JP2006234870A - Liquid crystal apparatus and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal apparatus having excellent visibility and display characteristics such as luminance and to provide electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: In the liquid crystal apparatus including a pair of substrates respectively provided with a plurality of electrodes on the surfaces thereof and a liquid crystal material interposed between the pair of substrates and provided with a display region comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel includes a plurality of dots and the electrode on one substrate of the pair of substrates is formed as an assembled body wherein a plurality of island-shaped parts divided by slits radially disposed in the dot are electrically connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device and an electronic device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal device in which display characteristics are improved by setting pixels and dots to predetermined shapes, and an electronic device including such a liquid crystal device.

Conventionally, as an image display device, a pair of substrates each having an electrode formed thereon are arranged opposite to each other, and a voltage applied to a plurality of pixels that are intersecting regions of the respective electrodes is selectively turned on and off, whereby the pixel A liquid crystal device that modulates light passing through the liquid crystal material and displays an image such as an image or a character is widely used.
For example, in the case of an active matrix type color liquid crystal device having a switching element such as a TFT element (Thin Film Transistor) or a TFD element (Thin Film Diode), as shown in FIG. Between the plurality of electric wirings 565 arranged in a stripe shape, rectangular electrodes 563 that are electrically connected via switching elements 569 are arranged in a matrix. On the other hand, planar or striped electrodes are arranged on opposing substrates. The area where the electrodes on each substrate overlap in a plane constitutes one dot, and the set of dots constitutes one pixel, and this pixel is used as a unit to pass light while adjusting the color tone. By doing so, color images such as characters and figures are displayed over the entire display area.

In addition, in such a liquid crystal device, for example, when a vertical alignment (VA) liquid crystal material is used, a liquid crystal device that secures a wide viewing angle and improves display quality has been proposed. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 34, in each pixel, the electrode 614 has a plurality of openings 614a and a solid portion 614b, and the liquid crystal layer 630 is in a vertically aligned state when no voltage is applied. In the voltage application state, a plurality of liquid crystals having a radially inclined alignment state in each of the plurality of openings 614a and the solid portion 614b by the oblique electric field generated at the edge portion of the opening 614a of the electrode 614 A liquid crystal device forming a domain (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-43525 A (Claims, FIG. 1)

However, although the liquid crystal device described in Patent Document 1 can ensure a wide viewing angle, the area of the opening between the electrodes is large, that is, the opening area of the pixel is reduced, and the displayed image There was a problem that the brightness decreased. In addition, there is a problem that the orientation loss increases because the solid portions have directivity in all directions and are gathered to form one dot.
In the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 33, each dot has a rectangular shape, and these dots are arranged linearly in the vertical and horizontal directions. In some cases, the outline might leave a jagged impression. That is, in FIG. 33, when a straight line in an oblique direction is displayed, it is displayed in a zigzag shape corresponding to each pixel shape, so that there is a problem that display quality is deteriorated.

Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention have made diligent efforts, and in the liquid crystal device, a plurality of island portions divided by slits in which the shape of the dots is set to a predetermined shape and the electrodes in each dot are arranged in a predetermined direction. The present invention has been completed by finding that such a problem can be solved by using an assembly of the present invention.
That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal device in which display characteristics such as visibility, viewing angle, and brightness are improved by dividing an electrode in a dot into predetermined island portions. And Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus including such a liquid crystal device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates each having an electrode and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between the pair of substrates, and including a display region including a plurality of pixels, Each pixel includes a plurality of dots, and a plurality of island-shaped portions obtained by dividing an electrode on one of a pair of substrates by slits arranged radially within the dots are electrically connected to each other. A liquid crystal device characterized by being an aggregate is provided, and the above-described problems can be solved.
That is, by configuring the electrodes in each dot from islands divided into predetermined shapes, each dot is composed of a sub-dot region having directivity, thereby reducing orientation loss, It becomes easy to control the viewing angle to a desired direction or angle. Therefore, a liquid crystal device with significantly improved display characteristics such as visibility and viewing angle can be obtained.
In the present specification, as shown in FIG. 2, the pixel, dot, and sub-dot regions are defined by each pixel electrode, and one electric field region is a dot 11, and a plurality of electrodes in the dot 11 are provided. Each region corresponding to the island-shaped portion divided into sub-regions is defined as a sub-dot region 12, and a plurality of (three) dots in which colored layers of respective colors such as RGB are formed gather to form the pixel 10 And

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the planar shape of the dots is preferably a shape having at least two sides inclined with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the display region.
With this configuration, straight lines extending in all directions can be expressed as smoothly as possible without giving a jagged impression. In addition, since the dots have a predetermined shape, they can be arranged so as to eliminate gaps as much as possible in the display area, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in the aperture ratio of the pixels.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the island-shaped portions have the same shape.
With this configuration, the directivity balance can be made uniform while providing different directivities for the respective sub-dot regions. Therefore, the viewing angle can be controlled with higher accuracy, and the display characteristics can be further improved. In addition, when the reflective region and the transmissive region are arranged corresponding to each island-shaped portion, the arrangement ratio of the reflective region and the transmissive region in the dot can be easily controlled.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the island-like portions are connected at the center of the dot.
By configuring in this way, the orientation of the liquid crystal material on the outer edge side of the dots is not hindered, and when connected to the switching element at the center, the potential to each island-shaped portion is made uniform. can do.

Further, in configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, on the substrate, further comprising an electrical wiring, a switching element, and an insulating layer for ensuring insulation of the electrical wiring and the electrode, the switching element, The electrode is preferably electrically connected at the center of the dot.
With this configuration, no electrical wiring is arranged between the dots, the area of the inter-pixel region can be remarkably reduced, and a uniform potential is generated for each island-shaped portion. Therefore, the display characteristics of the image can be further improved.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that an electrical wiring and a switching element are further provided on the substrate, and the electrical wiring is formed in a zigzag shape between the dots.
With this configuration, even when the electrical wiring is arranged in the inter-pixel region, the aperture ratio of the pixel is excessively lowered while ensuring the insulation between the electrical wiring and each electrode. Can be prevented.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the shape of the dots is a hexagon and the shape of the islands is a triangle or a rhombus.
With this configuration, it becomes easy to secure the viewing angle of the dot as a set in all directions while giving each subdot area directivity in six different directions. In addition, since the dots can be meshed and arranged at high density, a liquid crystal device with improved visual characteristics and brightness can be obtained. In addition, since the dot shape approaches a circle, it is easy to express a straight line extending in any direction as a smooth straight line.

