JP2010060901A - Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce display faults such as residual image and trailing when displaying a moving image without inducing the reduction in an aperture ratio of each pixel. <P>SOLUTION: An electro-optical device includes: a pair of substrates (10 and 20); an electro-optical material (50) interposed between the pair of substrates; data lines (6) and scan lines (11) provided so as to cross each other; a plurality of pixels provided according to respective intersections between the data lines and the scan lines; first pixel electrodes (91) provided by first pixel out of the plurality of pixels and having a plane shape whose two corners on one end side are cut out; and second pixel electrodes (92) provided by second pixel adjacent to first pixels out of the plurality of pixels and having a plane shape whose two corners on the other end side different from the one end are cut out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  In a liquid crystal device which is an example of this type of electro-optical device, liquid crystal molecules interposed between these electrodes by applying a predetermined voltage between a pixel electrode and a counter electrode provided on each of a pair of substrates holding liquid crystal The orientation state is controlled, and an image is displayed. In such a liquid crystal device, a lateral electric field (that is, an electric field parallel to the substrate surface or a component parallel to the substrate surface) generated between the pixel electrodes in accordance with a potential difference between the pixel electrodes adjacent to each other on the substrate. There is a possibility that alignment failure of liquid crystal molecules may occur due to an oblique electric field. Further, in such a liquid crystal device, when a moving image is displayed, an afterimage and tailing of the image due to the influence of the lateral electric field (an object moving when the moving image is displayed leaves an afterimage and has a tail). There is a possibility that a smooth moving image may not be obtained due to the appearance of blur. Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing afterimages and tailing when displaying a moving image by devising a planar shape of a pixel electrode. More specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses an electro-optical device including a first pixel electrode having a concave portion and a second electrode having a convex portion projecting so as to overlap with a region defined by the concave portion. Has been. For example, in Patent Document 2, the pixel electrode width corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the reverse tilt domain is made narrower than the pixel electrode width of the portion where the reverse tilt domain is not formed, so that adjacent reverse tilt domains are arranged in the longitudinal direction. A technique for pulling them apart has been proposed.

JP 2008-96616 A JP 2001-318388 A

  However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are formed so that the concave portion and the convex portion are relatively large in order to reduce afterimage and tailing. In such a case, there is a technical problem that the aperture ratio of each pixel (the ratio of the aperture area to the entire area in each pixel) may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above-described problems. For example, display defects such as afterimage and tailing when displaying a moving image are hardly caused without causing a decrease in the aperture ratio of each pixel. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electro-optical device that can reduce occurrence and display a high-quality image, and an electronic apparatus including such an electro-optical device.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electro-optical device according to an aspect of the invention includes a pair of substrates, an electro-optical material sandwiched between the pair of substrates, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scans provided to cross each other. Lines, a plurality of pixels provided corresponding to intersections of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines, and two pixels provided for each first pixel among the plurality of pixels and positioned on one end side. A plurality of first pixel electrodes having a planar shape in which corner portions are notched, and two corners provided for each second pixel adjacent to the first pixel and located on the other end side different from the one end. And a plurality of second pixel electrodes having a planar shape with portions cut away.

  According to the electro-optical device of the present invention, an electro-optical material such as liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates. For example, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines are provided on one of the pair of substrates so as to intersect each other. A plurality of pixels are defined in a matrix, for example, corresponding to the intersection of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines. Among the plurality of pixels, for example, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel that are adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line extends (that is, the data line arrangement direction or the X direction), respectively, Two pixel electrodes are provided. In other words, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are provided as a set of two pixel electrodes adjacent to each other, for example, along the direction in which the scanning line extends among the plurality of pixel electrodes provided for each pixel. . The plurality of first pixel electrodes and the plurality of second pixel electrodes are, for example, along the direction in which the scanning line extends, for example, the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the first pixel. An electrode, a second pixel electrode, and so on are arranged. Note that the plurality of pixel electrodes may include a plurality of third pixel electrodes having a planar shape different from both the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode. In this case, the plurality of first pixel electrodes, the plurality of second pixel electrodes, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes are, for example, along the direction in which the scanning line extends, for example, the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, Three pixel electrodes, first pixel electrodes, second pixel electrodes, third pixel electrodes, first pixel electrodes, second pixel electrodes, third pixel electrodes, and so on may be arranged.

