KR20150016016A - Liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid crystal display device includes a display substrate; a counter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The display substrate has multiple pixel areas arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The display substrate is bent in the first direction on a plane. The counter substrate is coupled to the display substrate to be bent with the display substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and is arranged between the display substrate and the counter substrate. Each unit domain group is defined in the respective pixel areas, and the domains in the unit domain groups are arranged in the second direction. The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules can be different in two or more domains in the same unit domain group. Also, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules can be different in two or more domains arranged in the first direction on the pixel areas.

Description

[0001] LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device having a curved shape.

A liquid crystal display device is one of flat panel display devices and is used for displaying images on various devices such as a TV, a monitor, a notebook computer, and a mobile phone. In recent years, a curved surface liquid crystal display device has been developed. The curved surface liquid crystal display device can provide a display area of a curved surface, thereby providing a user with an improved stereoscopic effect, an immersion feeling, and a sense of touch.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which display quality of an image displayed in a display area having a curved shape is improved.

In order to achieve the above-described object of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a display substrate, an opposing substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel regions arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction are defined on the display substrate, and the display substrate is curved along the first direction on a plane. The counter substrate is coupled with the display substrate and bent together with the display substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes the liquid crystal molecules, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the display substrate and the counter substrate.

In addition, a unit domain group is defined in each of the plurality of pixel regions, domains belonging to the unit domain group are arranged in the second direction, and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in at least two domains belonging to the unit domain group. The directions are different from each other.

The orientation directions of the liquid crystal molecules in at least two domains belonging to the domains arranged in the first direction in the plurality of pixel regions are different from each other.

According to the present invention, even if misalignment occurs between the display substrate and the opposing substrate due to bending of the liquid crystal display device, the lower alignment direction in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned by the alignment film of the display substrate is the upper alignment direction Can be kept constant. Therefore, it is possible to prevent orientation defects that may be generated as the lower alignment direction and the upper alignment direction are different from each other, and as a result, the phenomenon that the light transmittance of the domain is locally lowered due to the alignment defects is prevented, The display quality of the display device can be improved.

Further, in the case of arranging the domains according to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the brightness of the displayed image according to the viewing direction. Therefore, the difference between the luminance seen on the left side and the luminance seen on the right side is minimized, and the display quality of the liquid crystal display device can be improved.

1A is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a plan view of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a side view of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 1A.
2 is a plan view showing a pixel of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a surface cut along II 'in FIG. 2; FIG.
3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II 'of FIG.
4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are perspective views showing liquid crystal molecules aligned by an electric field formed between a display substrate and a counter substrate.
5 is a diagram showing domains and liquid crystal alignment directions defined in a pixel region.
6 is a view illustrating directions of liquid crystal alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules in domains defined in a plurality of pixel regions according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view illustrating directions of liquid crystal alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules in domains defined in a plurality of pixel regions according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view illustrating directions of liquid crystal alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules in domains defined in a plurality of pixel regions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but may be modified in various forms. Rather, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments described below. In the following embodiments and the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

In addition, the terms `first`,` second`, and the like in the present specification are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component, not limiting. It is also to be understood that when a film, an area, a component, or the like is referred to as being "on" or "on" another part, .

1A is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a plan view of the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a side view of the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 1A.

1A, 1B and 1C, the liquid crystal display device 500 has a display area DA for displaying an image, and the liquid crystal display device 500 has a curved shape. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display device 500 can display an image with enhanced three-dimensional feeling, immersion feeling, and sense of touch using the display area DA having a curved surface shape.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 500 may include a display substrate 100, an opposing substrate 300, and a liquid crystal layer (LC in Fig. 3A). The counter substrate 300 is coupled to the display substrate 100 in opposition to the display substrate 100 and the liquid crystal layer is interposed between the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300.

The liquid crystal display 500 may further include other components besides the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid crystal display 500 may further include a backlight assembly (not shown) that outputs light to the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300, But is not limited to the structure.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display 500 is bent along the first direction D1 on a plane. Accordingly, a part or the whole of the display substrate 100 has a shape curved along the first direction D1, and the display area DA is curved along the first direction D1, Shape. In addition, the counter substrate 300 may have a curved shape together with the display substrate 100.

A first point P1 is defined on the curved portion of the display substrate 100 on the side surface and a normal 10 passing through the first point P1 is defined. (P2) that meets the second point (10). A line of sight 15 is defined in parallel with the viewing direction of the user at the first point P1 and a third point P3 is defined at the opposite substrate 300 to meet the line of sight 15. In this case, since the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300 have a curved shape, the position of the second point P2 on the counter substrate 300 is different from the position of the third point P3 Can be different.

