JPH11109325A - Liquid crystal display device and manufacture of optical compensating member to be used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a liquid crystal display device that has less coloring in a wide angle of visibility and that excels in 1 display quality by specifying for example the orientation direction in the plural orientation areas of a first optical compensating member. SOLUTION: The optical compensating member 1 contains an optical anisotropy layer 14 having a compound that changes in the thickness direction an angle inclined against the plane in accordance with the orientation of the member. In addition, with an area A, B similarly set corresponding to the liquid crystal intermediary layer area A, B of a liquid crystal panel 2, and in the case of the area A, the optical compensating member 1 adjacent to the opposite side substrate 21 is designed to have the orientation in the same direction as that of the oriented film 23 of the liquid crystal panel 2; the optical compensation member 1' adjacent to an active matrix substrate 24 is designed to have the orientation in the same direction as that of the oriented film 26 of the liquid crystal panel 2; both orientation directions are different by 180 deg. and, in the case of the area B, both directions are also different by 180 deg.. Moreover, the polarizing transmission axis and the rubbing direction of a polarizing transmission plate 3, 3' are arranged so that they are parallel or vertical to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a display medium of various devices such as a monitor of a desktop personal computer, a notebook computer, a liquid crystal television, a display of a car navigation, a display for avionics, a machine tool, and a display section of a home appliance. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device to be used and a method for manufacturing an optical compensation member used for the same, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device with improved display viewing angle and display quality and a method for manufacturing an optical compensation member that contributes to these improvements.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid crystal display device is provided with an optical compensating member for improving a display viewing angle and a display quality. An example of the optical compensating member is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-50206, and its configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

[0003] The optical compensation member 101 comprises a film-like substrate 1
12, an alignment film 113, and an optically anisotropic layer 114, and a discotic nematic orientated, polymerizable discotic compound 11 constituting the optically anisotropic layer 114 is formed on the alignment film 1.
13 has a hybrid-oriented and fixed structure that is continuously inclined from the surface toward the thickness direction. 1
Numeral 5 indicates the orientation direction of the alignment film 113. In the discotic compound 11 which is close to the alignment film 113, X
The principal refractive indices in the axial direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are each n
When represented as x, ny, nz, as shown in FIG.
1 rotates so as to be inclined with respect to the surface of the alignment film 113 as the distance from the alignment film 113 increases. More specifically, the tilt angle of the discotic compound 11 is continuously increased in the thickness direction of the optical compensation member 101.
This optical compensating member has a structure in which the optical axis is inclined with respect to the surface of the optical compensating member from a macro perspective. The optical compensation member 101 is, for example, a film base 1
An optically anisotropic layer can be obtained by applying an alignment film 113 to the substrate 12, subjecting it to an alignment treatment, forming a liquid crystalline discotic compound thereon, and performing a fixing treatment to form an optically anisotropic layer.

As shown in FIG. 6, the optical compensating member 101 has a principal refractive index n2 in the X-axis direction parallel to the surface of the optical compensating member 101 in a macroscopic view,
It has an optically anisotropic layer 114 in which the main refractive indices n3 and n1 in the Z-axis direction are inclined, respectively, and its in-plane orientation is uniform over the entire area of the board. The film-like substrate 112 has a main refractive index nx, ny, nz in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction with respect to the board surface in a relationship of nx = ny> nz.

A conventional example of a liquid crystal display device using such an optical compensation member 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The orientation film 126 of the active matrix side substrate 124 constituting the liquid crystal panel 102 has a uniform orientation direction in the plane, and a portion having a pretilt angle α and a portion having a pretilt β (α> β) are defined as pixel regions. Is formed partially. The orientation direction of the orientation film 123 of the opposing substrate 121 is also the same in the plane, has a uniform pretilt angle γ, and has a relationship of α>γ> β. Further, the orientation directions of the active matrix side substrate 124 and the opposite side substrate 121 cross each other at an angle of about 90 degrees.

With the above configuration, two adjacent areas A, corresponding to each pixel area of the liquid crystal panel 102,
In B, the orientations of the liquid crystal molecules 27 in the intermediate region of the liquid crystal layer are set to be opposite to each other. In addition, 125 is a pixel electrode, and 122 is a counter electrode.

