JP4483477B2 - Liquid crystal display device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and an electronic apparatus.

The conventional transflective liquid crystal device has a problem that the viewing angle in transmissive display is narrow. This is because a transflective plate is provided on the inner surface of the liquid crystal cell so that parallax does not occur, and there is a limitation that reflection display must be performed with only one polarizing plate provided on the viewer side. This is because the degree of freedom in design is small. In order to solve this problem, Jisaki et al. Proposed a new liquid crystal display device using vertically aligned liquid crystal in Non-Patent Document 1 below. The characteristics are the following three.
(1) A “VA (Vertical Alignment) mode” is adopted in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy is aligned perpendicularly to a substrate, and the liquid crystal is tilted by applying a voltage.
(2) A “multi-gap structure” is adopted in which the liquid crystal layer thickness (cell gap) is different between the transmissive display area and the reflective display area.
(3) The transmissive display area is a regular octagon, and a protrusion is provided at the center of the transmissive display area on the counter substrate so that the liquid crystal is tilted in all directions in this area. In other words, it employs an “alignment division (multi-domain) structure”.
In the above-mentioned document, protrusions are used as alignment control means for controlling the direction in which the liquid crystal falls, but in addition, the electric field is distorted by providing a slit in the electrode, and the direction in which the liquid crystal falls is controlled by this electric field distortion. It is also known to do.

Further, transmissive liquid crystal devices that employ a vertical alignment mode are also known. Specifically, for example, one pixel is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels, and a convex portion is provided on the counter substrate located at the center of each sub-pixel to make one pixel multi-domain, thereby realizing a wide viewing angle. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Its characteristics are as follows.
(1) One pixel is divided into a plurality of subpixels.
(2) A point in which the shape of the sub-pixel is rotationally symmetric (for example, a substantially circular shape, a substantially rectangular shape, or a substantially star shape).
(3) In addition to the shape of (2), by providing a convex portion at the center of the opening or the center of the subpixel, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned radially from the center to improve the alignment regulating force.
(4) The addition of a chiral agent defines the direction in which liquid crystal molecules are twisted, and prevents rough uneven spots due to poor alignment.
JP 2002-202511 A "Development of transflective LCD for high contrast and wide viewing angle by using homeotropic alignment", M. Jisaki et al., Asia Display / IDW'01, p.133-136 (2001)

  According to the technology described in the above prior art document, a wide field of view can be obtained by adopting the above configuration (slits arranged vertically, oblique electric field due to protrusion, or orientation control by pretilt from protrusion shape). A corner display can be realized. However, these configurations have the following problems in principle. That is, when one pixel is divided into a plurality of subpixels, one of the electrodes provided with the liquid crystal sandwiched therein is divided into a plurality of circular electrodes or square electrodes, and a structure in which they are connected to each other is adopted. In such an electrode structure, although the liquid crystal molecules can be oriented radially in the region of the circular electrode or the quadrangular electrode, the liquid crystal molecules cannot be tilted in a certain direction at the connecting portion, and disclination The nucleus of is generated. This connection part hardly contributes to the brightness of the display, and when the orientation of adjacent subpixels is unstable, the orientation becomes difficult to stabilize due to the influence, thereby reducing the response speed and afterimages, etc. May cause poor display.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and effectively prevents the occurrence of display defects in a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display device in which one pixel is divided into a plurality of subdot regions. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of realizing a high-quality display with a wide viewing angle and high contrast.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy. An electrode for driving the liquid crystal is formed on the liquid crystal layer side of the pair of substrates, and at least one of the electrodes on the substrate side electrically connects a plurality of island portions and the island portions. A plurality of connecting portions are formed on one electrode so as to be spaced apart from each other. together, and having the light shielding means formed separately from each other in correspondence with the connecting portion of each.
According to this configuration, since the light-shielding means is provided at a position that overlaps the connecting portion of the electrode in plan view, it is effective in reducing the residual image due to the alignment disorder of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the connecting portion and the contrast due to light leakage. Can be prevented. Therefore, according to the present invention, a high-quality display with a wide viewing angle and high contrast can be obtained.

  In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, it is preferable that the electrode having the island-shaped portion and the light shielding means are provided on the same substrate. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to align the connecting portion of the electrode and the light shielding means with high accuracy, and it is effective in reducing the image quality due to the disorder of the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the connecting portion. Can be prevented. In addition, the planar dimension of the light shielding unit is formed slightly larger than the coupling part in consideration of the alignment accuracy with respect to the coupling part. However, according to this configuration, since the alignment accuracy of both is increased, the planar dimension of the light shielding unit is increased. The aperture ratio of the pixel can be improved. Thereby, it can be set as the liquid crystal display device which can obtain a bright display.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, any one of the pair of substrates is an element substrate including a switching element electrically connected to the electrode and a signal wiring electrically connected to the switching element. It is preferable that the light shielding means is provided on the element substrate and is made of the same material as that of the switching element or the signal wiring.
With such a configuration, the light shielding means can be formed at the same time in the process of forming the switching element, so that the display contrast can be improved without increasing the process load as compared with the conventional case.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, one of the pair of substrates is a color filter substrate having a plurality of coloring portions and a light shielding member, and the light shielding means is provided on the color filter substrate, and the light shielding member. Are preferably made of the same material.
With such a configuration, the light shielding unit can be formed in the same process as the light shielding member included in the color filter. Therefore, even in the configuration including the color filter, high contrast can be achieved without increasing the process load. A liquid crystal display device capable of obtaining a color display can be realized.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, a transmissive display region for performing transmissive display and a reflective display region for performing reflective display are provided in one dot region, and the liquid crystal layer thickness in the transmissive display region and the reflective display region is The liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layers provided in the dot regions are preferably different from each other.
That is, the present invention can also be applied to a multi-gap transflective liquid crystal display device. According to this configuration, in addition to providing good display in both reflective display and transmissive display by the multi-gap method, it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in contrast due to leaked light by the light shielding means. A liquid crystal display device capable of reflecting and transmitting corners can be provided.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, an inclined region in which the liquid crystal layer thickness continuously changes is formed between the transmissive display region and the reflective display region, and at a position overlapping the inclined region in a plane, It is preferable that the light shielding means is provided.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a high-contrast transflective liquid crystal display device that can satisfactorily prevent leakage light caused by the oblique alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the inclined region by the light shielding means. .

