JP2007148337A - Liquid crystal display apparatus capable of controlling range of viewing angle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display apparatus which is equipped with a transverse electric field type liquid crystal display device and can stably perform viewing angle control. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of common electrodes 14 and signal electrodes 15 for generating a transverse electric field are insulated from each other and provided to the inner surface of one substrate 12 of a liquid crystal display element 10, and a counter electrode 25 made to correspond to the entire area of a plurality of pixels 100 is provided to the inner surface of the other substrate 11. The liquid crystal display element displays an image by generating the transverse electric field between the common electrodes 14 and signal electrodes 15 by a driving means. The displayed image has a wide range of viewing angle and a narrow range of viewing angle when a potential varies in synchronism with variation in potential of a common signal applied to the common electrode 14 and the common signal 14 and viewing angle control signals having predetermined potential differences from the potential of the signal electrodes 15 respectively are selectively applied to the counter electrodes 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a visual field control type liquid crystal display device capable of controlling a range of a visual field angle.

  As a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is sealed between a pair of substrates facing each other with a gap, and among the mutually facing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, the inner surface of one of the substrates is substantially the same as the substrate surface of the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of first and second electrodes for generating a horizontal electric field in a parallel direction are provided to be insulated from each other, and the horizontal electric field generated between the first and second electrodes causes the liquid crystal layer to Some have a horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display element in which a plurality of pixels each having a region in which the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules is controlled are arranged in a matrix in the row direction and the column direction.

  This horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display element generates a horizontal electric field corresponding to image data between first and second electrodes provided on the inner surface of the one substrate, and the orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules (molecular The image is displayed by controlling the direction of the long axis in a plane substantially parallel to the substrate surface, and has a wide field of view.

  On the other hand, for example, in a liquid crystal display device mounted on an electronic device such as a mobile phone, the display field of view is a wide field of view and a narrow field of view so that the display cannot be seen by others other than the user of the liquid crystal display device. Viewing angle controllability that can be switched to is required.

The field-of-view type liquid crystal display device provided with the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display element has conventionally been provided with the other substrate of the liquid crystal display element, that is, the first and second electrodes for generating a horizontal electric field. A third electrode facing one of the first and second electrodes is provided on the inner surface of the substrate facing one substrate, and between one of the first and second electrodes and the third electrode. By applying a voltage having the same value as the voltage corresponding to the image data to be applied between the first and second electrodes or a voltage having a value 1 / n of the voltage corresponding to the image data, There is one in which a potential line is distorted and liquid crystal molecules are aligned in an alignment state corresponding to the distortion of the equipotential line to narrow the visual field of display (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-30783

  However, the conventional field-of-view liquid crystal display device includes a first electrode on the inner surface of one substrate of the liquid crystal display element and a third electrode on the inner surface of the other substrate. By applying a voltage having the same value as the voltage corresponding to the image data applied between the first and second electrodes or a voltage 1 / n of the voltage corresponding to the image data, the equipotential line of the lateral electric field The display field is narrowed by aligning the liquid crystal molecules in an alignment state corresponding to the distortion of the equipotential lines, so that the field of view varies according to the image data, and stable field control is achieved. I can't do it.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having a lateral electric field type liquid crystal display element and capable of performing stable visual field control.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device comprising: a pair of substrates arranged to face each other with a gap; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the pair of substrates; and an inner surface of the pair of substrates facing each other First and second electrodes which are provided on the inner surface of one of the substrates and are insulated from each other for generating a lateral electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface in the liquid crystal layer, and the inner surface of the other substrate A third electrode provided corresponding to the entire area of the pixel defined by a region in which the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the lateral electric field generated between the first and second electrodes; An image display circuit for supplying a display drive voltage corresponding to image data between the first and second electrodes and generating the lateral electric field between the first and second electrodes, the first electrode and the second electrode The display driver is provided between at least one of the electrodes and the third electrode. A viewing angle control voltage that is different from the voltage and generates a vertical electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer between the electrodes, and the pair of substrates between And a pair of polarizing plates arranged.

  In this liquid crystal display device, of the first and second electrodes provided on the inner surface of the one substrate, the first electrode is formed corresponding to at least the entire area of the pixel, and the second electrode Is formed on the insulating film covering the first electrode so as to have a smaller area than the first electrode and in a shape facing the first electrode at the edge, and Preferably includes a viewing angle control voltage supply circuit for supplying a viewing angle control voltage between the first electrode and a third electrode provided on the inner surface of the other substrate. In this case, the second electrode is preferably made of a comb-shaped conductive film patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb teeth. Alternatively, the second electrode is preferably made of a slit-forming conductive film patterned into a shape having a plurality of slits. Further, alignment films are further formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, and each alignment film obliquely intersects with the length direction of the edge of the second electrode at a predetermined angle. It is desirable that the alignment treatment is performed in the opposite directions along the direction.

  In the liquid crystal display device, it is preferable that the first and second electrodes provided on the inner surface of the one substrate are provided at intervals in a direction along the substrate surface. In this case, the first electrode is composed of a first comb-shaped conductive film patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions, and the second electrode is composed of a plurality of combs of the first comb-shaped conductive film. It is desirable that the second conductive film is formed of a second comb-shaped conductive film patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb tooth portions adjacent to the tooth portions at intervals.

  Furthermore, in this liquid crystal display device, alignment films are further formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, respectively, and each alignment film is in a direction of a lateral electric field generated between the first and second electrodes. It is preferable that the alignment treatments are performed in directions opposite to each other along a direction obliquely intersecting at a predetermined angle.

  Still further, in this liquid crystal display device, alignment films are further formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, respectively, and each alignment film is along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device. Of the pair of polarizing plates, the polarizing plate on the observation side is arranged with its transmission axis substantially parallel to the alignment processing, and the polarizing plate on the opposite side is transparent. It is preferable that the axis be arranged substantially orthogonal or parallel to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate on the observation side.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device comprising: a pair of substrates arranged to face each other with a gap; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the pair of substrates; and an inner surface of the pair of substrates facing each other A plurality of first and second electrodes insulated from each other for generating a lateral electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface in the liquid crystal layer, and the other substrate. The inner surface of each of the plurality of pixels is provided corresponding to the entire area of each of the plurality of pixels defined by the region in which the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the lateral electric field generated between the first and second electrodes. 3, a liquid crystal display element in which the plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix in the row direction and the column direction, and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix in the liquid crystal display element are arranged in the row direction Each image consisting of multiple pixels The potential is applied to the first electrode so as to control the plurality of pixels of the pixel row for each selected pixel row, and is applied to the first electrode for each horizontal period assigned to each pixel row. Of the first signal that changes, a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the first signal, a second signal applied to the second electrode, and a potential of the first signal A third signal selectively applied to the third electrode, the potential changing in synchronization with the change, and having a predetermined potential difference with respect to each of the first signal and the second signal; And a drive circuit for generating

  In this liquid crystal display device, the drive circuit may selectively apply a third signal whose potential changes in an opposite phase to the change in the potential of the first signal to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element. preferable. Alternatively, the driving circuit selectively selects a third signal whose potential changes in the same phase with respect to a change in the potential of the first signal and whose absolute value is different from the potential of the first signal. It is preferable to apply to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element.

  In the liquid crystal display device, the driving circuit includes a first signal generating circuit that generates a first signal whose potential changes every horizontal period, and the first signal generating circuit that generates the first signal for each horizontal period. A second signal generating circuit for generating a second signal for applying to the second electrode a potential that changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to the image data with respect to the potential; and a potential of the first signal. A third signal generating circuit for generating a third signal whose potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase with respect to the change, and a selection for selecting the application of the third signal to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element And means.

