JP2019184816A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a display device capable of suppressing a reduction in an opening ratio caused by light-shielding in the vicinity of a spacer.SOLUTION: A display device includes first and second substrates, a plurality of spacers keeping a distance between the substrates, image signal lines extending in a first direction, scanning signal lines extending in a second direction, first to third sub-pixels, and first to third transistors controlling the first to third sub-pixels. The first to third transistors are driven by a first scanning signal line. Drain electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor are located at a 1B direction side of the first scanning signal line. A drain electrode of the third transistor is located closer to a 1A direction side than the first scanning signal line. The plurality of spacers include a first spacer overlapping with a boundary between the first and second sub-pixels and on a first portion of a light-shielding layer. No spacer is disposed at a position where the boundary of the second and third sub-pixels overlaps with the first portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display device.

  As an example of a display device, a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates is known. The liquid crystal display device has pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels of different colors. The boundary between adjacent subpixels is shielded from light by a light shielding layer (black matrix).

  A spacer for maintaining a cell gap is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. In the region in the vicinity of the spacer, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can be disturbed. For this reason, this region is shielded from light by the extended portion in which the width of the light shielding layer is increased.

  The larger the extended portion of the light shielding layer, the lower the aperture ratio of the surrounding subpixels. Further, when the extended portion is superimposed only on the sub-pixels of a specific color, streaks due to the difference in aperture ratio between the sub-pixels may occur in the image. For these reasons, in order to improve display quality, an efficient spacer arrangement is desired.

  In recent years, in order to adjust the chromaticity of a pixel, the shape of the sub-pixel of each color may be different from each other. In this case, since the end portions of adjacent subpixels are shifted in a specific direction, the light shielding layer is also shifted and disposed in the direction. In such a pixel layout, in order to suppress a decrease in the aperture ratio, further ingenuity is required for the arrangement mode of the spacers.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0178981

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of suppressing a decrease in aperture ratio due to light shielding in the vicinity of a spacer.

  A display device according to an embodiment includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a plurality of spacers that maintain a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a plurality of video signal lines extending in a first direction. A plurality of scanning signal lines including a first scanning signal line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, first to third subpixels defined by a light shielding layer, and the first to third subpixels. First to third transistors for respectively controlling the above. The first subpixel and the second subpixel are adjacent to each other in the second direction. The second subpixel and the third subpixel are adjacent to each other in the second direction. The first to third transistors are driven by the first scanning signal line. The first direction has a first A direction that is one direction and a first B direction that is the other direction. The position of the drain electrode of the first transistor and the position of the drain electrode of the second transistor are both on the first B direction side with respect to the first scanning signal line. The position of the drain electrode of the third transistor is on the first A direction side with respect to the first scanning signal line. The light shielding layer has a first portion overlapping the first scanning signal line. The plurality of spacers include a first spacer that overlaps a boundary between the first subpixel and the second subpixel and the first portion. The spacer is not disposed at a position where the boundary between the second subpixel and the third subpixel overlaps the first portion.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pixel layout in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of spacers in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a specific structure applicable to the pixel layout shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a specific structure applicable to the pixel layout shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first comparative example of the arrangement of spacers. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second comparative example of the arrangement of spacers. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of spacers in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of spacers in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a pixel layout in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of a specific structure applicable to the pixel layout shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a pixel layout in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of a specific structure applicable to the pixel layout shown in FIG.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and those skilled in the art can easily conceive of appropriate changes while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the drawings may be schematically represented in comparison with actual modes in order to clarify the description, but are merely examples, and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In each drawing, the reference numerals may be omitted for the same or similar elements arranged in succession. In addition, in the present specification and each drawing, components that perform the same or similar functions as those described above with reference to the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant detailed description may be omitted.

  In the present specification, “α includes A, B or C”, “α includes any of A, B and C”, “α includes one selected from the group consisting of A, B and C” The expression “” does not exclude the case where α includes a plurality of combinations of A to C unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, these expressions do not exclude the case where α includes other elements.

  In the present specification, “first, second, third” in the expression “first α, second α, third α” is merely a convenient number used for explaining the element. That is, unless otherwise specified, the expression “A includes the third α” includes a case where A does not include the other first α and second α of the third α.

  In each embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is disclosed as an example of a display device. However, each embodiment does not preclude the application of the individual technical ideas disclosed in each embodiment to other types of display devices. As other types of display devices, for example, a self-luminous display device having an organic electroluminescence (EL) display element, an electronic paper type display device having an electrophoretic element, or the like, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) is applied. A display device, a display device using electrochromism, and the like are assumed.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display device DSP (hereinafter simply referred to as a display device DSP) according to the first embodiment. The display device DSP includes a display panel PNL, a flexible circuit board FPC, a controller CT, and a backlight BL. The display panel PNL includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, and a liquid crystal layer LC disposed between the substrates SUB1 and SUB2.

