JPH11337960A - Liquid crystal display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display inversely a display part on a segment electrode to a background part on its periphery or to largely vary the transmissivity of a liquid crystal display panel by a segment electrode and a supplementary electrode. SOLUTION: In the liquid crystal display panel provided with a counter electrode 2 disposed on a lower substrate 1, the segment electrode 4 disposed on an upper substrate 3 and a liquid crystal layer 5 formed between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3 wherein display is performed with changes in transmission, dispersion or absorption by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 5, making a superposition part of the counter electrode 2 and the segment electrode 4 a pixel part, the supplementary electrode 11 for applying the voltage to liquid crystal layer 5 is provided on the periphery of the pixel part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a segment type electrode (segment electrode) on an upper substrate, and a counter electrode disposed on the lower substrate so as to face the segment electrode. In a liquid crystal display panel in which a liquid crystal layer is sealed between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, a voltage is applied between a segment electrode and a counter electrode to perform display using an optical change of the liquid crystal layer. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel.

[0002] A segment type display has a smaller display capacity than a matrix type display, but is simple and has a low manufacturing cost. Therefore, it is actively used for watches and mobile phones.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a current segment type liquid crystal display panel, a portion where a segment electrode and a counter electrode overlap acts as a display unit, and it is impossible to control the space between the display units. Therefore, especially when a mixed liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal and a transparent solid is used as a liquid crystal layer and has a scattering property when no voltage is applied, or has a transmission property when no voltage is applied, a conventional polarizing plate is used. Unlike the case where the liquid crystal layer is used, a method for improving the material of the liquid crystal layer or the manufacturing method is required, and the display cannot be easily inverted depending on the bonding angle of the polarizing plate. Similarly, a mixed liquid crystal layer composed of a liquid crystal and a dichroic dye cannot easily reverse transmission and coloring properties.

Next, a prior art of a liquid crystal display panel will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a plan view enlarging a segment portion of the liquid crystal display panel, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line AA of FIG. Hereinafter, a conventional technique in a liquid crystal display panel will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 alternately.

A counter electrode 2 made of a transparent conductive film is provided on a lower substrate 1 which is a glass substrate used below the liquid crystal display panel. On the upper substrate 3, which is a glass substrate disposed with a predetermined gap from the lower substrate 1, segment electrodes 15, 1 made of a transparent conductive film overlapping with the counter electrode 2 are provided.
6, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 (generally 4) are provided. The segment electrodes 15 to 21 have an eight-shaped arrangement, and a so-called seven-segment arrangement having a gap between the segment electrodes 15 to 21. Further, the wiring electrodes 12 are provided from the segment electrodes 15 to the segment electrodes 21.

The lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3 are bonded to each other with a predetermined gap by a sealing material (not shown) to enclose a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 of liquid crystal and a transparent solid.

The transparent solid is formed by dissolving an organic monomer in the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, injecting it into the gap between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3, and then irradiating with ultraviolet rays. The display makes use of the anisotropy of the optical refractive index of the liquid crystal, and when the optical refractive indexes of the liquid crystal and the transparent solid are almost equal, the display becomes transparent,
As different, the degree of scattering increases. Actually, a desired display is performed by applying a predetermined signal from the counter electrode 2 and the segment electrode 15 at both ends of the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 to the segment electrode 21 and controlling the optical refractive index of the liquid crystal. For example, when “1” is displayed, 17
By applying a voltage between the counter electrodes 2 and 21 and not applying a voltage between the other segment electrodes 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20 and the counter electrode 2, the segment electrodes 17 and 2
The scattering degree of only the display unit 32 on the display 1 is reduced (the transmittance is improved).
However, since the scattering degree differs from the others, it is recognized as “1”.

However, the display section 32 on the segment electrodes 15 to 21 can control scattering and transmission by applying a voltage between the display section 32 and the counter electrode 2 via the liquid crystal layer 5. A background portion 33 around 32 always maintains scattering. Therefore, when the background portion 33 is made to be in the transmission state, it is necessary to improve the material of the mixed liquid crystal layer or the manufacturing method, and the twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal or the super twisted nematic liquid crystal (STN) in the related art is required. However, this cannot be achieved by changing the angle of the polarizing plate as described above.

Further, in the same liquid crystal display panel, for example, a display in which the background portion is in a scattering state and the display portion is in a transmission state, and a display in which the background portion is in a transmission state and the display portion is in a scattering state are performed. Is difficult. In a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal and a super twisted nematic liquid crystal (STN), a display and a background portion, for example, a scattering state and a transmission state are electrically inverted in the same liquid crystal display panel. Is difficult.

The same applies to a mixed liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal and a dichroic dye, in addition to the above-mentioned mixed liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal and a transparent solid.

[0011]

Therefore, in a liquid crystal display panel which performs display by changing the amount of transmission, scattering and absorption of the liquid crystal layer, the background portion and the display portion can be changed without changing the material of the liquid crystal layer or the manufacturing method. It is important to control the amount of transmitted, scattered, or absorbed light.

Further, the amount of transmission, scattering, or absorption of the background portion is controlled so that an observer observing the liquid crystal display panel can recognize information on the lower side of the liquid crystal display panel, or dispose the information on the lower side of the liquid crystal display panel. In order to irradiate the photovoltaic element with necessary light, the liquid crystal display panel shown in the related art is not enough. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to increase the transmittance of a liquid crystal display panel by inverting the display of the display portion on the segment electrode and the background portion surrounding the display portion by the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode. It is to provide a liquid crystal display panel that can be changed. .

[0013]

To achieve the above object, the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention employs the following configuration.

The liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention comprises: a counter electrode provided on a lower substrate; a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate;
A liquid crystal layer is provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, display is performed by a change in transmission, scattering, or absorption. In the liquid crystal display panel described above, a supplementary electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer is provided around the pixel portion.

The liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention comprises: a counter electrode provided on a lower substrate; a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate;
A liquid crystal layer is provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, display is performed by a change in transmission, scattering, or absorption. In the liquid crystal display panel to have, around the pixel portion, has a supplementary electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer,
By applying a voltage to the counter electrode, the segment electrode, and the supplemental electrode with a superimposed portion of the counter electrode and the supplemental electrode as a background portion, it is possible to perform a uniform display on almost the entire surface in contact with the liquid crystal layer. Features.

A liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention comprises: a counter electrode provided on a lower substrate; a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate;
A liquid crystal layer is provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, display is performed by a change in transmission, scattering, or absorption. In the liquid crystal display panel, a supplementary electrode is provided between the segment electrodes with a slight gap therebetween, and the overlapping portion of the counter electrode and the supplementary electrode is used as a background portion, and the supplementary electrode is provided between the counter electrode, the segment electrode, and the supplementary electrode. By applying a voltage, uniform display can be performed on almost the entire surface in contact with the liquid crystal layer.

A liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention comprises: a counter electrode provided on a lower substrate; a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate;
A liquid crystal layer is provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, display is performed by a change in transmission, scattering, or absorption. In the liquid crystal display panel, between the segment electrodes or between the segment electrodes and between the electrodes has a supplementary electrode, between the segment electrode and the supplemental electrode has an insulating film, and is electrically insulated It is characterized by having.

The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention has a supplementary electrode on an upper substrate, an insulating film on the supplementary electrode, a segment electrode on the insulating film, and On the lower substrate facing the predetermined gap is provided a counter electrode overlapping the segment electrode and the supplemental electrode, a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, the counter electrode and the segment electrode And a background portion composed of a superposed portion of a counter electrode and a supplemental electrode.

The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention has a segment electrode, an insulating film, and a supplementary electrode on the upper substrate, and the supplementary electrode has an opening on the segment electrode, and has a portion other than the segment electrode. , The segment electrode and the supplemental electrode are substantially insulated from each other, the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode are insulated by an insulating film, and the lower substrate has a counter electrode overlapping the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode. And a liquid crystal layer between the counter electrode and the segment electrode, and a background portion including a counter electrode and a supplemental electrode.

The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention comprises: a counter electrode provided on a lower substrate; a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate;
A liquid crystal layer is provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, display is performed by a change in transmission, scattering, or absorption. In the liquid crystal display panel, a wiring electrode for applying a predetermined signal to the segment electrode is provided on the upper substrate, and an insulating film is provided on the wiring electrode and the upper substrate. Has an opening formed by partially removing the insulating film, a segment electrode is arranged on the insulating film, connected to the segment electrode via the opening on the wiring electrode, and further around the pixel portion. And a supplementary electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer.

The liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention comprises a pixel section for applying a voltage substantially equal to a voltage applied to the background section, and a voltage applied to the background section by applying a voltage smaller or larger than the voltage applied to the background section. Display is performed using a pixel portion having optical characteristics different from those described above.

The liquid crystal layer used in the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is characterized in that it is a mixed liquid crystal layer comprising liquid crystal and a transparent solid.

The liquid crystal layer used in the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is characterized in that it is a mixed liquid crystal layer comprising liquid crystal and a dichroic dye.

The liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention is characterized in that a photovoltaic element is provided below the lower substrate, and the display of the background portion is changed by the external light amount.

The wiring electrode connected to the segment electrode used for the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention has a plurality of holes in the wiring.

The supplementary electrode used in the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is characterized in that it is divided into a plurality.

The counter electrode used in the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided counter electrode has a supplementary electrode for the counter electrode which is close to the counter electrode via a slight counter electrode gap. .

<Operation> By adopting the above configuration, even when a conventional liquid crystal layer is used, a supplementary electrode is arranged around the segment electrode, and a counter electrode is also provided on the supplementary electrode, so that the background portion and the supplementary electrode are provided. By doing so, a voltage can be applied between the counter electrode and the supplemental electrode via the liquid crystal layer, similarly to the segment electrode and the counter electrode, so that the display of the background portion can be changed in the same manner as the display portion. Become.

Further, by arranging the supplementary electrodes with a certain gap from the segment electrodes, the supplementary electrodes can be formed using the conventional segment electrode pattern forming process, and the burden on the process is increased. Can hardly be obtained and an effective liquid crystal display panel can be obtained.

Further, in order to apply a predetermined voltage to the segment electrode from an external circuit, the width of the wiring electrode connected to the segment electrode is reduced, so that the distance between the wiring electrode and the counter electrode affecting the display of the background portion is reduced. The optical change of the liquid crystal layer is
Can be smaller. It is also desirable to reduce the wiring gap between the wiring electrode and the supplemental electrode. Therefore, the total width dimension of the wiring electrode and the wiring gap was prepared from 500 μm (μm) to 2 μm (μm), and the visibility was inspected by 10 people in their 10s to 50s. As a result, the wiring electrode width and the wiring gap width tended to increase as the age increased. However, even in the teens and twenties, the wiring electrode width and the wiring gap were hardly recognized at 20 micrometers or less. I knew I couldn't. In addition, even at 30 micrometers (μm), it was slightly recognizable.

Although the degree of recognition is slightly different by varying the ratio of the width of the wiring electrode to the width of the wiring gap, the effect of reducing the overall width is significant.

Therefore, by using the segment electrode gap between the segment electrode and the supplemental electrode and the wiring gap between the wiring electrode and the supplementary electrode of 30 μm (μm) or less, almost the background portion is not covered with the wiring electrode. Can be displayed without being affected by the above.

Further, between the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode,
Also, by providing an insulating film between the wiring electrode and the supplementary electrode, it becomes possible to overlap the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode, or the wiring electrode and the supplementary electrode, and furthermore, to reduce the influence of the wiring electrode on the background. Can be smaller.

Further, by providing an insulating film on the periphery of the segment electrode and on the wiring electrode and providing a supplementary electrode on the insulating film, the influence of the wiring electrode is eliminated.
The segment electrode gap is eliminated between the background part and the display part, and good display quality can be achieved.

Further, a wiring electrode is provided on the upper substrate, a segment electrode is provided via an insulating film, and each wiring electrode and the segment electrode are electrically connected through an opening provided in a part of the insulating film. By electrically insulating and separating the segment electrodes and further providing supplemental electrodes around the segment electrodes with a certain gap therebetween, it is possible to perform a substantially uniform display even on a complicated wiring electrode. In particular,
This configuration is effective when the liquid crystal display panel is enlarged and used.

Further, by dividing the supplemental electrode provided around the segment electrode into a plurality of parts, the voltage between the counter electrode and the supplementary electrode can be controlled to display a plurality of background portions. In addition, by providing a shielding layer or a printing layer between the supplementary electrodes divided into a plurality of parts, the visibility of the display of each supplementary electrode can be improved.

In addition, a plurality of segment electrodes are connected,
In a segment type liquid crystal display panel having a counter electrode separated corresponding to the segment electrode to be connected, an auxiliary electrode having a slight gap from the divided counter electrode is provided, and a signal is applied to the auxiliary electrode and the supplement electrode to make the entire surface uniform. Display can be achieved.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A liquid crystal display panel and a mobile phone as a liquid crystal display device using the liquid crystal display panel in the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of a pixel portion including seven segments of the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a mobile phone using the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mobile phone taken along line CC shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 alternately.

