JP2007256908A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve display quality such as transmittance and contrast while suppressing the roughness of display in an MVA type liquid crystal display device. <P>SOLUTION: In the liquid crystal display device, dielectric projections 201 are intermittently formed on a counter electrode 173 of a counter substrate 102 and a slit 202 is formed by partially removing a pixel electrode 131 of an array substrate 101 oppositely to the separated portion of the projections 201a, 201b, so that the inclination directions of liquid crystal molecules vertically aligned and having negative dielectric anisotropy can be controlled by the projections 201 and the inclination directions of liquid crystal molecules existing in the separated portion of the projections 201 can be controlled by the slit 202 in a liquid crystal layer 104 where electric fields are generated from the pixel electrode 131 to which voltage is applied and the counter electrode 173. In the separated portion of the dielectric projections 201, light quantity passing the liquid crystal layer 104 is increased, liquid crystal molecules are more vertically aligned and light leakage is reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy aligned vertically.

  In recent years, a liquid crystal display device having an array substrate and a counter substrate disposed opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween has a negative dielectric anisotropy by performing a vertical alignment process with an alignment film formed on both substrates. There is a vertical alignment type liquid crystal display device that can achieve sufficient black display and high contrast by aligning liquid crystal molecules perpendicular to the substrate and making the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer substantially zero. Proposed. In particular, a multi-domain vertical alignment method (hereinafter referred to as MVA method) liquid crystal display device that divides the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules in a pixel into a plurality of regions by a structure arranged on the liquid crystal layer side on the substrate is a contrast device. The display quality is excellent, and the viewing angle is wide.

  Recently, in an MVA type liquid crystal display device, the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules is suitably controlled by a protrusion that protrudes toward the liquid crystal layer as a structure, and the influence of an electric field vector in the vicinity of the electrode wiring is minimized. Thus, a technique for suppressing display defects such as residual and spotted unevenness is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, in a liquid crystal display device, a columnar spacer is arranged at the center of symmetry of a pixel electrode having a good symmetry so that the counter electrode is wider than the shape of the pixel electrode and covers the pixel electrode. A technique is disclosed in which an oblique electric field is generated vertically and with good symmetry to enable alignment division of liquid crystals in a pixel (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-202034 JP 2002-287158 A

  However, in the MVA liquid crystal display device as described above, the protrusions arranged on the substrate may affect the display quality. For example, when the number of protrusions is reduced, the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules varies in a region where no protrusions exist, which causes a problem of display roughness.

  On the other hand, when the number of protrusions is increased in order to prevent display roughness, the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer is reduced, so that the transmittance is reduced and the verticality of vertically aligned liquid crystal molecules is also reduced. There is a problem in that light leakage occurs and the contrast decreases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a MVA liquid crystal display device, display quality such as transmittance and contrast is improved while suppressing display roughness due to variations in the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules. This is the issue.

  The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged to face each other with a gap, a first electrode arranged on the second substrate side on the first substrate, and a first electrode. A second electrode disposed on the first substrate side on the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer made of liquid crystal molecules held in the gap and having negative dielectric anisotropy with respect to the first and second substrates, A first structure that is intermittently provided on the second electrode and controls the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer, and a first structure that is provided on the first electrode so as to face the divided portion of the first structure that is intermittently provided. The second structure is provided.

  In the present invention, the first structure is intermittently provided on the second electrode on the second substrate, and the second electrode is provided on the first electrode on the first substrate so as to face the divided portion of the first structure. In the liquid crystal layer in which an electric field is generated from the first electrode and the second electrode to which a voltage is applied, the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy due to the first structure is provided. And the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the divided portion of the first structure can be controlled by the second structure. Furthermore, in the divided portion of the first structure, the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer increases and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned more vertically, thereby reducing light leakage.

  The first electrode in the liquid crystal display device includes a reflective electrode disposed corresponding to a region where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is thin due to a step provided on at least one of the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer And the second structure is provided along the boundary between the reflective electrode and the transmissive electrode.

  The first electrode in the liquid crystal display device includes a reflective electrode disposed corresponding to a region where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is thin due to a step provided on at least one of the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer And the second structure is provided across the boundary between the reflective electrode and the transmissive electrode.

  In the present invention, the second structure is made up of a reflective electrode and a liquid crystal arranged corresponding to a region where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is thin by a step provided on at least one of the first and second substrates. Inclination of liquid crystal molecules existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective electrode and the transmissive electrode in the liquid crystal layer where an electric field is generated when a voltage is applied, by providing along the boundary of the transmissive electrode arranged corresponding to the thick region of the layer The direction can be controlled.

  In addition, the first substrate and the second substrate in the liquid crystal display device are an array substrate and a counter substrate, respectively, and the first electrode is a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines crossed on the array substrate. It is a pixel electrode arranged at each intersection, the second electrode is a counter electrode arranged on the counter substrate, and the first structure has a scanning line direction in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode The second structure is provided to be intermittently provided in at least one direction of the signal line, and the second structure is provided to face a divided portion between the first structures in the pixel electrode.

  In the present invention, the first structure is provided intermittently in at least one of the scanning line direction and the signal line direction in the region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode. The two structures can be adjusted and arranged with respect to the signal line direction and the scanning line direction in accordance with the area of the pixel electrode, and can be applied to, for example, a large liquid crystal display device having a large pixel electrode.

  Further, a plurality of first structures in the liquid crystal display device are provided in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode in the scanning line direction and the signal line direction, and the second structure is in the scanning line direction in the pixel electrode. The first structure is provided so as to be opposed to the divided portion and is integrally formed in the signal line direction.

  A plurality of first structures in the liquid crystal display device are provided in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode in the scanning line direction and the signal line direction, and the second structure is formed in the signal line direction in the pixel electrode. The first structure is provided so as to be opposed to the divided portion and is integrally formed in the scanning line direction.