With respect to the liquid crystal panel 102, an optical compensating member 1 is provided outside the opposite side substrate 121 side (viewing side) and the active matrix substrate side 124 side (backlight side).
01 and 101 'are provided respectively. The optical compensating members 101 and 101 ′ are arranged in a discotic nematic orientation constituting the optically anisotropic layer, and an alignment film 113 having an array of discotic compounds 11 having polymerizability applied to the surface of a film substrate 112. Is performed by imparting an orientation and a pretilt angle by rubbing.

As shown in FIG. 7, the optical compensating members 101 and 101 ′ have an alignment direction in the liquid crystal panel 1 during the alignment process.
The orientation directions of the orientation film 123 of the opposing substrate 121 and the orientation film 126 of the active matrix substrate 124 are the same. Note that, in this figure, the arrow 15 indicates the orientation direction. The transmission axes of the polarizing plates 103 and 103 'located outside the optical compensation members 101 and 101' are the same as the alignment directions of the alignment films 123 and 126, as indicated by arrows. .

With this configuration, the liquid crystal panel 1
2. To reduce coloring, gradation inversion, and the like of a display image when the liquid crystal display device is viewed from an oblique direction, which is generated from a molecular arrangement near the alignment film in which the liquid crystal molecules 27 and 27 ′ in 02 form a pretilt angle. And achieves a wider viewing angle.

[0010]

However, it has been difficult for this liquid crystal display device to have a sufficiently wide viewing angle and to reduce coloration. It is the alignment film 12
6 and 123 are in the same direction in the plane, and FIG.
As shown in (a), since the alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer regions in the alignment regions A and B in each pixel are different, the optical compensation member having a uniform in-plane alignment state. 101 and 101 ′, because they can cope with the pretilt angle or the orientation direction of one area, but cannot fully cope with the pretilt angle or the orientation direction of the other area, and the retardation cannot be sufficiently compensated. It is possible for the inventor. In this configuration, the quality of the displayed image is degraded.

As a conventional liquid crystal display device, as shown in FIG. 4B, an alignment film 2 is formed in each pixel in a liquid crystal panel 202.
26 and 223 are known in which the rubbing directions are made different so that the orientation directions are made different. This is the LCD panel 20
In the alignment film of the active matrix side substrate 224 constituting No. 2, the split alignment processing is performed so that the alignment direction differs by 180 degrees between the adjacent alignment regions A and B for each pixel region. On the other hand, the alignment film of the opposite substrate 221 was similarly subjected to the split alignment process so that the alignment direction differs by 180 degrees between the adjacent alignment regions A and B for each pixel region. The substrates 221 and 224 face each other with the alignment treatment surfaces sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, and are bonded together so that the alignment directions of the alignment regions are orthogonal to each other. The liquid crystal panel 2 thus configured
02, the polarizing plate 203 is arranged such that the polarization transmission axis is parallel to the orientation direction of the opposite substrate 221. On the backlight side of the liquid crystal panel 202, the orientation direction of the active matrix substrate 224 is aligned. The configuration was such that a polarizing plate 203 ′ whose polarization transmission axis was aligned so as to be parallel was provided.

In this liquid crystal display device, the optical compensation members 101 and 101 ′ are added between the active matrix substrate 224 and the polarizing plate 203 ′ and between the opposing substrate 221 and the polarizing plate 203, respectively. You can also suggest. However, in this case, it is considered difficult to reduce the coloring. That is, the alignment films 226, 223 within each pixel.
Since the alignment directions are reversed by rubbing, the direction of forming the pretilt angle is also reversed, and the liquid crystal molecules and the liquid crystal layer intermediate region near the alignment film are rubbed in an in-plane uniform direction in the optical compensating member. Compensation of the retardation corresponding to the liquid crystal molecules is difficult, and the liquid crystal molecules near the alignment film in each pixel are oriented in the opposite direction. Conceivable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle and excellent display quality with little coloring, and a method for manufacturing an optical compensation member which can be suitably used for the liquid crystal display device.

[0014]

A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal panel having, for each pixel, an active matrix side substrate and a counter side substrate having a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions. And a first optical compensation member having, on one surface side of the liquid crystal panel, a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions. The member includes an optically anisotropic layer having a compound that changes the angle of inclination with respect to the plane in the thickness direction according to the orientation of the member.
The orientation direction of the plurality of orientation regions of the optical compensation member is the same as the orientation direction of any one of the plurality of orientation regions adjacent to the first optical compensation member in the active matrix side substrate or the counter side substrate. The above object is achieved by being arranged such that the polarization transmission axis of the polarizing plate adjacent to the one and the orientation direction of the first optical compensation member are substantially parallel or perpendicular. I do.

