capable of reflecting light and a conductive material capable of transmitting light. And a transmission section 48. The pixel electrode reflection section 57 is disposed in a reflection area 71 for reflecting light in the pixel area 52. The pixel electrode transmission section 58 is disposed in a transmission area 72 through which light in the pixel area 52 is to be transmitted.

In the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element 33, the adjustment layer 49 is used to adjust the layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer 43 facing the pixel electrode reflection portion 57, that is, the layer thickness dr of the liquid crystal layer reflection portion. The adjustment layer 49 is interposed between the reflection section 47 and the first substrate 41. Opening 50 of adjustment layer 49
Are transparent portions 58 when viewed from the normal direction of the surface of the first substrate 41.
And overlap. In the dual-use liquid crystal display element 33,
Maximum layer thickness d of a portion of the liquid crystal layer 43 facing the pixel electrode 47
t is the layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer 43 facing the pixel electrode transmission section 58, that is, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer transmission section.

The two polarizing plates 35 and 36 are opposed to each other with the liquid crystal display element 33 interposed therebetween. The first optical compensator 37 is interposed between the first polarizer 35 and the first substrate 41. Second
The optical compensator 38 is interposed between the second polarizer 36 and the second substrate 42. The first polarizing plate 35 includes the first optical compensator 3
7 and the light source 39. The second polarizing plate 36 side of the dual-purpose LCD 31 is the front side of the dual-purpose LCD 31,
The light source 39 side of the dual-use LCD is the rear side of the dual-use LCD 31. The user faces the dual-purpose LCD 31 from the front side of the dual-purpose LCD 31.

In this embodiment, more specifically, since the liquid crystal display element 33 is an active matrix type liquid crystal display element capable of color display, the liquid crystal display element 33 is
It further includes a plurality of scanning lines 61, a plurality of signal lines 62, an interlayer insulating film 63, the same number of switching elements 65 as the pixel electrodes 47, a plurality of color filter layers 69, and a light shielding layer 70. In the present embodiment, the switching element 65
This is realized by a thin film transistor (TFT) that is a terminal element. There are two pixel electrode reflectors 57 per pixel. The specific configuration of the liquid crystal display element 33 is as follows.

The first substrate 41 has a structure in which a base coat film having an insulating property is formed on one surface of a substrate having a light transmitting property and an insulating property. All the scanning lines 61 are arranged on one surface 51 of the first substrate 41 in parallel with each other and spaced from each other. All signal lines 62 are parallel to each other and spaced from each other,
1 The longitudinal direction of the scanning lines 61 and the longitudinal direction of the signal lines 62 are orthogonal to each other when viewed from the normal direction of the one surface 51 of the first substrate 41. In the present embodiment, the signal line 6
2 is parallel to the rubbing direction 53. The interlayer insulating film 63 is interposed between the scanning lines 61 and the signal lines 62 and covers the entire one surface 51 of the first substrate 41. The pixel electrode 47 and the adjustment layer 49 are interposed between the interlayer insulating film 63 and the first alignment film 45.

A rectangular area surrounded by the scanning lines 61 and the signal lines 62 corresponds to the pixel area 52. The plurality of pixel regions 52 are arranged in a matrix. The direction of the columns or rows of the pixel region array is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 52. In a single pixel region 52, the reflection region 71 is divided into two by a transmission region 72. On the surface of the adjustment layer 49, continuous wavy irregularities are formed. In order to form irregularities on the surface of the adjustment layer 49, the adjustment layer 49 is preferably formed of a photosensitive resin film.

The pixel electrodes 47 are arranged one by one in each pixel region 52. When viewed from the normal direction of the first substrate 41, in the single pixel region 52, a single pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 is disposed between two pixel electrode reflecting portions 57. The pixel electrode reflecting portion 57 may be formed of a conductive material having a relatively high reflectance, for example, aluminum. The pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 may be formed of a conductive material having a relatively high transmittance, for example, ITO (tin-indium-oxide). Reflecting part 47 and transmitting part 5
8 may be formed from another material other than aluminum and ITO.

The two pixel electrode reflecting portions 57 and the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 forming the single pixel electrode 47 are electrically connected. For the connection, the end of each pixel electrode reflecting portion 57 extends to cover the end surface of the adjustment layer 49 and is in direct contact with the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58. Thereby, the pixel electrode reflecting portion 57 and the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 can be easily connected. Pixel electrode reflection part 57 and pixel electrode transmission part 58
The configuration for connection with the terminal is not limited to the above configuration, but may be another configuration. For example, contact holes are respectively formed at positions directly below the left and right pixel electrode reflecting portions 57 of the adjustment layer 49, and the pixel electrode transmitting portions 58 are extended to positions immediately below the contact holes.
May be connected to the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 through the contact hole.

At the corner of each pixel region 52, one TFT 65 as a switching element is arranged. TFT65
Is connected to the scanning line 61 and the TFT 65
Are connected to the signal line 62. TFT6
The adjustment layer 49 described above is interposed between the drain electrode 68 of FIG. The drain electrode 68 is connected to the pixel electrode reflection section 57 on the left side of the drawing via a contact hole provided in the adjustment layer 49. The configuration for connection between the pixel electrode 47 and the TFT 65 is not limited to the above configuration, but may be another configuration. For example, instead of connecting the pixel electrode reflection portion 57 on the left side of the drawing and the drain electrode via the contact hole of the adjustment layer 49, the TFT 6
5 is extended, and the extended portion of the drain electrode 68 is disposed between the adjustment layer 49 and the interlayer insulating film 63 immediately below the pixel electrode reflective portion 57 on the left side of the drawing. The drain electrode 68 may be connected to the pixel electrode transmitting section 58 through the intermediary. Thus, the pixel electrode 47 and the drain electrode 68 can be easily connected.

Color filter layer 69 and light shielding layer 70
Is interposed between the second substrate 41 and the second alignment film 46. The color filter layer 69 is opposed to the pixel electrode 47, and the light-shielding layer 70 is formed as a black matrix in a region between the pixel regions 52, for example, the scanning line 61 and the signal line 62.
Are arranged opposite to each other. In the present embodiment, the counter electrodes 48 of all the pixels are integrated to form one transparent electrode.

In the liquid crystal layer 43, the main substrate portion 33A and the opposing substrate portion 33B are arranged with the alignment films 45 and 46 facing each other and spaced from each other, and a liquid crystal material is sealed between the two substrate portions. It is formed. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 23
It is formed from a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy is realized by ZLI-3926 (trade name) manufactured by Merck or ZLI-4792 (trade name) manufactured by Merck. The distance between the two substrate parts 33A, 33B is determined by the thickness d of the transmission part of the liquid crystal layer 23.
It is adjusted so that t becomes about 5.0 μm. The thickness of the adjustment layer 49 is set to about half of the transmission part layer thickness dt, and in this embodiment, to about 2.5 μm.

The two alignment films 45 and 46 are provided with a pixel electrode 47.
While no voltage is generated between the liquid crystal layer 43 and the counter electrode 48, the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 43 is substantially parallel to the liquid crystal layer side surfaces of the substrates 41 and 42 and parallel to the rubbing direction 53. Thus, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is regulated. First
When the alignment film 45 is AL4552 (trade name) manufactured by JSR and the liquid crystal material is ZLI-3926 manufactured by Merck,
The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules when no voltage is applied is 2 degrees or more and 3 degrees or less. Since the liquid crystal molecules have a pretilt when no voltage is applied, when a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48, the liquid crystal molecules are uniform in the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules form the pretilt. And reorients in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the first substrate 41.