  The first structure in the liquid crystal display device is a dielectric protrusion provided so as to protrude toward the array substrate on the counter electrode, and the second structure is provided with a part of the pixel electrode removed. It is a slit.

  In the present invention, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by a protrusion provided on the counter electrode so as to protrude toward the array substrate, and the slit of the protrusion is provided by a slit provided by partially removing the pixel electrode. The tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules present in the divided portion can be controlled.

  The first structure in the liquid crystal display device is a slit provided with a part of the counter electrode removed, and the second structure is a slit provided with a part of the pixel electrode removed. Features.

  In the present invention, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the slit provided with a part of the counter electrode removed, and the slit of the fetal electrode is divided by the slit provided with a part of the pixel electrode removed. The tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules present in the portion can be controlled.

  The first structure in the liquid crystal display device is a protrusion provided on the counter electrode so as to protrude toward the array substrate, and the second structure is on the pixel electrode so as to oppose the divided portion of the protrusion. The protrusion is provided so as to protrude toward the counter substrate.

  In the present invention, the direction of inclination of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the protrusions intermittently provided on the second electrode, and the protrusions provided on the first electrode so as to face the divided portions of the protrusions. Thus, it is possible to control the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules present in the divided portion of the protrusion on the second electrode.

  The protrusion on the counter electrode in the liquid crystal display device is preferably provided so as to extend in one direction, and the slit of the pixel electrode is preferably provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusion is extended.

  The counter electrode slit in the liquid crystal display device is preferably provided so as to extend in one direction, and the pixel electrode slit is preferably provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the counter electrode slit extends.

  According to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, display quality such as transmittance and contrast can be improved while suppressing display roughness due to variations in the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal display device 1 is held in a gap between an array substrate 101 as a first substrate, a counter substrate 102 as a second substrate disposed opposite the array substrate 101, and the two substrates. A liquid crystal layer 104. The liquid crystal layer 104 is composed of liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy, and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned perpendicular to both substrates. The array substrate 101 and the counter substrate 102 are bonded together by an outer edge seal member 103, and a display area 110 is provided in an area defined by the outer edge seal member 103. Further, a peripheral area 120 is provided along the outer periphery of the display area 110. The liquid crystal display device 1 is a transmissive liquid crystal display device that displays an image using illumination light from a backlight (not shown) disposed on the back surface of the array substrate 101 as a light source.

  Next, a circuit arranged on the array substrate 101 of the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a scanning line driving circuit 121, a signal line driving circuit 122, and a counter electrode driving circuit 123 are arranged in a peripheral area 120 around the display area 110 located at the center on the array substrate 101. The

  The scanning line driving circuit 121 drives m scanning lines Y1 to Ym wired in parallel. The signal line driving circuit 122 drives n signal lines X1 to Xn wired in parallel. The display region 110 includes a thin film transistor 140 (hereinafter referred to as a pixel TFT) as a switching element and a pixel electrode as a first electrode at each intersection of the m scanning lines Y1 to Ym and the n signal lines X1 to Xn. 131 and the auxiliary capacitance 150 constituted by the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151 and the auxiliary capacitance line 152 are arranged.

  Specifically, the drain terminal of the pixel TFT 140 is connected to the signal line X, the source terminal is connected in parallel to the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151 and the pixel electrode 131, and the gate terminal is connected to the scanning line Y. On the counter substrate 102 with the liquid crystal layer 104 interposed therebetween, a counter electrode 173 as a second electrode is disposed so as to oppose all the pixel electrodes 131. Here, the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151 is set to the same potential as the pixel electrode 131. The counter electrode drive circuit 123 is connected to each auxiliary capacitance line 152 and the counter electrode 173 and supplies a predetermined potential to each auxiliary capacitance line 152 and the counter electrode 173.

  Next, details of the array substrate 101 will be described with reference to cross-sectional views. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the array substrate 101 in the vicinity of the intersection of the scanning line Y and the signal line X in the display area 110 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the array substrate 101, an undercoat layer 112 is formed on a transparent insulating substrate 111 such as a glass substrate provided with a polarizing plate PL1 on the back surface. The semiconductor layer 141 formed of a polysilicon film constitutes the pixel TFT 140. Here, the semiconductor layer 141 includes a channel region 141C, a drain region 141D formed by doping impurities on both sides thereof, and a source region 141S.

  Further, a gate insulating film 142 is formed on the semiconductor layer 141 and the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151. On the gate insulating film 142, the scanning line Y integrated with the gate electrode 143 and the auxiliary capacitance line 152 are formed. The auxiliary capacitance line 152 is formed of the same material as the scanning line Y, and is formed substantially parallel to the scanning line Y. Here, a part of the auxiliary capacitance line 152 is formed to face the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151, thereby constituting the auxiliary capacitance 150.

  An interlayer insulating film 113 is formed on the gate insulating film 142, the gate electrode 143, the scanning line Y, and the auxiliary capacitance line 152. On the interlayer insulating film 113, a signal line X integrated with the drain electrode 144, a source electrode 145, and a contact electrode 153 are formed. The signal line X is formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the scanning line Y and the auxiliary capacitance line 152. Here, a low resistance material having a light shielding property is suitable for the signal line X, the scanning line Y, and the auxiliary capacitance line 152. Here, for example, molybdenum-tungsten is used for the scanning line Y and the auxiliary capacitance line 152, and the signal Aluminum is used for the wire X.

  Further, the drain electrode 144 and the source electrode 145 are respectively connected to the drain region 141D and the source region 141S of the semiconductor layer 141 constituting the pixel TFT 140 through the contact holes 114A and 114B penetrating the gate insulating film 142 and the interlayer insulating film 113, respectively. Connected. The contact electrode 153 is connected to the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151 through a contact hole 154 that penetrates the gate insulating film 142 and the interlayer insulating film 113.

Since the contact electrode 153 is connected to the signal line X formed of the same material, the source electrode 145, the pixel electrode 131, and the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151 of the pixel TFT 140 are always at the same potential.