The liquid crystal display device of the present invention preferably includes a second optical compensating member having a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions on the other surface side of the liquid crystal panel. The second optical compensating member includes an optically anisotropic layer having a compound that changes the angle of inclination with respect to the plane in the thickness direction according to the orientation of the second optical compensating member. A polarizing plate that is arranged so that the orientation direction is the same as the orientation direction of the other plurality of orientation regions adjacent to the second optical compensation member in the active matrix side substrate or the opposite side substrate, and is adjacent to the other. And the orientation direction of the second optical compensation member is substantially parallel or perpendicular.

Further, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention preferably has a plurality of alignment regions in which the adjacent alignment regions are different from each other in the alignment direction by 180 degrees.

It is more preferable that the alignment region is formed in a stripe shape.

Further, in the method of manufacturing an optical compensating member according to the present invention, a step of forming an alignment film on a supporting member, and forming the alignment film into a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions. A step of performing an alignment process in a predetermined direction through a mask covering one of the adjacent alignment regions, and the step of aligning the alignment film in the predetermined direction with another mask adjacent to the alignment film through the mask covering the alignment region. A step of performing an orientation treatment on the region in a direction different from the predetermined direction, and a step of forming an organic compound that is oriented in accordance with these orientation directions on the orientation film to form an optically anisotropic layer. By doing so, the above object is achieved.

In the method for producing an optical compensation member of the present invention, a liquid crystalline discotic compound is preferably used as the organic compound.

Further, it is preferable to use a resist mask or a mask plate as the mask.

The operation of the present invention will be described below.

The liquid crystal panel is divided and aligned into a plurality of alignment regions in which alignment regions corresponding to one pixel region are aligned in different directions, and the long-axis vector direction of liquid crystal molecules near the alignment film is deep in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer. And the optical compensating member is oriented in a plurality of different directions, and the optical compensating member is inclined as its compound becomes deeper in its thickness direction with respect to the plane according to the orientation. It is possible to change the angle of the liquid crystal molecules and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules and the optical axis vector direction of the compound of the optical compensation member. The closer it is to the horizontal direction with respect to the liquid crystal panel surface, the lower the contrast is, and it is possible to reduce the coloring phenomenon.

This compound has a tilt angle in the opposite direction to each of the alignment regions of the liquid crystal panel.
By arranging the compound so that the direction of the optical axis vector of the panel surface and the direction of the optical axis vector of the liquid crystal molecules near the alignment film in the liquid crystal panel are substantially perpendicular to each other, It is possible to almost completely compensate for the retardation value generated by the optical compensation member, the contrast of the display image is observed from a horizontal direction with respect to the surface of the liquid crystal display device,
A remarkable improvement in viewing angle characteristics by preventing coloring is realized.

In the optical compensation member used in this liquid crystal display device, the alignment region in which the alignment film is exposed via a mask covering any one of the plurality of alignment regions is subjected to an alignment process in a predetermined direction, and then the alignment region is further subjected to an alignment process. The optically anisotropic layer is formed by covering the aligned alignment region with a mask, performing an alignment treatment on adjacent exposed alignment regions in different directions, and then forming a compound or liquid crystal compound that aligns according to each alignment. In addition, it is possible to obtain an optical compensating member having a divided orientation in which adjacent regions have different orientations by utilizing the orientation characteristics of the compound.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of Embodiment 1 of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alignment region of Embodiment 1 of the liquid crystal display device.

First, a method of manufacturing the optical compensating member 1 constituting the liquid crystal display device and the structure thereof will be described. About 100μ
m, a 0.2 μm-thick gelatin thin film for improving the adhesiveness is coated on a film substrate 12 made of a cellulose film having a thickness of m, or a polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, or acrylic film. After an alkyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide was applied and dried with warm air at about 90 ° C., a rubbing treatment was performed to form an alignment film 13.

At this time, the rubbing process of the alignment film 13 is performed in order to make the alignment direction different for each desired region. For example, rubbing is performed only on a minute region facing a half pixel of each pixel region on the liquid crystal panel side described later. By repeating a rubbing process through a metal mask plate having a shape that masks only a part of the region, the alignment process is performed only on a minute region corresponding to a half pixel of each pixel.

