JPH1073803A - Display element device and display element driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display device having a high speed responsiveness and a wide visual field angle characteristic and capable of reducing a burn-in phenomenon and capable of reducing a flicker. SOLUTION: Liquid crystal in which a molecular has the first ferroelectric phase roughly arranged in a first direction 21A and a molecular has the second ferroelectric phase roughly arranged in a second direction 21B and a director has an intermediate oriended state heading a direction being in between the first direction 21A and the second direction according to an impressed voltage 21B is arranged in between substrates. Liquid crystal in which the intersection angle between the first and second directions 21A, 21B is larger than 45 deg. is used in this display element. The transmission axis 23A of a polarizing plate 23 is arranged in the direction inclinded by 22.5 deg. with respect to the intermediate direction 21C between the first and second directions 21A, 21B and the optical axis 24A of a polarizing plate 24 is arranged so as to orthogonally cross with the transmission axis 23A. Then, a fixed first voltage and a second voltage corresponding to a display gradation with which liquid crystals of pixels do not become ferroelectric phases and which are voltages of a range in which the maximum and minimum transmissivities can be obtained are successively impressed on the liquid crystals of respective pixels.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device using a liquid crystal having a ferroelectric phase and a method of driving the display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Instead of a liquid crystal display device using a nematic liquid crystal, which has been widely used, a ferroelectric liquid crystal and an antiferroelectric liquid crystal which are expected to have a high-speed response characteristic and a wide viewing angle characteristic are used. Liquid crystal display devices have been developed. In these liquid crystal display elements, a ferroelectric liquid crystal or an antiferroelectric liquid crystal is interposed between a pair of opposing substrates having electrodes formed on opposing inner surfaces.

In the case of using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, a first alignment stable state in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned in one ferroelectric phase by applying a predetermined voltage of one polarity between opposing electrodes is obtained. By applying a predetermined voltage of the other polarity between the electrodes to drive the liquid crystal molecules utilizing the bistability with the second alignment stable state in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the other ferroelectric phase, the desired state is obtained. Display the image.

[0004] In the case of using an antiferroelectric liquid crystal,
A first type in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented to one ferroelectric phase by applying a predetermined voltage of one polarity between opposing electrodes.
And a second alignment stable state in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the other ferroelectric phase by applying a predetermined voltage of the other polarity between the electrodes, and a reverse alignment state when no electric field is applied. A desired image is displayed by driving using the three stability of the ferroelectric phase and the third orientation stable state.

In these liquid crystal display devices, liquid crystal molecules are
Since the ferroelectric phase or the antiferroelectric phase is oriented in a stable state and a binary display is performed by utilizing the memory effect, it is difficult to perform a gradation display with good reproducibility.

A DHF liquid crystal (Deformed Helical Ferroelectric L
Liquid crystal display devices using iquid crystal) have been proposed. In a DHF liquid crystal display device, a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a short pitch is interposed between substrates in the presence of a helix, and the helix is distorted in accordance with an opposing electric field. The director of the liquid crystal is continuously changed up to the characteristic phase.

Further, recently, an antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device which performs gradation display using an intermediate alignment state of some antiferroelectric liquid crystals has been proposed.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned ferroelectric liquid crystal and antiferroelectric liquid crystal, liquid crystal molecules have a permanent dipole in a direction substantially orthogonal to the molecular long axis. Liquid crystal molecules behave due to a natural interaction. Therefore, the response speed is high, and the change in the director of the liquid crystal moves in a plane parallel to the substrate, so that the viewing angle is widened.

However, since these liquid crystals have spontaneous polarization due to permanent dipoles of the liquid crystal molecules, charges having the opposite polarity to the spontaneous polarization are accumulated on the substrate side, and the interaction with the substrate becomes large. The display burn-in phenomenon occurs in that the liquid crystal molecules cannot behave sufficiently freely in response to the electric field and an image remains as an afterimage.

In the conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element and antiferroelectric liquid crystal element, as a method of reducing the image sticking phenomenon, a driving method of inverting the polarity of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal for each frame or for each line. Proposed. Further, a driving method for applying a compensation pulse having a reverse polarity for each driving pulse has also been proposed.

However, in these methods, the bias of the electric charge cannot be sufficiently eliminated, and the burn-in cannot be eliminated. In addition, there is a problem that flicker occurs because the response of the liquid crystal to the pulse of the positive polarity and the pulse of the opposite polarity is different.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has a high-speed response and a wide viewing angle characteristic, and can further reduce a burn-in phenomenon and reduce flicker. It is an object to provide a driving method.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a display device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a pair of substrates each having electrodes formed on opposing surfaces; A first alignment state indicating a first ferroelectric phase in which liquid crystal molecules are substantially arranged in a first direction according to a first voltage of one polarity applied between the electrodes; A second alignment state indicating a second ferroelectric phase in which liquid crystal molecules are substantially aligned in a second direction in response to a second voltage of the other polarity applied to the first voltage and the second voltage. A liquid crystal exhibiting a ferroelectric phase in which liquid crystal molecules orient the director thereof in a direction between the first direction and the second direction in response to application of an arbitrary third voltage intermediate between The pair of substrates is disposed so that one of the optical axes is in the first and second directions. A pair of polarizing plates disposed in an angle range sandwiched by one of the third directions and the other optical axis being substantially perpendicular or parallel to the one optical axis; Connected, sequentially select each pixel including the liquid crystal between the opposing electrode regions and
The liquid crystal of the selected pixel is changed in the director of the liquid crystal in an angle range narrower than the angle range sandwiched between the first direction and the second direction, and the fixed first drive voltage and the first And a drive unit for applying a drive voltage including a second drive voltage corresponding to a display gradation, which is applied after the application of the drive voltage.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to display the maximum gradation and the minimum gradation without aligning the liquid crystal in the ferroelectric phase. By driving the liquid crystal without aligning the liquid crystal in the ferroelectric phase, a display burn-in phenomenon can be suppressed. In addition, since the display gradation is uniquely determined according to the applied voltage, DC driving can be performed and flicker can be suppressed. Further, by using a liquid crystal exhibiting a ferroelectric phase, high-speed response and wide viewing angle characteristics can be ensured.