Further, in configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the dot shape is a rhombus and the island shape is a triangle or a rhombus.
By configuring in this way, it becomes easy to secure the viewing angle of the dot as a set in all directions while giving each subdot region directivity in four different directions. In addition, since the dots can be meshed and arranged at high density, a liquid crystal device with significantly improved visual characteristics can be obtained. In addition, since the dot shape has sides inclined with respect to the predetermined direction, it becomes easy to smoothly express a straight line in an oblique direction.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the shape of the dots is a triangle and the shape of the island-shaped portion is a triangle or a quadrangle.
With this configuration, it becomes easy to secure the viewing angle of the dot as the set in all directions while giving each sub-dot region directivity in three different directions. In addition, since the dots can be meshed and arranged at high density, a liquid crystal device with significantly improved visual characteristics can be obtained. In addition, since the dot shape has sides inclined with respect to the predetermined direction, it becomes easy to smoothly express a straight line in an oblique direction.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the dots included in the pixels are arranged in a delta shape.
With this configuration, the dots can be arranged close to each other, and the color tone of each pixel can be adjusted with higher accuracy.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the dots included in the pixels are arranged linearly.
With this configuration, it is easy to define the reflection region and the transmission region in units of pixels adjacent to each other using the two adjacent pixels as the reflection pixel and the transmission pixel.

Further, in configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the reflective area and the transmissive area in the dot are arranged corresponding to the island-shaped part, and the total area of the island-shaped part corresponding to the reflective area and the transmissive area are accommodated. It is preferable that the total area of the island portions is different.
With this configuration, since the arrangement ratio of the reflective area and the transmissive area can be easily controlled, the balance of brightness and chromaticity between the reflective display and the transmissive display can be easily controlled.

In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable to provide an alignment regulating means for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal material in correspondence with the dots.
With this configuration, the alignment of the liquid crystal material can be more finely defined together with the slits between the island portions, and thus a liquid crystal device with further improved visual characteristics can be provided. .

Further, in configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that one of the pair of substrates further includes a colored layer for each dot, and the colored layer includes a color density adjusting unit. .
With this configuration, for example, the color density of the reflective region and the transmissive region can be adjusted using, for example, a coloring material having a single color density for each color. It is possible to efficiently provide a liquid crystal device that eliminates the above.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic apparatus including any one of the liquid crystal devices described above.
That is, since the liquid crystal device capable of displaying an image with excellent visual characteristics and visibility can be provided, an electronic device with improved display characteristics can be efficiently provided.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a liquid crystal device of the present invention and an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal device will be specifically described. However, this embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment includes a pair of substrates each having a plurality of electrodes on the surface, and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between the pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal device having a display region composed of a plurality of pixels In each pixel, each pixel includes a plurality of dots, and a plurality of island-shaped portions obtained by dividing electrodes on one of a pair of substrates by slits arranged radially within the dots are electrically connected to each other. This is a liquid crystal device characterized in that it is an assembled body.
In the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment, the planar shape of the dots is a hexagonal shape.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18 as appropriate, in the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, an element including a color filter substrate including a colored layer and a TFD element (Thin Film Diode) as a switching element. A liquid crystal device including a substrate will be described as an example. However, the liquid crystal device of the present invention is not limited to an active matrix liquid crystal device including a TFD element, and is a liquid crystal device including a TFT element (Thin Film Transistor) or a passive matrix liquid crystal device. It doesn't matter.
In addition, in each figure, what attached | subjected the same code | symbol has shown the same member, and abbreviate | omits description suitably.

1. Basic Structure of Liquid Crystal Device First, with reference to FIG. 1, the basic structure of a liquid crystal device 9 as a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, that is, a cell structure, wiring, and the like will be specifically described. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal device 9 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the lower side is an image display surface, and the image can be viewed from the direction of the arrow W.
The liquid crystal device 9 is a liquid crystal device 9 including an element substrate 60 having an active matrix structure using a TFD element 69 which is a two-terminal nonlinear element as a switching element. A lighting device such as a light or a case body is appropriately attached and used as necessary.
The liquid crystal device 9 includes an element substrate 60 having a glass substrate or the like as a base 61 and a color filter substrate 30 having a glass substrate or the like as a base 31 facing each other and a sealing material 23 such as an adhesive. Are pasted together. In addition, a space formed by the element substrate 60 and the color filter substrate 30, and after the liquid crystal material 21 is injected into the inner portion of the sealing material 23 through an opening (not shown), the sealing is performed. It has a cell structure that is sealed with a material (not shown). That is, the liquid crystal material 21 is filled between the element substrate 60 and the color filter substrate 30.

  A plurality of pixel electrodes 63 are formed for each dot on the inner surface of the base 61 in the element substrate 60, that is, on the surface facing the color filter substrate 30. On the other hand, a plurality of scanning electrodes 33 are formed on the inner surface of the base 31 in the color filter substrate 30, that is, on the surface facing the element substrate 60. The pixel electrode 63 is electrically connected to the data line 65 via a TFD element 69 as a switching element, and the other scanning electrode 33 is connected via a sealing material 23 containing conductive particles. It is electrically connected to the lead wiring (not shown) on the element substrate 60. A region in which the pixel electrode 63 and the scanning electrode 33 configured as described above intersect in a plane forms a large number of dots arranged in a matrix, and a plurality of dots form a pixel. This arrangement constitutes the display area as a whole. Accordingly, by applying a voltage to a desired dot, an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal material 21 of the pixel as a unit, and an image such as a character or a figure can be displayed over the entire display area. .

  The element substrate 60 has a substrate overhanging portion 60T that projects outward from the outer shape of the color filter substrate 30, and a part of the data line 65 and the routing wiring are formed on the substrate overhanging portion 60T. A plurality of external connection terminals 67 that are partially and independently formed are formed. A driving semiconductor element (driving IC) 91 incorporating a liquid crystal driving circuit or the like is mounted on the end of the data line 65 or the lead wiring. Furthermore, a driving semiconductor element (driving IC) 91 is mounted on the end of the external connection terminal 67 on the display area side, and a flexible circuit board 93 is mounted on the other end. ing.

The liquid crystal device having such a configuration includes a reflection type, a transmission type, and a semi-transmission reflection type liquid crystal device. The arrangement of the reflection region R and the transmission region T is, for example, on the color filter substrate and the transmission region. By providing the light reflecting film in which the opening corresponding to T is formed, it can be arranged in a desired region.
Note that the liquid crystal device described in this embodiment is a transflective liquid crystal device in which a light reflection film having an opening is formed on a color filter substrate. However, the present invention is applicable to any liquid crystal device. The details can be applied later.

2. Pixel and Dot Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, the pixel 10 and the dot 11 constituting the display area of the liquid crystal device of the first embodiment will be described in detail.
In the liquid crystal device of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pixel 10 includes a plurality of dots 11R, 11G, and 11B, respectively. In addition, as a result of the pixel electrodes (not shown) in the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B being divided into a plurality of island-shaped portions by radially arranged slits, each of the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B has a plurality of It is composed of sub-dot areas 12. That is, in a liquid crystal device, for example, when performing color display, three colors such as R (red), G (green), B (blue), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) are colored. In the case where light is colored using a material for color display, one pixel includes three dots on which colored layers of the respective colors are formed. In the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment, the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B are composed of a plurality of subdot regions 12.
By adopting a pixel configuration consisting of dots that include multiple sub-dot areas, a single dot can be configured by collecting sub-dot areas with various different directivities, reducing alignment loss. However, in the dot unit, directivity in a plurality of directions can be provided. Therefore, the visual characteristics in the displayed image can be remarkably improved.