First Embodiment First, a liquid crystal display panel has a structure in which a counter electrode 2 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film as a transparent conductive film is formed on a lower substrate 1 which is a transparent substrate.
Having. On the upper substrate 3 which is a transparent substrate opposed to the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap, segment electrodes 15 to 21 (generally denoted by 4) made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film are provided as a transparent conductive film. . As shown in FIG. 1, the segment electrodes 15 to 21 are divided into seven segments in an eight-shape and arranged. Each of the segment electrodes 15 to 21 has a predetermined gap.

Further, the segment electrode 17 will be described as a representative. The segment electrode 17 is connected to the wiring electrode 12,
The width of the wiring electrode 12 is smaller than the width of the segment electrode 17. Further, around the segment electrode 17, there is a supplementary electrode 11 arranged in a plane with a segment electrode gap 31 interposed therebetween. Around the wiring electrode 12, the supplementary electrode 11 arranged two-dimensionally via the wiring gap 30.
Having. As shown in FIG. 1, the supplementary electrode 11 is arranged in a shape surrounding the segment electrode 17 and the wiring electrode 12. The counter electrode 2 is provided so as to overlap with the segment electrodes 15 to 21, the wiring electrode 12, and the supplementary electrode 11.

A mixed liquid crystal layer 5 containing a liquid crystal and a transparent solid is sealed between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3. Book first
In the embodiment, a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 of PNM-157 (trade name) manufactured by Dainippon Ink is used as a raw material of the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, and after the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed, a wavelength of 360 nm or more (nm) or more is used. Is irradiated at an intensity of 45 mW / cm ² for 60 seconds. This mixed liquid crystal layer 5
Shows a scattering property in a state where no voltage is applied.

FIG. 2 shows that no voltage is applied between the segment electrode 17 and the counter electrode 2. Supplementary electrode 11 and counter electrode 2
A state in which a voltage is applied is shown between. In the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the segment electrode 17 and the counter electrode 2,
Since no voltage is applied, the display unit 32 is in a scattering state. Similarly, since no voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the wiring electrode 12 and the counter electrode 2, the wiring display section 34 is in a scattering state. In addition, since no voltage is applied to the portion of the segment electrode gap 31 and the wiring gap 30 around the display section 32, a scattering state occurs.

In the first embodiment, the wiring gap 3
0 and the segment electrode gap 31 are as small as 3 micrometers (μm).
With a micrometer (μm), a voltage is applied between the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2, and the display portion (background portion) 33 having a large transmittance can hardly be recognized. Therefore, even if the conventional mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is used,
A voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2 to make the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 transparent so that the segment electrodes 15 to 21
By controlling the voltage applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the liquid crystal layer 5 and the counter electrode 2, the display section 32 in the scattering state can be displayed on the background section 33 in the transmission state.

In the first embodiment, unlike the prior art, the voltage applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2 is eliminated, and the segment electrode 15
By controlling the voltage applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the substrate 21 and the counter electrode 2, it is also possible to display the display unit 32 in the transmission state on the background part 33 in the scattering state.

As described above, using the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, the display of the display section 32 in the scattering state on the background section 33 in the transmission state and the display of the display section 32 in the transmission state on the background section 33 in the scattering state are performed by voltage control. It becomes possible. Further, by providing the segment electrode gap 31 around the segment electrode 21 from the segment electrode 15 and providing the wiring gap 30 around the wiring electrode 12, the display section 32 and the background section 33 can be mutually connected by the same transparent conductive film. As described above, the display can be performed, and the above-described effects can be achieved in the same manufacturing process as in the related art.

Next, the configuration when the liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is used for a mobile phone will be described. The configuration of the mobile phone is
It has an outer case 41, a back cover 43, and a windshield 42,
A liquid crystal display panel is arranged in the space. On the lower side of the liquid crystal display panel, a reflection plate 47 is provided via a predetermined gap, and further, a circuit board 45, a circuit, and a battery 44 for driving the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 are provided.

The connection for applying a predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal display panel is performed by a zebra rubber 46 which is formed by laminating a conductive material and an insulating material. The zebra rubber 46 is connected to a connection electrode (not shown) on the upper substrate 3. ) And a segment terminal (not shown). The counter electrode 2 on the lower substrate 1
The conductive beads (not shown) included in the seal portion 6 are electrically switched to connection electrodes (not shown) on the upper substrate 3. Further, between the lower substrate 1 and the reflection plate 47, there is provided a light-emitting diode (LED) element which is turned on when an external light source (not shown) serving as a main light source is dark. The light-emitting diode (LED) element functions as the auxiliary light source 48. Further, since the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 has a scattering property, even if a mirror-like reflecting plate 47 is used, the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 scatters and reflects the light, so that a uniform light source is obtained.

Further, on the upper substrate 3, a parting plate 49 for shielding the seal portion 6 is provided. Further, on the upper substrate 3, an ultraviolet cut film 50 is adhered with an adhesive in order to prevent deterioration of the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 due to ultraviolet rays.

Further, on the back side of the circuit board 45, there is provided a receiving and transmitting circuit 40 for receiving and transmitting a mobile phone. The reception / transmission circuit 40 is connected to the antenna 37 to enable reception and transmission of signals.

The mobile phone is provided with adjustment buttons 57 on the left and right sides of the main body so that the time can be adjusted and the display content can be easily switched, and reception and transmission of the mobile phone can be operated with one hand. The provision on the left and right is for accommodating the observer with the left and right dominant arms. In addition, change the display,
Alternatively, it has an adjustment knob 38 for moving the contents of the display up, down, left and right. It has a number input button 39 for influencing telephone numbers or characters.

The inside of the parting plate 49 of the mobile phone is 3
The display is divided into different types. The display of the liquid crystal display panel can be observed by an observer. The display contents include a time display section 53, a mode display section 54, a character display section 54, and a memo display section 55 such as a telephone number.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the display unit and the background display unit of the liquid crystal display panel will be described with reference to the system block diagram of FIG. FIG. 5 is a system block diagram for controlling display on the liquid crystal display panel. FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, a basic power supply of a predetermined system is formed by a power supply circuit 61, and is converted into a required voltage and supplied by each circuit block 62. The basic clock from the basic clock transmission circuit 63 is
The clock is divided into a segment system clock and a counter electrode system clock by a sync separation circuit 64, and is supplied to a segment synchronization circuit 65 and a counter electrode synchronization circuit 66. Basic clock transmission circuit 6
The signal 3 is classified into a method using a transmission source used for transmitting and receiving a mobile phone and a method using an individual transmission source. The signal of the segment synchronizing circuit 65 supplies a signal to a segment driving circuit 67 that generates a signal for driving the segment electrode and a supplemental electrode driving circuit 69 that generates a signal for driving the supplementary electrode.