Further, since the driving means applies the fixed first driving voltage to the liquid crystal before applying the second driving voltage corresponding to the display gradation, the driving means immediately before applying the second driving voltage. And the alignment state of the liquid crystal becomes substantially constant, and a desired gradation can be stably displayed without being affected by the hysteresis of the optical characteristics.

The driving means may include a third driving voltage having the same absolute value as the first driving voltage but opposite in polarity, or a sum of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage and an absolute value. And a means for applying one of the fourth voltages having the same polarity but opposite polarities before applying the first drive voltage to the liquid crystal of the selected pixel. Further, the driving unit is configured to control the first
A fifth driving voltage having the same absolute value as the driving voltage of the second driving voltage and having the opposite polarity, and a sixth driving voltage having the same absolute value as the second driving voltage and having the opposite polarity being the liquid crystal of the selected pixel. Means for applying the first drive voltage before applying the first drive voltage. According to this configuration, the DC component of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal can be reduced, and deterioration of the liquid crystal can be prevented.

The liquid crystal includes the first direction and the second direction.
Can be used, each having a ferroelectric phase that is oriented at an angle of more than 45 ° with respect to the direction of the liquid crystal. In this case, the driving means controls the director of the liquid crystal by the first direction and the second direction. Approximately 45 within the angle range sandwiched by
A voltage that changes in an angle range of ° can be applied.

The liquid crystal includes the first direction and the second direction.
It is desirable to have a ferroelectric phase which is oriented at an angle of intersection of more than 60 ° with each other. In this case, one of the pair of polarizing plates subtracts 45 ° from the intersection angle from １ ／ of an angle obtained by subtracting 45 ° from the intersection angle with respect to any of the first direction and the second direction. The direction of the optical axis is arranged in the range of the angle. For example, the intersection angle between the first direction and the second direction is approximately 6
At 0 °, the direction of the optical axis is arranged at an angle of approximately 7.5 ° or more and less than 15 ° with respect to either the first direction or the second direction.

The pair of polarizing plates are arranged, for example, such that one of the optical axes is substantially parallel to a direction on one side of the angle range of the director changed by the driving means.

The liquid crystal includes the first direction and the second direction.
May be used, each having a ferroelectric phase oriented at an angle greater than 90 ° with respect to the direction of the liquid crystal. In this case, one of the pair of polarizing plates may be formed, for example, by a method of forming a smectic layer of the liquid crystal. The direction of the optical axis is arranged substantially parallel to the line direction.

The liquid crystal is, for example, substantially parallel to the bisector of the angle formed by the director of the liquid crystal between the first and second directions when no voltage is applied between the opposing electrodes. Composed of antiferroelectric liquid crystals exhibiting an antiferroelectric phase oriented in various directions.

For example, one of the pair of polarizing plates has an optical axis direction within a range of an angle obtained by subtracting 45 ° from the intersection angle with respect to either the first direction or the second direction. Be placed.

The driving means includes, for example, the first and second driving means.
A driving circuit for applying a pulse corresponding to image data for determining a display state of each pixel to the liquid crystal of each pixel after applying the first driving pulse smaller than the absolute value of the voltage of the pixel. I have.

The above display device may be, for example, an active matrix type device or a simple matrix type (passive matrix type) device.

In the case of an active matrix type element, the active element is constituted by a thin film transistor or the like.
In this case, for example, the driving unit includes a gate driving circuit that applies a gate signal to the thin film transistor of each of the pixels to turn on the thin film transistor, and the second driving unit that corresponds to one image data for determining a display state of each of the pixels. And a data drive circuit for applying a pulse having a drive voltage to the liquid crystal of each pixel during each writing period when the thin film transistor is turned on by a gate signal.

In order to achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention
The method for driving a display element according to the aspect of the present invention includes: a pair of substrates each having electrodes formed on opposing surfaces; and a first voltage having one polarity applied between the electrodes and disposed between the pair of substrates. Accordingly, the first liquid crystal molecules are substantially aligned in the first direction.
And a second ferroelectric phase in which liquid crystal molecules are substantially aligned in a second direction in accordance with a second voltage of the other polarity applied between the electrodes. And a third alignment state in which the liquid crystal molecules are oriented with their directors oriented in a third direction substantially coincident with the normal direction of the smectic phase layer when no voltage is applied between the electrodes. And the liquid crystal molecules cause the director to move between the first direction and the second direction in response to application of an arbitrary third voltage intermediate between the first voltage and the second voltage. And a liquid crystal exhibiting a ferroelectric phase that is oriented in the direction of... And the optical axis of one of the substrates is disposed between the pair of substrates. And the other optical axis is substantially equal to the one optical axis. A method for driving a display element, comprising: a pair of polarizers disposed directly or parallel to each other, wherein each pixel sequentially formed by opposing electrodes and the liquid crystal in a region where these electrodes oppose each other is sequentially selected. And a first step of applying a first pulse having a fixed voltage to the liquid crystal of the pixel selected in the selecting step.
And the director of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal of the pixel to which the first pulse is applied in the first driving step in an angle range narrower than an angle range sandwiched by the first direction and the second direction. And applying a second pulse having a voltage corresponding to the display gray scale.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a display element of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transparent substrate on which pixel electrodes and active elements are formed. This display element is of an active matrix type, and as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of transparent substrates (for example, glass substrates) 11 and 12, a liquid crystal 21 disposed between the transparent substrates 11 and 12, and A pair of polarizing plates 23, 2 disposed with the transparent substrates 11, 12 interposed therebetween
4.

In FIG. 1, a lower transparent substrate (hereinafter referred to as a lower substrate) 11 has a pixel electrode 13 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO and a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as a TFT (hereinafter referred to as a TFT) having a source connected to the pixel electrode 13. Thin Film Transisto
r)) 14 are formed in a matrix.

