KR20080088378A - Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An LCD device and an electronic apparatus are provided to reduce the deterioration of display quality caused by the taper portion of a phase difference layer in pixels having a transmitting display area and a reflective display area having the phase difference layer. An LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) device includes plural pixels(100a) and a phase difference layer(27). Each of the plural pixels includes a transmitting display area(100t) and a reflective display area(100r). The phase difference layer is an inner side of a pair of substrates and is at a position where the phase difference layer is overlapped with at least the reflective display area. The phase difference layer is formed over the reflective display area of two adjacent pixels at least in the plural pixels. A first end portion(27c) of the phase difference layer is positioned in a pixel of the two adjacent pixels. A second end portion(27d) opposite to the first end portion is positioned in a pixel of the other side.

Description

Liquid crystal display and electronic device {LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device and an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal device in which a phase difference layer is formed on an inner surface side of a liquid crystal panel.

In order to realize wide viewing angle of a liquid crystal display device, so-called fringe field switching (hereinafter referred to as FFS (Fringe Field Switching)) or in-plane switching (hereinafter referred to as IPS (In-Plane Switching)) The liquid crystal display device of the type which drives a liquid crystal by a lateral electric field etc. is practically used. Moreover, in this type of liquid crystal display device, it is proposed that each of the plurality of pixels includes a transmissive display area and a reflective display area. In addition, the liquid crystal layer is positioned on the substrate for the purpose of eliminating the difference in retardation caused by the difference in the path length through which the light passes in the transmission mode and the reflection mode with the influence of the viewing angle dependency of the phase difference plate to a minimum. It is proposed to provide a retardation layer made of a liquid crystal polymer on the side (see Patent Document 1).

(Patent Document 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-338256

However, since the retardation layer is formed by applying a liquid crystal polymer to the substrate surface, unlike a sheet-shaped retardation plate, a wide tapered portion is generated at an end portion, and light emitted through the tapered portion is properly modulated. It doesn't work. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cross-section and plane of the FFS-type liquid crystal display device according to the reference example, respectively, each of the plurality of pixels 100a is reflected by the transmissive display area 100t and the reflection. In the case where the display area 100r is provided and the reflective display area 100r is set in the substantially center area of the pixel 100a, the pixel (on the side where the liquid crystal layer 50 is located on the opposite substrate 20) The phase difference layer 27 (the area | region which gave the diagonal line of the upper right direction in FIG. 6 (b)) is formed in the center area | region of 100a. As a result, in the retardation layer 27, wide tapered portions 27a are generated at both ends of the direction in which the data lines 5a extend. In the tapered portion 27a, unless the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is uniform, the phase difference of the phase difference layer 27 is also not constant. Therefore, the tapered portion 27a does not contribute to display and causes the contrast to be lowered. do.

In view of the above problems, a problem of the present invention is a liquid crystal capable of suppressing a decrease in display quality caused by a tapered portion of a phase difference layer in a pixel having a transparent display area and a reflective display area having a phase difference layer. A display device and an electronic device are provided.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve the said subject, in the 1st liquid crystal device which concerns on this invention, in the liquid crystal device which hold | maintains a liquid crystal layer between a pair of board | substrate, each of several pixel which contains a transmissive display area and a reflective display area, And a phase difference layer disposed at a position overlapping with the reflective display area at least toward an inner surface of the pair of substrates, the phase difference layer being in the reflective display area of at least two adjacent pixels of the plurality of pixels. And a first end is located in one of the two adjacent pixels, and a second end facing the first end is located in the other pixel. The retardation layer has a tapered shape at the end. In addition, the two adjacent pixels are arranged such that respective reflective display regions face each other with a pixel boundary region extending in the first direction therebetween. Further, the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of pixels arranged side by side in the first direction, and the phase difference layer is formed over those plurality of pixels. The pixel further includes a pixel electrode, a switching element connected to the pixel electrode, and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, wherein the switching element is connected to a scan line and a signal line, and one of the scan line and the signal line. And formed in the pixel boundary region extending in the first direction.