When each of the optical compensators 37 and 38 is a 波長 wavelength plate and the liquid crystal layer 43 is a positive parallel alignment liquid crystal layer having positive dielectric anisotropy, the polarization axis of the first polarizing plate 35 The direction parallel to the slow axis of the first optical compensator 37 is 4
The first polarizing plate 35 and the first optical compensator 37 are arranged so as to form an angle of 5 degrees. Also, the second polarizing plate 36 and the second optical compensator are arranged such that the direction parallel to the polarization axis of the second polarizer 36 and the direction parallel to the slow axis of the second optical compensator 38 form an angle of 45 degrees. 38 are arranged. The slow axis of the first optical compensator 37 and the slow axis of the second optical compensator 38 are parallel to each other. Thereby, the dual-purpose LCD 31 is
Normally white type.

The manufacturing process of the main substrate portion of the liquid crystal display element 33 of FIG. 1 is as follows. First, in order to form the first substrate 41, a base coat film having an insulating property is formed on one surface of a substrate having a light transmitting property and an insulating property.
The base coat film is formed of, for example, Ta ₂ O ₅ or SiO ₂ . Next, a thin film made of a material having a light-shielding property and a conductive property is formed on the base coat film by a sputtering method, and the thin film is patterned into a predetermined shape. Thus, the scanning line 61 and the gate electrode 66 of the TFT 65 are formed. The material of the scanning line 61 and the gate electrode 66 is a metal material, for example, aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), or tantalum (T
This is realized in a).

Next, an interlayer insulating film 63 is laminated on the first substrate 41 so as to cover the scanning lines 61 and the gate electrodes 66. The interlayer insulating film 63 is formed, for example, by P-CVD.
By using the SiN method, the SiN
x is stacked until the layer thickness becomes 3000 °, and the resulting thin film of SiNx is used as the interlayer insulating film 63. The interlayer insulating film 63 may have a two-layer structure in order to enhance insulation. When the interlayer insulating film 63 has a two-layer structure, first, the surfaces of the scanning lines 61 and the gate electrodes 66 are anodized, and then the first substrate 4 after the anodizing process is performed.
On top of this, SiNx is stacked using a CVD method. The resulting anodic oxide film and SiNx thin film constitute an interlayer insulating film 63.

After the formation of the interlayer insulating film 63, a first thin film formed of the material of the channel layer of the TFT 65 is formed on the interlayer insulating film 63 by using the CVD method. Continuing from the formation of the first thin film, a second thin film formed from the material of the electrode contact layer of the TFT 65 is formed on the first thin film by using the CVD method. The first thin film is realized by, for example, an amorphous silicon film. The second thin film is, for example,
This is realized by an amorphous silicon film doped with an impurity such as phosphorus or a microcrystalline silicon film doped with an impurity such as phosphorus. The thickness of the first thin film is 1500Å
And the layer thickness of the second thin film is 500 °. Then H
The first thin film and the second thin film are patterned into a predetermined shape by using a dry etching method using a mixed gas of Cl and SF ₆ . Thus, a channel layer of the TFT 65 and an electrode contact layer of the TFT 65 are formed.

Next, a third thin film made of a light-transmitting and conductive material is formed on the first substrate 41 by a sputtering method so as to cover the channel layer and the electrode contact layer of the TFT 65. . The material of the third thin film is
For example, it is realized by ITO. Then, on the third thin film,
A # 4 thin film made of a material having a light-shielding property and a conductive property
The layers are formed in layers. The material of the fourth thin film is, for example, a metal material, for example, aluminum (Al), molybdenum (M
o) or tantalum (Ta). Then
The third thin film and the fourth thin film are patterned into a predetermined shape. As a result, the source electrode 67 of the TFT 65 and the TFT 6
5, the drain electrode 68, the signal line 62, and the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 are formed. The source electrode 67, the drain electrode 68, and the signal line 62 have a two-layer structure of a layer composed of a part of the third thin film and a layer composed of a part of the fourth thin film. The pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 is formed only from a part of the third thin film. Next, a fifth layer made of an insulating material and having a thickness of 3000
A thin film is formed using a CVD method, is patterned into a predetermined shape, and further has a contact hole at a predetermined position. Thereby, a protective film of the TFT 65 is formed. FIG. 1 does not show a protective film.

Next, a photosensitive resin having an insulating property
It is applied on the first substrate 41 so as to cover the FT 65, the scanning lines 61, the signal lines 62, and the pixel electrode transmitting portions 58. The layer thickness of the photosensitive resin thin film is about 4 μm. After applying the resin, the photosensitive resin thin film is exposed, developed,
And heat treatment is applied. As a result, a plurality of smooth irregularities are formed on the surface of the thin film of the photosensitive resin. After the completion of the unevenness, the portion of the protective film above the contact hole, the portion on the transmission region 72, and the portion on the transmission boundary region 76 are removed from the photosensitive resin thin film. Thus, the adjustment layer 49 is completed. In the present embodiment, as a material of the adjustment layer 49,
OFR-800 (trade name) manufactured by Tokyo Ohkasha is used. The material of the adjustment layer 49 is not limited to OFPR-800 as long as it is a photosensitive resin material. Other materials such as OMR-83, OMR-85, and ONNR- made by Tokyo Ohka Co., Ltd.
20, OFPR-2, OFPR-830, or OFP
R-500 (trade name) may be used. Alternatively, the material of the adjustment layer 49 is TF-20,1 manufactured by Shipley.
300-27, 1400-27 (trade name) or the like, or Photo Nice (trade name) manufactured by Toray Industries, RW-1 (trade name) manufactured by Sekisui Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., R001 manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. , R633 (trade name).

After the adjustment layer is completed, a thin film made of a material having light reflectivity and conductivity is formed by sputtering to cover the adjustment layer 49, and the thin film is patterned into a predetermined shape. As a result, the pixel electrode reflecting portion 57
Is completed. The material of the reflecting portion 57 is, for example, a metal material,
For example, aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (M
o). The reflecting portion 57 may have a two-layer structure. In this case, the reflecting portion 57 is formed by laminating a piece of aluminum having a thickness of 1000 ° and a piece of molybdenum having a thickness of 500 °. Adjustment layer 4 with uneven surface
When the reflective portion 57 is formed by forming a thin film on the substrate 9 and patterning the same, unevenness is also formed on the surface of the reflective portion 57.
As described above, the reflection portion 57 having the irregularities on the surface can have excellent reflectance and scattering characteristics.

After the pixel electrode reflecting portion is completed, a thin film made of the material of the first alignment film 45 is formed by the adjusting layer 49 and the pixel electrode reflecting portion 57.
A film is formed on the first substrate 41 so as to cover and the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58. The material of the first alignment film 45 is, for example, J
It is realized by SR Optmer AL4552LL (trade name). Next, as a rubbing treatment, a rubbing roller rubs the surface of the formed thin film in a predetermined rubbing direction 53 while applying a predetermined pressure. As a result, the alignment film 45 is completed. Through the above steps, the main substrate portion 33A of the liquid crystal display element 33 is completed. Note that the specific shape, specific material, manufacturing method, and the like of the components of the liquid crystal display element 33 described in the specific configuration and manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display element 33 are one of the optimal examples of the liquid crystal display element 33. . The configuration of the liquid crystal display element 33 is the first alignment film 4.
The detailed configuration is not limited to the above description as long as the configuration is to reduce the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 from the surface 5 as much as possible.

