A liquid crystal display device

Abstract: First display electrodes (5) are formed on a first electrode substrate (10). Second display electrodes (7) are formed on a second electrode substrate (20) in such a direction as to intersect at right angles with the first display electrodes (5). In order to obtain a liquid crystal display device provided with a screen having a large contrast ratio, masking films (12) for intermittently masking regions between the display electrodes formed on at least one of the first electrode substrate (10) and the second electrode substrate (10) are formed on the display electrodes on the other electrode substrate.

Description: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device of the simple matrix type. Fig. 14 is a partial cross section of a prior art liquid crystal display device of the simple matrix type. This display device is a colour liquid crystal display device of the super-twisted nematic type, and comprises a first electrode substrate 10, a second electrode substrate 20, and a liquid crystal layer 9 filled between the first and the second electrode substrates 10 and 20. On a first substrate 1 constituting the first electrode substrate 10 there are formed colour filters 3 of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The respective colour filters 3 are formed as stripes unidirectionally in parallel with one another as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 14 is a cross section of the display device taken along the line A-A in Fig. 3. Between the respective colour filters 3 there are provided black masks, made of material having a low transmissivity, in parallel with one another. An insulating film 4 is formed entirely over the colour filters 3 and the black masks 11. On the insulating film 4 there are formed first transparent display electrodes 5 in parallel with one another in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the colour filters 3 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 14 is a cross section of the display device taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2. An orientation film 6 for regulating an orientation of liquid crystal molecules is formed entirely over the first display electrodes 5. On a second substrate 2 constituting the second electrode substrate 20 there are formed second transparent display electrodes 7 extending in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the first display electrodes 5. As shown in Fig. 15, the second display electrodes 7 are formed in parallel with the colour filters 3 and overlapping therewith. Fig. 14 is a cross section of the display device taken along the line A-A of Fig. 15. An orientation film 8 is formed entirely over the second display electrodes 7. A colour liquid crystal display device comprises the display device shown in Fig. 14 as a drive cell and is generally provided with a compensation cell. A cell structure in the case where the compensation cell is provided is shown in Fig. 17. Fig. 17 shows the display device viewed from the compensation cell. An arrow 32 shows a direction along which an orientation film for an upper substrate of the compensation cell is rubbed. An arrow 33 shows a direction along which an orientation film for a lower substrate of the compensation cell is rubbed. An arrow 34 shows a direction along which an orientation film for an upper substrate of the drive cell is rubbed. An arrow 35 shows a direction along which an orientation film for a lower substrate of the drive cell is rubbed. In either the drive cell or the compensation cell, a twist angle of the liquid crystal molecule is set at 240 °. A ratio of retardation in the drive cell (a product of anisotropy in index of refraction Δ nc and cell thickness dc) to retardation in the compensation cell (a product of anisotropy in index of refraction Δnd and cell thickness dd) is set at (Δ nc × dc)/ (Δ nd × dd) = 0.90. A solid line 30 shows a direction of polarization axis of a polarizing plate on the compensation cell side. A broken line 31 shows a direction of polarization axis of the polarizing plate on the drive cell side. With setting the polarizing plate as above, a display device capable of carrying out a normally black method can be obtained, according to which method a black display is performed when an OFF voltage V-off is applied, while a white display is performed when an ON voltage V-on is applied. Fig. 16 graphically shows relationship between amplitude of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer between the first display electrodes 5 and the second display electrodes 7, and display luminance in the liquid crystal display device of the simple matrix type thus constructed, wherein a vertical axis represents relative display luminance and a horizontal axis represents the amplitude of an operating voltage. In Fig. 16, it is assumed that the display luminance is 100 in the case where a voltage V-on is applied to the liquid crystal layer between the first display electrodes 5 and the second display electrodes 7 when the display device is driven at a duty of 1/240. Then, the luminance is 1.5 in the case where the voltage V-off is applied. Accordingly, in a pixel region formed at an intersection of the first and the second display electrodes 5 and 7, a contrast ratio is greater than 50. However, in a display device shown in Fig. 14, the black