JP2007264443A - Semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel, semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device, and semi-transmissive liquid crystal display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel, a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device, and a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display system that can improve visibility by increasing luminance when performing reflection display by a reflection part and can suppress a decrease in color purity when performing transmission display by a transmission part, and also can suppress complexity of a wiring structure and narrowing of a display region. <P>SOLUTION: In the semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel X, a transmission type subpixel electrode 25 is connected to a source wiring line 22a and a gate wiring line 23a through a switching element 27a, and a reflection type subpixel is connected to the transmission type subpixel electrode 25 and a gate wiring line 23b through a switching element 27b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an active matrix transflective liquid crystal display panel having a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) as a switching element, a transflective liquid crystal display device, and a transflective liquid crystal display system, for example.

  In recent years, display panels such as liquid crystal display devices have become widespread not only in relatively small information communication devices such as portable information terminals but also in relatively large electrical devices such as monitors. In order to reduce power consumption, a reflective liquid crystal display device that does not require a backlight is employed. However, since the reflective liquid crystal display device uses external light (for example, sunlight) as a light source, it tends to be difficult to recognize a display image in a dark room. Therefore, as a liquid crystal display device capable of appropriately recognizing a display image even in a dark room while reducing power consumption, a so-called transflective liquid crystal display device having both transmissive and reflective properties. Development has been underway.

  Such a transflective liquid crystal display device has a transmission part for transmitting light from the backlight and a reflection part for reflecting external light in one pixel. Therefore, the transflective liquid crystal display device with this configuration displays images by transmitting light through the transmissive part of each pixel using a backlight in dark rooms, etc., and uses outside light in bright outdoors. Then, an image can be displayed by reflecting light at the reflection portion of each pixel. Therefore, the transflective liquid crystal display device having this configuration is suitable for reducing power consumption because the backlight is not always used. A transflective liquid crystal display device having such a configuration is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  However, in the transflective liquid crystal display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the backlight light passes through the color filter only once, whereas the external light is incident and after being reflected by the reflective polarizing plate. In this case, the light transmittance at the reflection portion is lower than the light transmittance at the transmission portion, and it may be difficult to ensure sufficient luminance at the reflection portion. .

In view of this, a transflective liquid crystal display device in which the light utilization efficiency in the reflecting portion is increased has been developed, and disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3. Patent Literature 2 discloses a transflective liquid crystal display device having a missing portion (a portion where no color filter is present) in a part of the color filter in the reflective portion, and Patent Literature 3 provides a color filter in the reflective portion. No transflective liquid crystal display device is disclosed.
JP 2000-131681 A JP 2003-270623 A JP 2001-108980 A JP 2002-333870 A

  However, in the transflective liquid crystal display devices disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the color purity in the reflective portion is reduced or monochrome compared with the transflective liquid crystal display device disclosed in Patent Document 1. Although it is possible to increase the brightness in the reflective part and improve the visibility of the reflective display by setting the display, the reflective display in the reflective part is mixed when performing transmissive display, so the color purity in the reflective part There has been a problem that the color purity in the transmission part is lowered due to the decrease in the color. Further, the transflective liquid crystal display device disclosed in Patent Document 4 is configured to be independently driven so as to individually control all the subpixels. However, since the number of wirings increases accordingly, the wiring structure In addition, the aperture ratio of the pixels in the display panel may be reduced.

  The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and increases the brightness when performing reflective display in the reflective portion to improve visibility, and also when performing transmissive display in the transmissive portion. Transflective liquid crystal display panel, transflective liquid crystal display device, and transflective type capable of suppressing reduction in color purity and capable of suppressing complication of wiring structure and narrowing of display area An object is to provide a liquid crystal display system.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of source lines arranged in a first direction and a plurality of gate lines arranged in a direction intersecting the source lines. A transflective liquid crystal display panel in which each of the plurality of pixels is configured to transmit light incident from one side to the other side through a color filter. And a reflective subpixel configured to reflect the light incident from the other side to the other side, the transmissive subpixel being one of the plurality of source wirings via a switching element. The reflective subpixel is connected to a source wiring and one gate wiring of the plurality of gate wirings, and the reflective subpixel is connected to the transmissive subpixel and another gate of the plurality of gate wirings via a switching element. It is characterized in that it is connected to the line.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel, it is preferable that each of the pixels includes a plurality of the transmissive subpixels, and the reflective subpixels are located at the subsequent stage of all the transmissive subpixels. Here, “subsequent stage” means that a signal (image signal) propagation system is behind.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel, it is preferable that each of the pixels includes a plurality of the reflective sub-pixels, and the transmissive sub-pixel is positioned in front of all the reflective sub-pixels. Here, “previous stage” means that a signal (image signal) propagation system is in front.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel has a gate in which all of the n-th (n is a natural number) reflective sub-pixels from the transmissive sub-pixel side of one or a plurality of reflective sub-pixels in each pixel are one gate. It is preferable to be connected to wiring.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel, the reflective sub-pixel preferably includes a color filter through which a part of the light incident on and reflected by the reflective sub-pixel passes.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel, the reflective subpixel preferably includes a color filter having a color purity different from that of the color filter of the transmissive subpixel.