As described above, a phenomenon in which the positions of the second and third points P2 and P3 do not coincide with each other is defined as a miss-alignment between the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300 . Hereinafter, the structure of the liquid crystal display 500 in which display quality of an image displayed in the display area DA can be prevented from being lowered due to misalignment will be described.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the pixels of the liquid crystal display 500 shown in Fig. 1 (a), Fig. 3a is a sectional view showing a plane cut along the line II 'in Fig. 2, Sectional view showing the cut-out surface.

The liquid crystal display 500 includes a plurality of pixels. In FIG. 2, a pixel area PA in which one of the plurality of pixels is disposed is shown, and the remaining pixel areas and the remaining pixels Is omitted. 2, the structure of the display substrate 100 among the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300 of the liquid crystal display device 500 is mainly shown and the structure of the counter substrate 300 is replaced by 3A and 3B.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the display substrate 100 includes a first base substrate S1, a gate line GL, a first data line DL1, a second data line DL2, A first thin film transistor TR1, a second thin film transistor TR2, a pixel electrode PE and a first alignment film 110. [

The first base substrate S1 may be an insulating substrate having a light transmitting property and a flexible property like a plastic substrate. The gate line GL is disposed on the first base substrate S1 and the gate line GL is electrically connected to the first and second thin film transistors TR1 and TR2, The gate signal is transmitted to the two thin film transistors TR1 and TR2.

In this embodiment, the pixel region PA may include a first sub pixel region PA1 and a second sub pixel region PA2. In this case, the pixel electrode PE includes a first sub-pixel electrode PE1 disposed in the first sub-pixel region PA1 and a second sub-pixel electrode PE1 disposed in the second sub-pixel region PA2. PE2).

The first and second data lines DL1 and DL2 are isolated from the gate line GL and disposed on the first base substrate S1. The first data line DL1 is connected to the first data line DL1, And the second data line DL2 transmits a second data signal. In this embodiment, the first data line DL1 extends along one side of the first and second sub-pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2, and the second data line DL2 extends along one side of the first and second sub- The first and second sub pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2 extend along the other side of the first and second sub pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2 and between the first and second data lines DL1 and DL2, can do.

The first thin film transistor TR1 is electrically connected to the gate line GL, the first data line DL1, and the first sub-pixel electrode PE1. Accordingly, when the first thin film transistor TR1 is turned on by the gate signal, the first data signal may be provided to the first sub-pixel electrode PE1.

The first thin film transistor TR1 includes a first gate electrode GE1, a first active pattern AP1, a first source electrode SE1, and a first drain electrode DE1. The first gate electrode GE1 is branched from the gate line GL and the first active pattern AP1 is disposed on the first gate electrode GE1 with the first insulating film L1 therebetween . The first source electrode SE1 is branched from the first data line DL1 and contacts the first active pattern AP1. The first drain electrode DE1 is connected to the first source electrode SE1, So as to be in contact with the first active pattern AP1.

The second insulating film L2 covers the first thin film transistor TR1 and the third insulating film L3 is disposed on the second insulating film L2. The first sub pixel electrode PE1 is disposed on the third insulating layer L3 and the first sub pixel electrode PE1 is formed on the second insulating layer L2 through a contact hole formed through the second and third insulating layers L2 and L3. And the first drain electrode DE1.

The second thin film transistor TR2 is electrically connected to the gate line GL, the second data line DL2, and the second sub-pixel electrode PE2. Therefore, when the second thin film transistor TR2 is turned on by the gate signal, the second data signal may be provided to the second sub pixel electrode PE2 side.

The second thin film transistor TR2 includes a second gate electrode GE2, a second active pattern AP2, a second source electrode SE2, and a second drain electrode DE2. The second gate electrode GE2 is branched from the gate line GL and the second active pattern AP2 is disposed over the second gate electrode GE2 with the first insulating film L1 therebetween . The second source electrode SE2 is branched from the second data line DL2 and is in contact with the second active pattern AP2 and the second drain electrode DE2 is connected to the second source electrode SE2, And is in contact with the second active pattern AP2.

The second sub pixel electrode PE2 is disposed on the third insulating layer L3 and the second sub pixel electrode PE2 is disposed on the second insulating layer L2, And the second drain electrode DE2.

In this embodiment, each of the first and second active patterns AP1 and AP2 may include a semiconductor material such as amorphous silicon and crystalline silicon. However, the present invention is not limited to the kind of the semiconductor material. For example, in other embodiments the first and second active pattern (AP1, AP2) is, respectively is IGZO, ZnO, SnO _2, In ₂ O _3, Zn ₂ SnO _4, Ge ₂ O ₃ and HfO ₂ May include the same oxide semiconductor, or may include compound semiconductors such as GaAs, GaP, and InP.

