JP2009288375A - Ocb mode liquid crystal device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an OCB (Optical Compensated Bend) mode liquid crystal device which performs sure initial transition in a short period of time by minimizing circuit scales and power consumption of a power supply circuit for driving the OCB mode liquid crystal device, a counter electrode driving circuit and a storage capacitor electrode driving circuit, and to provide electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The OCB mode liquid crystal device is provided with an initial transition period in which an alignment state of a liquid crystal layer is initially changed from a spray alignment to a bend alignment when starting driving, and enters an image display period after the completion of the initial transition period. In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, a transition voltage (a signal having a larger amplitude) higher than a critical voltage of the liquid crystal layer is applied between a storage capacitor electrode and a counter electrode in the initial transition period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an OCB (Optical Compensated Bend) mode liquid crystal device and an electronic apparatus.

  In recent years, in the field of liquid crystal devices typified by, for example, liquid crystal televisions, attention has been focused on OCB mode liquid crystal devices having a high response speed for the purpose of improving the quality of moving images. In this OCB mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the initial state are splayed so as to be splayed between a pair of substrates, and during the video display (video display period), the liquid crystal molecules are bent in a bowed state. It needs to be. That is, high-speed response is realized by modulating the transmittance with the degree of bending of the bend orientation during the display operation. Therefore, in the case of the OCB mode liquid crystal device, since the liquid crystal is in the splay alignment when the power is turned off, the liquid crystal is changed from the initial splay alignment to the bend alignment in the video display by applying a voltage higher than a certain critical voltage to the liquid crystal when the power is turned on. A so-called initial transition operation (initial transition period) is required to transition the alignment state. Here, if the initial transition is not sufficiently performed, display failure may occur or desired high-speed response may not be obtained.

  As a method for such initial transition, there is a method in which a transition voltage higher than the critical voltage of liquid crystal is applied by changing the potential of the counter electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-3904 JP 2001-83479 A

  However, the following problems remain in the conventional initial transfer method described above. That is, a binary output for the video display period and a high voltage binary output for the initial transition period are required for the counter electrode, and a quaternary output is required. In particular, since the counter electrode drives all the liquid crystals and the load is very heavy, the counter electrode drive circuit has a problem that the circuit scale is greatly increased and the power consumption is also increased.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
The OCB mode liquid crystal device of this application example includes an array substrate on which a scanning signal line and a storage capacitor electrode are formed, a counter substrate on which a counter electrode is formed, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate. An OCB mode liquid crystal device that has an initial transition period for initially transitioning the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer from the splay alignment to the bend alignment at the start of driving, and that shifts to a video display period after the initial transition period is completed. In the initial transition period, a transition voltage higher than the critical voltage of the liquid crystal forming the liquid crystal layer is applied between the storage capacitor electrode and the counter electrode by changing the potential of the storage capacitor electrode. It is characterized by that.

[Application Example 2]
In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, it is preferable that a signal having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode is applied to the storage capacitor electrode during the initial transition period.

[Application Example 3]
In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, during the initial transition period, a signal having approximately the same potential as that of the counter electrode and a signal having the same phase as that of the counter electrode is alternately and repeatedly applied to the storage capacitor electrode. It is preferred that

  According to these application examples, since the same power supply configuration and output means as in the video display period are required, it is possible to realize an OCB mode liquid crystal device capable of realizing the initial transition in a short time while minimizing the circuit scale and power consumption.

[Application Example 4]
In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode during the initial transition period is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential during the video display period of the scanning signal line, and the phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode. It is preferred that a phase signal is applied.

[Application Example 5]
In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line in the initial transition period, and the phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode. And a signal substantially identical to the counter electrode are preferably repeatedly applied.

  Here, the selection potential of the scanning signal line means the potential of the scanning signal line where the TFT element is turned on, and the non-selection potential means the potential of the scanning signal line where the TFT element is turned off.

  Also in these application examples, the same power supply configuration as that of the video display period can be applied. Although the withstand voltage of the drive circuit for driving the storage capacitor electrode must be higher than that of the video display period, the scanning signal line is generally at a higher voltage than the counter electrode, so the potential difference between the counter electrode and the storage capacitor electrode Has the advantage that the transition is reliably realized in a shorter time.

