JP2006178113A - Electro-optical device, substrate for the electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a substrate size, by reducing the length of an edge along which external circuit connection terminals are aligned, while retaining the areas of individual external circuit connection terminals, in an electrooptical device, such as a liquid crystal device. <P>SOLUTION: Each of a plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a shape, containing a portion of which the width in the aligning direction is wider than the aligning pitch, and the external circuit connection terminals are arranged in a staggered configuration, in a direction intersecting the aligning direction so as not to mutually overlap, as seen in two dimensions on the substrate. Alternatively, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a shape, containing a portion of which the width in the aligning direction is wider than the aligning pitch, and the external circuit connection terminals do not mutually overlap, as seen in the two dimensions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device, a substrate for an electro-optical device used for manufacturing the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus such as a liquid crystal projector including the electro-optical device. .

  In this type of electro-optical device, a display electrode such as a pixel electrode, a data line driving circuit for driving the electrode, a circuit unit such as a scanning line driving circuit, and the like are provided along one side thereof. A plurality of external circuit connection terminals are arranged. An external circuit is connected to the plurality of external circuit connection terminals via a flexible connector or an FPC connection.

  Such a plurality of external circuit connection terminals are usually arranged in a row in the vicinity of the edge on one side of the substrate along the arrangement direction thereof (see Patent Document 1). Therefore, a length equal to or larger than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals along the arrangement direction × the number of terminals is required for one side of the substrate. In other words, there is an essential limit on the number of external circuit connection terminals that can be arranged on one side of the substrate with respect to its length.

JP 2002-91333 A

  However, in order to perform higher-quality image display, it is desired to provide a larger number of lead wires and a larger number of external circuit connection terminals connected to these. Furthermore, in order to perform higher-quality image display, for various circuits for inspection purposes such as inspection circuits, inspection patterns, inspection terminals, etc., near the same side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged It is also desirable to arrange them. Furthermore, since the external circuit connection terminal is connected to a flexible connector or the like, it is not desirable to unnecessarily reduce the area. In addition, if the distance between the adjacent external circuit connection terminals is too narrow, adjacent technical lines are likely to cause short-circuiting between the wirings, that is, device defects are likely to occur and the manufacturing yield is reduced. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to reduce the length of the side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal, and to reduce the substrate size. It is an object of the present invention to provide a possible electro-optical device, a substrate for an electro-optical device used to manufacture such an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus including such an electro-optical device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the first electro-optical device of the present invention includes a display electrode disposed in an image display region on a substrate, and at least one of wiring and a circuit for driving the display electrode. A plurality of lead-out wires led out from at least one of the wires and circuits to a peripheral region located around the image display region, and connected to the plurality of lead-out wires, respectively. A plurality of external circuit connection terminals arranged, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals being wider in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. The plurality of external circuit connection terminals are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction so as not to overlap each other in plan view on the substrate.

  According to the electro-optical device of the present invention, during the operation, an image signal, a clock signal, various control signals, a power signal, and the like are supplied from an external circuit to at least one of the wiring and the circuit via the external circuit connection terminal. The Here, “at least one of wiring and circuit” according to the present invention refers to a pixel switching thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as “TFT” as appropriate) connected to a pixel electrode as an example of a display electrode. A scanning line or data line connected to an electronic element, this TFT, or the like, and a scanning line driving circuit or data line driving circuit for driving these scanning lines or data lines are formed or attached on a substrate. It means various wirings and circuits. The “display electrode” according to the present invention means various electrodes such as a striped electrode and a segmented electrode in addition to the pixel electrode. In other words, the driving method of the electro-optical device is not limited to the active matrix driving method, and various driving methods such as a passive matrix driving method and a segment driving method can be considered.