As described above, in this embodiment, the first and second thin film transistors TR1 and TR2 are turned on by the gate signal. In this case, the first data signal is supplied to the first sub-pixel electrode PE1 through the first thin film transistor TR1 and the second data signal is supplied to the second sub-pixel electrode PE2 through the second thin film transistor TR2. The second data signal different from the first data signal may be provided to the second data signal line PE2. Accordingly, the first and second sub-pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2 are driven by different data signals, and different gradations can be displayed in the first and second sub pixel areas PA1 and PA2 have.

The first alignment layer 110 is disposed on the pixel electrode PE and is in contact with the liquid crystal layer LC. When no electric field is formed between the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300, the first alignment layer 110 may be formed of liquid crystal molecules (LMs in FIGS. 4A to 4D) of the liquid crystal layer LC, Is oriented so as to be inclined with respect to the first alignment film (110). In this case, the liquid crystal molecules oriented obliquely by the first alignment film 110 are more inclined by the electric field and are oriented in a horizontal direction with respect to the display substrate 100. The mode in which the above-mentioned liquid crystal molecules operate on the electric field is a so-called SVA (Super Vertical Alignment) mode. In this case, the response time (response time) An effect may be generated.

The counter substrate 300 includes a second base substrate S2, a color filter CF, a light-shielding layer BM, a common electrode CE, and a second alignment layer 310. The second base substrate S2 may be an insulating substrate having a light transmission characteristic and a flexible characteristic.

The common electrode CE is disposed on the second base substrate S2 to generate an electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer LC together with the pixel electrode PE. The light shielding layer BM may be formed in correspondence to the position of the gate line GL, the first and second data lines DL1 and DL2, and the first and second thin film transistors TR1 and TR2. 2 base substrate S2, and the light-shielding layer BM blocks light. The color filter CF is disposed on the second base substrate S2 to filter the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer with color light.

In this embodiment, the light-shielding layer BM and the color filter CF are disposed on the second base substrate S2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, at least one of the light-shielding layer BM and the color filter CF may be disposed on the first base substrate S1.

In this embodiment, the first sub pixel element PE1 includes a first horizontal line line HS1, a second horizontal line line HS2, a first vertical line line VS1, a second vertical line line VS2, And first to fourth branches B1, B2, B3, and B4.

The first longitudinal stem base VS1 is connected to the first transverse stem HS1, the edges of the first branches B1 and the edges of the second branches B2, The vertical stem base VS2 is connected to the edges of the second transverse stem HS2, the third branch B3 and the edges of the fourth branch B4. In this embodiment, each of the first and second longitudinal stem portions VS1 and VS2 may extend in a second direction D2, and the second direction D2 may be a direction in which the liquid crystal display device 500 is bent And may intersect the first direction D1. For example, the second direction D2 may be orthogonal to the first direction D1 on a plane.

The first transverse stem HS1 is connected to the first longitudinal stem VS1, the edges of the first branches B1 and the edges of the second branches B2. In this embodiment, the first transverse stem HS1 may extend in the first direction D1 and be branched from the central portion of the first stem base VS1. The first branch portions B1 may have a shape symmetrical to the second branch portions B2 with respect to the first transverse barb HS1, And may be located between the second domains (DM1, DM2 in FIG. 5).

The second transverse barb HS2 is connected to the edges of the second longitudinal barb VS2, the third barb B3 and the edges of the fourth barb B4. In this embodiment, the second transverse stem HS2 may extend in the first direction D1 and branch from the central portion of the second stem base VS2. The third branch portions B3 may have a shape symmetrical to the fourth branch portions B4 with respect to the second transverse barb HS2, And fourth domains (DM3, DM4 in Fig. 5).

A part of the first branch portions B1 is branched from the first transverse branch HS1 and another portion of the first branch portions B1 is branched from the first longitudinal branching portion VS1. Each of the first branch portions B1 extends in a third direction D3 inclined from the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 on a plane, Are spaced apart from one another.

A part of the second branch portions B2 is branched from the first transverse branch HS1 and another part of the second branch portions B2 is branched from the first longitudinal branch base VS1. Each of the second branch portions B2 extends in a fourth direction D4 inclined from the first and second directions D1 and D2 on a plane and the second branch portions B2 extend in a .

In this embodiment, the fourth direction D4 on the plane may intersect the third direction D3. For example, the third and fourth directions D3 and D4 may be orthogonal to each other on a plane, and each of the third and fourth directions D3 and D4 may be perpendicular to the first direction D1. Or 45 degrees with the second direction (D2).

Some of the third branch portions B3 branch out from the second branch line portion HS2 and another portion of the third branch portions B3 branch out from the second vertical line portion VS2. Each of the third branch portions B3 extends in a fifth direction D5 inclined from the first and second directions D1 and D2 on a plane, .

