KR102127409B1 - Liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device capable of reducing the texture by increasing the control power of the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a data line extending in a first direction, a gate line intersecting the data line and extending in a second direction, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, and the It includes a first electrode connected to the thin film transistor, the first electrode includes a first stem portion extending in the first direction, and a second stem portion extending in the second direction from the first stem portion And, the first stem portion is located on one edge of the first electrode, the first stem portion includes a first portion having a width change, and the first portion having a width change includes two first sides facing each other. , One of the two first sides forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 2 degrees with the first direction.

Description

Liquid crystal display device {LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY}

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device capable of reducing the texture by increasing the control power of the liquid crystal.

The liquid crystal display device is one of the most widely used flat panel display devices, and includes two display panels on which field generating electrodes such as a pixel electrode and a common electrode are formed, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal display device generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the electric field generating electrode, thereby determining the direction of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer and controlling polarization of incident light to display an image.

Among liquid crystal display devices, a vertically aligned mode liquid crystal display device in which a long axis of a liquid crystal molecule is vertically aligned with respect to an upper and lower display panel in a state in which an electric field is not applied, has a high contrast ratio and is easy to implement a wide reference viewing angle, and thus is spotlighted. .

In order to achieve a wide viewing angle in the vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display, a plurality of domains having different alignment directions of liquid crystals may be formed in one pixel.

One example of a means for forming a plurality of domains in this way is a method of forming a pattern on an electric field generating electrode. According to this method, a plurality of domains can be formed in the liquid crystal layer by controlling the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal by a fringe field formed between the edge of the pattern of the electric field generating electrode and the electric field generating electrode facing the edge. have.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to increase the control power of the liquid crystal by the pattern included in the electric field generating electrode of the liquid crystal display device to reduce the texture that may occur near the domain boundary.

A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode facing each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and the lower electrode comprises a horizontal stem portion and the horizontal row forming a boundary between neighboring sub-regions. It includes a vertical stem portion connected to the base, and the horizontal stem portion includes a portion having a greatest width at a position connected to the vertical stem portion and a smaller width as it moves away from the vertical stem portion.

The vertical stem portion may include a portion having a greatest width at a position connected to the horizontal stem portion and having a smaller width as it moves away from the vertical stem portion.

The width of the horizontal stem portion or the vertical stem portion may be approximately 5 μm or more and approximately 8 μm or less.

The vertical stem portion may define at least a part of an edge of the lower electrode.

The lower electrode includes an upper unit electrode and a lower unit electrode adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween, and each of the upper unit electrode and the lower unit electrode includes the horizontal stem portion and the vertical stem portion. Can.

An electric field shield overlapping the gap may be further included.

The lower electrode further includes a plurality of fine branch portions extending from the vertical stem portion or the horizontal stem portion, and the electric field shielding portion is located in one of two adjacent subregions with the gap interposed therebetween. It may include a connecting portion connecting the ends of a portion of the fine branch.

The end portions of the minute branches of the sub-regions facing the gap between the sub-regions where the connection portion is located may be separated from each other.

A common electrode line that transmits a common voltage and overlaps the lower electrode or an electrode connected to the lower electrode to form a storage capacitor may further include the electric field shielding part may include a horizontal portion connected to the storage electrode line.

A data line for transmitting a data voltage to the lower electrode, and a shielding electrode positioned around the lower electrode and overlapping the data line, may further include a horizontal portion connected to the shielding electrode. .

The shielding electrode may be located on the same layer as the lower electrode.

A liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a lower panel and an upper panel facing each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and the lower panel includes first and second subregions adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween. It includes a lower electrode including a, the upper display panel includes an upper plate electrode facing the lower plate electrode, the first sub-region is to control the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer to be arranged in a first direction, the second The sub-region controls the liquid crystal molecules to be arranged in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and the lower display panel further includes an electric field shield overlapping the gap.

The first sub-region includes a plurality of minute branches, and the second sub-region includes a plurality of minute branches extending substantially opposite to the direction in which the minute branches of the first sub-region extend, and shielding the electric field The part may include a connecting part connecting ends of a part of the plurality of minute branches located in one of the first sub-region and the second sub-region.

The ends of the fine branch portions of the first subregion or the second subregion where the connection portion is located and the subregion facing the gap may be separated from each other.

The lower display panel further includes a sustain electrode line that transmits a common voltage and overlaps the lower electrode or an electrode connected to the lower plate electrode to form a storage capacitor, and the electric field shielding portion includes a horizontal portion connected to the storage electrode line. can do.

The lower display panel further includes a data line transmitting a data voltage to the lower electrode, and a shielding electrode positioned around the lower electrode and overlapping the data line, wherein the electric field shielding portion is a horizontal portion connected to the shielding electrode. It can contain.

The lower electrode includes a unit electrode including the first subregion, and the unit electrode includes a horizontal stem portion forming a boundary between the first subregion and the first subregion and a neighboring third subregion, and It may include a vertical stem portion connected to the horizontal stem portion, and the horizontal stem portion may include a portion having a greatest width at a position connected to the vertical stem portion and a smaller width as it moves away from the vertical stem portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control power of the liquid crystal by the pattern included in the electric field generating electrode of the liquid crystal display device may be increased to reduce textures that may occur near the domain boundary.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a plan view of a lower electrode of a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a photograph showing luminance displayed by a part of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the present invention,
4 to 6 are plan views of lower electrodes of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
7 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 7 taken along line VIII-VIII,
9 is a diagram illustrating two sub-pixels included in one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
10 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
11 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
12 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 11 taken along line XII-XII,
13 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
14 and 15 are layout views of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
16 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 15 taken along line XVI-XVI,
17 to 19 are equivalent circuit diagrams of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
20 is a plan view of a lower electrode of a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention,
21 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
22 is a photograph showing luminance displayed by a part of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
24 is a photograph showing luminance displayed by a part of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and
25 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Then, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily practice. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In the drawings, the thickness is enlarged to clearly express various layers and regions. The same reference numerals are used for similar parts throughout the specification. When a portion of a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is said to be "above" another portion, this includes not only the case "directly above" the other portion, but also another portion in the middle. Conversely, when one part is "just above" another part, it means that there is no other part in the middle.

First, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 5 are plan views of lower electrodes of a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels PX, wherein one pixel PX faces each other, the lower panel 100 and the upper panel 200, and And a liquid crystal layer 3 interposed between the two display panels 100 and 200.

First, when the upper display panel 200 is described, the upper electrode 270 is positioned on the insulating substrate 210. The upper electrode 270 may be made of a transparent conductor such as ITO or IZO or metal. The upper electrode 270 may be applied with a common voltage Vcom.

The upper electrode 270 may be connected to one over the entire surface of the upper display panel 200, and may also include at least one opening (not shown). In this case, the opening of the upper electrode may have a constant shape for each pixel.