In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the planar shape of the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B is a shape having at least two sides inclined with respect to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the electrically connected dots. It is preferable to do. For example, each dot row 11A is electrically connected to a common electrical wiring, but the shape of each dot 11R, 11G, 11B is relative to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the dot row 11A. A hexagonal shape including four inclined sides is preferable.
The reason for this is that by setting the dot shape to such a hexagonal shape, the directivity in each sub-dot region is controlled to reduce the orientation loss, while providing directivity in at least six directions in dot units. This is because it is easy to widen the viewing angle of each dot. In addition, not only the dot arrangement direction or the direction orthogonal thereto, but also a straight line in an oblique direction can be expressed in a smooth straight line without giving a jagged feeling.
Furthermore, since each dot can be meshed and arranged at high density, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the aperture ratio of the dot. Accordingly, each pixel can be meshed and arranged at high density in the display area, so that a bright image display can be realized.

Such hexagonal dots may be regular hexagonal shapes as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and (b), or in a predetermined direction as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and (b). It can also be a flat hexagonal shape.
However, it is preferable that the shapes of the plurality of sub-dot regions constituting such hexagonal dots are the same.
The reason for this is that by forming dots from sub-dot regions having the same shape, it becomes easy to control the orientation of the liquid crystal material and the arrangement ratio of the reflective region and the transmissive region.
For example, if the sub-dot areas are all the same shape, each sub-dot area has directivity in a different direction, and the orientation loss is made uniform in all sub-dot areas. Can be made uniform. In addition, since the ratio of the reflective area and the transmissive area can be determined in accordance with the desired ratio depending on the number of sub-dot areas, the brightness and viewing angle of the image in the reflective display or the transmissive display can be easily controlled. .
Therefore, the shape of each dot is preferably a regular hexagon as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).

Further, as an example of the arrangement of pixels including such dots, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, three dots 11R, 11G, and 11B are each set as a pixel 10 arranged in a delta shape. Can do. When arranged in this way, the arrangement of the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B can be arranged close to each other, and the color tone of each pixel 10 can be adjusted with higher accuracy.
In addition, as another example of the pixel, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, three dots 11R, 11G, and 11B may be pixels 10 arranged in a straight line. When arranged in this way, it becomes easy to define the reflective region and the transmissive region in units of adjacent pixels, using the two adjacent pixels 10 as the reflective pixel and the transmissive pixel.
2 and 4, the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B or the pixels 10 are arranged in the display area with as high a density as possible without gaps. In addition, bright image display can be realized.

In addition, the orientation regulating means for controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal material in order to adjust the viewing angle of the displayed image corresponding to each dot, or to increase the reaction speed of the liquid crystal material when a voltage is applied. It is preferable to provide. In particular, since the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of sub-dot regions, it is preferable that the liquid crystal device includes an alignment regulating unit for each sub-dot region.
The reason for this is that by defining the alignment direction of the liquid crystal material in each sub-dot region, the visual characteristics of the dot formed by a plurality of them can be remarkably improved.
Examples of such orientation regulating means include a colored layer, which will be described later, a protrusion formed using a separate resin material, or a hole provided in the colored layer or the electrode. Specific embodiments will be described later.

In such a pixel configuration, the reflective region and the transmissive region can be arranged as shown in FIGS.
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5A, the reflective region r and the transmissive region t are arranged separately in units of sub-dot regions 12 corresponding to the island portions in the respective dots 11R, 11G, and 11B. The region r and the transmission region t are arranged in every other sub-dot region 12 in the rotation direction. When the reflective region and the transmissive region are formed in this way, it is easy to adjust the arrangement ratio of the reflective region and the transmissive region, and the reflective region and the transmissive region can be uniformly distributed in the dots. Therefore, display unevenness or the like is less likely to occur in either the reflective display or the transmissive display. In addition, if the method is arranged so as to correspond to the sub-dot area in this way, it is easy to arrange the reflection area and the transmission area with different arrangement ratios. Color tone and the like can be easily controlled.

In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the reflective region r and the transmissive region t are separately arranged in the sub-dot regions 12 constituting the respective dots 11R, 11G, and 11B, and the reflective region r is Arranged in the center of the dots 11R, 11G, and 11B. When the reflective region r and the transmissive region t are formed in this way, the reflective film in the reflective region becomes an island shape and is electrically insulated within the dots. Generation | occurrence | production of a short with an electrode can be prevented and a linear defect can be prevented effectively.
Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the reflection region r and the transmission region t are arranged separately for each pixel 10, and the reflection region r and the transmission region t are arranged in units of pixels 10. Has been. When the reflective region and the transmissive region are formed in this way, the ratio of the reflective region and the transmissive region in the display region can be easily adjusted, and the reflective region and the transmissive region can be uniformly distributed. .

In disposing the reflective region and the transmissive region, it is preferable to make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective region thinner than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive region.
This is because in the transmissive region, light emitted from the backlight or the like passes through the liquid crystal layer only once, whereas in the reflective region, external light such as sunlight passes through the liquid crystal layer twice. This is because the optical path lengths are different, and the retardation can be optimized according to the respective optical path lengths. Therefore, display quality can be further improved by adjusting the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in this way.
The thickness of the liquid crystal layer can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the overcoat layer in the color filter substrate and the insulating layer in the element substrate in accordance with the reflective region and the transmissive region. This aspect will be described later.

3. Color Filter Substrate and Element Substrate Next, the configuration of the color filter substrate and the element substrate in the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment will be described focusing on the color layer and the scanning electrode on the color filter substrate and the pixel electrode on the element substrate. 6 and 14 in the drawings referred to in the following description, the colored layer 37, the light shielding layer 39, the scanning electrode 33, and the pixel electrode 63 in the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment are divided into respective layers. It is the top view shown.

(1) Color Filter Substrate (1) -1 Basic Configuration The color filter substrate 30 in the liquid crystal device of this embodiment is basically a light reflecting film on a substrate 31 made of a glass substrate or the like as shown in FIG. 35, a colored layer 37, a light shielding film 39, an overcoat layer 41, and a scanning electrode 33 are sequentially stacked. Further, an alignment film 45 for controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal material is provided on the scan electrode 33, and a clear image display is recognized on the surface opposite to the surface on which the scan electrode 33 and the like are formed. A retardation plate (¼ wavelength plate) 47 and a polarizing plate 49 are arranged so as to be able to do so.

