JP7441007B2 - liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display device.

Liquid crystal display devices are used in many fields because they are thin and lightweight. In particular, with the recent digitization of automobiles, the number of sheets used per vehicle has been increasing. When a wide viewing angle is required for a display device, a lateral electric field type liquid crystal display device is often used.

Since there is a very wide range of environmental temperatures in which automobiles can be used, the operating temperature range required for liquid crystal display devices is very wide, from -30°C to 80°C. Recently, liquid crystal display devices have begun to be applied to side mirrors, rearview mirrors, and the like. Since liquid crystal display devices need to smoothly display images from cameras installed outside the vehicle, they are required to have a corresponding response speed in all temperature ranges.

Although the response speed of a liquid crystal display device decreases as the temperature decreases, a liquid crystal display device is required to have a response speed necessary for displaying a moving image even in a low temperature range. The response speed is generally expressed as the sum (τon+τoff) of the rise time (τon) and the fall time (τoff). Therefore, it is necessary to shorten both the rise time and the fall time.

The response speed can be improved by lowering the viscosity of the liquid crystal material and narrowing the gap of the liquid crystal layer. However, at present, it is difficult to obtain sufficient response speed with only these. The response speed of the liquid crystal is determined by the relationship between the elastic energy of the liquid crystal and the voltage opposing it when a pixel voltage is applied (ON). When no voltage is applied (when OFF), the response speed of the liquid crystal is the recovery speed of the state due to the elastic energy of the liquid crystal. By overdrive driving, it is possible to shorten the rise time. On the other hand, the falling speed is determined only by the natural recovery force due to elasticity, and it is difficult to shorten the recovery speed with a normal cell structure.

The starting point for recovery of the liquid crystal state when the liquid crystal is turned off is the liquid crystal molecules whose direction is fixed by alignment films disposed above and below the liquid crystal layer. Therefore, by increasing the number of starting points for the liquid crystal molecules to return to their initial state, it is possible to improve the recovery speed when turned off and to improve the response speed. In this respect, for example, US Pat. No. 6,452,657 discloses a specific IPS (In Plane Switching) structure. In this structure, the rotation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in each subdivision surrounded by the drive electrode and the common electrode within the pixel is different, and the liquid crystal molecules at the boundaries of the subdivisions are stable without rotation and act as a pseudo wall. By doing so, the response speed can be improved.

US Patent No. 6,452,657

However, in the above structure, since the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal and the direction of the electric field applied between the protrusions of the electrodes are perpendicular to each other, the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules rotate from the initial alignment due to the electric field varies depending on the situation, and stable alignment cannot be achieved. can't get it. Furthermore, if flow occurs in the liquid crystal, there is a possibility that the liquid crystal molecules will be fixed in a rotation direction different from the designed rotation direction. In addition, in recent years, pointing devices that touch the indicated position with a finger have been increasingly installed on the display surface of the liquid crystal panel, and there is a possibility that the liquid crystal may flow when the liquid crystal display panel is pressed with the finger. It's getting expensive. Therefore, in a transverse electric field type liquid crystal display panel, stabilization of the alignment of liquid crystal is desired.

An example of the present disclosure provides an element substrate, a counter substrate facing the element substrate, a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate and the counter substrate, and a liquid crystal on a surface of the element substrate facing the liquid crystal. , a plurality of electrode sets for applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal, each of the plurality of electrode sets extending along an alignment axis of the liquid crystal and extending along a second axis perpendicular to the alignment axis. a plurality of first electrodes arranged at a distance from each other, and a plurality of second electrodes extending along the orientation axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of first electrodes along the second axis. a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart along the orientation axis; and a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart along the orientation axis; a plurality of fourth electrodes arranged alternately apart from third electrodes, a driving potential is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes, and the plurality of second A common potential is applied to each of the electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes, each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes, and each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes. Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of first electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of first electrodes via an insulating layer. The width of the third electrode is constant at each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and the width of the third electrode is constant at each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of first electrodes. In each section, the width of the fourth electrode is constant.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, alignment of liquid crystal can be stabilized in a transverse electric field type liquid crystal display panel.

A configuration example of a liquid crystal display device is schematically shown. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional structure of a liquid crystal display device. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a pixel circuit of one pixel. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining details of structures of a lower common electrode, a lower drive electrode, an upper common electrode, and an upper drive electrode. 2 schematically shows a part of the electrode structure of a pixel circuit and an electric field formed within a pixel region. It is a sectional view taken along the IIID-IIID cutting line in FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIE-IIIE in FIG. 3C. This diagram schematically shows a portion where liquid crystal molecules do not move when a pixel voltage is applied. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining details of structures of a lower common electrode, a lower drive electrode, an upper common electrode, and an upper drive electrode. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the VC-VC cutting line in FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the VD-VD cutting line in FIG. 5B. FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 4. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIC-VIC cutting line in FIG. 6A. FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIC-VIC cutting line in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 6. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining details of structures of a lower common electrode, a lower drive electrode, an upper common electrode, and an upper drive electrode. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIIC-VIIIC in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIIID-VIIID cutting line in FIG. 8B. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 7. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 8. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining details of structures of a lower common electrode, a lower drive electrode, an upper common electrode, and an upper drive electrode. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XC-XC in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XD-XD in FIG. 10B. An example of an electrode structure within a pixel is shown. An example of an electrode structure within a pixel is shown. An example of an electrode structure within a pixel is shown. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 10. 5 is a diagram illustrating in detail the structure of an upper layer drive electrode 401 and a common electrode 501. FIG. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIVC-XIVC in FIG. 14B. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIVD-XIVD in FIG. 14B. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 11. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating in detail the shapes of an upper layer drive electrode, a common electrode, a lower layer drive electrode, and the operation of liquid crystal molecules. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVC-XVC in FIG. 15B. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVD-XVD in FIG. 15B. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 12. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating in detail the shape of an upper layer drive electrode and the operation of liquid crystal molecules. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIC-XVIC in FIG. 16B. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along the XVID-XVID cutting line in FIG. 16B. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to a thirteenth embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating in detail the shape of an upper layer drive electrode 404 and the operation of liquid crystal molecules. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIIC-XVIIC in FIG. 17B. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIID-XVIID in FIG. 17B. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to a fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of liquid crystal molecules in detail. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along the XVIIC-XVIIC cutting line in FIG. 18B. FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIID-XVIID in FIG. 18B.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this embodiment is only an example for implementing the present disclosure, and does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of a liquid crystal display device 10. As shown in FIG. Liquid crystal display device 10 includes a liquid crystal display panel and a control device. The liquid crystal display panel includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) substrate 100 on which electrodes for applying an electric field to the thin film transistor and the liquid crystal are formed, a counter substrate 200, and a seal portion 150 that joins the TFT substrate 100 and the counter substrate 200. include. A liquid crystal material is sealed between the TFT substrate 100 and the counter substrate 200.

A scanning driver 131 and a driver IC 134 are arranged outside the display area 125 of the TFT substrate 100. The driver IC 134 is connected to an external device via an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 135. The scan driver 131 and driver IC 134 are included in the control device.

The scan driver 131 drives the scan lines of the TFT substrate 100. The driver IC 134 is mounted using, for example, an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). The driver IC 134 provides power and a timing signal (control signal) to the scan driver 131, and also provides a signal corresponding to video data to the data line. That is, the driver IC 134 has a display control function.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal display device 10. FIG. 2 shows a part of the structure of the liquid crystal display device 10, and a part of the structure including the backlight unit is omitted. The liquid crystal display panel includes a TFT 100 and a counter substrate 200 facing the TFT substrate 100. A liquid crystal layer 111 is sandwiched between the TFT substrate 100 and the counter substrate 200. The liquid crystal display device 10 further includes a backlight unit (not shown).

TFT substrate 100 includes an insulating substrate 102. The insulating substrate 102 is an insulating transparent substrate made of glass or resin. The insulating substrate 102 is, for example, rectangular, and one main surface thereof faces one main surface of the counter substrate 200. A polarizing plate 101 is attached to the main surface of the insulating substrate 102 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 111.

A driving electrode (also called a pixel electrode) 103 and a common electrode (also called a counter electrode) 104 for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 111 are arranged on the main surface of the insulating substrate 102 with respect to the liquid crystal layer 111. Each pair of drive electrode 103 and common electrode 104 applies an electric field to the liquid crystal of one pixel. The amount of light transmitted through the pixel changes depending on the electric field that can be applied. A TFT array (not shown) for selecting pixels to be controlled is formed on the insulating substrate 102.

The configuration example shown in FIG. 2 is a horizontal electric field control type liquid crystal display device. The horizontal electric field control type liquid crystal display device is, for example, an IPS (In-Plane Switching) type or an FFS (Fringe-Field Switching) type liquid crystal display device. In FIG. 2, only the drive electrode and common electrode of one pixel among the plurality of pixels are indicated by reference numerals 103 and 104, respectively.