  Here, particularly in the present invention, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a shape including a portion whose width in the arrangement direction is wider than their arrangement pitch. Therefore, if they are arranged in a straight line in the arrangement direction, a plurality of external circuit connection terminals overlap each other in a plan view, for example, are electrically short-circuited, and supply mutually different signals. It cannot function as a terminal for However, in the present invention, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction so as not to overlap each other in plan view. For example, two adjacent external circuit connection terminals among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are alternately shifted in the direction intersecting the arrangement direction. In other words, they are arranged in a staggered pattern along the arrangement direction. Or, for example, they are arranged as a plurality of rows along the arrangement direction. Accordingly, it is possible to almost eliminate the plurality of external circuit connection terminals from overlapping each other, from being short-circuited to each other, or from being short-circuited to each other due to slight defects or manufacturing errors. In other words, more external circuit connection terminals can be arranged in the peripheral area on the substrate having a limited width so as not to short-circuit each other. That is, it is possible to arrange more external circuit connection terminals while ensuring a relatively large area of each external circuit connection terminal such as a connection pad. Therefore, a large number of external circuit connection terminals are arranged near the center of the one side along one side of the peripheral area, and various circuits such as an inspection circuit, a test pattern, and a test terminal are arranged near the end of the one side. Etc. can be made with a margin. In addition, it is not necessary to unnecessarily widen the width of the one side while ensuring a wide image display area, and the entire electro-optical device can be downsized.

  As described above, according to the first electro-optical device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the length of the side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal. Reduction is possible.

  In one aspect of the first electro-optical device of the present invention, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are alternately displaced in the direction intersecting the arrangement direction along the arrangement direction.

  According to this aspect, two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other among a plurality of external circuit connection terminals are overlapped with each other, short-circuited with each other, or short-circuited with each other due to slight defects or manufacturing errors. Can be eliminated relatively easily. Note that “while alternately shifting in the direction intersecting the arrangement direction along the arrangement direction” typically means that, for example, a plurality of external circuit connection terminals are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the arrangement direction. Means.

  In another aspect of the first electro-optical device of the present invention, the plurality of connection portions are arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals, and the plurality of connection portions are the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. Are further provided with flexible connectors respectively connected thereto.

  According to this aspect, unlike a normal flexible connector, the flexible connector has a plurality of connection portions arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily connect the plurality of specially arranged connection portions in the first electro-optical device and the external circuit through the flexible connector.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the second electro-optical device of the present invention includes a display electrode disposed in an image display region on a substrate, and at least one of wiring and a circuit for driving the display electrode. A plurality of lead-out wires led out from at least one of the wires and circuits to a peripheral region located around the image display region, and connected to the plurality of lead-out wires, respectively. A plurality of external circuit connection terminals arranged, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals being wider than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. And has a shape that does not overlap each other when viewed in plan on the substrate.

  According to the second electro-optical device of the present invention, the operation is the same as in the case of the first electro-optical device described above.

  Here, particularly in the present invention, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals includes a portion whose width in the arrangement direction includes a portion wider than the arrangement pitch and does not overlap each other in plan view. Therefore, if they are arranged in a straight line in the arrangement direction, a plurality of external circuit connection terminals overlap each other in a plan view, for example, are electrically short-circuited, and supply mutually different signals. It cannot function as a terminal for However, in the present invention, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a shape that does not overlap each other when seen in a plan view. For example, in a plan view, the adjacent external circuit connection terminals are formed in a shape such as a nesting shape or a sign with a slight gap, or a shape that engages or meshes with a slight gap. ing. Accordingly, it is possible to almost eliminate the plurality of external circuit connection terminals from overlapping each other, from being short-circuited to each other, or from being short-circuited to each other due to slight defects or manufacturing errors. In other words, more external circuit connection terminals can be arranged in the peripheral area on the substrate having a limited width so as not to short-circuit each other. That is, it is possible to arrange more external circuit connection terminals while ensuring a relatively large area of each external circuit connection terminal such as a connection pad. Therefore, a large number of external circuit connection terminals are arranged near the center of the one side along one side of the peripheral area, and various circuits such as an inspection circuit, a test pattern, and a test terminal are arranged near the end of the one side. Etc. can be made with a margin. In addition, it is not necessary to unnecessarily widen the width of the one side while ensuring a wide image display area, and the entire electro-optical device can be downsized.

  As described above, according to the second electro-optical device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the length of the side on which the external circuit connection terminals are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal. Reduction is possible.