  The transflective liquid crystal display device according to the second aspect of the present invention is disposed opposite to the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention and one main surface of the transflective liquid crystal display panel. It is characterized by having a backlight.

  A transflective liquid crystal display system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a transflective liquid crystal display device including the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention, and each of the subpixels. And a control means for controlling a signal propagating through the gate wiring in which the switching elements that connect each other are formed.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmissive subpixel is connected to one of the plurality of source lines and one gate line of the plurality of gate lines through the switching element. The reflective subpixel is connected to the transmissive subpixel and another gate wiring among the plurality of gate wirings via the switching element. Therefore, in this transflective liquid crystal display panel, each transmissive subpixel and each reflective subpixel can be independently driven. Therefore, in the transflective liquid crystal display panel, even when the brightness in the case of performing reflective display in the reflective part is increased to improve the visibility, for example, when performing transmissive display (color display) of the transmissive part, the reflective part By setting the reflective display to black display, it is possible to prevent the color purity of the entire display image from being lowered due to the reflective display overlapping the transmissive display.

  In addition, the transflective liquid crystal display panel has a structure in which a reflective subpixel is connected (subordinated) to a transmissive subpixel, so that each subpixel can be independently driven independently. In addition to the simplification of the wiring structure, the simplification of the wiring structure makes it possible to secure a larger pixel aperture ratio. In this way, when the aperture ratio of the pixel is increased, the light transmittance and the reflectance can be increased, so that the luminance of the transmissive display can be further increased when the same backlight is used, and the same ambient light amount. In addition, the brightness of the reflective display can be further increased.

  In each of the pixels of the transflective liquid crystal display panel, when there are a plurality of the transmissive subpixels and the reflective subpixels are located at the subsequent stage of the plurality of transmissive subpixels, Since the transmissive display according to can be a gradation display, it is suitable for controlling brightness and color purity in more detail.

  When there are a plurality of the reflective subpixels in each pixel of the transflective liquid crystal display panel, and the transmissive subpixels are positioned in front of all the reflective subpixels, Since the reflective display can be a gradation display, it is suitable for controlling the luminance and color purity in more detail.

  In this transflective liquid crystal display panel, all of the n-th (n is a natural number) reflection sub-pixels from the transmissive sub-pixel side of one or a plurality of reflection sub-pixels in each pixel are one gate. When connected to the wiring, the wiring structure can be simplified (for example, the number of wirings and the number of drive circuits can be reduced), and signals can be collectively output to the nth stage reflective sub-pixel. It becomes possible to transmit.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel, when the reflective subpixel includes a color filter through which a part of the light incident on and reflected by the reflective subpixel passes, the luminance is high and the color purity is low. Therefore, it is possible to perform a relatively bright color reflection display.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel, when the reflective sub-pixel includes a color filter having a color purity different from that of the transmissive sub-pixel, the reflection of a color having luminance and color purity different from that of the transmissive display is achieved. Since display can be performed, for example, a brighter reflective display can be obtained by reducing the color purity of the color filter of the reflective subpixel and increasing the transmittance as compared with the transmissive subpixel.