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, it is preferable that a reflective layer for reflecting light is provided on one of the pair of substrates, and the light shielding means is formed of the same material as the reflective layer. That is, the light shielding means may have a light reflecting function.
For example, in a transflective liquid crystal display device, a configuration in which a light shielding unit corresponding to a connecting portion of electrodes constituting a transmissive display region is formed in the same layer as a reflective layer provided in the reflective display region can be applied. If the light-shielding means is provided with a light reflection function in this way, the illumination light incident from the back side of the panel is blocked well during transmissive display, contributing to display contrast improvement, and the reflectance of external light is increased during reflective display. It is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device provided with a light shielding means that can contribute to improvement in display luminance.

  In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, it is preferable that an alignment control means for restricting the alignment of the liquid crystal when a voltage is applied is provided on the electrode having the island-shaped portion and the electrode facing the liquid crystal layer. In this case, it is preferable that the orientation control means is a dielectric protrusion formed on the facing electrode or an electrode opening formed by partially cutting the facing electrode. By providing such an alignment control means, the alignment control of the liquid crystal molecules in the region corresponding to the island-shaped portion of the electrode can be made better, and the liquid crystal having a wide viewing angle and excellent responsiveness. A display device can be provided.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the electrode facing the alignment control means via the liquid crystal layer has a substantially circular shape, a substantially elliptical shape, or a substantially polygonal shape in a plan view in one dot region of the liquid crystal display device. It may have a part.
With such a configuration, due to the distortion of the electric field at the edge of each shape portion, a substantially radial liquid crystal domain can be formed in each portion when a voltage is applied, and a high contrast display can be obtained in all directions. A liquid crystal display device can be provided.

In such a configuration, it is preferable that the orientation control means is disposed in the central portion of the substantially circular, substantially elliptical, or substantially polygonal portion in plan view.
With such a configuration, a liquid crystal domain in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially radially from the central portion of each shape portion can be formed in the dot region, and spot-like unevenness due to poor alignment of vertically aligned liquid crystal occurs. Can be effectively prevented, and a liquid crystal display device capable of obtaining a high-contrast display in a wide viewing angle range can be provided.

Next, a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer having an initial alignment of vertical alignment is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and an electrode is formed on one of the substrates. An element forming step of forming a switching element connected to the electrode and a signal wiring connected to the switching element, a step of forming at least an electrode on the other substrate, and any of the pair of substrates And patterning the electrodes into a planar shape having a plurality of island-shaped portions and connecting portions connecting the island-shaped portions, and in the element forming step, the pair of substrates are arranged to face each other In this state, the light shielding means that is arranged in a plane to overlap with the connecting portion of the electrodes is formed together with the constituent elements of the switching element or the signal wiring.
According to this manufacturing method, since the light shielding unit is formed together with the constituent members of the switching element in the step of forming the switching element, a high-contrast liquid crystal display device can be manufactured without increasing the load of the process.

Next, a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer having an initial alignment of vertical alignment is sandwiched between a pair of substrates. A color filter forming step of forming a color filter having a plurality of colored portions partitioned in plan by a member, a step of forming an electrode on the color filter, and a step of forming at least an electrode on the other substrate And patterning one of the electrodes of the pair of substrates into a planar shape having a plurality of island-shaped portions and connecting portions connecting the island-shaped portions, and the color filter forming step Then, the light shielding means, which is arranged in a plane to overlap with the connecting portion of the electrodes in a state where the pair of substrates are opposed to each other, is formed together with the light shielding member.
According to this manufacturing method, since the light shielding means is formed together with the light shielding member constituting the color filter in the color filter forming step, a high-contrast color liquid crystal display device can be produced without increasing the load of the process. it can.

Next, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention described above.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus including a display unit that has no display defect, has high image quality, and can display a wide viewing angle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Each drawing referred to below is displayed with different scales as appropriate in order to make each layer and each member recognizable on the drawing.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
The liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment is an example of an active matrix liquid crystal display device using a thin film diode (hereinafter abbreviated as TFD) as a switching element, and is particularly a transmissive type capable of transmissive display. It is an example of a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 1 shows an equivalent circuit for the liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment. The liquid crystal display device 100 includes a scanning line driving circuit 110 and a data line driving circuit 120. The liquid crystal display device 100 is provided with signal lines, that is, a plurality of scanning lines 13 and a plurality of data lines 9 intersecting with the scanning lines 13. The scanning lines 13 are driven by a scanning line driving circuit 110, and the data lines 9 Are driven by the data line driving circuit 120. In each dot region 150 provided corresponding to the intersection of the scanning line 13 and the data line 9, the TFD element 40 and the liquid crystal display element 160 (liquid crystal layer) are provided between the scanning line 13 and the data line 9. Connected in series.
In FIG. 1, the TFD element 40 is connected to the scanning line 13 side and the liquid crystal display element 160 is connected to the data line 9 side. On the contrary, the TFD element 40 is connected to the data line 9 side and the liquid crystal display element 160 is connected to the data line 9 side. The display element 160 may be connected to the scanning line 13 side.

Next, FIG. 2 is a plan configuration diagram showing an electrode structure of the liquid crystal display device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, in the liquid crystal display device 100, the pixel electrodes 31 connected to the scanning lines 13 extending in the vertical direction in the figure via the TFD elements 40 are arranged in a matrix in a plan view, and are arranged in one direction (illustrated). A strip-shaped counter electrode 9 (second electrode) is provided so as to planarly overlap a group of pixel electrodes 31 arranged in the left-right direction), and these counter electrodes 9 are arranged in a stripe shape in plan view. .
The counter electrode 9 corresponds to the data line described above and extends in a direction intersecting the scanning line 13. In this embodiment, each area where each pixel electrode 31 is formed is one dot area, and each dot area arranged in a matrix is provided with a TFD element 40, and display control is possible for each dot area. It has a simple structure.