The signal of the counter electrode synchronizing circuit 66 is sent to a counter electrode driving circuit 68 for generating a signal for driving the counter electrode and a supplemental electrode driving circuit 69 for generating a signal for driving the supplemental electrode. Supply. The output of the segment drive circuit 67 is connected to the segment terminals 26 on the upper substrate 3.
Connect to Similarly, each of the segment electrodes 15 to 21 is independently connected. The output of the counter electrode drive circuit 68 is connected to the counter electrode 2 on the upper substrate 3. The output of the supplementary electrode drive circuit 69 is connected to the supplementary electrode 11.

Further, since the synchronization separation circuit 64 is provided with a circuit configuration for inverting the voltages of the segment electrode, the supplementary electrode, and the counter electrode, the background portion in the transmission state and the background portion in the transmission state are changed according to the magnitude of the voltage of the supplementary electrode and the counter electrode. It is possible to select a background part in a scattering state. Similarly, for the display on the display unit 33, the transmission state and the scattering state can be selected in synchronization with the background unit 33.

By employing the above configuration, the background portion 33 can be provided even in the liquid crystal display panel having the segment electrode structure.
And the control of the display unit 32 synchronized with the background unit 33, various displays are possible. In particular, as an application to a mobile phone, the display hidden under the liquid crystal display panel can be turned on and off by switching between the scattering state and the transmission state of the background portion 33.

<Second Embodiment> The structure of a liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a plan view enlarging a part of a pixel portion including seven segments of a liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display panel in a line. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 alternately.

First, the configuration of the liquid crystal display panel is as follows.
A counter electrode 2 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film is provided thereon as a transparent conductive film. On the upper substrate 3 facing the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap, segment electrodes 4 and 18 to 21 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film are provided as transparent conductive films. As shown in FIG. 6, the segment electrodes 18 to 21 have a configuration in which the segment electrodes are divided into seven segments in an eight-shape, and the illustrated part is a part thereof. Each of the segment electrodes 18 to 21 has a predetermined gap.

A description will be given of the segment electrode 21 as a representative. The segment electrode 21 is connected to the wiring electrode 12, and the width of the wiring electrode 12 is smaller than the width of the segment electrode 21. Further, a supplemental electrode 11 made of a transparent conductive film is provided on the periphery of the segment electrode 21 with the insulating film 7 interposed therebetween. Also,
In the part of the wiring electrode 12, the supplementary electrode 11 is
The insulating film 7 and the supplemental electrode 11 are provided between the wiring electrode 12 and the upper substrate 3 to prevent the influence of the wiring electrode 12 and the gap. The wiring electrode 12 is 15
By using the line width of micrometers (μm), the visibility of the optical change of the liquid crystal layer 5 due to the application of a voltage between the wiring electrode 12 and the counter electrode 2 can be reduced.

A seal portion 6 is provided between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3 to enclose a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 containing a liquid crystal and a transparent solid. In the second embodiment, as a raw material of the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 made of PNM-157 (trade name) manufactured by Dainippon Ink is used, and after the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed, 360 nm (nm) is used. 3) Irradiation with ultraviolet light having the above wavelength at an intensity of 45 mW / cm ² for 60 seconds. The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 exhibits a scattering property when no voltage is applied.

Each of the segment electrodes is connected to a wiring electrode 12 having a small width in the display area. Further, when viewed from the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, the outside of the sealing portion 6 (the lower side in FIG. Terminal 26 is connected. Furthermore, the supplementary electrode 11 is connected to a supplementary electrode terminal 13 to enable connection with an external circuit (not shown).

FIG. 7 shows a segment electrode 21 and a counter electrode 2.
No voltage was applied between and. The state where a voltage is applied between the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2 is shown. Since no voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the segment electrode 21 and the opposing electrode 2, the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 becomes the display portion 32 in a scattering state. Similarly, since no voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the wiring electrode 12 and the counter electrode 2, the wiring display section 34 is in a scattering state. In this second embodiment,
Since the insulating film 7 is provided on the supplementary electrode 11 and the segment electrode 21 overlaps the insulating film 7 around the supplementary electrode 11, a voltage is applied between the segment electrode and the counter electrode 2, and between the supplemental electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2. This allows the entire surface to be in the transmission state. Conversely, when no voltage is applied, the entire surface can be in the scattering state.

For example, when a voltage is applied to the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2 to make the transmission state, and no voltage is applied between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the target segment display section (display section) 32 is in a scattering state. Further, the wiring electrode 12 is also in a scattering state,
Can be hardly recognized because of the small line width.

In order to effectively apply a voltage to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the supplementary electrode 12 and the counter electrode 2 and to apply a voltage close to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the segment electrode and the counter electrode 2, The insulating film 7 on the supplementary electrode 11 is removed at a side that is self-aligned with the segment electrode. Therefore, when the entire surface is made transparent, uniform display can be realized.

<Third Embodiment> The configuration of a liquid crystal display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a plan view enlarging a part of a pixel portion including seven segments of a liquid crystal display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view enlarging a part of the segment electrode and the wiring electrode 12. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line EE shown in FIG. 8. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 alternately.

First, the configuration of the liquid crystal display panel is as follows.
A counter electrode 2 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film is provided thereon as a transparent conductive film. On the upper substrate 3 facing the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap, segment electrodes 4 and 18 to 21 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film are provided as transparent conductive films. As shown in FIG. 8, the segment electrodes 18 to 21 have a configuration in which they are divided into seven segments in an eight-shape, and the illustrated part is a part thereof. Each of the segment electrodes 18 to 21 has a predetermined gap.

A description will be given of the segment electrode 21 as a representative. As shown in FIG. 9, the segment electrode 21 is connected to the wiring electrode 12 and compared with the width of the segment electrode 21,
The width of the wiring electrode 12 is small. Therefore, in order to reduce the visibility of the wiring electrode 12, the wiring electrode 12 has a plurality of holes 35 in which the transparent conductive film is not provided in the region where the transparent conductive film is provided.
Is provided, it is recognized that the portion of the transparent conductive film is divided into small portions.

As shown in FIG. 10, an insulating film 7 made of a photosensitive polyimide resin is provided on the periphery of the segment electrode (representative 21), on the upper substrate 3, and on the wiring electrode 12.