The upper display panel 200 may further include a color filter (not shown) and a light blocking member (not shown) positioned under the upper electrode 270. The light blocking member is a black matrix It is also called (black matrix) and can prevent light leakage between pixels The color filter can display one of the primary colors such as the three primary colors of red, green, and blue, on the other hand, at least one of the light blocking member and the color filter May be located on the lower panel 100. When the upper panel 200 includes a color filter or a light blocking member, an overcoat (not shown) between the color filter or the light blocking member and the upper electrode 270 is shown. This can be located.

Next, when the lower display panel 100 is described, a plurality of signal lines (not shown) and a switching element Q connected thereto are positioned on the insulating substrate 110.

The plurality of signal lines may include a plurality of gate lines (not shown) and a plurality of data lines (not shown). The gate line transmits a gate signal and may mainly extend in a horizontal direction. The data line is insulated from the gate line and can intersect and transfer the data voltage.

The switching element Q may include at least one thin film transistor. The thin film transistor may be a three-terminal device, and may include a gate electrode connected to a gate line, a source electrode connected to a data line, and a drain electrode facing the source electrode. The thin film transistor may further include a semiconductor (not shown) that can be made of hydrogenated amorphous, polycrystalline silicon or oxide semiconductor, or the like.

A protective layer 180 including an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material is positioned on the switching element Q. The passivation layer 180 may include a contact hole (not shown) exposing the drain electrode of the switching element Q.

A lower electrode 191 may be positioned on the passivation layer 180. The lower electrode 191 may be made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO, or a reflective metal such as aluminum, silver, chromium, or alloys thereof. The lower electrode 191 may be connected to the drain electrode of the switching element Q through a contact hole of the passivation layer 180 to receive a data voltage.

Referring to FIG. 2, the overall shape of the lower electrode 191 is a quadrangular shape, and includes a neighboring upper unit electrode UPa and a lower unit electrode UPb with a gap 95 therebetween. The upper unit electrode UPa and the lower unit electrode UPb are electrically connected to each other through at least one connection portion 192. The connection portion 192 may be made of the same material on the same layer as the lower electrode 191.

The upper unit electrode UPa includes at least one horizontal stem portion 195a and at least one vertical stem portion 197a connected thereto. The vertical stem portion 197a mainly extends in the vertical direction D2 and defines one edge of the upper unit electrode UPa, for example, the left edge. The horizontal stem portion 195a may start at approximately the center of the vertical stem portion 197a and extend in the horizontal direction D1, which is a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical stem portion 197a.

The lower unit electrode UPb has a shape that is approximately left and right inverted symmetric with the shape of the upper unit electrode UPa. Specifically, the lower unit electrode UPb includes at least one horizontal stem portion 195b and at least one vertical stem portion 197b connected thereto. The vertical stem portion 197b mainly extends in the vertical direction D2 and defines one edge of the lower unit electrode UPb, for example, a right edge. The horizontal stem portion 195b may start at approximately the center of the vertical stem portion 197b and extend in the horizontal direction D1, which is a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical stem portion 197b.

The length of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may be longer than the length of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b.

Each of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b includes a portion whose width varies, and the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b have the largest width at a position connected to the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. The width-variable portion of each of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b starts at a portion connected to the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b, and may be smaller as the distance away from the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. .

Specifically, at least one side of the upper side and the lower side of the portion in which the widths of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b change may form a horizontal direction D1 and a first inclination angle a1. The first inclination angle a1 may be greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 1 degree. The largest width (L1) of the portion where the width of each transverse stem portion (195a, 195b) changes may be up to about 8um, and the smallest width (L2) may be greater than or equal to about 5um, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to process capability or exposure machine It may be less than 5um depending on the exposure limit of.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each horizontal stem portion 195a, 195b may further include a portion having a constant width. In this case, a portion having a constant width of each of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may be located far from the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b to which the corresponding horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b are connected. According to this, each of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may have an approximately funnel shape as shown in FIG. 2. The width of the portion where the widths of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b are constant may be the same as the smallest width L2 of the portion where the widths of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b change.

Each of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b includes a portion in which the width changes, and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b have the largest width at a position connected to the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b. The portion where the width of each vertical stem portion 197a, 197b changes starts from the portion connected to the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b, and the width thereof may become smaller as it moves away from the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b. .

Specifically, among the sides of the portion where the widths of the respective vertical stem portions 197a and 197b change, the side facing the side where the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b are located forms a vertical direction D2 and a second inclination angle a2. Can. The second inclination angle a2 may be greater than 0 degrees and approximately 2 degrees or less. On the other hand, among the sides of the portion where the widths of the respective vertical stem portions 197a and 197b change, the side facing outward may extend substantially parallel to the vertical direction D2. The largest width (L3) of the portion where the width of each vertical stem portion (197a, 197b) changes may be up to about 8um, and the smallest width (L4) may be greater than or equal to about 5um, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to process capability or exposure machine It may be less than 5um depending on the exposure limit of.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each vertical stem portion 197a, 197b may further include a portion having a constant width. In this case, a portion having a constant width of each of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b may be located far from the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b to which the corresponding vertical stem portions 197a and 197b are connected. According to this, each of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b may have an approximately funnel shape as shown in FIG. 2. The width of the portion where the widths of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b are constant may be the same as the smallest width L4 of the portion where the widths of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b change.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, only one of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b may have a portion in which the width changes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lower electrode 191 is divided into a plurality of sub-regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 by the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b, the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b, and the gap 95. Is divided. The horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b, the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b, and the gap 95 form a boundary between neighboring subregions R1, R2, R3, and R4.

The lower electrode 191 may further include a plurality of minute branches 199 formed in each sub-region R1, R2, R3, and R4. The fine branch portion 199 may extend outwardly from the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b or the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. The fine branch portions 199 of different sub-regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the lower electrode 191 may extend in different directions. In particular, the minute branches 199 of adjacent sub-regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 may achieve approximately 90 degrees or approximately 180 degrees. The extending direction of the fine branch portions 199 in each of the sub-regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 may be constant.

Specifically, the fine branch portion 199 of the upper subregion R1 among the subregions R1 and R2 defined by the horizontal stem portion 195a and the vertical stem portion 197a is a horizontal stem portion 195a or vertical The stem portion 197a may extend obliquely in the upper right direction, and the fine branch portion 199 of the lower subregion R2 may extend obliquely downward from the horizontal stem portion 195a or the vertical stem portion 197a. have. In addition, the fine branch portion 199 of the upper subregion R3 among the subregions R3 and R4 defined by the horizontal stem portion 195b and the vertical stem portion 197b has a horizontal stem portion 195b or a vertical stem portion. From 197b, it may extend obliquely in the upper left direction, and the fine branch portion 199 of the lower subregion R4 may extend obliquely from the horizontal stem portion 195b or the vertical stem portion 197b in the leftward direction.

Between the adjacent fine branch portions 199, a fine slit 91 in which an electrode is removed is positioned.