  In FIG. 2, each pixel electrode 31 is illustrated in a substantially rectangular shape for simplicity, but actually has three island-shaped portions and a connecting portion for connecting them as will be described later. Here, the TFD element 40 is a switching element that electrically connects the scanning line 13 and the pixel electrode 31, and the TFD element 40 includes a first electrode mainly containing tantalum and a tantalum oxide as a main ingredient. And an MIM (Metal-Insulator-Metal) structure in which a second electrode mainly composed of chromium is sequentially laminated. The first electrode of the TFD element 40 is connected to the scanning line 13 and the second electrode is connected to the pixel electrode 31.

Next, the pixel configuration of the liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a one-dot region of the liquid crystal display device 100. The liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment includes a pair of substrates facing each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and FIG. 3A shows a planar configuration of one substrate (upper substrate 25) constituting the dot region. FIGS. 2B and 2B are cross-sectional configuration diagrams corresponding to positions along line AA ′ in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2C is a plan configuration diagram of the other substrate (lower substrate 10).
Although the color filter is not shown in the dot region D shown in FIG. 3, when the color filter is provided, three primary colors (R, G, B) corresponding to one dot region D are used. One colored portion of different colors is provided, and any color light can be output by mixing red light, green light, and blue light by three dot regions D corresponding to a set (RGB) of colored portions. A configuration in which one pixel region is formed can be employed.

In the liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the initial alignment state is a vertical alignment state between the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 25 (element substrate) disposed opposite thereto. A liquid crystal layer 50 made of a liquid crystal material having negative dielectric anisotropy is sandwiched.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper substrate 25 includes the scanning lines 13, pixel electrodes 31 arranged along the extending direction of the scanning lines 13 (the horizontal direction in the figure), the scanning lines 13 and the pixel electrodes 31. And a light-shielding portion 33a, 33b having a rectangular shape in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the pixel electrode 31 includes three island-shaped portions 31a, 31b, 31c arranged along the scanning line 13 and connecting portions 39, 39 that connect adjacent island-shaped portions. It consists of. In the present embodiment, by providing a plurality of island-shaped portions in one dot region D in this way, liquid crystal domains having substantially the same shape are formed in regions corresponding to the island-shaped portions 31a, 31b, and 31c. It has become. That is, it has a configuration including three sub-dot regions S1, S2, and S3 divided and formed in one dot region.
Normally, in a liquid crystal display device having a three-color filter, the aspect ratio of one dot area is about 3: 1. Therefore, as in this embodiment, three sub-dot areas S1, With the configuration in which S2 and S3 are provided, the shape of one subdot region can be a substantially circular shape or a substantially regular polygonal shape, and the symmetry of the viewing angle can be improved. The shape of the sub-dot regions S1, S2, S3 (island portions 31a, 31b, 31c) is a substantially square shape with rounded corners in FIG. 3, but is not limited to this, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, Other polygonal shapes can be used. In other words, it can be said that the island-shaped portions 31a to 31c are formed as a result of providing an electrode slit in which the pixel electrode is cut out at the peripheral portion of the dot region D.

The wiring portion 13a is formed so as to extend in a bowl shape from the scanning line 13 side to the pixel electrode 31 side, and is expanded in a circular shape in plan view at a position overlapping the central portion of the island-shaped portion 31c. Has a contact portion 33 c that forms a conductive connection structure with the pixel electrode 31.
Although not shown, a TFD element 40 is provided at the end of the wiring portion 13a opposite to the contact portion 33c, that is, at the intersection with the signal line 13. In the present embodiment, the scanning line 13 can be formed of, for example, tantalum, and an insulating film of tantalum oxide can be formed on the surface thereof, and the hook-shaped wiring portion 13a can be formed of, for example, chromium. If arranged so as to intersect the scanning line 13 via the insulating film, the TFD element 40 can be formed at the intersection.

  Looking at the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 3B, the wiring portion 13a, the contact portion 33c, and the light shielding portions 33a and 33b are formed on a light transmitting substrate body 10A such as glass or quartz. An interlayer insulating film 71 made of, for example, silicon oxide or a resin material is formed so as to cover it. A pixel electrode 31 made of, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide) is formed on the interlayer insulating film 71, and the contact portion 33 c and the pixel electrode 31 are connected to each other through a contact hole that penetrates the interlayer insulating film 71 and reaches the contact portion 33 c. As a result, the wiring portion 13a (TFD element 40) and the pixel electrode 31 are electrically connected. Although not shown in the drawing, a vertical alignment film made of a polyimide film or the like is provided on the pixel electrode 31 and has a function of maintaining the initial alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the vertical alignment. This alignment film is not subjected to an alignment process such as a rubbing process.

  Further, the light shielding portion 33a shown in FIG. 3A is arranged at a position covering the connecting portion 39 between the island-shaped portion 31a (sub-dot region S1) and the island-shaped portion 31b (sub-dot region S2) in a plane. The other light shielding portion 33b is disposed so as to cover the connecting portion 39 between the island-shaped portion 31b (sub-dot region S2) and the island-shaped portion 31c (sub-dot region S3) in a plane. As shown in FIG. 3B, these light shielding portions 33a and 33b are formed using the same material in the same layer as the wiring portion 13a.