  During operation of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the electro-optic between a plurality of pixel electrodes including the first and second pixel electrodes and a counter electrode formed on the other substrate so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes, for example. When a voltage based on an image signal is applied to the substance, image display is performed in a pixel region constituted by a plurality of pixels.

  Particularly in the present invention, each of the plurality of first pixel electrodes has, for example, two corners located on one end side among four corners of a rectangular shape, for example, one end side of the data line (in other words, one of the one corners) Two corners located on one side of the two sides along the scanning line of the substrate, for example, one side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged, have a planar shape that is cut into, for example, an L shape. Further, each of the plurality of second pixel electrodes is, for example, two corners located on the other end side among four corners of a rectangular shape, for example, the other end side of the data line (in other words, one substrate) The two sides along the scanning line have a planar shape in which two corners located on the other side, for example, the other side facing one side where the external circuit connection terminals are arranged, are notched.

  Therefore, the lateral electric field generated between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode can be weakened at least partially. More specifically, for example, the lateral electric field is partially cut between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line extends, for example, along the direction in which the data line extends. The lateral electric field can be weakened, and the electric field strength distribution generated between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode can be made non-uniform. In other words, it is possible to reduce or prevent the occurrence of a lateral electric field between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode continuously with a relatively strong intensity, for example, along the direction in which the data line extends. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing caused by a lateral electric field when displaying a moving image.

  Furthermore, according to the electro-optical device of the present invention, each of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode is made to such an extent that the electric field intensity distribution generated between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode can be made non-uniform. For example, since it is only necessary to have a planar shape in which two corners are cut out from four corners of a rectangular shape, an afterimage caused by a lateral electric field and almost no decrease in the aperture ratio of each pixel are caused. Occurrence of display problems such as tailing can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device of the present invention, display defects such as afterimages and tailing at the time of displaying a moving image occur with almost no decrease in the aperture ratio of each pixel. Can be reduced. As a result, a high-quality image can be displayed.

  In one aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the first and second pixels are provided for each of the third pixels adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line extends among the plurality of pixels. A plurality of third pixel electrodes having a different planar shape from the two pixel electrodes are provided.

  According to this aspect, each of the plurality of third pixel electrodes has a planar shape different from both the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, such as a rectangular shape. The third pixel electrode is provided for each third pixel adjacent to the first pixel and the second pixel, for example, along the direction in which the scanning line extends. For example, the plurality of first pixel electrodes, the plurality of second pixel electrodes, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes are arranged along the direction in which the scanning line extends, for example, the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, the third pixel electrode, The first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, the third pixel electrode, the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, the third pixel electrode,... (Or, for example, the second pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, 1 pixel electrode, third pixel electrode, second pixel electrode, first pixel electrode, third pixel electrode, second pixel electrode, first pixel electrode, third pixel electrode,...

  Therefore, the electric field intensity distribution generated between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, between the first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and between the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode may be made non-uniform. it can. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing caused by a lateral electric field when displaying a moving image.

  In the aspect including the plurality of third pixel electrodes described above, the first pixel is defined to be adjacent to the second or third pixel along a direction in which the data line extends, and the second pixel is The third pixel is defined to be adjacent to the first or third pixel along a direction in which the data line extends, and the third pixel is adjacent to the first or second pixel along the direction in which the data line extends. It may be defined to fit.

  In this case, the first pixel electrodes are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data line extends, and the second pixel electrodes are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data line extends. The three pixel electrodes are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data line extends. Therefore, a lateral electric field is continuously generated with relatively strong intensity along the direction in which the data lines extend between the pixel electrodes provided in the pixels defined corresponding to the data lines adjacent to each other among the plurality of pixels. This can be reduced or prevented more reliably.

  In the aspect including the plurality of third pixel electrodes described above, the third pixel electrode may have a rectangular planar shape.

  In this case, since the planar shape of the third pixel electrode is a rectangular shape and is relatively simple, the third pixel electrode can be easily formed. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing caused by a lateral electric field with little or no practical decrease in the aperture ratio of the third pixel.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, the first pixel electrode has a planar shape in which two corners located on the one end side are cut out in an L shape, and the second pixel electrode Has a planar shape in which two corners located on the other end side are cut out in an L shape.

  According to this aspect, each of the first and second pixel electrodes has a relatively simple planar shape, for example, a planar shape in which two corners out of four rectangular corners are cut out in an L shape. Therefore, the first and second pixel electrodes can be easily formed. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing due to the lateral electric field, with little or no practical decrease in the aperture ratios of the first and second pixels.