In the first liquid crystal device, the phase difference layer is formed over the reflective display area of at least two adjacent pixels among the plurality of pixels, and the first end is positioned within one pixel of the two adjacent pixels. Since it is located in the other pixel of the 2nd end part which opposes 1st edge part, one side of the edge part of a phase difference layer is located in one pixel. Therefore, even when the end portion of the retardation layer is a tapered portion such as to degrade the display quality, the area occupied by the tapered portion in the pixel is very narrow, so that the decrease in display quality caused by the tapered portion of the retardation layer is suppressed small. can do. Even in the case of a step without a tapered portion of the phase difference layer, display defects occur in the step portion, so the present invention is effective.

In the first liquid crystal device, the third end portion crossing the first end portion or the second end portion of the retardation layer may be positioned outside the plurality of pixels. In this case, the plurality of pixels includes display pixels arranged in the image display area and dummy pixels arranged outside the image display area, and it is more preferable to make the third end of the phase difference layer further out of the dummy pixel. .

When the third end of the phase difference layer is located in the pixel, the first or second end and the third end of the phase difference layer are located in the pixel. As a result, in this pixel, the tapered portion occupies a large area, but in the present invention, the third end portion of the phase difference layer is located outside the plurality of pixels. For this reason, according to this invention, since the area which a taper part occupies is narrow in a pixel even if it is the pixel arrange | positioned outmost in a some pixel, the fall of the display quality resulting from the taper part of a phase difference layer can be suppressed small.

This effect can be obtained by simply disposing the third end of the phase difference layer outside the display pixels arranged in the image display area, but arranges dummy pixels outside the display pixels and fixes the third end of the phase difference layer. It becomes more remarkable by arrange | positioning further outside of a dummy pixel. This is because the distance between the third end with the tapered portion and the display pixel at the outermost position is further distanced, so that the influence of the orientation defect around the tapered portion can also be eliminated. Of course, you may employ | adopt the structure which arrange | positions a dummy pixel on the outer side of a display pixel, and the 3rd edge part of a phase difference layer is located in the dummy pixel.

In the said 1st liquid crystal device, it is preferable to have the light-shielding area | region which overlaps with a said 3rd edge part. As an example, the structure which arrange | positions the light shielding area which surrounds the periphery of an image display area in a frame shape in the viewer side, arrange | positions the edge part of a phase difference layer in a light shielding area, or the light absorption rate is made to the 3rd end part of a phase difference layer There exists a structure which covers with high black resin etc. Of course, it is more effective to combine these two structures, and arrange | position so that the 3rd end part of a phase difference layer and the light-shielding area | region of a frame shape may overlap planarly, and to cover the 3rd end part with black resin etc. is more effective. At that time, the resin covering the third end portion is positioned inside the frame-shaped light-shielding region and is configured so as not to be pushed out of the light-shielding region. This is to prevent distortion from occurring in the frame of the image display area.

In the configuration of the first liquid crystal device, both of the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on one of the pair of substrates, and the so-called liquid crystal is driven by a lateral or inclined electric field formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. Although it can be suitably used for liquid crystal devices such as FFS (Fringe Field Switching) or IPS (In-Plane Switching), it can be used for other liquid crystal devices such as twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment, and OCB methods. good.

In the second liquid crystal device of the present invention, in a liquid crystal device in which a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, the plurality of pixels are arranged at positions overlapping at least the pixels toward an inner surface of the pair of substrates. And a phase difference layer, wherein the phase difference layer is disposed over the plurality of pixels, and an end thereof is located outside the plurality of pixels. The configuration of the present invention is more effective when the end portion of the phase difference layer is tapered.