The widths of the fine branch portions 199 and the fine slits 91 may be approximately 5 μm to approximately 8 μm, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the ratio of the widths of the fine branch portions 199 and the fine slits 91 may be approximately 1.5:1 to approximately 1:1.5, but is not limited thereto, and may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of display characteristics.

The acute angle formed by the fine branch portions 199 with the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may be approximately 40 degrees to 45 degrees, but is not limited thereto and may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of display characteristics such as visibility of the liquid crystal display device.

An alignment layer (not shown) may be positioned on the inner surfaces of the two display panels 100 and 200, and these may be vertical alignment layers. In addition, a polarizer (not shown) is provided on at least one outer surface of the two display panels 100 and 200, and the polarization axes of the two polarizers may be orthogonal, and the polarization axis of one of the polarizers is transverse (D1) ).

The liquid crystal layer 3 positioned between the two display panels 100 and 200 includes liquid crystal molecules 31 having dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules 31 may have negative dielectric anisotropy in particular. The liquid crystal molecules 31 may be oriented such that their long axes are generally perpendicular to the surfaces of the two display panels 100 and 200 while no electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 3.

The liquid crystal layer 3 positioned in one pixel PX includes a plurality of domains (not shown) having different directions in which the liquid crystal molecules 31 are inclined when an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 3. Can realize a wide viewing angle. The direction in which the liquid crystal molecules 31 are inclined in each domain may be constant, and this specific direction is referred to as a behavior direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31. The domain of the liquid crystal layer 3 in one pixel PX may respectively correspond to a plurality of sub-regions R1-R4 of the corresponding lower electrode 191. For example, when four sub-regions R1-R4 of the lower electrode 191 are included, the liquid crystal layer 3 corresponding thereto may have four domains in each pixel PX.

The liquid crystal molecules 31 of each domain may be initially oriented while pre-tilting in the direction of each behavior in the absence of an electric field in the liquid crystal layer 3 for fast response speed. As described above, in order to have the liquid crystal molecules 31 initially have a pretilt, an alignment film having various orientation directions may be used, and the liquid crystal layer 3 or the alignment film may be a cured alignment aid for pretilt of the liquid crystal molecules 31. It may include. When the alignment layer forms a pretilt of the liquid crystal molecules 31, the alignment layer may control the initial alignment direction and the alignment angle of the liquid crystal molecules 31 by obliquely irradiating light such as ultraviolet rays.

Then, the operation of the liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 together with FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing luminance displayed by a part of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

When the switching element Q is turned on by applying the gate-on voltage Von to the gate electrode of the switching element Q, the data voltage is applied to the lower electrode 191. The lower electrode 191 to which the data voltage is applied and the upper electrode 270 to which the common voltage Vcom is applied together generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer 3.

The electric field includes a vertical component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the display panels 100 and 200, and the liquid crystal molecules 31 are inclined in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the display panels 100 and 200 by the vertical component of the electric field. do. On the other hand, fringe fields are formed between the edges of the lower stem electrode 191, such as the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b, the vertical stem portions 197a, 197b, and the fine branch portions 199, and the upper plate electrode 270, to form liquid crystal molecules. (31) is generally inclined toward the connecting portion of the horizontal stem portions (195a, 195b) and the vertical stem portions (197a, 197b) and in a direction substantially parallel to the fine branch portion (199). Accordingly, a plurality of domains having different directions in which the liquid crystal molecules 31 are inclined is formed in the liquid crystal layer 3 of one pixel PX. The liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the sub-regions R1 are generally inclined in the first direction dr1, and the liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the sub-regions R2 are generally inclined in the second direction dr2, The liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the sub-regions R3 are generally inclined in the third direction dr3, and the liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the sub-regions R4 are generally inclined in the fourth direction dr4. The first to fourth directions (dr1, dr2, dr3, and dr4) become the behavior direction of each liquid crystal molecule 31.

Particularly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the edge transitions of the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b or the vertical stem portions 197a, 197b in the portion where the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a, 197b are connected. Control force (liquid crystal) of the direction of movement of the liquid crystal molecules 31 in the vicinity of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b because they are inclined while forming the first inclination angle a1 or the second inclination angle a2. Control power). In particular, the directionality of the liquid crystal molecules 31 can be better controlled near the portion where the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b are connected, thereby reducing texture in the vicinity.

Furthermore, the control force for the liquid crystal molecules 31 reinforced near the portion where the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b are connected is the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. ) To further control the direction of movement of the liquid crystal molecules 31 near the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b away from the connected portion, thereby further reducing the texture of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and further reducing the texture. The transmittance of can be further increased.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the widths of the horizontal stem portion 195a and the vertical stem portion 197a are constant, liquid crystal molecules near the horizontal stem portion 195a and the vertical stem portion 197a as shown in FIG. 3(a) ( The direction of 31) is not controlled and a disordered texture area is largely formed. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3(b), it can be confirmed that the texture region disappeared near the horizontal stem portion 195a and the vertical stem portion 197a.

On the other hand, the maximum width of the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b or the vertical stem portions 197a, 197b may be larger than approximately 8um, but even in such a case, the horizontal stem portions 195a, 195b or the vertical stem portions 197a, 197b ) The liquid crystal control power in the vicinity may not be greatly improved. In addition, there may be a disadvantage that the range of regions in which the direction of movement of the liquid crystal molecules 31 is not controlled is increased at a position where the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b of the lower electrode 191 are connected. . Therefore, the width of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b or the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b of the lower electrode 191 may be preferably about 8 μm or less.

Next, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, respectively. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as the embodiments described above, and the same description is omitted.

4 to 6 are plan views of lower electrodes of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display according to the present embodiment is mostly the same as the above-described embodiment, but has the shape of the horizontal stem parts 195a and 195b and the vertical stem parts 197a and 197b of the lower electrode 191. can be different.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may not have a constant width portion and may vary in width at a constant rate. That is, the width of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b starts from a portion connected to the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b as shown in FIG. 4 and moves away from the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. The more it can be gradually smaller.

Also in this embodiment, at least one side of the upper side and the lower side of each of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may form a horizontal direction D1 and a first inclination angle a1. The first inclination angle a1 may be greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 1 degree. The largest width (L1) of each transverse stem portion (195a, 195b) may be up to about 8um, and the smallest width (L2) may be greater than or equal to about 5um, but is not limited thereto, depending on the process capability or exposure limit of the exposure machine It may be less than 5um.

Similarly, each of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b may not include a portion having a constant width. The width of each of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b may be changed at a constant ratio in one direction, starting from a connection portion with the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b. That is, the widths of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b start from a portion connected to the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b, as shown in FIG. 4, and move away from the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b. The more it can be gradually smaller.

