JP2010282156A - Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel technique with which a pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules can be set in a wide range. <P>SOLUTION: In a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device including a first step for forming a first alignment layer on one surface of a first substrate, a second step for disposing the first substrate and a second substrate such that mutual one surfaces thereof are opposed to each other, and a third step for forming a liquid crystal layer between the first and the second substrates, a material liquid is made to be a mist shape by releasing the material liquid in such a state that a potential difference is relatively generated between the material liquid and the first substrate, the mist-shaped material liquid 52 is sprayed on one surface side of the first substrate 40 and the sprayed material liquid is solidified in the first step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling alignment of liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal display device.

  One of elemental technologies in manufacturing a liquid crystal display device is an alignment control technology. Conventionally, as a technique for realizing a relatively high pretilt angle, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-95115 (Patent Document 1) is known. However, when the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, a desired pretilt angle of 0 ° to 90 ° can be obtained. However, since the manufacturing process is complicated by using anisotropic dry etching or the like, the processing cost is low. In addition, since many materials (particles, resins, etc.) are required, there is still room for improvement in terms of material costs.

JP-A-6-95115

  A specific aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel technique capable of setting a pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in a wide range.

  A liquid crystal display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate that are arranged with one surface facing each other, a first alignment film provided on the one surface side of the first substrate, A second alignment film provided on the one surface side of the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment film has a large number of fine films, and the large number of fine films are arranged in a dispersed manner so that a base is exposed between each other. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the interface between the first alignment film and the liquid crystal layer is controlled according to the distribution density of the numerous fine films.

  In the above liquid crystal display device, by using an alignment film composed of a large number of fine films, the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the interface between the alignment film and the liquid crystal layer can be changed according to the distribution density of the large number of fine films. Can do. For example, if the first alignment film is formed using a so-called material liquid for a vertical alignment film, the pretilt angle can be increased as the density of the fine film increases. Here, in the conventional example described in Patent Document 1 described above, a protrusion or needle-like body formed in a sharp shape is used, and orientation control is performed using the shape action of these (Patent Document). 1 paragraph 0025 etc.). For this reason, there are inconveniences in manufacturing as described above, and it is considered difficult to control the pretilt angle over a wide range. On the other hand, the present invention has found that the orientation can be controlled by the density of a large number of fine films, and has realized this as a new technique. Many fine films in the present invention utilize physical properties derived from the dispersion of the alignment film, and can be manufactured by relatively simple apparatuses and processes as described below.

  In the liquid crystal display device described above, it is also preferable to provide a third alignment film having an alignment control characteristic different from that of the first alignment film between the first alignment film and the one surface of the first substrate. For example, if the first alignment film is a vertical alignment film, a horizontal alignment film is used as the third alignment film.

  As a result, the base exposed between the multiple fine films forming the first alignment film becomes the third alignment film, so that it is expected to improve the alignment stability of the entire liquid crystal layer. In addition, the combination of the first alignment film and the third alignment film provides a pretilt angle different from that when the first alignment film or the third alignment film is used alone.

  In addition, the multiple fine films constituting the first alignment film may include those having a substantially circular or annular shape in plan view.

  As described above, in the present invention, the physical properties derived from the dispersion of the alignment film of the fine film are used, so that various shapes are allowed as a large number of fine films. Thereby, manufacture becomes easy.

  The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: (a) a first step of forming a first alignment film on one surface of the first substrate; and (b) the first substrate and the second substrate. A second step of disposing the surfaces facing each other; and (c) a third step of forming a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. In the first step, (d) the material liquid is atomized by discharging the material liquid in a state where a potential difference is relatively generated between the material liquid and the first substrate. A step of spraying on one side of the first substrate; and (e) a step of solidifying the sprayed material liquid.