As shown in FIG. 2, a gate line (scanning line) 15 is arranged between rows of the pixel electrodes 13, and a data line (gradation signal line) 16 is arranged between columns of the pixel electrodes 13. The gate electrode of each TFT 14 is connected to a corresponding gate line 15, and the drain electrode is connected to a corresponding data line 16.

The gate line 15 is connected to a row driver 31 and the data line 16 is connected to a column driver 32. The row driver 31 scans the gate line 15 by applying a gate voltage described later. On the other hand, the column driver 32 receives the image data (gradation signal) and applies a data signal corresponding to the image data to the data line 16.

In FIG. 1, an upper transparent substrate (hereinafter referred to as an upper substrate) 12 opposes each pixel electrode 13 of a lower substrate 11 and has a counter (common) electrode 1 to which a reference voltage V0 is applied.
7 are formed. The counter electrode 17 is made of, for example, ITO.
And the like. Alignment films 18 and 19 are provided on the electrode formation surfaces of the lower substrate 11 and the upper substrate 12, respectively. The alignment films 18 and 19 have, for example, a thickness of 2
A horizontal alignment film made of an organic polymer compound such as polyimide of about 5 to 35 nm, and a dispersing force esd of 30 to 50;
The one having a relatively weak polar force esp of about 3 to 20 is used. At least one of the opposing surfaces of the alignment films 18 and 19 is subjected to an alignment process of rubbing once in a direction parallel to and opposite to each other.

The lower substrate 11 and the upper substrate 12 are adhered to each other at the outer peripheral edge thereof via a frame-shaped sealing material 20 to form a liquid crystal cell 25. The spacing between the alignment films 18 and 19 is set to, for example, 1.4 by the sealing material 20 and the gap material 22.
It is regulated at a fixed interval of μm to 2.4 μm. Liquid crystal 2
1 is enclosed in a region surrounded by the substrates 11 and 12 and the sealing material 20.

The molecules of the liquid crystal 21 (hereinafter referred to as liquid crystal molecules)
Has a single helix structure (in the case of ferroelectric liquid crystal) or a double helix structure (in the case of antiferroelectric liquid crystal) in the bulk state, and the gap length of the liquid crystal cell is shorter than the helix pitch. Is sealed in the liquid crystal cell 25 in a state where it is melted. Further, in the liquid crystal 21, each molecule has a spontaneous polarization Ps,
The angle (tilt angle) θ between the cone axis drawn by the molecule and the cone
Liquid crystal composition (ferroelectric liquid crystal or antiferroelectric liquid crystal) having a chiral smectic C phase or a CA phase (SmC * or SmCA *) having a cone angle 2θ larger than 45 ° (preferably 60 ° or more) ).

The horizontal component of the director of the liquid crystal 21 (the average alignment direction of the major axes of the plurality of liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal 21) (the direction projected on the plane parallel to the main surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12) is as follows. It changes continuously according to the applied voltage.

As the liquid crystal having such characteristics, for example, liquid crystal substances I to III having a skeletal structure represented by Chemical Formula 1
Are mixed in proportions of 20% by weight, 40% by weight and 40% by weight, respectively.

[0036]

Embedded image

These liquid crystal compounds are antiferroelectric liquid crystal compounds having an ether-bonded chiral terminal chain and having an optionally fluorine-substituted phenyl ring. In a liquid crystal display device using such an antiferroelectric liquid crystal compound, the threshold value of the electric field induced transition of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is reduced, and the precursor phenomenon appears remarkably. As a result, the liquid crystal 21
Have no definite threshold in their electro-optical properties.

The liquid crystal having such a structure and physical properties has a barrier against potential energy of an antiferroelectric phase and a ferroelectric phase smaller than that of a normal antiferroelectric liquid crystal. In comparison with the above, the order of the antiferroelectric phase is easily disordered, and the phase transition precursor phenomenon is large.
The phase transition precursor phenomenon occurs when the electric field applied to the liquid crystal molecules forming the antiferroelectric phase is gradually increased, and before the phase transition from the antiferroelectric phase to the ferroelectric phase occurs, the liquid crystal element (a pair of The transmission axis of each polarizing plate is orthogonal to each other, and the transmission axis of one of the polarizing plates almost coincides with the normal direction of the smectic layer. It means that the liquid crystal molecules behave before the phase transition. The behavior of the liquid crystal molecules before the phase transition means that the barrier of the potential energy between the antiferroelectric phase and the ferroelectric phase is small.

In the bulk state, such an antiferroelectric liquid crystal has a layer structure and a helical structure of a molecular arrangement, and adjacent liquid crystal molecules are substantially 180 degrees on a virtual cone for each layer.
゜ It has a double helix structure in which the helix is shifted, and the spontaneous polarization is canceled between the liquid crystal molecules of adjacent smectic layers. The antiferroelectric liquid crystal sealed between the substrates 11 and 12 has a gap between the substrates (cell gap of the liquid crystal display element 25) of about 1.5 μ, and one pitch (natural pitch) of a spiral structure of the liquid crystal. Is almost equal to Therefore, the double helical structure of the liquid crystal molecule disappears.

When an electric field is applied to the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, the barrier of the potential energy between the antiferroelectric phase and the ferroelectric phase is small. Molecules behave along the virtual cone according to the strength of the electric field. Therefore, the horizontal component of the director of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal changes continuously according to the applied voltage.

Next, the relationship between the direction of the alignment treatment applied to the alignment films 18 and 19, the optical axes of the polarizing plates 23 and 24, and the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21C denotes an alignment film 18,
19 shows the direction of the alignment treatment performed, and the liquid crystal 21 changes the normal of the layer having the layer structure of the chiral smectic C phase or the CA phase by ± 2 ° when no voltage is applied.
It is oriented toward the direction 21C of the orientation process within a margin of error.