masks 11 formed on the first substrate 1 do not cover the space defined between the first display electrodes 5 entirely as will be seen from Figs. 2, 3, and 15. Also, the voltage is not to be applied to the liquid crystal layer between the first display electrodes 5. More specifically, as the applied voltage becomes 0V, the luminance becomes about 20 as shown in Fig. 16. Accordingly, the contrast ratio of the display screen including the pixel regions and other regions becomes as low as about 8. Low contrast ratio results in degradation of the quality of the display. Further, in a colour liquid crystal display device, low contrast ratio causes colour purity to exceedingly deteriorate. Further, in the display device adopting the normally white method for performing the white display when the voltage V-off is applied and the black display when the voltage-V-on is applied, the contrast ratio in the regions other than the pixel regions is greatly reduced. Accordingly, degradation of the quality of display and the colour purity becomes an even greater problem for the display device of this type. In order to prevent the reduction in contrast ratio, it can be considered to form masking films to cover the regions between the first display electrodes. In the case such masking films are provided on the first electrode substrate 10 having the colour filters 3 formed thereon, it is required that the masking films be formed between the first display electrodes and the first substrate 1. Accordingly, the first display electrodes 5 are formed on an uneven surface created by forming the masking films. When the first display electrodes 5 are formed on the uneven surface, the first display electrodes 5 are liable to be disconnected. Further, in the case where a leakage of the display electrodes 5 occurs, it is difficult to correct it. Even in the case where the masking films are formed between the second substrate 2 not having the colour filters 3 formed thereon and the second display electrodes 7, the second display electrodes 7 are liable to be disconnected due to the uneven surface caused by providing the masking films on the second substrate 2. While more enlarged and highly complex display screens are being manufactured, there is a tendency toward manufacturing more thin and elongated display electrodes. In the colour display device, since many pixels corresponding to the respective colours are provided, further thinner display electrodes are required. As the display electrodes become thinner in this way, resistance of the display electrodes increases, which in turn increases burdens on drivers or the like parts. This presents another problem. Therefore, one object of the invention to provide a liquid crystal display device which presents a high contrast ratio. Another object of the invention to provide a liquid crystal display device having a display electrode with reduced resistance. The invention, as defined by claim 1, provides a liquid crystal display device in which a first set of parallel elongate display electrodes formed on a first electrode substrate extend transverse to a second set of parallel elongate display electrodes formed on a second electrode substrate, said first and second substrates being arranged facing one another with a liquid crystal material disposed therebetween, wherein light-masking film elements are formed on portions of the electrodes of said second set which portions overlie gaps between the electrodes of said first set, characterised in that the electrodes of said first set are formed over a colour filter structure comprising light-masking strips disposed between adjacent colour filter strips, the electrodes of said second set are aligned substantially with said colour filter strips, and the gaps between the electrodes of said second set are masked by said light-masking strips. The preamble of claim 1 relates to the disclosure of EP-A-0 385 419. A comb like masking structure is shown by 14,32 in Figure 10 of US-A-4 853 296. According to the invention, the combination of light-masking components on the first and second electrode substrate serves to mask all the portions of the display region other than the pixel portions formed by the intersections of the opposing sets of electrodes. Such an arrangement contributes an improvement in the quality of the display in terms of the contrast ratio and the colour purity. In embodiments of the invention, the light-masking film elements are electrically conductive. Preferably the light-masking film elements are connected to one another on each second electrode by electrically-conductive wires, or by wires of low electrical resistance. This arrangement causes the resistance of the display electrodes to be lowered, thereby reducing the burden on the driving circuitry, which is especially useful in the case of a large-screen display. In one embodiment, the wires extend in the longitudinal direction of the electrode along the central portion thereof. This arrangement has been found to reduce the effect of misalignment of the two electrode substrates on the deviation among the voltages applied to the individual liquid crystal pixels for achieving maximum contrast ratio. Thus, a more uniform image display can be achieved with this embodiment. Fig. 1 is a cross section of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of display electrodes on