[Application Example 6]
The OCB mode liquid crystal device of this application example includes an array substrate on which a scanning signal line and a storage capacitor electrode are formed, a counter substrate on which a counter electrode is formed, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate. An OCB mode liquid crystal device that has an initial transition period for initially transitioning the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer from the splay alignment to the bend alignment at the start of driving, and that shifts to a video display period after the initial transition period is completed. The storage capacitor electrode is arranged adjacent to or overlapping the scanning signal line in a plane on the array substrate, and the potential is applied to the storage capacitor electrode during the initial transition period, and the video display period of the scanning signal line is set. An AC signal having substantially the same non-selection potential and selection potential and having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode is applied to the scanning signal line. Is the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential for the period, characterized in that the signal of the phase going to the counter electrode and the phase is applied.

[Application Example 7]
In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, in the initial transition period, the scanning signal line includes a non-selection potential pulse corresponding to scanning in the selection potential period and a selection potential corresponding to scanning in the non-selection potential period. Preferably it includes a pulse.

[Application Example 8]
In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode during the initial transition period is substantially the same as the non-selection potential and the selection potential during the video display period of the scanning signal line, and the phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode. It is preferable that the above signal and a signal substantially identical to the counter electrode are repeatedly applied.

  In these application examples, by applying a large horizontal electric field and vertical electric field to the liquid crystal layer, a reliable initial transition can be realized in a shorter time, and the scale of the power supply circuit and the drive circuit can be minimized. it can.

[Application Example 9]
In addition, an electronic device including any of the OCB mode liquid crystal devices described above can be configured.

  In the OCB mode liquid crystal device, a signal having a larger amplitude than the critical voltage of the liquid crystal is applied between the storage capacitor electrode and the counter electrode by changing the potential of the storage capacitor electrode during the initial transition period. Thus, the initial transition can be reliably realized in a short time while minimizing the circuit scale and power consumption of the counter electrode driving circuit.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following various embodiments, the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal device.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a reverse-phase signal is applied to the storage capacitor electrode at the same potential as the counter electrode.

(Configuration of OCB mode liquid crystal device)
1 is a plan view showing an OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the liquid crystal panel 2 of FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a pixel portion of a substrate 3. FIG. In each drawing used in the following description, the scale is appropriately changed for each layer and each member so that each layer and each member has a size that can be recognized on the drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 according to this embodiment is a TFT active matrix type using, for example, TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) as pixel switching elements. The OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 2 and polarizing plates (not shown) respectively disposed on the outer surface of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The liquid crystal panel 2 is formed by an array substrate 3, a counter substrate 4 disposed opposite to the array substrate 3, a sealing material 5 for attaching the array substrate 3 and the counter substrate 4, and the array substrate 3 and the counter substrate 4. And a liquid crystal layer 6 in which liquid crystal is sealed in the cell gap. That is, the liquid crystal layer 6 is sandwiched between the array substrate 3 and the counter substrate 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the array substrate 3 and the counter substrate 4 of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 overlap each other, and the inner side of the seal region is formed in the image display region 8 by the peripheral light shielding film 7 formed inside the seal material 5. It has become. In FIG. 1, the counter substrate 4 is not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the array substrate 3 has, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view, and is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass, quartz, or plastic. In the area of the array substrate 3 that overlaps the image display area 8 in plan view, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the pixel electrode 11, the TFT element 12, the plurality of video signal lines 13, and scanning are mainly performed. A signal line 16 or the like is formed or mounted. An alignment film 15 and the like are formed on the surface of the array substrate 3.

  The pixel electrode 11 is formed of a light-transmitting conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), for example, and is disposed to face the counter electrode 31 provided on the counter substrate 4 with the liquid crystal layer 6 interposed therebetween. Yes.

  The TFT element 12 is composed of, for example, an n-type transistor, and is provided at each intersection of the scanning signal line 16 and the video signal line 13. The TFT element 12 has a source electrode connected to the video signal line 13, a gate electrode connected to the scanning signal line 16, and a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 11. In addition, a storage capacitor 17 or the like is connected between the pixel electrode 11 and the storage capacitor electrode 14 in order to prevent leakage of an image signal written to the pixel electrode 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the video signal line 13 is a wiring made of a metal such as aluminum, and is formed to extend in the Y direction shown in FIG. 3. Further, like the video signal line 13, the scanning signal line 16 is formed to extend in the X direction shown in FIG. Pixels are partitioned by the video signal lines 13 and the scanning signal lines 16.