An alignment film 105 is laminated to cover the electrode layer including the drive electrode 103 and the common electrode 104. The alignment film 105 is in contact with the liquid crystal layer 111 and defines the alignment state (initial alignment) of liquid crystal molecules in the absence of an electric field.

In the configuration example of FIG. 2, the counter substrate 200 is a CF substrate including a color filter (CF). Note that the counter substrate 200 does not need to include a color filter. The counter substrate 200 includes an insulating substrate 114 made of glass or resin. The insulating substrate 114 is, for example, rectangular. A polarizing plate 142 is attached to the main surface of the insulating substrate 114 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 111.

A grid-shaped black matrix 124 defining pixels is laminated on the main surface of the insulating substrate 114 on the liquid crystal layer 111 side. The black matrix 124 is, for example, a black resin or a metal thin film using a chromium-based material. A red, green, or blue color filter 123 is formed in each pixel region surrounded by a black matrix 124.

An insulating overcoat layer 122 is laminated on the color filter 123. Overcoat layer 122 may be omitted. An alignment film 121 is laminated on the overcoat layer 122. The alignment film 121 contacts the liquid crystal layer 111 and defines the alignment state (initial alignment) of liquid crystal molecules in the absence of an electric field.

A backlight unit (not shown) is arranged on the back (rear side) of the liquid crystal display panel. One of the TFT substrate 100 and the counter substrate 200 is the front side where a user who visually recognizes the image is present, and the other is the rear side. That is, the backlight unit is arranged on the TFT substrate 100 side or the counter substrate 200 side of the liquid crystal display panel shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal layer 111 controls the amount of light transmitted from the backlight unit in each pixel according to the electric field between the drive electrode 103 and the common electrode 104. The driver IC 134 controls the potentials of the drive electrode 103 and common electrode 104 of each pixel. The driver IC 134 controls the potentials of the drive electrode 103 and common electrode 104 of each pixel in accordance with image data, thereby controlling the amount of light transmitted through the pixel.

An example of an electrode structure in a pixel circuit will be described below. The example described below is a horizontal electric field type pixel circuit, and an electrode that applies an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 111 is included in the TFT substrate 100. 3A to 3F show an example of an electrode structure within a pixel.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a pixel circuit of one pixel. The pixel circuit 300 includes (parts of) common lines 304A and 304B extending along the X-axis and spaced apart along the Y-axis, (parts of) the data line 301 extending along the Y-axis, and It includes (a portion of) a gate line 302 extending along the X-axis. The common lines 304A, 304B, the data line 301, and a data line (not shown) adjacent to the data line 301 define a pixel area. In the pixel region, the amount of light transmitted changes depending on the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 111.

The pixel circuit 300 includes lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C. The lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C each extend along the Y axis and are spaced apart from each other along the X axis. The lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C are each linear, and the width (length along the X axis) is constant. One ends of the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C are connected to the common line 304B.

The common line 304B (part of it) and the common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C constitute one comb-shaped electrode. The lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C each correspond to the teeth of the comb-shaped electrode.

Pixel circuit 300 includes lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C. The lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C each extend along the Y axis and are spaced apart from each other along the X axis. The lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are each linear, and the width (length along the X axis) is constant.

The lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C and the lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C are arranged in a direction along the X-axis at alternate intervals. Specifically, lower layer drive electrode 312A, lower layer common electrode 321A, lower layer drive electrode 312B, lower layer common electrode 321B, lower layer drive electrode 312C, and lower layer common electrode 321C are arranged in this order, spaced apart from right to left in FIG. 3A. has been done.

One ends of the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are connected to the lower layer drive electrode root portion 311. The lower drive electrode root portion 311 extends in the direction along the X axis. The lower drive electrode root portion 311 and the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C constitute one comb-shaped electrode. Lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C each correspond to the teeth of a comb-shaped electrode.

The lower drive electrode root portion 311 is connected to the source/drain electrode of the TFT, and (at least a portion of the source/drain electrode) overlaps the channel portion 303 of the TFT in a plan view. The channel portion 303 overlaps the gate line 302 in plan view. The other source/drain electrode of the TFT is connected to a data line 301.

The pixel circuit 300 includes upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C. The upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C each extend along the X axis and are spaced apart from each other along the Y axis. One ends of the upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are connected to an upper common electrode root portion 323 extending along the Y axis. The upper layer common electrode root portion 323 is physically and electrically connected to the common line 304A by a contact portion (interlayer connection portion) 322.

Pixel circuit 300 includes upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C. The upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C each extend along the X-axis and are spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis. One ends of the upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C are connected to the upper layer drive electrode root portion 314 extending along the Y axis. The upper layer drive electrode root portion 314 is physically and electrically connected to the lower layer drive electrode root portion 311 by a contact portion (interlayer connection portion) 313 .

The upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C and the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are arranged in a direction along the Y- axis at alternate intervals. Specifically, the upper layer drive electrode 315A, the upper layer common electrode 324A, the upper layer drive electrode 315B, the upper layer common electrode 324B, the upper layer drive electrode 315C, and the upper layer common electrode 324C are arranged in this order from top to bottom in FIG. 3A. has been done. The initial alignment direction 361 is a direction along the alignment axis of the liquid crystal layer 111 by the alignment films 105 and 121, and is along the Y axis.

FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the details of the structure of the lower common electrode, the lower drive electrode, the upper common electrode, and the upper drive electrode. FIG. 3B shows lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C, upper layer common electrode 324A, and upper layer drive electrode 315B as an example.

The upper common electrode 324A includes rhombic portions 331A, 331B and linear portions 332A, 332B, 332C. The rhombic portions 331A, 331B and the linear portions 332A, 332B, 332C are arranged alternately in the direction along the X-axis.

Two corners of each of the rhombic portions 331A and 331B are opposed along the X-axis, and the other two corners are opposed along the Y-axis. In plan view, each rhombus and one lower common electrode intersect. (Part of the rhombus) overlaps (part of) one lower common electrode in plan view. In the example of FIG. 3B, the rhombic part 331A overlaps with the lower common electrode 321A, and the rhombic part 331B overlaps with the lower common electrode 321B.

The linear portion is connected to the corners of one or two rhomboid portions. The maximum width of the diamond-shaped portion is at least twice the width of the linear portion. In FIG. 3B, linear portions 332B and 332C each connect two diamond-shaped portions. The linear portion 332A is connected to only one rhombic portion 331A. The minimum width of the linear portion is preferably about 2 to 3 μm.

The linear portions 332A, 332B, and 332C extend in the direction along the X-axis, and their widths (lengths along the Y-axis direction) are constant. Therefore, the two opposing sides of the linear portions 332A, 332B, and 332C extend along the X axis. In plan view, one linear portion and one lower layer drive electrode intersect. One linear portion (a part of it) overlaps one lower drive electrode in plan view. In the example of FIG. 3B, the linear portion 332A overlaps with the lower drive electrode 312A, the linear portion 332B overlaps with the lower drive electrode 312B, and the linear portion 332C overlaps with the lower drive electrode 312C.

The upper drive electrode 315B includes rhombic portions 335A, 335B, and 335C and linear portions 336A and 336B. The rhombic portions 335A, 335B, 335C and the linear portions 336A, 336B are arranged alternately in the direction along the X-axis.

Two corners of each of the rhombic portions 335A, 335B, and 335C are opposed along the X-axis, and the other two corners are opposed along the Y-axis. In plan view, each rhombus and one lower drive electrode intersect. (A part of the rhombus) overlaps (a part of) one lower drive electrode in plan view. In the example of FIG. 3B, the diamond-shaped portion 335A overlaps with the lower drive electrode 312A, and the diamond-shaped portion 335B overlaps with the lower drive electrode 312B.

The linear portion is connected to the corners of one or two rhomboid portions. The maximum width of the diamond-shaped portion is at least twice the width of the linear portion. In FIG. 3B, linear portions 336A and 336B each connect two diamond-shaped portions. The width of the linear portion is preferably about 2 to 3 μm. The linear portions 336A and 336B extend in the direction along the X-axis, and have a constant width (length along the Y-axis direction). Therefore, the two opposing sides of the linear portions 336A and 336B extend along the X axis.

In plan view, one linear portion and one lower common electrode intersect. One linear part (a part of it) overlaps one lower common electrode in plan view. In the example of FIG. 3B, the linear portion 336A overlaps with the lower common electrode 321A, and the linear portion 336B overlaps with the lower common electrode 321B.

The pixel area is divided into a plurality of small sections by a lower common electrode, a lower drive electrode, an upper common electrode, and an upper drive electrode. In the example of FIG. 3B, two subdivisions are designated 347A and 347B. Each subdivision is defined by a lower common electrode, a lower drive electrode, an upper common electrode, and an upper drive electrode.

For example, the small section 347A is defined by a lower common electrode 321A, a lower drive electrode 312A, an upper common electrode 324A, and an upper drive electrode 315B. The small section 347B is defined by a lower common electrode 321A, a lower drive electrode 312B, an upper common electrode 324A, and an upper drive electrode 315B.