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

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the electro-optical device of the present invention described above is provided, a projection display device, a television, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, and a word processor capable of performing high-quality image display. Various electronic devices such as a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel can be realized.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the invention described below.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a drive circuit built-in TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix drive type liquid crystal device, which is an example of the electro-optical device of the present invention, is taken as an example.

<First Embodiment>
The liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

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

  1 and 2, in the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are arranged to face each other. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, and the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are provided with a seal material provided in a seal region 52a located around the image display region 10a. 52 are bonded to each other. The sealing material 52 is made of a photo-curing adhesive material such as an ultraviolet curable resin for bonding the two substrates, and after being applied on the TFT array substrate 10 in the manufacturing process, it is cured by light irradiation such as ultraviolet irradiation. It is what was done.

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

  On the TFT array substrate 10, a lead wiring 190 for electrically connecting the external circuit connection terminal 102 and the data line driving circuit 101, the scanning line driving circuit 104, the vertical conduction terminal 106, and the like is formed. .

  In FIG. 2, on the TFT array substrate 10, wirings such as a pixel switching TFT 30 (see FIG. 3), a scanning line 11 (see FIG. 3), a data line 6 (see FIG. 3), which are driving elements, are formed. A laminated structure is formed. In the image display area 10a, pixel electrodes 9 made of a transparent material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) are formed in a matrix on an insulating film disposed on a wiring layer such as a pixel switching TFT, a scanning line, and a data line. Is provided. As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 include a plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, a plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and a plurality of first pixel electrodes having different planar shapes. 3 pixel electrodes 93.

  On the pixel electrode 9, an alignment film 16 made of an organic material such as polyimide is formed so as to cover the pixel electrode 9. The alignment film 16 is rubbed and has a function of aligning the alignment of liquid crystal molecules when no voltage is applied. The alignment film 16 may be formed of an inorganic material such as silica (SiO 2).

  On the other hand, a light shielding film 23 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 20 facing the TFT array substrate 10. The light shielding film 23 is formed of, for example, a light shielding metal film or the like, and is patterned, for example, in a lattice shape in the image display region 10a on the counter substrate 20. A counter electrode 21 made of a transparent material such as ITO is formed in a solid shape on the light shielding film 23 so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes 9. On the counter electrode 21, an alignment film 22 made of an organic material such as polyimide is formed. The alignment film 22 may be formed of an inorganic material such as silica (SiO2).

  The liquid crystal layer 50 is made of, for example, a liquid crystal mixed with one or several types of nematic liquid crystals as an example of the “electro-optical material” according to the present invention, and takes a predetermined alignment state between the pair of alignment films.

  Although not shown here, on the TFT array substrate 10, in addition to the data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 104, a sampling circuit for sampling the image signal on the image signal line and supplying it to the data line, A precharge circuit for supplying a precharge signal of a predetermined voltage level to the data line in advance of the image signal, an inspection circuit for inspecting the quality, defects, etc. of the liquid crystal device during manufacture or at the time of shipment, and an inspection pattern Etc. may be formed.

  Next, an electrical configuration of the pixel portion of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a plurality of pixel portions of the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, a plurality of pixel portions 500 are arranged in a matrix in the image display region 10a of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment. Each of the plurality of pixel portions 500 includes a pixel electrode 9 and a TFT 30 for controlling the switching of the pixel electrode 9, and the data line 6 to which an image signal is supplied is electrically connected to the source of the TFT 30. Has been. The image signals VS1, VS2,..., VSn to be written to the data lines 6 may be supplied line-sequentially in this order, or may be supplied for each of a plurality of data lines 6 adjacent to each other. Good.

  Further, the scanning line 11 is electrically connected to the gate of the TFT 30, and the scanning signals G1, G2,..., Gm are applied to the scanning line 11 in a pulse-sequential manner in this order at a predetermined timing. It is configured. The pixel electrode 9 is electrically connected to the drain of the TFT 30, and the image signal VS 1, VS 2,... VSn supplied from the data line 6 is obtained by closing the TFT 30 as a switching element for a certain period. Write at a predetermined timing.