Subsequently, a rubbing process is similarly performed in the opposite direction via the mask plate on the minute region facing the remaining half pixel which has not been subjected to the alignment process. At this time, the mask plate covers a minute region for a half pixel subjected to the alignment process. As a result, the adjacent minute regions having different orientation directions by 180 degrees for each pixel can be aligned with the alignment film 1.
3 can be formed. Note that, in FIG.
Indicates the orientation direction by rubbing. Here, the orientation method is not limited to this, and a rubbing process may be performed a plurality of times using a resist mask.

Thus, the alignment film 13 on each pixel electrode
In the vicinity, the direction of forming the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal is changed by 180 degrees in each pixel region. As described above, the alignment film 13 was obtained as a divided alignment having different alignment directions for each half pixel of each pixel.

Here, the film substrate 12 is, for example, a cellulose film which is substantially negatively uniaxial and whose optical axis is substantially normal to the film surface. As shown in FIG. 1, the film substrate 12 has main refractive indexes in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction parallel to the normal line, which are parallel to its surface, as nx, ny, and nz. Nx whose refractive index in the normal direction is smaller than the refractive index value in the plane direction, nx
= Ny> nz.

Next, 1.8 g of a liquid crystalline discotic compound composed of a benzene derivative, a truxene derivative, a cyclohexane derivative, etc.
0.06 g of cellulose acetate butyrate, 0.5 g of phenoxydiethylene glycol acrylate, and 0.02 g of a photopolymerization initiator were added to 3.75 of methyl ethyl ketone.
g, apply the coating solution obtained, apply it to a frame, fix it, and heat it at a high temperature of 110 ° C. for 4 minutes (heat to at least the discotic nematic forming phase temperature) to obtain a liquid crystalline discotic compound After orienting
After cooling to room temperature, an optically anisotropic layer 14 having a thickness of 1.7 μm and containing a liquid crystalline discotic compound was formed. Thus, the optical compensation member 1 including the optically anisotropic layer 14 having negative birefringence was produced.

In the optically anisotropic layer 14, the discotic nematic oriented constituent layer of the optically anisotropic layer 14 is mainly composed of the discotic compound 11 having polymerizability in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction in the vicinity of the alignment film 13. Refractive index is nx, ny, n
When expressed as z, as shown in FIG.
The direction of orientation is opposite for each of the adjacent areas A and B corresponding to half pixels of each pixel, and the direction of inclination is opposite to the surface of the optically anisotropic layer 14 as the distance from the orientation film 13 increases, and the direction of inclination is reversed. It is rotating so that. In addition,
In this drawing, the direction of the optical axis when viewed macroscopically for each of the regions A and B is indicated by a large arrow, and the direction is inclined in the regions A and B in reverse.

Next, a liquid crystal panel which is another component of the first embodiment will be described. The active matrix side substrate 24 has a pixel electrode 25 and an alignment film 26. Although not shown, the active matrix side substrate 24 includes a gate wiring, a source wiring crossing the gate wiring,
A thin film transistor as a switching element and a pixel electrode 25 connected to the thin film transistor are provided in the vicinity of the intersecting region.

The alignment film 26 is subjected to an alignment process so that the alignment directions of the minute regions facing the half pixels adjacent to each other in each pixel region corresponding to the pixel electrode 25 are different by 180 degrees. Specifically, rubbing treatment was performed on two minute regions of the alignment film 26 corresponding to the regions of the respective pixel electrodes 25 in directions different from each other, here, directions different from each other by 180 degrees. For example, first, a rubbing process is performed in the direction of the arrow 28 'on the minute region facing the region A of the alignment film 26 via a mask covering the minute region facing the region B of the alignment film 26, and then the alignment film 26 is The rubbing process is performed in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 28 'in the minute region facing the region A of FIG. Thus,
The alignment film 26 is subjected to a split alignment process in which the alignment directions are different from each other in two adjacent micro regions facing the half pixel. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 27 in the vicinity of the alignment film 26 have pretilt angles in directions different from each other by 180 degrees for each of the minute regions facing each of the regions A and B.