Each small section includes two opposing sides extending along the Y axis (orientation axis) and two opposing sides extending obliquely to the Y axis and the X axis perpendicular to the Y axis. For example, the two opposing sides along the Y axis of the small section 347A are the two opposing sides of the lower layer drive electrode 312A and the lower layer common electrode 321A. The two opposing sides of the small section 347A that extend obliquely to the Y-axis and the X-axis are one side of the rhombic portion 331A of the upper layer common electrode 324A and one side of the rhombic portion 335A of the upper layer drive electrode 315B.

The two opposing sides along the Y axis of the small section 347B are the two opposing sides of the lower layer drive electrode 312B and the lower layer common electrode 321A. The two opposing sides of the small section 347B that extend obliquely to the Y-axis and the X-axis are one side of the rhombic portion 331A of the upper layer common electrode 324A and one side of the rhombic portion 335B of the upper layer drive electrode 315B.

FIG. 3C schematically shows part of the electrode structure of the pixel circuit and the electric field formed within the pixel region. 3D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIID-IIID in FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIE-IIIE in FIG. 3C. The IIID-IIID cut line is along the X-axis, and the IIIE-IIIE cut line is along the Y-axis.

As shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B are arranged in the same layer and on the insulating layer 353. The insulating layer 351 covers the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B. The upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B and the upper layer drive electrodes 315B, 315C are arranged in the same layer, and are arranged on the insulating layer 351. Similar explanations apply to all upper drive electrodes, upper common electrodes, lower drive electrodes, and lower common electrodes.

Returning to FIG. 3A, for example, the data line 301 is arranged in a layer above the upper layer common electrode and the upper layer drive electrode. The channel portion 303 is arranged below the lower drive electrode and the lower common electrode. The gate line 302 and the common line 304A are arranged in the same layer below the channel section 303.

The electrodes and wiring are made of metal. For example, the drive electrode and the common electrode can be formed of a transparent conductor such as ITO or IZO. The drive electrode, common electrode, gate line, data line and common line may have a single layer structure made of a single metal or alloy selected from, for example, chromium, molybdenum, aluminum and titanium. These have a laminated structure, and each layer may be formed from a single metal or an alloy. An insulating layer is arranged between the different metal layers and is made of silicon nitride or silicon oxide, for example. For the elements of the pixel circuit, appropriate conductive or insulating materials are selected depending on the design.

As shown in FIG. 3C, an electric field (some of which is designated by reference numeral 342) that rotates the liquid crystal molecules 341 is generated within the subdivision defined by the lower drive electrode, the lower common electrode, the upper drive electrode, and the upper common electrode. There is. As described above, the upper drive electrode and the upper common electrode include a rhombus portion, and the rhombus portion includes sides that are inclined with respect to the X axis and the Y axis.

The sides defining the small section include a side of the lower common electrode and a side of the lower drive electrode extending along the Y axis, one side of the rhombic part of the upper common electrode, and one side of the rhombic part of the upper driving electrode. A wide oblique electric field tilted with respect to the X and Y axes is formed by the side of the lower common electrode extending along the Y axis and the side of the upper drive electrode tilted with respect to the X and Y axes. Furthermore, a wide oblique electric field that is tilted with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis is formed by the side of the lower layer drive electrode extending along the Y-axis and the side of the upper-layer common electrode that is tilted with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis. The oblique electric field can speed up the response speed (shorten the response time) when applying a pixel voltage. In one example, the angle between the sides of the diamond and the X and Y axes is 45 degrees.

On the other hand, the intersection between the lower layer common electrode and the linear portion of the upper layer drive electrode forms an electric field (partly designated by reference numeral 343A) along the Y axis (orientation axis). Similarly, the intersection of the lower layer drive electrode and the linear portion of the upper layer common electrode forms an electric field (partly designated by reference numeral 343B) along the Y axis (orientation axis). In this way, the electric field along the alignment axis fixes the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules 341 to the initial alignment direction 361.

FIG. 3F schematically shows a portion 346 where the liquid crystal molecules 341 do not move due to the application of a pixel voltage. Portion 346 has a grid shape. The portion 346 overlaps the center of the lower drive electrode or the lower common electrode and extends along the Y axis and is spaced apart along the X axis, and the portion 346 overlaps the center of the upper drive electrode or the upper common electrode and extends along the X axis. It consists of parts that extend along the Y-axis and are spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis. The rectangular sections defined by portions 346 each include subsections of pixel area (eg, 347A and 347B).

As described above, by forming the portions 346 in which the liquid crystal molecules do not rotate in a checkerboard pattern, stable operation of the liquid crystal molecules with respect to ON/OFF of the pixel voltage can be obtained.

Different from the above example, the lower drive electrode may include a rhombic part and a linear part, the upper drive electrode may be linear, the lower common electrode may include a rhombic part and a linear part, and the upper common electrode may be linear. There may be. Both the upper layer drive electrode and the lower layer drive electrode may be linear, that is, both the upper layer drive electrode and the lower layer drive electrode may be striped. Both the upper layer common electrode and the lower layer common electrode may be linear, that is, both the upper layer common electrode and the lower layer common electrode may be striped. These points are similar in other embodiments.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the electrode structure according to the second embodiment. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly explained. As shown in FIG. 4, the root portion 314 of the drive electrode and the root portion 323 of the common electrode in the configuration of the first embodiment are omitted. Upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C are spaced apart from any conductor, surrounded by insulators, and electrically floating (floating electrodes). Similarly, upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are spaced apart from any conductor, surrounded by insulators, and electrically floating (floating electrodes).

The area where the upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C overlap with the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C is larger than the area where the upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C overlap with the lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C. The upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C are capacitively coupled to the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C, and a drive potential (pixel potential) is applied via the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C.

The area where the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C overlap with the lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C is larger than the area where the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C overlap with the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C. The upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are capacitively coupled to the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C, and a common potential is applied through the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C.

In this embodiment, the upper layer drive electrode is capacitively coupled to the lower layer drive electrode, and the upper layer common electrode is capacitively coupled to the lower layer common electrode, so there is no need for a configuration in which the upper layer drive electrode and the lower layer drive electrode are interconnected with a conductor. There is no need for a configuration in which the upper layer common electrode and the lower layer common electrode are interconnected with a conductor. Note that only one of the upper layer drive electrode or the upper layer common electrode may be provided with the drive potential or the common potential through capacitive coupling.

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 5A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the details of the structure of the lower common electrode, the lower drive electrode, the upper common electrode, and the upper drive electrode. 5C and 5D are a cross-sectional view taken along the VC--VC cutting line and a cross-sectional view taken along the VD--VD cutting line in FIG. 5B, respectively. In the following, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly explained.

The root portion 314 of the drive electrode and the root portion 323 of the common electrode in the configuration of Embodiment 1 are omitted. The upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C are physically and electrically connected to the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C by contact portions (interlayer connection portions) 371 formed at the intersections thereof in the pixel area. ing. In FIGS. 5A-5D, one contact portion is designated as 371 by way of example.

The upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are physically and electrically connected to the lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C by contact portions (interlayer connection portions) 372 formed at the intersections thereof in the pixel area. ing. In FIGS. 5A-5D, one contact portion is designated by example at 372. In FIGS.

With the configuration of this embodiment, a drive potential and a common potential can be applied to the upper layer drive electrode and the upper layer common electrode, respectively. Note that each upper layer drive electrode only needs to be connected to at least one lower layer drive electrode through a contact portion 371, and each upper layer common electrode only needs to be connected to at least one lower layer common electrode through a contact portion 372. Only one of the drive electrode or the common electrode may be maintained at the same potential at the contact portion of the intersection. The other may be capacitively coupled, for example.

<Embodiment 4>
FIG. 6A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIC-VIC cutting line in FIG. 6A. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 will be mainly explained.

The lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C and the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are arranged in different layers. Specifically, the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are arranged above the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C. An insulating layer 351 exists between the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C. Lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are formed on insulating layer 351.

The insulating layer 352 is arranged between the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C, and the upper drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C, and the upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C. Insulating layer 352 covers lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C. Upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C and upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are arranged on insulating layer 352.

With the configuration of this embodiment, even if the pitch between the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, 321C is narrowed, short-circuits between the electrodes can be reliably avoided.

<Embodiment 5>
FIG. 7A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI I B-VI I B in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI I C--VI I C in FIG. 7A. Below, differences from Embodiment 3 will be mainly explained.

The lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C and the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are arranged in different layers. Specifically, the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are arranged above the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C. An insulating layer 351 exists between the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C. Lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are formed on insulating layer 351.

The insulating layer 352 is arranged between the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C, and the upper drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C, and the upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C. Insulating layer 352 covers lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C. Upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C and upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are arranged on insulating layer 352.

With the configuration of this embodiment, even if the pitch between the lower drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, 321C is narrowed, short-circuits between the electrodes can be reliably avoided.