  According to the above manufacturing method, for example, by applying a positive potential to the material liquid and applying a negative potential to the substrate side, the material liquid can be sprayed onto the substrate in the form of a mist made of very fine particles. Therefore, the first alignment film composed of a large number of fine films can be formed by an apparatus having a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a liquid crystal display device by setting the pretilt angle in a wide range.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the liquid crystal display device of one Embodiment. It is a principle figure explaining an example of the method suitable for formation of the alignment film which consists of many fine films. It is a principle figure explaining another example of the method suitable for formation of the alignment film which consists of many fine films. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship of the injection | emission point of alignment film liquid, and a board | substrate. It is a schematic cross section explaining the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device of one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electro-optical characteristic and micrograph of the liquid crystal display device of a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing electro-optical characteristics and a micrograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 1. It is a figure which shows the electro-optical characteristic and micrograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 2. 6 is a diagram showing electro-optical characteristics and a micrograph of a liquid crystal display device of Example 3. FIG. 6 is a view showing a microscopic observation photograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 4. FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment. The liquid crystal display device 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a basic configuration in which a liquid crystal layer 19 is interposed between a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 15. A first polarizing plate 21 is disposed outside the first substrate 11, and a second polarizing plate 22 is disposed outside the second substrate 15. Hereinafter, the structure of the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described in more detail. Note that illustration and description of members such as a sealing material for sealing the periphery of the liquid crystal layer 19 are omitted.

  The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are transparent substrates such as a glass substrate and a plastic substrate, respectively. As shown in the figure, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are bonded to each other with a predetermined gap (for example, several μm) so that their one surfaces face each other. Although not particularly shown, a switching element such as a thin film transistor may be formed on any substrate.

  The liquid crystal layer 19 is provided between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 19 is configured using a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy Δε (Δε> 0). The bold line shown in the liquid crystal layer 19 schematically shows the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the initial state where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 19. The liquid crystal layer 19 is in a uniform initial alignment state with a relatively high pretilt angle as shown in the figure, for example.

  The first electrode 12 is provided on one surface side of the first substrate 11. The second electrode 16 is provided on one surface side of the second substrate 15. Each of the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 16 is configured by appropriately patterning a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO), for example.

  The alignment film 13 is provided on one surface side of the first substrate 11 so as to cover the first electrode 12. The alignment film 17 is provided on one surface side of the second substrate 15 so as to cover the second electrode 16. As these alignment films 13 and 17, those having the property of restricting the alignment state (initial alignment state) of the liquid crystal layer 19 when no voltage is applied to the horizontal alignment state (so-called horizontal alignment films) are used.

  The alignment film 14 is provided on one surface side of the first substrate 11 (on one surface of the alignment film 13). The alignment film 18 is provided on one surface side of the second substrate 15 (on one surface of the alignment film 17). As these alignment films 14 and 18, those having a property of regulating the initial alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 19 to the vertical alignment state (so-called vertical alignment films) are used. Here, each of the alignment films 14 and 18 in the present embodiment is an aggregate in which a large number of fine films having an indefinite shape, a substantially circular shape (a shape close to a circle), or a ring are dispersedly arranged. As shown in the drawing, the alignment film 14 only partially covers the lower alignment film 13. That is, the underlying alignment film 13 is partially exposed between the many fine films constituting the alignment film 14. The relationship between the alignment film 17 and the alignment film 18 is the same. A method suitable for forming the alignment films 14 and 18 will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 2 is a principle diagram for explaining an example of a technique suitable for forming an alignment film composed of a large number of fine films (fine film pieces). In the present embodiment, a cylindrical microsyringe (cylinder) 50 for holding the alignment film material liquid (hereinafter referred to as “alignment film liquid”) inside, and a hollow provided at one end of the microsyringe 50. By using an injection device provided with the minute needles 51, an alignment film composed of a large number of fine films is formed on the substrate. At this time, a conductive film 41 is provided on one surface of the substrate 40 in advance. The conductive film 41 is a transparent conductive film such as an indium tin oxide film. As illustrated, a distance L1 between the needle 51 of the injection device and the substrate 40 is ensured as appropriate (for example, about several tens of mm). Then, the alignment film liquid in the microsyringe 50 is supplied to the tip of the needle 51 while applying a high voltage (for example, a DC voltage of several kV) between the needle 51 and the substrate 40 using a voltage applying means. At this time, for example, the needle 51 is set at a relatively higher potential than the substrate 40 (note that the potential relationship may be reversed). Thereby, the alignment film liquid discharged from the needle 51 becomes liquid particles having a positive potential. The liquid particles having this electric potential are finely divided and spread while being electrically repelled to form mist-like microdroplets (mist-like bodies) 52. The minute droplets 52 are attracted to the negatively charged substrate 40 and fixed on the conductive film 41. Thereafter, the microdroplets 52 that have reached the substrate 40 are formed into a film (solidified) by appropriately performing a heat treatment or the like, whereby an alignment film composed of a large number of microfilms is obtained. The alignment film 14 and the alignment film 18 described above can be formed by such a method.