  On the other hand, the lower substrate 10 is mainly composed of a substrate body 10A made of a translucent material such as quartz or glass, and the inner surface side (the liquid crystal layer 50 side) of the substrate body 10A is made of a translucent conductive material such as ITO. A substantially conical dielectric protrusion 73, 74, 75 made of an insulating resin material or the like is provided on the counter electrode 9 so as to protrude toward the liquid crystal layer 50. Although not shown, a vertical alignment film such as polyimide is formed so as to cover the counter electrode 9 and the dielectric protrusions 73 to 75. Note that the counter electrode 9 shown in FIG. 3C is actually formed in a stripe shape extending in the vertical direction on the paper surface, and (a) an electrode common to a plurality of dot regions arranged in the vertical direction in FIG. Function as.

  The dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 constitute alignment control means for controlling the alignment direction when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 in the vertical alignment mode, and are arranged on the counter electrode 9 at predetermined intervals. When the panel is viewed in plan, each of the sub-dot areas S1 to S3 is arranged at the center. In addition, the contact portion 33c, which is a conductive connection portion between the pixel electrode 31 and the TFD element 40, and the dielectric protrusion 75 are arranged so as to overlap in a plane, and in this embodiment, the contact portion having a light shielding function. 33c is formed so as to cover the formation region of the dielectric protrusion 75.

  On the outer surface side of the lower substrate 10 (on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 50), a retardation plate 18 and a polarizing plate 19 are disposed in order from the substrate body 10A side, and on the outer surface side of the upper substrate 25, a retardation plate. 16 and the polarizing plate 17 are arranged in this order from the substrate body 25A side. Further, a backlight (illuminating means) 15 serving as a light source for transmissive display is provided outside the lower substrate 10.

In the liquid crystal display device 100 according to the present embodiment, the dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 serving as orientation control means are provided on the inner surface of the lower substrate 10 corresponding to the center of each of the sub-dot regions S1, S2, S3. The liquid crystal molecules are inclined and aligned on the surfaces 73 to 75 (orientated perpendicularly to the surface of the dielectric protrusion). Therefore, in each sub-dot region S1 to S3 when voltage is applied, liquid crystal molecules can be aligned radially around the dielectric protrusion, and on the upper substrate 25 side, the electric field at the side edges of the islands 33a to 33c Due to the distortion, the liquid crystal molecules can be aligned in a direction perpendicular to their side edges. Then, by these alignment regulating forces, liquid crystal molecules can be aligned in a substantially radial manner from the central portion within each of the sub-dot regions S1 to S3, and a high-contrast display can be obtained in all directions. ing.
In the vicinity of the dielectric protrusions 73 to 75, an electric field distortion due to the difference in dielectric constant between the liquid crystal and the dielectric protrusion occurs when a voltage is applied, and the dielectric is also affected by the alignment regulating force due to the distortion of the electric field. Liquid crystal molecules are aligned radially around the protrusion.

  And in this embodiment, since the light shielding parts 33a and 33b are provided in the position which overlaps planarly with the connection parts 39 and 39 which electrically connect the island-shaped parts 31a-31c, respectively, these connection parts It is possible to prevent the light caused by the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules at 39 and 39 from being emitted to the viewer side, thereby preventing an afterimage and a decrease in contrast.

  In addition, since the contact portion 33c of the wiring portion 13a that is conductively connected to the pixel electrode 31 is disposed so as to cover the dielectric protrusion 75 of the lower substrate 10 in a plane, the liquid crystal molecules are inclined on the surface of the dielectric protrusion 75. It is possible to effectively block leakage light caused by the orientation. Further, since the contact hole 72 reaching the contact portion 33c is provided in the central portion of the island-shaped portion 31c, a recess due to the contact hole 72 may be formed on the surface of the pixel electrode 31. Such a concave portion tilts and aligns the liquid crystal molecules if a vertical alignment film is formed on the surface, so that it has the effect of increasing the response of the liquid crystal when a voltage is applied, but at the same time serves as the core of disclination. Is. However, in the present embodiment, since the contact portion 33c is provided corresponding to the formation region of the contact hole 72, the leaked light caused by the concave portion is not visually recognized by the observer.

  In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, since the light shielding portions 33a and 33b can be formed by the same process as the wiring portion 13a extending from the TFD element 40, the display contrast is improved without complicating the manufacturing process and increasing the number of steps. Can be made. In the present embodiment, since the light shielding portions 33a and 33b are provided on the same substrate (upper substrate 25) as the pixel electrode 31, the light shielding portions 33a and 33b and the pixel electrode 31 are aligned with high accuracy. Thus, the contrast improving effect of the light shielding portions 33a and 33b can be improved. The planar dimensions of the light shielding portions 33a and 33b are set in consideration of the alignment accuracy with respect to the connecting portion of the pixel electrode 31, but in the present embodiment, both can be aligned with high accuracy as described above. There is an advantage that the plane dimensions of 33a and 33b need not be increased more than necessary, the pixel aperture ratio can be maintained, and a bright display can be obtained.

  Further, as described above, the light shielding portions 33a and 33b and the contact portion 33c are made of the same chromium as that of the wiring portion 13a. Therefore, the light shielding portions 33a and 33b or the contact portions 33c are formed from the upper substrate 25 side. Even when external light is incident on the chrome film, the chromium film is a low-reflective metal film, so that the visibility of the liquid crystal display device is not lowered.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
In the above embodiment, the case where a transmissive liquid crystal display device is configured as the liquid crystal display device 100 has been described. However, the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention may be a transflective type as shown in FIG. It can also be configured as a reflective liquid crystal display device.

[Transflective liquid crystal display]
First, an embodiment of a transflective liquid crystal display device will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Among the components shown in FIG. 4, the same components as those of the liquid crystal display device 100 of FIGS. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. 4A to 4C are drawings corresponding to FIGS. 3A to 3C in the previous embodiment, respectively.

  A liquid crystal display device 100A shown in FIG. 4 includes an upper substrate 25 and a lower substrate 10 that are opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer 50 interposed therebetween, and a backlight 15 is disposed on the outer surface side of the lower substrate 10. ing. The configuration of the upper substrate 25 is the same as that of the previous liquid crystal display device 100, but the configuration of the lower substrate 10 is partially different. That is, a reflective layer 77 made of a light-reflective metal film such as aluminum or silver and a liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 made of a resin material such as acrylic resin are formed on the inner surface side of the substrate body 10A. The counter electrode 9 is formed so as to run on the layer thickness adjusting layer 76.