  Since the transflective liquid crystal display device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention, the transflective liquid crystal display device according to the first aspect of the present invention described above is provided. The effect of the transflective liquid crystal display panel can be enjoyed. In other words, in the transflective liquid crystal display device, even when the brightness in the case of performing reflective display in the reflective part is increased and the visibility is improved, for example, when performing transmissive display (color display) of the transmissive part, By setting the reflective display to black display, it is possible to prevent the color purity of the entire display image from being lowered due to the reflective display overlapping the transmissive display. In addition, the transflective liquid crystal display device can simplify the wiring structure as compared with the case where each sub-pixel can be independently driven independently. Thus, it is possible to ensure a larger aperture ratio of the pixels.

  The transflective liquid crystal display system according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a transflective liquid crystal display device that includes the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention. The above-described effects of the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the first aspect of the present invention can be enjoyed. That is, in the transflective liquid crystal display system, even when the brightness in the case of performing reflective display in the reflective portion is increased to improve visibility, for example, when performing transmissive display (color display) of the transmissive portion, By setting the reflective display to black display, it is possible to prevent the color purity of the entire display image from being lowered due to the reflective display overlapping the transmissive display. In addition, the transflective liquid crystal display system can simplify the wiring structure as compared with the case where each sub-pixel can be independently driven independently. Thus, it is possible to ensure a larger aperture ratio of the pixels.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a transflective liquid crystal display panel X according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of one pixel of the transflective liquid crystal display panel X shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel X includes a liquid crystal layer 10, a first base 20, a second base 30, and a sealing member 40, and the liquid crystal layer 10 is interposed between the first base 20 and the second base 30. By interposing and sealing the liquid crystal layer 10 with the sealing member 40, a display region P including a plurality of pixels G for displaying an image is configured.

  The liquid crystal layer 10 is a layer that includes liquid crystal that exhibits electrical, optical, mechanical, or temporal anisotropy and has both solid regularity and liquid fluidity. Examples of the liquid crystal include nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal, and smectic liquid crystal. In the present embodiment, nematic liquid crystal is used.

  The first substrate 20 includes a transparent substrate 21, source wirings 22a and 22b, gate wirings 23a and 23b, storage capacitor wiring 24, transmission subpixel electrode 25, reflection subpixel electrode 26, switching elements 27a and 27b, and orientation. A membrane 28 is provided.

  The transparent substrate 21 is a member that supports a transmissive subpixel electrode 25, a reflective subpixel electrode 26, and an alignment film 28, which will be described later, and contributes to sealing the liquid crystal layer 10. It is configured to be able to appropriately transmit light in the intersecting direction. Examples of the material constituting the transparent substrate 21 include glass and translucent plastic.

  The source wirings 22a and 22b are for transmitting a predetermined signal (image signal) to a transmission type subpixel electrode 25 and a reflection type subpixel electrode 26 which will be described later, and a plurality of source wirings 22a and 22b are arranged so as to mainly extend in the arrow AB direction. ing.

  The gate wirings 23a and 23b are for propagating signals (scanning signals) for turning on or off switching elements 27a and 27b, which will be described later, and are mainly in the direction of the arrow CD (in this embodiment, the direction of the arrow AB). Are arranged so as to extend in a substantially orthogonal direction). Examples of the material constituting the gate wirings 23a and 23b include chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), Al, Al alloy, molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), and the like.

  The auxiliary capacitor portion wiring 24 is for forming a capacitor in parallel with the liquid crystal layer 10 to ensure a sufficient voltage holding state, and is electrically connected to a display electrode 32 of the second base 30 described later. ing. The connection structure of the auxiliary capacitor line 24 and the display electrode 32 is such that the auxiliary capacitor line 24 of each pixel G is connected to each other on the first base 20 and a part of the auxiliary capacitor line 24 is sealed later. This is achieved by connecting to the display electrode 32 of the second substrate 30 by conductive bumps (not shown) interposed between the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 30 (gap).

  The transmissive subpixel electrode 25 is a member for applying a predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 10 positioned between the display electrode 32 of the second base 30 described later, and is incident from one (lower) side. It is configured to transmit light to the other (upward) side. The transmissive subpixel electrode 25 is connected to the source line 22a and the gate line 23a via a switching element 27a (specifically, a drain line 274) described later. Examples of the material constituting the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 include a light-transmitting conductive member such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or tin oxide.