  Further, in this liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display element is disposed for each pixel, and has a signal input electrode and an output electrode, and a control electrode for controlling conduction between the input electrode and the output electrode, The control circuit includes a plurality of active elements connected to a scanning line for each row, the input electrode connected to a signal line for each column, and the output electrode connected to a second electrode. Generating a first signal whose potential changes every horizontal period and supplying the first signal to the first electrode of the liquid crystal display element; and for each horizontal period A second signal for generating a voltage at which the potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the potential of the first signal is generated to the second electrode, and the second signal is An image signal generating circuit to be supplied to the signal line, and the one horizontal period A scanning signal generating circuit for generating conduction between the input electrode and the output electrode of the active element of the selected row and supplying the scanning signal to the scanning line; and a potential of the first signal A viewing angle control signal generating circuit for generating a third signal whose potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase with respect to the change, and the supply of the third signal to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element are selected. And a signal selection circuit. In this case, the plurality of active elements include thin film transistors in which a gate electrode is connected to the scanning line, one of a drain electrode and a source electrode is connected to the signal line, and the other is connected to a second electrode. It is desirable that

  Furthermore, in this liquid crystal display device, of the first and second electrodes on the inner surface of one substrate of the liquid crystal display element, the first electrode is formed corresponding to at least the entire area of the pixel, and the second electrode The electrode is preferably formed on the insulating film covering the first electrode so as to have an area smaller than that of the pixel and to face the first electrode at the edge. In this case, the second electrode is preferably made of a comb-shaped conductive film patterned in a comb shape having a plurality of comb teeth. Alternatively, the second electrode is preferably made of a slit-forming conductive film patterned into a shape having a plurality of slits.

  Further, in this liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display elements are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, respectively, define the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules when there is no electric field, and are substantially in the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display element. Of the horizontal alignment films aligned in the opposite directions along the parallel direction and the polarizing plates arranged with the pair of substrates sandwiched therebetween, the polarizing plate on the observation side has its transmission axis aligned with the alignment film. The polarizing plate on the side opposite to the observation side is provided substantially parallel to the treatment, and a pair of polarizing plates provided with the transmission axis substantially orthogonal or parallel to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate on the observation side And a polarizing plate.

  A liquid crystal display device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a liquid crystal layer sealed between a pair of substrates opposed to each other with a gap therebetween, and a horizontal direction in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface of the liquid crystal layer. First and second electrodes for generating an electric field, and a third electrode for generating a vertical electric field in the liquid crystal layer in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer, Controlling the alignment state of the molecules of the liquid crystal layer by the lateral electric field for each pixel defined by the region of the liquid crystal layer whose orientation is controlled by the lateral electric field generated by the first electrode and the second electrode, and Liquid crystal display means for displaying an image by a plurality of pixels, and a display drive signal corresponding to the supplied image data are generated, supplied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and a horizontal drive corresponding to the image data. Image display means for generating an electric field for each of a plurality of pixels, and a viewing angle In response to a viewing angle selection signal for selection, a viewing angle control voltage that is synchronized with the display drive signal and is different from the display drive signal is generated and supplied to the third electrode, and the plurality of pixels are Viewing angle control means for generating a vertical electric field in the liquid crystal layer to limit the range of the viewing angle.

  According to the liquid crystal display device of the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of first electrodes for generating a lateral electric field parallel to the substrate surface and the first electrode are formed on the inner surface of one of the pair of substrates arranged opposite to each other. 2 is provided, and a third electrode for generating a vertical electric field parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer between the substrates is provided on the inner surface of the other opposing substrate. Since the independent vertical electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, a wide viewing angle display is achieved when driven only by the horizontal electric field, and a narrow field display is displayed when driven by both the horizontal electric field and the vertical electric field. It can be done selectively.

  According to the liquid crystal display device of the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first electrodes and a second electrode for generating a lateral electric field parallel to the substrate surface are formed on the inner surface of one substrate of the liquid crystal display element. An electrode is provided, and a third electrode for generating a vertical electric field parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer between the substrates is provided on the opposite substrate surface, and between the first and second electrodes. The first and second signals are supplied, a horizontal electric field corresponding to the image data is applied, and the potential changes to the third electrode in synchronization with the change in the potential of the signal supplied to the first electrode. By applying the third signal, a vertical electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer is applied. Narrow-field display can be selectively performed when driven by both the horizontal electric field and the vertical electric field.

  Furthermore, according to the liquid crystal display device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a transverse electric field parallel to the substrate surface, and the vertical direction parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystal display means provided with a third electrode for generating an electric field, image display means for generating a horizontal electric field corresponding to image data between the first and second electrodes, and a viewing angle are selected. And receiving a viewing angle selection signal of the display, synchronizing with the display driving signal and supplying a viewing angle control voltage different from the display driving signal to the third electrode to generate the vertical electric field in the liquid crystal layer of the pixel, A viewing angle control means for limiting the range of the angle, so that a wide viewing angle display when driven by the horizontal electric field and a narrow field display when driven by both the horizontal electric field and the vertical electric field are provided. It can be done selectively.

(First embodiment)
1 to 15 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic apparatus equipped with a liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 2 is a view of one substrate of a liquid crystal display element of the liquid crystal display device. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display element.

  First, the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The electronic device includes a telephone body 1, a base end pivotally supported by a distal end of the telephone body 1, an open state projecting outward from the telephone body 1 as shown in FIG. It is a foldable mobile phone comprising a lid body 2 that is opened and closed and rotated in an overlapped closed state. A keyboard unit 3 and a microphone unit 4 are provided on the front surface of the telephone body 1 (the overlapping surface of the lid body 2), and a display unit is disposed on the front surface of the lid body 2 (a surface facing the front surface of the telephone body 1 when folded). 5 and a speaker unit 6 are provided.

  Next, a liquid crystal display device will be described. The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment includes a liquid crystal display element 10 disposed in the lid 2 of the mobile phone so as to face the display unit 5, and a driving means 32 (see FIG. 5) for the liquid crystal display element 10. And a surface light source (not shown) that is disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display element 10 from the observation side and that irradiates illumination light toward the liquid crystal display element 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid crystal display element 10 includes a liquid crystal layer 13 made of nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy between a pair of transparent substrates 11 and 12 facing each other with a gap. It is enclosed.

  Of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 11 and 12 facing each other, one substrate, for example, the inner surface of the substrate 12 opposite to the observation side (upper side in FIG. 3), the liquid crystal layer 13 and the substrate 11 surface substantially. A plurality of first transparent electrodes 14 and second transparent electrodes 15 for generating lateral electric fields in parallel directions are provided so as to be insulated from each other.

  The liquid crystal display element 10 is a horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display element including a plurality of pixels 100 arranged in a matrix in a row direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) and a column direction (up-down direction in FIG. 2).

  One pixel 100 in this liquid crystal display element is a region where each second transparent electrode 15 corresponds to the first transparent electrode 14, and is between these first transparent electrode 14 and each second transparent electrode 15. Defined by a region in which the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 13 is controlled by the lateral electric field generated in the step.

  The liquid crystal display element 10 includes a third transparent electrode 25 provided on the inner surface of the other substrate, that is, the observation-side substrate 11 so as to correspond to at least the entire area of each of the plurality of pixels 100.

  Hereinafter, the first transparent electrode 14 is a common electrode, the second transparent electrode 15 is a signal electrode, the third transparent electrode 25 is a counter electrode, and one substrate on which the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 are provided. Reference numeral 12 denotes a pixel substrate, and the other substrate 11 provided with the counter electrode 25 is referred to as a counter substrate.

  Of the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12, the common electrode 14 is formed so as to correspond to at least the entire area of the pixel 100. The signal electrode 15 is formed in a shape having an area smaller than that of the pixel 100 on the interlayer insulating film 24 provided so as to cover the common electrode 14, and its edge portion 15 </ b> C faces the common electrode 14. Yes.