  The reflective layer 77 and the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 are partially formed in the dot region D. More specifically, the reflective layer 77 and the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 are formed in a region corresponding to the island portion 31c (subdot region S3) in the pixel electrode 31 on the upper substrate 25 side, and the liquid crystal layer thickness Depending on the film thickness of the adjustment layer 76, the layer thickness (cell gap) of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the formation region of the reflection layer 77 is thinner than the liquid crystal layer thickness in the other regions (subdot regions S1, S2). That is, the liquid crystal display device 100A of the present embodiment is a multi-gap transflective liquid crystal display device, and the sub-dot region S3 included in the formation region of the reflective layer 77 is used as a reflective display region, and the remaining sub-dot region. S1 and S2 are transmissive display areas. The layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 adjusted by the film thickness of the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 is, for example, about 1.5 μm in the reflective display region, and is, for example, about 3 μm in the transmissive display region.

  On the counter electrode 9, dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 that constitute alignment control means for vertically aligned liquid crystal are provided. These dielectric protrusions are formed on the pixel electrode 31 as in the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. It is provided at a position facing the central portion of each of the island portions 31a to 31c. And the light shielding parts 33a and 33b are provided in the position which planarly overlaps the connection parts 39 and 39 which connect each said island-shaped part 31a-31c, respectively. Therefore, also in the liquid crystal display device 100A, the light shielding portions 33a and 33b can prevent leakage light due to the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the coupling portions 39 and 39 of the pixel electrode 31 from being emitted to the viewer side. High contrast transmission display and reflection display can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a slope portion 76s is formed in the boundary region between the transmissive display region and the reflective display region, which forms a step due to the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76. In the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment, the slope portion 76s is arranged so as to overlap the connecting portion 39 connecting the island-like portion 31b and the island-like portion 31c in a plane, and thus the light-shielding portion 33b and the slope portion. 76s is arranged so as to overlap with the plane. By adopting such a structure, leakage light caused by the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules on the inclined surface portion 76s can be shielded by the light shielding portion 33b, and a high contrast display can be obtained.

In the transflective configuration, the reflective layer 77 can also be formed above the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 (the liquid crystal layer side). In this case, the display light in the reflective display is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer. Since it does not transmit, there is an advantage that attenuation of display light and coloring can be reduced. Further, in this configuration, the reflective layer 77 can be used as a part of the counter electrode 9.
It is preferable to provide means for scattering the light reflected by the reflective layer 77 on the reflective layer 77 or the liquid crystal layer side. Specifically, the scattering function can be imparted by providing a fine uneven shape on the surface of the reflective layer 77 or providing an optical element having a light scattering function. By providing this light scattering means, regular reflection of external light during reflective display can be prevented, and good visibility can be obtained.

  Further, the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 may be provided on the upper substrate 25 side. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 and the reflective layer 77 are provided in the sub-dot region S3 having a conductive connection portion between the pixel electrode 31 and the TFD element 40. However, the conductive connection portion is provided. A configuration in which the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 and the reflective layer 77 are provided in the non-subdot region S1 or S2 can also be employed.

  In this embodiment, the multi-gap type transflective liquid crystal display device has been described as an example. However, the present invention also has a problem with the transflective liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal layer thickness adjustment layer 76 is not provided. In this case as well, the contrast can be improved by preventing leakage light at the connecting portion of the pixel electrodes.

[Reflective liquid crystal display]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a reflective liquid crystal display device will be described. Among the constituent elements shown in FIG. 5, the same constituent elements as those of the liquid crystal display device 100 of FIGS. FIGS. 5A to 5C are drawings corresponding to FIGS. 3A to 3C in the previous embodiment, respectively.

  The liquid crystal display device 100B of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is configured to include an upper substrate 25 and a lower substrate 10 that are opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer 50 interposed therebetween. The configuration of the upper substrate 25 is the same as that of the previous liquid crystal display device 100, but the configuration of the lower substrate 10 is partially different. That is, a reflective layer 78 made of a light-reflective metal film such as aluminum or silver is provided on the inner surface side of the substrate body 10 </ b> A, and the counter electrode 9 is formed on the reflective layer 78. Moreover, the retardation plate and polarizing plate on the outer surface side of the substrate body 10A, and the backlight on the back surface of the panel are not provided.

  Also in the liquid crystal display device 100B having the above-described configuration, since the light shielding portions 33a and 33b are provided at positions that overlap the connection portions 39 and 39 of the pixel electrode 31, respectively, the light leakage at the connection portions 39 and 39 is performed. Can be shielded well, and a reflective display with a wide viewing angle and high contrast can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is a transmissive liquid crystal display device in a vertical alignment mode, similar to the liquid crystal display device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and among the components shown in FIG. 6, FIGS. Constituent elements common to the liquid crystal display device 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. FIGS. 6A to 6C are drawings corresponding to FIGS. 3A to 3C in the previous embodiment, respectively.

  The liquid crystal display device 200 </ b> A shown in FIG. 6 is mainly composed of an upper substrate 25 and a lower substrate 10 that are arranged to face each other with a liquid crystal layer 50 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 6A, the upper substrate 25 includes a scanning line 13 extending in the horizontal direction in the drawing, a pixel electrode 31 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view arranged longitudinally along the scanning line 13, and the scanning line 13. And a wiring portion 13a having a bowl shape in a plan view extending from 1 to the pixel electrode 31. The pixel electrode 31 includes three island-shaped portions 31a, 31b, and 31c that are substantially rectangular in a plan view, and connecting portions 39 and 39 that connect them. The leading end of the wiring portion 13a extends to the central portion of the island-shaped portion 31c of the pixel electrode 31, and is expanded in a circular shape in plan view at the central portion to form a contact portion 89. Also, a TFD element 40 (not shown) is provided at the intersection of the wiring portion 13a and the scanning line 13.