  Further, a transparent resin layer 115 is formed on the interlayer insulating film 113, the drain electrode 144, the source electrode 145, the scanning line Y, the signal line X, and the contact electrode 153. A pixel electrode 131 is formed on the transparent resin layer 115 by a light transmissive conductive member such as indium tin oxide (hereinafter referred to as ITO). The pixel electrode 131 functions as a transmissive electrode in the transmissive liquid crystal display device 1. In this way, the pixel electrode 131 is disposed on the counter substrate side on the array substrate as the first electrode.

  Further, the pixel electrode 131 is connected to the source electrode 145 of the pixel TFT 140 through a contact hole 117 that penetrates the transparent resin layer 115. An alignment film 119 is formed on the transparent resin layer 115 and the pixel TFT 140.

  Next, a more specific description will be given using the cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device in the vicinity of the boundary between the display area 110 and the peripheral area 120. As shown in the drawing, in the display region 110, columnar spacers 118 are formed on the transparent resin layer 115 formed on the insulating substrate 111 of the array substrate 101. Here, the height of the columnar spacer is, for example, 2.0 μm. Further, an alignment film 119 is formed on the transparent resin layer 115 and the pixel electrode 131 so as to cover even the columnar spacer 118. The alignment film 119 aligns liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 104 substantially perpendicularly to the array substrate 101. Here, in the peripheral region 120, a light shielding film 116 is formed on the insulating substrate 111 of the array substrate 101 in order to prevent light leakage.

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 102 bonded to the array substrate 101 with the outer edge seal member 103 includes a transparent insulating substrate 171 such as a glass substrate provided with a polarizing plate PL2 on the back surface. In the display region 110, a red color filter layer 172R, a green color filter layer 172G, and a blue color filter layer 172B are formed on the liquid crystal layer 104 side on the insulating substrate 171, and all the pixel electrodes are further formed thereon. A counter electrode 173 is formed to face 131. In this manner, the counter electrode 173 is arranged on the array substrate side on the counter substrate 102 so as to face the pixel electrode 131 which is the first electrode as the second electrode.

  Here, ITO is used for the counter electrode 173 as a conductive material having high light transmittance. Further, an alignment film 174 is formed on the counter electrode 173. The alignment film 174 aligns the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 104 substantially perpendicularly to the counter substrate 102.

  With such a configuration, when displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device 1, the scanning lines Y <b> 1 to Ym are sequentially driven by the scanning line driving circuit 121 to turn on the pixel TFTs 140, and the signal line driving circuit 122 supplies a signal. The video signals are supplied to the pixel electrode 131 and the auxiliary capacitance electrode 151 of each pixel TFT 140 by driving the lines X1 to Xn. At this time, a predetermined potential is supplied from the counter electrode driving circuit 123 to the counter electrode 173 and each auxiliary capacitance line 152 facing the pixel electrode 131 with the liquid crystal layer 104 interposed therebetween. A voltage corresponding to is held. In this way, the video signal is written to the pixel TFT 140.

  Furthermore, an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 104 due to a potential difference corresponding to the value of the video signal between the pixel electrode 131 and the counter electrode 173 of each pixel TFT 140, and the liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy due to the generated electric field. The molecules are oriented. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned approximately perpendicular to the substrate when no voltage is applied between the electrodes or when a voltage less than the threshold is applied, and tilted with respect to the substrate when a voltage higher than the threshold is applied. Or oriented approximately parallel. Here, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules is roughly defined by the electric field generated. The irradiation light from the backlight located on the back surface of the array substrate 101 passes through the liquid crystal layer 104 and passes through the color filters 172 for each color. Thereby, an image is displayed in the display area 110.

  In the present embodiment, the array substrate 101 as the first substrate and the counter substrate 102 as the second substrate disposed to face each other with a gap between them, and the first electrode disposed on the counter substrate side on the array substrate 101 as the first substrate. A pixel electrode 131, a counter electrode 173 as a second electrode disposed on the array substrate side on the counter substrate 102 so as to face the pixel electrode 131, and a negative electrode held in a gap and oriented perpendicularly to both substrates In the liquid crystal display device 1 including the liquid crystal layer 104 made of liquid crystal molecules having dielectric anisotropy, the first structure for controlling the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules is intermittently provided on the counter electrode 173, and the second The structure is provided on the pixel electrode 131 so as to face the divided portion of the first structure provided intermittently.

  This will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing the top of the array substrate for explaining the first structure and the second structure provided in the liquid crystal display device. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. Yes. 6 to 8, the array substrate 101 as the first substrate, the pixel electrode 131 as the first electrode, the counter substrate 102 as the second substrate, and the counter electrode 173 as the second electrode are schematically shown. The other constituent members are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pixel TFT 140 and the pixel electrode 131 are arranged at the intersection of the scanning line Y and the signal line X that are wired to intersect on the array substrate. On the counter substrate 102, protrusions 201 a and 201 b indicated by dotted lines as the first structure are intermittently provided on the counter electrode 173. Here, the protrusions 201 a and 201 b are provided intermittently in the signal line direction in the region corresponding to the pixel electrode 131 in the counter electrode 173. The protrusions 201a and 201b project to the array substrate side with a size of 1 μm in height and 6 μm in width, and are divided near the center of the pixel electrode 131. This division is repeated for each pixel electrode 131. Further, the protrusions 201a and 201b are provided to extend in the signal line direction parallel to the signal line X. Here, a dielectric is used for the protrusions 201a and 201b, and a dielectric constant is determined so that an electric field generated in the liquid crystal avoids the protrusion. Thus, by providing the dielectric protrusions 201a and 201b intermittently, the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 104 can be increased in the divided portion. Thereby, the light transmittance is improved.

  On the other hand, in the pixel electrode 131, a part of the pixel electrode 131 is removed as a second structure and a slit 202 is provided so as to face a part where the protrusions 201a and 201b are intermittently provided. ing. The slit 202 extends in the scanning line direction perpendicular to the signal line direction in which the protrusions 201a and 201b extend. Here, the length in the scanning line direction is 10 μm, and the width in the signal line direction is 4 μm.