one side of the display device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of colour filters and black masks; Fig. 4 is a plan view of display electrodes and masking films on the other side of the display device of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of display electrodes and masking films of another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a plan view of display electrodes and masking films of a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a graph showing relationship between an amplitude of an operating voltage and a contrast ratio at an intersection of the display electrodes on both substrates; Fig. 8 is a graph showing relationship between an amplitude of an operating voltage and a contrast ratio in the embodiment shown with reference to Fig. 4 and a prior art; Fig. 9 is a graph showing relationship between an amplitude of an operating voltage and a contrast ratio in a portion near and away from a driver of the embodiment shown with reference to Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is a graph showing relationship between an amplitude of an operating voltage and a contrast ratio in a portion near and away from a driver of the embodiments shown with reference to Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 11 is a graph showing a change in a maximum contrast ratio due to misalignment of electrode substrates; Fig. 12 is a graph showing a change in display luminance due to misalignment of the electrode substrates; Fig. 13 is a graph showing a change in a difference ΔV between an operating voltage which gives the maximum contrast ratio in a portion near the driver and an operating voltage which gives the maximum contrast ratio in a portion away from the driver due to misalignment of the electrode substrates; Fig. 14 is a cross section of a liquid crystal display device of a prior art; Fig. 15 is a plan view of display electrodes on one side of the display device of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a graph showing relationship between an amplitude of an applied voltage and a display luminance at an intersection of the display electrodes on both substrates in a cell structure (display mode) shown in Fig. 17; Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the cell structure when a compensation cell is to be provided. Now referring to the drawing, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below. Fig. 1 is a cross section of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment the invention. It will be noted that a compensation cell is left out in Fig. 1 for the sake of simplicity although the display device of the embodiment comprises both a drive cell and the compensation cell. The display device of the embodiment comprises a cell structure shown in Fig. 17 and described with reference to the foregoing prior art. A twist angle  of any liquid crystal molecule in either the drive cell or the compensation cell is set at 240°. Also, a ratio of retardation of the drive cell to that of the compensation cell (Δ nc × dc)/ (Δ nd × dd)is set at 0.90. The twist angle is set at 240° in this embodiment. However, it has been confirmed that effects of the invention are particularly remarkably noticeable as long as the twist angle  is set in the following range in the display device: 210° ≦  ≦ 270° The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is a colour liquid crystal display device of the super-twisted nematic type, and comprises a first electrode substrate 10, a second electrode substrate 20, and a liquid crystal layer 9 filled between the first electrode substrate 10 and the second electrode substrate 20. On a first transparent substrate 1 constituting the first electrode substrate 10 are formed colour filters 3 of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The colour filters 3 are formed with striping unidirectionally in parallel with one another as shown in Fig. 3. Between the respective colour filters 3, black masks 11 are provided in parallel with one another. The spacings between the colour filters 3 are set at 0.1 µm or less. An insulating film 4 is formed entirely over the colour filters 3 and the black masks 11. On the insulating film 4 are formed first transparent display electrodes 5 made of indium tin oxide (hereinafter referred to as ITO) in parallel with one another in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the color filters 3 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a cross section of the display device taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2. An orientation film 6 for regulating an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is formed entirely over the first display electrodes 5. On a second transparent substrate 2 constituting the second electrode substrate 20 are formed transparent display electrodes 7 made of ITO in parallel with one another in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the first display electrodes 5. The second display electrodes 7 are so formed as to be in parallel with the colour filters 3 and nearly overlap therewith. Accordingly, the black masks 11 overlap with the regions between the second display electrodes 7. Fig. 1 is a cross section of the display device taken along the line A-A in Fig. 4. On the second display electrodes 7 are formed conductive masking films 12 made of molybdenum (Mo) having a