In the second liquid crystal device, the plurality of pixels includes a display pixel disposed in an image display area and a dummy pixel disposed outside the image display area, and the end portion is positioned outside the dummy pixel. It is more preferable than space. If the end of the phase difference layer is located in the pixel, the display quality deterioration due to the tapered end of the phase difference layer occurs, but in the second liquid crystal device, the end of the phase difference layer is located outside the plurality of pixels. do. For this reason, even if it is a pixel located in the edge part in an image display area among a some pixel, the fall of the display quality resulting from the edge part of such a phase difference layer can be suppressed small. This effect can be obtained by simply placing the end of the phase difference layer outside the display pixels arranged in the image display area, but the dummy pixel is disposed outside the display pixel, and the end of the phase difference layer is further outside the dummy pixel. It becomes more remarkable by arrange | positioning to the side. This is because the distance between the end portion with the tapered portion and the display pixel located at the outermost side is further greater, and the influence of the orientation defect around the tapered portion can also be eliminated. Of course, you may employ | adopt the structure which arrange | positions the dummy pixel on the outer side of a display pixel, and the edge part of a phase difference layer is located in the dummy pixel. Even when the end of the phase difference layer is a step without a tapered portion, display defects occur in the step portion, and the present invention is effective.

In the said 2nd liquid crystal device, it is preferable to have a light shielding area | region which overlaps the edge part of a phase difference layer. As an example, the structure which arrange | positions the light shielding area which surrounds the periphery of an image display area in a frame shape in the viewer side, arrange | positions the edge part of a phase difference layer in a light shielding area, or the edge part of a phase difference layer is black with high light absorption rate. There is a structure to cover with the resin. Of course, it is more effective to combine these two structures, arrange | position so that the edge part of a phase difference layer and the frame-shaped light shielding area may overlap planarly, and to cover the end part with the light shielding layer which consists of black resin etc. In addition, if the light shielding layer made of black resin or the like is formed so that a part of the flat portion is caught beyond the end of the phase difference layer, the tapered portion can be completely covered with the light shielding layer. The resin covering the end of the phase difference layer is located inside the frame-shaped light shielding region and is configured so as not to be pushed out of the light shielding region. This is to prevent distortion from occurring in the frame of the image display area.

The pixel further includes a pixel electrode, a switching element connected to the pixel electrode, and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, and on one of the pair of substrates, both the pixel electrode and the common electrode. It is characterized by being formed.

In the second liquid crystal device, both of the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on one of the pair of substrates, and the so-called liquid crystal is driven by a lateral or inclined electric field formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. Although it can be suitably used for liquid crystal devices such as FFS (Fringe Field Switching) or IPS (In-Plane Switching), it can be used for other liquid crystal devices such as twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment, and OCB methods. good.

In addition, the structure of this invention can be applied irrespective of a transmission type, a reflection type, or a transflective reflection type as long as it is a liquid crystal device which forms a phase difference layer in the inner surface between board | substrates. In the case of the semi-transmissive reflective type, since the optical display is different from the reflective display region and the transparent display region, the retardation layer must be selectively formed in the reflective display region or the transparent display region. Therefore, the necessity of forming a retardation layer in an inner surface is high, and it is suitable for application of this invention accordingly.

The first and second liquid crystal devices described above are used as display portions of electronic devices such as mobile phones or mobile computers.

According to the present invention, in a pixel having a transmissive display region and a reflective display region having a retardation layer, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device and an electronic device capable of minimizing the reduction in display quality caused by the tapered portion of the retardation layer. Can be.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In addition, in the following description, in order to make clear correspondence with the structure shown in FIG. 6, the part which has a common function is attached | subjected and demonstrated with the same code | symbol. In addition, in the drawings referred to in the following description, each layer or each member is made to a size that can be recognized on the drawing, and the scale is changed for each layer or each member.

(Overall configuration)

1 (a) and 1 (b) are plan views of the liquid crystal display device to which the present invention is applied, as well as respective components formed thereon, as viewed from an opposing substrate, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H '.

1 (a) and 1 (b), the liquid crystal display device 100 of this embodiment is a transflective reflective active matrix liquid crystal display device, and on the element substrate 10, a sealing material 107 is formed. It is provided along the edge of the opposing substrate 20. In the element substrate 10, a data line driving circuit 101 and a mounting terminal 102 are provided along one side of the element substrate 10 in an area outside the sealing material 107. The scan line driver circuit 104 is formed along the two sides adjacent to the side where () is arranged. The opposing substrate 20 has an outline substantially the same as that of the sealing material 107, and the opposing substrate 20 is fixed to the element substrate 10 by the sealing material 107. The liquid crystal layer 50 is held between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

Although mentioned later in detail, the pixel electrode 7a is formed in the element substrate 10 in matrix form. On the other hand, in the opposing board | substrate 20, the frame-shaped light shielding area | region 23a which consists of a light-shielding material is formed in the inner area | region of the sealing material 107, and the inside becomes the image display area | region 10a. In the opposing substrate 20, a light shielding layer 23b called a black matrix, black stripe or the like is formed in a region facing the vertical and horizontal pixel boundary regions of the pixel electrode 7a of the element substrate 10.