  The liquid crystal display element 10 is an active matrix liquid crystal display element, and includes an active element 16 disposed on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 for each of the plurality of pixels 100 arranged in the matrix. The active element 16 includes a signal input electrode 20 and an output electrode 21, and a control electrode 17 that controls conduction between the input electrode 20 and the output electrode 21, and the control electrode 17 scans each row. The input electrode 20 is connected to the signal line 23 for each column, and the output electrode 21 is connected to the signal electrode 15.

  The active element 16 is a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as TFT), and a gate electrode (control electrode) 17 formed on the substrate surface of the pixel substrate 12 and a substantially entire surface of the pixel substrate 12 covering the gate electrode 17. A gate insulating film 18 formed on the gate insulating film 18, an i-type semiconductor film 19 formed on the gate insulating film 18 so as to face the gate electrode 17, and an n-type semiconductor film on both sides of the i-type semiconductor film 19. A drain electrode (input electrode) 20 and a source electrode (output electrode) 21 are provided via a semiconductor film (not shown).

  The scanning line 22 is formed on the substrate surface of the pixel substrate 12 by connecting the gate electrode 17 of the TFT 16 in each row for each pixel row composed of the plurality of pixels 100 arranged in the row direction. The signal line 23 is provided on the gate insulating film 18 for each pixel column including a plurality of pixels 100 arranged in the column direction, and is connected to the drain electrode 20 of the TFT 16 in each column. ing.

  In addition, a terminal array portion (not shown) that extends outward from the counter substrate 11 is formed at the edge of the pixel substrate 12, and the scanning line 22 and the signal line 23 are connected to the terminal array portion. Are connected to a plurality of scanning line terminals and signal line terminals.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the common electrode 14 is formed of a transparent conductive film 14a provided on the gate insulating film 18 over the entire length of each pixel row. The conductive film 14 a is connected to each of a plurality of common electrode terminals provided in the terminal array portion of the pixel substrate 12.

  In this embodiment, the conductive film 14a includes a plurality of rectangular electrode portions 14b corresponding to the entire area of each pixel 100 in the pixel row, and a lead portion 14c that connects these electrode portions to each other on one end side. However, the conductive film 14a may be formed to have a width corresponding to the entire area of the pixel 100 over its entire length.

  The signal electrode 15 includes a comb-shaped conductive film 15a provided on the interlayer insulating film 24 so as to correspond to each pixel 100 and patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions 15b. The comb-shaped conductive film 15a is connected to the source electrode 21 of the TFT 16 at one end of the base connecting the comb-tooth portions 15b.

  The interlayer insulating film 24 is provided on substantially the entire surface of the pixel substrate 12 so as to cover the common electrode 14, the TFT 16, and the scanning line 23, and the comb-shaped conductive film 15 a is provided on the interlayer insulating film 24. The contact hole (not shown) is connected to the source electrode 21 of the TFT 16.

  The comb-shaped conductive film 15 a has four comb teeth 15 b formed at equal intervals, and a liquid crystal is generated by a lateral electric field generated between the four comb teeth 15 b and the common electrode 14. A region that controls the molecular orientation substantially uniformly forms one pixel 100.

  In addition, each comb tooth portion 15b of the comb-shaped conductive film 15a has a predetermined angle, for example, in the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display element 10, that is, in the left or right direction with respect to the vertical axis Y of the screen. It is formed in an elongated shape along the direction inclined at an angle θ of 5 ° to 15 °, and the ratio d2 / d1 between the width d1 of these comb teeth 15b and the interval d2 between adjacent comb teeth 15b is 1/3 to 3/1, preferably 1/1.

  On the other hand, the counter electrode 25 on the inner surface of the counter substrate 11 is made of a single film-like conductive film facing the entire array region of the plurality of pixels 100.

  The liquid crystal display element 10 is a color image display element provided with three color filters 26R, 26G, and 26B of red, green, and blue corresponding to each of the plurality of pixels 100. 26G and 26B are formed on the substrate surface of the counter substrate 11, and the counter electrode 25 is formed thereon.

  Further, horizontal alignment films 27 and 28 are provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 11 and the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 so as to cover the common electrode 14, the signal electrode 15, and the counter electrode 25, respectively. The alignment films 27 and 28 are each rubbed (orientated) in directions opposite to each other along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis Y in the vertical direction of the screen.

  The counter substrate 11 and the pixel substrate 12 are joined via a frame-shaped sealing material (not shown) surrounding the array region of the plurality of pixels 100, that is, the screen region of the liquid crystal display element 10, and the counter electrode 25 is connected to the counter electrode terminal provided in the terminal array portion of the pixel substrate 12 through a cross connection portion (not shown) in the substrate bonding portion by the sealing material.

  The liquid crystal layer 13 is enclosed in a region surrounded by the sealing material between the counter substrate 11 and the pixel substrate 12, and the liquid crystal molecules thereof are aligned in the alignment treatment direction (the vertical length) of the alignment films 27 and 28. The molecular major axis is aligned in the direction of the axis Y) and oriented substantially parallel to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12.

  The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal display element 10 are aligned in the alignment treatment direction of the alignment films 27 and 28 with their molecular long axes aligned substantially parallel to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12 (Δnd (difference in refractive index of the liquid crystal). The product of the directionality Δn and the liquid crystal layer thickness d) is set in the vicinity of about 275 nm, which is a half value of the intermediate wavelength in the visible light band.

  Further, the liquid crystal display element 10 includes a pair of polarizing plates 29 and 30 arranged with the pair of substrates 11 and 12 interposed therebetween.

  4 shows the alignment processing directions (rubbing directions) 11a and 12a of the alignment films 27 and 28 of the counter substrate 11 and the pixel substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 and the transmission axes 29a and 30a of the pair of polarizing plates 29 and 30. Indicates the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the alignment films 27 and 28 of the counter substrate 11 and the pixel substrate 12 are aligned in opposite directions along the vertical direction of the screen, that is, in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis Y of the screen. Of the pair of polarizing plates 29, 30, the polarizing plate 29 on the observation side is provided with its transmission axis 29a substantially parallel to the alignment treatments 11a, 12a, and the polarizing plate on the opposite side 30 is provided with its transmission axis 30 a substantially orthogonal or parallel to the transmission axis 29 a of the observation-side polarizing plate 29.

  In this embodiment, the transmission axis 29a of the observation side polarizing plate 29 and the transmission axis 30a of the opposite side polarizing plate 30 are orthogonal to each other so that the liquid crystal display element 10 performs display in a normally black mode. ing.

  The alignment treatment direction (rubbing direction) of the alignment films 27 and 28 obliquely intersects with the direction of the horizontal electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 at a predetermined angle.

  That is, the transverse electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the edge 15C of each comb tooth 15b of the comb-shaped conductive film 15a. In this embodiment, as described above, each comb tooth portion 15b of the comb-shaped conductive film 15a has a predetermined angle in one of the left and right directions with respect to the vertical axis Y in the vertical direction of the screen, for example, It is formed in an elongated shape along a direction inclined at an angle θ of 5 ° to 15 °, and the alignment films 27 and 28 are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis Y. For this reason, the alignment treatment direction of the alignment films 27 and 28 obliquely intersects with the direction of the lateral electric field at an angle of 5 ° to 15 °.

  Further, the liquid crystal display element 10 is provided with a single film-like transparent conductive film 31 for blocking static electricity from the outside, and the static electricity blocking conductive film 31 is the counter substrate which is an observation side substrate. 11 and an observation-side polarizing plate 29 disposed on the outer surface thereof.

  On the other hand, the liquid crystal display element 10 is driven by the driving means 32 shown in FIG. The driving means 32 has a first signal applied to the common electrode 14 (hereinafter referred to as a common signal), the potential of which changes every horizontal scanning period 1h assigned to each pixel row, and the common signal. The second signal applied to the signal electrode 15 (hereinafter referred to as a data signal) has a potential corresponding to the image data and is synchronized with the potential change of the first signal. A third signal (hereinafter referred to as a visual field control signal) applied to the counter electrode 25 having a potential having a predetermined potential difference with respect to the common signal and the data signal. Is generated.