On the insulating film 7, a supplementary electrode 11 made of a transparent conductive film is provided. The shape of the insulating film 7 can be the same as the shape of the supplementary electrode 11. By etching the insulating film 7 using the supplementary electrode 11 as a mask, the insulating film 7 can be easily processed into the same shape as the supplementary electrode 11 without forming an independent pattern for processing the insulating film 7. it can. Insulating film 7 on segment electrode
Is removed, a voltage substantially equivalent to that of the supplementary electrode 11 can be applied to the segment electrode and the counter electrode 2, and the uniformity of display is improved. In addition, the inside of the seal portion 6 (the display region, that is, the side facing the liquid crystal layer 5) is covered with the substantially entire electrode by the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode 11.

Next, between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3,
A mixed liquid crystal layer 5 containing a liquid crystal and a transparent solid is enclosed. The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is composed of a liquid crystal alignment transparent solid, a liquid crystal, and a chiral material for twisting the liquid crystal. The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 exhibits transmissivity when no voltage is applied, and exhibits scattering when voltage is applied.

FIG. 10 shows that a voltage is applied between the segment electrode 21 and the opposing electrode 2, and the supplemental electrode 11 and the opposing electrode 2 are applied.
2 shows a state in which a voltage is applied between them. Since a voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the display part 32 is in a scattering state.
Similarly, a voltage similar to that of the segment electrode 21 is applied to the wiring electrode 12, but no voltage is applied to the counter electrode 2 because the supplementary electrode 11 is covered via the insulating film 7. Therefore, the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 does not cause an optical change.

Each segment electrode in each display area is connected to a wiring electrode 12 having a narrow electrode width.
As seen from the above, the segment terminal 26 is connected to the outside (the lower side in the drawing) of the seal portion 6. In addition, supplementary electrode 1
1 is connected to a supplementary electrode terminal 13 to enable connection with an external circuit (not shown). By increasing the electrode width of the supplementary electrode terminal 13, connection with an external circuit is made easy and stable.

By adopting the configuration described above, when the segment electrode (representative 21) and the supplementary electrode 11 are set to the same potential, and no potential difference is provided between the counter electrode 2 and the liquid crystal layer 5, Since no voltage is applied, the display area is entirely transparent. By applying a predetermined voltage to the segment electrode 21 and providing a potential difference between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is in a scattering state, becomes a display section 32 in a scattering state on a transparent background, and is recognized by an observer. You. By employing the present invention, the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 11
Are set to the same potential, a potential difference is provided between the counter electrode 2 and the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 in a scattering state, and the potential difference between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2 is controlled so as to be in the scattering state. The display unit 32 having a high transmittance can be recognized.

<Fourth Embodiment> The structure of a liquid crystal display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the entire liquid crystal display panel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a plan view in which a part of the segment electrode and the wiring electrode 12 is enlarged. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line FF shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 alternately.

First, the configuration of the liquid crystal display panel has a counter electrode 2 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film as a transparent conductive film on a lower substrate 1. A segment electrode 4 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film as a transparent conductive film is provided on an upper substrate 3 facing the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap.
(18, 19, 20, 21) are provided. As shown in FIG. 11, it has six blocks each composed of an aggregate of figure-shaped segment electrodes and a morning and afternoon display section 53. Also,
The upper part of the drawing of the liquid crystal display panel has an hour display part 54 and a minute display part 55, and the lower part has an am and pm display part 53.
And a second display section 56. The second display unit has two segment electrodes in addition to the seven segment electrodes to indicate the day of the week.

From each of the segment electrodes, the display section passes through the seal section 6 via the wiring electrode, and has a segment electrode terminal group 59 on the upper substrate 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the supplementary electrode 11 provided on the upper substrate 3 is divided into two in the vertical direction in the drawing. By dividing into upper and lower parts, for example, hours and minutes can be displayed in color on a transparent background, and conversely, morning, afternoon and second can be displayed in a transparent background. The counter electrode 2 has a counter electrode terminal 14 outside the seal portion 6, and the supplementary electrode 11 also has a supplemental electrode terminal 13 to enable connection to an external circuit.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of a portion indicated by a broken line in FIG. 11, and the segment electrode 21 will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG.
Is connected to the wiring electrode 12, and the width of the wiring electrode 12 is smaller than the width of the segment electrode 21.

Further, on the upper substrate 3, as shown in FIG. 11, a supplementary electrode 11 which is divided into upper and lower parts is provided by a transparent conductive film. Furthermore, an insulating film 7 made of a tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) film is provided on the supplementary electrode 11 and the upper substrate 3.

On the insulating film 7, a segment electrode 21 made of a transparent conductive film is provided. Although the insulating film 7 on the supplemental electrode 11 is not formed in a pattern, the voltage consumed by the insulating film 7 can be reduced by increasing the dielectric constant of the insulating film 7, and the voltage facing the supplementary electrode 11 can be reduced. It is possible to prevent an electrical short circuit due to conductive dust with the electrode 2. In addition, the inside of the seal portion 6 (the display region, that is, the side facing the liquid crystal layer 5) is covered with the substantially entire electrode by the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 11.

Next, an alignment film (not shown) made of a polyimide resin is provided on the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3 in order to align the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 in a predetermined direction.
Are oriented. Further, a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 of a liquid crystal and a dichroic dye is sealed between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3. The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is twisted from 180 degrees to 240 degrees, and is colored with a dichroic dye when no voltage is applied.

FIG. 13 shows a state where no voltage is applied between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2 and a voltage is applied between the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2. is there. Since no voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the display portion 32 becomes a colored state.

Each of the segment electrodes is connected to a wiring electrode 12 having a small width in the display area, and a segment terminal is provided outside the seal portion 6 (lower side in the drawing) as viewed from the mixed liquid crystal layer 5. 26 are connected. In addition, the supplementary electrode 11
Is connected to a supplementary electrode terminal 13 to enable connection to an external circuit (not shown).

The segment electrodes 2 are also provided on the wiring electrodes 12.
The voltage of 1 changes the wiring display 34, and the wiring electrode 12 has an electrode width of 10 to 15 micrometers (μm).
m), optical change on the wiring electrode 12 is hardly recognized. In addition, since there is no gap in plan view between the supplementary electrode 11 and the segment electrode 21, the display between the supplementary electrode 11 and the segment electrode 21 can be sharp.

By adopting the configuration described above, when the segment electrode (representative symbol 21) and the supplemental electrode 11 are set to the same potential and no potential difference is provided between the counter electrode 2 and the liquid crystal layer 5, Since no voltage is applied, the display area is colored. By applying a predetermined voltage to the segment electrode 21 and providing a potential difference between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 enters a transmissive state, and the colored background portion 33 becomes the transmissive display section 32, and the Will be recognized. By employing the present invention, the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 11 are set to the same potential, a potential difference is provided between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is set in a transmissive state, and the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode By controlling the potential difference between the display unit 3 and the
2 can be recognized. Further, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the supplementary electrode 11 is divided into a plurality, the background portion 33 is in a transparent state in the same display area.
A colored state and a plurality of displays are enabled.