  In the first electro-optical device of the present invention described above, “the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are shifted in the direction intersecting with the arrangement direction so as not to overlap each other in plan view on the substrate. It is possible to combine the configuration of “having” with the configuration of the second electro-optical device of the invention. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the length of the side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged while more efficiently securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal. In other words, in the second electro-optical device, it is not necessary that the centers of gravity or the centers of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are arranged in a straight line along the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. It may be arranged so as to be shifted in a direction crossing the arrangement direction.

  In one aspect of the second electro-optical device of the present invention, two adjacent external circuit connection terminals of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals have a constant width between each other when viewed in plan on the substrate. A pair of shapes.

  According to this aspect, the two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other have a shape in which the gap between them is a constant width when viewed in plan, in other words, have a complementary shape, so that they overlap each other. It is possible to almost eliminate mutual short-circuits and short-circuits due to slight defects and manufacturing errors. Here, “a pair of shapes having a constant gap between each other” means, for example, one external circuit connection terminal facing a contour portion where one external circuit connection terminal is convex in plan view. Meaning including not only a pair of shapes whose gaps are literally constant width, such as concave contours, but also a pair of shapes that bring the gaps between each other close to a certain width, i.e. It is meant to include a pair of shapes having a substantially constant width. For example, a shape such as a nesting shape, a mark shape, an engagement shape or a meshing shape is included in a pair of shapes having a constant gap between each other. Further, the triangles in the arrangement of the triangles arranged alternately upside down along the arrangement direction are also included in a pair of shapes having a constant width between each other.

  In the aspect in which the two adjacent external circuit connection terminals described above have a pair of shapes with a constant width between each other, the two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are The substrate may have a mirror surface shape with respect to the arrangement direction when viewed in plan on the substrate, and may be arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the arrangement direction.

  With this configuration, it is possible to almost eliminate the fact that two adjacent external circuit connection terminals overlap each other, short-circuit each other, or short-circuit each other due to slight defects or manufacturing errors. It becomes.

  In another aspect of the second electro-optical device of the present invention, the second electro-optical device has a plurality of connection portions having a shape corresponding to the shape of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals, and the plurality of connection portions serve as the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. A flexible connector connected to each other is further provided.

  According to this aspect, unlike the normal flexible connector, the flexible connector has a plurality of connection portions having shapes corresponding to the shapes of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily connect the plurality of specially arranged connection portions in the second electro-optical device and the external circuit through the flexible connector.

  In another aspect of the first or second electro-optical device of the present invention, one of the two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals is a first conductive film of the plurality of lead wires. The other of the two adjacent external circuit connection terminals is connected to the first conductive film through an interlayer insulating film among the plurality of lead wirings. It is connected to a second lead wiring formed from the second conductive film located.

  According to this aspect, the first and second lead wirings that are also arranged close to each other in the arrangement direction because they are connected to adjacent external circuit connection terminals that are arranged relatively close to each other in the arrangement direction. The first and second conductive films are formed in separate layers with an interlayer insulating film interposed therebetween. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of a short circuit between the first and second lead wires that are wired close to each other in plan view. Further, it is possible to increase the width of the wiring lines so that the first and second lead wirings overlap each other in plan view.

In this aspect, the other of the two adjacent external circuit connection terminals is electrically connected to the second lead wiring via a contact hole opened in the interlayer insulating film,
Two adjacent external circuit connection terminals may be formed of the same conductive film as the first or second conductive film.

  If comprised in this way, about the 1st and 2nd lead-out wiring, aligning the height of the surface where the connection parts, such as a flexible connector, are formed about the external circuit connection terminal from the same conductive film. By forming the two conductive films, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit between the wirings.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first electro-optical device substrate of the present invention includes at least a display electrode disposed in an image display region on the substrate, and a wiring and a circuit for driving the display electrode. A plurality of lead wires each led to a peripheral region located around the image display region and at least one of the wires and the circuit, and connected to the plurality of lead wires, respectively, A plurality of external circuit connection terminals arranged in a region, and each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a width in an arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals larger than an arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. The external circuit connection terminals have a shape including a wide portion, and are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction so as not to overlap each other when viewed in plan on the substrate.