Some of the fourth branches B4 branch off from the second branch line HS2 and another part of the fourth branches B4 branch off from the second vertical line base VS2. Each of the fourth branch portions B4 extends in a sixth direction D6 inclined from the first and second directions D1 and D2 on a plane and the fourth branch portions B4 extend in a .

In this embodiment, the sixth direction D6 on the plane may intersect the fifth direction D5. For example, the fifth and sixth directions D5 and D6 on a plane may be orthogonal to each other, and each of the fifth and sixth directions D5 and D6 on a plane may be perpendicular to the first direction D1. Or 45 degrees with the second direction (D2).

In this embodiment, the size of the second sub-pixel electrode PE2 may be different from the size of the first sub-pixel electrode PE1, but the shape of the second sub- The shape of the pixel electrode PE1 may be similar to that of the pixel electrode PE1.

The second sub pixel electrode PE2 includes a third horizontal line portion HS3, a fourth horizontal line portion HS4, a third vertical line portion VS3, a fourth vertical line portion VS4, And includes eight parts B5, B6, B7, and B8.

The third longitudinal rib base portion VS3 extends in the second direction D2 to extend along the third transverse base portion HS3 and the edges of the fifth base portions B5 and the sixth base portions B6, ≪ / RTI > The fourth longitudinal rib base portion VS4 extends in the second direction D2 and extends along the fourth transverse base portion HS4, the edges of the seventh base portions B7 and the eighth base portions B8, ≪ / RTI >

The third transverse stem HS3 is branched from the third longitudinal stem VS3 and extends in the first direction D1 while the fourth transverse stem HS4 extends from the fourth longitudinal stem VS4 and extends in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the third transverse barb HS3 can be branched from the central portion of the third transverse barb VS3, and the fourth transverse barb HS4 can be branched from the fourth longitudinal barb RTI ID = 0.0 > VS4. ≪ / RTI >

Some of the fifth branches B5 branch out from the third horizontal barb HS3 and another part of the fifth branches B5 branch out from the third vertical barb VS3. Each of the fifth branch portions B5 extends in the third direction D3 on a plane, and the fifth branch portions B5 are arranged apart from each other.

Some of the sixth branches B6 branch off from the third branch line HS3 and another part of the sixth branches B6 branch off from the third vertical line base VS3. Each of the sixth branch portions B6 extends in the fourth direction D4 on a plane, and the sixth branch portions B6 are arranged apart from each other.

A part of the seventh branches B7 branches off from the fourth transversal base HS4 and another part of the seventh branches B7 branches from the fourth longitudinal stem VS4. Each of the seventh branches B7 extends in the fifth direction D5 on a plane, and the seventh branches B7 are arranged apart from each other.

A part of the eighth parts B8 is branched from the fourth transverse bar HS4 and the other part of the eighth parts B8 is branched from the fourth longitudinal bar base VS4. Each of the eighth portions B8 extends in the sixth direction D6 on a plane, and the eighth portions B8 are arranged apart from each other.

On the other hand, when the first to eighth branches B1 to B8 have the structure described above, the first to fourth domains (DM1 to DM4 in FIG. 5) are connected to the first sub- And fifth to eighth domains (DM5 to DM8 in FIG. 5) may be defined in the second sub pixel area PA2. This will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 4A to 4D and Fig.

In addition, as described above, when the first to eighth domains are defined in the first and second sub pixel regions PA1 and PA2, the first sub pixel electrode PE1 is connected to the first sub- (LP1), and the second sub-pixel electrode (PE2) may further include a second domain connection unit (LP2).

The first domain connection unit LP1 is disposed between the second domain and the third domain to connect the second and third branch units B2 and B3 and the second domain connection unit LP2 connects the second and third branch units B2 and B3. 6 domain and the seventh domain to connect the sixth and seventh branches B6, B7. In this embodiment, the first domain linking unit LP1 may be located at the center of the boundary region between the second and third domains, and the second domain linking unit LP2 may be located in the sixth and seventh domains Can be located at the center of the boundary region between the two.

4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are perspective views showing liquid crystal molecules aligned by an electric field formed between a display substrate and a counter substrate, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing domains and liquid crystal alignment directions defined in a pixel region .