<Embodiment 6>
FIG. 8A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 6. FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining the details of the structure of the lower common electrode, the lower drive electrode, the upper common electrode, and the upper drive electrode. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIIC-VIIIC in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIID-VIIID in FIG. 8B. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly explained.

The drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C and the drive electrodes 315A, 315B, 315C, which were separated into two layers in the first embodiment, are arranged in the same layer. Furthermore, drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C are continuous at the intersections with drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C, respectively. The root portion 314 of the drive electrode and the contact portion 313 are omitted. The drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C and the drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C can be formed simultaneously, for example, by patterning one metal film.

As shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C, 315A, 315B, 315C are arranged between lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, 321C and upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, 324C. . The insulating layer 351 is arranged between the drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C, 315A, 315B, 315C and the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, 321C. The insulating layer 352 is arranged between the drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C, 315A, 315B, 315C and the upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, 324C.

Each linear portion of each of the drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and 315C extending along the X axis intersects one of the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C via the insulating layer 352. Each linear portion of the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C extending along the X crosses one of the drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C via the insulating layer 351.

The electrode structure of this embodiment can form an electric field similar to that of the first embodiment. This embodiment allows for more efficient manufacturing. Note that the drive electrode and the common electrode may be replaced. Specifically, all the common electrodes are arranged in the same layer, and each common electrode extending along the X-axis is continuous with the common electrode extending along the Y-axis at the intersection. The common electrode is sandwiched between an upper layer drive electrode and a lower layer drive electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween.

<Embodiment 7>
FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the electrode structure according to the seventh embodiment. Below, differences from Embodiment 6 will be mainly explained. The root portion 323 of the upper layer common electrode is omitted. As in the second embodiment, the upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are spaced apart from any conductor, surrounded by an insulator, and electrically floating (floating electrodes).

The area where the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C overlap with the lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C is larger than the area where the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C overlap with the lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, and 312C. The upper common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are capacitively coupled to the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C, and a common potential is applied through the lower common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C.

<Embodiment 8>
FIG. 10A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 8. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the details of the structure of the lower common electrode, the lower drive electrode, the upper common electrode, and the upper drive electrode. 10C and 10D are a cross-sectional view taken along the XC-XC line and an XD-XD line in FIG. 10B, respectively.

Below, differences from Embodiment 6 will be mainly explained. The root portion 323 of the upper layer common electrode is omitted. As in the third embodiment, the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, and 324C are physically and electrically connected to the lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, and 321C by contact portions 372 formed at the intersections thereof in the pixel area. It is connected.

<Embodiment 9>
11, 12 and 13 each show examples of intra-pixel electrode structures having different shapes. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly explained. The example shown in FIG. 11 includes lower layer drive electrodes 312A, 312B, 312C, lower layer common electrodes 321A, 321B, 321C, upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B, and upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, 324C.

The upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B and the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, 324C include circular portions instead of the rhombic portions of the first embodiment. A part of the circular arc of the circular portion is included in a side that defines a small section of the pixel area, and is a side that is inclined with respect to the X axis and the Y axis.

In the example of FIG. 12, the upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B and the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, 324C include sides of a convex curve (concave curve) toward the center instead of the rhomboid portion of Embodiment 1. have a part. The sides of this curve are included in the sides that define the subdivisions of the pixel area, and are inclined with respect to the X and Y axes.

In the example of FIG. 13, the upper layer drive electrodes 315A, 315B and the upper layer common electrodes 324A, 324B, 324C include polygonal portions instead of the rhombic portions of the first embodiment. A portion of the polygonal portion that intersects with the lower common electrode or the lower drive electrode includes two opposing sides extending along the X axis. The polygonal portion has a shape obtained by chamfering the corners of the rhombic portion that overlap with the lower drive electrode or the lower common electrode. Similar to the rhombic part in the first embodiment, the polygonal part is included in the sides that define the subdivisions of the pixel area, and includes sides that are inclined with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis.

<Embodiment 10 to Embodiment 14>
The larger the number of electrically divided sections in the pixel aperture (aperture area), or the larger the number of pixel apertures, the more the liquid crystal The time it takes for molecules to return to their initial orientation becomes shorter. Therefore, even if the same liquid crystal material is used, the response speed is improved. In Embodiments 10 to 14, drive electrodes and common electrodes having shapes that improve the response speed of liquid crystal molecules in an FFS liquid crystal display device will be described below.

Note that in Embodiments 10 to 14, the electrode structure of one pixel in a liquid crystal display panel is illustrated. The liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of electrode sets that apply an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal, and each of the plurality of electrode sets includes at least a drive electrode and a common electrode. In the following description, a drive potential is applied to the drive electrode, and a common potential is applied to the common electrode. The common electrode is arranged to overlap the drive electrode.

<Embodiment 10>
FIG. 14A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 10. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly explained. The pixel circuit 300 has an upper layer drive electrode 401 and a common electrode 501.

The upper layer drive electrode 401 has a lattice shape. The upper layer drive electrode 401 has multiple intersections, multiple row connections, multiple column connections, and multiple openings. In FIG. 14A, the intersection is designated by 411A as an example. The intersections are arranged in rows and columns and spaced apart from each other. That is, the intersections are spaced apart from each other along the X-axis and the Y-axis. The intersections may be of various shapes, such as diamond, pentagonal, hexagonal shapes. If the intersection is diamond-shaped, the intersection is also called a rhombus. When the intersection has a rhombic shape, the intersection includes sides that are inclined with respect to the X and Y axes. Note that the row direction is, for example, a direction along the X-axis, and the column direction is, for example, a direction along the Y-axis.

In FIG. 14A, the row connector is designated by example at 421A. The row connection portion connects two intersections spaced apart along the row direction. The row connector is also called the linear portion of the X-axis. In FIG. 14A, a column connection is designated by example at 431A. The column connection portion connects two intersection portions arranged apart from each other along the column direction. The column connection portion is also called the linear portion of the Y axis.

In FIG. 14A, the opening is designated by example at 441A. Each of the plurality of openings is defined by four intersections, two row connections, and two column connections.
The common electrode 501 is an electrode formed on one surface within the pixel circuit 300, which is a unit pixel. That is, the common electrode 501 is formed in a solid shape within the pixel circuit 300. Common electrode 501 has a plurality of holes. In FIG. 14A, the holes are designated as 511A by way of example. The holes are formed at equal intervals in the row and column directions. The holes are formed to divide the opening into four parts, as explained in FIG. 14B.

Note that the root portion 451A is connected to the source/drain electrode of the TFT, and (at least a portion of the source/drain electrode) overlaps the channel portion 303 of the TFT in a plan view. The channel portion 303 overlaps the gate line 302 in plan view.

Next, the shape of the opening and the operation of the liquid crystal molecules will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 14B. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating the structure of the upper layer drive electrode 401 and the common electrode 501 in detail. FIG. 14B shows the structure near the opening 441A in FIG. 14. In the following, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly explained.

Upper layer drive electrode 401 has a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of openings is defined by first to fourth intersections, first and second row connections, and first and second column connections. For example, the opening 441A is defined by the first to fourth intersections 411A to 411D, the first and second row connections 421A and 421B, and the first and second column connections 431A and 431B.

The first and second intersection portions 411A and 411B are adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in the column direction. The third and fourth intersections 411C and 411D are adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in the column direction. Furthermore, each of the third and fourth intersections 411C and 411D is adjacent to and spaced apart from each of the first and second intersections 411A and 411B in the row direction.

The first column connection portion 431A connects the first and second intersection portions 411A and 411B. The second column connecting portion 431B connects the third and fourth intersection portions 411C and 411D. The first row connection section 421A connects the first and third intersection sections 411A and 411C. The second row connecting portion 421B connects the second and fourth intersection portions 411B and 411D.

Further, the plurality of column connecting portions are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction. For example, the column connecting parts 431A, 431B, and 431D are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction. Further, the plurality of row connection parts are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction. For example, the row connectors 421A and 421B are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction.

Next, the common electrode 501 will be explained. The common electrode 501 has a hole that overlaps each of the plurality of openings. For example, the common electrode 501 has a hole 511A overlapping the opening 441A and a hole 511B overlapping the opening 441B. Note that the shape of the hole is not limited to a circle, but may be various shapes such as a polygon.

For example, the holes 511A and 511B are arranged adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in the row direction. The holes 511A and 511C are arranged adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in the column direction. Note that the pixel portion defined by the opening is also called a small section.

Next, the electric field and the operation of liquid crystal molecules will be explained. Within each subdivision, an electric field is generated that rotates the liquid crystal molecules. In the figure, the electric field is indicated by a solid double-headed arrow, and a portion of the electric field is indicated by the reference numeral 601, for example. A wide oblique electric field (for example, an oblique electric field 601) that is inclined with respect to the X axis and the Y axis is formed by the sides of the rhombic part of the upper drive electrode 401 and the common electrode 501. Due to the oblique electric field 601, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules 701 around the oblique electric field 601 changes obliquely. An electric field (eg, electric field 602) along the Y axis (orientation axis) is formed by the row connection portion and the common electrode 501. The electric field along the alignment axis fixes the orientation of surrounding liquid crystal molecules to the initial alignment direction.

