JPH10319421A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease a picture frame area which does not contribute to displaying, by forming an electric conductive layer outside of a center line along a running direction of a sealing material, and also avoiding an arrangement of the conductive layer to be opposed to a signal line in the neighborhood of a part of the conductive body connected with an electrode. SOLUTION: An electric conductive body AGP is formed outside a sealing material SL, and a common electrode ITO 2 of a filter substrate side is led to a TFT substrate side via the conductive body AGP. And relating to the common electrode ITO 2, the neighborhood of a part connected with the conductive body AGP is formed as a pattern which is not arranged to oppose a part of a scanning signal line GL. Namely, when each scanning line GL formed within a display part is extended to the outside of the display part, it is arranged so as to be apart from the conductive body AGP by partly providing the extended part with bending part. Thus, it is avoided that the part connected with the conductive body AGP of the common electrode ITO 2 is arranged to oppose the scanning line GL.

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 having a reduced frame area which does not contribute to display around a display area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, there is an increasing demand to obtain necessary information at any time and at any place and to perform calculation processing, 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.

[0003] The display devices of these portable information processing devices are thin, light, and have low power consumption.
Liquid crystal display devices are widely used.

A liquid crystal display device is composed of a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image and a driving circuit. The driving circuit is provided around the liquid crystal display panel and forms an area that does not contribute to display (a so-called frame area). .

[0005] However, recently, there has been an increasing demand for a portable information processing apparatus to have a large display area for easy viewing. To simply increase the display area,
Although a large-sized liquid crystal display device may be used, portability is lost, and the meaning of a portable information processing device is lost.

Therefore, it has become important to reduce the area not contributing to the display and to increase the display area as compared with a liquid crystal display device having the same outer shape, that is, a technique of reducing the frame.

The prior art relating to the frame reduction technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-75019 and Japanese Patent Application No. 7-297234.

[0008]

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

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

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

That is, a pair of transparent substrates opposed to 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 of the transparent substrates. A conductive layer for leading out to a terminal formed on the liquid crystal side surface of the other transparent substrate, and a signal line extending to the outside of the sealing material on the liquid crystal side surface of the other transparent substrate, at least. In the liquid crystal display device, the conductive layer is formed outside a center line along the running direction of the sealant, and an electrode formed on a liquid crystal side surface of one of the transparent substrates has a conductive material. It is characterized in that it is configured so as not to be arranged facing the signal line in the vicinity of the portion to be connected.

[0012] The liquid crystal display device having such a configuration can increase the substantial area of the display portion as an aggregate of pixels as compared with a device in which a conductor is conventionally formed inside a sealing material. Become.

Conventionally, the conductor limits the area of the display portion within the sealing material even if it is to be as large as possible.

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 prior art.

In this case, the electrode reaching the conductor is drawn out with a large area, and may be arranged so as to face a part of the signal line.

Therefore, by adopting a configuration that completely avoids such facing arrangement, it is possible to prevent electrolytic corrosion that occurs when moisture invades between the electrode and the signal line.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG . << Appearance of Liquid Crystal Display Module MDL >> FIG.
Front view from the front side (that is, the upper side, the 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 view showing a completed assembly of the liquid crystal display module MDL, and is a rear view of the liquid crystal display element as viewed from the rear side (lower side).

The module MDL is a mold case M
L, two types of storage and holding members for the shield case SHD.

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

The mounting hole H of the mold case ML shown in FIG.
The mounting holes HLD1, 2, 3 and 4 of the shield case SHD shown in FIG. 5 are formed at positions corresponding to the LD1, 2, 3 and 4, and are fixed to the information processing device through screws and the like in both mounting holes. I do. In the module MDL, the inverter IV for backlight is connected to H as shown in FIG.
Power is supplied to the fluorescent tube LP of the backlight via the connector LCT and the lamp cables LPC1 and LPC2, arranged in a recess between the LD1 and the HLD3. Signals from the main computer (host) and necessary power are supplied to the controller unit and the power supply unit of the liquid crystal display module MDL via the interface connector CT1 located on the back of the module.