  According to the substrate for the first electro-optical device of the present invention, as in the case of the first electro-optical device of the present invention described above, the side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal The length of the substrate can be reduced, and the substrate size can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the second electro-optical device substrate according to the present invention includes at least a display electrode disposed in an image display region on the substrate, and a wiring and a circuit for driving the display electrode. A plurality of lead wires each led to a peripheral region located around the image display region and at least one of the wires and the circuit, and connected to the plurality of lead wires, respectively, A plurality of external circuit connection terminals arranged in a region, and each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a width in an arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals larger than an arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. It has a shape that includes a wide portion and does not overlap each other when viewed in plan on the substrate.

  According to the substrate for the second electro-optical device of the present invention, as in the case of the second electro-optical device of the present invention described above, the side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal. The length of the substrate can be reduced, and the substrate size can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described electro-optical device according to the present invention (including various aspects thereof).

  Since the electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described electro-optical device according to the present invention, a video of a television, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, a word processor, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type capable of displaying a high-quality image. Various electronic devices such as a tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, a touch panel, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copy, and a facsimile using an electro-optical device as an exposure head can be realized. In addition, as the electronic apparatus of the present invention, for example, an electrophoretic device such as electronic paper, an electron emission device (Field Emission Display and Conduction Electron-Emitter Display), and the like can be realized.

  Such an operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a driving circuit built-in type TFT active matrix driving type liquid crystal device, which is an example of the electro-optical device of the present invention, is taken as an example.
<First Embodiment>
The electro-optical device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

  First, the overall configuration of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the electro-optical device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H ′ in FIG. 1.

  1 and 2, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, a TFT array substrate 10 and a counter substrate 20 are disposed to face each other. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, and the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are provided with a sealing material 52 provided in a seal region positioned around the image display region 10a. Are bonded to each other.

  In FIG. 1, a light-shielding frame light-shielding film 53 that defines the frame area of the image display region 10a is provided on the counter substrate 20 side in parallel with the inside of the seal region where the sealing material 52 is disposed. A data line driving circuit 101 and an external circuit connection terminal 102 are provided along one side of the TFT array substrate 10 in a region located outside the sealing region in which the sealing material 52 is disposed in the peripheral region. The sampling circuit 301 is provided so as to be covered with the frame light-shielding film 53 on the inner side of the seal region along the one side. Further, the scanning line driving circuit 104 is provided so as to be covered with the frame light-shielding film 53 inside the seal region along two sides adjacent to the one side. On the TFT array substrate 10, vertical conduction terminals 106 for connecting the two substrates with the vertical conduction material 107 are arranged in regions facing the four corner portions of the counter substrate 20. Thus, electrical conduction can be established between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  In FIG. 2, on the TFT array substrate 10, a laminated structure in which wirings such as a pixel switching TFT (Thin Film Transistor) as a driving element, a scanning line, and a data line are formed. In the image display area 10a, a pixel electrode 9a is provided in an upper layer of wiring such as a pixel switching TFT, a scanning line, and a data line. On the other hand, a light shielding film 23 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 20 facing the TFT array substrate 10. A counter electrode 21 made of a transparent material such as ITO is formed on the light shielding film 23 so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes 9a.

  Next, the arrangement of the external circuit connection terminals will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining the arrangement of the external circuit connection terminals of the electro-optical device according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a part of the arrangement of the external circuit connection terminals of the electro-optical device according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 has a width ΔW in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 larger than the arrangement pitch ΔP of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102. The external circuit connection terminals 102 have a shape including a wide part, and the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 are in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) so as not to overlap each other when viewed in plan on the TFT array substrate 10. They are offset.

  Due to such a configuration, the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment is driven by the external circuit connection terminal 102 and the scanning line drive from the external circuit connected to the external circuit connection terminal 102 via the FPC or the like. Various signals such as a clock signal CLY, control signals DIRY, DY (L), power supply signals VDDY, and VSSY are supplied to the scanning line driving circuit 104 via the circuit wiring 120. In parallel with this, various signals such as a clock signal CLX, control signals DIRX and DX, power supply signals VDDX and VSSX, and an image signal VIDEO are transmitted from an external circuit via the external circuit connection terminal 102 and the data line driving circuit wiring 130. Is supplied to the data line driving circuit 101. Thus, the scanning signal is supplied to the pixel portion by the scanning line driving circuit 104 via the scanning line 3a, and the image signal VIDEO is supplied to the pixel portion via the data line 6a by the data line driving circuit 101 and the sampling circuit 301. Then, the active matrix driving is performed by driving the liquid crystal layer 50 in each pixel portion.