Also in this embodiment, among the sides of each of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b, the side facing the side where the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b are located may form a vertical direction D2 and a second inclination angle a2. The second inclination angle a2 may be greater than 0 degrees and approximately 2 degrees or less. On the other hand, among the sides of the portion where the widths of the respective vertical stem portions 197a and 197b change, the side facing outward may extend substantially parallel to the vertical direction D2. The largest width (L3) of each vertical stem portion (197a, 197b) may be up to about 8um, and the smallest width (L4) may be greater than or equal to about 5um, but is not limited thereto, depending on process capability or exposure limit of the exposure machine It may be less than 5um.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the liquid crystal display according to the present embodiment is mostly the same as the above-described embodiments, but forms the horizontal stem parts 195a and 195b and the vertical stem parts 197a and 197b of the lower electrode 191. May be different.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the width of most of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the width of most of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b may be constant, respectively. In addition, the lower electrode 191 may further include center patterns 196a and 196b positioned at a connection portion between the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. The central patterns 196a and 196b may be polygons including sides located in adjacent sub-regions R1-R4, for example, triangles. The vertices of the central patterns 196a and 196b may be located on the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b or the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. The length of one side of the center patterns 196a and 196b may be approximately 10 μm to approximately 40 μm, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6, the liquid crystal display according to the present embodiment is mostly the same as the above-described various embodiments, but the upper unit electrode UPa or the lower unit electrode UPb is the left side of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. Alternatively, a dummy pattern (Duma, Dumb) positioned on the right side may be further included.

Specifically, the upper unit electrode UPa further includes a dummy pattern Duma positioned opposite the two sub-regions R1 and R2 based on the vertical stem portion 197a, and the dummy pattern Duma is horizontal. An extension portion of the stem portion 195a and a plurality of fine branch portions 199 may be further included. The lower unit electrode UPb further includes a dummy pattern Dumb located opposite the two sub-regions R3 and R4 based on the vertical stem portion 197b, and the dummy pattern Dumb includes a horizontal stem portion ( 195b), and may further include a plurality of minute branches 199.

In each dummy pattern (Duma, Dumb), the lengths of the extension portions of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b may be smaller than 1/2 of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b. Among the sides of the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b, sides adjacent to the dummy patterns Duma and Dumb may extend substantially parallel to the vertical direction D2, as shown in FIG. 6, and the subregions R1-R4. As the sides of the adjacent vertical stem portions 197a and 197b, a portion forming the vertical direction D2 and the second inclination angle a2 may be included.

Now, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

7 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 7 taken along line VIII-VIII.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the lower panel 100 and the upper panel 200 facing each other, and the liquid crystal contained between the two display panels 100 and 200. Layer 3 is included.

First, when the lower display panel 100 is described, a gate line 121 including a gate electrode 124 is formed on the insulating substrate 110. The gate line 121 transmits a gate signal and mainly extends in a horizontal direction.

A gate insulating layer 140 is formed on the gate line 121, and a semiconductor 154 that can be made of hydrogenated amorphous or polycrystalline silicon or oxide semiconductor is positioned on the gate insulating layer 140.

A data line 171 and a drain electrode 175 are formed on the semiconductor 154 and the gate insulating layer 140.

The data line 171 transfers a data voltage and mainly extends in a vertical direction to cross the gate line 121. The data line 171 includes a source electrode 173 extending toward the gate electrode 124.

The drain electrode 175 is separated from the data line 171 and includes a portion facing the source electrode 173.

The gate electrode 124, the source electrode 173, and the drain electrode 175 form a thin film transistor (TFT) Q together with the semiconductor 154.

A passivation layer 180 made of an insulating material is positioned on the thin film transistor Q. A contact hole 185 exposing the drain electrode 175 is formed in the passivation layer 180.

The lower electrode 191 is formed on the passivation layer 180. The lower electrode 191 may be the same as the lower electrode 191 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above, and the same description will be omitted.

An alignment layer 11 may be positioned on the lower electrode 191.

Referring to the upper display panel 200, the color filter 230 and the light blocking member 220 may be positioned on the insulating substrate 210 of the upper display panel 200. At least one of the light blocking member 220 and the color filter 230 may be located on the lower display panel 100.

The overcoat 250 is positioned on the color filter 230 and the light blocking member 220, and the top electrode 270 is disposed on the overcoat 250.

An alignment layer 21 may be positioned on the overcoat 250.

Since the liquid crystal layer 3 is the same as the above-described embodiment, detailed description is omitted here.

When the data voltage is applied to the lower electrode 191 and the common voltage is applied to the upper electrode 270 through the turned-on thin film transistor Q, an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 3. At this time, as described above, according to the structure of the lower electrode 191 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal control power is increased in the vicinity of the horizontal stem portion and the vertical stem portion, thereby reducing texture and increasing transmittance.

Next, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

9 is a view showing two sub-pixels included in one pixel of the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, 11 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 11 taken along a line XII-XII.

Referring to FIG. 9, one pixel PX of the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first subpixel PXa and a second subpixel PXb. The first subpixel PXa and the second subpixel PXb may display images according to different gamma curves for one input image signal or may display images according to the same gamma curve. That is, the first subpixel PXa and the second subpixel PXb of one pixel PX may display images of different luminance to improve side visibility of one input image signal. The areas of the first subpixel PXa and the second subpixel PXb may be the same or different.

As such, the pixels PX including the first sub-pixel PXa and the second sub-pixel PXb may have various circuit structures and arrangements to display images of different luminance.

Referring to FIG. 10, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a signal line including a gate line 121, a decompression gate line 123, and a data line 171 and a pixel PX connected thereto. do.

The first sub-pixel PXa of each pixel PX includes a first switching element Qa, a first liquid crystal capacitor Clca, and a first holding capacitor Csta, and the second sub-pixel PXb is And second and third switching elements Qa, Qb, Qc, second liquid crystal capacitors Clca, Clcb, second holding capacitors Csta, Cstb, and decompression capacitor Cstd. The first and second switching elements Qa and Qb are connected to the gate line 121 and the data line 171, respectively, and the third switching element Qc is connected to the decompression gate line 123. The first and second switching elements Qa and Qb are three-terminal elements such as a thin film transistor, and the control terminal thereof is connected to the gate line 121 and the input terminal is connected to the data line 171, and output The terminals are connected to the first and second liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb and the first and second holding capacitors Csta and Cstb, respectively. The third switching element Qc is also a three-terminal element such as a thin film transistor, and the control terminal is connected to the decompression gate line 123, the input terminal is connected to the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb, and the output terminal is decompression. It is connected to the capacitor (Cstd). The decompression capacitor Cstd is connected to the output terminal of the third switching element Qc and a common voltage.

Referring to the operation of the pixel PX, first, when the gate-on voltage Von is applied to the gate line 121, the first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb connected thereto are turned on. Accordingly, the data voltage of the data line 171 is applied to the first and second liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb through the turned on first and second switching elements Qa and Qb, so that the first and second liquid crystal capacitors ( Clca, Clcb) are charged by the difference between the data voltage and the common voltage Vcom. At this time, the gate-off voltage Voff is applied to the decompression gate line 123. Next, when the gate-off voltage Voff is applied to the gate line 121 and the gate-on voltage Von is applied to the decompression gate line 123, the first and second switching elements Qa connected to the gate line 121 , Qb) is turned off, and the third switching element Qc is turned on. Accordingly, the charging voltage of the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb connected to the output terminal of the second switching element Qb falls. Therefore, in the case of the liquid crystal display device driven by the frame inversion, the charging voltage of the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb may be always lower than the charging voltage of the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca. Accordingly, side visibility of the liquid crystal display device may be improved by differently charging voltages of the first and second liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb.