When a photovoltaic element is arranged below the liquid crystal display panel and at least a part of the electric power of the liquid crystal display device using the liquid crystal display panel is generated, the visibility of the photovoltaic element to the observer is improved. Since the reduction and the irradiation amount of light to the photovoltaic element, that is, the high transmittance of the liquid crystal display panel tend to contradict each other, it is necessary to control the transmittance of the background portion of the liquid crystal display panel having the segment electrode structure. Is particularly important. Furthermore, since the amount of power generation and the display quality can be controlled by the brightness of the usage environment of the liquid crystal display panel, it is important to employ the structure of the plurality of supplementary electrodes 11.

<Fifth Embodiment> The structure of a liquid crystal display panel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display panel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the part corresponding to FF line | wire in embodiment of FIG. Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the configuration of the liquid crystal display panel is as follows.
A counter electrode 2 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film is provided thereon as a transparent conductive film. A segment electrode 4 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film as a transparent conductive film is provided on an upper substrate 3 facing the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap.
(Representing 21) is provided.

Further, on the upper substrate 3, a supplemental electrode 11 which is divided into upper and lower parts is provided by a transparent conductive film. Furthermore, on the supplementary electrode 11 and the upper substrate 3, tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O
5) An insulating film 7 made of a film is provided.

On the insulating film 7, a segment electrode 21 made of a transparent conductive film is provided. The shape of the insulating film 7 can be made the same as the shape of the segment electrode 21 and the wiring electrode 12. By etching the insulating film 7 using the segment electrode 21 and the wiring electrode 12 as a mask,
The insulating film 7 can be easily formed into the same shape as the segment electrode 21 and the wiring electrode 12 without forming an independent pattern for processing the insulating film 7. By removing the insulating film 7 on the supplementary electrode 11, the segment electrode 21 is removed.
Can be applied to the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2, thereby improving display uniformity. Further, the inside of the seal portion 6 (the display area, which faces the liquid crystal layer 5), is provided by the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 11.
Is configured to be covered almost entirely with electrodes.

Next, an alignment film (not shown) made of a polyimide resin is provided on the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3 in order to align the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 in a predetermined direction. Are oriented. Further, a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 of a liquid crystal and a dichroic dye is sealed between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3. The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is twisted from 180 degrees to 240 degrees, and is colored with a dichroic dye when no voltage is applied.

FIG. 14 shows a state where a voltage is not applied between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2 and a voltage is applied between the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2. is there. Since no voltage is applied to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2, the display portion 32 becomes a colored state.

The segment electrodes 2 are also formed on the wiring electrodes 12.
The voltage of 1 changes the wiring display 34, and the wiring electrode 12 has an electrode width of 10 to 15 micrometers (μm).
m), optical change on the wiring electrode 12 is hardly recognized. In addition, since there is no gap in plan view between the supplementary electrode 11 and the segment electrode 21, the display between the supplementary electrode 11 and the segment electrode 21 can be sharp.

By adopting the structure described above, when the segment electrode (representative 21) and the supplementary electrode 11 are set to the same potential and no potential difference is provided between the counter electrode 2 and the liquid crystal layer 5, Since no voltage is applied, the display area is in a colored state. By applying a predetermined voltage to the segment electrode 21 and providing a potential difference between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2,
The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is in a transmissive state, and becomes a display part 32 in a transmissive state on a colored background, which is recognized by an observer. By employing the present invention, the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 1
1 and the same potential, a potential difference is provided between the counter electrode 2 and the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 in a transmissive state, and the potential difference between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2 is controlled so that the transmissive state is achieved. It is possible to recognize the display section 32 in the colored state. Further, in the fifth embodiment, since the supplementary electrode 11 is divided into a plurality of parts, the background part can be displayed in a transparent state and a colored state in the same display area.

<Sixth Embodiment> The structure of a liquid crystal display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A feature of the sixth embodiment is that a segment electrode and a supplemental electrode are provided on the same plane via a segment electrode gap. Another feature of the present invention is that the segment electrode has a structure in which it is electrically connected to a wiring electrode provided in a lower layer of the insulating film through an opening for the insulating film provided in the lower layer. FIG. 15 is a plan view enlarging a part of a pixel portion including seven segments of a liquid crystal display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line GG shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 alternately.

First, the structure of the liquid crystal display panel is as follows.
A counter electrode 2 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film is provided thereon as a transparent conductive film. A wiring electrode 12 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film is provided as a transparent conductive film on the upper substrate 3 facing the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap. The width of the wiring electrode 12 is smaller than the width of the segment electrode 21. One end of the wiring electrode 12 in the display area is connected to the connection pad 29, and is connected to the segment terminal 26 outside the seal portion 6.

An insulating film 7 made of a photosensitive resin is provided on the wiring electrodes 12 and the upper substrate 3. The insulating film 7 on the connection pad 29 has an insulating film opening 36 for removing the insulating film 7. On the insulating film 7 and on the insulating film opening 36, segment electrodes 18 to 21 (reference numeral 4) made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film are provided as a transparent conductive film. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the segment electrodes 18 to 21 have a configuration in which the segment electrodes 18 to 21 are divided into seven segments and arranged, and the illustrated part is a part thereof. Each segment electrode 18
To 21 have a predetermined gap. Also, more segment electrodes than seven segments are provided. Alternatively, a segment electrode arrangement for displaying a round numeral or the like using a curved segment electrode instead of each linear segment electrode may be used.

A description will be given of the segment electrode 21 as a representative. The segment electrode 21 is connected to the wiring electrode 12 via the insulating film opening 36 of the insulating film 7. Further, the supplementary electrode 11 is provided on the insulating film 7 with the segment electrode 21 and the wiring gap 31 interposed therebetween. The segment electrodes 18 to 21 and the supplementary electrode 11 are electrically insulated and separated because they overlap with the wiring electrode 12 via the insulating film 7. Further, by reducing the capacitance of the insulating film 7, electric energy consumed by the insulating film 7 can be extremely reduced.

The width of the wiring electrode 12 is made small to reduce the visibility to the observer. In addition, the segment electrode 21
And the supplementary electrode 11 and the segment electrode gap 31 have a width of 10 micrometers (μm),
By applying the same voltage between the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2 and between the supplemental electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2, the segment electrode gap 31 can be made almost invisible.

A seal portion 6 is provided between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 3 to enclose a mixed liquid crystal layer 5 containing a liquid crystal and a transparent solid. In the second embodiment, as a raw material of the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, PNM-157 manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Ltd. is used.
The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 made of (trade name) is used, and after the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 360 nanometers (nm) or more are irradiated at an intensity of 45 mW / cm ² for 60 seconds. . The mixed liquid crystal layer 5 exhibits a scattering property when no voltage is applied.

