JP3525029B2 - Liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device in which a frame area which does not contribute to display around a display area is reduced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, there is an increasing demand to obtain necessary information and perform calculation processing at any time and at any place, and a portable information processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 52 has been developed. Examples of portable information processing devices include notebook personal computers (hereinafter abbreviated as notebook computers), word processors, portable information terminals, and pocket computers.

The display devices of these portable information processing devices are thin, lightweight, and consume little power.
Liquid crystal display devices are widely used.

The liquid crystal display device is composed of a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is provided around the liquid crystal display panel and constitutes a region (so-called frame region) which does not contribute to display. .

However, recently, there is an increasing demand for a portable information processing device to have a large display area so that the information can be easily viewed. To simply enlarge the display area,
A large-sized liquid crystal display device may be used, but this loses portability and the meaning of a portable information processing device is lost.

Therefore, a so-called frame reduction technique has become important in which a region which does not contribute to display is made smaller and a display region is made larger than that of a liquid crystal display device having the same outer shape.

Note that Japanese Patent Application No. 6-75019 and Japanese Patent Application No. 7-297234 are the prior arts relating to the frame reduction technology, and they have achieved some results.

[0008]

However, the present inventors have found that there is a problem to be solved in order to make the display area larger and the frame area smaller than in the past.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the frame area, which is an area that does not contribute to the display of the liquid crystal display device.

[0010]

Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, a brief description will be given to the outline of typical ones.
It is as follows.

That is, a pair of transparent substrates arranged to face each other, an annular sealing material for sealing the liquid crystal disposed between the transparent substrates, and an electrode formed on the liquid crystal side surface of one transparent substrate are provided. In a liquid crystal display device including at least a conductive layer for drawing out to a terminal formed on the liquid crystal side surface of the other transparent substrate, the conductive layer is formed outside a center line along the running direction of the sealing material. It is characterized by that.

In the liquid crystal display device having such a structure, it is possible to increase the substantial area of the display portion as an aggregate of pixels as compared with the conventional one in which the conductor is formed inside the sealing material. Become.

This is because, in the prior art, even if the area of the display portion was made as large as possible in the seal material, the conductor limited it.

This means that the frame area can be reduced when the area of the pixel region and the number of pixels are the same as in the conventional case.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1. << Appearance of Liquid Crystal Display Module MDL >> FIG. 2 is a completed assembly diagram of the liquid crystal display module MDL.
Front view seen from the surface side (that is, upper side, display side) of
It is a front side view, a right side view, a left side view, and a rear side view.

FIG. 3 is a completed assembly view of the liquid crystal display module MDL, which is a rear view of the liquid crystal display element as viewed from the rear surface side (lower side).

The module MDL is a molded case M.
It has two types of storage and holding members, L and a shield case SHD.

The HLDs 1, 2, 3 and 4 are four mounting holes provided for mounting the module MDL as a display unit in an information processing device such as a notebook computer and a word processor.

Mounting hole H of molded case ML shown in FIG.
Mounting holes HLD1, 2, 3 and 4 of the shield case SHD shown in FIG. 5 are formed at positions corresponding to LDs 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the mounting holes HLD1, 2, 3 and 4 are fixed and mounted on the information processing device by passing screws or the like into both mounting holes. To do. In the module MDL, the inverter IV for backlight is set to H level as shown in FIG.
It is arranged in a recess between LD1 and HLD3, and power is supplied to the fluorescent tube LP of the backlight through the connection connector LCT and the lamp cables LPC1 and LPC2. Signals and necessary power from the main computer (host) are supplied to the controller section and the power section of the liquid crystal display module MDL via the interface connector CT1 located on the back surface of the module.

The liquid crystal display module MD shown in FIG.
Regarding the external dimensions of L, the long side W (the side defined by the corners on the HLD1 side and the HLD2 side) is 297.5 mm, and the short side H (HLD2
Side and the side defined by the corner between HLD4 side) is 214.5m
m, thickness T is 8.0 mm, display area (effective pixel portion)
Measured from AR, the width X1 of the shield case SHD up to the upper frame (on the line II-II in FIG. 2) is 3.9 mm, and the width X2 up to the lower frame (on the line I-I in FIG. 2) is 7.9 m.
m, the width Y to the left frame (on the line III-III in FIG. 2)
1 is 15.5 mm, and the width Y2 up to the right frame (on the line IV-IV in FIG. 2) is 4.2 mm.

The size of the display area AR is such that the long side W is 2
70.3 mm, the short side H is 202.8 mm, and the diagonal size D is 34 cm (13.3 inches).

The number of pixels in the display area AR is R, G, B.
If the pixels of three colors are collectively considered as one pixel, 1024 in the long side direction (horizontal direction, x direction) and 768 in the short side direction (vertical direction, y direction) are arranged.

The liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG. 2 is larger than the liquid crystal display module MDL described in the prior art Japanese Patent Application No. 7-297234, which is introduced above, in the external dimensions and the size of the display area AR of the liquid crystal display module MDL. However, the frame area that does not contribute to display is small. Therefore, if the liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG. 2 is used, a large display that is easy to see can be obtained without losing the portability of the portable information processing device. The weight of the liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG.
It is 0 g, which is light enough to be used in a portable information processing device.

The mounting holes of the liquid crystal display module MDL have the shapes shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B). The mounting holes are on the side of the lamp cables LPC1 and LPC2 (refer to part B)
Has a round hole like HLD3 shown in FIG. 6 (B). The mounting hole on the side of the interface connector CT1 (see the part A) is U like the HLD2 shown in FIG. 6 (A).
It has a letter-shaped notch.

FIG. 6C shows the pin arrangement (see C) of the interface connector CT1 for connecting with the external device (host computer or the like) of the liquid crystal display module MDL.
It has the shape shown in.