The display mode of the dual-purpose LCD 31 will be described with reference to FIG. Dual-use LCD 31 is reflective L
In the reflection mode when operating as a CD, light passing through the reflection region 71 of the pixel region 52 is used for display. In the transmissive mode in which the dual-purpose LCD 31 operates as a transmissive LCD, the transmissive region 72 of the pixel region 52 is
Is used for display. Whether or not light used for display is emitted from the pixel is determined by the pixel electrode 47 of the pixel.
And whether a predetermined electric field is applied between the opposing electrodes 48 or not.

The behavior of light in the reflection mode in an arbitrary single pixel is as follows. Light that has entered the liquid crystal display element 33 from the surface of the second polarizing plate 36 becomes linearly polarized light that vibrates in a direction parallel to the polarization axis of the second polarizing plate 36 by passing through the second polarizing plate 36. Second polarizing plate 3
6 and the slow axis of the second optical compensator 38 form an angle of 45 degrees, the linearly polarized light after passing through the second polarizer 36 becomes
When the light enters and passes through the second optical compensator 38, the light becomes circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light passes through the opposite substrate portion 33B of the liquid crystal display element 33 and enters the liquid crystal layer 43 from the second substrate 42 side.

The pixel electrode 47 of a single pixel and the counter electrode 4
When a predetermined voltage is applied between the pixels 8, a predetermined electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 43 between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. If the liquid crystal layer 43 is formed of a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 43 between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48 of an arbitrary pixel will
The substrate is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the substrates 41 and 42 from the state oriented in the horizontal direction on the surface of the substrate 42.
Therefore, the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 43 between the electrodes 47 and 48 in an arbitrary pixel is very small, and the phase difference caused by light passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 is almost zero. Therefore, when the circularly polarized light after passing through the second optical compensator 38 is incident on the liquid crystal layer 43 between the electrodes 47 and 48 to which a predetermined voltage is applied,
From the second substrate 42 to the first substrate 41 without breaking the circularly polarized light.
The light travels in the direction toward and passes through the liquid crystal layer 43, and is reflected by the pixel electrode reflection portion 57 on the first substrate 41.

The reflected circularly polarized light re-enters the liquid crystal layer 43 from the first substrate 41 side, proceeds in the direction from the first substrate 41 to the second substrate 42 without breaking the circularly polarized light, and Through the counter substrate portion 33B and again the second
The light enters the optical compensator 38. The re-entered circularly polarized light
By passing through the optical compensator 38, the second polarizer 3
The linearly polarized light vibrates in a direction orthogonal to the polarization axis of No. 6. The linearly polarized light that has passed through the second polarizing plate 36 again vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the polarization axis, and is absorbed by the second polarizing plate 36 without passing through the second polarizing plate 36. Thus, when a predetermined electric field is generated between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48, the pixel performs black display.

The pixel electrode 47 of a single pixel and the counter electrode 4
When no predetermined voltage is applied between the pixel electrodes 4
Since a predetermined electric field is not generated in the liquid crystal layer 43 between the liquid crystal layer 7 and the counter electrode 48, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 43
Maintain a state of being oriented in the horizontal direction on the surfaces of 1, 42. Therefore, the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 43 between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48 is sufficiently large. Therefore, when the circularly polarized light after passing through the second optical compensator 38 enters the liquid crystal layer 43 between the electrodes 47 and 48 to which the predetermined voltage is not applied, the circularly polarized light causes the liquid crystal layer 43 between the electrodes 47 and 48 to pass through. When passing through, the liquid crystal layer 43 becomes elliptically polarized light due to the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer 43.

The elliptically polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 is reflected by the pixel electrode reflecting portion 57 on the first substrate 41, and is reflected by the liquid crystal layer 4.
3 again from the first substrate 41 side. The re-incident elliptically polarized light further degrades its polarization state by passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 and enters the second optical compensator 38 again. Even if the re-entered elliptical light passes through the second optical compensator, it does not become linearly polarized light that vibrates in a direction orthogonal to the polarization axis of the second polarizer. Therefore, of all the polarization components of the light that has passed through the second optical compensator 38, a component that oscillates in a direction parallel to the polarization axis of the second polarizer 36 passes through the second polarizer 36. As described above, when a predetermined electric field is not generated between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48, the pixel performs white display.

The behavior of light in the transmission mode in an arbitrary single pixel is as follows. Light that has entered the liquid crystal display element 33 from the surface of the first polarizing plate 35 passes through the first polarizing plate 35, and becomes linearly polarized light that vibrates in a direction parallel to the polarization axis of the first polarizing plate 35. First polarizing plate 3
5 and the slow axis of the first optical compensator 37 form 45 degrees, so that the linearly polarized light after passing through the first polarizer 35 is
When the light enters and passes through the first optical compensation plate 37, the light becomes circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light is applied to the main substrate 3 of the liquid crystal display element 33.
The light passes through the transmission region 72 of 3A and enters the liquid crystal layer 43 from the first substrate 41 side.

The pixel electrode 47 of a single pixel and the counter electrode 4
When a predetermined electric field is generated between the electrodes 8, the phase difference caused by light passing through the portion of the liquid crystal layer 43 between the electrodes 47 and 48 is substantially zero. If a predetermined electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 43 of an arbitrary pixel, the liquid crystal layer 43
The circularly polarized light after the incidence is converted into the first substrate 4 without breaking the circularly polarized light.
The liquid crystal layer 4 travels in a direction from
3 and enters the second optical compensator 38. Since the slow axis of the first optical compensator 37 and the slow axis of the second optical compensator 38 are aligned, the circularly polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 passes through the second optical compensator 38. , And becomes linearly polarized light that vibrates in a direction orthogonal to the polarization axis of the second polarizing plate 36. The linearly polarized light after passing through the second polarizing plate 36 again is absorbed by the second polarizing plate 36. Thus, when a predetermined electric field is generated between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48, the pixel performs black display.

The pixel electrode 47 of a single pixel and the counter electrode 4
When a predetermined electric field is not generated between the electrodes 8, the circularly polarized light after passing through the first optical compensator 37 passes through the liquid crystal layer 43 between the electrodes 47 and 48, and is caused by the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer 43. It becomes elliptically polarized light. The elliptically polarized light is applied to the second optical compensator 38.
Incident on. The elliptically polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 does not become linearly polarized light that oscillates in a direction orthogonal to the polarization axis of the second polarizing plate 36 even after passing through the second optical compensator 38. Therefore, of all the polarization components of the light after passing through the second optical compensator 38,
A component that vibrates in a direction parallel to the polarization axis of the second polarizing plate 36 passes through the second polarizing plate 36. As described above, when a predetermined electric field is not generated between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48, the pixel performs white display.

As described above, in the dual-use LCD 31, in both the reflection mode and the transmission mode, the voltage between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48 is adjusted for each pixel so that the light passes through the second polarizing plate 38. The amount of light to be emitted can be adjusted. Therefore, the dual-purpose LCD 31 can perform gradation display. Further, as described above, in the dual-purpose LCD 31, the liquid crystal has a positive dielectric anisotropy, so that a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 47 and the counter electrode 48 in both the reflection mode and the transmission mode. When no voltage is applied, the pixel performs white display, and when a voltage is applied, the pixel performs black display. That is, the dual-purpose LCD 3
No. 1 performs so-called normally white display.