  In the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 6B, the scanning line 13a, the contact portion 89, and the like are formed on the inner surface side (the liquid crystal layer 50 side) of the translucent substrate body 25A, and the scanning line 13a is covered. An interlayer insulating film 71 is formed. Then, the pixel electrode 31 is formed on the interlayer insulating film 71, and the pixel electrode 31 and the contact portion 89 are electrically connected through the contact hole 72 penetrating the interlayer insulating film 71. As a result, the pixel electrode 31 and the wiring part 13a (TFD element 40) are electrically connected.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C, the lower substrate 10 has light-shielding portions 88a and 88b having a rectangular shape in plan view formed on the inner surface side of the translucent substrate body 10A. A counter electrode 9 is formed to cover the light shielding portions 88a and 88b. Then, substantially conical dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 arranged at predetermined intervals are provided on the counter electrode 9. As shown in FIG. 6B, the light shielding portions 88a and 88b are formed so as to overlap with the connecting portions 39 and 39 of the pixel electrode 31, respectively.

  A phase difference plate 16 and a polarizing plate 17 are laminated in order from the substrate main body 25A side on the outer surface side of the upper substrate 25, and a phase difference plate 18 and a polarizing plate 19 are stacked on the outer surface side of the lower substrate 10. Are sequentially stacked. In addition, a backlight 15 serving as illumination means is disposed outside the lower substrate 10. Further, although not shown, a vertical alignment film is formed so as to cover the pixel electrode 31 of the upper substrate 25, and a vertical alignment film is formed so as to cover the counter electrode 9 and the dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 of the lower substrate 10. ing.

  In the liquid crystal display device 200A having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, light-shielding portions 88a and 88b having a rectangular shape in plan view are provided on the lower substrate 10 side, and a backlight is formed by these light-shielding portions 88a and 88b. The 15 illumination lights are partially blocked so that the illumination light does not enter the connecting portions 39 and 39. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent light leakage due to the disorder of the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the connecting portions 39, 39, and to obtain a display with a wide viewing angle and high contrast.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the contact portion 89 and contact hole 72 of the upper substrate 25 and the dielectric protrusion 75 of the lower substrate 10 are disposed so as to overlap in a planar manner. Light leakage caused by the oblique orientation of the liquid crystal molecules and the oblique orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the concave portion formed due to the contact hole 72 can be shielded by the contact portion 89 arranged so as to overlap these, and the wiring portion 13a. In order to effectively prevent light leakage at the central portion of the island portion 31c where light leakage is likely to occur compared to the other island portions 31a and 31b. It has become.

  Although the color filter is not illustrated in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal display device 200 </ b> A can be configured to include a color filter. Usually, the color filter is formed not on the element substrate (upper substrate 25) side formed through a complicated process but on the lower substrate 10 side. In this case, for example, a colored portion having a planar size corresponding to the pixel electrode 31 is formed on the substrate body 10A, and the colored portions are partitioned by a light-shielding member (black matrix). The black matrix can be formed of a black resin film, a resin film formed by overlapping a plurality of the colored portions, or a metal film.

  In the case where the liquid crystal display device 200A is thus configured to include a color filter, the light shielding member on the substrate body 10A, that is, the black matrix and the light shielding portions 88a and 88b are formed in the same process. Thus, it is possible to realize a high contrast display without complicating the process and increasing the number of steps.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid crystal display device 200B shown in FIG. 7 includes the light shielding portions 88a and 88b on the lower substrate 10 side as in the liquid crystal display device of the form shown in FIG. Is different from the previous embodiment.
The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is also a vertical alignment mode transmissive liquid crystal display device, similar to the previous liquid crystal display device 200A, and is common to the liquid crystal display device 200A of FIG. 6 among the components shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements of and the description is omitted. FIGS. 7A to 7C are drawings corresponding to FIGS. 6A to 6C in the previous embodiment, respectively.

  The liquid crystal display device 200B shown in FIG. 7 is mainly composed of an upper substrate 25 and a lower substrate 10 that are arranged to face each other with a liquid crystal layer 50 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 7A, the upper substrate 25 includes a scanning line 13 extending in the horizontal direction in the drawing, a pixel electrode 31 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view disposed longitudinally along the scanning line 13, and the scanning line 13. To the pixel electrode 31 side, and dielectric protrusions 83 to 85 arranged on the pixel electrode 31 at a predetermined interval. These dielectric protrusions 83 to 85 function as alignment control means for controlling the alignment state when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal in the vertical alignment mode, like the dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 according to the previous embodiment.

  Although not shown, a TFD element 40 is formed at the intersection of the scanning line 13 and the wiring part 13a. Further, an enlarged diameter portion is provided at the tip of the wiring portion 13a extending from the TFD element 40 side to the upper side in the figure, and a contact portion 13c that is conductively connected to a pixel electrode 31 described later is formed. As shown in FIG. 7B, an interlayer insulating film 71 is formed so as to cover these scanning lines 13 and wiring portions 13 a, and the pixel electrode 31 is formed on the interlayer insulating film 71. From one short side end (right side end) of the pixel electrode 31, an extension part 86 is formed to project to the right side in the figure, and a widening part 31 d is provided at the tip part, and penetrates the interlayer insulating film 71. As a result of the electrical connection between the widened portion 31d and the contact portion 13c through the contact hole 81 reaching the contact portion 13c of the wiring portion 13a, the wiring portion 13a (TFD element 40) and the pixel electrode 31 are connected. Electrically connected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the lower substrate 10 has a light shielding portion 88a having a rectangular shape in plan view arranged on the inner surface side of the translucent substrate body 10A at a predetermined interval. 88b and a counter electrode 79 are provided. The light shielding portions 88a and 88b can be formed by patterning a metal film or a resin film having light shielding properties.
The counter electrode 79 is formed using a light-transmitting conductive material such as ITO, and has three island portions 79a, 79b, and 79c having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view in the illustrated dot region D. These island-shaped portions 79a to 79c are electrically connected to each other via connecting portions 79r and 79r extending in the horizontal direction in the figure. Further, connecting portions 79d extending from the island-shaped portions 79a to 79c in the vertical direction in the figure are connected to island-shaped portions provided in the dot areas adjacent to the dot areas in the figure. Accordingly, the counter electrode 79 as a whole is formed in a substantially stripe shape in plan view extending in a direction orthogonal to the scanning line 13 of the upper substrate 25 ((c) vertical direction in the figure).