The liquid crystal display module MD shown in FIG.
The outer dimensions of L are such that the long side W (the side defined by the corner between the HLD1 side and the HLD2 side) is 297.5 mm, and the short side H (HLD2
The side defined by the corner between the side and the HLD4 side) is 214.5 m
m, thickness T is 8.0 mm, display area (effective pixel part)
The width X1 from the AR to the upper frame of the shield case SHD (on the line II-II in FIG. 2) is 3.9 mm, and the width X2 from the AR to the lower frame (on the line II in FIG. 2) is 7.9 m.
m, 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
Assuming that the three color pixels are one pixel, 1024 pixels are arranged in the long side direction (horizontal direction, x direction) and 768 pixels are arranged in the short side direction (vertical direction, y direction).

The liquid crystal display module MDL shown in FIG. 2 has a larger outer dimension and a larger display area AR than the liquid crystal display module MDL described in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-297234 previously introduced. Despite the increase in the size, there is a feature that the frame area that does not contribute to the 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.
0 g, which is light enough to be used for a portable information processing device.

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

FIG. 6C shows the pin arrangement (see C) of the interface connector CT1 for connecting to an external device (such as a host computer) of the liquid crystal display module MDL.
It has the shape shown below.

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

7 and 8, each member will be described as follows.

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 mold case (lower case) for storing the backlight.

LF1 and LF2 are the first covering 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
L is a glass substrate. In this embodiment, SUB1
Is a substrate on which a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode are formed, and SUB2 is a substrate on which a color filter and a common electrode 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. The liquid crystal display module MDL of the present embodiment optimizes the area where the BM around the display area AR is shielded from light, so that even if the display area is viewed from an oblique angle of 45 degrees or more, the light that leaks directly from the backlight. Without seeing
In addition, since there is no visible part unrelated to the display around the display area AR (for example, a part hidden by the frame spacer WSPC), the SUB is unnecessarily formed by the shield case SHD.
1. The frame area can be reduced without having to cover the SUB2.

POL1 is an upper polarizer attached to SUB2, and POL2 is a lower polarizer attached to SUB1. The liquid crystal display element PNL of this embodiment is POL1, POL
2, and a liquid crystal layer provided between SUB1 and SUB2 transmits or blocks light supplied from the backlight to display an image.

VINC1 is a viewing angle widening film attached to SUB2, and VINC2 is a viewing angle widening film attached to SUB1. In the present embodiment, SUB1, SU
By providing the viewing angle widening film in 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 views the display, is eliminated. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display module MDL of the present embodiment, the difference in contrast between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the display area AR is eliminated by the viewing angle widening film, and the diagonal size D is 34 cm (13.3).
This realizes a liquid crystal display device having a display area as wide as inches or more.

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

LP is a fluorescent tube serving as a light source of a backlight.

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

RFS is a reflection sheet that reflects light coming to the bottom surface of the GLB and returns the light to the GLB.

SPS is a diffusion sheet that functions to diffuse light emitted from the upper surface of the GLB toward the liquid crystal display element PNL in various directions.

PRS is a prism sheet that functions to condense the light diffused by the SPS into a specific emission angle range and improve the brightness of the backlight.

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

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

The above-mentioned frame spacer WSPC presses the periphery of the light guide plate GLB and inserts the hook of the WSPC into the hole of the mold case ML, thereby firmly fixing the GLB to the ML, and the GLB to the liquid crystal display element PNL. It prevents collisions. In this embodiment, SPS, P
Since RS and POR are also suppressed by WSPC, SPS, PRS and POR are not distorted,
A backlight that illuminates 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 provided between the WSPC and the LS so as to take up no mounting space. L
Since the PC 3 is affixed to the LS with a double-sided tape, it can be replaced together with the LS when replacing the fluorescent tube LP, and it is not necessary to remove the LPC 3 from the LP, and the replacement of the LP is easy. Further, since the LPC 3 is formed of a multilayer film of a flexible film and a metal film, it also serves as a cushion for preventing collision between the WSPC and the LS.