(1) -2 Light Reflecting Film The light reflecting film 35 formed on the color filter substrate 30 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, for example, and has an opening 35a corresponding to the transmission region T. The reflection region r is a member for reflecting external light such as sunlight to enable reflection display.
In addition, a resin film for imparting a scattering function can be formed under the light reflecting film 35 by forming irregularities on the surface of the light reflecting 35 film. In order to impart a scattering function to the light reflecting film 35, in addition to forming the resin film, a method of forming irregularities on the surface of the glass substrate by frosting or the like is also possible.
Note that when the liquid crystal device is a total reflection type, the above-described light reflection film is provided, and when the liquid crystal device is a total transmission type, no light reflection film is provided on the substrate. .

(1) -3 Colored layer In addition, the colored layer 37 usually has a predetermined color tone by adjusting the concentration by dispersing a colorant such as a pigment or dye in a transparent resin. An example of the color tone of the colored layer 37 includes a primary color filter composed of a combination of three colors of RGB, but is not limited to this, and is formed with a complementary color system such as YMC and other various color tones. be able to.
As shown in FIG. 6, the colored layer is formed with colored layers 37R, 37G, and 37B of any one color such as RGB corresponding to each dot. That is, when the colored layer is not formed corresponding to the shape of each dot, different colored layers such as RGB are formed in one dot, resulting in color mixing and contrast. It is because it falls.

Further, each of the three dots included in one pixel is provided with colored layers 37R, 37G, and 37B of any one of RGB. In a pixel configured in this way, even if light in each of the three dots is not allowed to pass or whether light is allowed to pass, the color tone in one pixel is determined by controlling the intensity of the light. And become part of the displayed image.
Further, the colored layer 37 is arranged in a stripe shape or a delta shape corresponding to the dot arrangement pattern included in the pixels described above. That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the RGB colored layers 37R, 37G, and 37B are arranged in a delta shape, and in the examples shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, RGB The respective colored layers 37R, 37G, and 37B are arranged linearly.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide the protrusion part 37A for controlling the orientation state of liquid crystal material on the surface of a colored layer so that it may illustrate in FIG.7 (a)-(c). This is because the orientation of the liquid crystal material can be controlled by using the colored layer 37 without separately providing an alignment regulating means using a resin layer or the like.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 37 </ b> A provided on the colored layer 37 is a liquid crystal material 21 of vertical alignment (VA) by tilting the liquid crystal material 21 in a voltage non-application state by a predetermined angle. For example, the viewing angle of the displayed image can be widened, and the contrast and the like can be improved.
In addition, by inclining the liquid crystal material in a voltage non-applied state by a predetermined angle, the reaction of the liquid crystal material can be accelerated when a voltage is applied, and the alignment direction of the liquid crystal material in the voltage applied state can also be defined. Therefore, not only the VA liquid crystal material but also the viewing angle of the displayed image can be widened and the contrast can be improved.

  Here, in the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment, dots composed of a plurality of subdot regions are gathered to form pixels, and such alignment control protrusions are provided for each subdot region, or It can be provided over a plurality of subdot regions. Further, in each sub-dot region, the protrusions on the colored layer can be formed in consideration of the arrangement of the reflective region and the transmissive region. By arranging such protrusions in this way, it is possible to control the orientation by defining the orientation direction for each sub-dot region, and further for each reflection region and transmission region. Therefore, it is possible to remarkably improve the visual characteristics of a dot composed of a plurality of sub-dot regions and a pixel composed of a plurality of dots.

Moreover, as the shape of the protrusion, the cross-sectional shape is a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or the like, as shown in FIGS. It can be set as the protrusion part of the predetermined length which consists of any one shape in semicircle shape. If the protrusions have such a shape, they can be continuously formed along the peripheral edge of each sub-dot region, thereby improving visual characteristics when viewed from a predetermined direction and bright image display. Can be visually recognized.
As another example of the shape of the protrusion, a triangular protrusion 37A shown in FIG. 9A, a cone-shaped protrusion such as a quadrangular pyramid can be used. With such a weight-shaped projection, for example, by forming it at the center of each sub-dot region, it is possible to improve visual characteristics from various directions, regardless of 360 °.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, one protrusion can be formed at the center of one dot across each sub-dot region. In this way, if the protrusions are used for orientation control, each sub-dot region has directivity in one direction, effectively reducing orientation loss and providing directivity in all directions on a dot basis. It is possible to provide a bright image with excellent visual characteristics.

However, when a protrusion for controlling the orientation is formed on the colored layer, the layer thickness of the colored layer is partially increased and the light transmittance is reduced. However, while the visual characteristics and the contrast are improved, the color density is increased and a dark image is displayed.
Considering this point, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, it is preferable to provide a color density adjusting unit 37r to be described later in the colored layer 37 in each dot. That is, when the alignment control projection 37A is formed, paying attention to the fact that the light transmittance is reduced compared to other regions, the color density adjusting portion 37r is formed to improve the light transmittance. Alternatively, it is preferably adjusted so as to obtain an appropriate color density as a whole dot.
The reason for this is to adjust the color density of the entire dot by correcting the light transmittance in the colored layer by partially improving or decreasing the transmittance of the light passing through the dots. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the color density due to the difference in optical path length between the reflective area and the transmissive area, or to adjust the color density of the displayed image according to the density of the colorant used. .
10A to 10B, the thickness of the colored layer is the thickness of the colored layer 37 not including the protruding portion 37A, that is, from the bottom surface of the colored layer 37 to the bottom of the protruding portion 37A. Means vertical distance. Moreover, the opening part or the layer thin part of the colored layer as the color density adjusting part may include only one of them, or may be mixed in the same dot.

For example, as such a color density adjusting unit 37r, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11B, a color density comprising an opening 37r of the colored layer 37 or a thin layer portion 37r ′ thinner than the layer thickness of the colored layer 37. As shown in FIG. 11C, the adjustment unit 55 or a color density adjustment unit including a layer thickness portion 37r ″ thicker than the color layer 37 can be used.
When the color density adjusting unit is a predetermined opening or a thin layer, it is possible to partially improve the light transmittance and adjust the color density of the entire dot. Therefore, in the case of such a color density adjusting unit, since light passes through the colored layer twice, it is preferably provided in a reflective region where the light transmittance is likely to decrease.
On the other hand, when the color density adjusting portion is a predetermined layer thickness portion, the light transmittance can be partially reduced to adjust the color density of the entire dot. Accordingly, when such a color density adjustment unit is used, it is preferable to provide such a color density adjustment unit in a sub-dot region corresponding to the transmission region.
In addition, the number and planar shape of the color density adjusting portions provided for each dot are not particularly limited, and one color density adjusting portion is formed in any one of the sub dot areas, or it extends over a plurality of sub dot areas. Thus, a plurality of color density adjustment units can be formed.

