JP2004198586A - Electrooptical device, electronic equipment, and substrate for electrooptical device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate for display with which the uniformity of a screen can be improved by suppressing uneven cell thickness. <P>SOLUTION: On a light shielding region W of a second substrate 53b, a light shielding pattern 80 with a thickness nearly equal to that of a light shielding layer 70 is formed at the time when the light shielding layer 70 is formed. On the light shielding pattern 80, a dummy layer 81 with thickness nearly equal to that of a color filter is formed with a period of a definite distance L from a protruding part a in the case the color filter is formed. Owing to the light shielding pattern 80 and the dummy layer 81 positioned on the light shielding region W, a protruding part b with a shape nearly the same as that of the protruding part a is formed on a surface of an overcoat layer 66 with a period nearly equal to that of the protruding part a. As a result, unevenness caused by the cell thickness variation can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal display device, a substrate used for the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus using the electro-optical device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art There is generally known a liquid crystal display device having a configuration in which a pair of substrates made of a glass substrate or the like are bonded together with a sealant interposed therebetween, and liquid crystal is sealed between the two substrates. Further, a liquid crystal display device including a color filter corresponding to a plurality of colors such as R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is also known. In this type of liquid crystal display device, a color image is provided to an observer by emitting light transmitted through a color filter to an observation side.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-201799
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the apparatus disclosed in the above document, the surface of one substrate 10 on which the color filter film 11 is formed has a partial enlarged view shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the substrate 10 is divided into an effective display area V for displaying a color image and a light-shielding area W located outside the area V.
In the effective display area V on the substrate 10, a lattice-shaped light-shielding layer 12 that shields the gap between the pixels, and R, G, and B color filters 11R and 11G that overlap the light-shielding layer 12 near the edge. , 11B. Under this configuration, in order to flatten the steps formed by the color filters 11R, 11G, 11B and the light shielding layer 12, an overcoat layer 13 covering these elements is generally provided.
[0005]
However, even if the overcoat layer 13 is provided, a periodic projection A is generated on the surface due to the light-shielding layer 12 and the color filter film 11 formed in the effective display area V on the substrate 10. There is.
The periodic projections A occur only in the effective display area V, and do not occur in the light shielding area W. For this reason, the cell gap dimension between the substrate 10 and the opposing substrate (not shown) is slightly different between the effective display region V and the light-shielding region W, resulting in uneven cell thickness. was there.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and has as its object to provide an electro-optical device, an electronic apparatus, and a substrate for an electro-optical device that can suppress unevenness in cell thickness.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, an electro-optical device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an electro-optical device having an electro-optical material between a pair of substrates opposed to each other, and An on-substrate element that is provided in an effective display area where an image is displayed on a surface facing the optical material and has a portion that protrudes from the surface of the substrate at a substantially constant cycle; and A projection provided in an area other than a display area, the projection having a portion projecting from the surface of the substrate at a cycle substantially the same as the cycle of the projection of the element on the substrate; and the projection provided on the one substrate. An overcoat layer covering the substrate element and the protrusion.
[0008]
As described above, by providing protrusions in a region other than the effective display region at a period substantially the same as the period of the protruding portion of the element on the substrate, the gap dimension between the substrates can be made uniform, and the cell thickness becomes uneven. Can be reduced.
[0009]
In the above configuration, the on-substrate elements are a plurality of color filters each corresponding to a different color, and the protruding portion of the on-substrate element is a portion where adjacent color filters overlap with each other. I do.
[0010]
In the above configuration, the on-substrate element includes a plurality of color filters respectively corresponding to different colors, and a light-shielding layer provided at a boundary between the color filters,
The protruding portion of the element on the substrate is a portion where the light shielding layer and the color filter overlap.
[0011]
The electro-optical device having the above configuration is provided in a region other than the effective region of the substrate, and includes a peripheral light-shielding layer having substantially the same thickness as the color filter. It is characterized by being provided on a surface.
[0012]
An electronic apparatus having the electro-optical device having the above configuration as a display unit.