Active matrix side substrate 24 and liquid crystal 2
The opposing substrate 21 that opposes the electrode 7 includes an opposing electrode 22,
An alignment film 23 is provided, and the alignment film 23 is subjected to an alignment process (divided alignment process) such that the alignment directions are different from each other by 180 degrees in each of the minute regions opposed to the regions A and B. This alignment film is configured so that the alignment direction of the alignment region and the alignment region of the alignment film 26 of the active matrix side substrate 24 facing the alignment region, that is, the alignment regions of the alignment films 26 and 23 facing each other are different from each other by approximately 90 degrees. You. For example, the alignment film 23 is arranged in the direction indicated by an arrow 2 with respect to the minute regions respectively facing the regions B and A via the mask.
It can be realized by rubbing in eight directions and the opposite direction. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 27 near this alignment film 21
Means that the pretilt angles have directions different from each other by 180 degrees for each of the minute regions facing each of the regions A and B.

As described above, the liquid crystal panel 2 is formed by combining the active matrix side substrate 24 and the opposite side substrate 21 which have been subjected to the alignment treatment so that the twisted nematic liquid crystal is sandwiched between the alignment films 26 and 23. In the liquid crystal panel 2, the alignment processing causes the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer intermediate region that affects the width of the viewing angle to be different from each other by 180 degrees in the two alignment regions A and B provided for each pixel. Therefore, a wide viewing angle is made possible.

As described below, the optical compensating member formed as described above is disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal cell formed as described above, and further, a polarizing plate is disposed outside the liquid crystal cell to constitute a liquid crystal display device. Is done. Here, as for the optical compensating member, a member adjacent to the opposing substrate 21 is denoted by reference numeral 1 and a member adjacent to the active matrix substrate 24 is denoted by reference numeral 1 '.

The optical compensating members 1 and 1 ′ are discotically aligned to form the optically anisotropic layer 14, and the alignment direction of the polymerizable disc-shaped compound 11 is set to 2 for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 2. The liquid crystal molecules 27 and 27 ′ near the respective alignment films 26 and 23 of the active matrix side substrate 24 and the opposite side substrate 21 forming the two alignment regions A and B are arranged so as to correspond to the alignment direction.

More specifically, an alignment region of the optical compensation member 1 having an alignment direction different by 180 degrees for each adjacent minute alignment region is provided on the opposite substrate 21 side (viewing side) of the liquid crystal panel 2. A divided orientation region in which the orientation direction differs by 180 degrees between adjacent regions was arranged so that the orientation direction was the same. Note that, as shown in FIG. 1, the alignment direction of the alignment film 13 of the optical compensation member 1 and the alignment direction of the alignment film 23 of the liquid crystal panel 2 are the same.

The orientation region of the optical compensating member 1 ′ whose orientation direction differs by 180 degrees for each adjacent minute orientation region is
The liquid crystal panel 2 was arranged so that the divided alignment regions in which the alignment directions differed by 180 degrees between adjacent regions provided on the active matrix side substrate 24 side (backlight side) of the liquid crystal panel 2 and the alignment direction were the same.

Here, as for the optical compensating member, as shown in FIG. 1, the regions facing the liquid crystal intermediate layer regions A and B of the liquid crystal panel 2 are similarly denoted by A and B. Considering the region A, The optical compensating member 1 adjacent to the opposing substrate 21 has its alignment direction (the alignment direction of the alignment film 13) in the same direction as the alignment direction of the alignment film 23 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and is adjacent to the active matrix substrate 24. Optical compensation member 1 '
The alignment direction (the alignment direction of the alignment film 13) is the same as the alignment direction of the alignment film 26 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and the two alignment directions are different by 180 degrees. The orientation directions are different by 180 degrees. In this way, the optical compensating members 1 and 1 ′ whose alignment directions are different by 180 degrees can be realized by changing the order of the rubbing directions in the above-mentioned manufacturing method.

The orientation directions of the optical compensating members 1 and 1 ′ and the polarization transmission axes of the polarizing plates 3 and 3 ′ are aligned with the opposing substrate 21 respectively.
Are arranged substantially parallel to the rubbing direction of the alignment film 23, that is, the alignment direction, and substantially parallel to the rubbing direction of the alignment film 26 of the active matrix side substrate 24, that is, the alignment direction. In this example, the configuration is such that the polarization transmission axis and the rubbing direction are arranged in a substantially parallel relationship, but they may be arranged so as to be in a substantially vertical relationship instead.