In the case where such a color density adjusting unit is provided, it is preferable that the area and layer thickness of the color density adjusting unit be different for each dot having different colors such as RGB. The reason for this is that the transmittance of light passing through the colored layer is inherently different depending on the color such as RGB, and generally the transmittance decreases in the order of R, B, G. This is because the degree of adjustment of the color density is different for each.
Therefore, when the area of the color density adjusting unit is different for each RGB color, it is preferable to gradually increase the area in the order of R, B, and G, and the layer of the color density adjusting unit for each RGB color. When changing the thickness, it is preferable to gradually reduce the layer thickness in the order of R, B, and G.

(1) -4 Light-shielding film Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the light-shielding film 39 is arranged between adjacent dots to prevent color materials from being mixed and to obtain an image display with excellent contrast. It is a membrane. As such a light shielding film 39, for example, a metal film such as chromium (Cr) or molybdenum (Mo) is used as the light shielding film 39, or R (red), G (green), and B (blue). A material in which three colorants are dispersed in a resin or other base material, or a material in which a colorant such as a black pigment or dye is dispersed in a resin or other base material can be used. Further, the light shielding film can be formed by superposing three colorants of R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

In the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment, each dot has a predetermined hexagonal shape. Therefore, the light shielding film is formed in a zigzag shape between colored layers such as RGB corresponding to the outer shape of each dot in order to prevent color mixing between adjacent dots.
However, from the viewpoint of preventing the opening area of the pixel from being reduced, it is preferable that the pixel is formed with a minimum width that can prevent color mixing between adjacent dots, for example, a width of 3 to 30 μm.

(1) -5 Overcoat layer Moreover, the overcoat layer which consists of photosensitive resin materials, such as an acrylic resin and an epoxy resin, is formed on the colored layer in a color filter substrate. Such an overcoat layer is formed so as not to bury the unevenness formed by the protrusions when the protrusions for orientation control are provided on the surface of the colored layer.
Here, regarding the layer thickness of the overcoat layer, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, it is preferable that the thicknesses are made different in correspondence with the reflection region r and the transmission region t. Specifically, the layer thickness of the overcoat layer 41 in the reflective region r is preferably larger than the layer thickness of the overcoat layer 41 in the transmissive region t.
This is because, as described above, it is possible to optimize the retardation in the light passing through the reflection region and the transmission region.

(1) -6 Scan Electrode A scan electrode made of a transparent conductor such as ITO (indium tin oxide) is formed on the overcoat layer. In the scanning electrode, a plurality of transparent electrodes are arranged in a stripe shape as a whole for each pixel column composed of pixels arranged in one direction.
In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, when hexagonal dots are arranged in a delta shape to form a pixel, as shown in FIG. 6, scanning electrodes 33 corresponding to the outer shape of the pixel are adjacent to each other. The electrodes 33 are arranged in stripes with a shift of half a pixel.
When hexagonal dots are linearly arranged to form a pixel, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13B, the scanning electrode 33 corresponding to the outer shape of the pixel has three dots. It is arranged in stripes with a width corresponding to one dot or one dot.

Further, in such a scan electrode, as shown in FIG. 14, in order to control the alignment of the liquid crystal material in combination with the edge portion of the island-shaped portion 64 of the pixel electrode 63 in the region corresponding to each dot, the alignment is performed. It is preferable to provide a hole 33r as a restricting means.
This is because the oblique electric field region can be generated in the voltage application state, and therefore the orientation control can be easily performed and the visual characteristics of the displayed image can be improved.
However, if the size of the hole becomes too large, the aperture area of the pixel is affected, and the diameter of the hole is set to a value within the range of 5 to 30 μm from the viewpoint of the orientation of the liquid crystal material. It is preferable to do.

(1) -7 Alignment Film An alignment film made of polyimide resin or the like is entirely formed on the scan electrode. Such an alignment film is a member for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal material, and is provided so that irregularities are formed on the surface by the alignment regulating means provided on the substrate.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the example in which the alignment control protrusion is provided using the colored layer is described. However, the alignment control protrusion can be provided in the overcoat layer. Alternatively, a separate and independent protrusion can be formed at a desired location on the substrate surface using a resin layer.

(2) Element Substrate (2) -1 Basic Configuration In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the element substrate 60 is basically a base 61 made of a glass substrate or the like, a data line 65, and a TFD element as a switching element. 69 and a pixel electrode 63. In addition, an alignment film 75 made of polyimide resin or the like is formed on the pixel electrode 63. Further, a retardation plate (¼ wavelength plate) 77 and a polarizing plate 79 are disposed on the outer surface of the base 61.
An enlarged plan view of such an element substrate is shown in FIG. In FIG. 15, an alignment film, a polarizing plate, and the like are appropriately omitted.

(2) -2 Data Line The data line 65 on the element substrate 60 is arranged in a state where a plurality of wirings are substantially arranged in parallel. One end of the data line is electrically connected to the driver IC, and transmits a driving signal from the driver IC to each pixel electrode connected through the TFD element. Since the data line 65 is formed simultaneously with the formation of a two-terminal non-linear element, which will be described later, from the viewpoint of simplifying the manufacturing process and lowering the electric resistance, for example, a tantalum layer, a tantalum oxide layer, and a chromium layer are formed. Sequentially formed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the pixel electrode 63 and the data line 65 are formed on the same surface on the element substrate, the data line 65 has a dot outline in the inter-pixel region between the dots. Are formed in a zigzag shape. With this arrangement, even when the data line 65 is arranged in the inter-pixel region, the insulation between the data line 65 and each pixel electrode 63 is ensured and the aperture ratio of the pixel is excessively lowered. This is to prevent this.

(2) -3 Switching Element A TFD element 69 as a switching element 69 that electrically connects the data line 65 and the pixel electrode 63 is formed on the element substrate 60. The TFD element 69 is generally formed by sequentially laminating an element first electrode made of a tantalum (Ta) alloy, an insulating film made of tantalum oxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), and an element second electrode made of chromium (Cr). Sandwich structure. The active element exhibits diode switching characteristics in positive and negative directions and becomes conductive when a voltage equal to or higher than a threshold is applied between both terminals of the element first electrode and the element second electrode.

Further, the two TFD elements are formed to be interposed between the data line and the pixel electrode, and may be composed of a first TFD element and a second TFD element having opposite diode characteristics. preferable.
The reason for this is that with this configuration, a positive / negative symmetrical pulse waveform can be used as the voltage waveform to be applied, and deterioration of the liquid crystal material in the liquid crystal device or the like can be prevented. That is, in order to prevent deterioration of the liquid crystal material, it is desirable that the diode switching characteristics be symmetric in the positive and negative directions. By connecting two TFD elements in series in opposite directions, a positive and negative symmetric pulse waveform can be obtained. This is because it can be used.