In the dual-purpose LCD 31 according to the first embodiment, the phase difference between the light before and after passing through the optical path L1 from the time when the light passes through the first polarizing plate 37 to the time when the light enters the second polarizing plate 38 in the above-described transmission mode, In the above-mentioned reflection mode, it is preferable that the phase difference between the light before and after passing through the optical path L2 after passing through the second polarizing plate 38 until re-entering the second polarizing plate 38 matches. When the phase difference of the light path L1 in the transmission mode matches the phase difference of the light path L2 in the reflection mode, the luminance of the pixel displayed white in the transmission mode matches the luminance of the pixel displayed white in the reflection mode. I do.

The optical path L1 in the transmission mode is an optical path passing through the first optical compensator 37, the first optical path L3 of the liquid crystal display element 33, and the second optical compensator 38 in this order. First optical path L3
Is an optical path passing through the portion in the transmission region 72 of the main substrate portion 33A, the liquid crystal layer 43, and the color filter layer 69 of the counter substrate portion 33B in this order. Optical path L2 in reflection mode
That is, the light passes through the second optical compensator 38, enters the liquid crystal display element 33 from the second substrate 42 side, passes through the second optical path L4 of the liquid crystal display element, and exits from the second substrate 42 side. 2 is an optical path that passes through the optical compensator 38 again. Second optical path L
Reference numeral 4 denotes an optical path that passes through the counter substrate portion 33B and the liquid crystal layer 43 in this order, is reflected by the pixel electrode reflection portion 57, and passes through the liquid crystal layer 43 and the counter substrate portion 33B again in this order.

It is most preferable that both the phase difference of the optical path L2 in the reflection mode and the phase difference of the optical path L1 in the transmission mode are one wavelength condition, that is, 2π. When the phase difference of the optical path L1 in the transmission mode is one wavelength, the optical path L
1 is re-incident on the second polarizing plate 36 and becomes linearly polarized light vibrating parallel to the transmission axis (= polarization axis) of the second polarizing plate 36. The amount of light is maximized, and the luminance of a pixel that displays white is maximized. Similarly, when the phase difference of the optical path L2 in the reflection mode is under the condition of one wavelength, the light passing through the optical path L2 and re-entering the second polarizing plate 36 is defined by the transmission axis (= polarization axis) of the second polarizing plate 36. Since the linearly polarized light vibrates in parallel, the amount of light transmitted through the second polarizing plate 36 is maximized, and the luminance of the pixel that displays white is maximized.

When one and the second optical compensating plates 37 and 38 are both quarter-wave plates, the optical path L1 in the transmission mode is used.
In order to make the phase difference of 1 wavelength condition, the phase difference between the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 and the counter electrode 48 is set so that the phase difference of light before and after passing through the first optical path L3 becomes 波長 wavelength condition, that is, π. What is necessary is just to adjust the layer thickness dt of the liquid crystal layer 43 in the transmission region which is the liquid crystal layer 43 of FIG. In the case where the second optical compensator 38 is a quarter-wave plate, in order to set the phase difference of the optical path L2 in the reflection mode to the one-wavelength condition, the second optical compensator 38 passes through the counter substrate portion 33B and the liquid crystal layer and the pixel electrode reflecting portion 57. The phase difference of the light after passing through the optical path L5 reaching
The layer thickness dr of the liquid crystal layer 43 in the reflection area, which is the liquid crystal layer 43 between the pixel electrode reflection portion 57 and the counter electrode 48, is adjusted so as to be / 4 wavelength condition, that is, π (π / 2) / 2. I do. Accordingly, the phase difference of the light before and after passing through the second path L4 corresponding to the reciprocation of the optical path L5 from the opposing substrate unit 33B to the pixel electrode reflecting unit 57 becomes a 波長 wavelength condition. The phase difference is one wavelength condition.

In order to partially change the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 43 interposed between the main substrate portion 33A and the counter substrate portion 33B, an adjustment is made between the pixel electrode reflection portion 57 and the first substrate 41. Layer 49 is interposed. The distance between the main substrate portion 33A and the opposing substrate portion 33B is adjusted according to the layer thickness dt of the liquid crystal layer 43 in the transmission region, and the adjustment layer 49 has a layer thickness dt of the liquid crystal layer 43 in the transmission region and a reflection region. Is adjusted according to the difference from the layer thickness dr of the liquid crystal layer 43. The layer thickness of the adjustment layer 49 is sufficiently larger than other components on the first substrate in the main substrate portion 33A, for example, the pixel electrodes 47 and the scanning lines 61. Therefore, the step formed in the portion of the first alignment film 45 overlapping the end of the adjustment layer 49 is larger than the step formed in the portion of the first alignment film 45 overlapping the end of another component of the main substrate 33A, Easy to cause reverse tilt domain. So the first
In this embodiment, the generation of the reverse tilt domain is prevented by removing at least the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction among the wall surfaces of the first alignment film 45 caused by the end of the adjustment layer 49.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a region corresponding to two pixels of the main substrate portion 33A of the liquid crystal display element 33 of the dual-purpose LCD 31 of FIG. 1 and its periphery. FIG. 3 is a simplified view of the enlarged plan view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the main board portion 33 of FIG.
It is DD sectional drawing of A. The DD section is the first alignment film 4.
5 is parallel to the rubbing direction 53 and passes through the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58. Two pixel electrodes 47 are arranged in a region corresponding to two pixels in FIG. 3, and the two pixel electrodes 47
The rubbing direction 53 is substantially parallel to and adjacent to the rubbing direction 53. FIG.
4 and FIG. 4, the first alignment film 45 of the main substrate portion 33A is used.
The configuration for removing the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 will be described in detail.

In the description with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. Are referred to as “upper pixel electrode 47A” and “upper pixel region 52”.
And the other pixel electrode 47 and the other pixel electrode 4 on the reverse rubbing direction 55 side of the two pixel electrodes 47.
7 is referred to as a “lower pixel electrode 47B”.
It is described as “lower pixel area 52B”. In the description with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG.
One end on the third side is referred to as “upper end”, and the other end on the reverse rubbing direction 55 side of the member or region is referred to as “lower end”. In the present specification, “left” and “right” are both directions orthogonal to the rubbing direction 53, and the left direction is the opposite direction to the right direction.
Further, in the plan view of FIG. 3, the description of a part of the first alignment film 45 is omitted.

The adjustment layer 49 is basically formed of the first alignment film 4.
The pattern is formed such that the wall surfaces of the five surfaces facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 are reduced as much as possible. To this end, the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 basically includes two pixel electrodes 47A,
It straddles 47B. That is, the upper end of the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is formed between the upper pixel electrode 47A and the first alignment film 45.
The lower end of the opening of the adjustment layer 49 is between the lower pixel electrode 47B and the first alignment film 45.

In the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element 33, the adjustment layer 49 is interposed between the pixel electrode reflection part 57 and the first substrate 41, and the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is formed from the normal direction of the first substrate 41. It is arranged at a position overlapping the pixel electrode transmission part 58 when viewed. For this reason, the adjustment layer 49 includes a region (hereinafter referred to as a “reflection boundary region”) 75 and a reflection region 71 sandwiched between the reflection regions 71 of the two pixel regions 52 when viewed from the normal direction of the surface of the first substrate 41. Only exists. Opening 5 of adjustment layer 49
Reference numeral 0 denotes a region (hereinafter, referred to as a “transmissive boundary region”) between the transmissive region 72 of the upper pixel electrode 52A and the transmissive region 72 of the lower pixel region 52B when viewed from the normal direction of the surface of the first substrate 41. , And the transmission region 72 of the upper pixel region 52A and the lower pixel region 52B. In FIG. 3, the reflection boundary region 75 and the transmission boundary region 76 are shaded.