  A plurality of scanning lines 3 a and data lines 6 a are wired in the image display area 10 a on the TFT array substrate 10 so as to cross each other. The pixel portions arranged in a matrix in the image display area 10a are each, for example, a pixel electrode 21 provided for each pixel, and an image signal VIDEO that has a gate connected to the scanning line 3a and is supplied from the data line 6a. Are provided for each pixel, and are selectively supplied to the pixel electrode 21 in accordance with a scanning signal supplied from the scanning line 3a.

  Particularly in the electro-optical device according to this embodiment, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 has a shape including a portion where the width ΔW in the arrangement direction is wider than the arrangement pitch ΔP. Therefore, if they are arranged in a straight line in the arrangement direction, a plurality of external circuit connection terminals overlap each other in a plan view, for example, are electrically short-circuited, and supply mutually different signals. It cannot function as a terminal for However, in the present embodiment, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) so as not to overlap each other when seen in a plan view. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the arrangement direction so as not to overlap in plan view. However, it may be arranged as a plurality of rows along the arrangement direction instead of staggered. Therefore, it is possible to almost eliminate the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 from being overlapped with each other, short-circuited to each other, or short-circuited to each other due to slight defects or manufacturing errors. In other words, more external circuit connection terminals 102 can be arranged in the peripheral region on the TFT array substrate 10 having a limited width so as not to short-circuit each other.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, a large number of external circuit connection terminals 102 are arranged near the center of one side in the form along one side (the lower side in FIG. 3) of the peripheral region, so that it is near the end of the one side. The inspection circuit or pattern 109 is arranged with a margin. At this time, it is not necessary to unnecessarily widen the width of the one side while ensuring a large image display area 10a, and the entire electro-optical device can be downsized.

  As a result, according to the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the length of the side where the external circuit connection terminals 102 are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal 102, and the substrate size. Can be reduced.

  Next, a flexible connector provided in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the flexible connector provided in the electro-optical device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the flexible connector according to the modification.

  In FIG. 5, the flexible connector 110 includes a plurality of connection portions 112 formed on the flexible wiring board 115 and connected to a plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 (see FIG. 3), and the plurality of connection portions 112. A plurality of external circuit connection wirings 111 for connecting to an external circuit and an insulating film 117 formed so as to cover the plurality of external circuit connection wirings 111 are configured. The plurality of connection portions 112 are arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 (see FIG. 3). That is, the plurality of adjacent connection portions 112 are arranged so as to be shifted in the direction intersecting with the arrangement direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) and arranged in two rows along the arrangement direction.

  Since it is configured in this way, the flexible connector 110 has a plurality of connection portions 112 arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 (see FIG. 3), unlike a normal flexible connector. . Therefore, the electrical connection between the plurality of specially arranged connection portions 112 and the external circuit in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment can be satisfactorily achieved through the flexible connector 110.

  The end of the insulating film 117 on the side where the plurality of connection portions 112 are provided is formed straight along the arrangement direction of the plurality of connection portions 112 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. There is no need to be.

For example, as shown as a modified example in FIG. 6, the end of the insulating film 117 on the side where the plurality of connection portions 112 are provided is formed in a shape along the plurality of connection portions 112 when viewed in plan, and the external circuit connection wiring 111 is formed. Further, it may be covered. In this way, an electrical short circuit between the plurality of adjacent connection portions 112 and the plurality of external circuit connection wirings 111 can be prevented.
Second Embodiment
An electro-optical device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment relates to various specific examples of the planar layout or planar pattern of the external circuit connection terminals 102.

  First, a specific example in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view having the same concept as FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, regarding a specific example of the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the electro-optical device according to the specific example of the second embodiment in FIG. 7, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 each have a width ΔW in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. It has a shape that includes a portion wider than the arrangement pitch ΔP and does not overlap each other when viewed in plan on the TFT array substrate 10. More specifically, each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 has a triangular shape, and adjacent external circuit connection terminals 102 are alternately arranged upside down with a slight gap so as not to overlap each other. Has been. That is, the two external circuit connection terminals 102 adjacent to each other have a shape in which the gap between them is substantially constant when viewed in plan or a shape approaching the constant width, in other words, a complementary shape.

