Abstract:
A pixel section which is a display region, and a frame section which is a non-display region surrounding a periphery of the pixel section are defined in a display device. The display device comprises a first display panel including: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate and including a light shielding layer; and a plurality of spacers formed between these two substrate. The second substrate includes a first frame area constituting a portion disposed in the frame section. The first frame area includes a light shielding forming region and a light shielding non-forming region. A spacer disposed in the frame section among the plurality of spacers is formed on the light shielding forming region in the first frame area. The light shielding non-forming region is disposed around the spacer disposed on the light shielding forming region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Japanese application JP 2016-129934, filed Jun. 30, 2016. This Japanese application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a display device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A color filter substrate (counter substrate) constituting the display device generally includes light shielding layers, a coloring material layer formed between the light shielding layers, an overcoat layer formed on the light shielding layer and the coloring material layer to flatten a surface, and a spacer formed on the overcoat layer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    As disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-163755, unlike a color image display panel, an opening region formed between adjacent light shielding layers is not filled with a coloring material layer in a pixel section that is a display region of a monochrome image display panel. For this reason, a level difference is formed due to a thickness of the light shielding layer in the pixel section of the monochrome image display panel. Because the light shielding layer is formed in a whole frame section that is a non-display region surrounding an outside of the display region, the pixel section differs largely from the frame section in a formation area of the light shielding layer. In the display device including the monochrome image display panel, when a resin material for forming a spacer is applied, a large amount of resin material is laminated in the frame section while a relatively small amount of resin material is laminated in the pixel section due to the level difference or the small formation area of the light shielding layer. Then, a resist is applied to perform etching, and the spacer is formed. At this point, the pixel section differs from the frame section in a height of the spacer, which results in a non-uniform gap between a first substrate and a second substrate. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to uniformize the gap between the substrates in the display device including the monochrome image display panel. 
         [0006]    To solve the above problem, a display device according to a present disclosure comprises: a first display panel in which a pixel section is defined as a display region where an image is displayed and a frame section is defined as a non-display region surrounding a periphery of the pixel section, wherein the first display panel includes: a first substrate; a second substrate that is disposed opposite to the first substrate and includes a light shielding layer; and a plurality of spacers formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the second substrate includes a first frame area constituting a part of said second substrate disposed in the frame section, the first frame area including a light shielding forming region where the light shielding layer is formed and a light shielding non-forming region where the light shielding layer is not formed, and a spacer disposed in the frame section among in the plurality of spacers is formed on the light shielding forming region in the first frame area of the second substrate, and the light shielding non-forming region is disposed around the spacer disposed on the light shielding forming region. 
         [0007]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the light shielding non-forming region may be formed between neighboring two light shielding forming regions in planar view. 
         [0008]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the light shielding forming region may include a first frame-shaped light shielding forming region surrounding the periphery of the pixel section and a second frame-shaped light shielding forming region located outside the first frame-shaped light shielding forming region to surround the first frame-shaped light shielding forming region, and the light shielding non-forming region may be disposed between the first frame-shaped light shielding forming region and the second frame-shaped light shielding forming region. 
         [0009]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, a plurality of the light shielding forming regions may be arranged so as to be separated from each other. In other words, a plurality of the light shielding forming regions may be formed into an island shape in planar view. And the light shielding non-forming region may be formed around the light shielding forming region. 
         [0010]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the second substrate may further include a first pixel area constituting a part of said second substrate disposed in the pixel section, a width of the light shielding layer located in the first pixel area and a width of the light shielding layer located in the first frame area may be equal to each other. 
         [0011]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the second substrate may further include a first pixel area constituting a part of said second substrate disposed in the pixel section, and an interval between adjacent light shielding layers formed in the first pixel area of the second substrate and an interval between adjacent light shielding layers formed in the first frame area of the second substrate may be equal to each other. 
         [0012]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the light shielding non-forming region may be formed into an annular-shape so as to surround a periphery of the spacer disposed in the light shielding forming region in planar view. 
         [0013]    In the first pixel area of the second substrate of the display device according to the present disclosure, a plurality of the light shielding layers may be arranged so as to be separated from each other. In other words, in the first pixel area of the second substrate, a plurality of the light shielding layers may be formed into an island shape in planar view. 