  The common signal sequentially turns on the pixels 100 by selecting a plurality of pixels 100 arranged in a matrix of the liquid crystal display element 10 for each pixel row including a plurality of pixels 100 arranged in a row direction. It is a signal to be controlled.

  That is, the driving means 32 includes a first signal generation circuit that generates a common signal whose potential changes every horizontal scanning period 1h of each row, and a potential of the common signal every horizontal scanning period 1h of each row. A second signal generation circuit for generating a data signal whose potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data, and the potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase as the potential change of the common signal. And a selection circuit for selecting application of the visual field control signal to the counter electrode 25 of the liquid crystal display element 10.

  FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of the driving unit 32. The driving unit 32 includes a first signal generation circuit (hereinafter referred to as a common signal generation circuit) 33 that generates the common signal C1, and the common signal C1. A second signal generation circuit (hereinafter referred to as a data signal generation circuit) 34 for generating a data signal whose potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the potential, and the drain electrode 20 and the source of the TFT 16 A scanning signal generation circuit 36 for generating a scanning signal (a gate signal for turning on the TFT 16) that conducts between the electrode 21 and a visual field in which the potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase as the potential change of the common signal C1. A third signal generation circuit (hereinafter referred to as a visual field control signal generation circuit) 37 that generates control signals C2 and C21 and signal data corresponding to image data are stored. That a display RAM 35, the image data and the viewing selection signal is supplied, on the basis of these signals, it is constituted by a control circuit 38 for controlling the operation of the circuit 33,34,36,37 described above.

  The image data is supplied to the control circuit 38 from an external circuit (not shown). The visual field selection signal is supplied to the control circuit 38 in accordance with the visual field selection by the visual field selection key 7 provided in the electronic device such as the mobile phone shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the common signal generation circuit 33 receives the clock signal from the control circuit 38 and generates a common signal C1 whose potential changes every horizontal scanning period 1h of each row. The common signal C1 is supplied to the common electrode 14 of each pixel row of the liquid crystal display element 10.

  On the other hand, the image data supplied from the external circuit to the control circuit 38 is sent to the data signal generation circuit 34 by the control circuit 38, and the data signal generation circuit 34 stores the image data in the display ROM 35 based on the image data. Reads signal data stored in advance and generates a data signal Don / off in which the potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to the image data with respect to the potential of the common signal C1 output from the common signal generation circuit 33. Then, the data signal Don / off is supplied to the signal line 23 of each pixel column of the liquid crystal display element 10 every horizontal scanning period 1h of each row.

  The scanning signal generation circuit 36 receives a clock signal from the control circuit 38, generates a scanning signal for conducting between the drain electrode 20 and the source electrode 21 of the TFT 16, and the scanning signal Sc This is sequentially supplied to the scanning lines 22 of each row of the liquid crystal display element 10 every horizontal scanning period 1h.

  The visual field control signal generation circuit 37 is a signal whose potential changes in an opposite phase to the change in potential of the common signal C1 output from the common signal generation circuit 33 (inverts the cycle in which the potential of the common signal C1 changes). And a visual field control signal C2 composed of a signal whose absolute value is different from the potential of the common signal C1.

  The control circuit 38 stops the operation of the visual field control signal generation circuit 37 or stops the output of the visual field control signal C2 when a wide visual field is selected according to the supplied visual field selection signal. When the narrow visual field is selected, the visual field control signal C2 is generated, and the visual field control signal C2 is output and supplied to the counter electrode 25 of the liquid crystal display element 10.

  7 to 11 show voltage waveforms of signals supplied to the electrodes in accordance with the display modes of the liquid crystal display element 10, respectively. All the pixel rows of the liquid crystal display element 10 are sequentially selected. A period for displaying one screen is represented by one frame 1f, and a selection period of one pixel row obtained by dividing the one frame 1f by the number of pixel rows is represented by 11 horizontal scanning period 1h.

  The common signal C1 and the visual field control signal C2 may be generated by a signal generation circuit as shown in FIG. That is, the common signal generation unit of this signal generation circuit inputs the clock signal FRP that is inverted every horizontal scanning period 1h to the amplifier AMP, adjusts it to an arbitrary amplitude, and couples it with a capacitor. Is output. The visual field control signal generation unit selects the clock signal FRP and its inverted signal by the selection signal SE, inputs the selected signal to the amplifier AMP, adjusts the amplitude to an arbitrary amplitude by the amplifier AMP, and couples the common signal C2 with the capacitor. Is output.

  FIG. 7 shows a scanning signal Sc applied to the liquid crystal display element 10 by the driving means 32, a common signal C1, a data signal for displaying white (hereinafter referred to as a white data signal) Don, and black. Data signal (hereinafter referred to as black data signal) Doff, the potential of the signal electrode 15 to which the white data signal Don is applied via the TFT 16 (signal electrode potential during white display) Son, and the black data signal Doff The potential (signal electrode potential during black display) Soff applied through the TFT 16, the common electrode-signal electrode voltage C1-Son during white display, and the common electrode-signal electrode voltage during black display. The voltage waveform of C1-Soff is shown.

  The liquid crystal display element 10 used in this embodiment is a normally black mode display element, and the black data signal Doff has a very small potential difference with respect to the potential of the common signal C1, or the potential difference is substantially small. Or a very weak transverse electric field in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the alignment processing directions 11a and 12a of the alignment films 27 and 28 between the signal electrode 15 and the common electrode 14, or This is a potential signal that does not substantially generate the transverse electric field. The white data signal Don is a potential having a sufficiently large potential difference with respect to the potential of the common signal C1, that is, a signal having a potential that generates a transverse electric field having a sufficient strength between the signal electrode 15 and the common electrode 14. It is.

  First, when the visual field control signal C2 is not applied to the counter electrode 25, the signal is applied to the electrodes of the liquid crystal display element 10, and the signal electrode potential Soff is applied to the signal electrode 15. FIG. 12A schematically shows a change in the orientation of liquid crystal molecules at that time, and FIG. FIG. 13A schematically shows the case where the signal electrode potential Son is applied to the signal electrode 15, and FIG. 13B schematically shows the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules at that time.

  When the visual field control signal C2 is not applied to the counter electrode 25, that is, in the case of wide viewing angle display, only the lateral electric field generated by the liquid crystal molecules 13a of the pixel 100 between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 is used. Thus, the orientation direction (the direction of the molecular long axis) is controlled in a plane substantially parallel to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12.

  When the signal electrode potential Soff corresponding to black display is applied to the signal electrode 15, that is, between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15, the common electrode-signal electrode voltage C1-Soff shown in FIG. When a very weak lateral electric field is generated (or it is not necessary to generate the lateral electric field substantially), as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the alignment films 27 and 28 of the pair of substrates 11 and 12 are used. The liquid crystal molecules 13a substantially do not behave in a state where the molecular major axes are aligned in the alignment treatment directions 11a and 12a.

  When the signal electrode potential Son corresponding to white display is applied to the signal electrode 15, that is, between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15, the signal electrode 15 has sufficient strength according to the common electrode-signal electrode voltage C 1 -Son. When a lateral electric field is generated, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the liquid crystal molecules 13a behave in such a manner that their molecular long axes are aligned in the direction of the lateral electric field.

  Thus, when the visual field control signal C2 is not applied to the counter electrode 25, the liquid crystal molecules 13a are substantially aligned with the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12 by the lateral electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrodes 14 and 15. Since the orientation azimuth is changed in a plane parallel to each other, display with a wide field of view corresponding to the field of view characteristics of the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display element 10 having a small field dependency of Δnd can be performed.