(2) -4 Pixel Electrode Each data line 65 is formed using a transparent conductive material such as ITO (indium tin oxide) or IZO (indium zinc oxide) via the switching element 69. A plurality of pixel electrodes 63 are electrically connected. The pixel electrode 63 in the liquid crystal device of the present invention is a pixel electrode 63 formed of an aggregate in which a plurality of island portions 64 divided by slits 62 arranged radially in a dot are electrically connected.
That is, the pixel electrode 63 in one dot is divided into a plurality of island-shaped portions 64 by the radial slits 62, so that the scanning electrodes 33 that face each other using the edge portions of the island-shaped portions 64. Since an oblique electric field can be generated between the liquid crystal material and the liquid crystal material, each liquid crystal material can be oriented. Therefore, the sub-dot regions corresponding to the respective island portions can be provided with orientation, and a wide viewing angle can be ensured over the entire dot. In addition, since each sub-dot region can be oriented in a different direction, the orientation direction of the dots can be controlled in various directions while reducing the orientation loss. Therefore, the visual characteristics of the displayed image can be remarkably improved.

As an example in which the pixel electrode in each dot is divided into a plurality of island portions by radially arranged slits, it can be configured as shown in FIGS. FIG. 16A shows an example in which a hexagonal pixel electrode 63 is divided into six triangular island portions 64 each having the same shape by six slits 62 arranged radially. FIG. 16B shows an example in which the hexagonal pixel electrode 63 is divided into three diamond-shaped island portions 64 having the same shape by three radially arranged slits 62. FIG. In this example, the hexagonal pixel electrode 63 is divided into two rectangular island-shaped portions 64 having the same shape by two radially arranged slits 62. FIG. 16D shows an example in which the hexagonal pixel electrode 63 is divided into six rectangular island-shaped portions 64 each having the same shape by six radially arranged slits 62. FIG. 16E shows an example in which the hexagonal pixel electrode 63 is divided into three pentagonal island-shaped portions 64 each having the same shape by three slits 62 arranged radially. ) Is an example in which the hexagonal pixel electrode 63 is divided into two pentagonal island-shaped portions 64 each having the same shape by two slits 62 arranged radially.
By configuring the pixel electrode in this way, each dot can be composed of a plurality of sub-dot areas, so that the display characteristics of the displayed image can be varied by changing the characteristics such as directivity. Can be improved.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, the plurality of island portions in each pixel electrode are connected to each other at any location. For example, FIG. 17A is an example in which the dots are connected at the center of the dot, FIG. 17B is an example in which the dots are connected at the outer edge of the dot, and FIG. This is an example of connection at an intermediate point up to the section. As described above, the island portions 64 in the respective pixel electrodes 63 are connected to each other, so that driving from the driver IC is performed through the electrically connected switching element 69 at any location of the pixel electrode 63. An electric field can be generated in response to the signal for use.
However, it is preferable that each island-shaped part 64 is connected by the center part of a dot. This is because the alignment control of the liquid crystal material in each sub-dot region can be performed efficiently. When the islands are connected at the center of the dot, the switching element is electrically connected at the dot, that is, at the center of the pixel electrode where each island is connected. It is preferable. This is because the potential transmitted through the switching element can be made uniform with respect to each island portion.

(2) -5 Overlayer structure Further, in such an element substrate, in order to reduce the inter-dot region as much as possible in order to increase the opening area of each dot, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to provide an insulating layer 76 for ensuring insulation between the data line 65 and the pixel electrode 63. This is a so-called overlayer structure. The insulating layer 76 can be formed from a photosensitive resin material such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.
Here, with respect to the layer thickness of the insulating layer 76, as in the overcoat layer on the color filter substrate, in order to optimize the retardation in the light passing through each of the reflection region r and the transmission region t, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the thicknesses are different in accordance with the reflection region and the transmission region. Specifically, it is preferable that the thickness of the insulating layer in the reflective region is larger than the thickness of the insulating layer in the transmissive region.
Further, when an insulating layer for ensuring insulation between the data line and the pixel electrode is provided on the element substrate, the data line 65 is provided below the insulating layer 76 as shown in FIG. It is preferable that it is formed linearly on the side.
This is because the insulation between the data line 65 and the pixel electrode 63 is ensured, and the data lines 65 and the pixel electrode 63 do not affect each other and problems such as crosstalk do not occur.
Therefore, when the insulating layer 76 is provided, the data line 65 is formed in a stripe shape so as to pass through the center of each dot row on the lower layer side of the insulating layer 76 and the data line 65. The switching element 69 and the pixel electrode 63 connected to each other are electrically connected through a contact hole 68 provided in the insulating layer 76.

[Second Embodiment]
The liquid crystal device of the second embodiment is a liquid crystal device in which the planar shape of the dots in the liquid crystal device of the first embodiment is a rhombus.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 19 to 23 as appropriate, for the liquid crystal device of the second embodiment, a color filter substrate provided with a colored layer and an element substrate provided with a TFD element (Thin Film Diode) as a switching element. A liquid crystal device including the above will be described as an example. Further, the description of the same parts as those already described in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the differences from the liquid crystal device of the first embodiment.
In addition, in each figure, what attached | subjected the same code | symbol has shown the same member, and abbreviate | omits description suitably.

1. Pixel and Dot In the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment, the planar shape of the dot has a rhombus shape having at least two sides inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the electrically connected dots. That is, as shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C, each dot row 11A is electrically connected to a common electrical wiring, but the shape of each dot 11R, 11G, 11B is It has a diamond shape including four sides inclined with respect to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the dot row 11A.
By making the dot shape like this, it is possible to express not only the direction of dot arrangement or the direction perpendicular to it but also a straight line in an oblique direction with a smooth straight line without giving a jagged feeling. it can. In addition, for example, it becomes easy to widen the viewing angle of each dot by controlling the orientation direction in each side of the rhombus.
Furthermore, even if the dot shape is a rhombus, since the dots can be meshed and arranged at high density, a reduction in the aperture ratio of the dots can be prevented. Accordingly, each pixel can be meshed and arranged at high density in the display area, so that a bright image display can be realized.
The diamond-shaped dots can be formed by rotating square pixels by 45 ° as shown in FIG. 19A, or as shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C. Moreover, it can also be a rhombus shape that is flat in a predetermined direction.
In addition, as described in the first embodiment, it is easy to control the orientation of the liquid crystal material and the arrangement ratio of the reflective region and the transmissive region. Are preferably equal in shape.

Further, as an example of a pixel including such a dot, as shown in FIG. 20A, a pixel 10 in which three dots 11R, 11G, and 11B are arranged in a delta shape can be used. When arranged in this way, the dots can be arranged close to each other, and the color tone of each pixel can be adjusted with higher accuracy. Therefore, a liquid crystal device having superior image display characteristics can be obtained.
Further, as another example of the pixel, as shown in FIG. 20B or FIG. 20C, the three dots 11R, 11G, and 11B may be pixels 10 arranged in a straight line. When arranged in this way, it becomes easy to define the reflective region and the transmissive region in units of adjacent pixels, using the two adjacent pixels 10 as the reflective pixel and the transmissive pixel.
In addition, the point provided with the orientation regulating means corresponding to each dot, the arrangement method of the reflection region and the transmission region, and the like can be the same as in the first embodiment.