In the first embodiment, the reverse rubbing direction 5
The adjustment layer 4 is formed such that both the wall surface facing the first alignment film 45 and the wall surface facing the rubbing direction 53 are not formed on the first alignment film 45.
9 is patterned. For this reason, in the single pixel region 52, the transmission region 72 is formed in a band-like region from the upper end 73 to the lower end 74 of the pixel region 52. Thus, the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is formed from the upper end of the upper pixel electrode 47A to the lower end of the lower pixel electrode 47B when viewed from the normal direction of the first substrate 41. That is, the upper end of the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 overlaps the upper end of the upper pixel electrode 47A, and the lower end of the opening 50 overlaps the lower end of the lower pixel electrode 47B. If the openings 50 having such a configuration are repeatedly formed in pixel units, the openings overlapping with the pixel electrodes arranged in a line substantially parallel to the rubbing direction are sequentially and continuously formed into one opening.

Further, the transmission area 72 of the single pixel area 72
The left and right side ends are substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53. The right end of the upper pixel area 52A is
B is located on an extension of the right end, and the left end of the upper pixel region 52A is located on an extension of the left end of the lower pixel region 52B. If the transmissive regions 72 having such a configuration are repeated in pixel units, the transmissive regions 72 of the pixel regions 52 arranged in a line substantially in parallel with the rubbing direction and the transmissive boundary regions 76 between the transmissive regions 72 are sequentially continuous. Thus, the left and right side edges form a single band-shaped region substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53. Since the opening 50 may be formed so as to overlap with the strip-shaped region where the adjustment layer 49 need not be arranged, the rubbing direction 53
The adjustment layer 49 is formed on a strip-shaped film piece whose longitudinal direction is substantially parallel.
Can be formed in a pattern. by this,
The end of the adjustment layer 49 is substantially parallel to the reverse rubbing direction 55,
The end facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 no longer exists in the adjustment layer 49.

When the first alignment film 45 is formed on the adjustment layer 49 formed in a belt shape whose longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53, the first alignment film 45 is formed on the surface of the first alignment film 45 by the edge of the adjustment layer 49. However, there is no wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55. As described above, when the adjustment layer 49 is formed so that not only the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 53 but also the wall surface facing the rubbing direction 53 is removed from the surface of the first alignment film 45, the adjustment layer 49 Since it is sufficient that the adjustment layer 49 is formed in a belt shape, the pattern formation of the adjustment layer 49 becomes easy.

A comparison between the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element 33 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and the first conventional dual-purpose liquid crystal display element described with reference to FIGS. Then, there is a difference in the following configuration.

Except for the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer and the first alignment film, the configuration of the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element of the first prior art is the same as that of the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element 33 of the first embodiment. That is, on one surface of the first substrate of the first prior art liquid crystal display element on the liquid crystal layer side, scanning lines and signal lines are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, and an interlayer insulating film is formed between the scanning lines and the signal lines. And placed between. The pixel electrode reflection part 7 is arranged in the reflection area 5 in the pixel area 3 which is a rectangular area divided by the scanning line and the signal line, and the pixel electrode transmission part 6 is arranged in the transmission area 4 in the pixel area 3. The alignment film is formed by applying the material of the first alignment film 45 on the first substrate 2 after the formation of the pixel electrode 8 having the above configuration, and rubbing the formed thin film in a predetermined rubbing direction 53. Is done. The main substrate portion 1 having such a configuration is bonded to the opposite substrate portion having the same configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 2 via a parallel alignment liquid crystal layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy. Also in the first prior art, in order to make the retardation (phase difference) of the transmission region of the dual-purpose LCD coincide with the retardation of the reflection region of the dual-purpose LCD, the thickness of the adjustment layer 9 is made equal to the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmission region. It is about half.

In the first prior art, the reflection area 5 is of “mouth” type and surrounds the transmission area 4. therefore,
When viewed from the normal direction of the first substrate 2, a wall surface 25 facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 exists at a position overlapping the boundary between the reflection region 5 and the transmission region 4 on the surface of the first alignment film of the first prior art. Since the step of the wall surface 25 is larger than 10% of the maximum layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer facing the pixel electrode, a reverse tilt domain 26 is generated near the wall surface 25. As a result,
Since a disclination line 27 is generated between the region where the wall surface 25 facing in the opposite direction to the rubbing direction 18 and the region where the liquid crystal molecules are normally aligned, the dual-use LC
The contrast and response speed of D decrease. As a result, the display quality of the dual-purpose LCD deteriorates.

An adjusting layer 49 is provided on the surface of the first alignment film 45 of the liquid crystal display element 33 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
As a result, there is no wall facing the reverse rubbing direction 55, so that a reverse tilt domain and a disclination line due to the wall do not occur. As a result, the liquid crystal display element 33 of the first embodiment has the liquid crystal layer 4
3 can be uniformly aligned. Therefore, the contrast and the response speed of the dual-purpose LCD 31 of the first embodiment are improved as compared with the first conventional technique, and the display quality of the dual-purpose LCD 31 of the first embodiment is higher than that of the conventional dual-purpose LCD. It is better than quality.

When the step on the wall surface of the alignment film facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 is larger than 10% of the maximum layer thickness dt of the portion of the liquid crystal layer 23 facing the pixel electrode 47, the wall surface of the alignment film becomes discreet. Raise the nation. The wall surface of the alignment film facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 has a display quality of the LCD even if it remains on the surface of the first alignment film 45 if the step is larger than 0 and less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness dt. Does not affect For example, in the dual-use LCD 31 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the position of the alignment film wall facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 or the position of the rubbing direction The alignment film wall surface facing 53 remains. These remaining wall steps are at most 0.1 μm or more and 0.3 μm or less in height, and the thickness dt of the transmission part of the liquid crystal layer 23 is 5.0 μm. No tilt domain occurs.

As described above, when the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 remains on the surface of the alignment film, the step of the wall surface is larger than 0 and 1 of the maximum layer thickness dt of the pixel portion of the liquid crystal layer 23.
If it is kept below a certain value, the occurrence of disclination and reverse tilt domain is prevented, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 43 can be uniformly aligned to a sufficient degree for good display. Therefore, instead of patterning the adjustment layer so that the end facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 does not exist, the first alignment film 45 is formed such that the step on the wall surface of the alignment film is larger than 0 and equal to or less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness dt.
A component between the substrate and the substrate 41 may be configured.

When the taper angle of the member between the first alignment film 45 and the first substrate 41 is larger than 0 degree and smaller than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules with respect to the first substrate 41, the end of the member is changed. The alignment of the liquid crystal molecules near the wall surface of the first alignment film 45 to be covered does not become reverse tilt. Generally, the pretilt angle is 1 degree to 9 degrees, so that the taper angle of the member is greater than the pretilt angle. On the wall surface of the alignment film having a predetermined step, the smaller the taper angle of the end of the member covered by the wall surface, the less the occurrence of disclination.