  The display panel PNL includes a display area DA including a plurality of subpixels SP and a peripheral area PA around the display area DA. A terminal T is provided in the peripheral area PA, and a flexible circuit board FPC is connected to the terminal T. In the illustrated example, the controller CT is provided on the flexible circuit board FPC. The controller CT may be provided on another member such as the first substrate SUB1. The backlight BL is opposed to the back surface of the display panel PNL and supplies light used for display.

  The first substrate SUB1 includes a plurality of video signal lines S, a plurality of scanning signal lines G, a source driver SD to which each video signal line S is connected, and a gate driver GD to which each scanning signal line G is connected. I have. The plurality of video signal lines S extend in the first direction D1 and are arranged in the second direction D2. The plurality of scanning signal lines G extend in the second direction D2 and are arranged in the first direction D1. The source driver SD supplies a video signal to each video signal line S. The gate driver GD supplies a scanning signal to each scanning signal line G.

  The first substrate SUB1 includes a pixel electrode PE and a transistor TR disposed in each subpixel SP. Further, the first substrate SUB1 includes a common electrode CE extending over the plurality of subpixels SP.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel PNL in the display area DA. The first substrate SUB1 includes a first base material 10, insulating layers 11 to 14, and a first alignment film 15. The transistor TR includes a semiconductor layer SC and a relay electrode RE.

  The semiconductor layer SC is formed on the upper surface of the first base material 10. The insulating layer 11 covers the semiconductor layer SC and the upper surface of the first base material 10. The scanning signal line G is formed on the insulating layer 11. The insulating layer 12 covers the scanning signal line G and the insulating layer 11. The video signal line S and the relay electrode RE are formed on the insulating layer 12. The insulating layer 13 covers the video signal line S, the relay electrode RE, and the insulating layer 12. The common electrode CE is formed on the insulating layer 13. The insulating layer 14 covers the common electrode CE. The pixel electrode PE is formed on the insulating layer 14 and has a slit SL. The first alignment film 15 covers the pixel electrode PE and the insulating layer 14.

  The second substrate SUB2 includes a second base material 20, a light shielding layer 21 (black matrix), a color filter layer 22, an overcoat layer 23, and a second alignment film 24. The light shielding layer 21 is formed on the lower surface of the second base material 20 and faces the scanning signal line G, the video signal line S, and the relay electrode RE. The color filter layer 22 covers the light shielding layer 21 and the lower surface of the second substrate 20. The overcoat layer 23 covers the color filter layer 22. The second alignment film 24 covers the overcoat layer 23.

  The subpixel SP shown in FIG. 1 is an area defined by the light shielding layer 21, for example. It can be said that the sub-pixel SP is a region defined by two adjacent video signal lines S and two adjacent scanning signal lines G. The subpixel SP can also be referred to as a region where the pixel electrode PE is disposed.

  The liquid crystal layer LC is disposed between the alignment films 15 and 24. A first polarizing plate PL1 is disposed on the lower surface of the first base material 10, and a second polarizing plate PL2 is disposed on the upper surface of the second base material 20. The structure of the display panel PNL is not limited to the example of FIG. 2, and various configurations can be applied.

  FIG. 3 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel PNL in the display area DA. The display panel PNL further includes a main spacer 31 and a sub-spacer 32. Both of the spacers 31 and 32 are disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and maintain a space (cell gap) between these substrates.

  In the illustrated example, the spacers 31 and 32 both extend from the second substrate SUB2, but may extend from the first substrate SUB1. The front end of the main spacer 31 is in contact with the first substrate SUB1. On the other hand, the tip of the sub-spacer 32 is not in contact with the first substrate SUB1. The sub-spacer 32 contacts the first substrate SUB1 when the cell gap between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 is narrowed by an external force.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pixel layout in the present embodiment. The display area DA includes the pixels PX1 to PX4. The pixel PX1 includes a red subpixel SPr1 and a green subpixel SPg1. The pixel PX2 includes a blue subpixel SPb1 and a white subpixel SPw1. The pixel PX3 includes a blue subpixel SPb2 and a white subpixel SPw2. The pixel PX4 includes a red subpixel SPr2 and a green subpixel SPg2.

  The subpixel SPr1 and the subpixel SPb1, the subpixel SPg1 and the subpixel SPw1, the subpixel SPb2 and the subpixel SPr2, and the subpixel SPw2 and the subpixel SPg2 are arranged in the first direction D1, respectively. The subpixels SPr1, SPg1, SPb2, and SPw2 are arranged in this order in the second direction D2. The subpixels SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, and SPg2 are arranged in this order in the second direction D2.

