JP2001142078A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display device which has a light-shielding spacer on one of the inner faces of a pair of substrates and which realizes both of good display performance and high yield. SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display device 1 is equipped with a pair of substrates 2, 3 disposed facing each other and having electrode layers 19, 32 on the respective inner faces, a light-shielding spacer 20 to keep the gap between the substrates 2, 3 constant and formed on one inner face of the pair of substrates 2, 3, and a liquid crystal layer 4 held between the pair of substrates 2, 3. The spacer 20 contains a pigment and a plurality of kinds of polymers having different glass transition points.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device having a spacer formed on one of opposing surfaces of a pair of substrates so as to keep the distance between the substrates constant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display device has a structure in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of substrates having electrode layers formed on respective opposing surfaces. In such a liquid crystal display device, since it is necessary to keep the distance between the pair of substrates uniform, generally,
Particles such as plastic beads having a uniform particle size are scattered as spacers between these substrates.

[0003] However, such particulate spacers contaminate the production line when they are sprayed on the substrate, thus causing defects. Further, when the particles are aggregated or when the dispersion density is not uniform, the distance between the substrates cannot be made uniform. Furthermore, when the particles are located in the pixel portion, poor alignment of liquid crystal molecules occurs in the vicinity thereof.

Therefore, instead of using the above-described particulate spacer, a columnar body is formed as a spacer on any of the opposing surfaces of the substrate by using a photolithography technique. According to this method, since it is not necessary to perform the above-described spraying, it is possible to prevent the production line from being contaminated with particles. Further, since the spacer can be formed at a desired position, the distance between the substrates does not become uneven. Furthermore, if the columnar spacer is formed so as to have a forward tapered cross section, the rubbing treatment can be performed on the side surface of the spacer, so that the above-described alignment failure can be suppressed.

[0005] By the way, the columnar spacer is mainly composed of a light-transmitting polymer. Recently, it has been proposed to make the columnar spacer light-shielding by adding a pigment to the polymer. When the columnar spacer is made to have a light-shielding property, even if an alignment defect occurs near the spacer, it hardly affects the display performance. Therefore, it is considered that good display performance can be realized.

However, using such a light-shielding columnar body as a spacer still has the following problems.

As described above, the light-shielding property is imparted to the columnar spacers by adding a pigment to the polymer. The formation of such a light-shielding spacer is performed, for example, using a resist material obtained by mixing a negative photosensitive resin and a pigment, and when a thin film made of this resist material-a resist film-is subjected to pattern exposure. Light is absorbed in the surface area and does not reach deep. That is, only the surface region of the resist film is cured. As a result, the development process of the resist film after exposure proceeds like an isotropic etching using the cured surface area as a mask, and even the resist material immediately below the cured surface area is partially etched. .

For this reason, the columnar spacer manufactured by such a method has a shape in which the central portion is constricted like a drum, and its cross-sectional shape is partially inversely tapered. Therefore, in the case where the columnar spacer is made light-shielding, in order to enable rubbing treatment to the side surface of the columnar spacer, it is necessary to heat after development and deform the spacer so that the cross-sectional shape becomes a forward tapered shape. No. That is, it is desired that the columnar spacer immediately after development can be appropriately deformed by heating.

However, such spacers generally have low mechanical strength and may be destroyed during rubbing. That is, when the columnar spacer is made to have a light-shielding property, it is difficult to form a spacer having sufficient mechanical strength into a desired shape, and therefore, either the display performance or the yield is sacrificed.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a light-shielding spacer on one of opposing surfaces of a pair of substrates, and has good display performance and high yield. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of realizing both at the same time.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and comprises a pair of substrates arranged opposite to each other and provided with an electrode layer on each of the opposing surfaces; A light-blocking spacer formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the substrates to keep the distance between the pair of substrates constant; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein the spacers are made of pigment and glass, respectively. Provided is a liquid crystal display device comprising a plurality of polymers having different transition points.

Further, the present invention provides a pair of substrates which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces, and a distance between the pair of substrates formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates. A light-shielding spacer for keeping constant, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein the spacer contains a coloring pigment, 3 to 20% by weight of an extender and a polymer. A liquid crystal display device is provided.