The liquid crystal display 100 of the present exemplary embodiment drives the liquid crystal layer 50 in the FFS mode. For this reason, in addition to the pixel electrode 7a, the common electrode (not shown in FIG. 1 (b)) mentioned later is also formed on the element substrate 10, and the opposing board | substrate 20 is not formed with the counter electrode. not. In the liquid crystal display device 100, a polarizing plate (not shown) is disposed on each of the element substrate 10 side and the opposing substrate 20 side, and a backlight device (shown on the element substrate 10 side). Not disposed).

(Detailed Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display Device 100)

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image display region 10a of the element substrate 10 used in the liquid crystal display device 100 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pixels 100a are formed in a matrix in the image display region 10a of the liquid crystal display device 100. In each of the plurality of pixels 100a, a pixel electrode 7a and a thin film transistor 30 as a pixel switching element for controlling the pixel electrode 7a are formed, and the data signal (image signal) is sequentially lined up. The data line 5a to be supplied is electrically connected to the source of the thin film transistor 30. The scanning line 3a is electrically connected to the gate of the thin film transistor 30, and it is comprised so that a scanning signal may be sequentially applied to the scanning line 3a at predetermined timing. The pixel electrode 7a is electrically connected to the drain of the thin film transistor 30, and by turning on the thin film transistor 30 for a predetermined period of time, the data signal supplied from the data line 5a is transferred to each pixel ( Write at 100a) at a predetermined timing. In this manner, the pixel signal of a predetermined level written in the liquid crystal layer 50 shown in FIG. 1B through the pixel electrode 7a is fixed for a predetermined period between the common electrode 9a formed on the element substrate 10. maintain. Here, the storage capacitor 60 is formed between the pixel electrode 7a and the common electrode 9a, and the voltage of the pixel electrode 7a is maintained for three digits or longer than the time when the source voltage is applied, for example. do. As a result, the charge retention characteristics are improved, and the liquid crystal display device 100 capable of displaying a high contrast ratio can be realized.

In FIG. 2, the common electrode 9a is shown as a wiring extending from the scan line driver circuit 104, but is formed on the approximately entire surface of the image display region 10a of the element substrate 10 and maintained at a predetermined potential. do.

(Configuration of Pixel Array Area)

3 is an explanatory diagram showing a planar configuration of an end portion on the scanning line driver circuit 104 side of the pixel array region of the liquid crystal display device 100 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 3, in the liquid crystal display device 100, a plurality of pixels 100a are arranged in a matrix, and an area in which these pixels 100a are arranged is a pixel array region 10b. In the pixel array region 10b, the pixel 100a at the end is a dummy pixel 100x which is not used for display, and the dummy pixel 100x is shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. It is in the state covered with the light shielding area | region 23a (frame) demonstrated with reference. Therefore, in the pixel array area 10b, an area except the dummy pixel 100x is used as the image display area 10a, and the area in which the dummy pixel 100x is formed (dummy pixel area 10x) is used for display. It does not contribute directly.

(Configuration of Each Pixel)

4 (a) and 4 (b) are cross-sectional views of one pixel of the liquid crystal display device 100 to which the present invention is applied, and plan views of pixels adjacent to each other on the element substrate 10, respectively. Is corresponded to sectional drawing when the liquid crystal display device 100 was cut | disconnected at the position corresponding to the AA 'line | wire of (b). In addition, in Fig. 4B, the pixel electrode 7a is represented by a long dotted line, the data line 5a and the thin film formed at the same time are represented by a single-dot chain line, and the scan line 3a is represented by a two-dot chain line. The part partially removed in (9a) is shown by the solid line.