  Next, a change in the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules when displaying an image in the liquid crystal display device 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. 6 to 8 schematically show the states of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the surfaces of the pixel electrode 131 on the array substrate 101 and the counter electrode 173 on the counter substrate 102 when no voltage is applied. Yes.

  As shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 6 and 8, the liquid crystal molecules shown by the rectangle on the counter substrate 102 side are aligned perpendicular to the surfaces of the counter electrode 173 and the protrusions 201a and 201b. As shown in the figure, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the vicinity of the surface of the protrusion is difficult to be perpendicular to the counter substrate, but here the protrusions 201a and 201b are provided by intermittently providing the protrusions 201a and 201b. The liquid crystal molecules in the divided portion where no light is present can be aligned more vertically, and light leakage is reduced in the state where no voltage is applied, so that a good black display is possible and the contrast is improved. On the other hand, as shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid crystal molecules on the array substrate 101 side are aligned perpendicular to the surfaces of the pixel electrode 131 and the slit 202.

  Next, when displaying an image in the liquid crystal display device 1 having such a configuration, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 131 and the counter electrode 173 will be described with reference to FIGS. explain. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views of the pixel electrode 131 on the array substrate 101 and the counter electrode 173 on the counter substrate 102 when a voltage is applied from the state where the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules in FIGS. 3 schematically shows the state of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the surface. As shown in the figure, a potential difference is generated according to the value of the video signal applied between the pixel electrode 131 and the counter electrode 173, and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned by the electric field generated in the liquid crystal layer 104. Here, the distribution of the generated electric field is indicated by electric lines of force.

  As shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 9 and 11, the electric field generated in the vicinity of the counter electrode 173 is distributed so as to avoid the protrusions 201a and 201b. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules aligned perpendicularly to the surfaces of the counter electrode 173 and the protrusions 201a and 201b on the counter substrate 102 side in a state where no voltage is applied are directed toward the inside of the protrusions 201a and 201b. Tilt.

  On the other hand, as shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 10 and 11, the electric field generated near the pixel electrode 131 is distributed so as to avoid the slit 202. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the pixel electrode 131 and the slit 202 on the array substrate 101 side in a state where no voltage is applied are inclined toward the outside of the slit 202.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining the direction of the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules during image display in the liquid crystal display device. The arrows in the figure indicate the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules. As shown in the figure, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled in the inner direction of the projections 201a and 201b by the projections 201a and 201b provided intermittently. On the other hand, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b is directed outward from the slit 202 by the slit 202 provided facing the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b provided intermittently. To be controlled. Thereby, since the dispersion | variation in the inclination direction of the liquid crystal molecule in each pixel is suppressed in the liquid crystal display device 1, the roughness of a display can be suppressed.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the liquid crystal display device 1, the protrusions 201a and 201b are intermittently provided on the counter electrode 173 on the counter substrate 102, and the array substrate is opposed to the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b. Since the pixel electrode 131 on 101 is partially removed and the slit 202 is provided, in the liquid crystal layer 104 in which an electric field is generated from the pixel electrode 131 to which a voltage is applied and the counter electrode 173, the protrusions 201 a and 201 b make the vertical. The tilt direction of the aligned liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy can be controlled, and the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b can be controlled by the slit 202. Furthermore, in the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b, the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 104 increases and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned more vertically to reduce light leakage, so that a good black display is possible. Therefore, display quality such as transmittance and contrast can be improved while suppressing display roughness due to variations in the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules.

  Further, it is desirable that the protrusions 201a and 201b extend intermittently in one direction, and the slit 202 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusions 201a and 201b extend.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to this embodiment is the same as the basic configuration described in the first embodiment. Below, it demonstrates centering on a different point from 1st Embodiment.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 13, a part of the counter electrode 173 is not provided on the counter electrode 173 on the counter substrate 102 instead of the protrusions 201a and 201b as shown in the plan view of FIG. The removed slits 203a and 203b are provided intermittently. The array substrate 101 is provided with a slit 202 from which a part of the pixel electrode 131 is removed as a second structure so as to oppose the divided portions of the slits 203a and 203b provided intermittently.

  The slits 203a and 203b are provided intermittently in the signal line direction in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode 131 in the counter electrode 173. Here, the signal line X extends in the direction of the signal line and is provided intermittently, and this division is repeated for each pixel electrode 131. The width of the slits 203a and 203b is 4 μm.

  The slit 202 is provided in the pixel electrode 131 so as to oppose the divided portion between the slits 203a and 203b, and is provided to extend in a direction perpendicular to the signal line direction in which the slits 203a and 203b extend. Here, as in the first embodiment, the length in the scanning line Y direction is 10 μm and the width in the signal line X direction is 4 μm.

  14 to 16 are diagrams for explaining the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 131 and the counter electrode 173 when displaying an image in the liquid crystal display device 1 of FIG. It is. As shown in the figure, a potential difference corresponding to the value of the video signal is generated between the pixel electrode 131 and the counter electrode 173, and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned by the electric field generated in the liquid crystal layer 104. Again, the distribution of the generated electric field is indicated by lines of electric force.

  As shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 14 and 16, the electric field generated in the vicinity of the counter electrode 173 is distributed so as to avoid the slits 203 a and 203 b of the counter electrode 173. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules that are aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the counter electrode 173 and the slits 203a and 203b on the counter substrate 102 side in a state where no voltage is applied are placed inside the slits 203a and 203b of the counter electrode 173. Tilt toward.