  In the entire display area DA, pixel units composed of the pixels PX1 to PX4 are arranged in a matrix in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In such a pixel layout, for example, each pixel PX1 to PX4 including only the subpixels SP of two colors is used as one pixel for full color display by subpixel rendering (SPR) to display a high resolution image. Can do.

  The width of the subpixels SPr1, SPb1, SPr2, SPb2 in the first direction D1 is W11. The widths of the subpixels SPg1 and SPg2 in the first direction D1 are W12 larger than W11 (W12> W11). The width of the subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 in the first direction D1 is W13 smaller than W11 (W13 <W11). The width of the subpixels SPr1, SPb1, SPr2, and SPb2 in the second direction D2 is W21. The width in the second direction D2 of the subpixels SPg1, SPw1, SPg2, SPw2 is W22 smaller than W21 (W22 <W21).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, one direction of the first direction D1 is defined as a first A direction D1a, and the other direction of the first direction D1 is defined as a first B direction D1b. The boundaries on the first B direction D1b side of the subpixels SPr1, SPg1, and SPb2 are linearly connected in the second direction D2. The boundaries of the sub-pixels SPb2 and SPw2 in the first A direction D1a are linearly connected in the second direction D2. The boundaries of the subpixels SPb1, SPw1, and SPr2 in the first A direction D1a are linearly connected in the second direction D2.

  The subpixel SPg1 has a protruding portion PT1 that protrudes further toward the first A direction D1a than the subpixels SPr1 and SPb2. Accordingly, the boundary on the first A direction D1a side of the subpixel SPg1 is not linearly connected to the boundary on the first A direction D1a side of the subpixels SPr1 and SPb2. Similarly, the sub-pixel SPg2 has a protruding portion PT2 that protrudes further toward the first A direction D1a than the sub-pixel SPr2. Accordingly, the boundary on the first A direction D1a side of the subpixel SPg2 is not linearly connected to the boundary on the first A direction D1a side of the subpixel SPr2.

  In the present embodiment, at the intersection of the boundary extending in the first direction D1 of the sub-pixel SP and the boundary extending in the second direction D2, and at the position where the boundary extending in the second direction D2 is linear. The spacers 31 and 32 are arranged. For example, the position CP indicated by the broken-line circle can be the arrangement position of the spacers 31 and 32. The spacers 31 and 32 are not disposed at positions where the boundary extending in the second direction D2 is non-linear, such as near the end of the subpixels SPg1 and SPg2 on the first A direction D1a side.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the spacers 31 and 32. In this figure, a plurality of pixel units having the layout shown in FIG. 4 are arranged in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. A large black circle represents the main spacer 31, and a small black circle represents the sub-spacer 32.

  In the example of FIG. 5, either one of the spacers 31 and 32 is arranged at all the positions CP shown in FIG. That is, the spacers 31 and 32 are arranged at two corners on the first A direction D1a side of the white subpixels SPw1 and SPw2. From another point of view, the spacers 31 and 32 are disposed at two corners on the first B direction D1b side of the green subpixels SPg1 and SPg2. In this case, in any of the illustrated subpixels SP, one of the spacers 31 and 32 is disposed at two of the four corners.

  The main spacers 31 are arranged at a lower density than the sub-spacers 30. As an example, the density of the main spacers 31 in the display area DA is 1/3 or less of the density of the sub-spacers 32.

  Since the spacers are respectively disposed at the two adjacent corners of the subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 having a small width in the second direction D2, a set of the two spacers is dispersedly arranged in the display area DA. In the example of FIG. 5, three of the plurality of spacer sets include the main spacer 31. The main spacer 31 is on the right side in the figure in any set of spacers. Thus, by unifying the positions of the main spacers 31 in the set of spacers, the interval between the main spacers 31 in the display area DA becomes constant, and the cell gap can be suitably maintained in various places in the display area DA.

  6 and 7 are plan views showing examples of specific structures that can be applied to the pixel layout shown in FIG. 6 shows the video signal line S, the scanning signal line G, the pixel electrode PE, and the transistor TR (semiconductor layer SC). In FIG. 7, the video signal line S, the scanning signal line G, the light shielding layer 21, the main spacer 31, and A sub-spacer 32 is shown.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the pixel electrode PE includes a plurality of branch portions BR and a plurality of slits SL between adjacent branch portions BR. Here, each pixel electrode PE has three branch portions BR and two slits SL. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The pixel electrode PE of the subpixel SPg1 overlaps with the scanning signal line G at the center and extends in the first A direction D1a beyond the scanning signal line G. The portion where the pixel electrode PE is enlarged in this way corresponds to the above-described protruding portion PT1. Similarly, the pixel electrode PE of the sub-pixel SPg2 overlaps with the lower scanning signal line G and extends in the first A direction D1a beyond the scanning signal line G. The portion where the pixel electrode PE is enlarged in this manner corresponds to the above-described protruding portion PT2.