  Image signals VS1, VS2,..., VSn written to the liquid crystal via the pixel electrode 9 are constant between the counter electrode 21 (see FIG. 2) formed on the counter substrate 20 (see FIG. 2). Hold for a period. The liquid crystal modulates light and enables gradation display by changing the orientation and order of the molecular assembly depending on the applied voltage level. In the normally white mode, the transmittance for incident light is reduced according to the voltage applied in units of each pixel, and in the normally black mode, the light is incident according to the voltage applied in units of each pixel. The light transmittance is increased, and light having a contrast corresponding to an image signal is emitted from the liquid crystal device as a whole.

  In order to prevent the image signal held here from leaking, a storage capacitor 70 is added in parallel with the liquid crystal capacitor formed between the pixel electrode 9 and the counter electrode 21. One electrode of the storage capacitor 70 is electrically connected to the drain of the TFT 30 in parallel with the pixel electrode 9, and the other electrode is electrically connected to the capacitor wiring 400.

  Next, a specific configuration of the pixel electrode of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a plurality of pixel electrodes of the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode adjacent to each other among the plurality of pixel electrodes shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 are arranged in a matrix in an image display region 10a (see FIG. 1) on the TFT array substrate 10 (see FIG. 2). That is, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 are provided for each pixel defined in a matrix corresponding to the intersection of the plurality of data lines 6 and the plurality of scanning lines 11 on the TFT array substrate 10. Each of the plurality of data lines 6 is formed to extend along the Y direction. Each of the plurality of scanning lines 11 is formed to extend along the X direction. Each of the data line 6 and the scanning line 11 defines a part of the periphery of the opening area of each pixel (that is, the area where light contributing to display is emitted in each pixel). A region where the data line 6 and the scanning line 11 are formed is defined as a non-opening region where light contributing to display is not emitted. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 are formed on the upper layer side with respect to the scanning lines 11 and the data lines 6 via one or more insulating films. The scanning lines 11 and the data lines 6 are formed in different layers with an insulating film interposed therebetween.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 are composed of a plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, a plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and a plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 having different planar shapes. .

  The plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 are arranged along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends (that is, the X direction). The electrode 92, the third pixel electrode 93, the first pixel electrode 91, the second pixel electrode 92, the third pixel electrode 93, the first pixel electrode 91, the second pixel electrode 92, the third pixel electrode 93,. Is arranged. That is, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 are arranged such that the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 are arranged along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends. The third pixel electrodes 93 are arranged adjacent to each other and adjacent to both the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92. In other words, the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 that are adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends are used as a set, and this set and the third pixel electrode 93 are alternately set along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends. Is arranged.

  Further, the arrangement of the first pixel electrode 91, the second pixel electrode 92, and the third pixel electrode 93 along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends as described above is shifted by one pixel in the adjacent scanning lines 11. Yes. That is, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data lines 6 extend. In addition, the second pixel electrodes 92 are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data line 6 extends, and the third pixel electrodes 93 are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data line 6 extends. So that it is arranged.

  4 and 5, each of the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 includes two corners located on one end side (the upper side in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the data line 6 among the four corners of the rectangular shape. The portion has a planar shape that is cut out in an L shape. That is, each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 91 has a substantially rectangular planar shape, and two corners located on one end side of the data line 6 among the four corners are cut out in an L shape. It has the notch part 511 which becomes.

  Each of the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92 has L-shaped two corners located on the other end side (lower side in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the data line 6 among the four rectangular corners. It has a planar shape that is notched. That is, each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 92 has a substantially rectangular planar shape, and two corners located on one end side of the data line 6 among the four corners are cut out in an L shape. It has a notch 521.

  In FIG. 4, each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 93 has a rectangular planar shape.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, in particular, the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends, and the first pixel electrode 91 has a rectangular shape. Among the four corners, a planar shape formed by cutting out two corners located on one end side of the data line 6 in an L shape (that is, two notch portions 511 are formed on one end side of the data line 6). The second pixel electrode 92 is formed by cutting out two corners located on the other end side of the data line 6 among the four corners of the rectangle. (That is, a substantially rectangular planar shape in which two notches 521 are formed on the other end side of the data line 6).

  Therefore, the lateral electric field generated between the pixel electrodes 9 adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends (that is, between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92) can be weakened at least partially. More specifically, the lateral electric field is partially cut along the direction in which the data line 6 extends between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends. As described above, the lateral electric field can be weakened, and the electric field intensity distribution generated between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 can be made non-uniform. In other words, it is possible to reduce or prevent the occurrence of a lateral electric field between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 continuously with a relatively strong intensity along the direction in which the data line 6 extends. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing caused by a lateral electric field when displaying a moving image.