4A is a perspective view showing a state in which liquid crystal molecules located on the first branch portions B1 are aligned by an electric field, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which liquid crystal molecules located on the second branch portions B2 are aligned 4C is a perspective view showing a state in which liquid crystal molecules positioned on the third branch portions B3 are oriented by an electric field, and FIG. 4D is a perspective view showing a state where the liquid crystal molecules located on the fourth branch portions B4 Are oriented.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 5, as described above, each of the first branch portions B1 extends in the third direction D3. When no electric field is formed between the display substrate (100 in Fig. 3A) and the counter substrate (300 in Fig. 3A), a part of the liquid crystal molecules RM, which is disposed adjacent to the first alignment film 110, A portion of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the second alignment layer 310 is oriented in a direction inclined at a first line tilt angle A1 by the first alignment layer 110 and the second alignment layer 310, And is inclined at the first line inclination angle A1.

In this case, the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned on the plane by the first alignment film 110 is defined as a first lower alignment direction LD1, and the second alignment film 110 The first upper alignment direction UD1 and the first lower alignment direction LD1 are aligned in the third direction D3 ). That is, the first lower alignment direction LD1 and the first upper alignment direction UD1 are equal to each other.

When the electric field is formed, the liquid crystal molecules (LM) are further inclined in a plane in the third direction (D3) in parallel with the first branch portions (B1) in response to the electric field. That is, the liquid crystal molecules RM which are pre-tilt aligned by the first and second alignment films 110 and 310 are collectively aligned in the third direction D3 by the electric field Tilted.

On the other hand, when the first and second alignment directions LD1 and LD1 are different from each other, the first and second alignment layers 110 and 310 are adjacent to each other, The directions in which the liquid crystal molecules RM arranged in the third direction D3 are inclined in response to the electric field may be opposite to each other. In this case, the liquid crystal molecules RM ) May be reduced and orientation defects may occur. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first upper alignment direction UD1 and the first lower alignment direction LD1 are equal to each other, so that the liquid crystal molecules RM are tilted in response to the electric field The orientation defects do not occur because the orientations are the same.

Therefore, a region in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are oriented by the first branch portions B1 is defined as a first domain DM1, and in the first domain DM1, the liquid crystal molecules The first liquid crystal alignment direction DR1 in the first domain DM1 is defined by the first lower alignment direction LD1 and the first liquid crystal alignment direction DR2 in the first domain DM1, 1 upper alignment direction UD1, respectively, in the third direction D3.

Referring to FIGS. 4B and 5, each of the second branch portions B2 extends in a fourth direction D4. Therefore, when the electric field is not formed, a part of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the first alignment layer 110 is partially separated by the first alignment layer 110 at a second tilt angle, A2 and a portion of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the second alignment film 310 is oriented with the second line inclination angle A2 inclined by the second alignment film 310. [

A direction in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned on a plane by the first alignment layer 110 is defined as a second lower alignment direction LD2 and the liquid crystal molecules The second lower alignment direction LD2 and the second upper alignment direction UD2 are parallel to the fourth direction D4 when the direction in which the first alignment direction RM is oriented is defined as a second upper alignment direction UD2 . That is, the second lower alignment direction LD2 and the second upper alignment direction UD2 are equal to each other.

When the electric field is formed, the liquid crystal molecules (LM) are further inclined in a plane in the fourth direction (D4) in parallel with the second branches (B2) in response to the electric field. Accordingly, the second upper alignment direction UD2 and the second lower alignment direction LD2 are equal to each other, and the directions in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are tilted and oriented in response to the electric field are equal to each other, As a result, the second liquid crystal alignment direction DR2 in the second domain DM2 is defined as the fourth direction D3 which is the same as the second lower alignment direction LD2 and the second upper alignment direction UD2, respectively .

Referring to FIG. 4C and FIG. 5, each of the third branch portions B3 extends in the fifth direction D5. Accordingly, when the electric field is not formed, a portion of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the first alignment layer 110 is partially separated by the first alignment layer 110 at a third tilt angle A3 and a portion of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the second alignment film 310 is oriented with the third line inclination angle A3 inclined by the second alignment film 310 .

A direction in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned on a plane by the first alignment film 110 is defined as a third lower alignment direction LD3 and a direction in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned on the plane by the second alignment film 110 The third lower alignment direction LD3 and the third upper alignment direction UD3 are the same in the fifth direction D5 as the third upper alignment direction UD3, Do. That is, the third lower alignment direction LD3 and the third upper alignment direction UD3 are equal to each other.

When the electric field is formed, the liquid crystal molecules (LM) are further inclined in a plane in the fifth direction (D5) in parallel with the third branch portions (B3) in response to the electric field. Therefore, since the third upper alignment direction UD3 and the third lower alignment direction LD3 are equal to each other and the directions in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned in response to the electric field are the same, The third liquid crystal alignment direction DR3 may be defined as the fifth direction D3 which is the same as the third lower alignment direction LD3 and the third upper alignment direction UD3.