When a voltage lower than the predetermined negative voltage -VS is applied to the liquid crystal 21, the liquid crystal 21 enters the first alignment state (ferroelectric phase), and the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is substantially in the first direction 21A. Becomes When a voltage higher than the predetermined positive voltage + VS is applied to the liquid crystal 21, the liquid crystal 21 enters the second alignment state, and the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is substantially the second direction 21.
B. On the other hand, when the applied voltage is 0, the average orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is almost the normal direction of the smectic phase layer of the liquid crystal, that is, almost the middle direction between the first and second directions 21A and 21B (substantially the orientation). (Direction of processing) 21C.

The deviation angle 2θ between the first direction 21A and the second direction 21B is 45 ° or more, preferably 50 ° or more, more preferably 60 ° or more.

The transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23 is set in an angle range sandwiched between the first direction 21A and the alignment processing direction 21C, and intersects the alignment processing direction 21C at an angle of 45 ° / 2. In this embodiment, it is preferable to set about 22.
The direction is set to 5 °. Transmission axis 24 of polarizing plate 24
A is set in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23. In other words, it is desirable that the optical axis (transmission axis) of one of the polarizing plates be disposed so as to intersect with the layer normal of the smectic layer of the liquid crystal at an angle of half the intersection angle of the optical axes of the pair of polarizing plates.

The transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23 and the first
Is set so as to intersect with the direction 21A at an angle of １ ／ of an angle obtained by subtracting 45 ° from the shift angle 2θ.
That is, when the shift angle 2θ is equal to or greater than 50 °, the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23 and the first direction 21A become 2.5 °.
Or, if the angle is set to intersect at an angle larger than that, and the deviation angle 2θ is 60 ° or more, the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23 and the first direction 21A are 7.5 ° or more. It is preferable to set so as to intersect at a large angle.

As shown in FIG. 3, a display device in which the transmission axes 23A and 24A of the polarizing plates 23 and 24 are set, transmits light when the average alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is set parallel to the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23. Lowest rate (darkest display)
The average alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is determined by the transmission axis 23 of the polarizing plate 23.
The transmittance becomes highest (brightest) when set in a direction 21D at 45 ° to A.

That is, in a state where the average orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented in the direction of the transmission axis 23A, the linearly polarized light that has passed through the polarizing plate 23 on the incident side is hardly affected by the polarization action of the liquid crystal 21, and The light passes through the layer of the liquid crystal 21 as it is, and is absorbed by the polarizing plate 24 whose transmission axis 24A is set in the perpendicular direction, and the display becomes dark.

On the other hand, in a state where the average orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented at 45 ° with respect to the transmission axis 23A, the linearly polarized light passing through the polarizing plate 23 on the incident side is
Changes the state of polarization (circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light) due to the birefringent action of. A component of the polarized light parallel to the transmission axis 24A of the output side polarizing plate 24 passes through the polarizing plate 24 and is output. Therefore, the display becomes the brightest.

In other orientation states, the light changes depending on the orientation state and becomes polarized light due to the birefringence action according to the orientation state. A component of the polarized light parallel to the transmission axis 24A of the output side polarizing plate 24 passes through the polarizing plate 24 and is output. Therefore, the display has a brightness according to the orientation state.

The orientation of the liquid crystal molecules changes according to the voltage applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the transmittance when a relatively low frequency (about 0.1 Hz) sawtooth voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17 changes continuously.

Since this display element is of the active matrix type, it is possible to hold a voltage for maintaining the liquid crystal 21 in an arbitrary alignment state even during the non-selection period.
Therefore, the display element having the above structure can perform gradation display by changing the transmittance.

The transmittance of this liquid crystal element is a minimum of 45 ° when the director of the liquid crystal is parallel to the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23.
It becomes maximum when crossing at. The display element can be driven without aligning the liquid crystal 21 in the first and second alignment states by using the display element in the alignment state in which the transmittance indicates Tmin and Tmax. The first and second alignment states are states in which all molecules in the liquid crystal layer exhibit a ferroelectric phase in which the molecules are completely aligned in the same direction. Charges due to spontaneous polarization are likely to be held, making it difficult for the molecules to be inverted. , Easy to burn.

However, if the liquid crystal molecules are not aligned completely and do not exhibit a ferroelectric phase, charges due to spontaneous polarization hardly accumulate on the inner surfaces of the substrates 11 and 12. Also,
Inversion of liquid crystal molecules is likely to occur with non-aligned molecules as nuclei, and burn-in is reduced. That is, the drive voltage applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17 is VTmax and VTm.
By changing the in-range, the liquid crystal 21 can be driven without using a ferroelectric phase, and a continuous gradation can be displayed on the liquid crystal display element.

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The display element of this embodiment is
Driving can be performed by applying a voltage corresponding to the transmittance to be displayed between the electrodes between VTmax and VTmin during the selection period of each pixel. However, with such a simple driving method, when the liquid crystal 21 has a large hysteresis in the electro-optical characteristics indicating the change in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage, the display gradation with respect to the applied voltage cannot be uniquely determined.

In this embodiment, the driving method shown in FIG. 5 is employed. 5A shows a gate signal applied by the row driver 31 to the gate line 15 of an arbitrary row, and FIG. 5B shows a data signal applied to each data line 16 by the column driver 32 in synchronization with the gate signal. Show. FIG.
FIG. 5C shows a change in transmittance when the data signal shown in FIG. 5B is applied.

During the selection period TS, when the gate pulse is turned on, the TFT 14 in the selected row is turned on. The data pulse applied to each data line 16 from the column driver 32 is applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17 via the turned-on TFT 14. The data pulse includes a setting pulse VH applied in the time slot t1 for aligning the liquid crystal molecules in a predetermined alignment state, and a reset pulse VL applied in the time slot t2 for canceling a DC component of the setting pulse. , A gradation pulse VD corresponding to the display gradation applied in the time slot t3.