FIG. 2 shows the alignment region A or B of the liquid crystal panel 2.
2 shows a schematic sectional view of FIG. In the liquid crystal display device thus configured, the alignment film 2 is provided for each minute alignment region.
The liquid crystal molecules 27 and 27 'arranged near the positions 3 and 26 are inclined, so that it is possible to compensate for a change in the retardation value of the liquid crystal display device in an oblique viewing angle direction.

Actually, the liquid crystal molecules forming a pretilt angle near the alignment films 23 and 26 are formed by the alignment films 23 and 26
As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned so that they intersect with each other by 90 degrees in the rubbing direction, and the liquid crystal molecules are acted on by vertical and horizontal intermolecular forces. The tilt angles and azimuths of the liquid crystal molecules 27 and 27 ′ in the vicinity change continuously in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer. This causes a variation in the retardation value resulting from a continuous change in Δn.

At this time, the discotic compound having discotic orientation with negative uniaxiality and polymerizability in the optically anisotropic layer 14 of the optical compensation members 1 and 1 ′ is converted into the optically anisotropic compound 11. Each liquid crystal molecule 2 is inclined with respect to the surface of the layer 14 in the thickness direction of the layer 14 and near the alignment films 23 and 26.
It has a tilt angle in the opposite direction to the tilt angles of 7, 27 ', and has a structure in which the tilt angle changes continuously. This makes it possible to minimize the continuous change of the retardation value that occurs when the observer moves the viewpoint in a specific viewing angle direction from a direction perpendicular to the viewing surface of the liquid crystal display device.

More specifically, the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules near the alignment films 23 and 26 (the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules) and the continuous tilt in the optically anisotropic layer 14 of the optical compensating members 1 and 1 ′. By arranging the optical axes perpendicular to the disk surface of each of the discotic compounds 11 so that the vector directions intersect each other substantially at right angles, the retardation value of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal panel 2 is reduced. It is possible to compensate accurately. As a result, this liquid crystal display device can obtain a remarkably wide viewing angle.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. On both the opposing substrate 21 and the active matrix substrate 24, fine alignment regions in which the alignment directions differ by 180 degrees between the adjacent alignment regions A and B are formed by the same method as the manufacturing method described in the first embodiment. The configuration in which the orientation directions of the opposing fine alignment regions of both substrates 21 and 24 intersect at 90 degrees is basically the same, and the alignment regions and alignment are further refined and divided as follows. Oriented.

That is, in each pixel region, a fine alignment region is formed by a plurality of stripe alignment regions in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, for example, in the gate wiring direction of the active matrix side substrate 24 or in the source wiring direction thereof. Divided into As shown in FIG. 3, the active matrix side substrate 2
A plurality of adjacent stripe-shaped alignment regions A and B are formed for each of the pixel electrodes 25 of No. 4, and the alignment directions of the adjacent alignment regions are opposite to each other by rubbing, that is, directions different by 180 degrees as indicated by arrows 15. And In the active matrix substrate, a gate line, a source line arranged in an intersection with the gate line, and a pixel electrode are arranged near the intersection.

The opposing substrate 21 is subjected to an alignment process by rubbing in a direction crossing at 90 degrees as shown by an arrow 15 in the stripe-shaped region facing the alignment regions A and B of the active matrix substrate 24. Have been.
Here, regarding the active matrix side substrate 24,
As shown in FIG. 3, the pixel electrodes are arranged in a rectangular shape which is long in the horizontal direction and are arranged vertically, and are stripe-shaped alignment regions A and B which are common in the upper and lower directions and which are long in the vertical direction. Therefore, the stripe-shaped alignment regions of the opposing substrate 21 are formed to face the stripe-shaped alignment regions A and B of the active matrix substrate 24. In addition,
The active matrix side substrate 24 and the opposite side substrate 21
A nematic liquid crystal is provided between them.

Further, on the outer side of the opposing side substrate 21 and the active matrix side substrate 24, the optical directions of the divided orientation regions are set to be the same in the respective orientation regions of the optical compensating members 1 and 1 'in each region. The compensating members 1 and 1 'were arranged. Orientation direction of the optical compensating members 1 and 1 ′ adjacent to the opposing substrate 21 and the active matrix substrate 24 (arrow 1).
Indicated by 5. ) Are arranged in the same direction as the orientation direction of the opposing substrate 21 and the active matrix substrate.