[0013]
The electro-optical device substrate employed in the present invention includes a substrate that sandwiches an electro-optical material between other substrates disposed opposite to each other, and an image displayed on a surface of the substrate facing the electro-optical material. An element on the substrate that is provided in the effective display area to be provided and has a portion that protrudes from the surface of the substrate at a substantially constant period, and the element on the substrate that is provided in an area other than the effective display area of the substrate. A projecting portion having a portion projecting from the surface of the substrate at substantially the same cycle as the projecting portion; and an overcoat layer provided on the substrate and covering the on-substrate element and the projecting portion. It is characterized by doing.
As described above, by providing protrusions in a region other than the effective display region at a period substantially the same as the period of the protruding portion of the element on the substrate, the gap dimension between the substrates can be made uniform, and the cell thickness becomes uneven. Can be reduced.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of display device>
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment.
This liquid crystal display device 51 has a pair of substrates 53a and 53b bonded together by a sealing material 52. In a space surrounded by these substrates 53a and 53b and the sealing material 52, as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal is sealed to form a liquid crystal layer L. The cell gap, which is the gap between the substrates 53a and 53b, is maintained at a constant size by spherical spacers 67 distributed between the two substrates.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the surface of the first substrate 53a, a plurality of linear line wirings 56 are arranged in a stripe shape in parallel with each other, and each line wiring 56 has a pixel via a TFD element 57. An electrode 54 is formed. By forming the line wiring 56 in a stripe shape, the pixel electrodes 54 are arranged in a dot matrix shape. An alignment film 58a is formed on the surface of the first substrate 53a on which the pixel electrodes 54 are formed, as shown in FIG.
[0016]
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the structures of the pixel electrode 54 and the TFD element 57 are schematically shown larger than the actual size for the sake of simplicity, and the spacing between adjacent ones is larger than the actual size. It is schematically shown with a gap.
[0017]
The first substrate 53a has a substrate overhang 59a projecting outside the second substrate 53b, and a liquid crystal driving IC 61a is mounted on the surface of the substrate overhang 59a by an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) 65. That is, a COG (Chip On Grass) method is implemented. Then, each line wiring 56 extends to the outside of the sealing material 52, and the front end thereof is connected to a terminal of the liquid crystal driving IC 61a, that is, a bump (not shown).
[0018]
On the surface of the second substrate 53b, a plurality of linear opposing electrodes 62 are arranged in stripes in parallel with each other. These opposing electrodes 62 are formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the line wiring 56 on the first substrate 53a, and are formed so as to oppose each pixel electrode 54.
[0019]
The second substrate 53b has a substrate overhang 59b projecting outside the first substrate 53a, and a liquid crystal driving IC 61b is mounted on the surface of the substrate overhang 59b by the ACF 65. Then, each counter electrode 62 extends to the outside of the sealing material 52, and the tip thereof is connected to a terminal of the liquid crystal driving IC 61b, that is, a bump (not shown).
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, a transflective plate 63 is formed on the surface of the second substrate 53b, a color filter film 64 is formed thereon, and an overcoat layer 66 is formed thereon. The above-mentioned electrodes 62 are formed on the overcoat layer 66, and an alignment film 58b is formed on those electrodes 62.
[0021]
A retardation plate 68a is provided on the outer surface of the first substrate 53a, and a polarizing plate 69a is further provided thereon. Further, a retardation plate 68b is provided on the outer surface of the second substrate 53b, and a polarizing plate 69b is further provided thereon. An illumination device 72 that functions as a backlight is disposed at a position facing the outer surface of the second substrate 53b provided with the transflective plate 63.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, a region where the pixel electrode 54 and the counter electrode 62 face each other forms one dot. The above-described color filter film 64 is arranged corresponding to each dot. Then, one pixel is formed by dots corresponding to the three colors of R, G, and B.
[0023]
In the figure, a scanning signal is supplied to a pixel electrode 54 via a liquid crystal driving IC 61a and a line wiring 56, and a liquid crystal driving IC 61b supplies a data signal to a counter electrode 62. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal within the plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix is controlled.
[0024]
In FIG. 2, when the area around the liquid crystal display device 51 is bright, external light incident from the first substrate 53a is reflected by the semi-transmissive reflection plate 63 and supplied to the liquid crystal layer L. When the surroundings of the liquid crystal display device 51 are dark, the illumination layer L emits light, and the light is transmitted to the liquid crystal display device 51 through the transflective plate 63. The light thus supplied to the liquid crystal layer L is modulated for each pixel by the liquid crystal whose alignment is controlled for each pixel, whereby an image is displayed outside the first substrate 53a.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, an area defined by a plurality of pixel electrodes 54 arranged in a matrix is a drive area, that is, an effective display area V, and images such as characters and numerals are displayed in the effective display area V. . Further, a light shielding area W is formed outside the effective display area V. The light-shielding region W increases the contrast of pixels displayed in the effective display area V by darkening the periphery of the effective display area V and reducing the light transmittance.