As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, on the element substrate 10, a plurality of transparent pixel electrodes 7a are formed for each pixel 100a in a matrix form, and the pixel electrodes 7a The data line 5a and the scan line 3a are formed along the vertical and horizontal pixel boundary regions 10e and 10f. Moreover, the common electrode 9a which consists of an ITO film is formed in the substantially whole surface of the image display area 10a of the element substrate 10. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the common electrode 9a is formed of beta, while a plurality of slit-shaped openings 7b (indicated by a long dotted line) are formed in the pixel electrode 7a. In the present embodiment, the plurality of slit-shaped openings 7b are formed to be inclined with respect to the extending direction of the scanning line 3a, and the plurality of slit-shaped openings 7b extend in parallel. In addition, the slit-shaped opening 7b may be formed in the shape bent in the middle, or the inclination direction to the inclination may consist of a group of slits of opposite sides.

The base of the element substrate 10 shown in FIG. 4A is made of a light transmissive substrate 10c such as a quartz substrate or a heat resistant glass substrate, and the base of the counter substrate 20 is a quartz substrate or heat resistant. Made of a light-transmissive substrate 20b such as a glass substrate. In this embodiment, a glass substrate is used for any of the light transmissive substrates 10c and 20b.

4 (a) and 4 (b), the element substrate 10 is formed with a base protective film (not shown) made of a silicon oxide film or the like on the surface of the light transmissive substrate 10c, and the surface thereof. On the side, the thin film transistor 30 of the top gate structure is formed in the position adjacent to each pixel electrode 7a. The thin film transistor 30 has a structure in which the channel formation region 1b, the source region 1c, and the drain region 1d are formed in the island-like semiconductor film 1a. It may be formed to have a lightly doped drain (LDD) structure having low concentration regions on both sides. In the present embodiment, the semiconductor film 1a is a polysilicon film polycrystalline by forming an amorphous silicon film on the element substrate 10 and then laser annealing, lamp annealing or the like.

A gate insulating film 2 made of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a laminated film thereof is formed on the upper layer of the semiconductor film 1a, and a part of the scanning line 3a is superimposed on the upper layer of the gate insulating film 2 as the gate electrode. have. In this embodiment, the semiconductor film 1a is bent in a U-shape, and has a twin gate structure in which the gate electrode is formed in two places in the channel direction.

An interlayer insulating film 4 made of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a laminated film thereof is formed on the upper layer of the gate electrode (scanning line 3a). The data line 5a is formed on the surface of the interlayer insulating film 4, and the data line 5a is formed at the source region located on the side of the data line 5a through the contact hole 4a formed in the interlayer insulating film 4. It is electrically connected. A drain electrode 5b is formed on the surface of the interlayer insulating film 4, and the drain electrode 5b is a conductive film formed simultaneously with the data line 5a. The drain electrode 5b is electrically connected to the drain region 1d via a contact hole 4b formed in the interlayer insulating film 4.

On the upper layer side of the data line 5a and the drain electrode 5b, an interlayer insulating film 6 as a photosensitive resin layer is formed. In this embodiment, the interlayer insulating film 6 is made of a thick photosensitive resin having a thickness of 1.5 µm to 2.0 µm.

On the surface of the interlayer insulating film 6, the common electrode 9a as a lower side electrode layer is formed with the beta ITO film | membrane over the whole surface. An inter-electrode insulating film 8 is formed on the surface of the common electrode 97a. In this embodiment, the inter-electrode insulating film 8 is made of a silicon oxide film or silicon nitride film having a film thickness of 400 nm or less. On the upper layer of the inter-electrode insulating film 8, the pixel electrode 7a as the upper side electrode layer is formed of the ITO film, and the alignment film 16 is formed on the surface side of the pixel electrode 7a. The slit-shaped opening 7b mentioned above is formed in the pixel electrode 7a. In this configuration, the common electrode 9a and the pixel electrode 7a face each other via the inter-electrode insulating film 8, and a storage capacitor 60 is formed so that the inter-electrode insulating film 8 is a dielectric film. In the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 7a is electrically connected to the drain electrode 6b via a contact hole 6a formed in the interlayer insulating film 6. For this reason, 9 d of rectangular notches are formed in the part in which the contact hole 6a is formed in the common electrode 9a. The alignment film 16 is formed on the surface side of the pixel electrode 7a. In the element substrate 10 configured as described above, the liquid crystal layer 50 is driven around the slit-shaped opening 7b and its periphery by a lateral electric field formed between the pixel electrode 7a and the common electrode 9a.