  Further, in the peripheral region of the sealing material 5 on the array substrate 3, a video signal line drive circuit 21 and an external mounting terminal 22 are formed along one side of the array substrate 3 as shown in FIG. In the peripheral region of the array substrate 3, scanning signal line drive circuits 23 and 24 are formed along two sides adjacent to the one side. Note that the video signal line driving circuit 21, the external mounting terminal 22, and the scanning signal line driving circuits 23 and 24 are appropriately connected by a wiring 25. All or part of these drive circuits may be formed on the array substrate 3 by a plurality of, for example, TFT elements.

  The video signal line drive circuit 21 is configured to supply image signals S1, S2,..., Sm as shown in FIG. Here, the image signal written to the video signal line 13 by the video signal line driving circuit 21 may be supplied line-sequentially or may be supplied for each group of video signal lines 13 adjacent to each other. .

  The scanning signal line driving circuits 23 and 24 are configured to supply the scanning signals G1, G2,..., Gn to the plurality of scanning signal lines 16 in a pulse manner at a predetermined timing. Here, the scanning signals sent to the scanning signal lines 16 by the scanning signal line driving circuits 23 and 24 are supplied line-sequentially, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the counter substrate 4 has, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view like the array substrate 3, and is made of a translucent material such as glass, quartz, or plastic. A counter electrode 31 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 4 on the liquid crystal layer 6 side.

  The counter electrode 31 is a planar film formed or mounted with a light-transmitting conductive material such as ITO, like the pixel electrode 11.

  An alignment film 32 and the like are formed on the surface of the counter substrate 4. The rubbing direction of the alignment film 32 is substantially the same as the rubbing direction of the alignment film 15. Of course, the orientation control may be performed by a method other than rubbing. An inter-substrate conductive material 33 for ensuring electrical continuity between the array substrate 3 and the counter substrate 4 is provided at, for example, a corner of the counter substrate 4.

(Driving method of OCB mode liquid crystal device)
Next, a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 in the present embodiment. In the case of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1, the liquid crystal is in a splay alignment state after the power is turned on. Since high-speed video display can be realized in the bend alignment state, first, an initial transition period for transition from the splay alignment state to the bend alignment state is provided, and after the initial transition is completed, the normal display operation is started. Transition. Hereinafter, the video display period driving method of the present embodiment will be described, and then the initial transition period driving method will be described.

(Driving method for video display period)
In this embodiment, for example, frame inversion driving is performed in the video display period. The counter electrode 31 repeats positive polarity and negative polarity for each frame. Actually, the positive electrode potential of the counter electrode 31 was 6 volts (V1 in the figure) and the negative electrode potential was 0 volts (0 V in the figure). In this embodiment, since the same signal as that applied to the counter electrode 31 is applied to the storage capacitor electrode 14, the potential difference between the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14 is 0 volt. However, there may be a potential difference. For example, in the case of an n-channel TFT element, a negative potential that normally turns off the TFT element is applied to the scanning signal line 16 as shown in FIG. 5, and the TFT element is turned on corresponding to the scanning of the scanning signal line 16. A positive selection pulse is applied. That is, the selection pulse is applied to the last scanning electrode line in the order of G1, G2, and G3 in FIG. 3 to form one frame, but the scanning order may be arbitrary. For example, a luminance signal is applied to the video signal line 13 in accordance with image information that is actually displayed.

(Driving method for initial transition period)
After the power is turned on, an initial transition operation is performed to transition the liquid crystal layer from the splay alignment to the bend alignment (initial transition period). At this time, in this embodiment, for example, the same signals as those in the video display period are applied to the video signal line 13, the counter electrode 31, and the scanning signal line 16, but they may be different signals. A signal having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is applied to the storage capacitor electrode 14. Here, “substantially the same potential” means that the potential is the same in principle although a slight potential difference occurs depending on the circuit configuration (the same applies hereinafter). In the present embodiment, the potentials of the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14 are, for example, 0 volts (0 V) and 6 volts (V1), and ± 6 volts (± V1) between the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14. A potential difference of.

  In this way, by applying a signal (transition voltage) higher than the critical voltage (for example, 5 volts) of the liquid crystal between the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14, the liquid crystal layer 6 is exposed at the exposed portion of the storage capacitor electrode 14. This potential difference is applied to bend nuclei. By continuing this state, the bend alignment expands over the entire surface of the liquid crystal panel in a short time, and a bend alignment state in which normal image display is possible is achieved.

  Experimentally, the frame frequency was set to 60 Hz, but when the initial transition period was set to 1 second (= 60 frames) and the video display period was started, the bend transition was completed and the transition to the bend orientation was ensured in a short time. Realized.