  About another structure, it is the same structure as 1st Embodiment mentioned above.

  As described above, according to the specific example of the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment, the length of the side where the external circuit connection terminals 102 are arranged is reduced while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal 102. Thus, the size of the TFT array substrate 10 can be reduced. At this time, the external circuit connection terminals 102 having a shape in which the gap between them has a substantially constant width or a shape close to the constant width, in other words, complementary circuit shapes 102 overlap each other, are short-circuited with each other, It is possible to almost eliminate short-circuits due to slight defects and manufacturing errors.

  The shapes of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 according to the present embodiment may be as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 as various other specific examples, in addition to the specific example formed as described above. Here, FIGS. 8 to 11 are enlarged views having the same concept as FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, regarding various other specific examples of the second embodiment.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8 as another specific example, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 may be formed in a shape that meshes with a slight gap therebetween. In addition, for example, in a plan view, the adjacent external circuit connection terminals 102 may be in a nesting shape or a sign shape with a slight gap, or a shape that engages or meshes with a slight gap. , May be formed.

  As shown in FIG. 9 as another specific example, the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 do not need to have their centroids or centers arranged in a straight line along their arrangement direction. Similarly, it may be displaced in the direction intersecting the arrangement direction. More specifically, they may be arranged in a staggered pattern so as to be shifted in a direction crossing the arrangement direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10 as another specific example, they may be arranged so as to be shifted in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction in a circular form.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, they may be arranged in an octagonal form and shifted in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction.

  According to the second embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the length of the side on which the external circuit connection terminals 102 are arranged while securing the area of each external circuit connection terminal 102 more efficiently. .

  Next, the flexible connector 110 included in the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of the flexible connector according to this embodiment having the same concept as in FIGS. 5 and 6.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the flexible connector 110 included in the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment is connected to a plurality of external circuit connections in the same manner as the flexible connector (see FIG. 5) included in the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment. A plurality of connection portions 112 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal 102 is provided. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to satisfactorily connect the plurality of specially arranged connection portions 112 and the external circuit through the flexible connector 110.
<Modification>
A modification of the electro-optical device according to the first or second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an SS ′ sectional view and a TT ′ sectional view in FIG. 3 in this modification. In FIG. 13, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the electro-optical device according to this modification, the external circuit connection terminals 102a and 102b among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals 102 (see FIG. 3) are adjacent to each other. The external circuit connection terminal 102a is connected to the first lead wiring 140a formed from the first conductive film among the plurality of lead wirings 140 (see FIG. 3), and the external circuit connection terminal 102b is connected to the interlayer insulating film 43. And is connected to a second lead-out wiring 140b formed from a second conductive film located in a different layer from the first conductive film.

  More specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 13, on the TFT array substrate 10, the base insulating film 12, the first interlayer insulating film 41, the second interlayer insulating film 42, the third interlayer insulating film 43, and the fourth are sequentially formed. An interlayer insulating film 44 is laminated in this order. A second lead wiring 140 b is formed from the second conductive film laminated on the second interlayer insulating film 42. From the first conductive film laminated on the third interlayer insulating film 43, the first lead wiring 140a and the external circuit connection terminal 102 are formed. The surface of the interlayer insulating film 43 is subjected to a planarization process such as CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing). However, such a planarization process may not be performed.

  As described above, since the plurality of interlayer insulating films and the conductive films are laminated on the TFT array substrate 10 as described above, other conductive films and semiconductor films, etc., which are further laminated between these layers are utilized. It is possible to make various circuits such as TFTs in the image display area on the TFT array substrate 10 by using this, and at the same or different occasions, the lead-out wiring 140 and the external circuit connection terminal 102 are made. It becomes possible.

  In the electro-optical device according to this modification, the first lead-out wiring 140a and the second lead-out wiring 140 connected to the external circuit connection terminals 102a and 102b are the third as an example of the “interlayer insulating film” according to the present invention. The first and second conductive films are formed in separate layers with the interlayer insulating film 43 interposed therebetween. Therefore, even when the first lead-out wiring 140a and the second lead-out wiring 140b are wired close to each other in plan view, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which a short circuit between the wirings occurs. Further, it is possible to increase the wiring width of both the first lead wiring 140a and the second lead wiring 140b so as to overlap each other in plan view.