  Next, each display when a signal electrode potential Soff (when black is displayed) is applied to the signal electrode 15 in the narrow viewing angle display in which the common electrode C1 and the visual field control signal C2 having the opposite phase to the common electrode C1 are applied to the counter electrode 25. FIG. 8 shows the voltage waveform of the signal, FIG. 14A shows the signal application state to each electrode of the liquid crystal display element, and FIG. 14B schematically shows the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules at that time. Indicated. FIG. 9 shows the voltage waveform of each signal when the signal electrode potential Son (in white display) is applied to the signal electrode 15, and FIG. 15 shows the signal application state to each electrode of the liquid crystal display element at that time. FIG. 15B schematically shows the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules at that time.

  When the visual field control signal C2 is applied to the counter electrode 25, that is, in the case of narrow viewing angle display, the lateral electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15, and the common electrode 14 and the counter electrode 25 and the vertical electric field generated between the signal electrode 15 and the counter electrode 25 cause the liquid crystal molecules 13a of the pixel 100 to behave.

  When the signal electrode potential Soff corresponding to the black display shown in FIG. 8 is applied to the signal electrode 15, the liquid crystal molecules 13a are caused to move to the substrates 11, 12 by a vertical electric field as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). Since the orientation is obliquely rising with respect to the surface and the lateral electric field is weak, in the state where the molecular major axes are aligned in the orientation processing directions 11a and 12a of the orientation films 27 and 28 of the pair of substrates 11 and 12, The orientation of the molecular long axis does not change substantially.

  When the signal electrode potential Son corresponding to the white display shown in FIG. 9 is applied to the signal electrode 15, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the liquid crystal molecules 13 a are The molecular long axes are aligned in the direction of the transverse electric field, and are oriented so as to rise obliquely with respect to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12.

  Thus, the vertical electric field is generated between the common electrode 14 and the counter electrode 25 and between the signal electrode 15 and the counter electrode 25 by applying the visual field control signal C2 to the counter electrode 25. When the liquid crystal molecules 13a are oriented obliquely with respect to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12, the lateral electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 causes the Since alignment is performed so that the molecular long axes are aligned in the direction of the transverse electric field, the rise of the liquid crystal molecules 13a increases the visual field dependency of Δnd of the liquid crystal display element 10.

  Therefore, the display viewed from the front direction of the liquid crystal display element 10 (the direction near the normal line of the liquid crystal display element 10) provides a display with good contrast that is almost the same as the display when the vertical electric field is not generated. Compared to this, when viewed from a direction inclined obliquely to the front direction, due to the large visual field dependence of Δnd, retardation is different from when viewed from the front direction, and the display can be almost visually recognized. Disappear.

  Accordingly, since the field of view in which the display can be viewed with sufficient contrast is in a narrow range in the front direction, it is possible to perform a narrow field of view so that the display cannot be viewed by anyone other than the user of the liquid crystal display device.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device, a plurality of common electrodes 14 and signal electrodes 15 for generating a lateral electric field are provided on the inner surface of one substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 so as to be insulated from each other. Further, at least over each of the plurality of pixels 100 defined by the region in which the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 13 a of the liquid crystal layer 13 is controlled by the lateral electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15. A counter electrode 25 is provided correspondingly. Then, the driving means 32 changes the potential in the counter electrode 25 in synchronization with the change in the potential of the common signal C1 applied to the common electrode 14, and the potential of the common signal C1 and the signal electrode 15 A visual field control signal C2 having a predetermined potential difference is selectively applied to the signal electrode potentials Son and Soff. As a result, display with a wide field of view and display with a narrow field of view are performed. According to this liquid crystal display device, it is possible to perform stable visual field control in which the visual field hardly fluctuates according to the image data.

  As described above, in the liquid crystal display device, the driving unit 32 applies the plurality of common electrodes 14 provided on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 so as to be insulated from each other every horizontal scanning period 1h. A common signal C1 whose potential changes is supplied, and the data signals Don and Doff having a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the common signal C1 are selectively supplied to the signal electrode 15 via the TFT. By supplying, the potential of Son and Soff is given to the signal electrode 15. Thereby, a horizontal electric field corresponding to the image data, that is, a horizontal electric field corresponding to the common electrode-signal electrode voltages C1-Son, C1-Soff is generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15. By controlling the orientation direction (direction of molecular long axis) of the liquid crystal molecules of the plurality of pixels 100 in a plane substantially parallel to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12 by the lateral electric field, an image is displayed. A wide-field display corresponding to the visual field characteristics of the display element 10 is performed.

  In the liquid crystal display device, the driving means 32 supplies the common signal C1 to the common electrode 14 of the liquid crystal display element 10, and the signal electrode 15 receives the data signals Don, Doff through the TFT. Selectively supply. As a result, the signal electrode 15 is supplied with Son and Soff potentials, and the strength corresponding to the image data, that is, the common electrode-signal electrode voltage C1 is provided between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15. A transverse electric field having a strength corresponding to -Son and C1-Soff is generated.

  At the same time, the potential of the counter electrode 25 provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 11 of the liquid crystal display element 10 corresponding to the entire area of the plurality of pixels 100 changes in synchronization with the change of the potential of the common signal C1. The visual field control signal C2 having a predetermined potential difference is supplied to the common signal C1 and the data signal. Thereby, the potential difference between the common signal C1 and the visual field control signal C2 and the signal electrode potential Son between the common electrode 14 and the counter electrode 25 and between the signal electrode 15 and the counter electrode 25, respectively. , Soff and a vertical electric field corresponding to the potential difference between the visual field control signal C2 is generated.

  That is, the horizontal electric field controls the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules to display an image, and the vertical electric field causes the liquid crystal molecules to rise obliquely with respect to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12, thereby limiting the viewing angle. By doing so, display with a narrow field of view is performed so that the display cannot be seen by others other than the user of the liquid crystal display device.

  In the first embodiment described above, the absolute value of the voltage output from the power supply device for driving the liquid crystal display element is used by using a signal whose potential changes in the opposite phase to the common signal C1 as the visual field control signal C2. An embodiment that can reduce the size of is shown. However, if the power supply device can generate a high voltage, the visual field control signal C2 may be a signal whose potential changes in phase with the common signal C1.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a visual field control signal C21 having the same phase as the common signal C1 is supplied to the counter electrode 25. The common electrode-signal electrode voltage C1-Soff, the common electrode-counter electrode voltage C1-C21, and the signal electrode-counter electrode voltage Soff-C21 when black is displayed (when the signal electrode potential Soff is applied). FIG. 10 shows a common electrode-signal electrode voltage C1-Son, a common electrode-counter electrode voltage C1-C21, and a signal electrode-counter electrode voltage during white display (when the signal electrode potential Son is applied). Son-C21 is shown in FIG.

  Also in this liquid crystal display device, as in the above-described embodiments, an image is displayed by controlling the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules by a horizontal electric field, and the liquid crystal molecules are inclined with respect to the surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12 by a vertical electric field. It is possible to display in a narrow field of view so that the display cannot be seen by others other than the user of the liquid crystal display device.

  As described above, in the liquid crystal display device, the driving unit 32 selectively selects the visual field control signal C21 whose potential changes in an opposite phase with respect to the change in the potential of the common signal C1. Or a visual field control signal whose potential changes in the same phase with respect to the potential change of the common signal C1 and whose absolute value is different from the potential of the common signal C1. C 21 is selectively applied to the counter electrode 25 of the liquid crystal display element 10.

  Therefore, the potential difference between the common signal C1 and the visual field control signals C2 and C21 and the signal electrode potential between the common electrode 14 and the counter electrode 25 and between the signal electrode 15 and the counter electrode 25, respectively. A vertical electric field corresponding to the potential difference between Son and Soff and the visual field control signals C2 and C21 is generated, and the narrow visual field can be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the driving means 32 is set to the first signal generating means for generating the common signal C1 whose potential changes for each row selection period, and to the potential of the common signal C1 for each row selection period. On the other hand, second signal generating means for generating data signals Don and Doff for applying a potential at which the potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data to the second electrode, and the potential of the common signal C1. Third signal generating means for generating visual field control signals C2 and C21 whose potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase with respect to the change, and application of the visual field control signal C21 to the counter electrode 25 of the liquid crystal display element 10. And selecting means for selecting.