  The semiconductor layer SC is connected to the video signal line S at the connection position P1, and is connected to the pixel electrode PE at the connection position P2. The connection position P1 corresponds to the source electrode of the transistor TR. The connection position P2 corresponds to the drain electrode of the transistor TR. At the connection position P2, the relay electrode RE shown in FIG. 2 is interposed between the pixel electrode PE and the semiconductor layer SC, but the relay electrode RE is not shown in FIG. Each subpixel SP is controlled by a video signal line S and a scanning signal line G to which the semiconductor layer SC is connected.

  In the subpixels SPr1, SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, SPb2, and SPw2, the connection positions P1 and P2 are on the first B direction D1b side with respect to the scanning signal line G that controls the transistors TR of these subpixels. On the other hand, in the subpixels SPg1 and SPg2, the connection positions P1 and P2 are on the first A direction D1a side with respect to the scanning signal line G that controls the transistors TR of these subpixels.

  The semiconductor layer SC intersects the scanning signal line G twice between the connection positions P1 and P2. However, the semiconductor layer SC may intersect the scanning signal line G only once. In this case, one of the connection positions P1 and P2 is arranged on the first A direction D1a side of the scanning signal line G for controlling the transistor TR, and the other is arranged on the first B direction D1b side.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the light shielding layer 21 includes a first portion 21a and a second portion 21b. The first portion 21a extends in the second direction D2 so as to overlap the scanning signal line G. The second portion 21b overlaps with the video signal line S and extends in the first direction D1. The first portion 21a overlapping the central scanning signal line G in the figure is shifted in the first A direction D1a in the vicinity of the sub-pixel SPg1. That is, the first portion 21a has two bent portions 21c in the vicinity of the subpixel SPg1. Similarly, the first portion 21a overlapping the lower scanning signal line G in the drawing similarly has two bent portions 21c in the vicinity of the sub-pixel SPg2.

  An opening A is formed in a region surrounded by the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b. That is, the light shielding layer 21 has the openings Ar1, Ag1, Ab1, Aw1, Ar2, Ag2, Ab2, Ab2 in the subpixels SPr1, SPg1, SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, SPg2, SPb2, SPw2, respectively.

  For example, the openings Ar1, Ar2, Ab1, and Ab2 have the same size, the openings Ag1 and Ag2 have the same size, and the openings Aw1 and Aw2 have the same size. The widths of the openings Ag1, Ag2 in the first direction D1 are larger than the widths of the openings Ar1, Ar2, Ab1, Ab2 in the first direction D1. The widths of the openings Aw1, Aw2 in the first direction D1 are smaller than the widths of the openings Ar1, Ar2, Ab1, Ab2 in the first direction D1.

  Each opening A overlaps with the color filter layer 22 of the color corresponding to the sub-pixel SP. However, the color filter layer 22 may not be disposed in the white subpixels SPw1 and SPw2.

  The spacers 31 and 32 are arranged at the respective positions CP shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7, the right side of the two spacers between the sub-pixel SPw2 and the sub-pixel SPg2 is the main spacer 31, and the other spacers are all the sub-spacers 32. However, the arrangement of the main spacer 31 and the sub-spacer 32 is not limited to this example.

  Both of the spacers 31 and 32 overlap the boundary between the two subpixels SP adjacent in the second direction D2 and the first portion 21a. From another point of view, the spacers 31 and 32 overlap with the intersection of the video signal line S and the scanning signal line G.

  The light shielding layer 21 has an extended portion 21 d provided in the vicinity of the main spacer 31 and an extended portion 21 e provided in the vicinity of the sub-spacer 32. The extended portions 21d and 21e are portions in which the width of the first portion 21a in the first direction D1 (or the width of the second portion 21b in the second direction D2) is increased. The extended portion 21d is larger than the extended portion 21e. For example, the extended portions 21d and 21e are concentric with the spacers 31 and 32 as shown in the figure, but may have other shapes.

  In the region in the vicinity of the spacers 31 and 32, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can be disturbed. The extended portions 21d and 21e shield these regions from light, and suppress deterioration in display quality due to disorder of orientation.