The liquid crystal molecules 702 located above the hole 511A in the opening 441A are not affected by the electric field and are fixed in the initial alignment direction. The fixed liquid crystal molecules 702 function as if they were a wall, and the opening 441A is electrically divided into four parts.

Incidentally, in order to make the four regions divided by electric field as equal in area as possible, it is preferable that the hole be formed at the center of gravity of the opening.

Next, the cross-sectional structure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 14C and 14D. 14C and 14D are a cross-sectional view taken along the XIVC-XIVC cutting line and a cross-sectional view taken along the XIVD-XIVD cutting line in FIG. 14B, respectively.

A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is arranged above the upper drive electrode 401. The upper layer drive electrode 401 and the common electrode 501 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 801 in between. That is, the upper layer drive electrode 401 is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal (not shown) than the common electrode 501. Note that FIG. 14C shows cross sections of the column connection parts 431D, 431B, and 431A as cross sections of the upper layer drive electrode 401. Further, in FIG. 14D, a cross section of the row connection parts 421A and 421B is shown as a cross section of the upper layer drive electrode 401.

The double-arrowed lines in FIGS. 14C and 14D are lines that schematically indicate the electric field formed by the upper layer drive electrode 401 and the common electrode 501. As is clear from FIGS. 14C and 14D, since no electric field is formed in the vicinity of the holes 511A to 511C, the liquid crystal molecules located above the holes are not affected by the electric field and are fixed in the initial alignment direction, essentially acting as walls. Function.

As described above, according to the electrode structure of Embodiment 10, it is possible to increase the number of divisions in the aperture (opening area) of a pixel. That is, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer located above the hole do not move even when a pixel voltage is applied, and function as if they were a wall. Due to the holes formed in a grid pattern, portions where liquid crystal molecules do not rotate are formed in a grid pattern in each pixel.

Specifically, by forming a hole in a partial region of the common electrode that overlaps with the opening of the upper layer drive electrode, the opening is divided into four in terms of electric field. The orientation directions of liquid crystal molecules in two adjacent divided regions are different.

To explain this division in detail, as shown in FIG. 14A, one pixel has nine openings (3 vertically x 3 horizontally), but one pixel has 36 openings in terms of electric field. It is divided into (4 x 9) sections. As a result, the response speed of the liquid crystal is improved.

<Embodiment 11>
FIG. 15A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 11. Below, differences from Embodiment 11 will be mainly explained. In Embodiment 11, a lower layer drive electrode electrically connected to the upper layer drive electrode is added to increase the electric field acting on the liquid crystal molecules.

In FIG. 15A, the pixel circuit 300 of Embodiment 11 has a lower layer drive electrode 901 added to the pixel circuit 300 of Embodiment 10, and further includes a contact hole 851 that electrically connects the lower layer drive electrode 901 and the upper layer drive electrode 402. has.

The upper layer drive electrode 402 of the eleventh embodiment has a similar structure to the upper layer drive electrode 401 of the tenth embodiment. The difference between the upper layer drive electrode 402 of Embodiment 11 and the upper layer drive electrode 401 of Embodiment 10 is that the structure of some of the intersections is changed due to the addition of the lower layer drive electrode 901.

For example, the shape of the intersection 411A of the upper drive electrode 401 in the embodiment 10 is pentagonal like the intersection 412A. The intersection portion 412A is electrically connected to the lower drive electrode 901 via the contact hole 851. Further, the shape of the intersection 411B of the upper layer drive electrode 401 of the embodiment 10 is triangular like the intersection 412B.

The common electrode 502 of the eleventh embodiment has a similar structure to the common electrode 501 of the tenth embodiment. The difference between the common electrode 502 of the eleventh embodiment and the common electrode 501 of the tenth embodiment is that the shape of the hole is changed due to the addition of the lower drive electrode 901. Note that, as in the tenth embodiment, the holes are formed at equal intervals in the row and column directions. The shape of the hole 512 in the eleventh embodiment is, for example, quadrangular. In FIG. 15A, holes are designated, for example, at 512A-512C. Note that the shape of the hole may be various shapes such as circular or polygonal.

In FIG. 15A, the shape of the hole is square, and each of the two diagonals is parallel to the X and Y axes, respectively.

The lower drive electrode 901 is arranged to overlap the plurality of holes of the common electrode 502 , and is given a drive potential. The lower drive electrode 901 has a plurality of comb teeth extending along the row direction or the column direction. In FIG. 15A, the comb tooth portion is indicated by the reference numeral 911A, for example. The comb teeth and the plurality of holes arranged along the comb teeth overlap. Note that the width of the comb tooth portion in the Y-axis direction is the same as the diagonal line of the hole in the Y-axis direction.

Next, the shape of the opening and the operation of the liquid crystal molecules will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 15B. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating in detail the shapes of the upper layer drive electrode 402, the common electrode 502, the lower layer drive electrode 901, and the operation of the liquid crystal molecules. FIG. 15B shows the structure near the opening 441A in FIG. 15A . Below, differences from Embodiments 10 and 11 will be mainly explained.

The comb tooth portion 911A and the plurality of holes 512A and 512B arranged along the comb tooth portion 911A overlap. Further, the comb tooth portion 911B and the plurality of holes 512C and 512D arranged along the comb tooth portion 911B overlap.

In the eleventh embodiment, in addition to the electric fields 601 and 602, an electric field (eg, electric field 603) is formed by the side of the hole of the common electrode 502 and the lower drive electrode 901. Note that the electric fields 601 and 603 are wide oblique electric fields tilted with respect to the X axis and the Y axis, and the electric field 602 is an electric field along the Y axis (orientation axis). Due to the oblique electric fields 601 and 603, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules 701 around the oblique electric fields 601 and 603 changes obliquely.

As described in Embodiment 10, the inside of the opening 441A is electrically divided (divided) into four by the hole 512A of the common electrode 502 . The hole is preferably formed at the center of gravity of the opening in order to make the four regions divided by electric field as equal in area as possible.

Next, the cross-sectional structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 15C and 15D. 15C and 15D are a cross-sectional view taken along the XVC-XVC cutting line and a cross-sectional view taken along the XVD-XVD cutting line in FIG. 15B, respectively.

A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is arranged above the upper drive electrode 402. The common electrode 502 and the upper layer drive electrode 402 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 801 in between. The lower drive electrode 901 and the common electrode 502 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 802 in between. That is, the upper layer drive electrode 402 is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal (not shown) than the common electrode 502. The lower drive electrode 901 is located in a layer farther from the liquid crystal (not shown) than the common electrode 502.

Note that FIG. 15C shows cross sections of the column connection parts 431A, 431B, and 431D as cross sections of the upper layer drive electrode 401. FIG. 15D shows a cross section of the row connection parts 421A and 421B as a cross section of the upper drive electrode 401, and a cross section of the comb teeth parts 911A and 911B as a cross section of the lower drive electrode 901.

Double-headed lines in FIGS. 15C and 15D are lines that schematically indicate the electric field formed by the lower layer drive electrode 901 and the common electrode 502 and the electric field formed by the upper layer drive electrode 402 and the common electrode 502.

By forming a hole in a partial region of the common electrode that overlaps with the opening of the upper layer drive electrode, the opening is divided into four parts electrically. Note that the orientation directions of liquid crystal molecules in two adjacent divided regions are different.

To explain this division in detail, as shown in FIG. 15A, one pixel has nine openings (3 vertically x 3 horizontally), but one pixel has 36 openings (4 openings) in terms of electric field. The area is divided into 9 sections. As a result, the response speed of the liquid crystal is improved.

<Embodiment 12>
In Embodiment 12, unlike Embodiment 11, the shape of the upper layer drive electrode is devised without forming a hole in the common electrode to physically increase the number of openings in the upper layer drive electrode within one pixel. .

FIG. 16A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 12. Below, differences from Embodiment 10 will be mainly explained. The upper layer drive electrode 403 of the twelfth embodiment has a shape that is added to the opening of the upper layer drive electrode 401 of the tenth embodiment at a diamond-shaped intersection. In FIG. 16A, this added intersection is designated, for example, at 413A.

The upper layer drive electrode 403 extends along the X-axis or the Y-axis and has a plurality of extending portions spaced apart from each other. In FIG. 16A, extensions extending along the X-axis are designated 461A-461D.

The plurality of stretching parts include two types of stretching parts. The first type of stretching section is referred to as a first type stretching section, and the second type of stretching section is referred to as a second type stretching section. In FIG. 16A, the first type stretching portions are designated by symbols 461A and 461C, and the second type stretching portions are designated by symbols 461B and 461D. Further, the first type stretching section and the second type stretching section are adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. For example, the first type stretching section 461A and the second type stretching section 461B are adjacent to each other, the second type stretching section 461B and the first type stretching section 461C are adjacent to each other, and the first type stretching section 461C and the second type stretching section are adjacent to each other. 461D are adjacent to each other. In addition, in the following description, if the first type stretching part and the second type stretching part are not distinguished, they will be collectively referred to as the stretching part.