  In the principle diagram shown in FIG. 2, a conductive film 41 is provided on one surface of the substrate 40, and a voltage is applied between the conductive film 41 and the needle 51. However, in the principle diagram shown in FIG. As described above, a conductive plate (conductor) 53 is disposed on the back side of the substrate 40, and a voltage can be applied between the conductive plate 53 and the needle 51. In this example, there is an advantage that versatility is high in that it is not necessary to electrically connect one surface of the substrate 40. In addition, by providing the conductive plate 53 with a mechanism (vacuum suction unit or the like) that can hold the substrate, the conductive plate 53 can also be used as a substrate fixing unit (substrate folder).

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the injection point of the alignment film liquid and the substrate. The injection point of the alignment film liquid is the tip of the needle 51 in the injection device shown in FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 described above, the substrate 40 is placed vertically and the tip portion of the needle 51 is disposed at a position facing the horizontal direction, but other arrangements are possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the tip of the needle 51 can be arranged at a position relatively higher than the substrate 40. In this case, it can be expected that the holding mechanism of the substrate 40 becomes simpler because the substrate 40 is at a relatively low position, and therefore the apparatus configuration for forming the alignment film can be made simpler. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tip of the needle 51 may be disposed at a position relatively lower than the substrate 40. In this case, due to gravity, finer particles (smaller particle size) among the fine droplets 52 discharged from the tip of the needle 51 preferentially reach one surface of the substrate 40. it can. That is, each of a large number of fine films constituting the alignment film can be made smaller and dispersed on the substrate 40.

  Next, the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device of one embodiment.

  First, the first electrode 12 made of ITO or the like is formed on one surface of the first substrate 11 (see FIG. 5A). For example, a transparent conductive film is formed on one surface of the first substrate 11 using a film forming method such as sputtering. A substrate on which such a transparent conductive film is formed in advance may be used. The transparent conductive film is washed, and the first electrode 12 having a desired shape is formed using a general patterning method (for example, photolithography). As the first substrate 11, for example, a glass substrate made of non-alkali glass having a plate thickness of 0.7 mm can be used. The film thickness of the first electrode 12 can be set to, for example, about 1500 mm (angstrom).

Next, an alignment film 13 is formed on the first substrate 11 so as to cover the first electrode 12 (FIG. 5A). Specifically, an alignment film liquid as a precursor of the alignment film 13 is applied onto one surface of the first substrate 11 by a technique such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing. Here, a general alignment film liquid (alignment film material) for a horizontal alignment film as represented by the following chemical formula can be used. Thereafter, the first substrate 11 is subjected to a heat treatment (for example, 250 ° C. for 1 hour) and a rubbing process (or a photo-alignment process), whereby the alignment film 13 that is a horizontal alignment film is obtained. Note that surface treatment such as rubbing treatment may be performed after an alignment film 14 described later is formed.

Next, the alignment film 14 is formed on one surface of the first substrate 11 (on one surface of the alignment film 13). Specifically, the alignment film liquid as the precursor of the alignment film 14 is dispersed on one surface of the alignment film 13 by the method described with reference to FIGS. Here, a general alignment film solution for a vertical alignment film as represented by the following chemical formula can be used. In order to generate the fine droplets 52 in a better state, it is desirable that the viscosity of the alignment film liquid is low. Therefore, in this embodiment, the alignment film liquid diluted to 4 wt% with thinner is further diluted twice with acetone ( Diluted alignment film solution: acetone = 1: 1). The diluted alignment film solution is filled into the microsyringe 50 of the above-described spraying device. Further, the distance L1 (see FIG. 2) between the needle 51 and the first substrate 11 is set to 60 mm. In addition, the DC voltage applied between the needle 51 and the first substrate 11 is 7 kV. The discharge amount of the alignment film liquid from the needle 51 is set to 36 picoliters / second. Thereafter, the first substrate 11 is subjected to a heat treatment (for example, 190 ° C. for 1 hour), so that the alignment film liquid is solidified (film formation), and the alignment film 14 is obtained.