  On the other hand, as shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 15 and 16, the electric field generated in the vicinity of the pixel electrode 131 is distributed so as to avoid the slit 202. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules that are aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the pixel electrode 131 and the slit 202 on the array substrate 101 side in a state where no voltage is applied are inclined toward the outside of the slit 202 of the pixel electrode 131. . As described above, in the liquid crystal display device 1, variation in the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules in each pixel is suppressed, so that display roughness can be suppressed.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled to the inner side of the slits 203a and 203b by the slits 203a and 203b of the counter electrode 173 provided intermittently and intermittently. The inclination direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the divided portions of the slits 203 a and 203 b is controlled in the outer direction of the slit 202 by the slit 202 provided to face the divided portions of the provided slits 203 a and 203 b. Further, in the second embodiment, since there are no dielectric protrusions on the counter electrode 173, the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 104 is further increased and perpendicularly compared to the first embodiment. Light leakage due to the aligned liquid crystal molecules is also reduced. Therefore, display quality such as transmittance and contrast can be improved while suppressing display roughness due to variations in the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules.

  Next, in order to facilitate understanding of the effects of the above-described embodiments, a liquid crystal display device as a first and second comparative example will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view schematically showing the arrangement of structures provided in the liquid crystal display device as the first comparative example (comparative example 1). As shown in the drawing, in the first comparative example, a dielectric protrusion 204 is provided on the counter electrode 173 of the counter substrate 102 as a structure. Here, the dielectric protrusion 204 extends without interruption in a direction parallel to the signal line X. The protrusion 204 protrudes toward the array substrate side with a size of 1 μm in height and 6 μm in width.

  FIG. 18 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view schematically showing the arrangement of structures provided in the liquid crystal display device as the second comparative example (comparative example 2). As shown in the figure, the opposing substrate 102 is provided with dielectric protrusions 201 a and 201 b intermittently on the opposing electrode 173 as a structure, and is divided in the vicinity of the center of the pixel electrode 131. Further, the protrusions 201a and 201b extend intermittently in a direction parallel to the signal line X, and this division is repeated for each pixel electrode 131. The protrusions 201a and 201b protrude to the array substrate side with a size of 1 μm in height and 6 μm in width. In the second comparative example, unlike the first embodiment, the pixel electrode 131 is not provided with the slit 202 so as to face the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b provided intermittently.

  FIG. 19 shows the presence or absence of rough feeling when images are displayed in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the first embodiment (Example 1), and the second embodiment (Example 2). The comparison result is shown. From the results shown in the figure, as shown in Comparative Example 2, if the protrusions are only divided into 201a and 201b, the tilt directions of the liquid crystal molecules present in the divided portions are not unified, and as a result, a rough feeling appears in the display. become. On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, the protrusions are divided into 201a and 201b, and the slits 202 are provided in the pixel electrodes 131 on the array substrate 101 so as to oppose the divided parts, whereby the liquid crystal molecules existing in the divided parts are provided. As a result, it is shown that the rough feeling of display can be eliminated.

  FIG. 20 shows a comparison result of the transmittance ratio and the front contrast ratio when images are displayed in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, and the above Example 1 and Example 2, respectively. Here, the transmittance and front contrast values of Comparative Example 1 are standardized as 1.00. From the results shown in the figure, the transmittance ratio and contrast ratio of Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example 2 are improved as compared with Comparative Example 1. This is because in Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 in which the dielectric protrusions are divided and provided, the ratio of the dielectric protrusions to the pixel electrode is smaller than that in Comparative Example 1, so that the transmitted light As a result, the transmittance is improved. In Example 2, since no dielectric protrusion is present, Example 2 has a higher transmittance than Example 1.

  On the other hand, the front contrast is generally improved by shielding light in a state in which the liquid crystal molecules are perpendicular to the substrate. However, when there are dielectric protrusions on the substrate, the liquid crystal molecules are inclined near the protrusions. Since the light is oriented in the direction, the light is not completely shielded and the front contrast is lowered. Therefore, the front contrast is improved in Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 in which the protrusions are divided compared to Comparative Example 1 in which the area of the dielectric protrusions is large. Further, in Example 2, since there is no dielectric protrusion, the front contrast is higher than in Example 1.

  In each of the above embodiments, the dielectric protrusions are intermittently provided on the counter electrode as the first structure, and the dielectric structure is opposed to the divided portion of the dielectric protrusion as the second structure. A configuration in which a part of the pixel electrode is removed and a slit is provided, or a part of the counter electrode is removed as the first structure and the slit is intermittently provided, and the second structure is a pixel facing the divided part of the slit. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, a dielectric protrusion is intermittently provided on the counter electrode as the first structure, and a dielectric protrusion is provided on the pixel electrode as the second structure so as to face the divided portion of the protrusion. Alternatively, as the first structure, a slit from which the counter electrode is partially removed is intermittently provided, and as the second structure, a dielectric is formed on the pixel electrode so as to face the split portion of the slit of the counter electrode. You may make it provide the protrusion of a body. Even in such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The liquid crystal display device according to this embodiment is a multi-gap transflective liquid crystal display device. Although the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 21, the pixel electrode is arranged corresponding to the reflective region where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is thin by the step 300 provided on the counter substrate. It is a point comprised from the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3 arrange | positioned corresponding to the transmissive area | region where the thickness of a liquid-crystal layer is thick. In addition, a slit 202 a as a second structure is provided along the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3.

  Here, the slit 202a as the second structure is provided by removing a part of the transmissive electrode 3 so as to face the divided portions of the protrusions 201a and 201b intermittently provided on the counter electrode 173 of the counter substrate. ing. Similarly, the slit 202b is provided by removing a part of the transmissive electrode 3 so as to oppose the divided portions of the protrusions 201b and 201c intermittently provided on the counter electrode 173. The protrusions 201a to 201c have a height of 1 μm and a width of 6 μm, and the slits 202a and 202b of the transmissive electrode 3 have a length of 10 μm and a width of 4 μm. Again, a dielectric is used for the protrusions 201a to 201c, and the dielectric constant is determined so that the electric field generated in the liquid crystal avoids the protrusion. The reflective electrode 2 is made of aluminum (hereinafter referred to as Al), and the transmissive electrode 3 is made of ITO, which is a light-transmissive conductive member used in the first embodiment.