The present applicant manufactures a dual-purpose LCD having the liquid crystal display device 33 of the first embodiment and a dual-purpose LCD having the liquid crystal display device of the first prior art, respectively. The display state of the dual-use LCD was observed. The detailed configuration of the dual-use LCD according to the first embodiment is the configuration described in the above-described manufacturing process. First prior art dual use type L
The detailed configuration of the CD is different from the dual-purpose LCD of the first embodiment only in the planar shape of the adjustment layer and the pixel electrode, and the other configuration is the same as the dual-purpose LCD of the first embodiment. When the dual-purpose LCD of the first prior art was observed from the front side using an optical microscope, it was confirmed that a disclination line was generated in the vicinity of the portion where the wall surface of the alignment film opposed in the reverse rubbing direction was present. When the dual-purpose LCD of the first embodiment was observed from the front side using an optical microscope, no disclination line was generated.

The applicant further measured and compared the contrast of the dual-purpose LCD according to the first prior art with the contrast of the dual-purpose LCD according to the first embodiment. As a result, the contrast of the dual-purpose LCD according to the first embodiment was improved by 10% to 20% compared with the contrast of the dual-purpose LCD according to the first related art. This is based on the following reasons. The disclination line causes light leakage from the pixel when the pixel is displayed in black, which causes a decrease in the contrast of the dual-purpose LCD. Since no disclination line is generated in the dual-purpose LCD of the first embodiment, light leakage due to the disclination line is eliminated, and the dual-purpose LCD contrast of the first embodiment is improved. ing.

As described above, in the dual-purpose LCD having the liquid crystal display device 33 of the first embodiment, the display quality is improved as compared with the dual-purpose LCD having the liquid crystal display device of the first prior art. I have. Liquid crystal display element 3 according to first embodiment
3 and the structure of the liquid crystal display element of the first prior art
9 and the pixel electrode 47 only differ in planar shape. Therefore, the design and the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display element 33 of the first embodiment can be designed only by making small changes to the configuration and the manufacturing process of the conventional liquid crystal display element.
The realization of the liquid crystal display element 33 of the first embodiment is easy.

In the first embodiment, the first alignment film 4
5 is subjected to a parallel alignment treatment. Not limited to this, the first
The alignment film 45 may be subjected to a vertical alignment process. The method of forming the first alignment film 45 with the vertical alignment process is, for example, as follows. First, a thin film made of the material of the vertical alignment film and having a thickness of 80 nm is formed on the first substrate 41 after the formation of the pixel electrode 47 by using a printing technique. The material of the vertical alignment film is, for example, J Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.
ALS2004. The formed thin film is fired at 180 degrees for 2 hours. The surface of the fired thin film is rubbed in a rubbing direction with a rubbing roller wound with a rayon cloth.
3 rubbed. The rotation speed of the rubbing roller during the rubbing process is 100 rpm, and the moving speed of the substrate with respect to the roller is 100 mm per minute (100 mm / mi).
m). Thereby, the first vertically aligned treatment is performed.
The alignment film 45 is completed. Even when the vertical alignment processing is performed on the first alignment film 45, the display quality of the dual-purpose LCD 31 is improved as in the case where the parallel alignment processing is performed.

FIG. 5 is a simplified enlarged partial plan view of a region corresponding to two pixels of a main substrate portion 101 of a liquid crystal display element according to a second embodiment of the present invention and its periphery.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main substrate unit 101 taken along line EE of FIG.
5 and FIG. 6 are described together. The liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the main substrate portion 33A of the liquid crystal display device 33 of the first embodiment is replaced with a main substrate portion 101 of FIG. Components having the same functions as those of the main board portion 33A of FIG. 1 among the components of the main board portion 101 of FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. FIG.
In the description using FIG. 6 and FIG.
The definitions of “A”, “upper pixel area 52”, “lower pixel electrode 47B”, “lower pixel area 52B”, “top”, “bottom”, “right”, and “left” are the same as those in the description of FIGS. Two pixel electrodes 47 are arranged in a region corresponding to two pixels in FIG. 5, and the two pixel electrodes are adjacent to each other substantially in parallel to the rubbing direction 53. The EE section is the first alignment film 4.
5 is parallel to the rubbing direction 53 and passes through the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58. Further, in the plan view of FIG. 5, the description of a part of the first orientation 45 is omitted, and the reflection boundary region and the transmission boundary region are hatched.

The main substrate portion 101 in FIG. 5 has a configuration in which an additional capacitance wiring 103 for the additional capacitance portion 103 is added to each pixel region 52 of the main substrate portion 33A in FIG. The additional capacitance wiring 103 is connected to the pixel electrode 47 via the interlayer insulating film 63.
The portion superimposed on functions as the additional capacitance unit 104. In the present embodiment, the additional capacitance wiring 103 passes through the central portion of the pixel region 52 and is formed with the interlayer insulating film 63 so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to a direction orthogonal to the rubbing direction 53. It is arranged between the first substrate 41. At a position overlapping with the additional capacitance wiring 103 when viewed from the normal direction of the first substrate 41, the extending part of the pixel electrode transmitting part 58 and the pixel electrode reflecting part 57 overlap via the adjustment layer 49. A contact hole 105 is provided in the adjustment layer 49 between the reflection part 57 and the transmission part 58 extension part, and the extension part of the pixel electrode transmission part 58 and the pixel electrode reflection part 57 are provided.
Are connected via a contact hole 105.
The dual-purpose LCD having the dual-purpose liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment including the main substrate unit 101 is similar to the dual-purpose LCD device 33 of the dual-purpose LCD 31 according to the first embodiment.
The liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment is replaced with a liquid crystal display device.

Since the additional capacitance wiring 103 is generally formed of a conductive material having a light-shielding property, the additional capacitance wiring 10
It is difficult to use the area where 3 is arranged as the transmission area 72. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the pixel electrode reflecting portion 57 is formed in an “H” shape, and the additional capacitance wiring 1
The area where 03 is arranged is included in the reflection area 71.
As a result, in the single pixel region 52, the transmission region 72
Is the first where the upper end overlaps the upper end 73 of the pixel region 52.
The region 111 is divided into two regions: a region 111 and a second region 112 whose one end overlaps the lower end 74 of the pixel region 52.

In order to reduce the number of wall surfaces of the first alignment film 45 facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 as much as possible, the adjustment layer 49 includes two adjacent pixel electrodes 47A and 47B arranged substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53. Area 113 in which
In, the adjustment layer 49 is formed such that the portions of the surface of the first alignment film 45 equal in height from the surface of the first substrate 41 are continuous. For this purpose, the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is formed so that two adjacent pixel electrodes 47 are arranged substantially parallel to the rubbing direction.
A, 47B.

In the configuration of FIG. 5, specifically, the first region 111 of the lower pixel region 52B and the second region
Since the region 112 is in contact with the transmission boundary region 76 between the two pixel regions 52A and 52B, these three regions 111, 112 and 76 are continuous to form a single region. The opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is
As seen from the normal direction of 1, these three regions 111, 11
2,76 overlap with a single region formed. As a result, in the region 113 where the upper and lower pixel electrodes 52A and 52B are arranged, the portion of the surface of the first alignment film 45 on the surface of the first substrate 41 where the height is equal is equal to the pixel region 52.
And there is no wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 in the region between two adjacent pixel regions 52 arranged substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53 and in the vicinity thereof. As a result, the single pixel region 5 of the first alignment film 52
On the surface of the portion in 2, the wall surface 107 facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 and the wall surface 108 facing the rubbing direction 53 occur only at the end of the portion of the adjustment layer 49 that overlaps the additional capacitance wiring 103.