<< Cross Section of Liquid Crystal Display Module MDL >> FIG.
(A) is II of the liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG.
A cross section taken along line, FIG. 7B is a cross section taken along line II-II of the liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG. 2, and FIG.
III-II of the liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG.
A cross section taken along line I, and FIG. 8B are cross sections taken along line IV-IV of the liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG.

The respective members will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 as follows.

The SHD is a shield case (upper case) that covers the periphery of the liquid crystal display element PNL and the drive circuit of the liquid crystal display element PNL.

ML is a molded case (lower case) for accommodating the backlight.

LF1 and LF2 are the first to cover the lower case
And a second lower shield case.

WSPC is a frame spacer that covers the periphery of the backlight.

SUB1 and SUB2 are liquid crystal display elements PN
It is a glass substrate that constitutes L. In this embodiment, SUB1
Is a substrate on which thin film transistors and pixel electrodes are formed, and SUB2 is a substrate on which color filters and common electrodes are formed.

FUS is a sealing material for sealing the liquid crystal sealed between SUB1 and SUB2.

BM is a light shielding film formed on SUB2. In the liquid crystal display module MDL of the present embodiment, by optimizing the light-shielding area around the display area AR by the BM, even when the display area is viewed from an oblique angle of 45 degrees or more, the light leaking directly from the backlight. Without seeing
In addition, since a portion unrelated to the display around the display area AR (for example, a portion hidden by the frame spacer WSPC) cannot be seen, the shield case SHD is used more than necessary.
1, it is not necessary to cover SUB2 and the frame area can be reduced.

POL1 is an upper polarizing plate attached to SUB2, and POL2 is a lower polarizing plate attached to SUB1. The liquid crystal display element PNL of this embodiment includes POL1 and POL.
2 and the liquid crystal layer provided between SUB1 and SUB2 allows an image to be displayed by transmitting or blocking the light supplied from the backlight.

VINC1 is a viewing angle expanding film attached to SUB2, and VINC2 is a viewing angle expanding film attached to SUB1. In this embodiment, SUB1 and SU
By providing the viewing angle enlargement film on B2, the viewing angle dependency, which is a problem peculiar to the liquid crystal display element in which the contrast changes depending on the angle at which the viewer looks at the display, is eliminated. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display module MDL of this embodiment, the contrast difference between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the display area AR is eliminated by the viewing angle magnifying film, and the diagonal size D is 34 cm (13.3).
We have realized a liquid crystal display device with a wide display area of 1 inch or more.

The viewing angle expanding film may be attached to the outside of the polarizing plate, but in this embodiment, the viewing angle expanding film is provided between the polarizing plate and the glass substrate in order to enhance the viewing angle expanding effect.

LP is a fluorescent tube which serves as a light source of the backlight.

GLB is a light guide plate of the backlight, and works so as to direct the light coming from the fluorescent tube LP to the directions of SUB1 and SUB2 to form a uniform surface light source. In order to reduce the weight of the GLB, the GLB has a tapered shape that is thick on the LP side and thin on the side opposite to the LP.

RFS is a reflection sheet, and functions to reflect the light coming to the bottom surface of the GLB and return it to the inside of the GLB.

The SPS is a diffusing sheet and serves to diffuse the light emitted from the upper surface of the GLB toward the liquid crystal display element PNL in various directions.

The PRS is a prism sheet, which collects the light diffused by the SPS within a specific emission angle range and serves to improve the brightness of the backlight.

POR is a polarizing reflector and is provided to improve the brightness of the liquid crystal display device. POR has a property of transmitting only light of a specific polarization axis and reflecting light of other polarization axes. Therefore, by aligning the polarization axis of POR through the polarization axis of the lower polarizing plate POL2,
The light absorbed by OL2 is also converted into polarized light that passes through POL2 and is emitted from POR while going back and forth between POR and the light guide plate GLB, thus improving the brightness of the liquid crystal display device. You can

LS is a lamp reflector, which functions to reflect the light generated by LP in the direction of GLB. The LS also serves to hold the LP, as described below. Also, L
As shown in FIG. 7 (A), S is fixed to GLB by sandwiching GLB with SLS, so LP can be easily replaced.

The frame spacer WSPC described above presses the peripheral portion of the light guide plate GLB, and the hook of the WSPC is inserted into the hole of the molded case ML to firmly fix the GLB to the ML and the GLB to the liquid crystal display element PNL. Preventing a collision. In this embodiment, further, SPS, P
RS and POR are also suppressed by WSPC, so SPS, PRS and POR are not distorted,
A backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal display element PNL having a wide display area with a diagonal size D of 34 cm (13.3 inches) or more can be mounted in the liquid crystal display device.

GC1 is a rubber cushion provided between WSPC and SUB1.

LPC3 is a lamp cable for supplying a voltage to the fluorescent tube LP, and is a flat cable which is provided between WSPC and LS so as to save a mounting space. L
Since the PC3 is attached to the LS by the double-sided tape, it can be replaced together with the LS when the fluorescent tube LP is replaced, and it is not necessary to remove the LPC3 from the LP, and the replacement of the LP is easy. Further, since the LPC 3 is a multilayer film of a flexible film and a metal film, it also serves as a cushion for preventing the WSPC and LS from colliding.

OL is an O-ring, which acts as a cushion between LP and LS. The OL is made of transparent plastic so as not to reduce the brightness of the LP. The OL is made of an insulating material having a low dielectric constant in order to prevent leakage of high frequency current from the LP. The OL also serves as a cushion to prevent the LP from colliding with the light guide plate GLB.