  22 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG. As shown in the figure, the array substrate and the counter substrate are bonded together, and a step 300 is provided on the counter substrate to form a multi-gap structure. Here, the cell gap is 3.8 μm, and the film thickness of the step 300 is 2 μm. Al which is the reflective electrode 2 is formed on the organic insulating film 304 having a concavo-convex surface to facilitate scattering of incident light. An alignment film (not shown) having a thickness of 70 nm is formed on the surfaces in contact with the liquid crystal layer 104 on the array substrate side and the counter substrate side. In the state where no voltage is applied due to the alignment film, the liquid crystal molecules LC1 existing in the transmission region and the liquid crystal molecules LC2 existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflection region and the transmission region in the liquid crystal layer 104 are each tilted at a pretilt angle and perpendicular. Is oriented.

  FIG. 23 shows a state of liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is applied from a state where the voltage shown in FIG. 22 is not applied. As shown in the figure, a potential difference corresponding to the voltage of the video signal applied between the transmissive electrode 3 and the reflective electrode 2 and the counter electrode 173 is generated, and the liquid crystal molecules LC1 and LC2 are generated by the electric field generated in the liquid crystal layer 104. Are oriented. Here, the distribution of the generated electric field is indicated by lines of electric force (dotted lines in the figure).

  The electric field generated from the surface of the counter electrode 173 is distributed so as to avoid the slit 202a. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules LC1 existing in the transmission region are inclined to the right. On the other hand, the liquid crystal molecules LC2 existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective region and the transmissive region are tilted to the left. In this manner, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 104 that are tilted at the pretilt angle and vertically aligned in a state where no voltage is applied are tilted in the same direction as the pretilt angle. Therefore, the pretilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules and the tilt direction when a voltage is applied are the same, and the operation of the liquid crystal becomes faster, so that a good display without an afterimage can be obtained.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the slit 202a as the second structure is opposed to the divided portions of the dielectric protrusions 201a and 201b intermittently provided on the counter electrode 173 of the counter substrate. Thus, by providing along the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3 is controlled in the liquid crystal layer 104 where an electric field is generated when a voltage is applied. can do. Thereby, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the pretilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules and the tilt direction at the time of voltage application are the same, and the operation of the liquid crystal becomes faster, so that a good display with no afterimage is obtained. be able to.

  Further, the slit 202 a as the second structure may be provided across the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3. Even in such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[Comparative example]
Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the third embodiment, as a comparative example, a transflective type in the case where the slit 202a as the second structure is not provided along the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3 is provided. A liquid crystal display device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 24, in the comparative example, the basic configuration is the same as the configuration of FIG. 21, and the difference is that the slit 202a does not exist. The slit 202b is provided by removing a part of the transmissive electrode 3 so as to face the divided portions of the dielectric protrusions 201b and 201c provided intermittently on the counter electrode 173.

  FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal molecules LC1 existing in the transmissive region and the liquid crystal molecules LC2 existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective region and the transmissive region in the liquid crystal layer 104 in the state where no voltage is applied are respectively pretilt angles. Inclined and vertically oriented.

  FIG. 26 shows a state of liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is applied from a state where the voltage shown in FIG. 25 is not applied. As shown in the figure, a potential difference corresponding to the voltage of the video signal applied between the transmissive electrode 3 and the reflective electrode 2 and the counter electrode 173 is generated, and the liquid crystal molecules LC1 and LC2 are generated by the electric field generated in the liquid crystal layer 104. Are oriented. Again, the distribution of the generated electric field is indicated by electric lines of force (dotted lines in the figure). Due to the electric field generated from the surface of the counter electrode 173 of the counter substrate, the liquid crystal molecules LC1 existing in the transmission region are tilted in the same direction (right side in the drawing) as the pretilt angle, and thus the operation is fast. On the other hand, since the liquid crystal molecules LC2 existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective region and the transmissive region are inclined in the direction opposite to the pretilt angle (right side in the drawing), the operation is slow.

  In such a configuration, when the display was switched in the order of black display, gray display, black and white checker pattern display, and white display, it was observed that the checker pattern remained as an afterimage for several seconds.

  As described above, in the comparative example, the electric field generated from the surface of the counter electrode 173 of the counter substrate having the step 300 causes the pretilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective region and the transmissive region and the tilt direction when a voltage is applied. In the reverse direction, the operation of the liquid crystal becomes very slow, and an afterimage defect occurs during display.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment as described above, the slit 202a is opposed to the divided portions of the dielectric protrusions 201a and 201b provided intermittently on the counter electrode 173 of the counter substrate, so that the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3, the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules existing in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3 can be controlled in the liquid crystal layer 104 where an electric field is generated when a voltage is applied. As a result, the pretilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules and the tilt direction at the time of voltage application are the same, and the operation of the liquid crystal becomes faster, so that a good display with no afterimage can be obtained.

  In the multi-gap type transflective liquid crystal display device of the third embodiment, a slit 202a from which the transmissive electrode 3 is partially removed is provided as a second structure at the boundary between the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dielectric protrusion may be provided. Even in such a case, the same effect as the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display device according to the third embodiment, a multi-gap structure in which the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is different by providing a step on the counter substrate is not limited thereto. The structure may be provided on the array substrate or on both the array substrate and the counter substrate. Even in such a case, the same effect as the present embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, the configuration of the slit provided at the boundary between the reflection region and the transmission region in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 27 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an array substrate of a transflective liquid crystal display device. As shown in the figure, an organic insulating film 304 is formed on an insulating substrate 111 in which a polysilicon film 302, an oxide film 301, a storage capacitor line (CS line) 305, and a passivation film 303 are sequentially stacked in the array substrate. Is formed. Furthermore, Al which is the reflective electrode 2 formed thereon is connected to the CS line through a contact hole. ITO is formed as the transmissive electrode 3 on the reflective electrode 2. Here, a case where the reflective electrode 2 and the transmissive electrode 3 are laminated in this order is shown, and in this case, the transmissive electrode 3 has a structure over the step of the reflective electrode 2.