OL is an O-ring, which acts as a cushion between LP and LS. OL is made of a transparent plastic so as not to lower the brightness of LP. The OL is made of an insulator having a low dielectric constant in order to prevent a high-frequency current from leaking from the LP. The OL also serves as a cushion for preventing 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. A driving circuit is integrated in a 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 facing the side on which the IC1 is mounted (see FIG. 7B). Further, since the fluorescent tube LP and the lamp reflector LS are provided below the portion of the SUB 1 on which the IC 1 is mounted, the LP and the LS can be compactly stored in the liquid crystal display module MDL.

The IC2 is a gate driver chip for driving the scanning signal lines of the liquid crystal display element PNL. A 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 be applied to a passive matrix type liquid crystal display device not using thin film transistors. In the case of a passive matrix type liquid crystal display device, IC1 is mounted on SUB1 using a segment driver chip, and IC2 is mounted on SUB1 using a common driver chip.
2 may be mounted.

FPC1 is a flexible printed circuit board on the scanning signal line side, is connected to the external terminals of SUB1 by an anisotropic conductive film, and supplies power and drive signals to IC2.
Chip components EP such as a resistor and a capacitor are mounted on the FPC 1.

FPC2 is a flexible printed circuit board on the video signal line side, is connected to the external terminal of SUB1 by an anisotropic conductive film, and supplies power and drive signals to IC1.
Chip components EP such as resistors and capacitors are mounted on the FPC2.
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 (part b) of the FPC 2 is formed between the mold case ML behind the backlight and the second lower shield case. It is sandwiched between and fixed. FPC for mold case ML
A notch for securing a space for the second chip component EP is provided. The FPC 2 includes a thin portion (a portion) so as to be easily bent 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
Since the back surface of L is covered, as shown in FIG.
If the F2 is removed and the FPC2 is turned, the lamp reflector LS can be exposed, so that the replacement of the fluorescent tube LP is easy.

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 under FPC1 and double-sided tape BA
It is affixed to SUB1 with T.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a connector CTR4 is provided on the PCB, 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 provided between the lower shield case and the connector PCT4 to prevent the CT4 from coming off the CTR4.

The SPC 4 is a spacer provided between the shield case SHD and the upper polarizer POL1, and is made of a corroded cloth and adhered to the shield case with an adhesive. The SHD 4 and the POL 1 may be adhered using the SPC 4 as a double-sided tape.

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

A viewing angle widening film VINC1 made of a plastic film is taken out from the glass substrate SUB1,
Even if VINC1 is held down by the SHD, the liquid crystal display element PNL can be prevented from jumping out of the SHD. In this embodiment, since both POL1 and VINC1 are taken out of SUB1 and both POL1 and VINC1 are held down by SHD, the liquid crystal display element PNL jumps out of SHD even if the area where SHD covers 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.
HD and SUB1 are prevented from colliding. DSPC
Is provided so as to cover the drain driver chip IC1, and a notch NOT is provided in a portion of the IC1, so that the SHD or DSPC does not collide with the IC1 and the IC1 is not broken. DSPC also
Since the video signal line side flexible printed circuit board FPC2 on the external connection terminal of SUB1 is also held down, SUB1
FP1 and FP1 are prevented from peeling off from
C2 prevents electrical continuity from being lost.
The DSPC is made of a vinyl chloride-based plastic that does not collapse even when an impact is applied to protect the IC1, and absorbs the impact to some extent to protect the SUB1.

FUS is a sealing material that fills a liquid crystal filling port.