  The solvent for dilution is not limited to acetone, and another organic solvent such as ethanol or IPA (isopropyl alcohol) may be used. Basically, those having a low boiling point and high volatility are desirable. While the alignment film liquid flies from the needle 51 toward the first substrate 11, the alignment film liquid becomes a fine droplet 52 that is an aggregate of fine droplets. It is considered that the solvent for dilution such as acetone evaporates almost. Therefore, it can be considered that the dilution solvent used here does not greatly affect the orientation of the liquid crystal layer 19, regardless of what is selected.

  Further, an alignment film 17 is formed on one surface of the second substrate 15, and an alignment film 18 is further formed on one surface of the alignment film 17 (see FIG. 5C). Since the details of each are the same as those of the alignment films 13 and 14, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are arranged so that their one surfaces face each other (see FIG. 5D). For example, in the present embodiment, in order to keep the distance (cell gap) between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 constant, a gap control agent is dried on one substrate surface (for example, one surface of the first substrate 11). Scatter. As the gap control agent, a plastic ball having a particle size of several μm can be used. Further, the sealing agent is formed on the other substrate surface (for example, on one surface of the second substrate 15). The sealant is formed by, for example, a screen printing method. A dispenser may be used. As the sealant, any of thermosetting, photocuring, light / heat combination type and the like can be used. The sealing agent may contain several percent of glass fibers having a particle size of several μm. Thereafter, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are superposed to form a cell, and the sealing agent is cured by heat treatment or the like in a pressed state. Here, thermosetting is performed by a hot press method (baking at 150 ° C.). In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are bonded so that the rubbing direction with respect to the alignment films 13 and 16 is in an anti-parallel state.

  Next, a liquid crystal layer 19 is formed by injecting a liquid crystal material between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 by, for example, a vacuum injection method (see FIG. 5D). The liquid crystal material inlet is sealed with an end sealant. Furthermore, in order to adjust the alignment of the liquid crystal layer 19, it is also preferable to perform a treatment (for example, 60 ° C. for 30 minutes) in which the cell is heated to the phase transition temperature or higher of the liquid crystal material.

  Thereafter, a process of cleaning the cell is appropriately performed, and the first polarizing plate 21 is attached to the outside of the first substrate 11 and the second polarizing plate 22 is attached to the outside of the second substrate 15, so that FIG. The liquid crystal display device 1 shown is completed.

  Hereinafter, some examples of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment will be described. As a comparative example, a general horizontal alignment liquid crystal display device will also be described.

(Comparative example)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing electro-optical characteristics and a micrograph of a liquid crystal display device of a comparative example. This comparative example is produced by omitting the alignment film 14 and the alignment film 18 in the above-described embodiment. As the liquid crystal material for forming the liquid crystal layer 19, 5CB was used. The cell thickness (distance between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15) was 5.7 μm. About other manufacturing conditions, it is based on the conditions illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiment. As shown in the micrographs in FIGS. 6B and 6C, it can be seen that the liquid crystal cell of the comparative example has a uniform alignment state found in general horizontal alignment. Further, it can be seen from the electro-optical characteristics shown in FIG. 6A that the saturation voltage of this liquid crystal cell is about 8.5V. Further, when the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal cell was measured by the crystal rotation method, the pretilt angle was about 3 °. The pretilt angle was measured at 9 points in a range of 20 mm × 25 mm (the same applies to the following examples).