The IC1 is a drain driver chip for driving the video signal line of the liquid crystal display element PNL, and a driving circuit is integrated in the semiconductor chip and mounted on the SUB1. Since the IC1 is mounted on only one side of the SUB1, the frame area of the liquid crystal display module MDL can be reduced on the side opposite to the side on which the IC1 is mounted (see FIG. 7B). Further, since the fluorescent tube LP and the lamp reflector LS are provided under the portion of the SUB1 where the IC1 is mounted, the LP and the LS can be compactly housed in the liquid crystal display module MDL.

The IC2 is a gate driver chip for driving the scanning signal line of the liquid crystal display element PNL, and the driving circuit is integrated in the semiconductor chip and mounted on the SUB1.

Although the mounting technique of this embodiment is described by taking an active matrix type liquid crystal display device using thin film transistors as an example, it can also be applied to a passive matrix type liquid crystal display device which does not use thin film transistors. In the case of a passive matrix type liquid crystal display device, IC1 is mounted on the SUB1 using a segment driver chip, and IC2 is a SUB using a common driver chip.
2 should be mounted on top.

The FPC1 is a flexible printed circuit board on the scanning signal line side, which is connected to the external terminal of the SUB1 by an anisotropic conductive film and supplies a power supply and a drive signal to the IC2.
Chip components EP such as resistors and capacitors are mounted on the FPC 1.

The FPC 2 is a flexible printed circuit board on the video signal line side, which is connected to the external terminal of the SUB 1 by an anisotropic conductive film and supplies a power source and a drive signal to the IC 1.
On the FPC2, chip parts EP such as resistors and capacitors
Has been implemented. In this embodiment, in order to reduce the frame area, the FPC 2 is bent so as to wrap the lamp reflector LS, and a part (b part) of the FPC 2 is formed between the molded case ML behind the backlight and the second lower shield case. It is sandwiched between and fixed. FPC for mold case ML
A notch is provided to secure a space for the second chip part EP. The FPC 2 is composed of a thin portion (a portion) for easy bending and a thick portion (b portion) for multilayer wiring. In this embodiment, the lower shield case is divided into a first lower shield case LF1 and a second lower shield case LF2, and the liquid crystal display module MD is provided.
Since it covers the back surface of L, as shown in FIG.
Since the lamp reflector LS can be exposed by removing F2 and turning FPC2, the fluorescent tube LP can be easily replaced.

The PCB is an interface board on which a power supply circuit and a controller circuit are formed, and is composed of a multilayer printed board. In this embodiment, in order to reduce the frame area, P
CB is provided underneath FPC1 and is double-sided tape BA
It is attached to SUB1 by T.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the PCB is provided with a connector CTR4 and is electrically connected to the connector CT4 of the FPC2. Although not shown, the FPC 1 is also electrically connected via a connector.

SUP is a reinforcing plate and is provided between the lower shield case and the connector PCT4 to prevent CT4 from coming off from CTR4.

SPC4 is a spacer provided between the shield case SHD and the upper polarizing plate POL1, and is made of a corrosive cloth and attached to the shield case with an adhesive material. The SPC 4 may be a double-sided tape and the SHD and POL 1 may be attached.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display element PNL is the SHD
In order to prevent the film from jumping out of the glass substrate, as shown in FIG. 7B, a polarizing plate POL1 made of a plastic film is taken out from the glass substrate SUB1 and POL1 is held down by SHD. With the configuration in which the POL1 coming out of the SUB2 is pressed by the SHD, this embodiment secures sufficient strength even if the frame area is reduced.

Further, a viewing angle widening film VINC1 made of a plastic film is taken out from the glass substrate SUB1,
Even if VINC1 is pressed by SHD, the liquid crystal display element PNL can be prevented from jumping out of SHD. In this embodiment, both POL1 and VINC1 are taken out from SUB1 and both POL1 and VINC1 are held down by SHD, so that the liquid crystal display element PNL does not come out of SHD even if the area where SHD covers the liquid crystal display element PNL is small. There is no.

DSPC is a drain spacer provided between the shield case SHD and the glass substrate SUB1.
It prevents the HD and SUB1 from colliding. DSPC
Further, since the drain driver chip IC1 is provided so as to cover the drain driver chip IC1 and the notch NOT is provided at the IC1 portion, SHD and DSPC do not collide with the IC1 and the IC1 is not destroyed. In addition, DSPC
Since the flexible printed circuit board FPC2 on the video signal line side on the external connection terminal of SUB1 is also held down, SUB
FPC2 is prevented from peeling from 1 and SUB1 and FP
It prevents C2 from being electrically disconnected.
The DSPC is formed of vinyl chloride-based plastic that does not collapse even if shock is applied to protect the IC1 and absorbs shock to some extent to protect the SUB1.

FUS is a sealing material to be filled in the liquid crystal filling port.

BAT is a double-sided tape. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the gate driver chip IC2 side (G side) of the liquid crystal display element PNL and the liquid crystal sealing port side (sealing side) are the color filter side. Glass substrate SUB2 is double-sided tape BA in shield case SHD
Attached with T. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, a spacer S having an adhesive material is attached to the side (LD side) of the liquid crystal display element PNL where the drain driver chip IC1 is not mounted.
The SUB2 is attached to the SHD via the PC4.
(The SPC 4 performs the same function as the double-sided tape.) Therefore, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal display element PNL is attached to the SHD except the side (D side) where the drain driver chip IC1 of the liquid crystal display element PNL is mounted. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element PNL does not deviate from the SHD even when it receives a strong shock.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
On the sealed side, the ends of SUB1 and SUB2 are made to substantially coincide with each other and bonded together. In this embodiment, SUB1 and S
Since the liquid crystal display element PNL is fixed by sandwiching the overlapping end portion of the UB2 with the shield case SHD and the frame spacer WSPC, it is possible to reduce the area where the SHD covers the liquid crystal display element PNL and receive a strong shock. Even SHD
Therefore, the SUB1 or SUB2 in the part sandwiched by the frame spacer WSPC is not cracked. In addition, SUB1 and SUB2
The liquid crystal display element PNL may be fixed by sandwiching the overlapping end portions with the shield case SHD and the molded case ML. In addition, the structure in which the liquid crystal display element PNL is fixed by sandwiching the overlapping ends of SUB1 and SUB2 with the shield case SHD and the frame spacer WSPC can be applied to the LD side (see FIG. 7B). By adopting a configuration in which the end portions where SUB1 and SUB2 overlap each other are held on both the enclosing side and the enclosing side, the frame region can be further reduced, and the liquid crystal display module MDL can withstand a stronger impact.