BAT is a double-sided tape. In this 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 filling port side (filling side) are on the color filter side. Glass substrate SUB2 is double-sided tape BA on shield case SHD
Affixed with a T. As shown in FIG. 7B, the side of the liquid crystal display element PNL on which the drain driver chip IC1 is not mounted (LD side) is also provided with a spacer S with an adhesive material.
SUB2 is attached to SHD via 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 for the side (D side) of the liquid crystal display element PNL on which the drain driver chip IC1 is mounted. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element PNL does not deviate from the SHD even if it receives a strong shock.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The sealing side is bonded so that the ends of SUB1 and SUB2 are almost aligned. In this embodiment, SUB1 and S
Since the liquid crystal display element PNL is fixed by sandwiching the end where the UB2 overlaps with the shield case SHD and the frame spacer WSPC, the area where the SHD covers the liquid crystal display element PNL can be reduced, and a strong shock is applied. Even SHD
SUB1 or SUB2 sandwiched by the frame spacer WSPC does not break. SUB1 and SUB2
The liquid crystal display element PNL may be fixed by sandwiching the end where is overlapped between the shield case SHD and the mold case ML. Further, the configuration in which the liquid crystal display element PNL is fixed by sandwiching the end where SUB1 and SUB2 overlap 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 ends where SUB1 and SUB2 overlap each other on both the sealing side and the enclosing side, the frame area 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 diagram 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 bending are mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal display element PNL. It is.

FIG. 10 shows the liquid crystal display elements PNL and FPC1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion to which the FPC 2 is connected.

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

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

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
1. The IC2 is mounted directly on the substrate of the liquid crystal display element PNL using anisotropic conductive films ACF1, 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, when a tape carrier package on which a drive IC chip is mounted is used, connection with the liquid crystal display element PNL becomes difficult when the distance between the connection terminals becomes 100 microns or less due to expansion and contraction of the tape carrier film. In the COG mounting, the connection between the driving IC chip and the liquid crystal display element is possible even if the distance between the connection terminals DTM and GTM is 70 μm 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 line is drawn out on one long side. Since the pitch between the gate lines is large to some extent, in the present embodiment, the terminal GTM is drawn out on one short side, but when the definition is further increased, the facing two terminals are connected.
It is also possible to alternately pull out the gate terminals GTM to the short sides.

In the method in which the drain line or the gate line is alternately drawn, as described above, the drain terminal DTM or the gate terminal GTM and the output side bump BU of the driving IC are used.
Although connection with the MP is facilitated, it is necessary to arrange the peripheral circuit board on the outer periphery of the two opposing long sides of the liquid crystal display element PNL. For this reason, in this embodiment, the frame area is reduced by using a multilayer flexible substrate and extracting the drain line to only one side.

<< TFT Substrate >> FIG. 12 shows a pair of transparent glass substrates SUB1 and SUB which are arranged to face each other via a liquid crystal.
It is a top view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal side surface of one transparent glass substrate SUB1 among UB2, the transparent glass substrate SUB1 called what is called a TFT substrate. The other transparent glass substrate SUB2 facing the TFT substrate is not shown, but is placed facing the dotted line frame A in the figure as an outer contour, and its liquid crystal side has a common surface for 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 the same figure, this transparent glass substrate SUB
In the manufacturing process, 1 is prepared to be slightly larger than the prescribed size, and when processing is performed, it is cut at the portion of the dashed-dotted line frame CUTLN in the figure and its peripheral portion is excluded. Such a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a cut region) is provided in advance in order to form an inspection terminal for inspecting a short circuit or disconnection of each signal line in this portion, as will be described later in detail. It 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 in the figure and arranged in the y direction are formed. . Each of these scanning signal lines GL1, GL2,.
At one end (left side in the figure) of each GLn, CUT in the figure
The gate terminal GTM is provided near the inside of the LN. Each of these gate terminals GTM is a terminal connected to a gate driver chip IC2 for supplying a scanning signal.

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

One probe is brought into contact with the second inspection terminal 2R, and the other probe is brought into contact with each terminal part GTM in order to detect a current flowing between the two terminals. GL1, GL2, ..., GL
It is possible to inspect whether or not a disconnection has occurred in n.