Further, the present invention provides a pair of substrates, which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces, and a distance between the pair of substrates formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates. A light-shielding spacer that keeps constant, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, the spacer includes:
A liquid crystal display device comprising a pigment and a polymer having an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40,000.

The present invention also provides a pair of substrates, which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces, and a distance between the pair of substrates formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates. A light-shielding spacer that keeps constant, a peripheral light-shielding layer formed on the surface of the pair of substrates on which the spacer is formed so as to shield the peripheral edge thereof, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. Wherein the spacer and the peripheral light-shielding layer contain 20% by mass to 35% by mass of a pigment and a polymer.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. First, a structure common to the liquid crystal display devices (hereinafter, referred to as LCDs) according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an LCD according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. L shown in FIG.
The CD 1 is a TN type liquid crystal display device capable of color display, and includes an active matrix substrate
And a liquid crystal layer 4 interposed between the liquid crystal layer 4 and the counter substrate 3. Note that the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 is usually sandwiched between a pair of polarizing plates, and a light source is disposed on the back side.

The active matrix substrate 2 has a transparent substrate 11 made of glass or the like. On one main surface of the transparent substrate 11, the scanning lines 12 formed in a matrix are formed.
And a signal line 13, and a thin film transistor (hereinafter, referred to as a TFT) 14 as a switching element. As shown in FIG. 1, the TFT 14 can be composed of, for example, a scanning line 12, a semiconductor layer 15 made of amorphous silicon or the like, a signal line 13, and an electrode 16. In this case, the scanning line 12 also serves as a gate electrode, a part of the semiconductor layer 15 forms a channel, and a part of the signal line 13 and the electrode 16 form a source / drain.

On the surface of the transparent substrate 11 on which the TFTs 14 and the like are formed, a passivation film 1 made of an insulator is further provided.
7, a color filter layer 18, and a pixel electrode 19 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO are sequentially formed.
The color filter layer 18 corresponds to each pixel electrode 19,
Usually, it is composed of three color regions of R, B and G. Also,
A through hole 23 is formed in the color filter layer 18 and the passivation film 17, and the pixel electrode 19 is electrically connected to the electrode 16 via the through hole 23.

On the pixel electrode 19, a light-shielding projection 20 as a spacer and an alignment film 21 are sequentially formed.
Further, a peripheral light-shielding layer 22 which is generally called a frame is formed on a peripheral portion of the transparent substrate 11. The alignment film 21 can be made of a transparent resin generally used for the alignment film, such as polyimide. The alignment film 21 has been subjected to an alignment process such as a rubbing process.

The opposing substrate 3 has a transparent substrate 31 made of glass or the like. On one main surface of the transparent substrate 31,
A common electrode 32 and an alignment film 33 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO are sequentially formed. Like the alignment film 21,
The alignment film 33 can also be made of a transparent resin generally used for the alignment film, such as polyimide, for example, and is subjected to an alignment process such as a rubbing process.

The liquid crystal layer 4 is made of a liquid crystal material.
The liquid crystal material can further contain an additive such as a chiral agent, in addition to the liquid crystal compound or a liquid crystal composition obtained by mixing a plurality of types of liquid crystal compounds.

The substrates 2 and 3 are fixed around the periphery thereof with an adhesive 35 or a sealant (not shown), and form a closed space between them. As the adhesive 35, for example, a thermosetting or ultraviolet curable acrylic or epoxy adhesive is used. The liquid crystal material fills a space formed by the substrates 2 and 3, the adhesive 35, and the sealant,
The liquid crystal layer 4 is formed. An electrode transfer material (transfer: not shown) made of silver paste or the like is arranged in the peripheral portion of the substrate, so that a voltage can be applied to the common electrode 32 of the counter substrate 3 from the active matrix substrate 2 side. .

The LCDs 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention have substantially the same structure except that the composition of the light-shielding projections 20 is different. Hereinafter, the protrusion 20
Will be described for each embodiment.