  The reflective subpixel electrode 26 is a member for applying a predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 10 positioned between the display electrode 32 of the second substrate 30 described later, and is incident from the other (upper) side. It is configured to reflect light to the other side. The reflective subpixel electrode 26 is connected to the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 and the gate wiring 23b via a switching element 27b (specifically, a drain wiring 274) described later. The reflective subpixel electrode 26 may be made of an Al-based material such as aluminum (Al) or an Al alloy (for example, AlNd or AlTi), or Ag such as silver (Ag) or an Ag alloy (for example, AgPd, AgPdCu, or AuCuAg). Examples thereof include metals having light reflectivity such as system materials and titanium (Ti).

  Here, the area ratio of the transmission-type subpixel electrode 25 and the reflection-type subpixel electrode 26 in plan view may be appropriately set as necessary. For example, the constituent material of the color filter 33 of the second substrate 30 described later is used. Since the light transmission amount differs depending on the color filter 33, the area ratio may be adjusted depending on the constituent material of the color filter 33. The light transmission amount also varies depending on the thickness of the color filter 33. The area ratio may be adjusted according to the thickness. For example, when the color filter 33 that converts the wavelength of red visible light is provided only above the transmissive subpixel electrode 25, the area ratio of the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 is set to 35% of the entire pixel electrode, and the green visible When the color filter 33 for converting to the wavelength of light is provided only above the transmissive subpixel electrode 25, the area ratio of the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 is set to 25% of the entire pixel electrode, and the wavelength of blue visible light is set. When the color filter 33 to be converted is provided only above the transmissive subpixel electrode 25, the area ratio of the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 is set to 35% of the entire pixel electrode, so that the white of the reflective display (reflection mode) is obtained. The balance may be closer to yellow, and the white balance of transmissive display (transmission mode) may be closer to blue.

The switching elements 27a and 27b are for controlling whether or not signals from the source wirings 22a and 22b are propagated to the drain wirings 274 and 274, and examples thereof include a thin film transistor (TFT). The switching element 27a includes a gate wiring 23a, a gate insulating film 271, a semiconductor layer 272, an n ⁺ semiconductor layer 273 implanted with impurities, a source wiring 22a, a drain wiring 274, and a passivation layer (insulating layer) 275. Yes. The gate insulating film 271 is a member for insulating the gate wiring 23 a and the semiconductor layer 272. Examples of the constituent material of the gate insulating film 271 include SiN, SiO ₂ , Ta ₂ O _{3 and the} like. The semiconductor layer 272 is a member for changing the resistance value between the source wiring 22 a and the drain wiring 274. An example of a constituent material of the semiconductor layer 272 is Si. The n ⁺ semiconductor layer 273 into which impurities are implanted is a member for reducing the contact resistance between the semiconductor layer 272 and the source wiring 22a or the drain wiring 274. The drain wiring 274 is a member for propagating a signal from the source wiring 22a to the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 through the switching element 27a. Examples of the material constituting the drain wiring 274 include Cr, Ta, Al, Al alloy, Mo, W, and Cu. The passivation layer 275 is a member for protecting the semiconductor layer 272 and the like. Examples of the constituent material of the passivation layer 275 include SiN, SiO ₂ , Ta ₂ O _{3 and the} like. The switching element 27b includes a gate wiring 23b, a gate insulating film 271, a semiconductor layer 272, an n ⁺ semiconductor layer 273, a source wiring 22b, a drain wiring 274, and a passivation layer 275.

  The alignment film 28 is for aligning liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 10 oriented in a macro-random direction (small regularity) in a predetermined direction, and is formed on the transparent substrate 21. Examples of the constituent material of the alignment film 28 include polyimide resin. Further, the thickness of the alignment film 28 may be appropriately set as necessary, but is set to 0.05 μm, for example.

  The second substrate 30 includes a transparent substrate 31, display electrodes 32, color filters 33, a planarization film 34, and an alignment film 35.

  The transparent substrate 31 is a member that supports a display electrode 32, a color filter 33, a planarization film 34, and an alignment film 35, which will be described later, and contributes to sealing the liquid crystal layer 10, and intersects the main surface. It is set as the structure which can permeate | transmit light appropriately in the direction to do. Examples of the material constituting the transparent substrate 31 include the same materials as those constituting the transparent substrate 21.