When the gate pulse turns off, the TFT 14 turns off. When the TFT 14 is turned off, the voltage of the gradation pulse VD applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17 is changed to the voltage of the liquid crystal 21 between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17.
And is held in the pixel capacitance formed by For this reason,
As shown in FIG. 5C, the display gradation corresponding to the hold voltage is held until the next selection period of this row. Therefore,
According to this driving method, an arbitrary gradation image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display element having the above configuration by controlling the voltage of the data pulse. Moreover, the reset pulse VL
Is applied, unnecessary DC components applied to the liquid crystal 21 can be canceled. For this reason, the substrate 11,
The electric charges are not accumulated on the inner surface of the liquid crystal 12 and the inversion of the liquid crystal molecules does not easily occur, and the burn-in of the display can be reduced.

Next, an example of the configuration of the column driver 32 for driving the display element by the driving method shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Column driver 32 for realizing the driving method of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, a first sample and hold circuit 41, a second sample and hold circuit 42, an A / D
It comprises an (analog / digital) converter 43, a voltage data generation circuit 44, a timing circuit 45, a multiplexer 46, and a voltage conversion circuit 47.

The first sample and hold circuit 41 samples and holds a signal component (one image data) VD 'of a corresponding pixel in image data supplied from the outside. The second sample and hold circuit 42 samples and holds the hold signal VD ′ output from the first sample and hold circuit 41. A / D converter 43
Is the hold signal V of the second sample and hold circuit 42
D ′ is converted from analog to digital to digital gradation data DG. The voltage data generation circuit 44 generates setting pulse data DH corresponding to the setting pulse VH and reset pulse data DL corresponding to the reset pulse VL.

The timing circuit 45 supplies a timing control signal to the first and second sample-and-hold circuits 41 and 42 and forms a selection period (a period during which a gate pulse is ON) TS of each pixel row. Timing signals T1, T2 in two time slots t1, t2, t3, respectively.
2. Turn on T3. In response to the timing signals T1 to T3, the multiplexer 46 resets the reset pulse data DL, the set pulse data DH,
The digital gradation data DG from the A / D converter 43 are sequentially selected and output.

The voltage conversion circuit 47 includes a multiplexer 46
Is converted into the high voltage of the driving system and output to the data line. That is, the voltage conversion circuit 47 sets the reset pulse data DL to the reset pulse VL, the set pulse data DH to the set pulse VH, and the digital gradation data DG
Is converted into a write voltage VD for displaying a gradation designated by the image data, and is output to the data line 16. The voltage conversion circuit 47 separates the power supply system of the signal processing system and the power supply system of the drive system. The drive voltages VL, VH, and VD output from the voltage conversion circuit 47 are respectively set to the pixel electrodes 13 in the time slots t1, t2, and t3 in the writing period in which the TFT 14 in the corresponding row is on.
And is applied to the liquid crystal 21. While the TFT 14 is off, the write voltage VD applied in the time slot t3 is held between the pixel electrode 13 and the counter electrode 17.

The first sample and hold circuit 41, the second sample and hold circuit 42, and the A / D converter 43
, A multiplexer 46 and a voltage conversion circuit 47 are arranged for each column of pixels, and the timing circuit 44 and the voltage data generation circuit 44 are commonly arranged for a plurality of columns.

The structure of the column driver 32 for realizing the driving method shown in FIG. 5 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. For example, a sample and hold circuit included in the A / D converter 43 may be used as the second sample and hold circuit 42. Further, after performing a certain process on the output data of the A / D converter 43, the processed data may be supplied to the multiplexer 46. Further, the output data of the multiplexer 46 may be once converted into a gradation signal having a voltage of a signal processing system, and then converted into a voltage of a driving system by a voltage conversion circuit. Further, various timing signals may be supplied from outside the column driver 32. Further, the image data itself may be constituted by digital data. Various timing signals may be supplied from outside the column driver 32.

By the method of driving the liquid crystal display element shown in FIG. 5, even when the electro-optical characteristics of the liquid crystal 21 have a large hysteresis, the display gradation corresponding to the data pulse is uniquely determined. However, when only the image of the maximum (bright) or minimum (dark) gradation is continuously displayed for a long time, a display burning phenomenon may occur due to the DC component of the image signal corresponding to the data pulse. On the other hand, when the reset pulse VL is a voltage having the opposite polarity to the sum of the setting pulse VH and the gradation pulse VD, the voltage of the reset pulse becomes too large, and the liquid crystal 21 may exhibit a ferroelectric phase.

Therefore, in order to deal with such a problem,
As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the grayscale pulse V in the time slot t0 before the application of the reset pulse VL.
What is necessary is just to apply the compensation pulse -VD having a voltage having the same absolute value of the voltage as that of D and having the opposite polarity. However, in this four-pulse driving method, the order of applying the reset pulse VL and the compensation pulse -VD may be reversed.

Next, an example of the configuration of the column driver 32 for driving the display elements by the driving method shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The column driver 32 that realizes this driving method includes:
The column driver 32 shown in FIG. 6 includes an A / D (analog / digital) converter 43 ′, a timing circuit 45 ′,
The configuration of the multiplexer 46 'is different.

The A / D converter 43 ′ converts the hold signal VD ′ output from the second sample / hold circuit 42 from analog to digital, and outputs digital grayscale data DG.
Convert to Further, it outputs compensation data -DG having the same absolute value as the digital gradation data DG and having the opposite polarity.

The timing circuit 45 'supplies a timing control signal to the first and second sample and hold circuits 41 and 42, and also includes three selection periods (periods during which the gate pulse is ON) TS of each row. Time slot t
At timings 0, t1, t2, and t3, the timing signals T0,
T1, T2, and T3 are turned on. Multiplexer 46 '
Is, in response to the timing signals T0 to T3, within each selection period TS, the compensation data -DG from the A / D converter 43 ′.
, Reset pulse data DL, and set pulse data D
H and the digital gradation data DG from the A / D converter 43 'are sequentially selected and output.