low transmissivity. The masking films 12 are so formed as to cover the regions between the first display electrodes 5 when the first electrode substrate 10 and the second electrode substrate 20 are affixed together. Further, the masking films 12 are formed only on the second display electrodes 7, but not on the regions between the second display electrodes 7. Accordingly, the regions between the first display electrodes are intermittently masked. Such masking films 12 can be formed by selective etching. The regions between the second display electrodes 7 notmasked by the masking films 12 are masked by the black masks 11. Therefore, all the portions other than pixels are masked by the black masks 11 and the masking films 12. In this way, the masking films 12 can be formed on the second display electrodes 7 without increasing the likelihood of occurrences of disconnection of the display electrodes 7. While the masking films 12 are made of Mo metal in this embodiment, films made of metal such as Ti, Ta, Ni, and Al, of inorganic material, and of organic material having a low transmissivity can also be used. An orientation film 8 is formed entirely over the second display electrodes 7 and masking films 12. Fig. 7 shows a relationship between an amplitude of an operating voltage and a contrast ratio with respect to the pixels of respective colours when the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is driven at a duty of 1/240. It will be seen from Fig. 7 that the respective colours can obtain high contrast ratios, and the operating voltages which give maximum contrast ratios for the respective colours lie within a substantially narrow voltage range. For comparison, Fig. 8 shows a relationship between the amplitude of the operating voltage and the contrast ratio when the display device of this embodiment and the display device of the prior art shown in Fig. 14 are driven at a duty of 1/240. It will be easily seen from Figs. 7 and 8 that the display device of this embodiment has a high contrast ratio and thus high quality of display. Since the masking film 12 formed on the second display electrodes 7 are made of conductive Mo metal in this embodiment, the resistance of the second display electrodes 7 can be reduced. Accordingly, the burden on a driver can also be reduced. Further, in this embodiment, the masking film 12 formed on the second electrode substrate 20 are set to have the same size as the region between the first display electrodes 5 and not overlapping with the black masks 11. However, it has been confirmed that the effect similar to the foregoing can be obtained as long as the width of the masking film 12 relative to the region between the first display electrodes 5 is set at 0.7 to 1.2. A liquid crystal display device of a second embodiment is identical to the display device of the first embodiment except that the masking films 12 formed on the second display electrodes 7 are connected to one another through wires 13 having a low resistance value provided in the middle between the second display electrodes 7 as shown in Fig. 5. A liquid crystal display device of a third embodiment is identical to the display device of the first embodiment except that the masking films 12 formed on the second display electrodes 7 are connected to one another through wires 13 having a low resistance value provided along opposite sides of the second display electrodes 7 as shown in Fig. 6. The wires 13 are made of Mo metal similar to the masking films 12 in either the second embodiment or the third embodiment. The width of the wire 13 in the second embodiment is one-tenth of the width of the second display electrode 7, i.e., 20 µm. Also, the width of the wire 13 provided along one side of the second display electrode 7 in the third embodiment is one-twentieth of the width of the second display electrode 7, i.e., 10 µm. It is preferable that the width of the wire 13 be set at one-fiftieth to one-fourth of the width of the display electrode 7 in the second embodiment and the third embodiment. In the first embodiment, the masking film 12 cannot reduce sufficiently the resistance of the second display electrode 7. Accordingly, operating voltages which give maximum contrast ratios in respective portions near and away from the driver of the second display electrodes 7 when the display device is driven at a duty of 1/240 differ from each other as shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, there are some cases where a uniform displayed image cannot be obtained in the display device of the first embodiment. As opposed to the first embodiment, in the second and the third embodiments, operating voltages which give maximum contrast ratios in respective portions near and away from the driver of the second display electrodes 7 when the display device is driven at a duty of 1/240 are substantially at the same level as shown in Fig. 10. Accordingly, a uniform displayed image can be obtained in the second and the third embodiments. Next, there will be considered a case where the first electrode substrate 10 and the second electrode substrate 20 are affixed with being dislocated in an extending direction of the first display electrodes 5 in the first to the third embodiments. Fig. 11 shows a change in the maximum contrast ratio when the display device is driven at a duty of 1/240 versus the affixing dislocation