2. Scan Electrode and Pixel Electrode In the configuration of the diamond-shaped dots as described above, the scan electrode provided on the color filter is formed, for example, as shown in FIGS. That is, the scanning electrodes 33 having a width corresponding to three rhombus dots or four widths arranged in an oblique direction are arranged in a stripe shape in a state shifted by half a pixel for each adjacent scanning electrode 33.
In addition, the pixel electrode 63 provided on the element substrate is a pixel electrode made of an aggregate in which a plurality of island portions 64 divided by the radially arranged slits 62 are electrically connected in each dot. 63. The island portions 64 can be connected at the center of the dots as shown in FIG. 23A, or can be connected at the outer edge of the dots as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23C, the dots can be connected at an intermediate point from the center of the dot to the outer edge.
However, as in the first embodiment, in consideration of the orientation controllability of the liquid crystal material and the potential transmitted to each island-shaped portion, as shown in FIG. Is preferred.

As an example in which the pixel electrode in the diamond-shaped dot is divided into a plurality of island-shaped portions by radially arranged slits, it can be configured as shown in FIGS. FIGS. 24A and 24B are examples in which a diamond-shaped pixel electrode 63 is divided into four island-shaped portions 64 of a diamond shape or a triangle, each having the same shape, by four slits 62 arranged radially. 24 (c) to 24 (d), the diamond-shaped pixel electrode 63 is divided into two rectangular or triangular island-shaped portions 64 each having the same shape by two radially arranged slits 62. It is an example.
By configuring the pixel electrode in this way, each dot can be composed of a plurality of sub-dot areas, so that the display characteristics of the displayed image can be varied by changing the characteristics such as directivity. Can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
The liquid crystal device according to the third embodiment is a liquid crystal device in which the planar shape of dots in the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment is triangular.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 25 to 29 as appropriate, for the liquid crystal device of the third embodiment, a color filter substrate provided with a colored layer and an element substrate provided with a TFD element (Thin Film Diode) as a switching element. The liquid crystal device including the liquid crystal device will be described as an example, and different points from the liquid crystal device of the first embodiment will be mainly described.
In addition, in each figure, what attached | subjected the same code | symbol has shown the same member, and abbreviate | omits description suitably.

1. Pixels and Dots In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the planar shape of the dots is a triangular shape having at least two sides inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the electrically connected dots. That is, as shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, each dot row 11A is electrically connected to a common electrical wiring, but each dot 11R, 11G, 11B shape is It has a triangular shape including two sides inclined with respect to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the dot row 11A.
By making the dot shape like this triangular shape, not only the dot arrangement direction or the direction orthogonal to it, but also the straight line in the diagonal direction can be expressed in a smooth straight line without giving a jagged feeling. it can. In addition, for example, it becomes easy to widen the viewing angle of each dot by controlling the orientation direction in each side direction of the triangle.
Furthermore, even if the shape of the dots is a triangle, each dot can be meshed and arranged at a high density, so that a reduction in the aperture ratio of the dots can be prevented. Accordingly, each pixel can be meshed and arranged at high density in the display area, so that a bright image display can be realized.
Such triangular dots may be triangular shapes that are flattened in a predetermined direction as shown in FIGS. 26 (a) and 26 (b).
Further, as described in the first embodiment, the orientation control of the liquid crystal material and the control of the arrangement ratio of the reflective region and the transmissive region are facilitated. Therefore, the triangular dots 11R, 11G, and 11B are provided. It is preferable that the sub-dot regions 12 to be formed have the same shape.

Moreover, as an example of a pixel including such a dot, as shown in FIG. 27A, a pixel 10 in which three dots 11R, 11G, and 11B are arranged in a delta shape can be used. When arranged in this way, the dots can be arranged close to each other, and the color tone of each pixel can be adjusted with higher accuracy. Therefore, a liquid crystal device having superior image display characteristics can be obtained.
As another example of the pixel, as shown in FIG. 27B, three dots 11R, 11G, and 11B may be pixels 10 arranged in a straight line. When arranged in this way, it becomes easy to define the reflective region and the transmissive region in units of adjacent pixels, using the two adjacent pixels 10 as the reflective pixel and the transmissive pixel.
In addition, the point provided with the orientation regulating means corresponding to each dot, the arrangement method of the reflection region and the transmission region, and the like can be the same as in the first embodiment.

2. Scan Electrode and Pixel Electrode In the triangular dot configuration as described above, the scan electrode provided on the color filter is formed, for example, as shown in FIGS. In other words, the scanning electrodes 33 having a width corresponding to two triangular dots or a width corresponding to three triangular dots are arranged in stripes in a state of being shifted by half a pixel for each adjacent scanning electrode 33.
Further, the pixel electrode 63 provided on the element substrate is a pixel electrode made of an aggregate in which a plurality of island portions 64 divided by the radially arranged slits 62 are electrically connected in each dot. 63. Such island portions 64 can be connected at the center of the dot as shown in FIG. 30 (a), or can be connected at the outer edge of the dot as shown in FIG. 30 (b). As shown in 30 (c), the dots can be connected at an intermediate point from the center of the dot to the outer edge.
However, as in the first embodiment, in consideration of the alignment controllability of the liquid crystal material and the potential transmitted to each island-shaped portion, as shown in FIG. Is preferred.

As an example in which the pixel electrode in such a triangular dot is divided into a plurality of island portions by radially arranged slits, it can be configured as shown in FIGS. FIGS. 31A and 31B show an example in which a triangular pixel electrode 63 is divided into three triangular or quadrangular islands 64 having the same shape by three radially arranged slits 62. FIG. 31C shows an example in which the triangular pixel electrode 63 is divided into two triangular island portions 64 having the same shape by two radially arranged slits 62.
By configuring the pixel electrode in this way, each dot can be composed of a plurality of sub-dot areas, so that the display characteristics of the displayed image can be varied by changing the characteristics such as directivity. Can be improved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
As a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal device according to the first to third embodiments will be specifically described.

FIG. 32 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the electronic apparatus of the present embodiment. The electronic apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel 20 provided in the liquid crystal device and a control unit 200 for controlling the liquid crystal panel 20. In FIG. 32, the liquid crystal panel 20 is conceptually divided into a panel structure 20a and a drive circuit 20b composed of a semiconductor element (IC) or the like. The control means 200 preferably includes a display information output source 201, a display processing circuit 202, a power supply circuit 203, and a timing generator 204.
The display information output source 201 includes a memory composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., a storage unit composed of a magnetic recording disk, an optical recording disk, etc., and a tuning that outputs a digital image signal in a synchronized manner. It is preferable that the display information is supplied to the display processing circuit 202 in the form of an image signal or the like of a predetermined format based on various clock signals generated by the timing generator 204.