In the LCD 1 according to the first embodiment,
The light-shielding projection 20 contains a pigment and a plurality of types of polymers having different glass transition points. As described above, when a simple mixture of a pigment and a photosensitive resin is used as the resist material, it is difficult to form a spacer having sufficient mechanical strength into a desired shape. The present inventors have paid attention to the fact that the glass transition point of a polymer is correlated with mechanical strength and heat deformability. That is, in general, when a polymer having a high glass transition point is used, a high mechanical strength tends to be obtained, and when a polymer having a low glass transition point is used, a high thermal deformability tends to be obtained. When the projections 20 are formed using a resist material containing a photosensitive resin containing a plurality of types of polymers having different glass transition points, it is possible to easily satisfy both requirements of mechanical strength and thermal deformability. It becomes possible.

This photosensitive resin may contain any kind of polymer as long as it has a different glass transition point, and a polymer having a glass transition point of 170 ° C. or less and a polymer having a glass transition point of 80 ° C. or more are used. And a polymer. When a resist material containing such a photosensitive resin is used, the above-described effects are remarkable.

The above-mentioned photosensitive resin can contain various compounds contained in the photosensitive resin generally used for a resist material, in addition to the above-mentioned polymer. For example, the above-described photosensitive resin usually contains, in addition to the above-mentioned polymer, a compound having higher reactivity such as a monomer or dimer thereof, that is, a compound which imparts photocurability to a resist material.

This resist material contains a pigment in addition to the photosensitive resin. This pigment has protrusions 2
There is no particular limitation as long as it imparts a light-shielding property to 0 and maintains the projections 20 insulative. Usually, however, a color pigment, particularly a black pigment or a mixture of R, G, and Y pigments, is used. Pigments that exhibit black color alone or in combination are used.

The above-described resist material contains a polymer having a higher glass transition point, for example, a polymer having a glass transition point of 100 ° C. or higher, so that the concentration in the projected portion 20 after curing is 15% by mass or less. , And more preferably 10% by mass or less. In addition, the resist material preferably contains a polymer having a lower glass transition point, for example, a polymer having a glass transition point of less than 100 ° C., so that the concentration in the protrusions 20 after curing becomes 2% by mass or more. More preferably, it is contained in an amount of 3% by mass to 5% by mass. In general, when the concentration of a polymer having a higher glass transition point or the concentration of a polymer having a lower glass transition point is within the above range, the balance between mechanical strength and heat deformability becomes good.

Next, the projection 20 of the LCD 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. LC according to the second embodiment
In D1, the light-shielding projection 20 contains a color pigment, 3% to 20% by weight of an extender and a polymer.

The above-mentioned mechanical strength and heat deformability are not determined only by the polymer contained in the projections 20, and pigments have a considerable influence on these properties. Therefore, by controlling the pigment concentration in the protrusion 20, the mechanical strength and the heat deformability can be changed.
However, when the concentration of the coloring pigment in the projections 20 is greatly changed, even the light shielding properties of the projections 20 are changed.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the projections 20 contain an extender. The extender is a white pigment such as barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and titanium oxide. When the projection 20 contains a white pigment, the light incident on the projection 20 is reflected by the surface of the extender, and the reflected light is absorbed by the coloring pigment. Therefore, even if the extender 20 contains an extender pigment, the protrusion 2
The light shielding property of 0 is hardly affected. That is,
The mechanical strength and the thermal deformability can be controlled without substantially affecting the light-shielding property of the projection 20.

In the present embodiment, the concentration of the extender contained in the projection 20 is 3% by mass to 20% by mass. If the concentration of the extender is less than 3% by mass, the effect of improving the mechanical strength of the projection 20 cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the concentration of the extender exceeds 20% by mass, the thermal deformability of the projection 20 becomes insufficient.

In the present embodiment, the sum of the concentrations of the coloring pigment and the extender contained in the projections 20 is preferably 40% by mass or less, and more preferably 25% by mass to 40% by mass. By setting the sum of the above concentrations within the above range, it is possible to easily satisfy both requirements of mechanical strength and thermal deformability.

In this embodiment, the protrusion 20
Can be formed using a resist material containing a color pigment, an extender pigment, and a photosensitive resin. The concentration of the extender pigment in the resist material is 3% by mass or more during curing.
It is necessary to adjust so as to be 20% by mass.

In the present embodiment, the color pigment used for the resist material is not particularly limited as long as it imparts a light-shielding property to the projections 20 and maintains the projections 20 insulative. Or a mixture of R, G, and Y pigments, which are used alone or in combination, and exhibit a black color. In the embodiment, as the photosensitive resin, for example, a photosensitive resin generally contained in a resist material can be used.