11 and 12 show an example of a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention having a circuit structure shown in FIG. 10.

The liquid crystal display device according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a lower display panel 100 and an upper display panel 200 facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer 3 interposed between the two display panels 100 and 200.

Referring to the lower display panel 100, a plurality of gate conductors including a gate line 121, a decompression gate line 123 and a storage electrode line 125 are formed on the insulating substrate 110. The gate line 121 and the decompression gate line 123 mainly extend in a horizontal direction and transmit a gate signal. The gate line 121 may include a first gate electrode 124a and a second gate electrode 124b, and the decompression gate line 123 may include a third gate electrode 124c. The first gate electrode 124a and the second gate electrode 124b are connected to each other. The storage electrode line 125 may also mainly extend in a horizontal direction and transmit a predetermined voltage such as a common voltage Vcom. The storage electrode line 125 includes a storage extension 126, a pair of vertical portions 128 extending upwards substantially perpendicular to the gate line 121, and a horizontal portion 127 connecting the pair of vertical portions 128. However, the structure of the storage electrode line 125 is not limited thereto.

A gate insulating layer 140 is positioned on the gate conductor, and a linear semiconductor 151 is positioned thereon. The linear semiconductor 151 may mainly extend in a vertical direction, and extends toward the first and second gate electrodes 124a and 124b and are connected to each other and the first and second semiconductors 154a and 154b, and the second semiconductor And a third semiconductor 154c connected to 154b.

A linear resistive contact member 161 is formed on the linear semiconductor 151, and resistive contact members 163a and 165a are formed on the first semiconductor 154a, and the second semiconductor 154b and the third semiconductor 154c are formed. ) Resistive contact members may also be formed on each. However, the resistive contact members 161 and 165a may be omitted.

A data conductor including a data line 171, a first drain electrode 175a, a second drain electrode 175b, and a third drain electrode 175c is formed on the resistive contact members 161 and 165a. The data line 171 may include a first source electrode 173a and a second source electrode 173b extending toward the first gate electrode 124a and the second gate electrode 124b. The rod-shaped end portions of the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175b are partially surrounded by the first source electrode 173a and the second source electrode 173b. The wide one end portion of the second drain electrode 175b may be extended again to form a third source electrode 173c curved in an'U' shape. The wide end portion 177c of the third drain electrode 175c overlaps the holding extension portion 126 to form a decompression capacitor Cstd, and the rod-shaped end portion is partially surrounded by the third source electrode 173c.

First/second/third gate electrode 124a/124b/124c, first/second/third source electrode 173a/173b/173c and first/second/third drain electrode 175a/175b /175c) forms a first/second/third thin film transistor Qa/Qb/Qc together with the first/second/third semiconductors 154a/154b/154c.

A lower passivation layer 180p is positioned on the data conductors 171, 175a, 175b, and 175c and exposed semiconductor portions 154a, 154b, and 154c, and a color filter 230 and a light blocking member 220 can be positioned thereon. have. The light blocking member 220 includes an opening 227 positioned on the first thin film transistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qb, an opening 226a positioned on a wide end portion of the first drain electrode 175a, and a second An opening 226b positioned on the wide end portion of the drain electrode 175b and an opening 228 positioned on the third thin film transistor Qc may be included. Alternatively, at least one of the color filter 230 and the light blocking member 220 may be located on the upper display panel 200.

The upper passivation layer 180q is positioned on the color filter 230 and the light blocking member 220. A plurality of contact holes 185a and 185b exposing the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175b are formed in the lower passivation layer 180p and the upper passivation layer 180q, respectively.

The first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b of one pixel PX are positioned on the upper passivation layer 180q. Each of the first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b may have the same structure as any one of the lower electrode 191 according to various embodiments described above. 11 shows an example in which the first sub-pixel electrode 191a and the second sub-pixel electrode 191b have the same structure as the lower electrode 191 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, respectively. .

The first sub-pixel electrode 191a is applied with a data voltage from the first drain electrode 175a through the contact hole 185a, and the second sub-pixel electrode 191b is the second drain electrode through the contact hole 185b. A data voltage may be applied from 175b.

The upper display panel 200 and the liquid crystal layer 3 are the same as the various exemplary embodiments described above, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

* The first subpixel electrode 191a and the top plate electrode 270 form the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca together with the liquid crystal layer 3 therebetween, and the second subpixel electrode 191b and the top plate electrode 270 The second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb is formed together with the liquid crystal layer 3 therebetween to maintain the applied voltage even after the first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb are turned off. In addition, the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b may overlap the storage electrode line 125 to form first and second storage capacitors Csta and Cstb.

Next, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as the embodiments described above, and the same description is omitted.

13 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 14 and 15 are arrangement views of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is 15 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 15 taken along line XVI-XVI.

Referring to FIG. 13, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a signal line such as a gate line 121, a data line 171, and a reference voltage line 178 transmitting a reference voltage, and a pixel PX connected thereto. ).

Each pixel PX includes first and second subpixels PXa and PXb. The first sub-pixel PXa includes a first switching element Qa and a first liquid crystal capacitor Clca, and the second sub-pixel PXb includes second and third switching elements Qa, Qb, Qc, And it includes a second liquid crystal capacitor (Clca, Clcb). The first switching element Qa and the second switching element Qb are connected to the gate line 121 and the data line 171, respectively, and the third switching element Qc is the output of the second switching element Qb. It is connected to the terminal and the reference voltage line 178. The output terminal of the first switching element Qa is connected to the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca, and the output terminal of the second switching element Qb is of the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb and the third switching element Qc. It is connected to the input terminal. The control terminal of the third switching element Qc is connected to the gate line 121, the input terminal is connected to the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb, and the output terminal is connected to the reference voltage line 178.

Referring to the operation of the pixel PX illustrated in FIG. 13, first, when a gate-on voltage Von is applied to the gate line 121, a first switching element Qa and a second switching element Qb connected thereto, Then, the third switching element Qc is turned on. Accordingly, the data voltage applied to the data line 171 is applied to the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb through the first switching element Qa and the second switching element Qb that are turned on, respectively. When applied, the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb are charged by the difference between the data voltage and the common voltage Vcom. At this time, the same data voltage is transmitted through the first and second switching elements Qa and Qb to the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb, but the charging voltage of the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb is The partial pressure is applied through the third switching element Qc. Therefore, since the charging voltage of the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb is smaller than the charging voltage of the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca, luminances of the two subpixels PXa and PXb may be different. Accordingly, when the voltage charged in the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the voltage charged in the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb are properly adjusted, the image viewed from the side can be as close as possible to the image viewed from the front, and accordingly Side visibility can be improved.