The display processing circuit 202 includes various well-known circuits such as a serial-parallel conversion circuit, an amplification / inversion circuit, a rotation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, and a clamp circuit, and executes processing of input display information to display the image. Information is preferably supplied to the drive circuit 20b together with the clock signal CLK. Furthermore, the drive circuit 20b preferably includes a first electrode drive circuit, a second electrode drive circuit, and an inspection circuit. Further, the power supply circuit 203 has a function of supplying a predetermined voltage to each of the above-described components.
And if it is an electronic device of this embodiment, since it is equipped with a liquid crystal device in which the pixel electrode in the dot is an aggregate of a plurality of island-shaped portions divided by slits arranged in a predetermined direction, it has excellent visual characteristics, It can be set as the electronic device which can display a bright image.

  According to the present invention, a pixel electrode in a dot is an aggregate of a plurality of island-shaped portions divided by slits arranged in a predetermined direction, whereby a liquid crystal device having excellent visual characteristics and capable of displaying a bright image is obtained. be able to. Therefore, liquid crystal devices and electronic devices such as mobile phones and personal computers, liquid crystal televisions, viewfinder type / monitor direct view type video tape recorders, car navigation devices, pagers, electronic notebooks, calculators, word processors, workstations It can be applied to a video phone, a POS terminal, an electronic device equipped with a touch panel, and the like.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid crystal device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pixel of the liquid crystal device of 1st Embodiment, a dot, and a subdot area | region. It is a modification of the pixel, dot, and sub-dot region of the liquid crystal device of the first embodiment. (A)-(b) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the example of a dot arrangement in each pixel. (A)-(d) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the example of arrangement | positioning of a reflective area | region and a permeation | transmission area | region, respectively. It is a figure which shows the structure of a colored layer, a light shielding layer, a scanning electrode, and a pixel electrode. (A)-(c) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the colored layer which has an alignment protrusion provided in a dot, respectively. It is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the orientation of a liquid crystal material. (A)-(b) is an example of another orientation protrusion provided in a colored layer, respectively. (A)-(c) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the color density adjustment part provided in a colored layer, respectively. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example of a color density adjustment part, respectively. (A)-(c) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the overcoat layer which changed thickness in the reflection area | region and the permeation | transmission area | region, respectively. (A)-(b) is a figure which shows the shape of the scanning electrode on a color filter substrate. It is a figure which shows the structure provided with the hole as an orientation control means in a scanning electrode. It is a figure which shows the data line, pixel electrode, and switching element in an element substrate. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example which divided | segmented the hexagonal pixel electrode into the several island-shaped part, respectively. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example of the hexagonal pixel electrode which each contains a slit and an island-shaped part. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the data line in the case of an overlayer structure, respectively. It is a figure which shows the pixel of the liquid crystal device of 2nd Embodiment, a dot, and a subdot area | region. (A)-(c) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the example of a dot arrangement in each pixel. It is a figure which shows the structure of the colored layer concerning 2nd Embodiment, a light shielding layer, a scanning electrode, and a pixel electrode (the 1). It is a figure which shows the structure of the colored layer concerning 2nd Embodiment, a light shielding layer, a scanning electrode, and a pixel electrode (the 2). (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example of the rhombus pixel electrode which each contains a slit and an island-shaped part. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the example which divided | segmented the rhombus pixel electrode into the several island-shaped part, respectively. It is a figure which shows the pixel of the liquid crystal device of 2nd Embodiment, a dot, and a subdot area | region. It is a modification of the pixel of the liquid crystal device of 2nd Embodiment, a dot, and a subdot area | region. (A)-(b) is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the example of a dot arrangement in each pixel. It is a figure which shows the structure of the colored layer concerning 3rd Embodiment, the light shielding layer, a scanning electrode, and a pixel electrode (the 1). It is a figure which shows the structure of the colored layer concerning 3rd Embodiment, the light shielding layer, a scanning electrode, and a pixel electrode (the 2). (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the example of the triangular pixel electrode which each contains a slit and an island-shaped part. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the example which divided | segmented each triangular pixel electrode into the several island-shaped part. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure provided in order to demonstrate the conventional pixel shape. It is a figure which shows the pixel electrode divided | segmented into the conventional several island-shaped part.

Explanation of symbols

9: Liquid crystal device, 10: Pixel, 11R / 11G / 11G: Dot, 12: Subdot region, 23: Seal material, 30: Color filter substrate, 31: Glass substrate, 33: Scan electrode, 33r: Hole, 35 : Light reflecting film, 37: colored layer, 37A: protrusion, 37r: color density adjusting part, 39: light shielding layer, 41: overcoat layer, 45: alignment film, 60: element substrate, 61: glass substrate, 62: Slit, 63: Pixel electrode, 64: Island portion, 65: Data line, 69: TFD element, 75: Alignment film, 76: Insulating layer

Claims (15)

In a liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between the pair of substrates, and including a display region composed of a plurality of pixels,
Each of the pixels includes a plurality of dots;
The electrode on one of the pair of substrates is an assembly in which a plurality of islands divided by slits arranged radially in the dots are electrically connected to each other. A liquid crystal device.   2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the planar shape of the dots is a shape having at least two sides inclined with respect to a vertical direction or a horizontal direction of the display region.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the island-shaped portions have the same shape.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the island-shaped portions are connected at a center portion of the dots.   An electrical wiring, a switching element, and an insulating layer for ensuring insulation of the electrical wiring and the electrode are further provided on the substrate, and the switching element and the electrode are in the center of the dot. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal device is electrically connected at a portion.   The electrical wiring and the switching element are further provided on the substrate, and the electrical wiring is formed in a zigzag shape between the dots. The liquid crystal device described.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the dots is a hexagon and the shape of the island-shaped portion is a triangle or a rhombus.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the dot is a rhombus, and a shape of the island-shaped portion is a triangle or a rhombus.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the dots is a triangle, and the shape of the island-shaped portion is a triangle or a quadrangle.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein dots included in the pixel are arranged in a delta shape.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the dots included in the pixels are arranged in a straight line.   The reflective area and the transmissive area in the dot are arranged corresponding to the island-shaped part, and the total area of the island-shaped part corresponding to the reflective area and the total area of the island-shaped part corresponding to the transmissive area The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal device is different from each other.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, further comprising an alignment regulating unit configured to control the alignment of the liquid crystal material in correspondence with the dots.   The one of the pair of substrates, further comprising a colored layer for each of the dots, and the colored layer including a color density adjusting unit. A liquid crystal device according to claim 1.   The electronic device provided with the liquid crystal device as described in any one of Claims 1-14.

Images