of the first electrode substrate 10 and the second electrode substrate 20. Fig. 12 shows a change in display luminance (transmissivity in the case where the white display is performed) over the affixing dislocation of the first electrode substrate 10 and the second electrode substrate 20. Fig. 13 shows a change in a voltage difference Δ V between the operating voltages which give the maximum contrast ratios in the respective portions near and away from the driver. As will be seen from Fig. 12, the display luminance is not really subject to the influence of the affixing dislocation in the display device of any of the first to the third embodiments. The display device of the first embodiment not provided with the wire 13 has the largest display luminance. On the contrary, as will be seen from Fig. 11, the maximum contrast ratio changes greatly with the affixing dislocation in the prior art, the first embodiment and the second embodiment while exhibiting almost no change in the third embodiment. This results from the fact that the wires 13 are so formed as to overlap with the black masks in the display device of the third embodiment. As will be seen from Fig. 13, the voltage difference Δ V is not really subject to the influence of the affixing dislocation in the display device of any of the first to the third embodiments. A value of Δ V is smaller in the first embodiment than in the prior art, and further smaller in the second and the third embodiments than in the prior art. From this, it is understood that a more uniform displayed image can be obtained in the second and the third embodiments. As described above, it is possible to reduce the resistance of the wires 13 in the second and the third embodiments. Particularly, the third embodiment has an advantage that the contrast ratio thereof is not to be reduced due to the affixing dislocation. Further, the display device of the first embodiment has an advantage of possessing the display luminance larger than those of the display devices of the second and the third embodiments. In consideration of the foregoing features, an optimum display device described with reference to the foregoing embodiments can be selected according to requirements. Advantageous effects of the display devices of the foregoing embodiments are described with respect to only the case where the display device is driven at a duty of 1/240. However, it has been confirmed that similar effects can be obtained when the display device is driven at a duty of 1/20 to 1/500 according to the invention. Further, there has been described the display device including the drive cell and the compensation cell set forth with reference to Fig. 17 in the foregoing embodiments. However, it has been confirmed that similar effects can be obtained in other display devices having a monochromatic display mode such as a one-layer type display device having only a drive cell, a display device having a phase difference plate instead of a compensation cell, a display device having a compensation cell and a phase difference plate, or the like display device. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that, similar to the normally black mode in the foregoing embodiments, the effects of the invention can be obtained in a normally white mode.

Claims: A liquid crystal display device in which a first set of parallel elongate display electrodes (5) formed on a first electrode substrate (10) extend transverse to a second set of parallel elongate display electrodes (7) formed on a second electrode substrate (20), said first and second substrates being arranged facing one another with a liquid crystal material (9) disposed therebetween, wherein light-masking film elements (12) are formed on portions of the electrodes (7) of said second set which portions overlie gaps between the electrodes (5) of said first set, characterised in that the electrodes (5) of said first set are formed over a colour filter structure comprising light-masking strips (11) disposed between adjacent colour filter strips (3), the electrodes (7) of said second set are aligned substantially with said colour filter strips (3), and the gaps between the electrodes (7) of said second set are masked by said light-masking strips (11). A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein said light-masking film elements (12) are electrically conductive. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein said light-masking film elements (12) on the second electrode (7) are connected to one another by electrically-conductive wires (13) formed thereon. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein said light-masking film elements (12) are connected to one another on the second electrode (7) by wires (13) of low electrical resistance formed thereon. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 4, wherein said wires (13) extend in the longitudinal direction of the second electrode (7) along the central portion thereof. A liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein liquid crystal molecules of said liquid crystal material (9) are twisted between the first display electrodes (5) and the second display electrodes (7) through an angle in the range 210° to 270°.

Inventors: ICHIMURA YUKIKO, TSUBOTA KOJIRO, ICHIMURA, YUKIKO, TSUBOTA, KOJIRO
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G02F1
IPC codes: G02F1