         [0014]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the first display panel may display a monochrome image. 
         [0015]    The display device according to the present disclosure may further comprising a second display panel that displays a color image, the second display panel being disposed while overlapped on the first display panel. 
         [0016]    In the display device according to the present disclosure, the second display panel may include a second frame area constituting a part of said second display panel disposed in the frame section, the second frame area including a second light shielding layer, and the light shielding non-forming region disposed in the first frame area of the first display panel may overlap the second light shielding layer in planar view. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustrating a schematic configuration of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating the display device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partly cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a comparative example; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a counter substrate of a first display panel according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating a counter substrate of a second display panel according to a second exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating a counter substrate of a third display panel according to a third exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0023]    One embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to the drawings. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an entire configuration of liquid crystal display device  1  according to the first exemplary embodiment. Liquid crystal display device  1  includes display panel  2  that displays an image, backlight unit  3  that irradiates display panel  2  with light from a rear surface side of display panel  2 , and frames (upper frame  4 , lower frame  5 ) disposed on peripheries of display panel  2  and backlight unit  3 . 
         [0025]    Display panel  2  includes first display panel  21  and second display panel  22  disposed on a display surface side of first display panel  21 , and display panel  2  is constructed by overlapping first display panel  21  and second display panel  22  each other. First display panel  21  is a display panel for displaying a monochrome image, and second display panel  22  is a display panel for displaying a color image. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a partially sectional view illustrating display panel  2  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , first display panel  21  includes thin film transistor (TFT) substrate  31  (first substrate) disposed on the rear surface side thereof, counter substrate  32  (second substrate) disposed on the display surface side that is the side of second display panel  22 , liquid crystal layer  33  sandwiched between TFT substrate  31  and counter substrate  32 , lower polarizing plate  34  disposed on the rear surface side of TFT substrate  31 , and upper polarizing plate  35  disposed on the display surface side of counter substrate  32 . 
         [0028]    In TFT substrate  31 , a plurality of gate lines GL 1  extending in a row direction and a plurality of data lines DL 1  extending in a column direction are formed on glass substrate  36 , and a thin film transistor is formed near each of intersections of the plurality of gate lines GL 1  and the plurality of data lines DL 1 . 
         [0029]    In counter substrate  32 , light shielding layer  38  (first light shielding layer) that blocks light transmission is formed on glass substrate  37 , and overcoat layer  39  is formed so as to cover light shielding layer  38 . A plurality of spacers  130  ( 130   a ,  130   b ) are formed in counter substrate  32 . The plurality of spacers  130  are disposed between TFT substrate  31  and counter substrate  32  to hold a gap between substrates  31  and  32 . The plurality of spacers  130  are disposed so as to overlap light shielding layer  38  in planar view. In planar view of first display panel  21 , a region surrounded by two gate lines GL 1  adjacent to each other and two data lines DL 1  adjacent to each other is defined as one pixel, and a plurality of pixels are arrayed into a matrix shape. 
         [0030]    Second display panel  22  includes TFT substrate  41  disposed on the rear surface side that is the side of first display panel  21 , counter substrate  42  disposed on the display surface side, liquid crystal layer  43  sandwiched between TFT substrate  41  and counter substrate  42 , lower polarizing plate  44  disposed on the rear surface side of TFT substrate  41 , and upper polarizing plate  45  disposed on the display surface side of counter substrate  42 . 
         [0031]    In TFT substrate  41 , a plurality of gate lines GL 2  extending in the row direction and a plurality of data lines DL 2  extending in the column direction are formed on glass substrate  46 , and a thin film transistor is formed near each of intersections of the plurality of gate lines GL 2  and the plurality of data lines DL 2 . 
         [0032]    In counter substrate  42 , light shielding layer  48  (second light shielding layer) that blocks the light transmission and coloring material layer  49  (for example, a red layer, a green layer, and a blue layer) are formed on glass substrate  47 , and overcoat layer  50  is formed so as to cover light shielding layer  48  and coloring material layer  49 . A plurality of spacers  140  are formed in counter substrate  42 . The plurality of spacers  140  are disposed between TFT substrate  41  and counter substrate  42  to hold a gap between substrates  41  and  42 . The plurality of spacers  140  are disposed on light shielding layer  48  (in other words, so as to overlap light shielding layer  48  in planar view). In planar view of second display panel  22 , a region surrounded by two gate lines GL 2  adjacent to each other and two data lines DL 2  adjacent to each other is defined as one pixel, and a plurality of pixels are arrayed into a matrix shape. 