In the opposing substrate 20, a light shielding layer 23b is formed on the inner surface (the side where the liquid crystal layer 50 is located) of the light transmissive substrate 20b so as to face the pixel boundary regions 10e and 10f. The color filter 22 of each color is formed in the area | region enclosed by the layer 23b. The light shielding layer 23b and the color filter 22 are covered with the insulating protective film 24. An alignment film 26 is formed on the surface side of the insulating protective film 24.

(Detailed Configuration of Each Pixel)

The liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment is a transflective reflection type, and the plurality of pixels 100a each have a transmissive display area 100t for displaying an image in a transmissive mode and a reflection for displaying an image in a reflective mode. The display area 100r is provided. For this reason, the interlayer insulating film 6 is made of a photosensitive resin in which the unevenness 6c is provided in a region corresponding to the reflective display region 100r, and is planarized for the transmissive display region 100t, the formation region of the thin film transistor 30, and the like. It functions as a film. The unevenness 6c of the interlayer insulating film 6 can be formed by, for example, flowing the photosensitive resin when baking the photosensitive resin after half exposure and development. Moreover, the photosensitive resin layer (interlayer insulation film 6) provided with the unevenness | corrugation 6c can also be formed by further apply | coating the photosensitive resin layer to the upper layer side of the photosensitive resin exposed and developed so that it may correspond to unevenness | corrugation.

In the upper layer of the interlayer insulating film 6, a light reflecting layer 11a made of aluminum, silver, an alloy thereof, or the like is formed in the reflective display region 100r, and the common electrode 9a and the interelectrode insulating film ( 8) and the pixel electrode 7a are formed. Here, the unevenness | corrugation 6c of the interlayer insulation film 6 is reflected in the light reflection layer 11a, and light scattering property is provided by this.

In the liquid crystal display device 100 configured as described above, while the backlight light emitted from the backlight device (not shown) is transmitted through the transmission display area 100t and is emitted as display light from the counter substrate 20 side. The light is modulated by the liquid crystal layer 50 and emitted as display light. Further, the external light incident from the opposing substrate 20 side to the reflective display region 100r is modulated by the liquid crystal layer 50 while being reflected by the light reflecting layer 11a and emitted as display light from the opposing substrate 20 side. And is emitted as display light. Therefore, the path length through which light travels in the transmission mode and the reflection mode is different.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in the surface where the inner surface (liquid crystal layer 50) of the opposing substrate 20 is located, the reflective display region 100r is formed of a liquid crystal polymer on the surface of the insulating protective film 24. The retardation layer 27 is formed, and the alignment film 26 is formed on the surface side of the retardation layer 27. For this reason, in the transmission mode and the reflection mode, even if the path length through which light travels is different, both retardations can be matched. Here, the retardation layer 27 is a layer formed by applying a liquid crystal polymer or the like, and the end portion 27c is a wide tapered portion 27a having a width dimension of about 8 μm. Since the light transmitted through the tapered portion 27a is emitted so as not to be modulated properly, the display quality is degraded.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reflective display area 100r (the phase difference layer 27) is provided in the reflective display area 100r as shown by the oblique area in the upper right direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 (b). (Phase difference layer 27) is the other direction (data line 5a which cross | intersects one direction among the pixel boundary area | regions 10f extended in one direction (the direction which scan line 3a extends). Direction, and is set in a band shape toward one direction across both pixels 100a sandwiching the pixel boundary regions 10f located every other. That is, the reflective display area 100r (the phase difference layer 27) is formed so as to span both pixels 100a between the scanning lines 3a positioned every other of the plurality of scanning lines 3a. It extends in strip shape along 3a). Therefore, there is only one end 27c (taper portion 27a) in the width direction of the phase difference layer 27 in one pixel 100a.