  Thus, the counter electrode 79 has a structure that is roughly divided into a plurality of island-shaped portions 79a to 79c within the dot region D, and the above-mentioned portion of the upper substrate 25 is formed at the center of these island-shaped portions 79a to 79c. Since the dielectric protrusions 83 to 85 are arranged to face each other, the liquid crystal display device 200B can orient the liquid crystal molecules from the central part of the island-like parts 79a to 79c in a substantially radial manner when a voltage is applied. ing. That is, in the liquid crystal display device 200, the three sub-dot regions S1, S2, and S3 that form radial liquid crystal domains corresponding to the planar regions of the island portions 79a to 79c form one dot region D. It has become.

  A phase difference plate 16 and a polarizing plate 17 are laminated in order from the substrate main body 25A side on the outer surface side of the upper substrate 25, and a phase difference plate 18 and a polarizing plate 19 are stacked on the outer surface side of the lower substrate 10. Are sequentially stacked. In addition, a backlight 15 serving as illumination means is disposed outside the lower substrate 10. Further, although not shown, a vertical alignment film is formed so as to cover the pixel electrode 31 and the dielectric protrusions 83 to 85 of the upper substrate 25, and the vertical alignment film is also formed on the counter electrode 79 of the lower substrate 10. ing.

  In the liquid crystal display device 200B having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 7C, the light shielding portions 88a and 88b are arranged so as to overlap with the connecting portions 79r and 79r connecting the island-shaped portions 79a to 79c, respectively. Has been. Therefore, also in the liquid crystal display device 200B of this example, it is possible to effectively prevent the leakage light caused by the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the connecting portions 79r and 79r connecting the three island portions 79a to 79c. A display with a viewing angle and high contrast can be obtained.

  In FIG. 7, the light shielding portions 88a and 88b are provided only in regions corresponding to the connecting portions 79r and 79r that connect the island portions 79a to 79c of the counter electrode 79 in the horizontal direction in the figure. It is needless to say that a light-shielding portion may be provided in a region corresponding to the island-like portions of the adjacent dot regions and the connecting portions 79d... Furthermore, it is needless to say that a light-shielding portion may be further provided at a position overlapping the extension portion 86 protruding from the pixel electrode 31 of the upper substrate 25 to the right side in the figure.

  Further, although the color filter is not illustrated in FIG. 7, if the liquid crystal display device 200B is configured to include the color filter, the light shielding member included in the color filter is the same as the liquid crystal display device 200A illustrated in FIG. The light shielding portions 88a and 88b can be formed in the same process as the (black matrix), and a high contrast display can be realized without complicating the process and increasing the number of steps.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is a vertical alignment mode transflective liquid crystal display device having the same basic configuration as the liquid crystal display device 100B shown in FIG. Therefore, among the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8, the same constituent elements as those of the liquid crystal display device 100A shown in FIG. 8A to 8C are drawings corresponding to FIGS. 4A to 4C in the previous embodiment, respectively.

  A liquid crystal display device 300 shown in FIG. 8 includes an upper substrate 25 and a lower substrate 10 that are disposed to face each other with a liquid crystal layer 50 interposed therebetween, and a backlight 15 is disposed on the outer surface side of the lower substrate 10. The reflective layer 77a made of a light-reflective metal film such as aluminum or silver is partially formed on the inner surface side of the lower substrate 10, so that both the reflective display and the transmissive display are performed in one dot region. Can be done.

  The configuration of the upper substrate 25 is the same as that of the liquid crystal display device 200A of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and is a pixel electrode composed of three island portions 31a to 31c and connecting portions 39 and 39 connecting them. 31 is provided. On the other hand, in the lower substrate 10, a reflective layer 77a and a light shielding layer 77b are partially formed in the dot region D on the inner surface side of the translucent substrate body 10A, and a liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 is formed so as to cover them. Is formed. The reflective layer 77a is formed at a position overlapping the island-shaped portion 31c of the pixel electrode 31 provided on the upper substrate 25 in a plan view, and the light-shielding portion 77b connects the island-shaped portion 31a and the island-shaped portion 31b. It is provided at a position overlapping the connecting portion 39 in plan view. The light shielding portion 77b is formed using the same material in the same layer as the reflective layer 77a. Further, in the present embodiment, the side edge of the reflective layer 77a on the light shielding part 77b side is partially extended toward the center of the dot area to form the light shielding part 77c, and the island-like part 31b, The connection part 39 between 31c is covered planarly seeing from the backlight 15 side.

  The liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 has a portion having a different thickness in the dot region. Specifically, the region corresponding to the planar region of the reflective layer 77a is closer to the liquid crystal layer 50 than the other regions. Protrusively formed. The multi-gap structure formed by the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76 so that the liquid crystal layer thickness in the formation region (reflection display region) of the reflection layer 77a is smaller than the liquid crystal layer thickness in other regions (transmission display region). Is realized. On the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 76, the counter electrode 9 extending in the vertical direction of FIG. 8C is formed. On the counter electrode 9, each of the center portions of the island portions 31 a to 31 c and Dielectric protrusions 73 to 75 are erected at opposing positions.

