Patent ID: 6437844
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A liquid crystal display device comprising (1) a pixel electrode, (2) a counter electrode and (3) a liquid crystal enclosed between the pixel and counter electrodes,wherein the respective opposed surfaces of the pixel and counter electrodes are conditioned such that liquid crystal molecules contacting or in the vicinity of said surfaces have specified pretilt angles, wherein the liquid crystal is in a splay alignment state when no voltage is being applied thereto, a transition wherein the splay alignment state is transformed into a bend alignment state by applying a voltage is carried out prior to image displaying, and the image displaying is performed under the bend alignment state, and wherein a large pretilt angle domain is formed on at least either one of said surfaces of the pixel and counter electrodes, the large pretilt angle domain causing a larger pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules than a region surrounding the large pretilt angle domain does, whereby the transition from the splay alignment state to the bend alignment state is promoted.