  According to this driving method, a separate high voltage for initial transition is not required, and the number of output levels of the power supply circuit does not have to be increased. Further, since the output voltage of the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14 can be low, it is not necessary to have a high breakdown voltage drive circuit configuration. As a result, it is possible to realize a reliable initial transition in a short time while suppressing cost and power consumption.

[Modification 1]
Next, Modification 1 which is a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, only the driving method of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, this point will be mainly described, and the constituent elements described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, The description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 in this modification. In this modification, in the initial transition period, a signal having the same potential as that of the signal of the counter electrode 31 is applied to the storage capacitor electrode 14 and a signal of the same phase as that of the signal of the counter electrode 31 is applied. The period is repeated. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-83479) discloses a step of applying an alternating voltage or a direct current voltage on which a bias voltage is superimposed between the counter electrode itself or the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, and a zero voltage or a low voltage. There is a description that alternately repeats the step of applying, but in this modification, it is applied between the storage capacitor electrode and the counter electrode.

  In FIG. 6, the reverse-phase portion is 4 frames, the in-phase portion is 4 frames, and this is repeated twice, but this is for explaining the concept of this modification example, The number of frames may be any number of repetitions. Experimentally, at the room temperature, the holding capacitor electrode 14 has 10 frames of a signal having the same potential and the opposite phase as the signal of the counter electrode 31 at a frame frequency of 60 Hz, and 10 signals having the same potential and the same phase as the signal of the counter electrode 31. A frame was applied and this was repeated three times. As a result, a period of 0.167 seconds in which an alternating current of ± 6 volts (± V1) is applied between the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14 and a period of 0.167 seconds in which the potential difference is 0 volts are 3 Will be repeated.

  With such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, there is an advantage that the transition is rapidly expanded by resetting to the symmetric bend alignment state.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, since only the driving method of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is different from that of the first embodiment, this point will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the components described in the above embodiment, The description is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, during the initial transition period, a signal having the same phase as the non-selection potential and the selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line 16 is applied to the storage capacitor electrode 14 in reverse phase to the signal of the counter electrode 31. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, this signal has a length of 16 frames, but this is for explaining the concept of the present embodiment, and any number of frames may be used. Experimentally, the initial transition time was shortened to 30 frames, that is, 0.5 seconds for a frame frequency of 60 Hz.

  In general, the amplitude of the scanning signal line 16 has a larger potential difference than the amplitude of the counter electrode 31. In the present embodiment, the potential of the scanning signal line 16 is, for example, 10 volts (V2 in the figure) and -4 volts (V3 in the figure). For this reason, by adopting such a configuration, the applied signal of the storage capacitor electrode 14 must output a large amplitude with respect to the first embodiment, but a larger potential difference than that of the first embodiment is applied to the counter electrode 31. Therefore, reliable transfer can be realized in a shorter time.

  In addition, since the load of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is lighter than that of the counter electrode 31, the increase in circuit scale due to the high breakdown voltage is small. Above all, the counter electrode drive circuit with a heavy load is changed for the initial transition. It is unnecessary. As a result, a reliable initial transition can be realized in a short time without substantially increasing the circuit scale or power consumption of the drive circuit.

[Modification 2]
Next, Modification 2 which is a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, only the driving method of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is different from that of the second embodiment. Therefore, this point will be mainly described, and the constituent elements described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, The description is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 in this modification. In contrast to the second embodiment, in this modification, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line 16, and the phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode 31. The signal and the same signal as that of the counter electrode 31 are repeatedly applied alternately. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the potential is almost the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential of the scanning signal line 16, and the signal portion whose phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is four frames, and the same portion as the counter electrode 31 is four frames. This is repeated twice, but this is for explaining the concept of the present modification, and any number of frames or any number of repetitions may be used. Experimentally, at the room temperature, a potential of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential of the scanning signal line 16, and a signal having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is output at a frame frequency of 60 Hz. 10 frames, 10 frames of the same signal as that of the counter electrode 31 were applied, and this was repeated 3 times. As a result, a period of 0.167 seconds in which an alternating current of ± 10 volts (± V2) is applied between the counter electrode 31 and the storage capacitor electrode 14 and a period of 0.167 seconds in which the potential difference is 0 volts are 3 Will be repeated.