  Based on the above configuration, the liquid crystal display device 300 is configured such that each dot region D includes sub-dot regions S1 to S3 each having a planar region corresponding to the island portions 31a to 31c of the pixel electrode 31, and the sub-dot region S1. And S2 are used for transmissive display, and the remaining subdot region S3 is used for reflective display. In addition, since a substantially radial liquid crystal domain in a plan view can be formed when a voltage is applied in each sub-dot region, a wide viewing angle display can be obtained, and the multi-gap structure provides a good contrast display in both reflective display and transmissive display. It has come to be obtained.

  Furthermore, according to the liquid crystal display device 300 having the above-described configuration, the light shielding portions 77b and 77c and a part of the reflective layer 77a are arranged at positions that overlap the connection portions 39 and 39 of the pixel electrode 31 in a plane. Since the illumination light from the backlight 15 does not enter the formation region of the connecting portions 39, 39, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent the occurrence of leakage light due to the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the connecting portions 39, 39. Further, high contrast of display can be realized, and high-quality reflective display and transmissive display can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, since the light shielding portion 77b is formed in the same layer as the reflective layer 77a using the same material, the light shielding portion 77b can be formed in the same process as the reflective layer 77a, thus increasing the load of the process. Therefore, the contrast can be improved. In addition, a light shielding portion 77b is provided at a position facing the connecting portion 39 between the island-shaped portions 31a and 31b constituting the transmissive display region. The light shielding portion 77b has light reflectivity like the reflective layer 77a. This contributes to improving the brightness during reflection display. In transmissive display, a slight disturbance in the alignment of the liquid crystal is likely to be visually recognized as an afterimage, but in the reflective display, the display is usually performed by scattering the reflected light, so that the alignment disturbance in the liquid crystal is not noticeable. Therefore, when the reflected light from the light-shielding portion 77b is used for display, the improvement in display brightness by reflected light is more effective than the alignment disturbance in the vicinity of the connecting portion, and a transflective or reflective liquid crystal display is achieved. The apparatus is effective in improving display quality.

(Electronics)
Next, specific examples of the electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device according to the above embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a mobile phone. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1000 denotes a mobile phone body, and reference numeral 1001 denotes a display unit using the liquid crystal display device. When the liquid crystal display device according to any of the above embodiments is used as a display unit of such an electronic device such as a mobile phone, an electronic device including a liquid crystal display unit capable of displaying a wide viewing angle and high contrast is realized. Can do.

  The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is not limited to the above mobile phone, but is an electronic book, a personal computer, a digital still camera, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct-view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, It can be suitably used as image display means for word processors, workstations, videophones, POS terminals, devices equipped with touch panels, and the like.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a dielectric protrusion having a circular shape in plan view is provided. However, the shape, size, and the like of the dielectric protrusion serving as the orientation control unit are not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be changed as appropriate. Is possible. In addition, an example in which the present invention is applied to an active matrix liquid crystal display device using a TFD as a switching element has been shown. However, an active matrix liquid crystal display device using a TFT as a switching element, a passive matrix liquid crystal display having no contact hole. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus or the like.

1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment. The plane block diagram which shows an electrode structure similarly. The figure which shows the structure of the 1 dot area | region similarly. The figure which shows the 1 dot area | region in the same structural example of a transflective type. The block diagram which shows the 1 dot area | region in a reflection type structure similarly. The block diagram which shows 1 dot area | region of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows 1 dot area | region of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows 1 dot area | region of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective configuration diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

  100, 100A, 100B, 200A, 200B, 300 Liquid crystal display device, 10 Lower substrate, 15 Backlight (illumination means), 25 Upper substrate, 31 Pixel electrodes, 31a to 31c Island-shaped portion, 33a, 33b, 88a, 88b Part (light-shielding means), 39, 79r connecting part, 40 TFD element (switching element), 73-75, 83-85 dielectric protrusion (orientation control means), 9, 79 counter electrode, 76 liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer, 77 , 77a, 78 Reflective layer, 79a to 79c Island-shaped portion, S1 to S3 sub-dot region, D dot region

Claims (10)

A vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of substrates,
The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy;
An electrode for driving the liquid crystal is formed on the liquid crystal layer side of the pair of substrates,
The electrode on at least one of the substrates has a plurality of island-shaped portions and a connecting portion that electrically connects the island-shaped portions;
Comprising a light-shielding means arranged in a planar manner on the connecting portion ,
A plurality of the connecting portions are formed apart from each other on one of said electrodes, a liquid crystal display device characterized by having the light shielding means formed separately from each other in correspondence with the connecting portion of each .   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode having the island-shaped portion and the light shielding means are provided on the same substrate. Any of the pair of substrates is an element substrate including a switching element electrically connected to the electrode and a signal wiring electrically connected to the switching element,
3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding unit is provided on the element substrate and is formed of the same material as that of the switching element or the signal wiring. Either of the pair of substrates is a color filter substrate having a plurality of colored portions and a light shielding member,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding unit is provided on the color filter substrate and is formed of the same material as the light shielding member. In one dot area, a transmissive display area for performing transmissive display and a reflective display area for performing reflective display are provided,
5. The liquid crystal layer thickness in the transmissive display area and the reflective display area is different from each other by a liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer provided in the dot area. 6. The liquid crystal display device described. Between the transmissive display area and the reflective display area, an inclined area in which the liquid crystal layer thickness continuously changes is formed,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 5, wherein the light shielding unit is arranged at a position overlapping the inclined region in a plane.   The reflective layer which reflects light is provided in either of a pair of said board | substrates, The said light-shielding means is formed with the same material as the said reflective layer, Any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A liquid crystal display device according to item 1.   8. The alignment control means for restricting the alignment of the liquid crystal when a voltage is applied is provided on the electrode having the island-shaped portion and facing the electrode across the liquid crystal layer. 2. A liquid crystal display device according to item 1.   9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 8, wherein the orientation control means is a dielectric protrusion formed on the facing electrode or an electrode opening formed by partially cutting the facing electrode. .   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.

Images