  FIG. 28 is a plan view schematically showing the array substrate. A contact portion 306 for connecting to the CS line 305 is provided at the center of the reflective electrode 2. As shown in the figure, the slit 202a of the transmissive electrode 3 is provided away from the reflective electrode 2 at the boundary between the reflective region and the transmissive region. Here, the slit 202a is arranged 1 μm away from the end of the reflective electrode 2 serving as a boundary. Thus, by providing the slit 202a of the transmissive electrode 3 away from the stepped portion by the reflective electrode 2, it is possible to prevent the transmissive electrode 3 from being disconnected at the stepped portion, so that the yield due to point defects is improved.

  In the third embodiment, the slit provided at the boundary between the reflective electrode and the transmissive electrode is provided away from the reflective electrode so as to prevent the transmissive electrode 3 from being disconnected at the stepped portion by the reflective electrode 2. However, it is not limited to this. As a first application example, as shown in FIG. 29, the reflective electrode 2 is cut out so as to avoid both ends of the slit 202a. Thereby, the part where the transmissive electrode 3 becomes thin at both ends of the slit 202a can be separated from the stepped portion by the cut-out reflective electrode 2, and the transmissive electrode 3 can be prevented from being disconnected at the stepped portion. As a second application example, as shown in FIG. 30, the shape of the reflective electrode 2 in the vicinity of the slit 202a is asymmetrical, and the distance from the slit is different on the left and right of the slit 202a. Here, a case where the left end of the reflective electrode is cut out is shown. As a result, the portion where the transmissive electrode 3 is thinned at the left end of the slit 202a can be separated from the stepped portion by the reflective electrode 2, and the transmissive electrode 3 is prevented from being disconnected at the stepped portion while maintaining the area of the reflective electrode. it can. As another example, the end of the reflective electrode may be formed to have a forward taper so that the angle of the stepped portion is smoothed to prevent the transmissive electrode 3 from being disconnected.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 31, the dielectric protrusions 201 a to 201 d as the first structure are formed in the region corresponding to the pixel electrode 131 in the counter electrode 173. In addition to being provided not only in the signal line direction but also in the scanning line direction, slits 202a to 202d as second structures are provided in the pixel electrode 131 so as to oppose the divided portions between the protrusions 201a to 201d. Is a point. Here, the slit 202a is formed in the divided portion between the projections 201a and 201b, the slit 202b is formed in the divided portion between the projections 201c and 201d, and the slit 202c is formed in the divided portion between the projections 201a and 201c. Are provided at the dividing portion between the protrusions 201b and 201d. Here, the pixel electrode 131 has a pixel pitch in the scanning line direction of 120 μm and a pixel pitch in the signal line direction of 360 μm, and uses an electrode having a size larger than that of the first embodiment. To do.

  In this manner, by arranging the protrusions 201a to 201d so as to extend not only in the signal line direction but also in the scanning line direction, it can be applied to a large liquid crystal display device having a pixel electrode with a large area.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the first structure is intermittently provided in the region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode in the scanning line direction and the signal line direction. By doing so, the first and second structures can be extended with respect to the signal line direction and the scanning line direction in accordance with the area of the pixel electrode, so that, for example, a large pixel electrode is provided. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid crystal display device, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 32, a slit 202c as a second structure is provided so as to face the divided portion between the projections 201a and 201c in the scanning line direction, and the projections 201b and 201d Providing it in opposition to the divided part between them and forming it integrally in the signal line direction makes it easier to manufacture compared to the structure of FIG.

  Further, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 33, the dividing portion between the projections 201a and 201c in the scanning line direction and the dividing portion between the projections 201b and 201d are respectively opposed to each other in the signal line direction. The formed slit 202 is integrally formed in the scanning line direction so as to face the divided part between the protrusions 201a and 201b in the signal line direction and the divided part between the protrusions 201c and 201d, respectively. By forming, manufacture becomes easier.