  With such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the second embodiment, there is an advantage that the transition is rapidly expanded by resetting to the symmetric bend alignment state.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, since the arrangement of the storage capacitor electrode 14 and the driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 are different from those in the first embodiment, these points will be mainly described, and the components described in the above embodiment will be described. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the storage capacitor electrode 14 is adjacent to or overlaps the scanning signal line 16 in order to make a lateral electric field to the liquid crystal layer effective.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 in the present embodiment. During the initial transition period, an alternating current signal having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is applied to the storage capacitor electrode 14 at a potential substantially equal to the non-selection potential and the selection potential of the scanning signal line 16 in the video display period. The scanning signal line 16 is applied with a signal having a selection potential and a non-selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line 16 and having the same phase as the counter electrode 31. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  With this configuration, there is a potential difference between the storage capacitor electrode 14 and the scanning signal line 16 that is much larger than the critical voltage of the liquid crystal, for example, ± 14 volts, which is ± 14 with respect to the liquid crystal layer 6. Applied as a transverse electric field in volts. Further, there is a potential difference of, for example, ± 10 volts, which is sufficiently higher than the critical voltage of the liquid crystal between the storage capacitor electrode 14 and the counter electrode 31, and this is applied to the liquid crystal layer 6 as a longitudinal electric field of ± 10 volts. . Experimentally, an initial transition period of 30 frames was taken for a frame frequency of 60 Hz. This transverse electric field surely generated nuclei of bend alignment, and the bend alignment was reliably expanded by vertical electrolysis.

  In the present embodiment, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is substantially the same as the potential of the scanning signal line 16, and the number of output lines of the power supply circuit need not be increased. Since the output voltage of the heavily loaded counter electrode drive circuit can be kept low and binary output is sufficient, the counter electrode drive circuit can be small. Although the breakdown voltage of the storage capacitor electrode drive circuit must be increased, there is a great advantage that a reliable initial transition can be realized in a very short time because a horizontal electric field and a vertical electric field with a large potential difference can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 6.

[Modification 3]
Next, Modification 3 which is a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, only the driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 is different from that of the third embodiment. Therefore, this point will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the components described in the above embodiment. The description is omitted.
FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining a driving method of the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 in the present embodiment. In the initial transition period, the storage capacitor electrode 14 has a non-selection potential and a selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line 16 and a phase in which an AC signal having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is applied. A period in which substantially the same signal as that of the electrode 31 is applied is repeated. The scanning signal line 16 includes a period in which the selection potential of the scanning signal line 16 includes a non-selection potential pulse corresponding to scanning, and a period in which the non-selection potential includes a selection potential pulse corresponding to scanning. A signal in phase with the repeated counter electrode 31 is applied. Other parts are the same as those of the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential of the scanning signal line 16, and the signal portion whose phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is four frames, the same as the counter electrode 31. The portion is composed of 4 frames, and this is repeated twice, but this is for explaining the concept of this modification, and any number of frames or any number of repetitions may be used. Experimentally, the potential of the storage capacitor electrode 14 is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential of the scanning signal line 16, and a signal having a phase opposite to that of the counter electrode 31 is 10 frames at a frame frequency of 60 hertz. 10 frames of the same signal as the 31 signal were applied, and this was repeated three times.

  By adopting such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the third embodiment, there is an effect that the transition is rapidly expanded by being reset to the symmetric bend alignment state.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, the applied signal to the video signal line 13 in the initial transition period is the same as that in the video display period, but may be stopped depending on other colors or circumstances.
Needless to say, each drive voltage varies depending on the liquid crystal material and the alignment control state of the array substrate 3 and the counter substrate 4.
In the embodiment, the driving is performed by the frame inversion method, but a line inversion method, a dot inversion method, or a combination thereof may be used.
The OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 includes the TFT element 12 as a switching element, but may be configured to include a two-terminal element such as a thin film diode as a switching element.

[Electronics]
Next, specific examples of electronic devices to which the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 and the like according to the above-described embodiments and modifications can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, an example in which the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 or the like according to each embodiment and the modification is applied to a display unit of a portable personal computer (so-called notebook personal computer) will be described. FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the configuration of this personal computer. As shown in the figure, the personal computer 710 includes a main body 712 having a keyboard 711 and a display 713 to which the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment and the modification is applied.

Next, an example in which the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 and the like according to each embodiment and modification are applied to a display unit of a mobile phone will be described. FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the configuration of this mobile phone.
As shown in the figure, a mobile phone 720 includes a display unit 724 to which the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment and the modification are applied together with a plurality of operation buttons 721, an earpiece 722 and a mouthpiece 723. Is provided.