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

The scanning signal lines GL1, GL
Video signal lines (drain signal lines) DL1 and D which are insulated from GLn, extend in the y direction in the drawing, and are juxtaposed in the x direction.
, DLm are formed.

The video signal lines DL1, DL
2,..., DLm are each provided with a terminal portion DTM in the vicinity of the inside of the CUTLN in the figure at one end (the lower side in the figure). Each of these terminal portions DTM is a terminal portion connected to the drain driver chip C1 for supplying a video signal.

Each of the video signal lines DL1, DL2,.
On one end side (upper side in the figure) of each of the DLm, for example, an odd-numbered one of the video signal lines DL1, DL2,..., DLm extends outside the CUTLN in the figure and is formed in a cut area of the transparent glass substrate. Connected to the first inspection terminal 2U. Also, each of the video signal lines DL1, DL2,
, DLm, the even-numbered video signal lines DL1, DL2,..., DLm, for example, are extended outside the cut line CLUTN in FIG. First inspection terminal 2D formed in 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. It is possible to inspect whether 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. By detecting, it is possible to inspect whether a short circuit has occurred between the scanning signal line GL and the video signal line DL.

Each of the areas surrounded by each of the scanning signal lines G1, G2,..., Gn and each of the video signal lines D1, D2,. Configuration.

As shown in FIG. 13, for example, each pixel region includes a thin film transistor TFT which is turned on by the supply of a scanning signal from one of the scanning signal lines GL2.
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. The additional capacitance element Cadd causes the pixel electrode 10 to display an image even when the thin film transistor TFT is turned off. The signal is stored for a relatively long time.

Further, a portion where the liquid crystal is filled between the other transparent glass substrate SUB2 and the peripheral portion of the display portion formed by the collection of such pixel regions (the outline of the portion is formed). The portion to be sealed is formed with a sealing material for sealing the liquid crystal, and is indicated by a dotted frame A in the figure), and an electrostatic protection circuit is formed.

This electrostatic protection circuit first includes first common lines 3U, 3D arranged orthogonally to video signal lines DL1, DL2,..., DLm so as to surround the display section, and scanning signal lines GL1, GL2. , GLn and the second common lines 3L, 3R arranged orthogonally to the GLn.

The first common lines 3U and 3D are formed on the upper and lower sides of the drawing with the display unit interposed therebetween.
L and 3R are formed on the left and right sides in the figure with the display unit in between.

The first common line 3U is connected to the odd-numbered video signal lines DL orthogonal thereto by way of a non-linear element, and the first common line 3D is connected to the even-numbered video signal lines DL orthogonal thereto. Is connected via a nonlinear element NR.

For some reason, the video signal lines DL1, DL
When static electricity jumps into DLm, the static electricity can be dispersed to the first common line 3U and the first inspection terminal 2D via the nonlinear element NR, so that 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 thereto via the nonlinear element NR, and the second common line 3R is connected to the video signal lines GL orthogonal thereto.
Are connected via the nonlinear element NR.

For some reason, the scanning signal lines GL1, GL
When static electricity jumps into 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, so that application to the thin film transistor TFT can be avoided. It has become.

The first common lines 3U, 3D and the second common lines 3L, 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 short-circuit or disconnection using R, 2U, or 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, the first inspection terminal 2D
And the second inspection terminal 2L, and between the second inspection terminal 2L and the first inspection terminal 2U, a high resistance portion 4A is interposed therebetween, 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 test terminal 2U and the second inspection terminal 2L, a current flows through the high-resistance portion 4A, so that they eventually become the same potential with a certain time constant. The configuration is as planned.

This has the effect of preventing a 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 signal lines is inspected by applying a predetermined voltage between the first inspection terminal 2D and the second inspection terminal 2R and detecting a current flowing between the terminals, the inspection is completely performed. There will be no trouble.