The driving method according to the present invention is not limited to the method shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. For example,
In the example of FIG. 5, three pulses (reset pulse, setting pulse, and gradation pulse) are sequentially applied during the writing period in which each TFT 14 is turned on.
And only the gradation pulse VD may be applied. Although the reset pulse VL and the setting pulse VH are pulses having opposite polarities and the same absolute value of the voltage, the reset pulse VL may have a polarity opposite to the sum of the voltages of the setting pulse VH and the gradation pulse VD. Further, the setting pulse may be VL and the reset pulse may be VH. Further, the 0th to 3rd time slots t0 to t3 do not need to have the same length, but may have different lengths.

As described above, according to the above-described display device and the driving method shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, the gradation from the lowest gradation to the maximum gradation can be obtained without aligning the liquid crystal 21 in the ferroelectric phase. An arbitrary gradation image can be displayed by continuously changing the gradation image. In the ferroelectric phase, the direction of the spontaneous polarization PS of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned, so that image burn-in easily occurs. In the method of driving the liquid crystal display element of this embodiment, the spontaneous polarization PS does not completely match. Therefore, display burn-in hardly occurs, and a high-quality image can be displayed.

The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment has a liquid crystal 2
Since the liquid crystal of the chiral smectic phase having the spontaneous polarization PS is used as 1, the response speed is fast and the viewing angle is wide. The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment can be driven by a direct current. The liquid crystal display element of this embodiment is different from a case where two voltages having different polarities are applied to one gray scale as in the case of AC driving, and one voltage (the same polarity) is applied to one gray scale. Since the voltage is applied, flicker can be reduced.

When the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is driven by the driving method shown in FIG. 5 or FIG.
Is the setting pulse V applied in the time slot t2.
It is oriented to a substantially constant state by H. Therefore, even when the electro-optical characteristics of the liquid crystal 21 have hysteresis,
The display gradation corresponding to the gradation pulse VD is uniquely determined.
In particular, when the liquid crystal display element is driven by the driving method shown in FIG. 7, the DC component of the gradation pulse VD can be canceled out, so that even when a bright or dark image is displayed continuously, the display is printed. The phenomenon can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, when the liquid crystal is driven in a smaller angle range than the maximum angle range in which the director of the liquid crystal changes due to the electric field, the liquid crystal can be prevented from being in the ferroelectric phase, and the liquid crystal molecules can be changed to the ferroelectric phase. If the liquid crystal is driven without being oriented, it may be driven in an angle range in which the deflection angle of the liquid crystal director does not reach 45 °. However, in this case, the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to obtain the maximum contrast, it is preferable to drive the director of the liquid crystal at a deflection angle of 45 ° within a range not in the ferroelectric phase. When the director of the liquid crystal is driven so as not to be in a ferroelectric phase within the angle range of 45 °, the transmission axis of one polarizing plate is within the range of the shift angle 2θ of the liquid crystal having an angle range larger than 45 °. Among them, the direction can be set to any direction except the direction of the director which becomes the ferroelectric phase. For example, when the shift angle 2θ of the liquid crystal is 60 ° or more, the first
The angle obtained by subtracting 45 ° from the intersection angle with respect to either the direction
The direction of the optical axis is arranged in a range of angles obtained by subtracting 5 °. For example, when the shift angle 2θ is 60 °, the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23 is set to an angle range of 7.5 ° or more and less than 15 ° from the first direction 21A, and the transmission axis 24A of the polarizing plate 24 is transmitted. The liquid crystal 21 is set to be orthogonal or parallel to the axis 23A, and the director of the liquid crystal 21 is
The driving may be performed between the direction of A and the direction inclined by 45 ° with respect to this direction.

Further, for example, a liquid crystal having a shift angle 2θ of 90 ° or more may be used. In this case, for example, the polarizing plate 23
May be set in the normal direction of the smectic layer, and the transmission axis 24A of the polarizing plate 24 may be set to be orthogonal or parallel to the transmission axis 23A.

In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal 2
Although the liquid crystal 21 is sealed in the liquid crystal cell 25 in a state where the spiral structure of FIG. 1 is released, the liquid crystal 21 may be sealed in the liquid crystal cell while maintaining the spiral structure. Also in this case, a liquid crystal having the basic structure shown in Chemical Formula 1 can be used.

The liquid crystal 21 has a cone angle 2θ of 45 °.
It is also possible to use the DHF (Deformed Helical Ferroelectric) liquid crystal described above. The DHF liquid crystal is a liquid crystal having a helical pitch sufficiently smaller than the substrate interval, having spontaneous polarization, and exhibiting a ferroelectric phase, and is sealed between the substrates 11 and 12 while maintaining a helical structure of liquid crystal molecules.

When a voltage having one polarity and an absolute value equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied, the DHF liquid crystal becomes a first ferroelectric phase in which a spiral is released, and the liquid crystal molecules move in the first direction 21 shown in FIG.
A is almost oriented. When a voltage having the other polarity and the absolute value of which is equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied, the DHF liquid crystal becomes a second ferroelectric phase in which the spiral is unwound, and the liquid crystal molecules are substantially oriented in the second direction 21B shown in FIG. .

When an intermediate voltage is applied, the helical structure drawn by the liquid crystal molecules is distorted in accordance with the applied voltage, and the average direction of the major axes of the liquid crystal molecules is changed to the first direction 21A and the second direction 21B. Are set in an intermediate orientation state in an arbitrary direction.

For this reason, even in a liquid crystal display device using a DHF liquid crystal, when a pair of polarizing plates are arranged as shown in FIG. 3 and the applied voltage is changed, the transmittance changes as shown in FIG. Therefore, even when a DHF liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal 21, the applied voltage is controlled between VTmin and VTmax so that the liquid crystal 21 does not exhibit a ferroelectric phase, and the director of the liquid crystal 21 is controlled by the transmission axis 23A and the transmission axis 23A. Direction 2 at 45 ° to
By controlling between 1D, display burn-in and the like can be prevented, and the maximum gradation width can be displayed.