  Here, a lower sub-spacer 32 (first spacer) in the drawing that overlaps with the boundary between the sub-pixels SPw1 and SPr2, and a lower sub-spacer 32 (second spacer) in the drawing that overlaps with the boundary between the sub-pixels SPw1 and SPb1. Attention is paid to the sub-spacer 32 (third spacer) overlapping the boundary between the sub-pixels SPb2 and SPw2. The second spacer is the spacer closest to the first spacer. The third spacer is a spacer next to the first spacer after the second spacer. The distance between the centers of the first spacer and the second spacer is L1. The distance between the centers of the first spacer and the third spacer is L2.

  As an example, the distance L2 is at least three times the distance L1 (L2 ≧ 3 × L1). That is, the first spacer and the second spacer are arranged sufficiently close to each other. In this case, since the external force applied to the display panel PNL is suitably distributed to the first spacer and the second spacer, the size of these spacers can be reduced. If the size of the spacer is reduced, the size of the extended portion 21e can be reduced, and as a result, the aperture ratio of the sub-pixel SP adjacent to the spacer is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the spacers 31 and 32 are disposed so as to avoid the bent portion 21 c of the light shielding layer 21. The effect of this configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The left sub-spacer 32 in the drawing is disposed at a position overlapping the first portion 21a extending linearly. On the other hand, unlike the present embodiment, the right sub-spacer 32 in the drawing is arranged at the bent portion 21c in the vicinity of the openings Ag1, Aw1.

  A hatched area around the two spacers 32 corresponds to the extended portion 21e. In the vicinity of the right side sub-spacer 32 in the drawing, since the first portion 21a is bent, many areas of the opening Ag1 are filled with the extended portion 21e. As a result, the area of the extended portion 21e on the right side in the drawing is larger than the area of the extended portion 21e on the left side in the drawing.

  Thus, when the sub-spacer 32 is disposed in the bent portion 21c, the opening Ag1 is reduced by the large-area extended portion 21e. As a result, the luminance of the green subpixel SPg1, which has higher visibility than the subpixels SP of other colors, decreases, and as a result, the overall luminance of the display area DA decreases. In order to match the luminance of the lowered green subpixel SPg1, it is necessary to adjust the luminance by reducing the aperture ratio (size of the aperture A) of the subpixel SP of another color. In this case, the brightness of the display area DA further decreases.

  Here, the subpixel SPg1 is taken as an example, but the same applies to the subpixel SPg2. Further, when the main spacer 31 is disposed in the bent portion 21c, the extension portion 21d is larger than the extension portion 21e, and thus a further reduction in luminance occurs. Furthermore, the area where the extended portion 21d fills the openings Ag1, Ag2 is significantly larger than the area where the expanded portion 21e fills the openings Ag1, Ag2. Therefore, a large aperture ratio difference occurs between the vicinity of the main spacer 31 and the vicinity of the sub-spacer 32, and a streak resulting from the aperture ratio difference may be visually recognized in the display image.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the spacers 31 and 32 are not arranged in the bent portion 21c. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the aperture ratio decrease and the luminance loss due to the extended portions 21d and 21e. Further, by arranging the spacers 31 and 32 so as to avoid the bent portion 21c, the luminance of the sub-pixel SP of a specific color is not greatly reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to intentionally lower the luminance by adjusting the aperture ratio of each subpixel SP. Further, since the difference in aperture ratio between the vicinity of the main spacer 31 and the vicinity of the sub-spacer 32 is reduced, the above-described streaks can be suppressed.

  Here, the further effect of the structure in this embodiment is demonstrated using a comparative example with this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first comparative example of the arrangement of the spacers 31 and 32. The pixel layout is the same as in FIG. In the first comparative example, the spacers 31 and 32 are arranged in the subpixels SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, and SPw2. Even in such a case, the spacers 31 and 32 can be arranged avoiding the position where the boundary extending in the second direction D2 of the subpixel SP is non-linear (the above-described bent portion 21c).

  However, in the first comparative example, the aperture ratios of the sub-pixels SP in which the spacers 31 and 32 are disposed are significantly reduced by the extended portions 21d and 21e of the light shielding layer 21. Furthermore, in order to adjust the luminance of each subpixel SP, it is necessary to intentionally reduce the aperture ratio of the subpixel SP in which the spacers 31 and 32 are not disposed. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the luminance loss due to the extended portions 21d and 21e as described above. Furthermore, since the luminance of the subpixel SP of a specific color does not greatly decrease, it is not necessary to intentionally decrease the luminance by adjusting the aperture ratio of the subpixel SP. From these viewpoints, the configuration of the present embodiment is more advantageous than the first comparative example.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second comparative example of the arrangement of the spacers 31 and 32. In the second comparative example, the spacers 31 and 32 are arranged only in the white subpixels SPw1 and SPw2. In the present embodiment and the first comparative example, the spacers 31 and 32 are arranged at four ratios with respect to the subpixels SPr1, SPb1, SPg1, SPw1, SPr2, SPb2, SPg2, and SPw2 constituting the pixel unit described above. Yes. On the other hand, in the second comparative example, the ratio in which the spacers 31 and 32 are arranged is two with respect to the pixel unit.