Referring to FIGS. 4D and 5, each of the fourth branch portions B4 extends in a sixth direction D6. Accordingly, when the electric field is not formed, a portion of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the first alignment layer 110 is partially separated by the first alignment layer 110 to a fourth tilt angle And A4 and a portion of the liquid crystal molecules RM disposed adjacent to the second alignment film 310 is oriented with the fourth line inclination angle A4 inclined by the second alignment film 310 .

A direction in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned on a plane by the first alignment layer 110 is defined as a fourth lower alignment direction LD4 and the liquid crystal molecules The fourth lower alignment direction LD4 and the fourth upper alignment direction UD4 are mutually the same in the sixth direction D6 when the direction in which the first lower alignment direction RM is oriented is defined as the fourth upper alignment direction UD4, Do. That is, the fourth lower alignment direction LD4 and the fourth upper alignment direction UD4 are equal to each other.

When the electric field is formed, the liquid crystal molecules (LM) are further inclined by the electric field and are oriented in the sixth direction (D6) in parallel with the fourth branch portions (B4) on a plane. Therefore, since the fourth upper alignment direction UD4 and the fourth lower alignment direction LD4 are equal to each other and the directions in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are aligned in response to the electric field are the same, The fourth liquid crystal alignment direction DR4 may be defined as the sixth direction D3 which is the same as the fourth lower alignment direction LD4 and the fourth upper alignment direction UD4.

According to the above description, the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 are sequentially arranged in the second direction D2 in the first sub pixel area PA1, The liquid crystal alignment directions in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in response to the electric field in the fourth domains DM1 to DM4 are all different. Therefore, the field of view for the first sub pixel region PA1 can be enlarged. Further, in the case where the electric field is not formed, a direction in which the liquid crystal molecules (LM) are aligned by the first alignment layer (110) in each of the first to fourth domains (DM1 to DM4) The alignment defect 310 does not occur in the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 because the alignment layers 310 are aligned with the directions in which the liquid crystal molecules LM are aligned.

The second sub pixel region PA2 includes the fifth to eighth domains DM5 to DM8 sequentially arranged in the second direction D2 as in the first sub pixel region PA1 described above. And the liquid crystal alignment directions in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the fifth to eighth domains DM5 to DM8 in response to the electric field may all be different. Further, in the case where the electric field is not formed, a direction in which the liquid crystal molecules (LM) are aligned by the first alignment layer (110) in each of the fifth to eighth domains (DM5-DM8) The orientation defects are not generated in the fifth to eighth domains DM5-DM8 because the alignment layers 310 are the same as the directions in which the liquid crystal molecules LM are oriented.

In the case where the first to eighth domains DM1 to DM8 having the above-described characteristics are defined in the first and second sub pixel areas PA1 and PA2, Hereinafter, the domains DM1 and DM2 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1C, 4A, and 5, as described above, misalignment occurs between the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300 as the liquid crystal display 500 is warped along the first direction D1 Lt; / RTI > In this case, the misalignment may cause misalignment between the display substrate 100 and the counter substrate 300 by the first length L1.

However, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the first to eighth domains DM1 to DM8 are arranged in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, 1 " domain " DM1 ".

More specifically, a region in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are oriented by the first alignment layer 110 disposed on the display substrate 100 is defined as a lower alignment region AR1, When the region in which the liquid crystal molecules RM are oriented by the arranged second alignment film 310 is defined as the upper alignment region AR2, as described above, in the lower alignment region AR1, (RM) is oriented in a first lower alignment direction (LD1), and in the upper alignment region (AR2), the liquid crystal molecules (RM) are oriented in a first upper alignment direction (UD1). In this case, if the misalignment occurs and the counter substrate 300 is shifted by the first length L1, the position of the lower alignment area AR1 is approximately coincident with the position of the first domain DM1 The position of the upper alignment area AR2 may be shifted from the position of the first domain DM1 by the first length L1 in the first direction D1.

Even if the position of the lower alignment region AR1 does not partially coincide with the position of the upper alignment region AR2 in the first domain DM1 in the embodiment of the present invention, The lower alignment region AR1 overlaps with the upper alignment region AR2. That is, in the first domain DM1, the lower alignment region AR1 does not overlap with another upper alignment region oriented in a direction different from the upper alignment region AR2.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the orientation defects generated by overlapping the upper and lower alignment regions oriented in different directions in the first domain DM1 are not generated, and as a result, The local light transmittance of the first domain DM1 is not lowered.

6 is a view illustrating directions of liquid crystal alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules in domains defined in a plurality of pixel regions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 6, eight pixel regions defined in the display area (DA in Fig. 1B) of the display substrate (100 in Fig. 1B) are shown. In the display area, more pixel areas than the eight pixel areas are defined. In FIG. 6, the eight pixel areas are shown as an example, and the remaining pixel areas are omitted. In this embodiment, the eight pixel regions are defined as the first to eighth pixel regions PA11 to PA18.