In each of the segment electrodes, a wiring electrode 12 having a small width is connected in the display area. Further, when viewed from the mixed liquid crystal layer 5, the outside of the sealing portion 6 (the lower side in the drawing) is used for the segment. Terminal 26 is connected. In addition, supplementary electrode 1
1 is connected to a supplementary electrode terminal 13 to enable connection with an external circuit (not shown).

FIG. 16 shows a display portion 32 composed of a portion where the segment electrode 21 and the counter electrode 2 overlap, and a background portion 3 composed of a portion where the supplementary electrode 11 and the counter electrode 2 overlap.
3 shows a state where the same voltage is applied. Therefore, the display unit 32 and the background unit 33 show the same transmittance. Further, a portion of the segment electrode gap 31 between the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 11 is applied to the display section by applying a large voltage to the mixed liquid crystal layer 5 by an oblique electric field effect from the segment electrode 21 and the supplementary electrode 11 to the counter electrode 2. The same transmittance as that of the background portion 32 and the background portion 33 can be achieved.

This can be achieved by reducing the segment electrode gap 31 between the segment electrode 4 and the supplementary electrode 11 and by separating the wiring electrode 12 from the segment electrode 4 and the supplementary electrode 11 via the insulating film 7.

<Seventh Embodiment> The structure of a liquid crystal display panel according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The feature of the seventh embodiment is that two of the segment electrodes are connected to each other, the counter electrode is divided, and an auxiliary electrode is provided in a portion close to the counter electrode. It is a top view which expands a part of pixel part which consists of seven segments of a liquid crystal display panel in a 7th embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the structure of the liquid crystal display panel is as follows.
A counter electrode divided into a plurality of indium tin oxide (ITO) films is provided thereon as a transparent conductive film. A first counter electrode 71, a second counter electrode 72, and an auxiliary electrode 73 are provided. The auxiliary electrode 73 is close to the counter electrodes 71 and 72 via a counter electrode gap 74. Counter electrode gap 7
Reference numeral 4 denotes 10 micrometers (μm).

On the upper substrate 3 which faces the lower substrate 1 with a predetermined gap, segment electrodes 18 to 21 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film as a transparent conductive film are provided.
Is provided. As shown in FIG. 17, the segment electrodes 18 to 21 have a configuration in which the segment electrodes 18 to 21 are divided into seven segments and arranged, and the illustrated part is a part thereof. The segment electrodes 18 and 21 are connected, and the segment electrodes 19 and 20 are connected. Each of the segment electrodes 18 to 21 has a supplementary electrode 11 having a gap of a segment electrode gap 31. Most of the display area is occupied by the segment electrodes 18 to 21 and the supplementary electrode 11, and the segment electrode gap 31 is a small area.

The first counter electrode 71 is arranged at a position overlapping the segment electrodes 18 and 19. The second counter electrode 72 is arranged at a position overlapping the segment electrodes 20 and 21. The supplementary electrode 11 is disposed at a position where the supplementary electrode 73 is opposed to the supplementary electrode 11, and by applying a voltage to the above electrodes,
The display area can be in a transparent state.

The description will be made on behalf of the segment electrode 21. As shown in FIG. 17, the segment electrode 21 is connected to the wiring electrode 12 and compared with the width of the segment electrode 21,
The width of the wiring electrode 12 is small. In addition, on the periphery on the segment electrode (representative 21), on the upper substrate 3, and on the wiring electrode 12,
An insulating film 7 made of a photosensitive polyimide resin is provided.

Further, on the insulating film 7, a supplementary electrode 11 made of a transparent conductive film is provided. The shape of the insulating film 7 can be the same as the shape of the supplementary electrode 11. By etching the insulating film 7 using the supplementary electrode 11 as a mask, the insulating film 7 can be easily processed into the same shape as the supplementary electrode 11 without forming an independent pattern for processing the insulating film 7. it can. Insulating film 7 on segment electrode
Is removed, a voltage substantially equivalent to that of the supplementary electrode 11 can be applied to the segment electrode and the counter electrode 2, so that display uniformity is improved. Further, the inside of the seal portion 6 (the display region, that is, the side facing the liquid crystal layer 5) is covered with the substantially whole electrode by the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode 11.

By adopting the above structure, even in the segment type display in which a plurality of segment electrodes are electrically connected, the display of the background portion is equivalent to that of the display portion by using the supplementary electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 73. It can be displayed. In the seventh embodiment, a structure in which a two-segment electrode is electrically connected is employed, and the first counter electrode 71 and the second counter electrode 73 are used. Connect the segment electrodes of
Of course, the configuration of the seventh embodiment is also effective in a configuration in which counter electrodes equal in number to the segment electrodes to be connected are provided.

[0110]

By adopting the above configuration, even if a conventional liquid crystal layer is used, a supplementary electrode is arranged around a segment electrode, and a counter electrode is also provided on the supplementary electrode to serve as a background portion. By doing so, similarly to the segment electrode and the counter electrode, a voltage can be applied between the counter electrode and the supplementary electrode via the liquid crystal layer, so that the display of the background portion is scattered, transmitted,
It can be changed to the absorption state.

Further, by arranging the supplementary electrodes with a certain gap from the segment electrodes, the supplementary electrodes can be formed using the conventional segment electrode pattern forming process, and the burden on the process is increased. Is almost none.

Although the degree of recognition is slightly different by varying the ratio of the width of the wiring electrode to the width of the wiring gap, the effect of reducing the overall width is significant.

Therefore, by using the segment electrode gap between the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode and the wiring gap between the wiring electrode and the supplementary electrode of 30 μm (μm) or less, almost the background portion is not covered with the wiring electrode. Can be displayed without being affected by the above.

Also, between the segment electrode and the supplemental electrode,
Also, by providing an insulating film between the wiring electrode and the supplementary electrode, it becomes possible to overlap the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode, or the wiring electrode and the supplementary electrode, and furthermore, to reduce the influence of the wiring electrode on the background. Can be smaller.

Further, by providing an insulating film on the periphery of the segment electrode and on the wiring electrode, and further providing a supplementary electrode on the insulating film, the influence of the wiring electrode is eliminated, and the segment is provided between the background portion and the display portion. The electrode gap is gone,
Good display quality can be achieved.

Further, when a photovoltaic element is provided below the liquid crystal display panel, the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic element can be controlled by controlling the transmittance, absorbance, or scattering of the background portion. It becomes possible.