Next, the projection 20 of the LCD 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. LC according to the third embodiment
In D1, the light-shielding projection 20 contains a pigment and a polymer having an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40,000. Here, the average molecular weight is a weight average molecular weight.

The thermal deformability of the projection 20 differs depending on the average molecular weight even when the same type of polymer is used. That is, the heat deformability tends to be low when the average molecular weight of the polymer is high, and to be high when the average molecular weight of the polymer is low. Furthermore, the effect of the polymer on the mechanical strength is considered to be based solely on its molecular structure, but in reality, the molecular weight of the polymer also has a large effect on the mechanical strength.

The present inventors have examined the relationship between the molecular weight of the polymer and the mechanical strength and thermal deformability based on such findings, and found that the protrusion 20 had an average molecular weight of 15,000.
It has been found that sufficient mechanical strength can be obtained when the above polymer is contained, and sufficient thermal deformability can be obtained when a polymer having an average molecular weight of 40,000 or less is contained. In other words, when the pigment concentration is set to a degree that a sufficient light-shielding property can be obtained, if the projections 20 contain a polymer having an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40,000, it is easy to satisfy the requirements of both mechanical strength and heat deformability. Becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that all kinds of polymers contained in the protrusion 20 have an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40,000. In this case, the above-described effects become remarkable.

In this embodiment, the projections 20 can be formed using, for example, a resist material containing a pigment and a photosensitive resin containing a polymer having an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40,000. Generally, the average molecular weight of the photosensitive resin increases with curing, but does not increase dramatically. Therefore, by using such a resist material, the average molecular weight is approximately 15,000 to 400.
The protrusion 20 containing the polymer No. 00 can be formed.

In the present embodiment, the pigment used for the resist material is not particularly limited as long as it imparts a light-shielding property to the projection 20 and maintains the projection 20 insulative.
Usually, a color pigment, in particular, a black pigment or a mixture of R, G, and Y pigments that are used alone or mixed to give a black color is used. Further, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive resin may contain various compounds contained in the photosensitive resin generally used for a resist material, in addition to the polymer described above.

Next, the projection 20 of the LCD 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. LC according to the fourth embodiment
In D1, the light-shielding projection 20 is 20% by mass to 3%.
Contains 5% by weight of pigment and polymer. In the LCD 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the peripheral light-shielding layer 2
2 also contains 20% by mass to 35% by mass of a pigment and a polymer.

The protrusion 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 both have a light-shielding property, and have substantially the same composition. Therefore, by simultaneously forming the projection 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. However, in this case, not only the requirement regarding the mechanical strength and the thermal deformability of the protrusion 20 but also the requirement regarding the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 must be satisfied at the same time. That is, the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 is required to have a sufficient light-shielding property even if it is as thin as the height of the protrusion 20.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, both the projections 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 contain the pigment at a concentration of 20% by mass to 35% by mass. Pigment concentration 20% by mass
If it is above, sufficient light-shielding properties can be obtained even if the thickness of the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 is almost the same as the height of the protrusion 20.
In addition, the requirement regarding the mechanical strength of the projection 20 can be satisfied. When the concentration of the pigment is 35% by mass or more, sufficient heat deformability can be realized. That is, the projection 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 can be simultaneously formed using the same resist material containing a pigment and a photosensitive resin.

In the present embodiment, the pigment used for the resist material is not particularly limited as long as it imparts light-shielding properties to the projections 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 and maintains them insulative. Pigments, especially black pigments and R,
Pigments that exhibit black color alone or as a mixture, such as a mixture of G and Y pigments, are used. In the embodiment, as the photosensitive resin, for example, a photosensitive resin generally contained in a resist material can be used.

As in the above-described fourth embodiment, the first to first embodiments
Also in the LCD 1 according to the third embodiment, it is preferable to form the projection 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 at the same time. In this case, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the projections 20 are usually formed in the shape of a column or a bump. However, if the liquid crystal material can be injected between the substrates 2 and 3, the projections 20 are formed in the shape of a wall. It may be formed. Further, it is more preferable that the protrusion 20 be formed in a non-pixel region than in a pixel region corresponding to the pixel electrode 19. In this case, a higher aperture ratio can be realized. Furthermore, the above-mentioned first to first
In the fourth embodiment, the protruding portion 20 is formed on the active matrix substrate 2, but the protruding portion 20 is formed on the opposing substrate 3.
May be formed on both the active matrix substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3. In the first to fourth embodiments, the projections 2 are formed using a negative resist material.
Although 0 was formed, a positive resist material can also be used.