[0026]
Next, the shape of the surface of the second substrate 53b on which the color filter film 64 is formed will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the substrate 53b is divided into an effective display area V for displaying a color image and a light-shielding area W located outside the area V as described above.
In the effective display area V on the substrate 53b, a lattice-shaped light-shielding layer 70 that shields the gap between the pixels, and R, G, and B color filters 64R and 64G that overlap the light-shielding layer 70 near the edges. , 64B. Under this configuration, an overcoat layer 66 that covers these elements is provided to flatten the steps formed by the color filters 64R, 64G, and 64B and the light-shielding layer 70.
A projection a is formed on the surface of the overcoat layer 66 at a predetermined distance L in the effective display region V due to the influence of the light shielding layer 70 and the color filter film 64.
[0027]
When the light-shielding layer 70 is formed, a light-shielding pattern 80 having substantially the same thickness as that of the light-shielding layer 70 is formed in the light-shielding region W of the second substrate 53b. When the color filter is formed, a dummy layer 81 having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the color filter is formed every time a predetermined distance L is separated from the protrusion a (that is, substantially the same period).
[0028]
The shapes of the light-shielding pattern 80 and the dummy layer 81 located in the light-shielding region W are substantially equal to the shapes of the light-shielding layer 70 and the color filters 64R, 64G, and 64B located in the effective display region V. As a result, in the light shielding region W, a protrusion b having substantially the same shape as the protrusion a is formed on the surface of the overcoat layer 66 covering the surface of the substrate 53b.
[0029]
According to the present embodiment, in the light shielding region W, the dummy layer 81 having substantially the same thickness as the color filter is formed on the light shielding pattern 80 at each position separated by a certain distance L from the protrusion a. Due to the dummy layer 81 and the light-shielding pattern 80, a protrusion b is also formed in the light-shielding region W. The protruding portions b protrude from the overcoat layer 66 at intervals (a fixed distance L) in which the protruding portions a formed in the effective display area V protrude.
Since the protrusions a and b are formed on the surface of the overcoat layer 66 at each period (constant distance L), the cell gap dimension between the second substrate 53b and the opposing first substrate 53a is reduced. In addition, the effective display area V and the light shielding area W can be aligned, and unevenness due to the cell thickness can be reduced. As a result, fading or discoloration due to uneven cell thickness can be reliably prevented, and a beautiful color image can be provided.
[0030]
<Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following modifications can be considered.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, the light shielding pattern 80 and the dummy layer 81 are used to form the protrusion b in the light shielding region W. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The projection 82 may be formed in the light shielding region W separated from the projection a by a predetermined distance L from the same material as that of the projection 66. The point is that the projections a and b are not limited to the effective display area V or the light-shielding area W and may be formed on the surface of the overcoat layer 66 at intervals of a predetermined distance L.
[0032]
Further, in the above embodiment, the color filter film 64 is composed of the light shielding layer 70 and the R, G, B color filters 64R, 64G, 64B. However, as shown in FIG. , 64G ', and 64B' may be configured to overlap each other in the vicinity of the edge, and in this case, the portion where the color filters overlap serves as a light shielding layer. The protrusion b is formed by a dummy layer 83 formed on the light shielding pattern 80 at a position separated from the protrusion a by a predetermined distance L. The dummy layer 83 is formed of the same material at the same thickness when any one of the color filters 64R ', 64G', and 64B 'is formed.
[0033]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the projection is formed in the effective display area of the substrate by the light-shielding layer and the color filter is exemplified, but the projection is not necessarily limited to the one caused by the color filter and the light-shielding layer. For example, the protrusion may be formed by another element such as a switching element or an electrode provided on the substrate. As described above, the “element on the substrate” in the present invention is not limited to the light-shielding layer and the color filter, but is a concept including all the elements that are provided on the substrate and cause a projection on the surface of the substrate. is there.