The common electrode 503 is an electrode formed on one surface within the pixel circuit 300, which is a unit pixel. That is, the common electrode 503 is formed in a solid shape within the pixel circuit 300. The common electrode 503 does not have holes, unlike the tenth and eleventh embodiments.

The shape of the upper layer drive electrode 403 and the operation of the liquid crystal molecules will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16B. FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating in detail the shape of the upper layer drive electrode 403 and the operation of liquid crystal molecules.

Each of the plurality of extension parts includes intersection parts that are spaced apart from each other and adjacent to each other in the X-axis, and connection parts that connect the intersection parts that are spaced apart from each other and are adjacent to each other in the X-axis.

For example, the first type extension portion 461A has intersection portions 413B and 413C that are spaced apart from each other and adjacent to each other on the X axis, and connection portions (422A, 431D, 422B) that connect these intersection portions 413B and 413C. The intersection portion 413B is connected to the column connection portion 431D via the row connection portion 422B, and further connected to the column connection portion 431C via the row connection portion 422C.

The position of the intersection of each of the plurality of first type extension parts on the X axis is the same. For example, the intersection 413B of the first type stretching portion 461A and the intersection 413A of the first type stretching portion 461C are at the same position on the X axis. In other words, the intersections of the plurality of first type extension parts are arranged on a straight line along the Y axis and connected. For example, the intersection portion 413A and the intersection portion 413B are connected by a column connection portion 431E.

The position of the intersection of each of the plurality of second type extension parts on the X axis is the same. For example, the intersection portion 411A of the second type stretching portion 461B and the intersection portion 411B of the second type stretching portion 461D are at the same position on the X axis. In other words, the intersections of the plurality of second type extension parts are arranged on a straight line along the Y axis and connected. For example, the intersection 411A and the intersection 411B are connected by a column connection 431A.

The position of the intersection of the first type stretching portion on the X-axis is different from the position of the intersection of the second type stretching portion on the X-axis. For example, the position of the intersection 413B of the first type stretching section 461A on the X-axis is different from the position of the intersections 411A and 411C of the second type stretching section 461B on the X-axis.

As described above, the intersections of the plurality of first type stretching parts and the intersections of the plurality of second type stretching parts are arranged in a zigzag shape along the X axis and the Y axis. For example, the intersections 413B, 411C, and 413C are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the X-axis. Further, for example, the intersection portions 413C, 411C, and 413D are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the Y axis.

Next, the electric field and the operation of liquid crystal molecules will be explained. Within each aperture, an electric field is generated that rotates the liquid crystal molecules. For example, the electric field at the lower right opening 442A in FIG. 16B will be described. The opening 442A is defined by the side of the intersection 413B of the first type extension part 461A, the side of the intersection 411A of the second type extension part 461B opposite to this side, the column connection part 431E, and the column connection part 431C. be done. Then, a wide oblique electric field 611A tilted with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis is formed by the side of the intersection portion 411A and the common electrode 503. Further, the side of the intersection 413B and the common electrode 503 form a wide oblique electric field 611B that is inclined with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis. This oblique electric field causes the orientation of liquid crystal molecules (for example, liquid crystal molecules 701) around the oblique electric field to change obliquely.

Note that it is preferable that the sides of each of the plurality of openings be made equal, and the area of each of the plurality of openings be made equal.

Next, the cross-sectional structure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16C and 16D. 16C and 16D are a cross-sectional view taken along the XVIC-XVIC line and a cross-sectional view taken along the XVID-XVID line in FIG. 16B, respectively. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is arranged above the upper layer drive electrode 403.

The upper layer drive electrode 403 and the common electrode 503 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 801 in between. That is, the upper layer drive electrode 403 is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal (not shown) than the common electrode 503.

Note that FIG. 16C shows cross sections of the column connection portion 431D, intersection portion 413D, column connection portion 431B, intersection portion 413A, and column connection portion 431A as cross sections of the upper layer drive electrode 403.

The double-headed lines in FIGS. 16C and 16D are lines that schematically indicate the electric field formed by the upper layer drive electrode 403 and the common electrode 503.

In the twelfth embodiment, the shape of the upper layer drive electrode is devised to physically increase the number of openings of the upper layer drive electrode within one pixel. In the example of FIG. 16A, one pixel has 36 openings (6 vertically by 6 horizontally). Increasing the number of openings in this manner improves the response speed of the liquid crystal.

<Embodiment 13>
In Embodiments 1 to 3 , as in Embodiment 12, the shape of the upper layer drive electrode is devised without forming a hole in the common electrode to physically increase the number of openings in the upper layer drive electrode within one pixel. do.

FIG. 17A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 13. Below, differences from Embodiment 12 will be mainly explained. In the upper layer drive electrode 404 of Embodiment 13, a plurality of intersections (hereinafter referred to as deformed intersections) other than a plurality of intersections in the leftmost column and a plurality of intersections in the rightmost column are arranged in the column direction. Not connected to each other. In FIG. 17A, the modified intersection is designated, for example, at 414A. Note that the multiple intersections in the leftmost column and the multiple intersections in the rightmost column in FIG. 17A are the same as the multiple intersections in the leftmost column and the multiple intersections in the rightmost column in This is similar to the multiple intersections in the right column.

The upper drive electrode 404 extends along the X-axis or the Y-axis and has a plurality of extending portions spaced apart from each other. In FIG. 17A, extensions extending along the X-axis are designated 462A-462D. Similar to Embodiment 12, the plurality of stretching parts include a first type stretching part and a second type stretching part. In FIG. 17A, the first type stretching section is designated by numerals 46 2 A and 46 2 C, and the second type stretching section is designated by numerals 46 2 B and 46 2 D. Further, the first type stretching section and the second type stretching section are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction.

The shape of the upper layer drive electrode 404 and the operation of the liquid crystal molecules will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 17B. FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating in detail the shape of the upper layer drive electrode 404 and the operation of liquid crystal molecules.

The upper layer drive electrode 404 has a plurality of intersections, and the plurality of intersections include, for example, modified intersections 414A to 414F. Note that the modified intersection may be abbreviated as an intersection.

Hereinafter, the shape of the modified intersection will be explained using the modified intersection 414A as an example. The modified intersection portion 414A is connected to the adjacent modified intersection portion 414B via the row connection portion 423A in the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the direction of the Y-axis arrow in the figure (downward in the figure) will be referred to as a first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction (for example, upward in the figure) will be referred to as a second direction.

The deformed intersection portion 414A has a first convex portion 414Ad that extends in the first direction of the Y-axis and does not connect to the connection portion 423B of the adjacent extension portion 462B in the first direction. The deformed intersection portion 414A has a second convex portion 414Au that extends in the second direction of the Y-axis and does not connect to the connecting portion 423C of the adjacent extension portion 462D in the second direction.

As described above, the intersections of the plurality of first type stretching parts and the intersections of the plurality of second type stretching parts are arranged in a zigzag shape along the X axis and the Y axis. For example, the intersections 414A, 414C, 414B, and 414D are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the X-axis. Further, for example, the intersections 414F, 414A, 414C, and 414E are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the Y axis.

Next, the electric field and the operation of liquid crystal molecules will be explained. Within each aperture, an electric field is generated that rotates the liquid crystal molecules. For example, the electric field at the opening 443A near the deformed intersection 414A will be described. The opening 443A is located between the side of the deformed intersection 414A of the first type extension part 462C, the second convex part 414Au of the deformed intersection 414A, and the deformed intersection 414C of the second type extension part 461D opposite to the side. It is defined by the side, the first convex portion 414Cd of the modified intersection portion 414C, the row connection portion 423A, and the row connection portion 423C. Then, a wide oblique electric field 611A that is inclined with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis is formed by the side of the deformed intersection portion 414A and the common electrode 503. Furthermore, a wide oblique electric field 611B that is inclined with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis is formed by the side of the deformed intersection portion 414C and the common electrode 503. This oblique electric field causes the orientation of liquid crystal molecules (for example, liquid crystal molecules 701) around the oblique electric field to change obliquely. Note that an electric field is formed along the Y axis by the sides of the first convex portion and the second convex portion of the deformed intersection and the common electrode 503.

Note that it is preferable that the sides of each of the plurality of openings be made equal, and the area of each of the plurality of openings be made equal.

Next, the cross-sectional structure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 17C and 17D. 17C and 17D are a cross-sectional view taken along the XVIIC-XVIIC cutting line and a cross-sectional view taken along the XVIID-XVIID cutting line in FIG. 17B, respectively. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is arranged above the upper drive electrode 404.

The upper layer drive electrode 404 and the common electrode 503 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 801 in between. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is arranged above the upper drive electrode 404. Note that FIG. 17C shows a cross section of deformed intersections 414D and 414C as a cross section of the upper layer drive electrode 404, and FIG. 414C shows a cross section of the row connecting portion 423D.