A polarizing plate 3 is provided outside the optical compensation members 1 and 1 '.
3 'is arranged such that the direction of the polarization transmission axis (indicated by a long arrow) is parallel to the orientation direction of the opposing substrate 21 and the orientation direction of the active matrix substrate 24.

Since the liquid crystal display device having the above-described structure has a plurality of fine stripe-shaped alignment regions in each pixel, it is possible to make disclination and the like which are likely to occur between regions in different alignment directions inconspicuous. I do.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the optical compensation members are arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal panel has been described. However, one of them is uniaxially extended from a conventional film of an organic material different from this. It can be changed to an optical compensation member to be manufactured.

[0054]

According to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, when the display is observed from an oblique viewing angle that is close to the horizontal direction with respect to the liquid crystal display device, the retardation value in that direction can be optimized and prevented. It greatly contributes to achieving a viewing angle. Furthermore, the liquid crystal panel and the optical compensation member are divided into many alignment regions in the alignment regions corresponding to the respective pixel regions, thereby preventing deterioration in display quality caused by disclination lines generated between different alignment regions, and It is possible to achieve a wide viewing angle. The optical compensation member used in the liquid crystal display device covers the alignment region with a mask, performs an alignment treatment on adjacent exposed alignment regions in different directions, and then forms a compound and a liquid crystal compound that align according to each alignment. By doing so, an optically anisotropic layer is formed, so that an optical compensating member having a divided orientation in which adjacent regions have different orientations can be obtained by utilizing the orientation characteristics of the compound.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an alignment region of the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional liquid crystal display device. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an optical compensation member used in a conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an optical compensation member used in a conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional liquid crystal display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Optical compensation member 2 Liquid crystal panel 3, 3' Polarizer 4 Liquid crystal layer 11 Discoid compound 12 Support member 13 Alignment film 14 Optically anisotropic layer 15 Alignment direction 21 Opposite substrate 22 Counter electrode 23 Alignment film 24 Active matrix Side substrate 25 Pixel electrode 27, 27 'Liquid crystal molecules A, B Alignment region nx Main refractive index in X-axis direction ny Main refractive index in Y-axis direction nz Main refractive index in Z-axis direction

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal panel having an active matrix side substrate and a counter side substrate having a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions for each pixel; and one surface side of the liquid crystal panel; A first optical compensating member having a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions, wherein the first optical compensating member is inclined with respect to the plane according to the alignment. An optically anisotropic layer having a compound that changes the angle of the first optical compensating member in the thickness direction of the first optical compensating member. And a polarization transmission axis of a polarizing plate adjacent to the one of the plurality of alignment regions and the first polarization direction.
The liquid crystal display device is arranged so that the alignment direction of the optical compensation member is substantially parallel or perpendicular. A second optical compensating member having a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions on the other surface side of the liquid crystal panel; An optically anisotropic layer having a compound that changes the angle of inclination with respect to the plane in the thickness direction according to the orientation, the orientation direction of the plurality of orientation regions of the second optical compensating member, the active matrix side substrate or The opposite substrate is disposed so as to have the same alignment direction as the other plurality of alignment regions adjacent to the second optical compensating member, and the polarization transmission axis of the polarizing plate adjacent to the other and the second 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the orientation direction of the optical compensation member is substantially parallel or perpendicular. 3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent alignment regions have a plurality of alignment regions in which the alignment directions are different by 180 degrees. 4. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment region is formed in a stripe shape. 5. A step of forming an alignment film on a support member, and using a mask covering one of the adjacent alignment regions to form a plurality of alignment regions having different alignment directions between adjacent alignment regions. And a step of performing an orientation treatment in a predetermined direction through the orientation film, and subjecting the orientation film that has been subjected to the orientation treatment to another orientation region adjacent to the orientation film through a mask that covers the orientation treatment region in a direction different from the predetermined direction. A method for producing an optical compensation member, comprising: a step of performing an orientation treatment; and a step of forming an organic compound that is oriented in accordance with these orientation directions on the orientation film to form an optically anisotropic layer. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a liquid crystalline discotic compound is used as the organic compound. 7. The method for manufacturing an optical compensation member according to claim 5, wherein a resist mask or a mask plate is used as the mask.