  In particular, in this modification, the external circuit connection terminal 102b is electrically connected to the second lead-out wiring 140b through the contact hole 20b opened in the third interlayer insulating film 43, and two adjacent external terminals are connected. Both the circuit connection terminals 102a and 102b are formed of the same conductive film as the first conductive film. The two adjacent external circuit connection terminals 102a and 102b may be formed of the same conductive film as the first conductive film.

Therefore, by forming the external circuit connection terminal 102 from the same conductive film, the first lead wiring 140a and the second lead wiring 140b are aligned with the height of the surface to which the connection portion such as the flexible connector is connected. By forming the two conductive films, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit between the wirings.
<Electronic equipment>
Next, the case where the liquid crystal device which is the above-described electro-optical device is applied to various electronic devices will be described.

  First, a projector using this liquid crystal device as a light valve will be described. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the projector. As shown in FIG. 14, a lamp unit 1102 including a white light source such as a halogen lamp is provided inside the projector 1100. The projection light emitted from the lamp unit 1102 is separated into three primary colors of RGB by four mirrors 1106 and two dichroic mirrors 1108 arranged in the light guide 1104, and serves as a light valve corresponding to each primary color. The light enters the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G.

  The configurations of the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G are the same as those of the liquid crystal device described above, and are driven by R, G, and B primary color signals supplied from the image signal processing circuit. The light modulated by these liquid crystal panels enters the dichroic prism 1112 from three directions. In this dichroic prism 1112, R and B light is refracted at 90 degrees, while G light travels straight. Accordingly, as a result of the synthesis of the images of the respective colors, a color image is projected onto the screen or the like via the projection lens 1114.

  Here, paying attention to the display images by the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G, the display image by the liquid crystal panel 1110G needs to be horizontally reversed with respect to the display images by the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B.

  Note that since light corresponding to the primary colors R, G, and B is incident on the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G by the dichroic mirror 1108, it is not necessary to provide a color filter.

  Next, an example in which the liquid crystal device is applied to a mobile personal computer will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of this personal computer. In FIG. 15, a computer 1200 includes a main body 1204 provided with a keyboard 1202 and a liquid crystal display unit 1206. The liquid crystal display unit 1206 is configured by adding a backlight to the back surface of the liquid crystal device 1005 described above.

  Further, an example in which the liquid crystal device is applied to a mobile phone will be described. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of this mobile phone. In FIG. 16, a mobile phone 1300 includes a reflective liquid crystal device 1005 together with a plurality of operation buttons 1302. In the reflective liquid crystal device 1005, a front light is provided on the front surface thereof as necessary.

  In addition to the electronic devices described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a work Examples include a station, a videophone, a POS terminal, a device equipped with a touch panel, and the like. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to these various electronic devices.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. An electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an electro-optical device according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of H-H 'of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the arrangement of external circuit connection terminals of the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment. The enlarged view which shows a part of arrangement | sequence of the external circuit connection terminal of the electro-optical apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a flexible connector provided in the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating another example of the configuration of the flexible connector provided in the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view of the same meaning as FIG. 4 in 1st Embodiment based on one specific example of 2nd Embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view of the same meaning as FIG. 4 in 1st Embodiment based on the other specific example of 2nd Embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view of the same meaning as FIG. 4 in 1st Embodiment based on the other specific example of 2nd Embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view of the same meaning as FIG. 4 in 1st Embodiment based on the other specific example of 2nd Embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view of the same meaning as FIG. 4 in 1st Embodiment based on the other specific example of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the same meaning as FIG. 5 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 4 is an S-S ′ sectional view and a T-T ′ sectional view in FIG. 3 according to a modification of the first or second embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the projector which is an example of the electronic device to which the electro-optical apparatus is applied. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a personal computer as an example of an electronic apparatus to which an electro-optical device is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile telephone which is an example of the electronic device to which the electro-optical apparatus is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... TFT array substrate, 3a ... Scanning line, 6a ... Data line, 9a ... Pixel electrode, 10a ... Image display area, 20 ... Counter substrate, 21 ... Counter electrode, 41, 42, 43, 44 ... Interlayer insulation layer, 50 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Liquid crystal layer, 52 ... Sealing material, 53 ... Frame light shielding film, 101 ... Data line drive circuit, 102, 102a, 102b ... External circuit connection terminal, 104 ... Scanning line drive circuit, 106 ... Vertical conduction terminal, 110 ... Flexible connector 111 ... External circuit connection wiring, 112 ... Connection portion, 115 ... Flexible wiring board, 117 ... Insulating film, 120 ... Scanning line driving wiring, 130 ... Data line driving wiring, 140, 140a, 140b ... Lead wiring, 301 ... Sampling circuit