The double-arrowed lines in FIGS. 17C and 17D are lines that schematically indicate the electric field formed by the upper layer drive electrode 404 and the common electrode 503.

In the thirteenth embodiment, as in the twelfth embodiment, the shape of the upper layer drive electrode is devised to physically increase the number of openings of the upper layer drive electrode within one pixel. Increasing the number of openings in this manner improves the response speed of the liquid crystal.

<Embodiment 14>
FIG. 18A is a plan view schematically showing an electrode structure according to Embodiment 14. Below, differences from Embodiment 11 will be mainly explained.

The upper drive electrode 405 has a plurality of wavy extending portions that are spaced apart from each other along the X-axis and extend along the Y-axis. In FIG. 18A, the wavy extensions are designated 415A-415D. Each of the wavy extending portions 415A to 415D extends from the root portion 451A toward the second direction (upward in the drawing) along the Y-axis. Each of the wavy extending portions 415A to 415D is connected to the row connecting portion 424A. Upper layer drive electrode 405 is electrically connected to lower layer drive electrode 902 via contact hole 851.

The common electrode 504 is an electrode formed on one surface within the pixel circuit 300, which is a unit pixel. That is, the common electrode 504 is formed in a solid shape within the pixel circuit 300. The common electrode 504 has a plurality of openings that are spaced apart along the Y-axis and open along the X-axis. The long side of the opening is along the X-axis direction, and the short side of the opening is along the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 18A, the openings are designated 513A-513E. The openings are spaced apart along the Y-axis at regular intervals.

The lower drive electrode 902 is an electrode formed on one surface within the pixel 300, which is a unit pixel. That is, the lower drive electrode 902 is formed in a solid shape within the pixel 300. FIG. 18A schematically shows a state in which a portion of the lower drive electrode 902 is exposed through the openings 513A to 513E.

The operation of liquid crystal molecules will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18B. FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating the operation of liquid crystal molecules in detail. For example, the electric field in the opening 443A near the wavy extension 415B will be described. The opening 443A is defined by the wavy extension 415B, the wavy extension 415C, and the openings 513B and 513C of the common electrode 504. The wavy extension portion and the common electrode 504 form a wide oblique electric field that is inclined with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis. For example, an oblique electric field 611A is formed by the wavy extension portion 415B and the common electrode 504. This oblique electric field causes the orientation of liquid crystal molecules (for example, liquid crystal molecules 701) around the oblique electric field to change obliquely. Note that an electric field is formed along the Y axis by the common electrode 504 and the lower drive electrode 902.

Next, the cross-sectional structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 18C and 18D. 18C and 18D are a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII I C-XVII I C and a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII I D-XVII I D of FIG. 18B, respectively. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is arranged above the upper drive electrode 405.

The common electrode 504 and the upper drive electrode 405 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 801 in between. The common electrode 503 and the lower drive electrode 902 are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer 802 in between. That is, the upper layer drive electrode 405 is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal (not shown) than the common electrode 504. The lower drive electrode 902 is located in a layer farther from the liquid crystal (not shown) than the common electrode 504.

Note that FIG. 18C shows cross sections of the wavy extending portions 415D, 415C, and 415B as cross sections of the upper drive electrode 405. The double-arrowed lines in FIGS. 18C and 18D are lines that schematically indicate the electric field formed by the upper layer drive electrode 405 and the common electrode 504.

In the fourteenth embodiment, the shape of the upper layer drive electrode is devised to physically increase the number of openings of the upper layer drive electrode within one pixel. In the example of FIG. 18A, one pixel has 18 openings (6 vertically by 3 horizontally). Increasing the number of openings in this manner improves the response speed of the liquid crystal.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily change, add, or convert each element of the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. It is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment.

10 liquid crystal display device, 100 TFT substrate, 101 polarizing plate, 102 insulating substrate, 103 drive electrode, 104 counter electrode, 105 alignment film, 111 liquid crystal layer, 121 alignment film, 122 overcoat layer, 123 color filter, 124 black matrix, 125 display area, 131 scan driver, 1 14 insulating substrate, 142 polarizing plate, 150 seal section, 200 counter substrate, 300 pixel circuit, 301 data line, 302 gate line, 303 channel section, 304A, 304B common line, 311 root section , 312A, 312B, 312C Lower layer drive electrode, 313 Contact portion, 314 Root, 315A, 315B, 315C Upper layer drive electrode, 321A, 321B, 321C Lower layer common electrode, 322 Contact portion, 323 Root portion, 324A, 324B, 324C Upper layer common Electrode, 331A, 331B Rhombic part, 332A, 332B, 332C Linear part, 335A, 335B Rhombic part, 336A, 336B Linear part, 341 Liquid crystal molecule, 342 Electric field, 343A, 343B Electric field, 346 Part where liquid crystal molecules do not move, 347A, 347B Small section, 351, 352, 353 Insulating layer, 361 Initial orientation direction, 366A, 366B Linear part, 371, 372 Contact part, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 Upper layer drive electrode, 411A First intersection part , 411B second intersection, 411C third intersection, 411D fourth intersection, 412A, 412B, 413A, 413B, 413C, 413D intersection, 414A modified intersection, 414Ad first protrusion, 414Au second protrusion, 414B Deformed intersection, 414C Deformed intersection, 414Cd First convex part, 414D, 414E, 414F Deformed intersection, 415A, 415B, 415C, 415D Extension part, 421A First row connection part, 421B Second row connection part, 422B , 422C row connection section, 423A, 423B, 423C, 423D row connection section, 424A row connection section, 431A first column connection section, 431B second column connection section, 431C column connection section, 431D column connection section, 431E column connection section , 441A opening, 441B opening, 442A opening, 443A opening, 451A root, 461A first type extension part, 461B second type extension part, 461C first type extension part, 461D second type extension part, 462B Extension part, 462C First-class extension part, 462D Extension part, 501 Common electrode, 502, 503, 504 Common electrode, 511A, 511B, 511C, 512A, 512B, 512C, 512D, Hole, 513A, 513B, 513C, 513D, 513E, opening, 601, 602, 603, 611A, 611B electric field, 701, 702 liquid crystal molecules, 801, 802 insulating layer, 851 contact hole, 901, 902 lower drive electrode, 911A, 911B comb tooth portion

Claims (16)