Example 1
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing electro-optical characteristics and a micrograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 1. Also in Example 1, 5CB was used as the liquid crystal material for forming the liquid crystal layer 19. The cell thickness was 6.0 μm. Moreover, when forming each of the alignment film 14 and the alignment film 18, 3 microliters of alignment film liquid as a precursor of each alignment film 14 and 18 was sprayed. About other manufacturing conditions, it is based on the conditions illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiment. As shown in micrographs in FIGS. 7B to 7D, it can be seen that the alignment states of the liquid crystal molecules are partially different. It is considered that the portions having different alignment states are formed corresponding to the alignment film 14 or the alignment film 18. The size of the part is about several μm or less, and a fine part of 1 μm or less can be seen. Moreover, it turns out that the shape of the said part is an indeterminate form (shape somewhat close to a circle). Further, it can be seen from the electro-optical characteristics shown in FIG. 7A that the saturation voltage of this liquid crystal cell is about 8.0V. Further, when the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal cell was measured by a crystal rotation method (extrapolation method), the pretilt angle was in the range of about 13.5 ° to 14.1 °. That is, it was found that a relatively high pretilt angle was given.

(Example 2)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing electro-optical characteristics and a micrograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 2. Also in Example 2, 5CB was used as the liquid crystal material for forming the liquid crystal layer 19. The cell thickness was 6.0 μm. Further, when each of the alignment film 14 and the alignment film 18 was formed, 15 μL of alignment film liquid as a precursor of the alignment films 14 and 18 was sprayed. About other manufacturing conditions, it is based on the conditions illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiment. As shown in the micrographs in FIGS. 8B and 8C, in the liquid crystal cell of Example 2, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is partially different, which is caused by the alignment films 14 and 18. I think that. Moreover, it turns out that the density of the said part becomes high with the increase in the dispersion | distribution amount of alignment film liquid. Moreover, the shape of the said part is amorphous and is a more complicated shape than a circle. Further, it can be seen that the size of the portion is larger than that of the first embodiment. Further, it can be seen from the electro-optical characteristics shown in FIG. 8A that the saturation voltage of this liquid crystal cell is about 6.0V. Further, when the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal cell was measured by the crystal rotation method (extrapolation method), the pretilt angle was in the range of about 19.5 ° to 22.4 °. That is, it has been clarified that the density of the fine film can be increased by increasing the spraying amount of the alignment film liquid, and thereby the pretilt angle can be controlled higher.

(Example 3)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing electro-optical characteristics and a micrograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 3. Also in Example 3, 5CB was used as the liquid crystal material for forming the liquid crystal layer 19. The cell thickness was 6.0 μm. In forming each of the alignment film 14 and the alignment film 18, 45 μl of alignment film liquid as a precursor of the alignment films 14 and 18 was sprayed. About other manufacturing conditions, it is based on the conditions illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiment. As shown in micrographs in FIGS. 9B and 9C, in the liquid crystal cell of Example 3, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is partially different, which is caused by the alignment films 14 and 18. I think that. Moreover, it turns out that the density of the said part becomes high with the increase in the dispersion | distribution amount of alignment film liquid. Moreover, the shape of the said part is amorphous and is a more complicated shape than a circle. Further, it can be seen that the size of the portion is larger than that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, there is a portion that appears to be partially black, which is considered to be in a vertical alignment or an alignment state close to vertical. It is considered that fine films constituting the alignment films 14 and 18 are formed on the surfaces of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 corresponding to this portion. Further, it can be seen from the electro-optical characteristics shown in FIG. 9A that the saturation voltage of this liquid crystal cell is about 5.0V. Further, when the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal cell was measured by a crystal rotation method (extrapolation method), the pretilt angle was in the range of about 37.2 ° to 42.9 °. That is, it has been clarified that the density of the fine film can be further increased by increasing the spraying amount of the alignment film liquid, and thereby the pretilt angle can be further controlled.