  Thus, by reducing the number of the spacers 31 and 32 in half, it is necessary to enlarge each spacer 31 and 32 in the 2nd comparative example. Accordingly, it is necessary to enlarge the extended portions 21d and 21e of the light shielding layer 21. Therefore, the aperture ratios of the subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 overlapping the spacers 31 and 32 are extremely reduced. The configuration of this embodiment is more advantageous than the second comparative example because it does not accompany such a decrease in luminance.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment will be described below. Structures not particularly mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the spacers 31 and 32 in the second embodiment. Here, the extended portions 21d and 21e are partially overlapped by reducing the distance L1 between the centers of the adjacent spacers 31 and 32.

  Specifically, the circle representing the expanded portion 21d and the circle representing the expanded portion 21e overlap in the two regions OL illustrated. The aperture ratio of the adjacent subpixel SP can be improved by the amount of these regions OL.

  As an example, the distance L1 is 7 μm or more and 22 μm or less (7 μm ≦ L1 ≦ 22 μm). As shown in the figure, when the centers of the spacers 31 and 32 are positioned on the video signal line S, the distance L1 is the subpixel SP (for example, the subpixels SPw1 and SPw2) disposed between the video signal lines S. This corresponds to the width in the second direction D2.

  If the distance between the spacers 31 and 32 (the distance between the base portions in contact with the second substrate SUB2) is less than 5 μm, the spacers 31 and 32 may be connected due to the limit of the processing technique. Therefore, the distance between the spacers 31 and 32 is preferably 5 μm or more.

  Although the adjacent spacers 31 and 32 are illustrated in the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by superimposing the respective extended portions 21e also at the locations where the two sub-spacers 32 are adjacent.

[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment will be described below. Structures not particularly mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the spacers 31 and 32 in the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 5 described above, an example is shown in which a set of two adjacent spacers is distributed and arranged in the display area DA. In FIG. 12, only one of these spacer sets is arranged. That is, in FIG. 12, the number of spacers 31 and 32 arranged in the display area DA is half that in FIG.

  Also in the present embodiment, the spacers 31 and 32 are arranged avoiding the position where the boundary extending in the second direction D2 of the subpixel SP is non-linear (the above-described bent portion 21c). Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the aperture ratio decrease and the luminance loss due to the extended portions 21d and 21e.

  However, in this embodiment, it is necessary to enlarge the spacers 31 and 32 with the number of the spacers 31 and 32 being halved. As an example, the diameter of the spacers 31 and 32 is twice that in the case of FIG. As the spacers 31 and 32 are made larger in this way, the extended portions 21d and 21e of the light shielding layer 21 need to be made larger than in the first embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The fourth embodiment will be described below. Structures not particularly mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a pixel layout in the fourth embodiment. This pixel layout has subpixels SPr1, SPg1, SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, SPg2, SPb2, and SPw2 as in the example of FIG. However, the shape of these sub-pixels SP is different from the example of FIG.

  A direction rotating counterclockwise with respect to the first direction D1 is defined as a first rotation direction R1, and a direction rotating opposite to the first rotation direction with respect to the first direction D1 is defined as a second rotation direction R2. To do. The subpixels SPr1, SPg1, SPb2, and SPw2 are inclined at an acute angle in the first rotation direction R1 with respect to the first direction D1. The subpixels SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, and SPg2 are inclined at an acute angle in the second rotation direction R2 with respect to the first direction D1.

  Thus, for each of red, green, blue, and white, by providing the subpixel SP that is inclined in the first rotation direction R1 and the subpixel SP that is inclined in the second rotation direction R2, a pseudo multi-domain is provided. The pixel layout can be realized. The arrangement positions of the spacers 31 and 32 in FIG. 13 are the same as those in FIG. However, the arrangement positions of the spacers 31 and 32 are not limited to this example.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of a specific structure applicable to the pixel layout shown in FIG. Here, the spacers 31 and 32, the video signal line S, the scanning signal line G, and the light shielding layer 21 are shown.