<< Liquid Crystal Display Element PNL >> FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the scanning signal line side flexible printed circuit board FPC1 and the video signal line side flexible printed circuit board FPC2 before being bent are mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal display element PNL. Is.

FIG. 10 shows a liquid crystal display element PNL and FPC1.
It is the figure which expanded the part where FPC2 and FPC2 are connected.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG.

IC1 is a drain driver chip, IC2
Is a gate driver chip.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
1 and IC2 are directly mounted on the substrate of the liquid crystal display element PNL by using anisotropic conductive films ACF1 and ACF2, an ultraviolet curable resin or the like (chip-on-glass mounting: COG mounting). COG mounting is suitable as a mounting technique for a high-definition liquid crystal display element PNL having a large number of pixels. For example, in the case of using a tape carrier package on which a drive IC chip is mounted, it is difficult to connect the liquid crystal display element PNL when the distance between the connection terminals becomes 100 μm or less due to the expansion and contraction of the tape carrier film. In COG mounting, the drive IC chip and the liquid crystal display element can be connected even if the distance between the connection terminals DTM and GTM is 70 microns or less.

In this embodiment, the ICs 1 are arranged in a line on one long side of the liquid crystal display element PNL, and the drain lines are drawn to one long side. Since the pitch between the gate lines is large to some extent, in this embodiment, the terminal GTM is drawn out on the short side on one side.
It is also possible to alternately draw out the gate terminals GTM on the short side of each piece.

In the method of alternately drawing out the drain lines or the gate lines, as described above, the drain terminals DTM or the gate terminals GTM and the output side bumps BU of the drive ICs.
Although it is easy to connect to the MP, it is necessary to arrange the peripheral circuit board on the outer peripheral portions of the two long sides facing each other of the liquid crystal display element PNL, and therefore the outer dimension becomes larger than that in the case of one side extension. Therefore, in this embodiment, a multilayer flexible substrate is used and the drain line is drawn out only on one side to reduce the frame area.

<< TFT Substrate >> FIG. 12 shows a pair of transparent glass substrates SUB1 and S that are arranged to face each other with a liquid crystal in between.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a liquid crystal side surface of one transparent glass substrate SUB1 of UB2, that is, a so-called TFT substrate. The other transparent glass substrate SUB2 arranged to face the TFT substrate is not shown, but is arranged to face the portion of the dotted line frame A in the drawing as an outer contour, and the surface on the liquid crystal side is common to each pixel. A common electrode (transparent electrode) is formed, and in the case of color display, a color filter is formed for each corresponding pixel.

In this figure, the transparent glass substrate SUB
In the manufacturing process, 1 is prepared to be slightly larger than the regulation, and when it is processed, it is cut by the one-dot chain line frame CUTLN in the figure and its peripheral part is excluded. Such a portion (hereinafter referred to as a cut area) is provided in advance so as to form an inspection terminal for inspecting a short-circuit or disconnection of each signal line in this portion, as described later in detail. Is.

On the surface of such a transparent glass substrate SUB1, scanning signal lines (gate signal lines) GL1, GL2, ..., GLn extending in the x direction and juxtaposed in the y direction in the drawing are formed. . These scanning signal lines GL1, GL2, ...
At each end (left side in the figure) of GLn, a CUT in the figure
The gate terminal portion GTM is provided close to the inside of the LN. Each of these gate terminal portions GTM serves as a terminal portion connected to the gate driver chip IC2 for supplying a scanning signal.

Further, the scanning signal lines GL1, GL2, ...
The other end (right side in the figure) of each GLn is CUTL in the figure.
They are commonly connected to the second inspection terminals 2R that extend outside N and are formed in the cut region of the transparent glass substrate.

One probe is brought into contact with the second inspection terminal 2R, the other probe is brought into contact with each terminal portion GTM in order, and the current flowing between them is detected to detect each scanning signal line. GL1, GL2, ..., GL
It becomes possible to check whether or not there is a disconnection in n.

The scanning signal lines GL1, GL2, ...
CUTL in the figure on one end side (left side in the figure) of each GLn
In the cut area of the transparent glass substrate extending outside N,
Although not commonly connected to the scanning signal lines GL1, GL2, ..., GLn, terminals 2L having substantially the same pattern as the second inspection terminals 2R are formed. This terminal 2L
This does not function as an inspection terminal, but by forming this, it has an electrostatic protection function. However, in this specification, this terminal 2L is hereinafter referred to as a second inspection terminal 2L for convenience.

Further, each of these scanning signal lines GL1 and GL
2, ..., GLn, video signal lines (drain signal lines) DL1 and D extending in the y direction in the drawing and arranged in parallel in the x direction.
L2, ..., DLm are formed.

Then, each of these video signal lines DL1 and DL
, ..., DLm are provided at their one ends (lower side in the drawing) with their terminal portions DTM close to the inside of CUTLN in the drawing. Each of these terminal portions DTM becomes a terminal portion connected to the drain driver chip C1 for supplying a video signal.