Example 4
As Example 4, an example in which a vertical alignment film is dispersed only on one substrate side will be described. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the alignment film 13 and the alignment film 14 are formed on the first substrate 11 side, only the alignment film 17 is formed on the second substrate 15 side, and the alignment film 18 is omitted. A liquid crystal display device was produced. FIG. 10 is a view showing a microscope observation photograph of the liquid crystal display device of Example 4. FIG. 10A is a polarizing microscope photograph magnified 20 times, and FIG. 10B is a polarizing microscope photograph magnified 50 times. The portion that appears white in each photograph corresponds to the fine film that forms the alignment film 14. It can be seen that the shape of the portion is a circle or a combination of circles. A donut-shaped (annular) shape is also seen. The size of the portion varies, and from the submicron order (there is also 0.1 μm or less), the larger one is about 10 μm, and the maximum is about 30 μm. Since a relatively simple device was used in the production of the liquid crystal cell, the variation in the particle size of the microdroplets 52 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is large. Is considered possible. In addition, regarding the size of the particle size, manufacturing parameters such as the distance between the needle of the injection device and the substrate, the value of the voltage applied between the two, the shape and size of the needle, the discharge amount of the alignment film liquid, the discharge speed, etc. By appropriately setting, it is possible to control the order of several nm to several tens of nm. However, in consideration of the resolution of the human eye (generally about 100 μm), it is considered that the possibility of being visually recognized is low even if each of the fine films constituting the alignment film 14 (or alignment film 18) is not so small. Further, the liquid crystal molecules have a property of being aligned and aligned, and even if there is a fine alignment distribution, the liquid crystal molecules have a property of gradually changing so as not to cause a rapid change in alignment as a whole. If the alignment distribution is too fine, the influence of the alignment distribution on the surface may not affect the entire liquid crystal alignment, and each fine film constituting the alignment film 14 and the like may not be too fine. There is also. That is, it is considered that it is not necessary to use a highly accurate apparatus for injecting the alignment film liquid.

  According to this embodiment described above, by using an alignment film composed of a large number of fine films, the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the interface between the alignment film and the liquid crystal layer can be set in a wide range. Further, the pretilt angle can be changed according to the distribution density of a large number of fine films. In addition, an alignment film composed of a large number of fine films can be formed by an apparatus having a relatively simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a liquid crystal display device by setting the pretilt angle in a wide range. Thereby, for example, a liquid crystal display device using a display mode that requires a relatively high pretilt angle, such as an OCB (Optical Compensated Bend) mode or a completely new mode, can be easily realized.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of embodiment mentioned above, In the range of the summary of this invention, it can change and implement variously. For example, the numerical values such as the manufacturing conditions appropriately shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and are not limited thereto. For example, in the above-described embodiment, two different types of alignment films (a horizontal alignment film and a vertical alignment film composed of a number of fine films) are provided for each of the first substrate and the second substrate. Two kinds of alignment films may be provided only on one of the substrates. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vertical alignment film made up of a number of fine films is stacked on the upper side of the horizontal alignment film, but this may be reversed. That is, a horizontal alignment film made up of a number of fine films may be overlaid on the vertical alignment film. Furthermore, an alignment film (vertical alignment film or horizontal alignment film) composed of a large number of fine films may be used alone instead of being stacked on an alignment film having other properties. Conversely, an alignment film made up of a large number of fine films may be stacked in a plurality of layers.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal display element) 11 ... 1st board | substrate, 12 ... 1st electrode, 13, 14, 17, 18 ... Orientation film | membrane, 15 ... 2nd board | substrate, 16 ... 2nd electrode, 19 ... Liquid crystal layer , 21 ... 1st polarizing plate, 22 ... 2nd polarizing plate, 40 ... board | substrate, 41 ... electrically conductive film, 50 ... micro syringe, 51 ... needle | hook, 52 ... micro droplet, 53 ... conductive plate

Claims (4)

A first substrate and a second substrate arranged so that one surface of each other faces,
A first alignment film provided on the one surface side of the first substrate;
A second alignment film provided on the one surface side of the second substrate;
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
Including
The first alignment film includes a plurality of fine films, and the plurality of fine films are dispersed and disposed so that a base is exposed between each of the fine films.
The pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the interface between the first alignment film and the liquid crystal layer is controlled according to the distribution density of the multiple fine films.
Liquid crystal display device. A third alignment film that is provided between the first alignment film and the one surface of the first substrate, and has a different alignment control characteristic from the first alignment film;
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1. The numerous fine films include those having a substantially circular or annular shape in plan view.
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1. A first step of forming a first alignment film on one surface of the first substrate;
A second step of disposing the first substrate and the second substrate with their one side facing each other;
A third step of forming a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate;
Including
The first step includes
Discharging the material liquid in a state where a potential difference is relatively generated between the material liquid and the first substrate, thereby spraying the material liquid on the one surface side of the first substrate; ,
Solidifying the dispersed material liquid;
including,
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device.

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