  The display electrode 32 is a member for applying a predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 10 positioned between the transmissive sub-pixel electrode 25 or the reflective sub-pixel electrode 26 of the first base 20, and one (lower) ) Or the light incident from the other (upper) side is transmitted to the other (upper) or one (lower) side. The opposing region of the display electrode 32, the transmissive subpixel electrode 25, and the reflective subpixel electrode 26 constitutes a pixel G. In the present embodiment, the pixels G are arranged in a matrix. Examples of the material constituting the display electrode 32 include a light-transmitting conductive member such as ITO or tin oxide. The thickness of the display electrode 32 may be set as appropriate in consideration of resistance, light transmittance, and the like, but is set to, for example, 0.12 μm.

  The color filter 33 selectively absorbs a predetermined wavelength of light incident on the color filter 33 and adds a dye or a pigment to a member for selectively transmitting only the predetermined wavelength, for example, an acrylic resin. It is constituted by. Examples of the color filter 33 include a red color filter (R) for selectively transmitting the wavelength of red visible light, a green color filter (G) for selectively transmitting the wavelength of green visible light, and blue visible light. And a blue color filter (B) for selectively transmitting the wavelength. Further, the thickness of the color filter 33 may be set as appropriate in consideration of the amount of transmitted light, but is set to 1.0 μm, for example.

  The flattening film 34 is for flattening unevenness caused by disposing the color filter 33. Examples of the material constituting the planarizing film 34 include transparent resins such as acrylic resins.

  The alignment film 35 is for aligning the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 10 oriented in a macro-random direction (small regularity) in a predetermined direction (for example, a direction crossing the alignment direction of the alignment film 28). It is formed on the transparent substrate 31. Examples of the constituent material of the alignment film 35 include polyimide resin. Further, the thickness of the alignment film 35 may be appropriately set as necessary, but is set to 0.05 μm, for example.

  The sealing member 40 contributes to sealing the liquid crystal layer 10 between the first base body 20 and the second base body 30 and is used to join the first base body 20 and the second base body 30 together. For example, an insulating material (insulating resin or the like) or a conductive sealing material (sealing resin or the like containing conductive particles). In the case where an insulating material is employed as the sealing member 40, the first substrate 20 is assisted through a conductive connecting material (such as a conductive bump) in a sealing region formed inside the sealing member 40. When the capacitor part wiring 24 and the display electrode 32 of the second base 30 are electrically connected and a conductive sealing material is employed as the sealing member 40, the first base 20 is assisted through the conductive sealing material. The capacitor part wiring 24 and the display electrode 32 of the second base 30 are electrically connected.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel X according to the present embodiment, the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 is connected to the source wiring 22a and the gate wiring 23a through the switching element 27a, and the reflective subpixel is transmissive through the switching element 27b. It is connected to the type subpixel 25 and the gate wiring 23b. Therefore, in the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 and the reflective subpixel electrode 26 can be individually driven independently. Therefore, in the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, even when the brightness in the case of performing reflective display in the reflective portion is increased to improve the visibility, for example, when performing transmissive display (color display) of the transmissive portion, the reflective portion By setting the reflective display to black display, it is possible to prevent the color purity of the entire display image from being lowered due to the reflective display overlapping the transmissive display.

  Further, the transflective liquid crystal display panel X has a structure in which the reflective subpixel electrode 26 is connected (subordinated) to the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 so that the subpixels 25 and 26 can be independently driven independently. Compared to the conventional case, in addition to simplifying the wiring structure, a larger aperture ratio of the pixel can be ensured as the wiring structure is simplified. In this way, when the aperture ratio of the pixel is increased, the light transmittance and the reflectance can be increased, so that the luminance of the transmissive display can be further increased when the same backlight is used, and the same ambient light amount. In addition, the brightness of the reflective display can be further increased.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a transflective liquid crystal display device Y including the transflective liquid crystal display panel X according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. The transflective liquid crystal display device Y includes a transflective liquid crystal display panel X, two polarizing plates 50 and 51, a backlight 60, and a housing 70.

  The polarizing plates 50 and 51 are members for selectively transmitting light in a predetermined vibration direction. The polarizing plate 51 in the present embodiment is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the polarizing plate 50 (selectively transmits light having a vibration direction parallel to the axial direction). Such a configuration is suitable for exhibiting a shutter function of light transmitted through the polarizing plates 50 and 51. In addition, you may arrange | position a retardation film, a diffusion filter, etc. between the polarizing plate 50 and the transparent substrate 21 or between the polarizing plate 51 and the transparent substrate 31 as needed.