  Furthermore, according to the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 91 can be made nonuniform so that the electric field intensity distribution generated between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 can be made non-uniform. Each of the pixel electrodes 92 only needs to have a planar shape in which two of the four corners of the rectangular shape are notched, so that the horizontal electric field is hardly reduced with almost no decrease in the aperture ratio of each pixel. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing due to the image.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, the third pixel electrode 93 having a planar shape different from both the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 is formed along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends, The second pixel electrodes 92 are provided adjacent to each other. Therefore, in addition to between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92, an electric field generated between the first pixel electrode 91 and the third pixel electrode 93 and between the second pixel electrode 92 and the third pixel electrode 93, respectively. The intensity distribution can be made non-uniform. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing caused by a lateral electric field when displaying a moving image.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 are in the direction in which the first pixel electrodes 91 extend and the data line 6 extends. So that the second pixel electrodes 92 are not adjacent to each other along the direction in which the data lines 6 extend, and the third pixel electrodes 93 are not connected to each other. They are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other along the extending direction. Therefore, a horizontal electric field continues between the pixel electrodes 9 provided in the pixels defined corresponding to the data lines 6 adjacent to each other among the plurality of pixels with a relatively strong intensity along the direction in which the data lines 6 extend. Can be reduced or prevented more reliably.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal device according to the comparative example of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6 as a comparative example, if the pixel electrodes 9a and 9b adjacent to each other have the same planar shape (for example, rectangular shape), the drive voltage V is applied to one pixel electrode 9a. In addition, when the other pixel electrode 9b is in a non-driven state (for example, a state in which the potential of the other pixel electrode 9b matches the potential of the counter electrode 21), the pixel electrodes 9a and 9b adjacent to each other are A lateral electric field E is generated due to the difference in potential between the pixel electrodes. According to such a lateral electric field E, the tilt angle of the liquid crystal 50a is regulated between the one pixel electrode 9a and the counter electrode 21 in the driving state as an alignment state that should be originally taken in accordance with the potential difference between these electrodes. A region D3, a region D1 in which a reverse tilt is generated in the liquid crystal due to the lateral electric field E, and a region D2 in which the tilt angle of the liquid crystal 50a is regulated as an unstable alignment state between the regions D1 and D3 are formed. Due to the presence of such regions D1 and D2, there is a risk that display problems such as afterimage or tailing may occur when the liquid crystal device displays a moving image.

  However, in this embodiment, in particular, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91, the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 as described above with reference to FIGS. Therefore, the horizontal electric field generated between the pixel electrodes 9 adjacent to each other can be alleviated with almost no decrease in the aperture ratio of each pixel.

  In the present embodiment, an inversion driving method in which the voltage polarity applied to each pixel electrode 9 is inverted according to a predetermined rule may be employed. For example, the polarity of the image signal supplied to the pixel electrode 9 is inverted for each horizontal scanning period, or for each pixel electrode 9 adjacent to each other, by reversing the polarity of the image signal to positive polarity and negative polarity with a predetermined potential as a reference. A dot inversion driving method may be employed. As long as the driving method can generate a horizontal electric field between the pixel electrodes 9 adjacent to each other, the effect of reducing the horizontal electric field can be obtained for any driving method.

  As described above, according to the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, display defects such as afterimage and tailing when displaying a moving image occur without causing a decrease in the aperture ratio of each pixel. Can be reduced. As a result, a high-quality image can be displayed.

<Second Embodiment>
A liquid crystal device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a plurality of pixel electrodes of the liquid crystal device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as the components according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  7, in the liquid crystal device according to the second embodiment, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 are composed of a plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 and a plurality of second pixel electrodes 92, and the plurality of third pixel electrodes 93 are arranged. Unlike the first embodiment described above, the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the first embodiment described above.

  In FIG. 7, particularly in the present embodiment, the plurality of pixel electrodes 9 are composed of a plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 and a plurality of second pixel electrodes 92 having different planar shapes.