14 to 16 show an example of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention having the circuit structure shown in FIG. 13.

The liquid crystal display device according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a lower display panel 100 and an upper display panel 200 facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer 3 interposed between the two display panels 100 and 200.

14 illustrates an example in which the first sub-pixel PXa and the second sub-pixel PXb are adjacent in the vertical direction as an example in which the vertical length of one pixel PX is longer than the horizontal length. 15 illustrates an example in which the first subpixel PXa and the second subpixel PXb are adjacent in the horizontal direction as an example in which the length of the horizontal direction of one pixel PX is longer than the length of the vertical direction.

Referring to the lower display panel 100, a gate line extending in a horizontal direction including the first gate electrode 124a, the second gate electrode 124b, and the third gate electrode 124c on the insulating substrate 110 ( 121) is located. The gate insulating layer 140 is positioned on the gate line 121, and the first semiconductor 154a, the second semiconductor 154b, and the third semiconductor 154c are positioned thereon. A plurality of resistive contact members 163a, 165a, 163b, 165b, 163c, and 165c may be positioned on the first semiconductor 154a, the second semiconductor 154b, and the third semiconductor 154c. A data line 171 extending in a vertical direction and including a first source electrode 173a and a second source electrode 173b on the resistive contact member and the gate insulating layer 140, the first drain electrode 175a, and the second drain electrode A data conductor including (175b), a third source electrode 173c and a third drain electrode 175c, and a reference voltage line 178 is positioned. The reference voltage line 178 may include two stem parts 178a generally parallel to the data line 171 and a connecting part 178b connecting the two stem parts 178a to each other. By connecting the two stem portions 178a of the reference voltage line 178 to the connection portion 178b, it is possible to prevent a delay of a signal flowing through the reference voltage line 178. However, the shape of the reference voltage line 178 is not limited thereto and may be variously modified.

The first gate electrode 124a, the first source electrode 173a, and the first drain electrode 175a form the first thin film transistor Qa together with the first semiconductor 154a, and the second gate electrode 124b ), the second source electrode 173b, and the second drain electrode 175b form the second thin film transistor Qb together with the second semiconductor 154b, and the third gate electrode 124c and the third source electrode The 173c and the third drain electrode 175c may form the third thin film transistor Qc together with the third semiconductor 154c.

The lower electrode 191 including the first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b is positioned on the passivation layer 180. Each of the first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b may have the same structure as any one of the lower electrode 191 according to various embodiments described above. 14 and 15 are examples in which the first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b have the same structure as the lower electrode 191 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, respectively. It shows.

The first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b are physically and electrically connected to the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175b through contact holes 185a and 185b, respectively. The data voltage may be applied from the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175b. In this case, a part of the data voltage applied to the second drain electrode 175b is divided through the third source electrode 173c and the magnitude of the voltage applied to the second subpixel electrode 191b is the first subpixel electrode 191a. ) May be smaller than the magnitude of the voltage applied.

17 to 19 are equivalent circuit diagrams of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 17, 18, and 19 are equivalent circuit diagrams of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and include first sub-pixels PXa and second sub-pixels PXb in addition to the above-described embodiments. Various circuit structures of the pixel PX included are illustrated.

Referring first to FIG. 17, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a signal line including first and second data lines 171a and 171b and a gate line 121 and a pixel PX connected thereto. do. The first subpixel PXa of each pixel PX includes a first switching element Qa, a first liquid crystal capacitor Clca, and a first storage capacitor Csta, and the second subpixel PXb is a first subpixel PXb. It includes a second switching element (Qb), a second liquid crystal capacitor (Clcb) and a second holding capacitor (Cstb). The first switching element Qa includes a control terminal connected to the gate line 121 and an input terminal connected to the first data line 171a. The output terminal of the first switching element Qa is connected to the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the first holding capacitor Csta. The second switching element Qb includes a control terminal connected to the gate line 121 and an input terminal connected to the second data line 171b. The output terminal of the second switching element Qb is connected to the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb and the second holding capacitor Cstb. The first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb are connected to the input image signal IDAT through the first and second switching elements Qa and Qb connected to different data lines 171a and 171b. Different data voltages may be applied respectively.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a data line 171 and a signal line including first and second gate lines 121a and 121b and a pixel PX connected thereto. The first switching element Qa included in the first sub-pixel PXa of each pixel PX includes a control terminal connected to the first gate line 121a and an input terminal connected to the data line 171. The output terminal of the first switching element Qa is connected to the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the first holding capacitor Csta. The second switching element Qb of the second sub-pixel PXb includes a control terminal connected to the second gate line 121b and an input terminal connected to the data line 171. The output terminal of the second switching element Qb is connected to the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb and the second holding capacitor Cstb. The first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb are transmitted by the data lines 171 through the first and second switching elements Qa and Qb connected to different gate lines 121a and 121b. The different data voltages for the input image signal IDAT may be applied at different times.

Next, referring to FIG. 19, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a signal line including a data line 171 and a gate line 121 and a pixel PX connected thereto. Each pixel PX may include a coupling capacitor Ccp connected between the first and second subpixels PXa and PXb and the two subpixels PXa and PXb. The first sub-pixel PXa includes a switching element Q connected to the gate line 121 and the data line 171, a first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and a first holding capacitor Csta connected thereto, The second sub-pixel PXb includes a second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb connected to the coupling capacitor Ccp. The control terminal of the switching element Q is connected to the gate line 121, the input terminal is connected to the data line 171, and the output terminal is a first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and a first holding capacitor Csta. And a coupling capacitor (Ccp). The switching element Q transfers the data voltage of the data line 171 to the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the coupling capacitor Ccp according to the gate signal from the gate line 121, and the coupling capacitor Ccp The magnitude of the voltage may be changed and transmitted to the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb. The voltage charged in the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb by the coupling capacitor Ccp may be always smaller than the voltage charged in the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca. Accordingly, when the capacitance of the coupling capacitor Ccp is properly adjusted, the side liquid crystal capacitor Clca may improve the side visibility by adjusting the ratio of the charging voltage and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb charging voltage.

In the liquid crystal display according to the various embodiments, the first subpixel electrode and the second subpixel electrode forming one terminal of the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca and the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb included in the pixel PX are respectively The lower plate electrode 191 according to various embodiments described above may have the same shape and effect accordingly.

In addition, this structure of the lower electrode 191 according to the above-described embodiment is applied to a liquid crystal display device having various structures, thereby reducing texture near a horizontal stem portion or a vertical stem portion and increasing transmittance.

Next, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 20.

20 is a plan view of a lower electrode of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a lower electrode 191 having the same structure as most of the previously described embodiment. Unlike the above-described embodiment, the width of at least one of the horizontal stem portions 195a and 195b and the vertical stem portions 197a and 197b of the lower electrode 191 may be constant without changing. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ends of at least a portion of the plurality of fine branch portions 199 adjacent to the gap 95 may be connected through straight connection portions 194a and 194b.