Claims (12)

On the board
Display electrodes arranged in the image display area;
At least one of wiring and circuit for driving the display electrode;
A plurality of lead wires each led out from at least one of the wires and circuits to a peripheral region located around the image display region;
A plurality of external circuit connection terminals respectively connected to the plurality of lead wires and arranged in the peripheral region;
Each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a shape including a portion where the width in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals is wider than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals,
The electro-optical device, wherein the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are shifted in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction so as not to overlap each other when viewed in plan on the substrate.   2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are alternately displaced in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction along the arrangement direction.   A plurality of connection portions arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals, and further comprising a flexible connector in which the plurality of connection portions are respectively connected to the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. The electro-optical device according to claim 1. On the board
Display electrodes arranged in the image display area;
At least one of wiring and circuit for driving the display electrode;
A plurality of lead wires each led to a peripheral region located around the image display region from at least one of the wires and circuits;
A plurality of external circuit connection terminals respectively connected to the plurality of lead wires and arranged in the peripheral region;
Each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals includes a portion in which the width in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals is wider than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals, and is viewed in plan on the substrate. An electro-optical device characterized by having shapes that do not overlap each other.   The two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals have a pair of shapes with a constant width between each other when viewed in plan on the substrate. 5. The electro-optical device according to 4.   Two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals have a mirror surface shape with respect to the arrangement direction when viewed in plan on the substrate, and are mutually in the arrangement direction. The electro-optical device according to claim 5, wherein the electro-optical device is displaced.   A plurality of connection portions having shapes corresponding to the shapes of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals, and further comprising a flexible connector in which the plurality of connection portions are respectively connected to the plurality of external circuit connection terminals. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.   One of two external circuit connection terminals adjacent to each other among the plurality of external circuit connection terminals is connected to a first lead wiring formed of a first conductive film among the plurality of lead wirings, and the phase adjacent The other of the two external circuit connection terminals is connected to a second lead wiring formed from a second conductive film located in a different layer from the first conductive film through an interlayer insulating film among the plurality of lead wirings. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the electro-optical device is provided. The other of the two adjacent external circuit connection terminals is electrically connected to the second lead wiring via a contact hole opened in the interlayer insulating film,
The electro-optical device according to claim 8, wherein the two adjacent external circuit connection terminals are formed of the same conductive film as the first or second conductive film. On the board
Display electrodes arranged in the image display area;
At least one of wiring and circuit for driving the display electrode;
A plurality of lead wires each led to a peripheral region located around the image display region from at least one of the wires and circuits;
A plurality of external circuit connection terminals respectively connected to the plurality of lead wires and arranged in the peripheral region;
Each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals has a shape including a portion in which the width in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals is wider than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals,
The substrate for an electro-optical device, wherein the plurality of external circuit connection terminals are shifted in a direction crossing the arrangement direction so as not to overlap each other when viewed in plan on the substrate. On the board
Display electrodes arranged in the image display area;
At least one of wiring and circuit for driving the display electrode;
A plurality of lead wires each led to a peripheral region located around the image display region from at least one of the wires and circuits;
A plurality of external circuit connection terminals respectively connected to the plurality of lead wires and arranged in the peripheral region;
Each of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals includes a portion in which the width in the arrangement direction of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals is wider than the arrangement pitch of the plurality of external circuit connection terminals, and is viewed in plan on the substrate. A substrate for an electro-optical device having a shape that does not overlap with each other. An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1.

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