The edge part 27c of the width direction of the phase difference layer 27 overlaps with the light shielding area | region 23a demonstrated in FIG. 1 in plan view. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, black resin is paste | pasted along the edge part 27c of the width direction of the phase difference layer 27. As shown in FIG. Black resin is formed so that a part may be caught in the flat part of the phase difference layer 27 beyond the taper part 27a so that the taper part 27a may be completely covered by black resin. In addition, black resin is formed so that it may not be pushed out from the light shielding area | region 23a when it sees from a plane.

Moreover, the edge part 27d (taper part 27a) in the longitudinal direction (direction in which one direction / scanning line 3a extends) of the phase difference layer 27 is located outside and on the image display area 10a. In the outer region of the pixel array region 10b through the dummy pixel region 10x. Therefore, since the end part 27d of the longitudinal direction of the phase difference layer 27 is not located in the pixel 100a positioned at the end of the image display area 10a, even in such a pixel 100a, it is different from the other pixels 100a. Similarly, only one end 27c (taper portion 27a) in the width direction of the phase difference layer 27 exists.

(Main Effects of the Example)

As described above, in the liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment, the pixel boundary region extending in one direction (the extension direction of the scan line 3a) with respect to the phase difference layer 27 of the reflective display region 100r. In 10f, one direction is crossed over the two pixel 100a which interposes the pixel boundary area | region 10f located every other in the other direction (extension direction of the data line 5a) which cross | intersects one direction. It is formed in a belt shape. Therefore, there is only one end 27c (taper portion 27a) in the width direction of the phase difference layer 27 in one pixel 100a. Moreover, the edge part 27d (taper portion 27a) in the longitudinal direction of the phase difference layer 27 (the direction in which one direction / scanning line 3a extends) is outside the image display area 10a, and furthermore. Is located in the outer region of the pixel array region 10b via the dummy pixel region 10x, so that the width direction of the phase difference layer 27 also exists in the pixel 100a positioned at the end of the image display region 10a. There is only one end 27c (taper portion 27a). Therefore, in both of the pixels 100a, only the minimums 27c and 27d (taper portion 27a) of the phase difference layer 27 exist, so that sufficient display is possible even when displaying an image in the reflection mode. The quality of the displayed image can be improved by being able to display an image by the amount of light and displaying an image of high contrast.

Other Examples

In the said embodiment, although the example which applied this invention to the FFS system liquid crystal display device 100 as a type using a lateral electric field was demonstrated, this invention is applicable as long as it is a liquid crystal device which forms a phase difference layer in an inner surface. For example, the present invention may be applied to an IPS type liquid crystal display device in which the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed in the shape of a comb on the element substrate. In addition, the present invention may be applied to a liquid crystal device such as a TN type, a vertical alignment type, or an OCB type. . Moreover, you may apply this invention to the liquid crystal display device in which the phase difference layer 27 is formed in the element substrate 10 side.

In the above embodiment, although the polysilicon film is used as the semiconductor film, the present invention may be applied to the element substrate 10 using the amorphous silicon film or the single crystal silicon layer. Moreover, you may apply this invention to the liquid crystal display device which used the thin film diode element (nonlinear element) as a pixel switching element.

Further, in the above embodiment, the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the phase difference layer is positioned outside the dummy pixel region, but the arrangement in which the end portion of the phase difference layer is positioned outside the image display region without providing the dummy pixel or the dummy pixel. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the retardation layer ends are positioned on the image.

[Example of Mounting on Electronic Equipment]

Next, an electronic device to which the liquid crystal display device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is applied will be described. FIG. 5A shows the configuration of a mobile personal computer provided with the liquid crystal display device 100. The personal computer 2000 includes a liquid crystal display device 100 as a display unit and a main body part 2010. The main body part 2010 is provided with a power switch 2001 and a key board 2002. FIG. 5B shows the configuration of a mobile phone including the liquid crystal display device 100. The mobile phone 3000 includes a plurality of operation buttons 3001, a scroll button 3002, and a liquid crystal display device 100 as a display unit. By operating the scroll button 3002, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100 is scrolled. FIG. 5C shows the configuration of an information portable terminal (PDA) to which the liquid crystal display device 100 is applied. The information portable terminal 4000 includes a plurality of operation buttons 4001, a power switch 4002, and a liquid crystal display device 100 as a display unit. When the power switch 4002 is operated, various types of information such as an address book and a scheduler are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100.