an element substrate;
a counter substrate facing the element substrate;
a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate and the counter substrate;
a plurality of electrode sets for applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal on a surface of the element substrate facing the liquid crystal; each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a plurality of first electrodes extending along an alignment axis of the liquid crystal and spaced apart from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the alignment axis;
a plurality of second electrodes extending along the orientation axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of first electrodes along the second axis;
a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart from each other along the orientation axis;
a plurality of fourth electrodes extending along the second axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of third electrodes along the orientation axis;
A driving potential is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes,
A common potential is applied to each of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes,
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of second electrodes via an insulating layer,
Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of first electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of first electrodes via an insulating layer,
At each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the width of the third electrode is constant;
At each intersection of the plurality of fourth electrodes and the plurality of first electrodes, the width of the fourth electrode is constant;
The plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes, the plurality of third electrodes, and the plurality of fourth electrodes define a plurality of sections,
Each of the plurality of sections includes two opposing sides extending along the orientation axis, and two opposing sides extending obliquely to the orientation axis and the second axis,
LCD display device. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1,
At least one of each first electrode and each third electrode,
including a plurality of first parts and a plurality of second parts arranged alternately in a first direction in which the at least one of each first electrode and each third electrode extends;
Each of the plurality of first parts includes four sides that are one of the two opposing sides extending obliquely to the orientation axis and the second axis,
Each of the plurality of second parts is linear with a constant width extending in the first direction,
At least one of each second electrode and each fourth electrode,
including a plurality of third parts and a plurality of fourth parts arranged alternately in a second direction in which the at least one of each second electrode and each fourth electrode extends;
Each of the plurality of third portions includes four sides that are one of the two opposing sides extending obliquely to the orientation axis and the second axis,
Each of the plurality of fourth parts is linear with a constant width extending in the second direction,
LCD display device. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1,
Each of the plurality of first electrodes is linear with a constant width,
Each of the plurality of second electrodes is linear with a constant width,
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is
a plurality of first parts and a plurality of second parts arranged alternately along the second axis;
Each of the plurality of first parts includes four sides that are one of two opposing sides extending obliquely to the orientation axis and the second axis,
Each of the plurality of second parts has a linear shape with a constant width extending along the second axis,
Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is
including a plurality of third parts and a plurality of fourth parts arranged alternately along the second axis,
Each of the plurality of third parts includes four sides that are one of two opposing sides extending obliquely to the orientation axis and the second axis,
Each of the plurality of fourth parts has a linear shape with a constant width extending along the second axis.
LCD display device. an element substrate;
a counter substrate facing the element substrate;
a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate and the counter substrate;
a plurality of electrode sets for applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal, on a surface of the element substrate facing the liquid crystal;
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a plurality of first electrodes extending along an alignment axis of the liquid crystal and spaced apart from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the alignment axis;
a plurality of second electrodes extending along the orientation axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of first electrodes along the second axis;
a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart from each other along the orientation axis;
a plurality of fourth electrodes extending along the second axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of third electrodes along the orientation axis;
A driving potential is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes,
A common potential is applied to each of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes,
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of second electrodes via an insulating layer,
Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of first electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of first electrodes via an insulating layer,
At each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the width of the third electrode is constant;
At each intersection of the plurality of fourth electrodes and the plurality of first electrodes, the width of the fourth electrode is constant;
The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes are located in the same layer,
Each of the plurality of first electrodes is continuous with each of the plurality of third electrodes at an intersection,
LCD display device. an element substrate;
a counter substrate facing the element substrate;
a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate and the counter substrate;
a plurality of electrode sets for applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal, on a surface of the element substrate facing the liquid crystal;
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a plurality of first electrodes extending along an alignment axis of the liquid crystal and spaced apart from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the alignment axis;
a plurality of second electrodes extending along the orientation axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of first electrodes along the second axis;
a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart from each other along the orientation axis;
a plurality of fourth electrodes extending along the second axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of third electrodes along the orientation axis;
A driving potential is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes,
A common potential is applied to each of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes,
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of second electrodes via an insulating layer,
Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of first electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of first electrodes via an insulating layer,
At each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the width of the third electrode is constant;
At each intersection of the plurality of fourth electrodes and the plurality of first electrodes, the width of the fourth electrode is constant;
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is a floating electrode located above the plurality of first electrodes,
The area where each of the plurality of third electrodes overlaps with each of the plurality of first electrodes is the area where each of the plurality of third electrodes overlaps with each of the plurality of second electrodes, and the area where each of the plurality of third electrodes overlaps with each of the plurality of third electrodes. larger than the area overlapping with each of the fourth electrodes,
The plurality of third electrodes are provided with the drive potential via the plurality of first electrodes,
LCD display device. an element substrate;
a counter substrate facing the element substrate;
a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate and the counter substrate;
a plurality of electrode sets for applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal, on a surface of the element substrate facing the liquid crystal;
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a plurality of first electrodes extending along an alignment axis of the liquid crystal and spaced apart from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the alignment axis;
a plurality of second electrodes extending along the orientation axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of first electrodes along the second axis;
a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart from each other along the orientation axis;
a plurality of fourth electrodes extending along the second axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of third electrodes along the orientation axis;
A driving potential is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes,
A common potential is applied to each of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes,
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of second electrodes via an insulating layer,
Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of first electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of first electrodes via an insulating layer,
At each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the width of the third electrode is constant;
At each intersection of the plurality of fourth electrodes and the plurality of first electrodes, the width of the fourth electrode is constant;
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is physically connected to at least one of the plurality of first electrodes via an interlayer connection portion formed at an intersection with at least one of the plurality of first electrodes. ing,
LCD display device. an element substrate;
a counter substrate facing the element substrate;
a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate and the counter substrate;
a plurality of electrode sets for applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal, on a surface of the element substrate facing the liquid crystal;
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a plurality of first electrodes extending along an alignment axis of the liquid crystal and spaced apart from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the alignment axis;
a plurality of second electrodes extending along the orientation axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of first electrodes along the second axis;
a plurality of third electrodes extending along the second axis and spaced apart from each other along the orientation axis;
a plurality of fourth electrodes extending along the second axis and arranged at alternating distances from the plurality of third electrodes along the orientation axis;
A driving potential is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes,
A common potential is applied to each of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes,
Each of the plurality of third electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of second electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of second electrodes via an insulating layer,
Each of the plurality of fourth electrodes is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the plurality of first electrodes, and intersects with each of the plurality of first electrodes via an insulating layer,
At each intersection of the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the width of the third electrode is constant;
At each intersection of the plurality of fourth electrodes and the plurality of first electrodes, the width of the fourth electrode is constant;
Each of the plurality of first electrodes is linear with a constant width,
Each of the plurality of second electrodes is linear with a constant width,
The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged in different layers,
LCD display device. LCD and
a plurality of electrode sets arranged on one substrate and applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal,
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a first electrode to which a driving potential is applied;
a second electrode that is placed overlapping the first electrode with an insulating layer in between and is supplied with a common potential;
including;
The first electrode is
a plurality of intersections arranged in a matrix and spaced apart from each other;
a row connection part that connects two intersection parts spaced apart along the row direction;
a column connection section that connects two intersection sections spaced apart along the column direction;
an opening defined by the intersection, the row connection, and the column connection;
including;
The second electrode has a plurality of circular holes formed at the center of gravity of the opening in a portion overlapping with the opening.
LCD display device. 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 8,
the first electrode includes a plurality of the openings,
Each of the plurality of openings is
A first intersection and a second intersection that are adjacent in the column direction,
a third intersection and a fourth intersection that are adjacent in the column direction and are respectively adjacent to the first and second intersections in the row direction;
a first column connecting portion connecting the first and second intersection portions;
a second column connecting portion connecting the third and fourth intersection portions;
a first row connection part connecting the first and third intersection parts;
a second row connecting portion connecting the second and fourth intersections;
defined by
LCD display device. LCD and
a plurality of electrode sets arranged on one substrate and applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal,
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a first electrode to which a driving potential is applied;
a second electrode that is placed overlapping the first electrode with an insulating layer in between and is supplied with a common potential;
including;
The first electrode is
a plurality of intersections arranged in a matrix and spaced apart from each other;
a row connection part that connects two intersection parts spaced apart along the row direction;
a column connection section that connects two intersection sections spaced apart along the column direction;
an opening defined by the intersection, the row connection, and the column connection;
including;
The second electrode has a plurality of holes formed in a portion overlapping with the opening,
Further, a third electrode is arranged to overlap with the plurality of holes of the second electrode and to which a driving potential is applied,
the third electrode is located in a layer farther from the liquid crystal than the second electrode;
LCD display device. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 10,
The third electrode includes a plurality of comb teeth extending along the row direction or the column direction,
The comb tooth portion and the plurality of holes arranged along the comb tooth portion overlap,
LCD display device. LCD and
a plurality of electrode sets arranged on one substrate and applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal,
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a first electrode to which a driving potential is applied;
a second electrode that is placed overlapping the first electrode with an insulating layer in between and is supplied with a common potential;
including;
The first electrode is
a plurality of intersections arranged in a matrix and spaced apart from each other;
a row connection part that connects two intersection parts spaced apart along the row direction;
a column connection section that connects two intersection sections spaced apart along the column direction;
an opening defined by the intersection, the row connection, and the column connection;
including;
The second electrode has a plurality of rectangular holes formed at the center of gravity of the opening and having four sides inclined with respect to the row direction and the column direction in a portion overlapping with the opening.
LCD display device. LCD and
a plurality of electrode sets arranged on one substrate and applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal,
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a first electrode to which a driving potential is applied;
a second electrode that is placed overlapping the first electrode with an insulating layer in between and is supplied with a common potential;
including;
The first electrode includes a plurality of extending portions extending along a first axis parallel to an alignment axis of the liquid crystal or a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and spaced apart from each other,
Each of the plurality of extension parts is adjacent to each other while being spaced apart from each other on the second axis, and has an intersection part that includes a side that is inclined with respect to the first axis and the second axis; A connection part connecting adjacent intersection parts,
Each intersection of the plurality of first type extension parts included in the plurality of extension parts is arranged on a straight line along the first axis,
Each intersection of the plurality of second type extension parts included in the plurality of extension parts is arranged on a straight line along the first axis,
The position of the intersection of the first type stretching part on the second axis is different from the position of the intersection of the second type stretching part on the second axis,
The first type stretching part and the second type stretching part are adjacent to each other in the first axial direction,
LCD display device. 14. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 13,
The plurality of intersections are arranged on a straight line along the first axis, and adjacent intersections arranged on the straight line and spaced apart from each other are connected via a connection part.
LCD display device. 14. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 13,
At least one intersection of the plurality of intersections is
a first convex portion extending in a first direction of the first axis and not connected to a connecting portion included in an adjacent extending portion in the first direction;
a second convex portion extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the first axis and not connected to a connecting portion included in an adjacent extending portion in the second direction;
LCD display device. LCD and
a plurality of electrode sets arranged on one substrate and applying an electric field to each pixel region of the liquid crystal,
Each of the plurality of electrode sets includes:
a first electrode to which a driving potential is applied;
a second electrode that is placed overlapping the first electrode with an insulating layer in between and is supplied with a common potential;
a third electrode to which a driving potential is applied;
The first electrode is located in a layer closer to the liquid crystal than the second electrode,
The first electrode includes a plurality of wavy extending portions that are spaced apart from each other along the second axis and extend along the first axis;
The second electrode is spaced apart from each other along the first axis and includes a plurality of openings along the second axis,
the third electrode is located in a layer farther from the liquid crystal than the second electrode;
LCD display device.

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