Further, each video signal line DL1, DL2, ...
On one end side (upper side in the drawing) of DLm, for example, odd-numbered ones of the video signal lines DL1, DL2, ..., DLm are extended to the outside of CUTLN in the drawing and formed in the cut region of the transparent glass substrate. Is connected to the first inspection terminal 2U. In addition, each video signal line DL1, DL2,
, DLm, on the other end side (lower side in the figure) of each of the video signal lines DL1, DL2 ,. First inspection terminal 2D formed in the cut area
It is connected to the.

One probe is brought into contact with the first inspection terminal 2U and the other probe is brought into contact with the first inspection terminal 2D in order, and the current flowing between them is detected to detect adjacent ones. It becomes possible to check whether or not a short circuit has occurred between the video signal lines DL.

Further, one probe is brought into contact with the second inspection terminal 2R and the other probe is brought into contact with the first inspection terminal 2U or the first inspection terminal 2D, and the current flowing between them is applied. By detecting, it becomes possible to check whether or not a short circuit has occurred between the scanning signal line GL and the video signal line DL.

, Gn and the video signal lines D1, D2, ..., Dm each constitute a pixel region, and the display portion is formed by a set of these pixel regions. It is designed to be configured.

As shown in FIG. 13, each pixel region is provided with a thin film transistor TFT which is turned on by the supply of a scanning signal from the scanning signal line GL2 on one side, for example.
A transparent pixel electrode ITO1 to which a video signal from the video signal line DL1 is supplied via the turned-on thin film transistor TFT is formed.

Further, an additional capacitance element Cadd is formed between the pixel electrode ITO1 and the scanning signal line GL1 on the other side, and even if the thin film transistor TFT is turned off, an image is displayed on the pixel electrode 10 by the additional capacitance element Cadd. The signal is designed to accumulate for a relatively long time.

Further, in the peripheral portion of the display portion formed by such a set of pixel regions, the portion filled with the liquid crystal between the opposing transparent glass substrate SUB2 (its contour is formed). A sealing material for sealing the liquid crystal is formed in the portion to be formed and is shown by a dotted line frame A in the drawing), and an electrostatic protection circuit is formed.

In this electrostatic protection circuit, first, the first common lines 3U and 3D and the scanning signal lines GL1 and GL2 which are arranged so as to surround the display portion and are orthogonal to the video signal lines DL1, DL2, ..., DLm. , ..., GLn and second common lines 3L and 3R arranged orthogonally.

The first common lines 3U and 3D are formed on the upper and lower sides in the figure with the display section in between, and the second common line 3 is also formed.
L and 3R are formed on each of the left and right sides of the figure with the display section in between.

The first common line 3U is connected to an odd-numbered video signal line DL orthogonal thereto by a non-linear element, and the first common line 3D is an even-numbered video signal line orthogonal thereto. It is connected to that of (1) through a non-linear element NR.

For some reason, the video signal lines DL1 and DL
When the static electricity jumps into 2, ..., DLm, the static electricity can be dispersed to the first common line 3U and the first inspection terminal 2D through the non-linear element NR, so that the application to the thin film transistor TFT can be avoided. It has become.

The second common line 3L is connected to all of the video signal lines GL orthogonal to it through the non-linear element NR, and the second common line 3R is orthogonal to the video signal line GL.
Are all connected through the non-linear element NR.

For some reason, the scanning signal lines GL1 and GL are
When static electricity jumps into 2, ..., GLn, the static electricity can be dispersed to the second common line 3L and the second inspection terminal 2R via the non-linear element NR, thereby avoiding application to the thin film transistor TFT. It has become.

The first common lines 3U and 3D and the second common lines 3L and 3R are electrically separated from each other. If these are commonly connected, the inspection terminal 2
This is because it may not be possible to inspect for shorts or disconnections using R, 2U, and 2D.

In this embodiment, between the first inspection terminal 2U and the second inspection terminal 2R, between the second inspection terminal 2R and the first inspection terminal 2D, and the first inspection terminal. 2D
And the second inspection terminal 2L, and between the second inspection terminal 2L and the first inspection terminal 2U, the high resistance portions 4A are respectively interposed, whereby the first inspection is performed by rubbing the alignment film, for example. Even if static electricity having a potential difference is stored between the work terminal 2U and the second inspection terminal 2L, the current flows through the high resistance portion 4A, so that they become the same potential with a certain time constant. The configuration is as planned.

This has the effect of preventing the change in the threshold voltage of the thin film transistor TFT due to the accumulation of the static electricity for a relatively long time.

When a short circuit between the signal lines is inspected by applying a predetermined voltage between the first inspecting terminal 2D and the second inspecting terminal 2R and detecting the current flowing between them, it is absolutely necessary. It also has a structure that does not interfere.

That is, when a short circuit occurs between the signal lines, a current flows through the short circuit portion, so that the current value is detected large, but no short circuit occurs between the signal lines. In case of high resistance 4B
Since a current flows through, the current value becomes small.

From this, if the current value in each of the above-mentioned cases can be recognized by the rule of thumb, it becomes easy to check whether or not a short circuit has occurred between the gate signal line and the drain signal line. Become.

<< Structure of Pixel Region >> FIG. 14 is a plan view of the pixel region of the liquid crystal display element PNL. A sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 14 is shown in FIG. 15, and a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.
6 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, each pixel is arranged in an intersecting area between two adjacent scanning signal lines GL and two adjacent video signal lines DL. Each pixel includes a thin film transistor TFT, a pixel electrode ITO1 and an additional capacitance Cadd. As shown in FIG. 14, a thin film transistor T is provided on the first transparent glass substrate SUB1 side based on the liquid crystal layer LC.
The FT and the transparent pixel electrode ITO1 are formed, and the color filter FIL and the light-shielding black matrix pattern BM are formed on the second transparent glass substrate SUB2 side. Silicon oxide film SI on both sides of SUB1 and SUB2
O is provided.