Specifically, some of the ends of the fine branch portions 199 of the two sub-regions R2 and R3 adjacent to each other with the gap 95 therebetween are connected to each other by the connecting portions 194a and 194b. Particularly, the ends of the fine branch portions 199 of both the sub-regions R2 and R3 facing each other with the gap 95 therebetween are not connected by the connection portions 194a and 194b, but any one sub-region R2 , R3) only the ends of the fine branch parts 199 may be connected by the connection parts 194a and 194b.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, when the end of the fine branch portion 199 of the left half of the sub-region R2 of the upper unit electrode UPa is connected by the connecting portion 194a, the lower portion facing the lower portion The ends of the fine branch portions 199 of the left half of the subregion R3 of the unit electrode UPb may not be connected to each other. Similarly, when the end of the fine branch portion 199 of the right half of the sub-region R3 of the lower unit electrode UPb is connected by the connecting portion 194b, the sub-region R2 of the upper unit electrode UPa facing this ), the ends of the fine branch parts 199 of the right half may not be connected to each other.

As described above, when the connecting portions 194a and 194b connecting the ends of the fine branch portions 199 to only one of the two sub-regions R2 and R3 facing each other with the gap 95 therebetween are formed. As illustrated, the liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the gap 95 are in a fifth direction (dr5) which is a direction perpendicular to the connecting portions 194a and 194b by a fringe field by the sides of the connecting portions 194a and 194b. To try to tilt toward the sides of the connecting portions (194a, 194b). Accordingly, the direction of the two control forces affecting the liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the gap 95 is an angle smaller than approximately 180 degrees, such as the third direction dr3 and the fifth direction dr5 shown in FIG. 20, eg For example, since it forms approximately 135 degrees, the direction of movement of the liquid crystal molecules 31 corresponding to the gap 95 can be oriented without being disordered, so that the liquid crystal control power in the vicinity of the gap 95 can be increased. Accordingly, texture in the vicinity of the gap 95 between two adjacent sub-regions R2 and R3 of the lower electrode 191 can be reduced and transmittance can be increased.

On the other hand, unlike the embodiment of the present invention, when there are no connecting portions 194a and 194b, the two control forces affecting the liquid crystal molecules 31 near the gap 95 are the second direction dr2 and the third direction shown in FIG. 20. Since the direction of movement of the liquid crystal molecules 31 is approximately 180 degrees as in the direction dr3, a disordered singular point is generated, and the texture may be intensified by the liquid crystal molecules 31 arranged in disorder.

The length and number of the connecting portions 194a and 194b in each of the two sub-regions R2 and R3 facing the gap 95 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 20 and can be freely determined. For example, the length of the connecting portions 194a and 194b may correspond to approximately 1/n of the sub-regions R2 and R3 (n is a natural number of 2 or more), and the connecting portions 194a formed in the respective sub-regions R2 and R3 , 194b) may be one or more. For portions where the connection portions 194a and 194b are not formed in any one of the subregions R2 and R3, the connection portions 194a and 194b are formed on the side of the subregions R2 and R3 facing the gap 95 therebetween. do.

The connection portions 194a and 194b of the lower electrode 191 according to this embodiment may function as an electric field shielding portion that shields the electric fields of the two sub-regions R2 and R3 facing each other with the gap 95 therebetween. .

The connection unit 192 connecting the upper unit electrode UPa and the lower unit electrode UPb may be located at the left and right edges of the lower electrode 191 as in the other embodiments described above, and the lower electrode as illustrated in FIG. 20. It may be located in the center of (191).

Then, an example of the liquid crystal display including the lower electrode 191 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 along with the previously described drawings.

21 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a photograph showing luminance displayed by a part of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. .

Referring to FIG. 21, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment may have a structure according to an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel illustrated in FIG. 17 described above.

The liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a lower display panel (not shown) and an upper display panel (not shown) facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) between the two display panels.

Referring to the lower display panel, a gate line 121 including a first gate electrode 124a and a second gate electrode 124b and extending in a horizontal direction is positioned on an insulating substrate. A gate insulating layer (not shown) is positioned on the gate line 121, and the first semiconductor 154a and the second semiconductor 154b are positioned thereon. The first data line 171a and the second data line 171b extending in the vertical direction are positioned on the first semiconductor 154a and the second semiconductor 154b and the gate insulating layer. The first data line 171a includes a first source electrode 173a connected to the first semiconductor 154a, and the second data line 171b is a second source connected to the second semiconductor 154b. It includes an electrode (173b).

The first gate electrode 124a, the first source electrode 173a, and the first drain electrode 175a form the first thin film transistor Qa together with the first semiconductor 154a, and the second gate electrode 124b , The second source electrode 173b and the second drain electrode 175b form the second thin film transistor Qb together with the second semiconductor 154b.

The passivation layer 180 is positioned on the first and second data lines 171a and 171b. The passivation layer 180 may include contact holes 185a and 185b exposing the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175b, respectively.

The first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b and the shielding electrode 190 are positioned on the passivation layer 180.

Each of the first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b may have the same structure as any one of the lower electrode 191 according to various embodiments described above. FIG. 21 shows an example in which the first subpixel electrode 191a and the second subpixel electrode 191b have the same structure as the lower electrode 191 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 described above.

The shielding electrode 190 includes an opening that surrounds the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b of one pixel PX and defines a pixel area. The shielding electrode 190 may be made of the same material in the same layer as the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b, and may transmit a common voltage. The shielding electrode 190 includes portions overlapping the first and second data lines 171a and 171b. The shielding electrode 190 shields the electric field by neighboring pixels PX or the electric fields by the first and second data lines 171a and 171b to prevent crosstalk and prevent light leakage around the pixels PX. Can be prevented.

The structure of the other liquid crystal display device is the same as the various embodiments described above, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 21 described above, the first subpixel electrode 191a and the upper panel electrode (not shown) of the upper display panel include a first liquid crystal capacitor (Clca) together with a liquid crystal layer (not shown) therebetween. And the second sub-pixel electrode 191b and the upper electrode form a second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, and are applied even after the first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb are turned off. Maintain voltage.

In addition, the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention overlaps the first and second sub-pixel electrodes 191a and 191b or the first and second drain electrodes 175a and 175b, so that the first and second storage capacitors ( Csta, Cstb) may further include a sustain electrode line 125. The sustain electrode line 125 transmits a predetermined voltage such as a common voltage Vcom. The storage electrode line 125 may be on the same layer as the gate line 121.

Referring to FIG. 22, images of various gray levels may be displayed by applying data voltages to the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b of the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b do not include the connecting portions 194a and 194b, the direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31 is not controlled near the gap 95 as shown in FIG. 22(a). Disordered texture areas are largely formed. However, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 or FIG. 21, it can be seen that the texture is reduced near the gap 95 as shown in FIG. 22( b ).