The transmission axis 24A of the polarizing plate 24 and the transmission axis 23A of the polarizing plate 23 may be set in parallel. In this case, the gray scale of the displayed image is opposite between the light and dark cases described above. The polarizing plates 23 and 24 may use an absorption axis instead of a transmission axis.

The present invention is also applicable to a color liquid crystal display device that displays a full-color image by arranging a color filter that selectively transmits only light of each wavelength component of red, green, and blue in a predetermined order.

Further, the present invention is not limited to a display element using a TFT as an active element, but a MIM (Metal Insulator Meta).
The present invention is also applicable to a display element having l) as an active element. Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, a scanning electrode 71 is provided on each opposing surface of opposing substrates 11 and 12,
The present invention is also applicable to a simple matrix type (passive matrix type) display element in which a signal electrode 72 orthogonal to the scanning electrode 71 is arranged. The present invention is also applicable to a liquid crystal display element driven by static driving.

[0084]

EXAMPLES An antiferroelectric liquid crystal composition having the physical properties shown in Table 1 was prepared using a liquid crystal compound having a basic skeleton represented by Chemical Formula 1, and this liquid crystal composition was used and shown in FIGS. A comparison between a driving method (one-pulse driving method) in which a display element having a configuration is formed and one voltage corresponding to a display gradation is applied during a selection period of each pixel and a driving method shown in FIG. 5 (three-pulse driving method) An experiment was performed.

[0085]

Table 1 Cone angle (2θ) [°]: 60 ISO-SA transition temperature [° C.]: 85 SA-SCA * Transition temperature [° C.]: 70 ° or lower measured temperature [° C.]: 25 spontaneous polarization (PS ) [Nc / cm2]: 250 Tilt angle (θ) [°]: 30

In this experiment, one of the polarizing plates of the display element was arranged so that its transmission axis was inclined by 22.5 ° with respect to the normal of the layer having the layer structure having the smectic phase (smectic layer). The polarizing plate was arranged so that its transmission axis was perpendicular to the transmission axis of one of the polarizing plates.

Next, the selection period of each pixel is 60 μsec, １ ／
This liquid crystal display element was driven at a duty of 20 for each of the one-pulse driving method and the three-pulse driving method as described below. In the one-pulse driving method, a pulse voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the common electrode 17 from +5 V to −
The voltage is applied in increments of 0.5 V to 5 V, and the transmittance at each pulse voltage is measured. When the measurement of the transmittance up to -5 V is completed, on the contrary, a pulse voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the common electrode 17 from -5 V to +5 V in 0.5 V steps.
The transmittance at each set pulse voltage is measured.

In the three-pulse driving method, during each selection period, a pulse of −5 V and a pulse of +5 V are applied between the pixel electrode 13 and the common electrode 17 for 20 μsec, and then a set pulse is applied. The setting pulse ranges from + 5V to -5V.
The transmittance at each set pulse voltage is measured while changing at intervals of 5 V. When the measurement of the transmittance at the pulse voltage up to −5 V is completed, the pixel electrode 13 and the common electrode 17
A pulse voltage is applied between −5 V and +5 V in steps of 0.5 V, and the transmittance at each pulse voltage is measured.

FIG. 10A shows the electro-optical characteristics of the liquid crystal display element by the one-pulse driving method, and FIG. 10B shows the electro-optical characteristics by the three-pulse driving method. FIG.
As shown in (A), hysteresis is generated by the one-pulse driving method. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, by using the three-pulse driving method, the effect of hysteresis can be reduced, and stable gradation display can be performed.

It should be noted that even when the liquid crystal display element is driven by a four-pulse driving method in which a compensation pulse -VD is applied in addition to the gradation pulse VD, the setting pulse VH, and the reset pulse VL shown in FIG. Almost the same results as in the driving method can be obtained. Further, even when the liquid crystal display element is driven by the two-pulse driving method in which only the setting pulse VH is applied in addition to the gradation pulse VD, substantially the same result as in the above-described three-pulse driving method can be obtained.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the liquid crystal is driven without using a ferroelectric phase, a display element with less display burn-in due to spontaneous polarization can be obtained. In addition, a wide viewing angle and high-speed response can be obtained.

Further, since a fixed voltage is applied before applying a voltage corresponding to the display gradation, the display gradation must be uniquely determined even when there is a large hysteresis in the electro-optical characteristics of the liquid crystal. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a structure of a display element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a lower substrate of the display element shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a transmission axis of a polarizing plate and an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an applied voltage of a liquid crystal and transmittance.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a waveform of a voltage applied to a pixel by a method of driving a display element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a column driver for realizing the driving method shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a waveform of a voltage applied to a pixel by a method of driving a display element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a column driver for realizing the driving method illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing another example of the structure of the display element according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A shows optical characteristics according to a one-pulse driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B shows optical characteristics according to a three-pulse driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: transparent substrate (lower substrate), 12: transparent substrate (upper substrate), 13: pixel electrode, 14: active element (TF
T), 15: gate line (scan line), 16: data line (gradation signal line), 17: counter electrode, 1
8 ... alignment film, 19 ... alignment film, 20 ... sealing material, 21.
..Liquid crystal, 22 gap material, 23 polarizing plate (lower polarizing plate), 24 polarizing plate (upper polarizing plate), 31 row driver, 32 column driver, 41 ... Sample-hold circuit, 42 Sample-hold circuit, 43 A / D converter, 44 Voltage data generation circuit, 45 Timing circuit, 46 Multiplexer, 47 ... Voltage conversion circuits