[0034]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration for avoiding the non-uniformity of the cell gap caused by the projections generated on the substrate surface on the back side has been exemplified. However, the projections can similarly occur on the substrate on the observation side. Therefore, for example, in a configuration in which the color filter and the light shielding layer are provided on the substrate on the observation side, by providing the dummy layer on the substrate on the observation side, the nonuniformity of the cell gap due to the protrusion on the substrate is reduced. It is good also as a structure which avoids. That is, in the present invention, the substrate provided with the “projection” may be disposed on either the back side or the observation side.
[0035]
As an electro-optical device, in addition to a liquid crystal display device, display is performed by an electro-optical effect using electroluminescence (EL), a digital micromirror device (DMD), fluorescence by plasma emission or electron emission, or the like. The present invention is applicable to various electro-optical devices such as devices. In this case, the electro-optical material is an EL, a mirror device, a gas, a phosphor, or the like.
[0036]
<Electronic equipment>
Next, electronic equipment using the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described.
<Mobile computer>
First, an example in which the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is applied to a display unit of a portable personal computer (so-called notebook computer) will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the personal computer. As shown in the figure, the personal computer 91 includes a main body 912 having a keyboard 911, and a display 913 to which the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is applied.
[0037]
<Mobile phone>
Subsequently, an example in which the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is applied to a display unit of a mobile phone will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mobile phone. As shown in the figure, the mobile phone 92 includes a plurality of operation buttons 921, a receiver 922, a transmitter 923, and a display unit 924 to which the liquid crystal display device according to the invention is applied.
[0038]
Electronic devices to which the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention can be applied include, in addition to the personal computer shown in FIG. 6 and the mobile phone shown in FIG. 7, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type and a monitor direct view type. Video tape recorders, car navigation devices, pagers, electronic organizers, calculators, word processors, workstations, videophones, POS terminals, digital still cameras, and the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal display device using a display substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention in a partially broken state.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view as seen from the direction of arrows II-II in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part, showing a Z part in FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view according to a first modification viewed from the same position as in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modification 2 viewed from the same position as in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a personal computer as an example of an electronic apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone as another example of the electronic apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a display substrate according to the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
51: liquid crystal display device (electro-optical device), 53b: substrate, 66: overcoat layer, 64: color filter film, 64R, 64G, 64B: color filter, 70: Light-shielding layer, 80 ... light-shielding pattern, 81, 83 ... dummy layer, 82 ... projection, a, b ... projection, V ... effective display area, W ... light-shielding area.

Claims (6)

In an electro-optical device having an electro-optical material between a pair of substrates facing each other,
On a substrate which is provided in an effective display area where an image is displayed on a surface of one of the pair of substrates facing the electro-optical material and has a portion projecting from the surface of the substrate at a substantially constant cycle. Elements and
A protrusion provided in a region other than the effective display region of the one substrate, the protrusion having a portion protruding from the surface of the substrate at a cycle substantially the same as the cycle of the protrusion of the element on the substrate;
An electro-optical device comprising: an overcoat layer provided on the one substrate to cover the on-substrate element and the protrusion. The on-substrate elements are a plurality of color filters each corresponding to a different color,
2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion of the element on the substrate is a portion where the adjacent color filters overlap with each other. 3. The element on the substrate includes a plurality of color filters respectively corresponding to different colors, and a light-shielding layer provided at a boundary between the color filters,
2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion of the element on the substrate is a portion where the light shielding layer and the color filter overlap. 3. A peripheral light-shielding layer provided in a region other than the effective region of the substrate and having substantially the same thickness as the color filter,
The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided on a surface of the peripheral light-shielding layer. An electronic apparatus having the electro-optical device according to claim 1 as a display unit. A substrate that sandwiches the electro-optical material between another substrate disposed opposite to the substrate,
An element on a substrate that is provided in an effective display area where an image is displayed on a surface of the substrate facing the electro-optical material and has a portion that protrudes from the surface of the substrate at a substantially constant cycle.
A projection provided in an area other than the effective display area of the substrate, the projection having a portion projecting from the surface of the substrate at a cycle substantially the same as the cycle of the projection of the element on the substrate;
An overcoat layer provided on the substrate and covering the on-substrate element and the protrusion.

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