A light shielding film BM, a color filter FIL, a protective film PSV2, a transparent common electrode ITO2 and an upper alignment film ORI2 are sequentially laminated on the inner (LC side) surface of the SUB2. POL1 and POL2 are SUB
1, a deflection plate provided on the outer surface of the SUB2. V
INC1 and VINK2 are viewing angle widening films provided on the outer surfaces of SUB1 and SUB2.

As shown in FIG. 16, the thin film transistor TFT includes a gate electrode integrated with the scanning signal line GL, a surface oxide film AOF of the scanning signal line GL, and an insulating film G of silicon nitride.
I, i-type semiconductor layer AS made of intrinsic amorphous silicon,
The semiconductor layer d0 containing impurities, the source electrode SD1, and the drain electrode SD2 are stacked and formed.

The TFT is covered with a protective film PSV1 made of an organic film such as silicon nitride or polyimide. PSV1
A lower alignment film ORI1 is provided on the ITO1 and the ITO1. GL is formed of the first conductive film g1 made of aluminum. Therefore, the surface oxide film AOF of GL is made of an aluminum oxide film. Note that the GL may be formed of tantalum, and when the GL is formed of tantalum, the AOF becomes a tantalum oxide film.

ITO1 is an ITO (Indium Tin)
It is formed of a transparent conductive film d1 such as oxide.

SD1 and SD2 are formed of a laminated film of a second conductive film d2 made of chromium and a third conductive film d3 made of aluminum. DL is also formed of a laminated film of d2 and d3.

AS and GI are formed below the DL and along the DL, in addition to the TFT portion. By forming the AS and GI along the DL, the disconnection of the DL due to the step difference of the AS and the GI is prevented. Further, the GI does not cover the entire surface of the pixel portion, and there is a portion where the GI is removed, such as a portion on the ITO1. By providing a portion from which GI is removed in the pixel portion, the stress of GI is relieved and peeling of GI is prevented.

An opening HOPI from which PSV1 is removed is provided on ITO1. Opening HO on PSV1
By providing the PI, the stress generated in the PSV1 is relaxed and the peeling of the PSV1 is prevented. By providing HOPI on ITO1, the electric field given to liquid crystal LC by ITO1 is strengthened.

The storage capacitor Cadd is the first formed by g1.
Electrode PL1 and the second electrode PL2 formed by d1
And a dielectric film formed of AOF. PL1 is A
PL1 is connected to the wiring made of the laminated film of d2 and d3 through the holes CNT provided in S and GI, and the wiring made of d2 and d3 is connected to the pixel electrode ITO1 at the portion where AS and GI are removed. And ITO1 are electrically connected.
Since an AOF made of an aluminum oxide film has a higher dielectric constant than silicon nitride or silicon oxide, it is possible to reduce the Cadd by using a single-layer film of AOF for the dielectric film of Cadd, and the aperture ratio of the pixel is increased. improves. Also, the end of PL1 is covered with GI and AS, and PL2 is placed on it.
Since the wiring connecting the ITO1 and the ITO1 is provided, the AOF does not cause dielectric breakdown due to the electric field concentration generated at the end of the PL1. Since tantalum oxide also has a high dielectric constant, tantalum may be used for PL1 and a tantalum oxide film may be used for AOF.

<< Electrostatic Protection Circuit >> FIG. 18 shows the scanning signal line G
It is a top view which shows the electrostatic protection circuit which aims at electrostatic protection of the L side. A cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.
A sectional view taken along the line II-II is shown in FIG.

The electrostatic protection circuit shown in the figure is formed in parallel with the configuration of the pixel region, and the portions formed at the same time as the components of the pixel region are designated by the same reference numerals. .

In FIG. 18, there is a scanning signal line GL extending horizontally from the pixel region, and the scanning signal line GL is formed to reach the mounting portion of the gate driver chip IC2.

This protection circuit includes a common line SL which is insulated from the scanning signal line GL and arranged orthogonal to the scanning signal line GL, and the scanning signal line G.
It is composed of a first nonlinear element NR1 and a second nonlinear element NR2 interposed between the scanning signal line GL and the common line SL on both sides of L.

The scan signal line GL and the common line SL are insulated from each other by the laminated body of GI and AS interposed therebetween.

In the first non-linear element NR1, a conductive film d1 made of an ITO film is first formed in the formation region, and GI and AS are formed on the conductive film d1 at a position slightly deviated from the conductive film d1. A laminated body is formed. The stacked body is formed in such a state that it is displaced from the conductive film d1 in order to connect the conductive film d1 and the SL to be formed thereafter.

Then, SL is formed on the upper surface of one side portion of the laminated body in a state of being connected to d1 and forms one electrode of the non-linear element. The other electrode is formed on the upper surface of the other side of the stacked body, and this electrode is formed so as to extend as it is and overlap with the scanning signal line GL.

The portion of the scanning signal line GL on which the electrodes are overlapped is a portion that serves as a power supply terminal for anodizing the surface of the scanning signal line GL, and is a region in which AOF is not formed on the surface. ing.

An equivalent circuit of the first non-linear element having such a structure is as shown in FIG. 19 (b).

The second non-linear element has the same structure as the first non-linear element except that the electrodes connected to the conductive film d1 are reversed.

Further, although an electrostatic protection circuit for electrostatic protection on the video signal line DL side is not shown, it has almost the same structure as the above.

The end portion of the scanning signal line GL is a portion connected to an electrode (bump) of the gate driver chip IC2, and this portion is formed by an ITO film d1. This is to prevent electrolytic corrosion.

In this case, g1 of the scanning signal line GL and d
The contact resistance with 1 is large, so to avoid this, d2
And g1 are connected through a laminated film of d3 and d3.

<< Structure near driver chip mounting section >> FIG.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration near a driver chip mounting portion.

Each of the scanning signal line GL and the video signal line DL extends to the output terminal side of the driver chips IC1 and IC2 and has a gate terminal GTM and a drain terminal DTM.

