Patent ID: 7292300
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein: a plurality of picture element regions are defined each by a first electrode provided on one side of the first substrate that is closer to the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on the second substrate so as to oppose the first electrode via the liquid crystal layer therebetween; the first electrode includes, in each of the plurality of picture element regions, a plurality of unit solid portions arranged in a first direction so that for the first electrode the unit solid portions are arranged only in the first direction, whereby the liquid crystal layer takes a substantially vertical alignment in the absence of an applied voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, and forms a plurality of liquid crystal domains in the plurality of unit solid portions of the first electrode by inclined electric fields produced around the plurality of unit solid portions in response to a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, each of the plurality of liquid crystal domains taking a radially-inclined orientation; the plurality of picture element regions are arranged in a matrix pattern including a plurality of rows extending in the second direction different from the first direction and a plurality of columns extending in the first direction; a polarity of a voltage applied across the liquid crystal layer in a first picture element region among the plurality of picture element regions is different from a polarity of a voltage applied across the liquid crystal layer in a second picture element region among the plurality of picture element regions that belongs to the same row as that of the first picture element region and belongs to a column adjacent to a column to which the first picture element region belongs in each frame; the first substrate includes a plurality of open regions that do not overlap with the first electrode; and when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal layer forms a plurality of additional liquid crystal domains in the plurality of open regions by the inclined electric fields, each of the additional liquid crystal domains taking a radially-inclined orientation.