The main substrate 101 of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is compared with the main substrate 13 of the liquid crystal display device of the second prior art shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Then, there is a difference in the following configuration. In the main substrate 13 of the second prior art, the planar shape of the reflection area is a figure-shaped “8”, so the adjustment layer 9 is arranged not only on the reflection area 7 but also on the entire four sides of the pixel area. As a result, there are two wall surfaces facing the reverse rubbing direction 53 on the surface of the portion of the alignment film 11 in the single pixel region 8 of the main substrate portion 13 of the second prior art. In the main board unit 101 of the second embodiment,
The planar shape of the reflection area 71 is an “H” shape, and the adjustment layer 49 is removed not only from the transmission area 72 but also from the transmission boundary area 76. As a result, the main substrate 1 of the second embodiment
In the surface of the portion of the 01 alignment film 45 in the single pixel region 52, only one wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 53 exists on the additional capacitance wiring 103.

As described above, the main substrate 1 of the second embodiment is
The number of the alignment film wall surfaces facing the reverse rubbing direction 53 in 01 is half the number of the alignment film wall surfaces facing the reverse rubbing direction 53 in the main substrate portion 13 of the second prior art. Thus, in the liquid crystal display device having the main substrate portion 101 of the second embodiment, a place where a disclination line may be generated is a liquid crystal display device having the main substrate portion 13 of the second prior art. The display quality of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment is higher than the display quality of the liquid crystal display device of the second prior art, because the display quality of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment is halved from that at which the disclination line may occur. As described above, the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment can prevent the reverse tilt at the periphery of the pixel region without substantially changing the area of the pixel electrode reflection portion from the conventional technology.

In the second embodiment, the first alignment film 45 of the main substrate portion 101 has an area opposite to the end of the scanning line 61 and the end of the pixel electrode transmitting portion 58 and the first alignment film 45. A wall surface facing the rubbing direction 55 and a wall surface facing the rubbing direction 53 remain. The steps of these remaining wall surfaces are at most 0.1 μm or more and 0.3 μm or less in height, and the thickness dt of the transmission part of the liquid crystal layer 23 is 5.0 μm.
Based on the reason described in the first embodiment, it is known that the reverse tilt domain does not occur due to the remaining steps, so that the display quality does not deteriorate due to these steps.

The liquid crystal display devices of the first and second embodiments are examples of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, and can be realized by other various configurations as long as the main configurations are the same. In particular, the detailed configuration of each component of the liquid crystal display element is not limited to the above-described configuration and may be realized by another configuration as long as the same effect is obtained.

For example, among the components of the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element, the adjustment layer 49 is arranged only in the reflection region 71 and the reflection boundary region 76 and is excluded from the transmission region 72 and the transmission boundary region 76. If so, the configuration of the other components is not limited to the configuration described in the first and second embodiments, but may be another configuration. As a result, the first alignment film 45 of the main substrate portion of the dual-purpose liquid crystal display element is formed such that the number of wall surfaces facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 is as small as possible. Deterioration of display quality of the type LCD can be suppressed.

Further, since the liquid crystal display elements of the first and second embodiments are of the TN type or STN type, the dual-purpose LCD has a configuration using a polarizing plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have another configuration, for example, a GH type. Even if the dual-purpose LCD does not use a polarizing plate, the effective thickness of the liquid crystal layer transmission part and the effective liquid crystal layer reflection part are the same as in the dual-purpose LCDs of the first and second embodiments. It is preferable to make the thickness match with the appropriate layer thickness. That is, the phase difference of the light before and after passing through the first optical path L3 of the liquid crystal layer transmission portion is:
It is preferable to adjust the thickness dr of the liquid crystal layer reflection portion using the adjustment layer 49 so as to match the phase difference of the light before and after the liquid crystal layer reflection portion passes through the second optical path L4. For example, when the liquid crystal display element is of the GH type, if the effective layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer transmission portion matches the effective layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer reflection portion, the dichroic ratio in the liquid crystal layer transmission portion and the liquid crystal The dichroic ratio in the layer reflection layer portion can be matched.

The reverse rubbing direction 55 on the surface of the alignment film 45
The liquid crystal display element formed so as to have as few wall surfaces as possible is not limited to a dual-purpose liquid crystal display element as long as the liquid crystal display element has an alignment film subjected to a rubbing treatment as an alignment treatment. , For example, a projection type liquid crystal display element. Further, the wall surface of the alignment film to be removed is not limited to the wall surface covering the end of the adjustment layer 49,
The edge of any member between the alignment film and the substrate may be covered. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the first alignment film 45 of the main substrate portions 33A and 101 is used as the alignment film of which the step is to be removed. The bi-alignment film 46 has a level difference of 10% or more of the maximum layer thickness dt of the portion of the liquid crystal layer facing the pixel region 52, and the wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction has a facing substrate portion 33B.
Of the main substrate portions 33A, 1
In the same manner as the method of removing the wall surface from No. 01, the opposing substrate portion 3
The wall surface may be removed from 3B.

When viewed from the normal direction of the first substrate 41, two pixel electrodes 47A,
When the transmission region 72 of 47B overlaps with the single adjustment layer opening 50, an extension line from the left and right side edges of the transmission region 72 of the upper pixel region 52A to the left and right sides of the transmission region 72 of the lower pixel region 52B. It is preferable that the distance in the direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction 53 is as short as possible on each of the right and left sides. This is based on the following reasons. Upper pixel area 52A
When the left and right side edges of the transmission region 72 are shifted from the extension lines of the left and right side edges of the transmission region 72 of the lower pixel region 52B,
A portion facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 exists at the left and right side ends of the opening 50, and this portion causes a wall surface facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 on the surface of the alignment film. As the distance in the left-right direction from the left and right side ends of the transmission region 72 of the upper pixel region 52A to the left and right side end extensions of the transmission region 72 of the lower pixel region 52B is smaller, the left and right side ends of the opening 50 are reversed. Since the portion facing the rubbing direction 55 is small, the wall surface of the alignment film facing the reverse rubbing direction 55 is small, and the influence on the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is small.

In the liquid crystal display devices of the first and second embodiments, at least one of the left and right side ends of the opening 50 of the adjustment layer 49 is most preferably substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53. preferable. Opening 50 of adjustment layer 49
In order to make the left and right side ends substantially parallel to the rubbing direction 53,
The distance in the left-right direction from the left and right side ends of the transmission region 72 of the upper pixel region 52A to the left and right side end extensions of the transmission region 72 of the lower pixel region 52B may be set to zero. by this,
There is no alignment film wall surface facing the opposite direction of the rubbing direction between two adjacent pixel electrodes arranged in parallel with the rubbing direction. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element can more reliably prevent a decrease in display quality due to disclination.

[0104]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device, an interlayer film having an opening and a pixel electrode are disposed between a first substrate and a first alignment film. The opening of the interlayer film is formed such that the first alignment film does not have a wall facing the direction opposite to the rubbing direction. This prevents the display quality of the liquid crystal display element from deteriorating. According to the present invention, in the liquid crystal display device, the first substrate on the first substrate side is provided.
The alignment film does not have both the rubbing direction and the wall facing the opposite direction to the rubbing direction due to the interlayer film. This makes it possible to easily and completely eliminate the edge of the interlayer film that causes the wall surface facing in the opposite direction.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the liquid crystal display device, two adjacent pixels are arranged in parallel in the rubbing direction.
The first alignment film in the region where each of the two pixel electrodes is arranged is arranged so that portions having the same height from the substrate surface are continuous.
An opening in the interlayer film is provided. As described above, the liquid crystal display device is configured to reduce the wall surface facing in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction as much as possible, so that the liquid crystal display element can surely prevent the deterioration of the display quality.