On the input terminal side of the driver chips IC1 and IC2, the terminal IP extending from the external terminal Td arranged inside the CUTLN of the transparent glass substrate SUB1.
Are formed.

In this case, the driver chip IC
1, a wiring SHc for commonly connecting the gate terminals GTM is formed on the mounting portion of the IC 2, and the wiring SHc is connected to the inspection terminal through a part of the external terminal Td.

After the inspection using this inspection terminal is completed, if this state is left as it is, it hinders the display drive. Therefore, the lines C1-C1 and CT1-CT in the figure are used.
The disconnection process is performed by scanning the laser along one line.

<< Construction of Sealing Material and Its Vicinity >> The sealing material SL is for sealing the liquid crystal between the pair of transparent glass substrates and is formed so as to surround the display portion.

An opening is provided in a part of the sealing material thus formed in an annular shape at the time of forming the sealing material, and this opening is filled with a sealant after the liquid crystal is filled through the opening. It is designed to be sealed by.

FIG. 22 is a constitutional view showing an embodiment of this sealing portion. FIG. 22A is a plan view and FIG.
Is a sectional view taken along line I-I, and FIG. 7C is a sectional view taken along line II-II.

The sealing material SL is formed so that each end of the opening is smoothly bent and extends toward the end side of the transparent glass substrate. This is for facilitating the penetration of the sealing agent FUS.

In this case, the projection POT is provided on each part of the inner wall surface of the extended seal material SL so as to prevent the sealant FUS from entering, and when the sealant FUS enters. The adhesiveness of the encapsulant FUS to the sealing material is secured, and the reliability of liquid crystal encapsulation is improved.

Further, the scanning signal line GL extending to the outside of the seal material SL is formed in a zigzag shape so as to detour to the left and right with respect to the running direction, particularly in the opening of the seal material SL. ing.

Also in this case, the structure is such that the sealing agent FUS is sufficiently reliable for sealing.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a comparison of the difference between this portion and the conventional one. FIG. 23A shows the conventional configuration, and FIG. 23B shows the configuration of this embodiment. . In addition,
FIG. 7C is a sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7D is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

From this figure, a large difference is recognized in the sealing shape of the sealing agent FUS, and it is understood that the sealing is more reliable in the case of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, each scanning signal line GL is
In order to make the intervals between the adjacent scanning signal lines GL all the same, the scanning signal lines GL are similarly formed in a zigzag shape in the portion of the sealing material SL excluding the opening (see FIG. 24). .

FIG. 1 shows a seal material SL formed in a rectangular shape.
The common electrode ITO2 formed on the corner portion of the TF, that is, on the filter substrate side facing the TFT substrate
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a portion where a conductor AGP1 for drawing out to the T substrate side is arranged. For comparison, a conventional configuration is shown in FIG.

First, the present embodiment is characterized in that the conductor AGP1 is arranged outside the seal material SL. Conventionally, the conductor AGP is formed inside the sealing material SL as shown in FIG. 25, and the area of the display portion (substantial display portion as a group of pixels) formed so as to avoid the conductor AGP. It is because of the purpose of improving that it was getting smaller.

This means that the frame area can be reduced when the area of the pixel region and the number of pixels are the same as in the conventional case.

Of the outside of the sealing material SL, especially at its corners, there are few lead wires from the signal line,
The conductor AG is effectively used by utilizing so-called dead space.
P1 can be placed.

The seal material SL is formed by drawing and coating by moving a so-called dispenser, and usually has the same width. On the other hand, the conductor AGP1 is also formed by using a dispenser, but is formed by coating without moving the dispenser.

In this case, since the materials are different, they are formed in different steps.

By forming the conductor according to this embodiment outside the center line along the running direction of the seal material SL, the above-mentioned effects can be achieved.

Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the conductor AGP1 provided outside the seal material SL, the conductor AGP2 (indicated by a dotted circle in FIG. 1) is provided inside the seal material SL. Good.

Providing two conductors AGP in this way is to ensure redundancy. When the two conductors AGP are provided inside the seal material SL to ensure redundancy, the area of the display unit must be reduced by that much.

However, as in this embodiment, one of them is
The area of the display portion can be increased by disposing the pieces on the outer side of the seal material SL. This means that the frame area can be reduced when the area of the display unit is the same as the conventional one.

From this point of view, a plurality of conductors AGP are used.
It goes without saying that all of the above may be arranged outside the seal material SL.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the alignment film ORI1 and the black matrix BM in the vicinity of the portion where the seal material SL is formed.

In this embodiment, the width of the shield case SHD covering the edge of the transparent glass substrate SUB2 is made small in order to make the frame area as small as possible. For this reason,
Not only the substantial display area but also the peripheral area is visually observed, and the light of the fluorescent tube LP may leak from this area.

Therefore, the adverse effect described above is avoided by the structure in which the black matrix BM is projected into the rubbing region RUB of the alignment film ORI1.

Example 2. FIG. 24A is a plan view showing another embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. In addition,
A comparative diagram is shown in FIG. 24B in order to clarify the characteristic structure of this embodiment.

As is apparent from FIG. 24A, the conductor AGP is formed outside the sealing material SL, and the common electrode ITO2 on the filter substrate side is provided to the TFT via the conductor AGP.
The configuration of drawing out to the substrate side is similar to that of the first embodiment.

In this case, the common electrode IT to the conductor AGP
If the O2 is drawn out randomly, the common electrode ITO2 may be disposed at a part of the common electrode ITO2 so as to face a part of the scanning signal line GL, for example, as shown in FIG.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 24 (C), when the water WAT enters the facing portion for some reason, an electrolytic corrosion reaction occurs between the common electrode ITO2 and the scanning signal line GL. Occurs, for example, the scanning signal line G
It becomes clear that L will be eroded.