In the first to fourth embodiments,
LCD1 is TN type, but STN type, GH type, ECB
Other display modes, such as a type and a type using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, can also be adopted. Further, the LCD 1
It is not limited to the transmission type, but may be a reflection type.

In the first to fourth embodiments,
Although the active matrix driving method is employed, a simple matrix driving method may be employed. That is, the pixel electrode 19, the common electrode 32, the scanning line 12, the signal line 13, and the T
Instead of forming the FT 14 or the like, a plurality of strip-shaped electrode layers may be formed on the opposing surfaces of the substrates 2 and 3 so as to be orthogonal to each other between the substrates.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the color filter layer 18 is provided on the active matrix substrate 2, but may be provided on the counter substrate 3. Also, the first
LCD 1 according to the fourth embodiment has a color filter layer 1
Although the LCD 1 is a full-color type, when the LCD 1 is a monochrome type, the color filter layer 18 does not always need to be provided.

[0051]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Example 1 The LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured by the following method. First, by repeating film formation and patterning on one main surface of a Corning # 1737 glass substrate 11 having a thickness of 0.7 mm, the scanning lines 12, the signal lines 13, and the TFTs 14 whose channels are made of amorphous silicon are formed. Etc. were formed.

Next, after a passivation film 17 is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 on which the TFTs 14 and the like are formed, an ultraviolet curable acrylic resin manufactured by Fuji Hunt Technology and having a red pigment dispersed therein is formed on the passivation film 17. A resist was applied using a spinner, and the resist film was subjected to pattern exposure corresponding to red pixels by using a photomask. This exposure includes a wavelength of 365.
The exposure amount was 100 mJ / cm ² using light of nm.
Thereafter, the exposed resist film is washed with a TMAH aqueous solution for 50 minutes.
By developing for 2 seconds, a red (R) color area was formed.

In the same manner, the passivation film 1
By forming a green (G) color region and a blue (B) color region on 7 and baking them at 230 ° C. for 1 hour,
A 3.0 μm-thick color filter layer 18 having R, B, and G color regions was formed. At this time, through holes 23 were also formed in the color filter layer 18 and the like.

Next, an ITO film was formed on the color filter layer 18 by a sputtering method, and the pixel film 19 was formed by patterning the ITO film. Note that the pixel electrode 19 and the TFT 14 are electrically connected via the through hole 23.

Next, on the surface of the substrate 11 on which the pixel electrodes 19 were formed, a resist material containing a coloring pigment and a photosensitive resin was applied to a thickness of 6.0 μm using a spinner. As the resist material, a photosensitive material manufactured by Fuji Hunt Technology, which contains a mixture of R, G, and Y pigments, an acrylic epoxy polymer having a glass transition point of 90 ° C., and a hydrophilic acrylic epoxy polymer having a glass transition point of 130 ° C. Carbonless black resin was used. After the resist film thus formed was dried at 90 ° C. for 10 minutes, pattern exposure was performed using a photomask in which openings of a predetermined pattern were formed. In this exposure, light having a wavelength of 365 nm was used, and the exposure amount was 500 mJ / cm ² . Thereafter, the exposed resist film was developed using an alkaline aqueous solution having a pH of 11.5, and was further baked at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to form a 5.0 μm-thick columnar spacer 20 and a peripheral light-shielding layer 22. When the columnar spacer 20 thus formed was examined, the columnar spacer 20 had a forward tapered cross-sectional shape.

Thereafter, AL-1051 manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd. was applied to the surface of the substrate 11 on which the columnar spacers 20 were formed to form a thin film having a thickness of 500 angstroms. The film 21 was formed. During this rubbing treatment, the columnar spacer 2
0 was not destroyed. As described above, the active matrix substrate 2 was obtained.