As described above, each of the first to eighth pixel regions PA11 to PA18 has a first sub pixel region PA1 and a second sub pixel region PA2. For convenience of explanation, And the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 defined in the first and second sub pixel regions PA1 and PA2 are defined as a unit domain group (UDM). In this case, the unit domain group (UDM) is defined in the first to eighth pixel areas PA11 to PA18, and the number of the unit domain groups UDM is sixteen.

 Also, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the liquid crystal alignment directions of the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 in the plurality of unit domain groups UDM are different from each other, , Liquid crystal molecules in the first domain (DM1) are oriented in a first liquid crystal alignment direction (DR1), liquid crystal molecules in the second domain (DM2) are oriented in a second liquid crystal alignment direction (DR2) The liquid crystal molecules in the domain DM3 are oriented in the third liquid crystal alignment direction DR3 and the liquid crystal molecules in the fourth domain DM4 are oriented in the fourth liquid crystal alignment direction DR4.

In the meantime, a plurality of the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 are defined in the first to eighth pixel areas PA11 to PA18, and the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 Are arranged in the form of a matrix. The row direction of the matrix is parallel to the first direction D1 and the column direction of the matrix is parallel to the second direction D2 so that the first to fourth domains DM1- DM4) are arranged in 16 rows and 4 columns.

Hereinafter, the rules for arranging the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 in the matrix in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

The liquid crystal alignment directions in at least two domains belonging to the domains arranged in the row direction in the matrix are different from each other. That is, the liquid crystal alignment directions in the domains arranged in the row direction in the matrix are not equal to each other. For example, the first domain DM1 and the third domain DM3 are alternately arranged in the first row of the matrix and the second domain DM2 and the fourth domain DM4 are alternately arranged. That is, any one of the first to fourth domains DM1, DM2, DM3, and DM4 is not collectively arranged in the first row or the second row of the matrix.

On the other hand, unlike the above-described embodiments of the present invention, when the liquid crystal alignment directions are the same in all the domains arranged in the row direction, the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules can be changed according to the viewing direction with respect to the display substrate, The brightness viewed from the left with respect to the display substrate (100 of the view ba) may be different from the brightness viewed from the right. However, when the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 are arranged according to the above-mentioned rule in the above matrix, the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules in the viewing direction with respect to the display substrate It can be minimized. Therefore, the difference between the luminance viewed from the left side and the luminance viewed from the right side with respect to the display substrate (100 in FIG. 1B) is minimized, and the display quality of the display substrate can be improved.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the order of arrangement of the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 in the plurality of unit domain groups UDM is the same. For example, referring to two unit domain groups (UDM) arranged adjacent to each other in a first column of the matrix, the first unit domain groups (UDM) are arranged in the second direction (D2) 1 to fourth domains DM1, DM2, DM3, and DM4 are sequentially arranged.

7 is a view illustrating directions of liquid crystal alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules in domains defined in a plurality of pixel regions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7, the rules for arranging the domains in the column direction of the matrix in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are the same as the rules for arranging the domains in the column direction of the matrix in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, The rules in which the domains are arranged in the row direction of the matrix in the two embodiments are different from each other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the rules for arranging the domains in the row direction of the matrix are as follows.

In this embodiment, m first domains DM1 (m is a natural number of 2 or more) and k (k is a natural number of 2 or more) sequentially arranged in n rows of a matrix (n is a natural number) Are arranged alternately and repeatedly. In addition, m third domains DM3 and k fourth domains DM4 sequentially arranged in the (n + 1) th column of the matrix are alternately repeatedly arranged.

For example, in the first column of the matrix, two first domains DM1 are arranged, and then two third domains DM3 are arranged. Although not shown in the drawing, two other first domains DM1 and two other third domains DM3 are arranged after the two third domains DM3.

Further, two second domains DM2 are arranged in the second column of the matrix, and then two fourth domains DM4 are arranged. Although not shown in the drawing, two other second domains DM2 and two other fourth domains DM4 are arranged after the two fourth domains DM4.

In another embodiment, six first domains (DM1) and six sequentially arranged third domains (DM3), which are sequentially arranged in one column of the matrix, may be alternately and repeatedly arranged, and the matrix The six second domains DM2 sequentially arranged in the second column of the first column and the six fourth domains DM4 sequentially arranged may be alternately repeated.

8 is a view illustrating directions of liquid crystal alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules in domains defined in a plurality of pixel regions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 8, the rules for arranging the domains in the row direction of the matrix in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are the same as the rules for arranging the domains in the row direction of the matrix in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, The rules in which the domains are arranged in the column direction of the matrix in the two embodiments are different from each other.