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

From this, if the current value in each case described above can be recognized by an empirical rule, it is possible to easily 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 a pixel region of the liquid crystal display element PNL. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 14, and FIG. 1 is 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 intersection 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, the thin film transistor T is disposed on the first transparent glass substrate SUB1 side with respect to the liquid crystal layer LC.
An FT and a transparent pixel electrode ITO1 are formed, and a color filter FIL and a light-shielding black matrix pattern BM are formed on the second transparent glass substrate SUB2 side. Silicon oxide films SI on both sides of SUB1 and SUB2
O is provided.

On the inner (LC side) surface of SUB2, 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. POL1 and POL2 are SUB
1. A deflection plate provided on the outer surface of SUB2. V
INC1 and VINK2 are viewing angle expansion films provided on the outer surfaces of SUB1 and SUB2.

As shown in FIG. 16, the thin film transistor TFT has 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, an 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 formed by lamination.

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

The ITO1 is made of ITO (Indium Tin)
Oxide) or the like.

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

The AS and the GI are formed along the DL under the DL in addition to the TFT portion. By forming AS and GI along DL, it is possible to prevent disconnection of DL due to a step between AS and GI. 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 ITO1. By providing a portion where the GI is removed in the pixel portion, the stress of the GI is relieved and the GI is prevented from peeling.

An opening HOPI from which PSV1 has been removed is provided on ITO1. Opening HO on PSV1
By providing the PI, the stress generated in the PSV 1 is relaxed, and peeling of the PSV 1 is prevented. By providing HOPI on ITO1, the electric field that ITO1 gives to liquid crystal LC is strengthened.

The storage capacitor Cadd is the first capacitor formed by g1.
Electrode PL1 and a second electrode PL2 formed by d1
And a dielectric film formed of AOF. PL1 is A
Through holes CNT provided in S and GI, it is connected to a wiring made of a laminated film of d2 and d3, and a wiring made of d2 and d3 is connected to the pixel electrode ITO1 in a portion where AS and GI are removed. And ITO1 are electrically connected.
Since AOF composed of an aluminum oxide film has a higher dielectric constant than silicon nitride or silicon oxide, it is possible to reduce Cadd by using a single-layer film of AOF as a Cadd dielectric film, thereby reducing the aperture ratio of a pixel. improves. Further, the end of PL1 is covered with GI and AS, and PL2 is placed thereon.
Since the wiring connecting between the AOF 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 a 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.
It is a top view which shows the electrostatic protection circuit which performs electrostatic protection of L side. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II.

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

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

This protection circuit includes a common line SL which is insulated and orthogonal to the scanning signal line GL,
L includes a first nonlinear element NR1 and a second nonlinear element NR2 interposed between the scanning signal line GL and the common line SL.

The insulation between the scanning signal line GL and the common line SL is provided by a 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 positions slightly shifted from the conductive film d1. A laminate is formed. The reason why the stacked body is formed so as to be shifted from the conductive film d1 is to connect the conductive film d1 and the SL formed later.

The SL is connected to d1 and formed on the upper surface of one side of the laminate to form one electrode of the nonlinear element. The other electrode is formed on the upper surface of the other side of the laminate, and this electrode is formed so as to extend as it is and overlap the scanning signal line GL.

The portion of the scanning signal line GL on which the electrodes are superimposed is a portion serving as a power supply terminal for anodizing the surface of the scanning signal line GL, and is a region on the surface where no AOF is formed. ing.

FIG. 19B shows an equivalent circuit of the first nonlinear element having such a configuration.

The second nonlinear element has the same configuration as that of the first nonlinear element except that the electrode connected to the conductive film d1 is reversed.

Although an electrostatic protection circuit for protecting the video signal line DL from electrostatic protection is not shown, it has substantially the same configuration as the above.

Note that an end 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 of d1 made of an ITO film. This is to prevent electrolytic corrosion.

In this case, g1 of the scanning signal line GL and d.
1 has large contact resistance, and to avoid this, d2
In this configuration, g1 and d1 are connected to each other via a laminated film of d1 and d3.

<< Configuration near the Driver Chip Mounting Portion >> FIG. 2
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.