Next, a 0.7 mm-thick Corning # 17 having a common electrode 32 made of ITO on one main surface.
A 37 glass substrate 31 was prepared, and an alignment film 33 was formed on the surface of the glass substrate 31 on which the common electrode 32 was formed by the same method as that for the alignment film 21 described above. As described above, the opposing substrate 3 was obtained.

Thereafter, an adhesive 35 is printed on the peripheral portion (excluding the portion corresponding to the injection port) of the surface of the counter substrate 3 on which the alignment film 33 is formed, and an electrode transfer electrode (not shown) provided around the adhesive 35. The silver paste was placed on top. Next, the active matrix substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are overlapped so that the alignment films 21 and 33 face each other and the rubbing directions of the alignment films 21 and 33 are orthogonal to each other. By curing 35, a liquid crystal cell was formed by laminating them.

Next, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by an ordinary method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curable resin.
As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor alignment was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Also, the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22
Has a sufficient light-shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing an LCD 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that FIG.
1 is different from the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 only in that a color filter layer 18 is provided on the counter substrate 3 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 is not provided on the active matrix substrate 2. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The LCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured by the following method. First, by repeating film formation and patterning on one main surface of a Corning # 1737 glass substrate 11 having a thickness of 0.7 mm, the scanning lines 12, the signal lines 13, and the TFTs 14 whose channels are made of amorphous silicon are formed. Etc. were formed.

Next, a passivation film 17 was formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 on which the TFTs 14 and the like were formed. At this time, a through hole 23 was also formed in the passivation film 17. Thereafter, an ITO film was formed on the passivation film 17 by a sputtering method, and the pixel electrode 19 was formed by patterning the ITO film. Note that the pixel electrode 19 and the TFT 14 are electrically connected via the through hole 23.

Next, on the surface of the substrate 11 on which the pixel electrodes 19 were formed, a resist material containing a coloring pigment and a photosensitive resin was applied to a thickness of 6.0 μm using a spinner. This resist material has a black pigment and a glass transition point of 80.
An ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin resist containing a polymer having a temperature of 110 ° C. and a polymer having a glass transition point of 110 ° C. was used. The resist film thus formed is heated at 90 ° C. for 10
After drying for minutes, pattern exposure was performed using a photomask in which an opening of 12 μmφ was formed. In this exposure, light having a wavelength of 365 nm was used, and the exposure amount was 200 mJ.
/ Cm ² . Then, the exposed resist film is adjusted to pH 1
Development was carried out using an alkaline aqueous solution of 1.5. The columnar body formed as described above had a columnar shape whose center was constricted.

The columnar body was heated to 220 ° C. to deform it into a bump-like shape, and the temperature was held for 60 minutes to completely cure the columnar body on the bump. As described above, the columnar spacer 20 having the forward tapered cross-sectional shape was formed.

Thereafter, AL-1051 manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd. is applied to the surface of the substrate 11 on which the columnar spacers 20 are formed to form a thin film having a thickness of 500 angstroms. The film 21 was formed. During this rubbing treatment, the columnar spacer 2
0 was not destroyed. As described above, the active matrix substrate 2 was obtained.

Next, the color filter layer 18 is formed on one main surface.
# 1737 glass substrate 31 manufactured by Corning and having a thickness of 0.7 mm on which a common electrode 32 made of ITO and ITO is sequentially formed.
Was prepared, and an alignment film 33 was formed on the surface of the glass substrate 31 on which the common electrode 32 was formed by the same method as that for the alignment film 21 described above. As described above, the opposing substrate 3 was obtained.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal cell was formed in the same manner as described in Example 1, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by a usual method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curing resin. As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor orientation was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Further, it was confirmed that the columnar spacer 20 had a sufficient light shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

Example 3 The LCD shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 were formed by the following method.
1 was produced. That is, after the pixel electrode 19 and the like are formed on one main surface of the substrate 11 by the same method as that described in Embodiment 1, the surface of the substrate 11 where the pixel electrode 19 is formed is
A resist material containing a color pigment, an extender pigment, and a photosensitive resin was applied to a thickness of 6.0 μm using a spinner.
As the resist material, a photosensitive carbonless black resin manufactured by Fuji Hunt Technology Inc. containing 22% by mass of a mixture of R, G and Y pigments and 5% by mass of titanium oxide as an extender was used.