  Therefore, the common signal C1 is supplied to the common electrode 14 of the liquid crystal display element 10, the signal electrode potentials Son and Soff are applied to the signal electrode 15, and the visual field control signal C21 is selectively applied to the counter electrode 25. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment, the liquid crystal display element 10 is arranged for each pixel, and a signal input electrode (drain electrode) 20 and an output electrode (source electrode) 21, and the input electrode 20 A control electrode for controlling conduction with the output electrode 21, the control electrode is connected to a scanning line for each row, the input electrode 20 is connected to a signal line 23 for each column, and the output electrode 21 is an active matrix liquid crystal display element having a plurality of active elements (TFT) 16 connected to the signal electrode 15.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the driving means 32 generates a common signal C1 whose potential changes for each row selection period, and supplies the common signal C1 to the common electrode 14 of the liquid crystal display element 10. A common signal generating circuit 33 and a data signal for applying to the signal electrode 15 a potential whose potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the potential of the common signal C1 for each row selection period. A data signal generation circuit 34 for generating Don and Doff and supplying the data signals Don and Doff to the signal line 23; and an input electrode 20 and an output electrode of the active element 16 in the selected row during the one horizontal scanning period 1h. A scanning signal Sc that generates a scanning signal Sc that conducts to the scanning line 21 and supplies the scanning signal Sc to the scanning line 22, and a change in the potential of the common signal C1. A visual field control signal generating circuit 37 that generates the visual field control signal C21 whose potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase, a control circuit 38 that controls the operation of these circuits 33, 34, 36, and 37, and an external visual field And means for selecting supply of the visual field control signals C2 and C21 to the counter electrode 25 of the liquid crystal display element 10 in accordance with a selection signal.

  Then, the common signal C1 is applied to the common electrode 14 of the liquid crystal display element 10, the black data signal Doff and the white data Don are supplied to the signal line, and the signal electrode potentials Soff and Son are applied to the signal electrode 15, By selectively applying the visual field control signal C21 to the counter electrode 25, stable visual field control can be performed over a sufficiently wide range.

  The liquid crystal display device includes the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 formed on the inner surface of one substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 so as to correspond to at least the entire area of the pixel 100. The signal electrode 15 is formed on the interlayer insulating film 24 covering the common electrode 14 so as to have a smaller area than the pixel 100 and to face the common electrode 14 at the edge 15c.

  For this reason, the lateral electric field is generated between the common electrode 14 and the portion corresponding to the edge 15c of the signal electrode 15, and the lateral electric field changes the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 13a. In addition to displaying a good image, application of the visual field control signal C21 to the counter electrode 25 generates the vertical electric field over substantially the entire area of the pixel 100, and causes the liquid crystal molecules 13a to flow over the entire area of the pixel 100. More stable visual field control can be performed by tilting and orienting.

  In the above embodiment, since the signal electrode 15 is formed by the comb-shaped conductive film 15a patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions, a large number of the pixels 100, that is, the comb-shaped conductive film 15a. The lateral electric field is generated in each of the edge portions 15c on both sides of each comb tooth portion, and the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 13a is changed in substantially the entire area of the pixel 100, so that a better image can be displayed.

  That is, the common electrode 14 is formed so as to correspond to at least the entire area of the pixel 100, and the signal electrode 15 has an area smaller than that of the pixel 100 on the interlayer insulating film 24 covering the common electrode 14. It is formed in a shape and faces the common electrode 14 at the edge 15c.

  Therefore, the signal electrode is provided between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15 by the common electrode-signal electrode voltage C1-Son corresponding to the potential difference between the common signal C1 and the signal electrode potential Son corresponding to the white display. 15 at a portion corresponding to the edge 15c (between the edge of the signal electrode 15 and the portion of the common electrode 14 corresponding to the edge of the signal electrode 15) in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the pixel substrate 12. A transverse electric field is generated. Due to the transverse electric field, the liquid crystal molecules 13a are aligned with the molecular long axes aligned in the direction of the transverse electric field, and affected by the behavior of the liquid crystal molecules 13a, the central portion of the comb teeth 15b of the signal electrode 15 The liquid crystal molecules 13a and the liquid crystal molecules 13a on the common electrode 14 located at the center between the comb teeth portions 15b are similarly aligned.

  In the liquid crystal display device, horizontal alignment films 27 and 28 for defining the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 13a when no electric field is formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 11 and 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10, respectively. A pair of polarizing plates 29 and 30 are arranged with the substrates 11 and 12 sandwiched therebetween, and as shown in FIG. 4, the alignment films 27 and 28 on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 11 and 12 are respectively disposed on the liquid crystal display element. Orientation treatments were performed in opposite directions along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the 10 screens.

  Of the pair of polarizing plates 29 and 30, the polarizing plate 29 on the observation side is provided with its transmission axis 29a substantially parallel to the alignment treatments 11a and 12a of the alignment films 27 and 28, and the observation side The polarizing plate 30 on the opposite side is provided with its transmission axis 30a substantially orthogonal to the transmission axis 29a of the polarizing plate 29 on the observation side.

  Therefore, it is possible to control the horizontal field of view of the screen, and accordingly, the wide field display of the visual field range inclined at substantially the same angle in the horizontal direction with respect to the normal line of the liquid crystal display element 10, and the visual field range. It is possible to perform narrow-field display narrowed by substantially the same angle from the left-right direction.

  The liquid crystal display element 10 is a normally white having a polarizing plate 30 on the side opposite to the viewing side, with its transmission axis 30a substantially parallel to the transmission axis 29a of the polarizing plate 29 on the viewing side. In this case, the alignment films 27 and 28 may be aligned in directions opposite to each other along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the screen, so that the polarizing plate 29 on the observation side By making the transmission axis 29a substantially parallel to the alignment treatments 11a and 12a of the alignment films 27 and 28, the visual field in the left-right direction of the screen can be controlled.

  Further, in the above embodiment, each comb-tooth portion 15b of the signal electrode 15 made of the comb-shaped conductive film 15a of the liquid crystal display element 10 has a predetermined angle in one of the left and right directions with respect to the vertical direction of the screen. For example, it is formed in an elongated shape along a direction inclined at an angle θ of 5 ° to 15 °, and the alignment films 27 and 28 are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the screen. The liquid crystal molecules 13a are inclined at the predetermined angle θ with respect to the alignment processing directions 11a and 12a of the alignment films 27 and 28, that is, the direction of the horizontal electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 15. From the state of no electric field aligned with the molecular long axes aligned in the intersecting direction, the operation can be performed to change the orientation azimuth around one direction by generating the transverse electric field, and an image without unevenness in brightness can be displayed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a plan view of a part of one substrate of a liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the first embodiment described above, and the description of the same components is omitted.

  In the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment, the signal electrode 115 on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 is either left or right with respect to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display element 10, that is, the vertical axis Y of the screen. In one direction, a slit-forming conductive film 115a patterned into a shape having a plurality of slits 115c along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle, for example, an angle θ of 5 ° to 15 °, is formed. The alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by a lateral electric field generated between the plurality of segmented elongated portions 115b and the common electrode 14, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. is there.

  In this liquid crystal display device, since the signal electrode 115 on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 is formed by the slit-forming conductive film 115a, the driving element 32 shown in FIG. The data signals Don, Doff supplied to the signal electrode 115 via the signal electrode 115 are supplied to the entire signal electrode 115 with almost no voltage drop, and the potentials of the respective portions of the signal electrode 115 are made substantially uniform. can do.