In more detail, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the order of arrangement of the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 in the plurality of unit domain groups UDM is the same, The order in which the first to fourth domains DM1 to DM4 are arranged in at least two of the plurality of unit domain groups UDM may be different from each other.

For example, in any one of two unit domain groups (UDM) arranged adjacent to each other in a first column of the matrix, the first domain DM1, the second domain DM2, , The third domain (DM3), and the fourth domain (DM4) are sequentially arranged. On the other hand, in the other of the two unit domain groups UDM, the third domain DM3, the fourth domain DM4, the first domain DM1, And the second domain DM2 are sequentially arranged.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

VS1: first vertical stem base HS1: first horizontal stem base
B1: first branch LP1: first domain connection
PA1: first sub pixel region PE1: second sub pixel electrode
DM1: first domain LD1: first lower alignment direction
UD1: first upper orientation direction SP1: first stem connection

Claims (17)

A plurality of pixel regions arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction are defined, and a display substrate bent along the first direction on a plane;
A counter substrate coupled to the display substrate and curved together with the display substrate; And
And a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules and disposed between the display substrate and the counter substrate,
Wherein a unit domain group is defined in each of the plurality of pixel regions, domains belonging to the unit domain group are arranged in the second direction, directions in which the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in at least two domains belonging to the unit domain group Are different from each other,
Wherein directions in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in at least two domains belonging to the domains arranged in the first direction in the plurality of pixel regions are different from each other. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the display substrate has a display region in which an image is displayed, and the display region has a curved shape bent along the first direction. The liquid crystal display of claim 2, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the display substrate includes pixel electrodes disposed in each of the plurality of pixel regions,
Wherein the counter substrate includes a common electrode which forms an electric field together with the pixel electrode,
Wherein a part of the pixel electrode extends in a direction oblique to the first and second directions on a plane to define the unit domain group. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a first domain, a second domain, a third domain, and a fourth domain are arranged in the second direction in the unit domain group,
The liquid crystal molecules in the first domain are oriented in a first liquid crystal alignment direction in response to the electric field, and the liquid crystal molecules in the second domain are oriented in a second liquid crystal alignment direction in response to the electric field, Wherein the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a third liquid crystal alignment direction in response to the electric field and the liquid crystal molecules in the fourth domain are oriented in a fourth liquid crystal alignment direction in response to the electric field. The liquid crystal display of claim 5, wherein the first to fourth liquid crystal alignment directions are different from each other on a plane. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein a plurality of the unit domain groups are defined in the plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of the first to fourth domains are defined in the plurality of unit domain groups,
Wherein the plurality of first to fourth domains are arranged in a matrix shape, the row direction of the matrix is parallel to the first direction, and the column direction of the matrix is parallel to the second direction. The liquid crystal display of claim 7, wherein the plurality of first domains and the plurality of second domains are alternately arranged in n rows (n is a natural number) of the matrix. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the plurality of third domains and the plurality of fourth domains are alternately arranged in n + 1 rows (n is a natural number) of the matrix. 10. The liquid crystal display of claim 9, wherein order of the first to fourth domains in the plurality of unit domain groups is the same. 10. The liquid crystal display of claim 9, wherein order of arrangement of the first to fourth domains in at least two of the plurality of unit domain groups is different from each other. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first domains of m (m is a natural number of 2 or more) sequentially arranged in the n columns (n is a natural number) of the matrix and the k domains (k is a natural number of 2 or more ) Are arranged in an alternating manner. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein m (m is a natural number) second domains and k (k is a natural number of 2 or more) arranged in order in the n + 1 columns of the matrix (n is a natural number) And the fourth domains of the second row are alternately and repeatedly arranged. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 5,
A first sub-pixel electrode disposed in a first sub-pixel region of the pixel region; And
And a second sub-pixel electrode arranged in a second sub-pixel region of the pixel region,
And the unit domain group is defined in each of the first and second sub pixel regions. 15. The display device according to claim 14,
A first data line electrically connected to the first sub-pixel electrode and transmitting a first data signal to the first sub-pixel electrode; And
And a second data line electrically connected to the second sub-pixel electrode and transmitting a second data signal different from the first data signal to the second sub-pixel electrode side. 15. The display device of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second sub-
First branches located in the first domain and extending in an oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions in a plane;
Second branch portions located in the second domain and extending in an oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions in a plane;
Third branch portions located in the third domain and extending in an oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions on a plane; And
And fourth branch portions located in the fourth domain and extending in an oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions on a plane. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the first branch portions extends in a direction in which the second branch portions extend, the third branch portions extend in the direction in which the fourth branch portions extend, And forms a 45-degree angle with the first direction and the second direction.

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