  The video signal line S forms an acute angle in the first rotation direction R1 with respect to the first direction D1 and an acute angle in the second rotation direction R2 with respect to the first direction D1. And a second inclined part Sa2 that inclines and a non-inclined part Sb extending in the first direction D1. The video signal line S extends in the first direction D1 in such a shape that the first inclined portion Sa1 and the second inclined portion Sa2 are alternately repeated with the non-inclined portion Sb interposed therebetween. Similar to the video signal line S, the second portion 21b of the light shielding layer 21 is inclined with respect to the first direction D1.

  The scanning signal line G extends in the second direction D2 without being bent, as in the example of FIG. The first portion 21a of the light shielding layer 21 is the same as the example of FIG. 7, and has a bent portion 21c in the vicinity of the subpixels SPg1 and SPg2. The spacers 31 and 32 are arranged avoiding these bent portions 21c.

  Even in the configuration of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in aperture ratio and a decrease in luminance due to the expanded portions 21d and 21e. In addition, the pseudo multi-domain pixel layout can provide effects such as improved viewing angle characteristics.

[Fifth Embodiment]
The fifth embodiment will be described below. Structures not particularly mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a pixel layout in the fifth embodiment. In the present embodiment, as in the example of FIG. 13, the subpixels SPr1, SPg1, SPb1, SPw1, SPr2, SPg2, SPb2, and SPw2 have shapes that can realize a pseudo multi-domain pixel layout. However, as described below, the shape of these sub-pixels SP is different from the example of FIG.

  The width of the subpixels SPr1 and SPr2 in the first direction D1 is W11a. The width of the subpixels SPb1 and SPb2 in the first direction D1 is W11b, which is smaller than W11a. The width of the subpixels SPg1 and SPg2 in the first direction D1 is W12 which is larger than W11a. The width of the subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 in the first direction D1 is W13, which is smaller than W11b. That is, W13 <W11b <W11a <W12 holds. The width of the subpixels SPr1, SPb1, SPr2, and SPb2 in the second direction D2 is W21. The width in the second direction D2 of the subpixels SPg1, SPw1, SPg2, SPw2 is W22 smaller than W21 (W22 <W21).

  In the present embodiment, the pixels PX1 and PX2 and the pixels PX3 and PX4 are displaced in the first direction D1. As a result, the boundary on the first B direction D1b side of the subpixel SPg1 and the boundary on the first B direction D1b side of the subpixel SPb2 are not linearly connected. Similarly, the boundary on the first A direction D1a side of the subpixels SPw1 and SPr2 and the boundary on the first A direction D1a side of the subpixel SPr2 are not linearly connected. If these positions are avoided, the positions CP at which the spacers 31 and 32 can be disposed are the three points shown in the figure.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of a specific structure applicable to the pixel layout shown in FIG. Here, assuming that the sub-spacers 32 are arranged at two of the three positions CP in FIG. 15 and the main spacer 31 is arranged at the remaining one of these positions CP, these spacers 31, 32, video signal lines S, the scanning signal line G, and the light shielding layer 21 are shown.

  Similarly to the example of FIG. 14, the video signal line S includes a first inclined portion Sa1, a second inclined portion Sa2, and a non-inclined portion Sb. The scanning signal line G has a plurality of linear portions Ga and a plurality of bent portions Gb. The straight line portion Ga is located between the two bent portions Gb and is connected to the bent portions Gb. The bent portion Gb overlaps with the video signal line S and extends in a direction intersecting with each of the directions D1 and D2.

  Although not shown here, the positional relationship between the connection positions P1, P2 of the semiconductor layer SC (transistor TR) and the scanning signal line G is the same as in the example of FIG. That is, for the subpixels SPg1 and SPg2, the positional relationship between the connection positions P1 and P2 and the scanning signal line G is different from the other subpixels SP.

  The first portion 21 a of the light shielding layer 21 has a bent portion 21 c at the intersection of the video signal line S and the scanning signal line G except for the position where the spacers 31 and 32 are disposed. In the position where the spacers 31 and 32 are disposed, the first portion 21a is linear. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in aperture ratio and a decrease in luminance due to the extended portions 21d and 21e.

  In the pixel layout of the present embodiment, the combined chromaticity of the red, blue, green, and white subpixels SP is arbitrarily adjusted by changing the widths W11a, W11b, W12, and W13 shown in FIG. It is possible.

  In the above first to fifth embodiments, the pixel layout including the red, green, blue, and white subpixels SP is disclosed. However, the configuration disclosed in each embodiment can be applied to various pixel layouts. For example, the positions of the red subpixels SPr1 and SPr2 and the blue subpixels SPb1 and SPb2 in each embodiment may be interchanged. Further, the positions of the green subpixels SPg1 and SPg2 and the white subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 in each embodiment may be interchanged. Furthermore, the pixel layout may include subpixels SP of colors other than red, green, blue, and white. Alternatively, the pixel layout may include red, green, and blue subpixels SP without including the white subpixel SP.