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoru Satorita 5 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hachioji Research Laboratory at 2951 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A pair of substrates each having an electrode formed on an opposing surface, and a liquid crystal molecule disposed between the pair of substrates, wherein liquid crystal molecules are formed in response to a first voltage of one polarity applied between the electrodes. The liquid crystal molecules are substantially aligned in the second direction according to the first alignment state indicating the first ferroelectric phase substantially aligned in the first direction and the second voltage of the other polarity applied between the electrodes. In response to application of a second orientation state indicative of a second ferroelectric phase and application of an arbitrary third voltage intermediate between the first voltage and the second voltage, the liquid crystal molecules change the director of the first ferroelectric phase to the first voltage. A liquid crystal exhibiting a ferroelectric phase oriented in a direction between the first direction and the second direction; and a liquid crystal arranged between the pair of substrates, one of the optical axes being in the first and second directions. And the third direction is installed in an angle range sandwiched by the third direction and the other optical axis. A pair of polarizers respectively arranged substantially perpendicularly or parallel to the optical axis of, and sequentially connected to the electrodes, and sequentially selecting each pixel including the liquid crystal between the opposing electrode region and the selected pixel, Applying a fixed first drive voltage and the first drive voltage to the liquid crystal while changing the director of the liquid crystal in an angle range narrower than the angle range sandwiched by the first direction and the second direction. And a driving means for applying a driving voltage including a second driving voltage corresponding to a display gradation, the liquid crystal device exhibiting a ferroelectric phase. 2. The driving means according to claim 1, wherein said driving means has a third driving voltage having the same absolute value as said first driving voltage and opposite polarity, or a sum of said first driving voltage and said second driving voltage. 2. The liquid crystal display according to claim 1, further comprising: means for applying one of the fourth drive voltages having the same absolute value and opposite polarities before applying the first drive voltage to the liquid crystal of the selected pixel. 3. The display element device according to item 1. 3. The driving means comprises: a fifth driving voltage having the same absolute value as the first driving voltage and opposite in polarity;
Means for applying a sixth drive voltage having the same absolute value and opposite polarity to the sixth drive voltage before applying the first drive voltage to the liquid crystal of the selected pixel. The display device according to claim 1. 4. The liquid crystal has a ferroelectric phase in which an intersection angle between the first direction and the second direction is oriented at an angle larger than 45 °. The display according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a voltage that changes in an angle range of approximately 45 ° within an angle range sandwiched between the first direction and the second direction is applied. Element device. 5. One of said pair of polarizing plates is at an angle of 45 ° with respect to any one of said first and second directions.
From the half of the angle after subtracting °, 45 ° from the intersection angle
5. The display element device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the optical axis is arranged in a range of an angle obtained by subtracting. 6. The liquid crystal has a ferroelectric phase in which an intersection angle between the first direction and the second direction is oriented at an angle larger than approximately 60 °, and one of the pair of polarizing plates includes: The direction of the optical axis is arranged at an angle of about 7.5 ° or more with respect to any one of the first direction and the second direction. 3. The display element device according to item 1. 7. The pair of polarizers, wherein one of the optical axes is disposed substantially parallel to a direction on one side of an angle range of the director that is changed by the driving unit. The display element device according to claim 1. 8. The liquid crystal has a ferroelectric phase in which an intersection angle between the first direction and the second direction is oriented at an angle larger than 90 °, and one of the pair of polarizing plates includes: The display element device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a direction of an optical axis of the liquid crystal smectic layer is substantially parallel to a normal direction of the smectic layer. 9. The liquid crystal according to claim 1, wherein when a voltage is not applied between opposing electrodes, the liquid crystal director is substantially parallel to a bisector of an angle formed between the first direction and the second direction. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal exhibiting an antiferroelectric phase oriented in a direction. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said driving means applies image data for determining a display state of each of said pixels after applying said first driving voltage smaller than an absolute value of said first and second voltages. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a drive circuit that applies a voltage to the liquid crystal of each of the pixels. 11. A pair of substrates, one of which has a pixel electrode and active elements connected to the pixel electrode arranged in a matrix, and the other of which has a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The display element device according to any one of the above. 12. The active element is formed of a thin film transistor, wherein the driving means applies a gate signal to the thin film transistor of each pixel to turn on the thin film transistor, and determines a display state of each pixel. A data drive circuit that applies a pulse having the second drive voltage corresponding to one image data to the liquid crystal of each pixel during each writing period when the thin film transistor is turned on by a gate signal. The display element device according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The pair of substrates includes one substrate on which a scanning electrode is formed, and the other substrate on which a signal electrode extending in a direction perpendicular to the scanning electrode is formed. Claims 1 to 10
The display element device according to any one of the above. 14. A pair of substrates each having an electrode formed on an opposing surface, and a liquid crystal molecule disposed between the pair of substrates, wherein liquid crystal molecules are formed in response to a first voltage of one polarity applied between the electrodes. The liquid crystal molecules are substantially aligned in the second direction according to a first alignment state indicating a first ferroelectric phase substantially aligned in one direction and a second voltage of the other polarity applied between the electrodes. Second
And the liquid crystal molecules direct their directors in a third orientation that is substantially the same as the normal direction of the smectic phase layer when no voltage is applied between the electrodes. And a third alignment state in which the first alignment is performed.
The liquid crystal molecules orient the director in a direction between the first direction and the second direction in response to application of an arbitrary third voltage intermediate between the first voltage and the second voltage. A liquid crystal exhibiting a dielectric phase is disposed so as to sandwich the pair of substrates, and one of the optical axes is set in an angle range sandwiched by one of the first and second directions and the third direction. And a pair of polarizing plates, the other optical axis of which is disposed substantially perpendicular or parallel to the one optical axis, respectively, wherein the opposing electrode and these electrodes are mutually A selecting step of sequentially selecting each pixel formed by the liquid crystal in the opposing region; and a first driving step of applying a first pulse having a fixed voltage to the liquid crystal of the pixel selected in the selecting step. And the first driving step The director of the liquid crystal is changed in the liquid crystal of the pixel to which the first pulse is applied in an angle range narrower than the angle range sandwiched by the first direction and the second direction, and corresponds to a display gradation. A second driving step of applying a second pulse having a voltage.