Next, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24 along with the previously described drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as the embodiments described above, and the same description is omitted.

23 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is a photograph showing luminance displayed by a part of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. .

Referring to FIG. 23, the liquid crystal display according to the present embodiment is mostly the same as the above-described various embodiments, but the structure of the storage electrode line 125 may be different.

Specifically, the storage electrode line 125 according to the present embodiment may include horizontal portions 129a and 129b overlapping the gap 95 of the first subpixel electrode 191a or the second subpixel electrode 191b. have. In this case, the connection portions 194a and 194b of the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b of the above-described embodiment may be omitted. In addition, the storage electrode line 125 may further include a pair of vertical portions 128 extending upwardly perpendicular to the gate line 121 and a horizontal portion 127 connecting the pair of vertical portions 128. The structure of the electrode line 125 is not limited to this, and the horizontal portions 129a and 129b of the sustain electrode line 125 may connect between a pair of adjacent vertical portions 128.

The horizontal portions 129a and 129b of the storage electrode line 125 shield the electric field between the adjacent upper unit electrode UPa and the lower unit electrode UPb with the gap 95 therebetween, and are illustrated in FIG. 20 described above. As described above, the influence of the two liquid crystal control forces opposite to each other in the vicinity of the gap 95 can be blocked, thereby reducing texture. In addition, when the sustain electrode line 125 is opaque, a texture that may occur in the vicinity of the gap 95 may be covered.

Therefore, the horizontal portions 129a and 129b of the storage electrode line 125 according to the present embodiment will function as an electric field shielding portion that shields the electric fields of the two sub-regions R2 and R3 facing each other with the gap 95 therebetween. Can.

Referring to FIG. 24, first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b of the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention do not include the connecting portions 194a and 194b and horizontal portions of the sustain electrode line 125 When (129a, 129b) is also not included, the direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31 is not controlled and the disordered texture region is formed in the vicinity of the gap 95 as shown in FIG. 24(a). However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it can be seen that the texture is reduced or not visible to the eye in the vicinity of the gap 95 as shown in FIG. 24(b).

Finally, a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 25 together with the previously described drawings.

25 is a layout view of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 25, the liquid crystal display according to the present embodiment is mostly the same as the above-described various embodiments, but the structure of the shielding electrode 190 may be different.

Specifically, the shielding electrode 190 according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a horizontal portion 193 overlapping the gap 95 of the first subpixel electrode 191a or the second subpixel electrode 191b. In this case, the connecting portions 194a and 194b of the first and second subpixel electrodes 191a and 191b of the above-described embodiment or the horizontal portions 129a and 129b of the sustain electrode line 125 may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20 described above, the horizontal portion 193 of the shielding electrode 190 shields the electric field between the adjacent upper unit electrode UPa and the lower unit electrode UPb with the gap 95 therebetween. In the vicinity of the gap 95, the influence of the two liquid crystal control forces in opposite directions can be blocked, so that texture can be reduced. In addition, when the sustain electrode line 125 is opaque, a texture that may occur in the vicinity of the gap 95 may be covered.

Therefore, the horizontal portion 193 of the shielding electrode 190 according to the present exemplary embodiment may function as an electric field shielding portion that shields electric fields of two sub-regions R2 and R3 facing each other with the gap 95 therebetween. .

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

3: liquid crystal layer 31: liquid crystal molecules
95: clearance 100, 200: display panel
121: gate line 124: gate electrode
125: sustain electrode wire
140: gate insulating film 171: data line
173: source electrode 175: drain electrode
180, 180p, 180q: Protective film 191: Bottom electrode
191a: first subpixel electrode 191b: second subpixel electrode
195a, 195b: horizontal stem portion 197a, 197b: vertical stem portion
199: fine branch 192: connection
220: light blocking member 230: color filter
250: overcoat 270: top electrode

Claims (18)

A data line extending in the first direction,
A gate line intersecting the data line and extending in a second direction,
A thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, and
A first electrode connected to the thin film transistor
Including,
The first electrode includes a first stem portion extending in the first direction, and a second stem portion extending in the second direction from the first stem portion,
The first stem portion is located at one edge of the first electrode,
The first stem portion includes a first portion whose width is changed,
The width-variable first portion includes two first sides facing each other,
One of the two first sides forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 2 degrees with the first direction
Display device. In claim 1,
The first portion of which the width is changed has a largest width in a place adjacent to the second stem portion, and a display device having a smaller width as it moves away from the second stem portion. In claim 2,
The other of the two first sides is located at the edge of the first electrode and is parallel to the first direction. In claim 2,
A display device having a width of 5 um to 8 um in the first stem portion. In claim 1,
The second stem portion includes a second portion whose width is changed,
The second portion of which the width is changed includes two second sides facing each other,
At least one of the two second sides forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 1 degree with the second direction.
Display device. In claim 5,
The second portion of which the width is changed has a largest width in the vicinity of the first stem portion, and a display device having a smaller width as it moves away from the first stem portion. In claim 6,
A display device having a width of 5 um to 8 um in the second stem portion. In claim 1,
The first electrode includes third and fourth portions adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween,
Each of the third portion and the fourth portion includes the first stem portion and the second stem portion
Display device. In claim 8,
The first electrode,
A plurality of fine branch portions extending from the first stem portion or the second stem portion of the third portion and the fourth portion and extending in an oblique direction with respect to the first direction and the second direction, and
And a connecting portion positioned between the third portion and the fourth portion,
One end of the connecting portion is connected to the fine branch portion of the third portion facing the gap,
The other end of the connecting portion is connected to the fine branch portion of the fourth portion facing the gap.
Display device. In claim 9,
A first connecting portion extending in the first direction by connecting ends of portions of the plurality of minute branches of the third portion, and
A second connecting portion extending in the first direction by connecting ends of portions of the plurality of minute branches of the fourth portion to each other
Display device further comprising a. In claim 10,
The first connection portion is adjacent to the gap,
The ends of the plurality of minute branches of the fourth part facing the first connection part are separated from each other,
The second connection portion is adjacent to the gap,
The ends of the plurality of minute branches of the third part facing the second connection part are separated from each other.
Display device. In claim 11,
The first connection portion is located at one edge of the third portion adjacent to the gap,
The second connection portion is located at one edge of the fourth portion adjacent to the gap
Display device. In claim 9,
Further comprising a sustain electrode line for transmitting a common voltage,
The storage electrode line includes a horizontal portion overlapping the gap.
Display device. In claim 13,
The horizontal portion extends in the first direction and overlaps the connection portion. In claim 9,
Further comprising a shielding electrode overlapping the data line,
The shielding electrode includes a horizontal portion overlapping the gap
Display device. In claim 15,
The shielding electrode is on the same layer as the first electrode and transmits a common voltage. In claim 1,
The second stem portion extends from the center of the first stem portion. In claim 1,
A second electrode, and
Further comprising a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode
Display device.

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