  The backlight 60 is a member for irradiating light from one side (lower side) to the other side (upper side) of the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, and includes a light source 61 and a light guide plate 62. The light source 61 emits light toward the light guide plate 62, and examples thereof include a fluorescent tube, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, and an EL (electro-luminescence). The light guide plate 62 is a member for guiding light from the light source 61 substantially uniformly over the entire lower surface of the transflective liquid crystal display panel X. The light guide plate 62 is usually provided on the back surface (lower surface), and is provided on a reflection sheet (not shown) for reflecting light and on the front surface (upper surface), and diffuses the light for more uniform planar light emission. And a diffusion sheet (not shown). Examples of the constituent material of the light guide plate 62 include transparent resins such as acrylic resin and polycarbonate resin. In the present embodiment, the backlight 60 employs an edge light system as shown in FIG. 4, but may employ another system such as a direct system.

  The housing 70 is a member for housing the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, the two polarizing plates 50 and 51, and the backlight 60, and includes the upper housing 71 and the lower housing 71. . Examples of the material constituting the housing 70 include transparent resins such as polycarbonate resin, metals such as stainless steel (SUS) and Al.

  Since the transflective liquid crystal display device Y according to the present invention includes the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, the effects of the transflective liquid crystal display panel X described above can be enjoyed.

  FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a main part of a transflective liquid crystal display system Z including the transflective liquid crystal display panel X according to the present invention. The transflective liquid crystal display system Z includes a transflective liquid crystal display panel X and a control unit 80.

  The control unit 80 is for collectively controlling the reflective subpixel electrode 26 of the transflective liquid crystal display panel X to switch “ON / OFF” of the reflective subpixel electrode 26, and one end of the gate wiring 23 b. It is connected to the. It is assumed that the gate wiring 23b is connected to all the switching elements 27b.

  Here, a case where reflective display is performed on the transflective liquid crystal display panel X under the control of the control unit 80 will be described. First, by applying a predetermined voltage (for example, 15V) to the gate wiring 23b by the control plate 80, the switching element 27b is turned "ON". That is, since the gate wiring 23b is connected to all the switching elements 27b, all the switching elements 27b are turned “ON”. Next, by inputting a signal to the source line 22a at a timing when the gate line 23a is turned “ON”, a predetermined potential is applied to all of the storage capacitor line 24, the transmission type subpixel electrode 25, and the reflection type subpixel electrode 26. Supply. As a result, a predetermined potential is applied between the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 and the reflective subpixel electrode 26 and the display electrode 32, and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 10 corresponding to the input signal (image data) are applied. It becomes an array. As described above, reflective display (monochrome display) can be performed.

  A case where transmissive display is performed on the transflective liquid crystal display panel X under the control of the control unit 80 will be described. First, the switching element 27b is turned “OFF” by applying a predetermined voltage (for example, −12V) to the gate wiring 23b by the control plate 80 while the backlight 60 is turned on. That is, since the gate line 23b is connected to all the switching elements 27b, all the switching elements 27b are turned “OFF”. Next, a predetermined potential is supplied to all of the storage capacitor line 24 and the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 by inputting a signal to the source line 22 a at a timing when the gate line 23 a is turned “ON”. As a result, a predetermined potential is applied between the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 and the display electrode 32, and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 10 are arranged according to the input signal (image data). As described above, transmissive display (color display) can be performed. Note that, by setting the normally black display mode, the reflective display (monochrome display) can be changed to black display.

  Since the transflective liquid crystal display system Z according to the present invention includes the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, the effects of the transflective liquid crystal display panel X described above can be enjoyed.

  Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel X is configured such that each pixel G has a plurality of transmissive subpixel electrodes 25 and the reflective subpixel electrodes 26 are positioned downstream of the transmissive subpixel electrodes 25. Also good. According to such a configuration, since the transmissive display by the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 can be a gradation display, the luminance and the color purity can be controlled in more detail.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel X is configured so that each pixel G has a plurality of reflective subpixel electrodes 26 and the transmissive subpixel electrodes 25 are positioned in front of the plurality of reflective subpixel electrodes 26. Also good. According to such a configuration, since the reflective display by the reflective subpixel electrode 26 can be a gradation display, the luminance and the color purity can be controlled in more detail.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel X has an n-th (n is a natural number) stage reflective subpixel electrode 26 from the transmissive subpixel electrode 25 side of one or a plurality of reflective subpixel electrodes 26 in each pixel G. May be connected to one gate wiring 23b. According to such a configuration, the wiring structure can be simplified (for example, the number of wirings and the number of driving circuits can be reduced), and signals can be collectively transmitted to the n-th reflection type sub-pixel. can do.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, as shown in FIG. 7, the color filter 33 may be a color filter 33 ′ that also passes a part of the light incident on the reflective subpixel electrode 26 and reflected. According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform reflective display of a relatively bright color with high luminance and low color purity in the reflection portion.