  In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the first structure provided intermittently in the region corresponding to the pixel electrode 131 on the counter electrode 173 is a rectangle extending in the signal line direction. It is not limited. For example, in the first embodiment, the shape of the projections 201a and 201b as the first structure shown in the plan view of FIG. 5 is the same as that of the projections 201a and 201b shown in the plan view of FIG. Even if the shape of the projections 201a and 201b is hexagonal as shown in the plan view of FIG. 35 and the shape of the projections 201a and 201b is elliptical as shown in the plan view of FIG. By providing the second structure opposite to the divided portion of the structure, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circuit arrange | positioned on the array board | substrate of the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the array board | substrate in the intersection part vicinity of the scanning line wired to the display area of the said liquid crystal display device, and a signal line. It is sectional drawing in the boundary vicinity of a display area | region and a periphery area | region in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the 1st and 2nd structure provided in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the AA part in the said top view. It is sectional drawing of the BB part in the said top view. It is sectional drawing of the CC section in the said top view. It is sectional drawing of the AA part which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the BB part which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of CC section which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed the inclination direction of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the 1st and 2nd structure provided in the liquid crystal display device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the AA part which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the BB part which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of CC section which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the figure which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the structure provided in the liquid crystal display device as a 1st comparative example. It is the figure which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the structure provided in the liquid crystal display device as a 2nd comparative example. It is a figure which shows the result of having compared the 1st and 2nd embodiment and the 1st and 2nd comparative example about the roughness of an image display. It is a figure which shows the result of having compared the 1st and 2nd embodiment and the 1st and 2nd comparative example about the transmittance | permeability ratio and the front contrast ratio. It is the top view which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the 1st and 2nd structure provided in the transflective liquid crystal display device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the AA part in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the AA part which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the 1st and 2nd structure provided in the transflective liquid crystal display device as a comparative example. It is sectional drawing of the AA part in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the AA part which showed the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule at the time of image display in the said liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the array substrate of the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the 2nd structure provided in the boundary of a reflective area | region and a permeation | transmission area | region on the said array substrate. It is the top view which showed roughly the 1st application example of arrangement | positioning of the 2nd structure provided in the boundary of a reflective area | region and a permeation | transmission area | region on the said array substrate. It is the top view which showed schematically the 2nd application example of arrangement | positioning of the 2nd structure provided in the boundary of a reflective area | region and a permeation | transmission area | region on the said array substrate. It is the top view which showed roughly arrangement | positioning of the 1st and 2nd structure provided in the liquid crystal display device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the 1st modification at the time of changing the layout of the 2nd structure in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed the 2nd modification at the time of changing the layout of the 2nd structure in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed the 1st modification at the time of changing the shape of the 1st structure in the liquid crystal display device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the 2nd modification at the time of changing the shape of the 1st structure in the said liquid crystal display device. It is the top view which showed the 3rd modification at the time of changing the shape of the 1st structure in the said liquid crystal display device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display device 2 ... Reflective electrode 3 ... Transmission electrode 101 ... Array board | substrate (1st board | substrate)
102. Counter substrate (second substrate)
103 ... Outer edge seal member 104 ... Liquid crystal layer 110 ... Display region 111 ... Insulating substrate (array substrate side)
112 ... Undercoat layer 113 ... Interlayer insulating films 114A, 114B ... Contact hole 115 ... Transparent resin layer 116 ... Light shielding film 117 ... Contact hole 118 ... Columnar spacer 119 ... Alignment film (array substrate side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 ... Peripheral area | region 121 ... Scan line drive circuit 122 ... Signal line drive circuit 123 ... Counter electrode drive circuit 131 ... Pixel electrode 140 ... Thin-film transistor (pixel TFT)
141 ... Semiconductor layer 141C ... Channel region 141D ... Drain region 141S ... Source region 142 ... Gate insulating film 143 ... Gate electrode (scanning line Y)
144... Drain electrode (signal line X)
145 ... Source electrode 150 ... Auxiliary capacitance 151 ... Auxiliary capacitance electrode 152 ... Auxiliary capacitance line 153 ... Contact electrode 154 ... Contact hole 171 ... Insulating substrate (opposite substrate side)
172R ... Red color filter layer 172G ... Green color filter layer 172B ... Blue color filter layer 173 ... Counter electrode (second electrode)
174 ... Alignment film (opposing substrate side)
201, 201a, 201b, 201c... Dielectric protrusion (first structure)
202 ... Slit of pixel electrode (second structure)
203a, 203b ... slits of the counter electrode (first structure)
204 ... Dielectric protrusion (structure)
300 ... Step 301 ... Oxide film 302 ... Polysilicon film 303 ... Passivation film 304 ... Organic insulation film 305 ... Auxiliary capacitance line (CS line)
306 ... contact portions Y1 to Ym ... scanning lines X1 to Xn ... signal line PL1 ... polarizing plate (array substrate side)
PL2 ... Polarizing plate (opposite substrate side)
LC1 ... Liquid crystal molecules present in the transmission region LC2 ... Liquid crystal molecules present in the vicinity of the boundary between the reflection region and the transmission region

Claims (11)

A first substrate and a second substrate arranged to face each other with a gap between them;
A first electrode disposed on the second substrate side on the first substrate;
A second electrode disposed on the first substrate side on the second substrate so as to face the first electrode;
A liquid crystal layer made of liquid crystal molecules held in the gap and having negative dielectric anisotropy with respect to the first and second substrates;
A first structure that is intermittently provided on the second electrode and controls a tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer;
A second structure provided on the first electrode so as to face a parting portion of the first structure provided intermittently;
A liquid crystal display device comprising: The first electrode includes a reflective electrode disposed corresponding to a region where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is thin due to a step provided on at least one of the first and second substrates, and a thickness of the liquid crystal layer. And a transmissive electrode arranged corresponding to the thick region,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the second structure is provided along a boundary between the reflective electrode and the transmissive electrode. The first electrode includes a reflective electrode disposed corresponding to a region where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is thin due to a step provided on at least one of the first or second substrate, and a thickness of the liquid crystal layer. And a transmissive electrode arranged corresponding to a thick region,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the second structure is provided across a boundary between the reflective electrode and the transmissive electrode. The first substrate and the second substrate are an array substrate and a counter substrate, respectively.
The first electrode is a pixel electrode disposed at each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines that are crossed on the array substrate.
The second electrode is a counter electrode disposed on the counter substrate,
The first structure is intermittently provided in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode in at least one direction of the scanning line direction and the signal line direction,
4. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the second structure is provided in the pixel electrode so as to be opposed to a divided portion between the first structures. 5. A plurality of the first structures are provided in a scanning line direction and a signal line direction in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode,
The second structure is provided in the pixel electrode so as to be opposed to a portion between the first structures in the scanning line direction and integrally formed in the signal line direction. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4. A plurality of the first structures are provided in a scanning line direction and a signal line direction in a region corresponding to the pixel electrode in the counter electrode,
The second structure is provided in the pixel electrode so as to be opposed to a divided portion between the first structures in the signal line direction and integrally formed in the scanning line direction. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 4 or 5. The first structure is a dielectric protrusion provided on the counter electrode so as to protrude toward the array substrate,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the second structure is a slit provided by partially removing the pixel electrode. The first structure is a slit provided by partially removing the counter electrode;
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the second structure is a slit provided by partially removing the pixel electrode. The first structure is a dielectric protrusion provided on the counter electrode so as to protrude toward the array substrate,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the second structure is a dielectric protrusion provided on the pixel electrode so as to protrude toward the counter substrate. The protrusion on the counter electrode is provided extending in one direction,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7, wherein the slit of the pixel electrode is provided to extend in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the protrusions extend. The slit of the counter electrode is provided to extend in one direction,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 8, wherein the slit of the pixel electrode extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the slit of the counter electrode extends.

Images