  In each embodiment, the pixel layout in which the green subpixels SPg1 and SPg2 are enlarged by the projecting portions PT1 and PT2 and the white subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 are reduced is illustrated. However, the subpixel SP enlarged by the projecting portions PT1 and PT2 is not limited to green, and the subpixel SP to be reduced is not limited to white. For example, the white subpixels SPw1 and SPw2 may be enlarged by the projecting portions PT1 and PT2, and the green subpixels SPg1 and SPg2 may be reduced.

  All display devices that can be implemented by a person skilled in the art based on the display device described as the embodiment of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention.

  In the scope of the idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive various modifications, and these modifications are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, those in which the person skilled in the art has appropriately added, deleted, or changed the design of the above-described embodiments, or those in which processes have been added, omitted, or changed conditions are also included in the present invention. As long as the gist is provided, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, regarding other operational effects brought about by the aspects described in the respective embodiments, those that are apparent from the description of the present specification or that can be appropriately conceived by those skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. Is done.

  DSP ... display device, PNL ... display panel, SUB1 ... first substrate, SUB2 ... second substrate, S ... video signal line, G ... scanning signal line, PX1 to PX4 ... pixel, SP ... sub-pixel, PE ... pixel electrode, TR ... transistor, SC ... semiconductor layer, 21 ... light shielding layer, 21d, 21e ... expanded portion, 31 ... main spacer, 32 ... sub-spacer.

Claims (9)

A first substrate and a second substrate facing each other;
A plurality of spacers for maintaining a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A plurality of video signal lines extending in the first direction;
A plurality of scanning signal lines including a first scanning signal line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
A first subpixel, a second subpixel, and a third subpixel defined by the light shielding layer;
A first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor that respectively control the first subpixel, the second subpixel, and the third subpixel;
The first subpixel and the second subpixel are adjacent in the second direction,
The second subpixel and the third subpixel are adjacent in the second direction;
The first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor are driven by the first scanning signal line,
The first direction has a first A direction that is one direction and a first B direction that is the other direction;
The position of the drain electrode of the first transistor and the position of the drain electrode of the second transistor are both closer to the first B direction than the first scanning signal line,
The position of the drain electrode of the third transistor is closer to the first A direction than the first scanning signal line,
The light shielding layer has a first portion overlapping the first scanning signal line,
The plurality of spacers include a first spacer that overlaps a boundary between the first subpixel and the second subpixel and the first portion,
The spacer is not disposed at a position where the boundary between the second subpixel and the third subpixel and the first portion overlap.
Display device. In plan view, further comprising a fourth subpixel defined by the light shielding layer,
The fourth subpixel is adjacent to the first subpixel in the second direction;
The plurality of spacers further include a second spacer that overlaps a boundary between the first subpixel and the fourth subpixel and the first portion.
The display device according to claim 1. The plurality of spacers further include a third spacer close to the first spacer next to the second spacer,
A distance between the first spacer and the third spacer is at least three times a distance between the first spacer and the second spacer;
The display device according to claim 2. A width of the first subpixel in the second direction is smaller than a width of the second subpixel in the second direction;
The display device according to claim 1. A width of the third subpixel in the first direction is greater than a width of the first subpixel or the second subpixel in the first direction;
The display device according to claim 1. The color of the first subpixel is white.
The display device according to claim 1. A width of the first subpixel in the second direction is not less than 7 μm and not more than 22 μm;
The display device according to claim 1. In plan view, further comprising a fourth subpixel defined by the light shielding layer,
The fourth subpixel is adjacent to the first subpixel in the second direction;
One color of the first subpixel and the third subpixel is white, and the other color is green,
One color of the second subpixel and the fourth subpixel is red, and the other color is blue.
The display device according to claim 1. In plan view, further comprising a fifth subpixel, a sixth subpixel, a seventh subpixel, and an eighth subpixel defined by the light shielding layer;
The fifth subpixel is adjacent to the first subpixel in the first direction;
The sixth subpixel is adjacent to the second subpixel in the first direction;
The seventh subpixel is adjacent to the third subpixel in the first direction;
The eighth subpixel is adjacent to the fourth subpixel in the first direction;
One color of the first subpixel and the fifth subpixel is white, and the other color is green,
One color of the second subpixel and the sixth subpixel is red, and the other color is blue,
One color of the third subpixel and the seventh subpixel is white, and the other color is green,
One color of the fourth subpixel and the eighth subpixel is red, and the other color is blue.
The display device according to claim 8.

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