The resist film thus formed was subjected to the same processing as described in Example 1 to form a 5.0 μm-thick columnar spacer 20 and a peripheral light-shielding layer 22. When the columnar spacer 20 thus formed was examined, the columnar spacer 20 had a forward tapered cross-sectional shape.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal cell was formed in the same manner as described in Example 1, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by a usual method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curing resin. As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor alignment was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Also, the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22
Has a sufficient light-shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

Example 4 An LCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the columnar spacer 20 was formed by the method described below. That is, the substrate 11 is formed in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
After the pixel electrode 19 and the like are formed on one main surface of the
A resist material containing a coloring pigment, an extender pigment, and a photosensitive resin was applied to the surface on which the one pixel electrode 19 was formed to a thickness of 6.0 μm using a spinner. As the resist material, an ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin resist containing 25% by mass of a black pigment and 10% by mass of barium sulfate as an extender was used.

The resist film thus formed was subjected to the same processing as shown in Example 2 to form a columnar spacer 20 having a bump-like shape.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal cell was formed in the same manner as described in Example 2, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by a usual method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curing resin. As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor alignment was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Further, it was confirmed that the columnar spacer 20 had a sufficient light shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

Embodiment 5 The LCD shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 except that the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 are formed by the following method.
1 was produced. That is, after the pixel electrode 19 and the like are formed on one main surface of the substrate 11 by the same method as that described in Embodiment 1, the surface of the substrate 11 where the pixel electrode 19 is formed is
A resist material containing a color pigment and a photosensitive resin was applied to a thickness of 6.0 μm using a spinner. As the resist material, a photosensitive carbonless photosensitive resin manufactured by Fuji Hunt Technology, which contains a mixture of R, G, and Y color pigments, an acrylic epoxy polymer having an average molecular weight of 35,000, and a hydrophilic acrylic polymer having an average molecular weight of 25,000. Black resin was used.

The resist film thus formed was subjected to the same processing as shown in Example 1 to form a 5.0 μm-thick columnar spacer 20 and a peripheral light-shielding layer 22. When the columnar spacer 20 thus formed was examined, the columnar spacer 20 had a forward tapered cross-sectional shape. The average molecular weight of the polymer species contained in the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 was in the range of 15,000 to 40,000.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal cell was formed by the same method as described in Example 1, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by a usual method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curable resin. As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor orientation was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Also, the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22
Has a sufficient light-shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

Example 6 An LCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the columnar spacer 20 was formed by the method described below. That is, the substrate 11 is formed in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
After the pixel electrode 19 and the like are formed on one main surface of the
A resist material containing a color pigment and a photosensitive resin is applied to the surface on which the first pixel electrode 19 is formed by using a spinner by 6.0.
It was applied to a thickness of μm. As the resist material, an ultraviolet curable acrylic resin resist containing a black pigment and a polymer having an average molecular weight of 25,000 was used.

The resist film thus formed was subjected to the same processing as that shown in Example 2 to form a columnar spacer 20 having a bump-like shape. The average molecular weight of the polymer species contained in the columnar spacer 20 was in the range of 15,000 to 40,000.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal cell was formed in the same manner as described in Example 2, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by a usual method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curing resin. As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor orientation was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Further, it was confirmed that the columnar spacer 20 had a sufficient light shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

Example 7 The LCD shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the columnar spacers 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22 were formed by the following method.
1 was produced. That is, after the pixel electrode 19 and the like are formed on one main surface of the substrate 11 by the same method as that described in Embodiment 1, the surface of the substrate 11 where the pixel electrode 19 is formed is
A resist material containing a color pigment and a photosensitive resin was applied to a thickness of 6.0 μm using a spinner. As the resist material, a mixture of R, G, and Y color pigments is used.
A photosensitive carbonless black resin manufactured by Fuji Hunt Technology and contained at a concentration of mass% was used.

The resist film thus formed was subjected to the same processing as that shown in Example 1 to form a 5.0 μm thick columnar spacer 20 and a peripheral light-shielding layer 22. When the columnar spacer 20 thus formed was examined, the columnar spacer 20 had a forward tapered cross-sectional shape.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal cell was formed in the same manner as described in Example 1, a liquid crystal material was injected into the liquid crystal cell by a usual method, and the injection port was sealed with an ultraviolet curing resin. As described above, the LCD 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured.