From this, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), in the common electrode ITO2, the vicinity of the portion connected to the conductor AGP is formed as a pattern that is not arranged so as to face a part of the scanning signal line GL. Have.

That is, in FIG. 24A, when each scanning signal line GL formed in the display portion (area surrounded by the seal material SL) is extended to the outside of the display portion, the extension thereof is performed. By providing a bent part in a part of the conductor A
It is arranged so as to be separated from the GP, so that the portion of the common electrode ITO2 connected to the conductor AGP is prevented from being arranged to face a part of the scanning signal line.

Further, without being limited to the embodiment of this drawing, the pattern of the portion of the common electrode ITO2 connected to the conductor AGP is devised so as to be arranged so as to face a part of the scanning signal line GL. It goes without saying that it may be possible to avoid.

In addition, such a conductor AGP is usually
Although formed on each of the four corners of the sealing material, each of the common electrodes ITO2 of the portion connected to the conductors AGP is arranged so as not to face the scanning signal line GL or the video signal line DL. It goes without saying that it is configured.

[0159]

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the frame area which is a portion that does not contribute to the display of the liquid crystal display device,
It is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device that is compact but has a large display screen.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a completed assembly view of a liquid crystal display device module according to the present invention, where (A) is a front view seen from the front side of the liquid crystal display element PNL, (B) is a left side view, and (C) is a right side view. ,
(D) is a front side view and (E) is a rear side view.

FIG. 3 is a completed assembly view of a liquid crystal display device module according to the present invention, and is a rear view of the liquid crystal display element PNL viewed from the rear surface side.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section taken along line I-I of FIG.

5A is a cross section taken along line III-III in FIG.
(B) is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2.

6A is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 2, FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of part C of FIG.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which a scanning signal line side flexible printed circuit board and a video signal line side flexible printed circuit board before being bent are mounted on an outer peripheral portion of a liquid crystal display element, and FIG. FIG.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are enlarged views of a portion where a liquid crystal display element, a scanning signal line side flexible printed board and a video signal line side flexible printed board are connected, respectively.

FIG. 9A is a front view showing a front surface side of a liquid crystal display element,
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a mounting portion of a driver chip of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a TFT substrate of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an equivalent circuit showing a configuration of a pixel region of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a configuration of a pixel region of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the configuration of the electrostatic protection circuit of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

19 (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 18,
(B) is its equivalent circuit.

20 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a wiring diagram in the vicinity of a driver chip mounting portion of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22A is a plan view showing a structure in the vicinity of the sealing portion of the sealing material of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, and FIG.
Is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I, and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effect of the sealing portion of the sealing material of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a common electrode of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which TF is used.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the part pulled out to the T substrate side.

FIG. 25 is a comparative diagram (conventional configuration) for clarifying the configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the sealing material of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example in which the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is installed in an information processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

MDL: liquid crystal display module, SHD: upper shield case, ML: molded case, WSPC: frame space,
LF1: first lower shield case, LF2: second lower shield case, PRS1, PRS2: prism sheet, POR: polarizing reflector, LP: fluorescent tube, LPC3: lamp cable, GB1, GB2: rubber push, LS:
Lamp reflector, OL: O-ring, GLB: Light guide plate,
RFS: diffusion sheet, PNL: liquid crystal display element, FPC
1: Scanning signal line side flexible printed circuit board, FPC
2: Video signal line side flexible printed circuit board, PCB:
Interface substrate, ITO1: Pixel electrode, ITO
2: common electrode, AGP: conductor, GL: scanning signal line, D
L: video signal line.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Takeshi Tanaka 3300 Hayano, Mobara-shi, Chiba Hiritsu Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Electronic Device Division (56) References JP-A-1-101518 (JP, A) JP-A-1 -142535 (JP, A) JP-A-3-209427 (JP, A) JP-A-57-46285 (JP, A) JP-A-61-56322 (JP, A) JP-A-61-190318 (JP, A) ) Actual Development Sho 50-48567 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02F 1/1345 G02F 1/1339

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of transparent substrates arranged to face each other, a sealing material arranged between these transparent substrates, and a liquid crystal formed at least in a region surrounded by the pair of transparent substrates and the sealing material. a layer, two conductive layers for drawing the electrode formed on the surface of the liquid crystal side surface of the other liquid crystal side of the transparent substrate of the one transparent substrate
A liquid crystal display device provided in one corner, one of said conductive layer is formed outside the center line along the traveling direction of the sealing material, the other one of the sealing material
A liquid crystal display device, which is arranged inside . 2. A pair of transparent substrates arranged to face each other, a sealant disposed between these transparent substrates, and a liquid crystal formed at least in a region surrounded by the pair of transparent substrates and the sealant. a layer, two conductive layers for drawing the electrode formed on the surface of the liquid crystal side surface of the other liquid crystal side of the transparent substrate of the one transparent substrate
A liquid crystal display device provided in one corner, wherein one of the conductive layers is formed by connecting with said sealing member in a plane outside of the sealing material, the other one sealing
A liquid crystal display device, which is arranged inside a material . 3. A pair of transparent substrates arranged to face each other, a sealing material arranged between these transparent substrates, and a liquid crystal formed at least in a region surrounded by the pair of transparent substrates and the sealing material. a layer, a liquid crystal display device comprising a plurality of conductive layers for deriving electrode formed on a liquid-crystal-side surface of one transparent substrate on the surface of the other transparent substrate on the liquid crystal side of the sealing member is the The pair of transparent substrates has a side portion parallel to the end surface of the substrate and an end portion in the vicinity of a crossing region of the side portions, and the pair of transparent substrates contact the sealing material and the sealing material outside the sealing material. A liquid crystal display device, wherein the conductive layer formed by the above is connected to the conductive layer disposed inside the sealing material .