  The plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 and the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92 are alternately arranged along the direction in which the scanning lines 11 extend (that is, the X direction). That is, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 and the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92 are arranged along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends in the first pixel electrode 91, the second pixel electrode 92, the first pixel electrode 91, and the second pixel. An electrode 92, a first pixel electrode 91, a second pixel electrode 92,. Furthermore, the first pixel electrodes 91 and the second pixel electrodes 92 are alternately arranged along the direction in which the data lines 6 extend (that is, the Y direction). In other words, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 and the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92 are arranged along the direction in which the data line 6 extends in the first pixel electrode 91, the second pixel electrode 92, the first pixel electrode 91, and the second pixel. An electrode 92, a first pixel electrode 91, a second pixel electrode 92,.

  In other words, the plurality of first pixel electrodes 91 and the plurality of second pixel electrodes 92 are adjacent to each other in any of the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends and the direction in which the data line 6 extends. The second pixel electrodes 92 are arranged alternately so as not to match each other and so as not to be adjacent to each other.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the lateral electric field generated between the pixel electrodes 9 adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends can be weakened at least partially. More specifically, a lateral electric field continues between the first pixel electrode 91 and the second pixel electrode 92 adjacent to each other along the direction in which the scanning line 11 extends with a relatively strong intensity along the direction in which the data line 6 extends. Can be reduced or prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of display defects such as afterimages and tailing caused by a lateral electric field when displaying a moving image.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, the case where the liquid crystal device which is the above-described electro-optical device is applied to various electronic devices will be described. Here, a projector using the above-described liquid crystal device as a light valve will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the projector.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a projector 1100 includes a lamp unit 1102 made of a white light source such as a halogen lamp. The projection light emitted from the lamp unit 1102 is separated into three primary colors of RGB by four mirrors 1106 and two dichroic mirrors 1108 arranged in the light guide 1104, and serves as a light valve corresponding to each primary color. The light enters the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G.

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

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

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

  In addition to the electronic device described with reference to FIG. 8, a mobile personal computer, a mobile phone, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, and an electronic notebook , Calculators, word processors, workstations, videophones, POS terminals, devices with touch panels, and the like. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to these various electronic devices.

  In addition to the liquid crystal device described in the above embodiment, the present invention also includes a reflective liquid crystal device (LCOS) in which elements are formed on a silicon substrate, a plasma display (PDP), a field emission display (FED, SED), The present invention can also be applied to an organic EL display, a digital micromirror device (DMD), an electrophoresis apparatus, and the like.

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

It is a top view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the H-H 'sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a plurality of pixel units of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a plurality of pixel electrodes of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode adjacent to each other among the plurality of pixel electrodes shown in FIG. 4. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the orientation state of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal device which concerns on the comparative example of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the several pixel electrode of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the projector which is an example of the electronic device to which the electro-optical apparatus is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  6 ... data line, 9 ... pixel electrode, 10 ... TFT array substrate, 11 ... scanning line, 20 ... counter substrate, 21 ... counter electrode, 30 ... TFT, 50 ... liquid crystal layer, 91 ... first pixel electrode, 92 ... first 2 pixel electrodes, 93 ... 3rd pixel electrode

Claims (6)

A pair of substrates;
An electro-optic material sandwiched between the pair of substrates;
A plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines provided to cross each other;
A plurality of pixels provided respectively corresponding to intersections of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines;
A plurality of first pixel electrodes provided for each first pixel among the plurality of pixels and having a planar shape in which two corners located on one end side are cut away;
A plurality of second pixel electrodes provided for each second pixel adjacent to the first pixel and having a planar shape in which two corners located on the other end side different from the one end are notched. An electro-optical device.   A plurality of pixels having a planar shape different from that of the first and second pixel electrodes provided for each third pixel adjacent to the first and second pixels along a direction in which the scanning line extends among the plurality of pixels. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, further comprising a third pixel electrode. The first pixel is defined to be adjacent to the second or third pixel along a direction in which the data line extends,
The second pixel is defined to be adjacent to the first or third pixel along a direction in which the data line extends,
The electro-optical device according to claim 2, wherein the third pixel is defined to be adjacent to the first or second pixel along a direction in which the data line extends.   The electro-optical device according to claim 2, wherein the third pixel electrode has a rectangular planar shape. The first pixel electrode has a planar shape in which two corners located on the one end side are cut out in an L shape,
5. The second pixel electrode according to claim 1, wherein the second pixel electrode has a planar shape in which two corners located on the other end side are cut out in an L shape. 6. Electro-optic device.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1.

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