The input terminals of the driver chips IC1 and IC2 have terminals IP extending from external terminals Td disposed 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 in the mounting portion of the IC2, and the wiring SHc is connected to a test terminal via a part of the external terminal Td.

After the inspection using the inspection terminals is completed, if this state is left, this will hinder display driving. Therefore, lines C1-C1 and CT1-CT1 in FIG.
The disconnection process is performed by scanning the laser along one line.

<< Structure of Sealing Material and its Neighborhood >> 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 section.

A part of the annularly formed sealing material is provided with an opening when the sealing material is formed, and the opening is formed after the liquid crystal is sealed through the opening. To be sealed.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are configuration diagrams showing one embodiment of this sealing portion. FIG. 22A is a plan view and FIG.
Is a sectional view taken along the line II, and FIG. 2C is a sectional view taken along the line II-II.

The sealing material SL is formed such that each end of the opening is smoothly bent and extended to the side of the transparent glass substrate. This is for facilitating penetration of the sealant FUS.

In this case, a projection POT is provided on each part of the inner wall surface of the extended sealing material SL so as to prevent the sealing agent FUS from entering. , The adhesion of the sealant FUS to the sealing material is ensured, and the reliability of the liquid crystal sealing is improved.

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

Also in this case, the configuration is such that the reliability of the sealing agent FUS for sealing is sufficiently achieved.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are views showing a comparison of the difference between this part and the conventional one. FIG. 23A shows the conventional configuration, and FIG. 23B shows the configuration of the present embodiment. . In addition,
FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

From this figure, it can be seen that there is a large difference in the sealing shape of the sealing agent FUS, and that the sealing in the present embodiment is more reliable.

In this embodiment, each scanning signal line GL
In order to make the intervals between adjacent scanning signal lines GL the same, the scanning signal lines GL are similarly formed in a zigzag shape in portions other than the openings of the sealing material SL (see FIG. 24). .

FIG. 1 shows a sealing material SL formed in a rectangular shape.
, Ie, the common electrode ITO2 formed on the filter substrate side disposed to face the TFT substrate.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a portion where a conductor AGP1 to be drawn out to the T substrate side is arranged. A conventional configuration is shown in FIG. 25 for comparison.

First, the present embodiment is characterized in that the conductor AGP1 is arranged outside the sealing material SL. Conventionally, the conductor AGP is formed inside the sealing material SL as shown in FIG. 25, and the area of a display unit (substantial display unit as an aggregate of pixels) formed so as to avoid the conductor AGP. This is because the purpose of improving the size has been reduced.

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 those in the related art.

In particular, at the corners of the outside of the sealing material SL, the number of wirings drawn out from the signal lines is small.
The conductor AG is effectively used by utilizing a so-called dead space.
P1 can be arranged.

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

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

Since the conductor according to the present embodiment is formed outside the center line along the running direction of the sealing material SL, the above-described effects can be obtained.

In this embodiment, in addition to the conductor AGP1 provided outside the sealing material SL, a conductor AGP2 (indicated by a dotted-line circle in FIG. 1) is provided inside the sealing material SL. Is also good.

The provision of two conductors AGP in this way is to ensure redundancy. When two conductors AGP are provided inside the sealing material SL in order to ensure redundancy, the area of the display unit must be reduced accordingly.

However, as in this embodiment, one of them is
By arranging the components outside the sealing material SL, the area of the display unit can be increased. This means that the frame area can be reduced when the area of the display unit is the same as that of the related art.

For this purpose, a plurality of conductors AGP
May be arranged outside the sealing material SL.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the alignment film ORI1 and the black matrix BM near the portion where the sealing material SL is formed.

In this embodiment, the width of the shield case SHD covering the edge of the transparent glass substrate SUB2 is reduced in order to make the frame area as small as possible. For this reason,
In addition to the substantial display area, the peripheral area as well as the surrounding area is visually observed, and light from the fluorescent tube LP may leak from this area.