In addition, in the electronic device to which the liquid crystal display device 100 is applied, a digital still camera, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, and electronics are shown in FIG. Calculators, word processors, workstations, video phones, POS terminals, devices equipped with touch panels, and the like. And the liquid crystal display device 100 mentioned above is applicable as a display part of these various electronic devices.

1 (a) and 1 (b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H 'of the liquid crystal display device to which the present invention is applied, respectively, from the opposite substrate side simultaneously with the components formed thereon;

2 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image display region of an element substrate used in a liquid crystal display device to which the present invention is applied;

3 is an explanatory diagram showing a planar configuration of an end portion on the scanning line driver circuit side of a pixel array region of a liquid crystal display device to which the present invention is applied;

4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of one pixel of the liquid crystal display device to which the present invention is applied, and plan views of pixels adjacent to each other on the element substrate,

5 is an explanatory diagram of an electronic apparatus using a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention;

6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views of one pixel of a conventional liquid crystal display device and a plan view of pixels adjacent to each other on an element substrate, respectively.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1a: semiconductor film 3a: scanning line

6: interlayer insulation film as photosensitive resin layer

5a: data line 7a: pixel electrode

7b: slit-shaped opening 8: insulating film between electrodes

9a: common electrode 10: element substrate

10a: image display area 10b: pixel array area

10x: dummy pixel region 11a: light reflection layer

20: opposing substrate 27: phase difference layer

27a: taper portions 27c and 27d of the phase difference layer

50: liquid crystal layer

30: thin film transistor as pixel switching element

100: liquid crystal display device 100a: pixel

100r: reflection display area 100t: transmission display area

100x: dummy pixels

Claims (16)

In a liquid crystal device in which a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, A plurality of pixels each including a transmissive display area and a reflective display area; A phase difference layer disposed on an inner surface side of the pair of substrates and overlapping at least with the reflective display region; And The phase difference layer is formed over the reflective display area of at least two adjacent pixels of the plurality of pixels, and a first end is located in one pixel of the two adjacent pixels, The opposite second end is positioned in the other pixel. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 1, An end portion of the phase difference layer has a tapered shape. The method of claim 1, And the two adjacent pixels are arranged such that respective reflective display regions face each other with a pixel boundary region extending in the first direction therebetween. The method of claim 3, wherein The plurality of pixels includes a plurality of pixels arranged side by side along the first direction, The phase difference layer is provided over the plurality of pixels. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 1, And a third end that intersects the first end or the second end of the retardation layer is located outside the plurality of pixels. The method of claim 5, wherein The plurality of pixels includes display pixels disposed in an image display area, and dummy pixels disposed outside the image display area. The third end portion is positioned outside the dummy pixel. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 6, And a light shielding region overlapping the third end portion. The method of claim 3, wherein The pixel includes a pixel electrode, a switching element connected to the pixel electrode, and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, The switching element is connected to the scan line and the signal line, One of the scanning line and the signal line is formed in the pixel boundary region extending in the first direction. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 8, Both of the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on one of the pair of substrates. In a liquid crystal device in which a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, A plurality of pixels, A phase difference layer which is disposed at a position overlapping at least the pixel as an inner surface side of the pair of substrates. And The retardation layer is disposed over the plurality of pixels, and an end portion thereof is located outside the plurality of pixels. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 10, The said phase difference layer has the taper shape of the edge part, The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 11, The plurality of pixels includes display pixels disposed in an image display area, and dummy pixels disposed outside the image display area. The end portion is located outside the dummy pixel. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 11, It further has a light shielding layer overlapping the said edge part, The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 13, The retardation layer has a flat portion connected to the tapered end portion, At least a part of the light shielding layer is provided in the flat portion. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 12, The pixel includes a pixel electrode, a switching element connected to the pixel electrode, and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, Both the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on one of the pair of substrates. The liquid crystal device characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic device provided with the liquid crystal device of Claim 1 or 10.

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