  In the transflective liquid crystal display panel X, as shown in FIG. 8, a color filter 36 having a color purity different from that of the color filter 33 is disposed so that the light incident on the reflective subpixel electrode 26 and reflected can pass therethrough. May be. According to such a configuration, since it is possible to perform reflective display of a color having a luminance and color purity different from that of the transmissive display, for example, the color purity of the color filter 36 is lowered and the transmittance is increased as compared with the color filter 33. Thus, a brighter reflective display can be obtained. The color purity of the color filters 33 and 36 can be adjusted depending on the constituent material, thickness, and the like.

  The transflective liquid crystal display panel X may have a light shielding member (black matrix) between the color filters 33 or between the pixels G. According to such a configuration, the contrast ratio of the display image can be increased.

It is sectional drawing showing schematic structure of the transflective liquid crystal display panel which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of one pixel of the transflective liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the III-III line of FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a transflective liquid crystal display device including a transflective liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing along the VV line shown in FIG. It is a circuit diagram showing the principal part of a transflective liquid crystal display system provided with the transflective liquid crystal display panel shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing showing the modification of the transflective liquid crystal display panel which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing showing the modification of the transflective liquid crystal display panel which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

X Transflective liquid crystal display panel Y Transflective liquid crystal display device Z Transflective liquid crystal display system 10 Liquid crystal layer 20 First substrate 21 Transparent substrates 22a and 22b Source wirings 23a and 23b Gate wiring 24 Auxiliary capacitance section wiring 25 Transmission sub Pixel electrode 26 Reflective subpixel electrode 27a, 27b Switching element 28 Alignment film 30 Second substrate 31 Transparent substrate 32 Surface electrode 33 Color filter 34 Flattening film 35 Alignment film

Claims (8)

A transflective liquid crystal display panel comprising a plurality of source lines arranged in a first direction and a plurality of gate lines arranged in a direction intersecting the source lines, wherein a plurality of pixels are configured.
Each of the plurality of pixels is configured to transmit light incident from one side through the color filter to the other side and to reflect light incident from the other side to the other side. Comprising a reflective sub-pixel configured,
The transmissive subpixel is connected to one source wiring of the plurality of source wirings and one gate wiring in the plurality of gate wirings through a switching element, and the reflective subpixel is connected to the one through the switching element. A transflective liquid crystal display panel, wherein the transflective liquid crystal display panel is connected to a transmissive subpixel and another gate wiring of the plurality of gate wirings. 2. The transflective liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein in each of the pixels, a plurality of the transmissive subpixels are present, and the reflective subpixel is located at a subsequent stage of all the transmissive subpixels. 3. The transflective liquid crystal display according to claim 1, wherein in each of the pixels, there are a plurality of the reflective sub-pixels, and the transmissive sub-pixels are positioned in front of all of the plurality of reflective sub-pixels. panel. The n-th (n is a natural number) stage reflective sub-pixel from the transmissive sub-pixel side of one or a plurality of reflective sub-pixels in each pixel is all connected to one gate wiring. The transflective liquid crystal display panel according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The transflective liquid crystal display panel according to claim 4, wherein the reflective subpixel includes a color filter through which a part of light incident on and reflected by the reflective subpixel passes. The transflective liquid crystal display panel according to claim 4, wherein the reflective subpixel includes a color filter having a color purity different from that of the color filter of the transmissive subpixel. A transflective type comprising the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a backlight disposed opposite to one main surface of the transflective liquid crystal display panel. Liquid crystal display device. 7. A transflective liquid crystal display device comprising the transflective liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, and the gate on which each switching element connecting the sub-pixels is formed. And a control means for controlling a signal propagating through the wiring.

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