For this reason, the above-described adverse effects are avoided by a configuration in which the black matrix BM is projected to the inside of the rubbing region RUB of the alignment film ORI1.

Embodiment 2 FIG . FIG. 24A is a plan view showing another embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. In addition,
FIG. 24B is a comparative diagram for clarifying a configuration which is a feature of this embodiment.

As is clear from FIG. 24A, the conductor AGP is formed outside the sealing material SL, and the common electrode ITO2 on the filter substrate side is connected to the TFT via the conductor AGP.
The structure of drawing out to the substrate side is the same as that of the first embodiment.

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

In this case, as shown in FIG. 24C, when moisture WAT enters the opposing portion for some reason, the electrolytic corrosion reaction between the common electrode ITO2 and the scanning signal line GL occurs. Is generated, for example, the scanning signal line G
It becomes clear that L is eroded.

Therefore, in this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (A), the common electrode ITO2 is characterized in that the vicinity of the portion connected to the conductor AGP is formed as a pattern that is not arranged 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 section (the area surrounded by the sealing material SL) is extended outside the display section, the extension is performed. The conductor A is formed by providing a bent portion in a portion of the portion.
The common electrode ITO2 is arranged so as to be separated from the GP, thereby preventing a portion of the common electrode ITO2 connected to the conductor AGP from being arranged facing a part of the scanning signal line.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in this drawing, and the pattern of the portion of the common electrode ITO2 connected to the conductor AGP may be modified so as to be opposed to a part of the scanning signal line GL. Needless to say, it may be possible to avoid this.

Such a conductor AGP is usually
Although formed at each of the four corners of the sealing material, the common electrode ITO2 at a portion connected to the conductor AGP is arranged so as not to face the scanning signal line GL or the video signal line DL. Needless to say, it constitutes.

[0161]

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,
A liquid crystal display device having a large display screen while being compact can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIGS. 2A and 2B are completed views of the module of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view as viewed from the front side of the liquid crystal display element PNL, FIG. 2B is a left side view, and FIG. ,
(D) is a front side view, and (E) is a rear side view.

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

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line II of FIG. 2;

5A is a cross section taken along line III-III in FIG.
FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2.

6A is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 2, FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIG.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which a scanning signal line-side flexible printed board and a video signal line-side flexible printed 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 portions 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 the front 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 II of FIG.

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

FIG. 13 is an equivalent circuit illustrating 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 the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 14;

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

19A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG.
(B) is an equivalent circuit thereof.

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

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

FIG. 22A is a plan view showing a configuration near a sealing portion of a sealing material of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, and FIG.
1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

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

FIG. 24 shows a case where the common electrode of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is
It is a figure showing composition of a part pulled out to the T board 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 sectional view showing the vicinity of a sealing material of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is mounted on 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: Flexible printed circuit board on scanning signal line side, FPC
2: Flexible printed circuit board on video signal line side, PCB:
Interface substrate, ITO1: pixel electrode, ITO
2: common electrode, AGP: conductor, GL: scanning signal line, D
L: video signal line.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Tanaka 3300 Hayano Mobara-shi, Chiba Pref.Hitachi, Ltd.Electronic Device Division (72) Inventor Tetsuya Kawamura 3300 Hayano Mobara-shi, Chiba Pref. (72) Inventor Mamoru Hasegawa 3681 Hayano Mobara-shi, Chiba Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pair of transparent substrates opposed to each other, an annular sealing material for sealing liquid crystal disposed between the transparent substrates, and an electrode formed on a liquid crystal side surface of one of the transparent substrates. A conductive layer for leading out to a terminal formed on the liquid crystal side surface of the other transparent substrate, and a signal line extending to the outside of the sealing material on the liquid crystal side surface of the other transparent substrate, at least. In the liquid crystal display device, the conductive layer is formed outside a center line along a running direction of the sealing material, and an electrode formed on a liquid crystal side surface of one of the transparent substrates is formed on the conductive material. A liquid crystal display device, which is configured so as not to be opposed to a signal line in the vicinity of a portion to be connected.