  In addition to the personal computer shown in FIG. 11 (a) and the mobile phone shown in FIG. 11 (b), the electronic apparatus to which the OCB mode liquid crystal device 1 and the like according to each embodiment and the modification can be applied. LCD TV, viewfinder type / monitor direct-view type video tape recorder, car navigation device, pager, electronic notebook, calculator, word processor, workstation, videophone, POS terminal, digital still camera, liquid crystal projector, and the like.

1 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of an OCB mode liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. AA arrow sectional drawing in FIG. FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a pixel portion in FIG. 1. 4 is a timing chart illustrating a driving method according to the first embodiment. 9 is a timing chart for explaining a first modification. The timing chart explaining the drive method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a timing chart for explaining a second modification. 9 is a timing chart illustrating a driving method according to a third embodiment. 9 is a timing chart for explaining a third modification. FIGS. 2A and 2B show examples of an electronic apparatus to which the OCB mode liquid crystal device of the present invention is applied, wherein FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the configuration of a personal computer, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the configuration of a mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... OCB mode liquid crystal device, 2 ... Liquid crystal panel, 3 ... Array substrate, 4 ... Counter substrate, 5 ... Sealing material, 6 ... Liquid crystal layer, 7 ... Peripheral light shielding film, 8 ... Image display area, 11 ... Pixel electrode, 12 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... TFT element, 13 ... Video signal line, 14 ... Retention capacitance electrode, 15 ... Alignment film, 16 ... Scanning signal line, 21 ... Video signal line drive circuit, 22 ... External mounting terminal, 23, 24 ... Scanning signal line drive circuit , 25 ... wiring, 31 ... counter electrode, 32 ... alignment film, 33 ... inter-substrate conductive material.

Claims (9)

An array substrate on which a scanning signal line and a storage capacitor electrode are formed; a counter substrate on which a counter electrode is formed; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate. An OCB mode liquid crystal device that provides an initial transition period for initially transitioning the alignment state from splay alignment to bend alignment, and that transitions to a video display period after completion of the initial transition period,
In the initial transition period, a transition voltage higher than the critical voltage of the liquid crystal forming the liquid crystal layer is applied between the storage capacitor electrode and the counter electrode by changing the potential of the storage capacitor electrode. An OCB mode liquid crystal device. The OCB mode liquid crystal device according to claim 1,
In the initial transition period, an OCB mode liquid crystal device, wherein a signal having substantially the same potential as that of the counter electrode and a reverse phase is applied to the storage capacitor electrode. The OCB mode liquid crystal device according to claim 1,
In the initial transition period, a signal having approximately the same potential as that of the counter electrode and a reverse phase and a signal having approximately the same potential as that of the counter electrode are alternately and repeatedly applied to the storage capacitor electrode. OCB mode liquid crystal device. The OCB mode liquid crystal device according to claim 1,
In the initial transition period, a signal whose potential is substantially the same as the selection potential and the non-selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line and whose phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode is applied to the storage capacitor electrode. An OCB mode liquid crystal device. The OCB mode liquid crystal device according to claim 1,
A signal whose potential is substantially the same as the selection potential and non-selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line and whose phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode; The OCB mode liquid crystal device is characterized in that substantially the same signal is applied alternately and repeatedly. An array substrate on which a scanning signal line and a storage capacitor electrode are formed; a counter substrate on which a counter electrode is formed; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the array substrate and the counter substrate. An OCB mode liquid crystal device that provides an initial transition period for initially transitioning the alignment state from splay alignment to bend alignment, and that transitions to a video display period after completion of the initial transition period,
The storage capacitor electrode is disposed adjacent to or overlapping the scanning signal line in a plane on the array substrate,
In the initial transition period, an AC signal is applied to the storage capacitor electrode, the potential of which is substantially the same as the non-selection potential and the selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line, and the phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode. An OCB mode, wherein a signal having the same potential as the selection potential and the non-selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line and a phase in phase with the counter electrode is applied to the scanning signal line. Liquid crystal device. The OCB mode liquid crystal device according to claim 6,
In the initial transition period, the scanning signal line includes a non-selection potential pulse corresponding to scanning in the period of the selection potential and a selection potential pulse corresponding to scanning in the period of the non-selection potential. OCB mode liquid crystal device. The OCB mode liquid crystal device according to claim 6 or 7,
In the initial transition period, the storage capacitor electrode has a potential substantially the same as the non-selection potential and the selection potential in the video display period of the scanning signal line, and the phase is opposite to that of the counter electrode, and the counter electrode The OCB mode liquid crystal device is characterized in that substantially the same signal is repeatedly applied.   An electronic apparatus comprising the OCB mode liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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