When the display performance of the LCD 1 manufactured by the above-described method was examined, no deterioration in image quality due to poor orientation was confirmed, and extremely high display performance was realized. Also, the columnar spacer 20 and the peripheral light-shielding layer 22
Has a sufficient light-shielding property.

Further, the LCD shown in FIG.
Production of No. 1 was repeated. As a result, an extremely high yield could be realized.

[0098]

As described above, according to the present invention, a light-shielding spacer is formed on one of the opposing surfaces of a pair of substrates using a resist material having a predetermined composition. By using the composition, both the mechanical strength and the heat deformability of the light shielding spacer can be improved. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to form the light-shielding spacer into a desired shape and to prevent the light-shielding spacer from being destroyed due to the alignment treatment.

That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device having a light-shielding spacer on one of the opposing surfaces of a pair of substrates and capable of simultaneously realizing good display performance and high yield. You.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal display device according to first to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display device; 2 ... Active matrix substrate; 3 ... Counter substrate 4 ... Liquid crystal layer; 11, 31 ... Transparent substrate; 12 ... Scanning line 13 ... Signal line; 14 ... Thin film transistor;
... semiconductor layer 16 ... electrode; 17 ... passivation film; 18
... Color filter layer 19 ... Pixel electrode; 20 ... Protrusion; 21,33 ...
Alignment film 22: Peripheral light shielding layer; 23: Through hole; 32
... common electrode 35 ... adhesive

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Yamamoto 1-9-2 Harara-cho, Fukaya-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Fukaya Plant (72) Inventor Hitoshi Hato 1-9-1-2 Harara-cho, Fukaya-shi, Saitama No. F-term in Toshiba Fukaya Plant (reference) 2H089 LA09 LA14 MA01X MA04X PA02 PA07 QA02 QA12 TA09 TA12 TA13

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A pair of substrates, which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces, and a light shield formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates to maintain a constant distance between the pair of substrates. A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein the spacer contains a pigment and a plurality of polymers each having a different glass transition point. 2. The spacer has a glass transition point of 170.
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display device contains a polymer having a glass transition point of 80 ° C or higher. 3. The spacer has a glass transition point of 100.
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising a polymer having a temperature of not less than 15 ° C. at a concentration of 15% by mass or less. 4. A pair of substrates, which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer on each of the opposing surfaces, and a light shield formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates to maintain a constant distance between the pair of substrates. And a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein the spacer contains a coloring pigment, 3 to 20% by weight of an extender and a polymer. Display device. 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4, wherein the sum of the concentrations of the coloring pigment and the extender contained in the spacer is 40% by mass or less. 6. A pair of substrates which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces, and a light-shielding member formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates to keep a constant distance between the pair of substrates. And a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. The spacer has a pigment and an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40.
A liquid crystal display device comprising 000 polymers. 7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6, wherein the spacer contains only a polymer having an average molecular weight of 15,000 to 40,000 as a polymer species. 8. The image forming apparatus further comprises a peripheral light-shielding layer formed on a surface of the pair of substrates on which the spacer is formed, so as to shield a peripheral portion thereof, wherein the spacer and the peripheral light-shielding layer are made of the same material. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein: 9. A pair of substrates, which are disposed to face each other and have an electrode layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces, and a light-shielding member formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates to keep a constant distance between the pair of substrates. A spacer, a peripheral light-shielding layer formed on the surface of the pair of substrates on which the spacers are formed to shield the peripheral edge thereof, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. 20% by mass to 35% by weight of the spacer and the peripheral light-shielding layer.
A liquid crystal display device comprising: a pigment and a polymer by mass%. 10. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 9, wherein the spacer and the peripheral light-shielding layer are made of the same material. 11. One of the pair of substrates has a scanning line, a signal line, a switching element connected to the scanning line and the signal line, and a pixel electrode connected to the switching element on an opposing surface thereof. 2. The active matrix substrate, wherein the other of the pair of substrates is a counter substrate having a common electrode on its opposing surface. 3.
0. The liquid crystal display device according to any one of 0. 12. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the active matrix substrate further includes a color filter layer on a surface facing the active matrix substrate.