  Accordingly, a horizontal electric field having a uniform strength is generated at a plurality of locations of the pixel 100, that is, portions corresponding to the edge portions on both sides of the plurality of slits 115c, and the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 13a is substantially all over the pixel 100. Can be controlled substantially uniformly to display a better image.

  Further, by applying the visual field control signals C2 and C21 to the counter electrode 25, the strength of the vertical electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the counter electrode 25 corresponding to at least the entire area of the pixel 100 is set. It can be made uniform over substantially the entire region between the common electrode 14 and the counter electrode 25.

  The intensity of the vertical electric field generated between the common electrode 14 and the signal electrode 115 formed by the slit-forming conductive film 115 a is uniform over substantially the entire area between the signal electrode 115 and the counter electrode 25. Therefore, more stable visual field control can be performed.

(Third embodiment)
17 and 18 are a plan view of a part of one substrate of a liquid crystal display element and a sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display element according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the first embodiment described above, and the description of the same components is omitted.

  In the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment, the common electrode 214 and the signal electrode 215 on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 are provided at intervals in the direction along the surface of the pixel substrate 12.

  In this embodiment, the common electrode 214 is arranged at an angle θ of 5 ° to 15 ° in either the left or right direction with respect to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display element 10, that is, the vertical axis Y of the screen. The signal electrode 15 is formed by a first comb-shaped conductive film 214a patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions 214b along the inclined direction, and the signal electrode 15 is formed by a plurality of comb-tooth portions of the first comb-shaped conductive film 214a. 214b is formed of a second comb-shaped conductive film 215a patterned in a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions 215b adjacent to each other at intervals, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The first comb-shaped conductive film 214a forming the common electrode 214 is formed in a shape in which the comb-shaped conductive films 214a corresponding to the plurality of pixels 100 in the row are integrally connected for each pixel row, The comb-shaped conductive films 214a in these rows are commonly connected at the end portions.

  In addition, the second comb-shaped conductive film 215a forming the signal electrode 215 is provided corresponding to each pixel 100, and each of the plurality of active elements (TFTs) 16 formed on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 is provided. It is connected.

  Further, the comb-tooth portions 214b and 215b of the first comb-shaped conductive film 214a and the second comb-shaped conductive film 215a are arranged in the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display element 10, that is, with respect to the vertical axis Y of the screen. It is formed in an elongated shape along a direction inclined at an angle θ of 5 ° to 15 ° in any one direction.

  A ratio d5 / width d3 / d4 between the comb teeth 214b and 215b and a distance d5 between the comb teeth 214b of the first comb-shaped conductive film 214a and the comb teeth 215b of the second comb-shaped conductive film 215a. d3 and d5 / d4 are set to 1/3 to 3/1, preferably 1/1.

  The alignment films 27 and 28 formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 11 and 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 are substantially parallel to the vertical direction (vertical axis Y of the screen) of the screen of the liquid crystal display element 10. Of the pair of polarizing plates 29 and 30, the polarizing plate 28 on the observation side is disposed with its transmission axis substantially parallel to the alignment processing, and is opposite to each other. The polarizing plate 30 on the side is arranged so that its transmission axis is substantially perpendicular or parallel to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 29 on the observation side.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the common electrode 214 and the signal electrode 215 on the inner surface of the pixel substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display element 10 are provided at intervals in the direction along the surface of the pixel substrate 12. , 215, the transverse electric field is generated between the mutually facing edges.

  Therefore, an image is displayed by changing the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 13a by the lateral electric field, and the counter electrode 25 provided on the inner surface of the counter substrate 11 of the liquid crystal display element 10 corresponding to at least the entire area of the pixel 100. By selectively applying the above-described visual field control signals C2 and C21, stable visual field control can be performed.

  In this embodiment, the common electrode 214 is formed by a first comb-shaped conductive film 214a patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions 214b, and the signal electrode 215 is formed by the first comb-shaped conductive film. Since the plurality of comb-tooth portions 214b of the film 214a are formed by the second comb-shaped conductive film 215a patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions 215b adjacent to each other at intervals, the plurality of pixels 100 of the pixel 100 are formed. The horizontal electric field is generated at a location to change the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 13a, and a good image can be displayed.

The front view of the electronic device provided with the liquid crystal display device. 1 is a plan view of a part of one substrate of a liquid crystal display element of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display element. The figure which shows the orientation process direction of the orientation film | membrane provided in the inner surface of a pair of board | substrate of the said liquid crystal display element, respectively, and the direction of the transmission axis of a polarizing plate. The block circuit diagram of a drive circuit. The circuit diagram of the signal generation circuit which generates a common signal and a visual field control signal. Scan signal, common signal, white data signal, black data signal, signal electrode potential for white display and black display, common electrode-signal electrode voltage for white display and common for black display The figure which shows the electrode-signal electrode voltage. The figure which shows the voltage between a common electrode-counter electrode at the time of a black display, and the signal electrode-counter electrode voltage at the time of applying the visual field control signal of an antiphase to a common signal to the counter electrode of a liquid crystal display element. The figure which shows the voltage between a common electrode-counter electrode and the voltage between a signal electrode and a counter electrode at the time of white display when the visual field control signal of a phase opposite to a common signal is applied to the counter electrode. The figure which shows the voltage between a common electrode-counter electrode and the voltage between a signal electrode and a counter electrode at the time of black display when the visual field control signal of the same phase as a common signal is applied to the counter electrode. The figure which shows the voltage between a common electrode-counter electrode at the time of white display when a visual field control signal of the same phase as a common signal is applied to the counter electrode, and the voltage between the signal electrode and the counter electrode. A signal supply state when a lateral electric field corresponding to a black data signal is generated between the common electrode and the signal electrode in one pixel when no visual field control signal is applied to the counter electrode, and the liquid crystal molecules at that time The figure which showed the change of orientation typically. A signal supply state when a lateral electric field corresponding to a white data signal is generated between the common electrode and the signal electrode in one pixel when no visual field control signal is applied to the counter electrode, and the liquid crystal molecules at that time The figure which showed the change of orientation typically. A signal supply state for generating a horizontal electric field corresponding to a black data signal between a common electrode and a signal electrode in one pixel when a visual field control signal is applied to the counter electrode, and a liquid crystal molecule at that time The figure which showed the change of orientation typically. A signal supply state for generating a lateral electric field corresponding to a white data signal between the common electrode and the signal electrode in one pixel when a visual field control signal is applied to the counter electrode, and the liquid crystal molecules at that time The figure which showed the change of orientation typically. The top view of a part of one board | substrate of the liquid crystal display element which shows 2nd Example of this invention. The top view of a part of one board | substrate of the liquid crystal display element which shows the 3rd Example of this invention. Sectional drawing of a part of liquid crystal display element of a 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Liquid crystal display element 11, 12 ... Substrate, 13 ... Liquid crystal layer, 13a ... Liquid crystal molecule, 14, 214, ... 1st electrode (common electrode), 14a ... Conductive film, 214a ... Comb-shaped conductive film, 214b ... Comb Tooth part, 15, 115, 215 ... 2nd electrode (signal electrode), 15a, 115a ... Comb-shaped conductive film, 15b, 215b ... Comb tooth part, 115b ... Slit-forming conductive film, 115b ... Elongated shape part, 16 ... Active Element (TFT), 17 ... Control electrode (gate electrode), 20 ... Input electrode (drain electrode), 21 ... Output electrode (source electrode), 22 ... Scanning line, 23 ... Signal line, 24 ... Interlayer insulating film, 25 ... Third electrode (counter electrode), 26R, 26G, 26B ... color filter, 27, 28 ... alignment film, 11a, 12a ... orientation processing direction, 29, 30 ... polarizing plate, 29a, 30a ... transmission axis, 31 ... static electricity Shut off Film, 32 ... drive means.

