Patent ID: 7355664
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A liquid crystal display device comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, and a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal display device being a vertical alignment type display wherein in an off state liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned substantially vertical and at least one vertical alignment film is provided for so aligning the liquid crystal molecules in the substantially vertical manner in the off state; the device having a plurality of picture-element regions each defined by a first electrode placed in the first substrate on the side facing the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode placed in the second substrate to oppose to the first electrode via the liquid crystal layer, in each of the plurality of picture-element regions, the liquid crystal layer having a plurality of liquid crystal regions different in the direction in which liquid crystal molecules tilt when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate has a light-shield layer overlapping at least part of boundary region defined as regions separating the plurality of liquid crystal regions from each other, the at least part of boundary region overlapping the light-shield layer is a region permitting liquid crystal molecules surrounding the region to tilt so that ends of the liquid crystal molecules closer to the substrate having the light-shield layer go away from the boundary region in the area where the boundary region overlaps the light-shielding layer when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has at least one opening defined therein; a protrusion in the boundary region for causing the liquid crystal molecules to tilt, and wherein the protrusion and the light-shielding layer overlap one another but are on opposite substrates; and wherein a depth D of the light-shielding layer satisfies a relationship D+T