Further, by dividing the supplemental electrode provided around the segment electrode into a plurality of parts, by controlling the voltage between the counter electrode and the supplementary electrode, it is possible to display a plurality of background portions. Also, by providing a shielding layer or a printed layer between the supplementary electrodes divided into a plurality,
The visibility of the display of each supplementary electrode can be improved.

Also, a plurality of each segment electrode are connected,
In a segment type liquid crystal display panel having a counter electrode separated corresponding to the segment electrode to be connected, an auxiliary electrode having a slight gap from the divided counter electrode is provided, and a signal is applied to the auxiliary electrode and the supplement electrode to make the entire surface uniform. Display can be achieved.

In the embodiments of the present invention, an example of a portable telephone is shown. However, the effects of the present invention are naturally also applicable to a segment type liquid crystal display device for PDA or a liquid crystal display device for audio. .

In the embodiments of the present invention, examples in which the liquid crystal layer to be used is different depending on each embodiment are shown. However, the effects of the present invention described above can be obtained by using any of the embodiments.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control system block diagram of a liquid crystal display panel display unit and a background unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a liquid crystal display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a wiring electrode portion according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view illustrating an entire liquid crystal display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of a liquid crystal display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of a liquid crystal display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view of a liquid crystal display panel according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged view of a liquid crystal display panel according to the related art.

FIG. 19 is a drawing showing a partial cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Lower substrate 2: Counter electrode 3:
Upper substrate 4: Segment electrode 5: Liquid crystal layer, mixed liquid crystal layer 6: Seal portion 7: Insulating film 11:
Supplementary electrode 12: Wiring electrode 13: Supplementary electrode terminal 14: Counter electrode terminal 15: Segment electrode 25: Wiring electrode terminal 26: Segment electrode terminal 29: Connection pad 30: Wiring gap 31: Segment electrode gap 32: Display Part 33: Background part 34: Wiring display
35: hole 36: opening for insulating film 37: antenna 41: exterior case 42: windshield
61: Power supply circuit 67: Segment drive circuit 68: Counter electrode drive circuit 69: Supplementary electrode drive circuit 71: First counter electrode 72: Second counter electrode 73: Counter electrode gap

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A counter electrode provided on a lower substrate, a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. ,scattering,
Alternatively, in a liquid crystal display panel in which display is performed by a change in absorption and a superposed portion of the counter electrode and the segment electrode is a pixel portion, a supplementary electrode for applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer is provided around the pixel portion. A liquid crystal display panel characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A counter electrode provided on a lower substrate, a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. ,scattering,
Alternatively, in a liquid crystal display panel in which display is performed by a change in absorption and a pixel portion is a portion where the counter electrode and the segment electrode overlap each other, a supplementary electrode for applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer is provided around the pixel portion. The overlap portion of the counter electrode and the supplemental electrode is used as a background portion, and the pixel portion and the background portion enable uniform display to be performed over substantially the entire surface in contact with a liquid crystal layer. panel. 3. A counter electrode provided on a lower substrate, a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. ,scattering,
Alternatively, in a liquid crystal display panel in which display is performed by a change in absorption and a pixel portion is a portion where the counter electrode and the segment electrode overlap each other, a supplementary electrode is provided between the segment electrodes with a slight gap therebetween. A voltage is applied to the counter electrode, the segment electrode, and the supplemental electrode with a superimposed portion of the electrode and the supplemental electrode as a background portion, and uniform display is performed on almost the entire surface in contact with the liquid crystal layer by the pixel portion and the background portion. A liquid crystal display panel characterized in that the liquid crystal display panel can be operated. 4. A liquid crystal layer is provided between an opposing electrode provided on a lower substrate, a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate, and a lower substrate and an upper substrate. ,scattering,
Alternatively, in a liquid crystal display panel in which display is performed by a change in absorption and a superposed portion of the counter electrode and the segment electrode is a pixel portion, a supplementary electrode is provided between the segment electrodes or on the segment electrode and between the electrodes Having an insulating film between the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode,
A liquid crystal display panel characterized by being electrically insulated. 5. An upper substrate having a supplemental electrode, an insulating film on the supplemental electrode, a segment electrode on the insulating film, and On the lower substrate facing the gap, a counter electrode overlapping the segment electrode and the supplemental electrode is provided.A liquid crystal layer is provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. A liquid crystal display panel comprising: a pixel portion formed by a superimposed portion of the above; and a background portion formed by a superposed portion of a counter electrode and a supplemental electrode. 6. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 5, wherein the insulating film provided on the supplementary electrode has an opening in a portion where the segment electrode is not provided. 7. An upper electrode includes a segment electrode, an insulating film, and a supplementary electrode, wherein the supplemental electrode has an opening on the segment electrode, and a portion other than the segment electrode has The segment electrode and the supplemental electrode are provided on substantially the entire surface, and the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode are insulated by the insulating film. Further, the lower substrate has a counter electrode overlapping the segment electrode and the supplementary electrode. A liquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal layer between the pixel electrode and a pixel portion comprising a superposed portion of the counter electrode and the segment electrode, and a background portion comprising a superposed portion of the counter electrode and the supplemental electrode. . 8. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 7, wherein the insulating film provided on the segment electrode has an opening. 9. A counter electrode provided on a lower substrate, a segment electrode provided on an upper substrate, a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, and a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer to transmit light. ,scattering,
Alternatively, in a liquid crystal display panel in which display is performed by a change in absorption and a pixel portion is a portion where the counter electrode and the segment electrode overlap each other, a wiring electrode for applying a predetermined signal to the segment electrode is provided on the upper substrate; An insulating film is provided on the electrode and the upper substrate, the insulating film on the wiring electrode has an opening formed by partially removing the insulating film, and a segment electrode is arranged on the insulating film. A liquid crystal display panel connected to a segment electrode through an opening on the wiring electrode; and a supplementary electrode around the pixel portion for applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer. 10. A pixel section for applying a voltage substantially equal to a voltage applied to the background section, and a pixel section having an optical characteristic different from that of the background section by applying a voltage smaller or larger than the voltage. The liquid crystal display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein display is performed using the display. 11. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer is a mixed liquid crystal layer composed of a liquid crystal and a transparent solid. 12. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer is a mixed liquid crystal layer composed of a liquid crystal and a dichroic dye. 13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a photovoltaic element below the lower substrate, wherein a display of a background portion is changed according to an external light amount. Liquid crystal display panel. 14. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the wiring electrode connected to the segment electrode has a plurality of holes in the wiring. 15. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary electrode is divided into a plurality. 16. The counter electrode according to claim 1, wherein the counter electrode is divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided counter electrode has an auxiliary electrode approaching through a slight counter electrode gap. 2. The liquid crystal display panel according to item 1.