Claims (20)

A pair of substrates opposed to each other with a gap;
A liquid crystal layer sealed between the pair of substrates;
First and second insulating layers are provided on the inner surface of one of the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates and are insulated from each other for generating a lateral electric field in the liquid crystal layer in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface. A second electrode;
A third substrate provided on the inner surface of the other substrate so as to correspond to the entire area of the pixel defined by the region in which the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the lateral electric field generated between the first and second electrodes; Electrodes,
An image display circuit that supplies a display drive voltage corresponding to image data between the first and second electrodes and generates the lateral electric field between the first and second electrodes;
A viewing angle control voltage different from the display driving voltage is supplied between at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode, and the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer is between these electrodes. A viewing angle control circuit that generates a vertical electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the
A pair of polarizing plates disposed across the pair of substrates;
A liquid crystal display device comprising: Of the first and second electrodes provided on the inner surface of the one substrate, the first electrode is formed corresponding to at least the entire area of the pixel,
The second electrode is formed on the insulating film covering the first electrode in a shape having an area smaller than that of the first electrode and facing the first electrode at an edge,
The viewing angle control circuit includes a viewing angle control voltage supply circuit that supplies a viewing angle control voltage between the first electrode and a third electrode provided on the inner surface of the other substrate. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein the second electrode is formed of a comb-shaped conductive film patterned in a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein the second electrode is made of a slit-forming conductive film patterned into a shape having a plurality of slits.   2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes provided on the inner surface of the one substrate are provided at intervals in a direction along the substrate surface. The first electrode is composed of a first comb-shaped conductive film patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb teeth portions,
The second electrode is composed of a second comb-shaped conductive film patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions adjacent to the plurality of comb-tooth portions of the first comb-shaped conductive film with a distance from each other. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 5.   An alignment film is further formed on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, and each alignment film is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction of a lateral electric field generated between the first and second electrodes. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display devices are subjected to alignment treatments in opposite directions along the intersecting direction.   An alignment film is further formed on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, and each alignment film is along a direction that obliquely intersects with the length direction of the edge of the second electrode at a predetermined angle. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal display devices are aligned in opposite directions. An alignment film is further formed on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, and each alignment film is subjected to an alignment process in directions opposite to each other along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device,
Among the pair of polarizing plates, the polarizing plate on the observation side is arranged with its transmission axis substantially parallel to the alignment treatment, and the polarizing plate on the opposite side has its transmission axis on the polarizing plate on the observation side. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display device is disposed substantially orthogonal to or parallel to the transmission axis. A liquid crystal layer provided on an inner surface of one of a pair of substrates disposed to face each other with a gap; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the pair of substrates; and an inner surface of the pair of substrates facing each other. A plurality of first and second electrodes insulated from each other for generating a lateral electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface, and at least the first and second electrodes on the inner surface of the other substrate. A third electrode provided corresponding to the entire area of each of the plurality of pixels defined by the region in which the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the lateral electric field generated therebetween, and the plurality of pixels are arranged in a row. Liquid crystal display elements arranged in a matrix in the direction and column direction;
A plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix of the liquid crystal display element are sequentially selected for each pixel row composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a row direction, and a plurality of pixels of the pixel row are selected for each selected pixel row. The first signal is applied to the first electrode so as to control the voltage, and the potential changes for each horizontal period assigned to each pixel row, and the first signal corresponds to image data. The second signal applied to the second electrode has a potential difference, the potential changes in synchronization with the change in the potential of the first signal, and the first signal and the second signal A driving circuit that generates a third signal that has a predetermined potential difference with respect to the third electrode and is selectively applied to the third electrode;
A liquid crystal display device comprising:   11. The drive circuit selectively applies a third signal whose potential changes in an opposite phase to a change in potential of the first signal to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element. A liquid crystal display device according to 1.   The drive circuit selectively selects a third signal whose potential changes in the same phase with respect to the change in potential of the first signal and whose absolute value is different from the potential of the first signal. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid crystal display device is applied to a third electrode of the display element. The drive circuit is
A first signal generating circuit for generating a first signal whose potential changes every horizontal period;
A second signal for generating a second signal for applying to the second electrode a potential that changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the potential of the first signal for each horizontal period. A signal generation circuit;
A third signal generating circuit for generating a third signal whose potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase with respect to the change in potential of the first signal;
Selection means for selecting application of the third signal to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element;
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, comprising: The liquid crystal display element is arranged for each pixel, and includes a signal input electrode and an output electrode, and a control electrode for controlling conduction between the input electrode and the output electrode, and the control electrode scans for each row. A plurality of active elements connected to a line, the input electrode connected to a signal line for each column, and the output electrode connected to a second electrode;
The drive circuit generates a first signal whose potential changes every horizontal period, and supplies the first signal to the first electrode of the liquid crystal display element;
For each horizontal period, a second signal for generating a voltage at which the potential changes to a value having a potential difference corresponding to image data with respect to the potential of the first signal is generated to the second electrode. An image signal generation circuit for supplying the second signal to the signal line;
A scanning signal generating circuit for generating a scanning signal for conducting between the input electrode and the output electrode of the active element in the selected row during the one horizontal period, and supplying the scanning signal to the scanning line;
A viewing angle control signal generating circuit for generating a third signal whose potential changes in the opposite phase or the same phase with respect to the change in potential of the first signal;
A signal selection circuit for selecting supply of the third signal to the third electrode of the liquid crystal display element;
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, comprising:   The plurality of active elements include thin film transistors in which a gate electrode is connected to the scanning line, one of a drain electrode and a source electrode is connected to the signal line, and the other is connected to a second electrode. The liquid crystal display element according to claim 14.   Of the first and second electrodes on the inner surface of one substrate of the liquid crystal display element, the first electrode is formed so as to correspond to at least the entire area of the pixel, and the second electrode is the first electrode. 11. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid crystal display device has an area smaller than that of the pixel and is formed in a shape facing an edge of the first electrode on an insulating film covering the substrate. .   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 16, wherein the second electrode is made of a comb-shaped conductive film patterned into a comb shape having a plurality of comb-tooth portions.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 16, wherein the second electrode is made of a slit-forming conductive film patterned into a shape having a plurality of slits. The liquid crystal display element
Formed on the inner surfaces of a pair of substrates, respectively, defines the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules when there is no electric field, and is subjected to alignment treatments in opposite directions along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display element Horizontal alignment film,
Of the polarizing plates arranged with the pair of substrates interposed therebetween, the polarizing plate on the observation side is provided with its transmission axis substantially parallel to the alignment treatment of the alignment film, and on the side opposite to the observation side. The polarizing plate is a pair of polarizing plates provided so that the transmission axis thereof is substantially orthogonal to or parallel to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate on the observation side,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, comprising: A liquid crystal layer sealed between a pair of substrates disposed opposite each other with a gap, and first and second electrodes for generating a lateral electric field in the liquid crystal layer in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface And a third electrode for generating a vertical electric field in the liquid crystal layer in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer, and generated by the first electrode and the second electrode. Liquid crystal display means for controlling the alignment state of molecules of the liquid crystal layer by the horizontal electric field for each pixel defined by the region of the liquid crystal layer whose alignment is controlled by the horizontal electric field, and displaying an image by the plurality of pixels;
Image display means for generating a display drive signal corresponding to the supplied image data, supplying the display drive signal to the first electrode and the second electrode, and generating a horizontal electric field corresponding to the image data for each of a plurality of pixels; ,
Receiving a viewing angle selection signal for selecting a viewing angle, generating a viewing angle control voltage synchronized with the display driving signal and different from the display driving signal, and supplying the viewing angle control voltage to the third electrode, Viewing angle control means for generating the vertical electric field in the liquid crystal layer of the pixel and limiting the range of the viewing angle;
A liquid crystal display device comprising:

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