According to the present invention as described above,
In the liquid crystal display element, the opening of the interlayer film is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the rubbing direction and to straddle two adjacent pixel electrodes. As a result, a region where the pixel electrode and the interlayer film do not overlap is continuous without being independent for each pixel, so that the liquid crystal display element is configured so as to reduce the wall surface facing in the opposite direction to the rubbing direction as much as possible. Therefore, the display quality of the liquid crystal display element is reliably prevented from lowering.

Further, according to the present invention, the opening of the interlayer film is
One of the two pixel electrodes adjacent to each other in the rubbing direction is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction, and is located on the rubbing direction side of the two pixel electrodes. It reaches the opposite end of the electrode. As a result, the liquid crystal display element can further prevent the deterioration of the display quality. Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the liquid crystal display element, the end of the opening of the interlayer film in the direction orthogonal to the rubbing direction is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction. As a result, the liquid crystal display element can more reliably prevent the deterioration of the display quality. According to the present invention, in the liquid crystal display device, the first substrate on the first substrate side is provided.
The step on the wall surface facing the direction opposite to the rubbing direction of the alignment film is greater than 0 and less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness of the portion of the liquid crystal layer facing the pixel electrode.
As a result, the liquid crystal display element can reliably prevent the display quality from deteriorating.

Further, according to the present invention, the liquid crystal display element is of a transmission / reflection type, and the interlayer film is used for matching the phase difference of light before and after passing through the optical path of light used for display.
Since the generation of the wall surface facing in the direction opposite to the rubbing direction due to the interlayer film is suppressed as much as possible, the dual use type liquid crystal display element can prevent the deterioration of the display quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged partial plan view of a region for one pixel of a main substrate portion 33A included in a liquid crystal display element 33 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and the periphery thereof.

FIG. 2 is a dual-purpose LCD including the liquid crystal display element 33 of FIG.
FIG. 31 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion 31.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main substrate part 33A of the liquid crystal display element 33 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a simplified enlarged partial plan view of a pixel area and its surroundings.

FIG. 4 shows one of main substrate portions 33A of the liquid crystal display element 33 of FIG.
It is DD sectional drawing of the area | region for a pixel.

FIG. 5 is a simplified enlarged partial plan view of a region for two pixels of a main substrate portion 101 and a periphery thereof of a liquid crystal display element according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an EE cross-sectional view of a region for one pixel of the main substrate portion 101 of the liquid crystal display element of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a simplified enlarged partial plan view of a region corresponding to two pixels of a main substrate portion 1 included in a liquid crystal display element of the first prior art and its periphery.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of a region for one pixel of the main substrate portion 1 of the liquid crystal display element of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a simplified enlarged partial plan view of a region corresponding to two pixels of a main substrate portion 13 included in a liquid crystal display element of a second related art and the periphery thereof.

10 is a BB cross-sectional view of a region for one pixel of the main substrate unit 13 of the liquid crystal display element of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 41 first substrate 42 second substrate 43 liquid crystal layer 45 first alignment film 46 second alignment film 47 pixel electrode 48 counter electrode 49 adjustment layer 50 adjustment layer opening 52 pixel region 53 rubbing direction 55 rubbing direction opposite direction 54 1 End face of alignment film 57 Reflection part of pixel electrode 58 Transmission part of pixel electrode 71 Reflection area of pixel area 72 Transmission area of pixel area 75 Reflection boundary area 76 Transmission boundary area dt Maximum layer of part of liquid crystal layer facing pixel electrode Thick

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2H090 HA04 HA05 HA07 HA08 HB13X HC05 HC11 HC15 HD06 HD14 JA03 JC03 LA04 LA08 LA20 MA01 MA02 MA07 MB01 2H091 FA03Y FA08X FA08Z FA11X FA11Z FA16Y FB08 FC02 FD04 FD05 FD09 GA03 GA07 GA07 JB04 JB05 JB08 JB56 KA05 KB13 MA05 MA07 NA04 PA08 PA10 PA11 PA12 5G435 AA00 BB12 BB15 BB16 CC09 EE27 EE33 FF03 FF05 FF08 FF13 GG12 HH02 KK05 LL03 LL07 LL08 LL09 LL12 LL14

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at an interval; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A first alignment film disposed, a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film, and a counter electrode disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer and facing each pixel electrode An electrode, and an interlayer film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film and having an opening, wherein the first alignment film is provided between the pixel electrode and the interlayer film disposed on the surface of the first substrate. A step of rubbing the thin film in a rubbing direction which is a predetermined direction, wherein a part of the opening of the interlayer film overlaps the pixel electrode, and a step of the first alignment film is formed. The wall surface, which is the surface of the part where the The liquid crystal display element characterized in that it is directed. 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a wall surface of the first alignment film is opposed to a direction opposite to the rubbing direction and a direction other than the rubbing direction. 3. A first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at an interval; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A first alignment film disposed, a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film, and a counter electrode disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer and facing each pixel electrode An electrode, and an interlayer film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film and having an opening, wherein the first alignment film is provided between the pixel electrode and the interlayer film disposed on the surface of the first substrate. It is manufactured by a step of forming a thin film by stacking and a step of rubbing the thin film in a rubbing direction that is a predetermined direction. The first substrate on the surface of the first alignment film in a region where two adjacent pixel electrodes are arranged Height equal portions from the surface, the liquid crystal display element characterized in that it is continuous. 4. A first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at an interval; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A first alignment film disposed, a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film, and a counter electrode disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer and facing each pixel electrode An electrode, and an interlayer film disposed between the first substrate and the first alignment film and having an opening, wherein the first alignment film is provided between the pixel electrode and the interlayer film disposed on the surface of the first substrate. The thin film is manufactured by a step of forming a thin film in a stacking manner and a step of rubbing the thin film in a rubbing direction which is a predetermined direction. A liquid crystal display element characterized by overlapping over an electrode. 5. The rubbing direction opening of the interlayer film is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction, and one of the two pixel electrodes adjacent to the rubbing direction is located on the rubbing direction side. 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4, wherein the other one of the pixel electrodes on the opposite side reaches an end on the opposite side of the pixel electrode. 6. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4, wherein an end of the opening of the interlayer film in a direction orthogonal to the rubbing direction is substantially parallel to the rubbing direction. 7. A step of a wall surface facing a rubbing direction of a wall surface of a portion of the first alignment film where a step is formed is opposed to the pixel electrode of the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness is less than 10% of the maximum layer thickness of the portion. 8. The pixel electrode includes a transmission part that transmits light and a reflection part that reflects light coming from the liquid crystal layer side, and the interlayer film includes a reflection part of the pixel electrode and the reflection part of the pixel electrode. An opening portion of the interlayer film overlaps a transmission portion of the pixel electrode, and the first substrate, the pixel electrode transmission portion, the liquid crystal layer, the counter electrode, the second substrate, And the light passing through the first optical path sequentially passing through the second substrate, the counter electrode, and the liquid crystal layer, and being reflected by the pixel electrode reflection portion to be reflected by the liquid crystal layer, the counter electrode, and the second substrate. And re-pass the second
At least one of the light that has passed through the optical path is used for display, and the interlayer film has a phase difference between light before and after passing through the first optical path and phase difference between light before and after passing through the second optical path. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness is set.