         [0033]    Display panel  2  includes pixel section  101  that is the display region where the image is displayed and frame section  102  that is the non-display region surrounding a periphery of pixel section  101 . Counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  includes first pixel area  32   a  that is a part of said counter substrate  32  disposed in pixel section  101  and first frame area  32   b  that is a part of said counter substrate  32  disposed in frame section  102 . That is, counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  is partitioned into first pixel area  32   a  and first frame area  32   b , and first frame area  32   b  surrounds the periphery of first pixel area  32   a . Counter substrate  42  of second display panel  22  includes second pixel area  42   a  constituting a part of said counter substrate  42  disposed in pixel section  101  and second frame area  42   b  constituting a part of said counter substrate  32  disposed in frame section  102 . That is, counter substrate  42  of second display panel  22  is partitioned into second pixel area  42   a  and second frame area  42   b , and second frame area  42   b  surrounds the periphery of second pixel area  42   a . Light shielding layer  48  is formed in whole second frame area  42   b  of counter substrate  42  of second display panel  22  in planar view. On the other hand, first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  includes light shielding forming region  138  where light shielding layer  38  is formed and light shielding non-forming region  139  where light shielding layer  38  is not formed. In first pixel area  32   a  and second pixel area  42   a , each of light shielding layers  38 ,  48  is formed at a boundary between the adjacent pixels in planar view. 
         [0034]    Liquid crystal display device  100  according to a comparative example will be described below with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a partially sectional view illustrating display panel  200  included in liquid crystal display device  100  of the comparative example. A difference between display panel  2  in  FIG. 2  and the comparative example will mainly be described below. 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , display panel  200  of the comparative example includes first display panel  221  and second display panel  222  disposed on the display surface side of first display panel  221 . First display panel  221  includes TFT substrate  231  disposed on the rear surface side thereof, counter substrate  232  disposed on the display surface side thereof, liquid crystal layer  233  sandwiched between TFT substrate  231  and counter substrate  232 , lower polarizing plate  234  disposed on the rear surface side of TFT substrate  231 , and upper polarizing plate  235  disposed on the display surface side of counter substrate  232 . Second display panel  222  includes TFT substrate  241  disposed on the rear surface side thereof, counter substrate  242  disposed on the display surface side thereof, liquid crystal layer  243  sandwiched between TFT substrate  241  and counter substrate  242 , lower polarizing plate  244  disposed on the rear surface side of TFT substrate  241 , and upper polarizing plate  245  disposed on the display surface side of counter substrate  242 . 
         [0036]    According to liquid crystal display device  100  of the comparative example, in counter substrate  232  of first display panel  221 , in pixel section  111 , light shielding layer  238  is formed at the boundary between the adjacent pixels, but the coloring material layer is not formed between adjacent light shielding layers  238 . On the other hand, in frame section  112 , light shielding layer  238  is formed so as to overlap whole frame section  112  in planar view. For this reason, in pixel section  111 , not only the level difference is formed by light shielding layer  238 , but also a formation area of light shielding layer  238  is smaller than that of frame section  112 . In frame section  112 , not only the level difference is not formed by light shielding layer  238 , but also the formation area of light shielding layer  238  is larger than that of pixel section  111 . When overcoat layer  239  is formed on light shielding layer  238 , a convex region (projection region) is formed in overcoat layer  239  according to light shielding layer  238 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in pixel section  111 , a plurality of convex regions are formed in overcoat layer  239 . In frame section  112 , overcoat layer  239  is formed flat in whole frame section  112 , and whole frame section  112  is formed so as to overlap with the convex region. Accordingly, the formation area of the convex region in overcoat layer  239  of frame section  112  is larger than that of pixel section  111 . When the spacer forming resin material is applied to the convex region of overcoat layer  239  by spin coating, the spacer forming resin film is thinned in pixel section  111  because of the small formation area of each convex region of overcoat layer  239 , and the spacer forming resin film is thickened in the frame section  112  because the convex region of overcoat layer  239  is widely formed flat. Therefore, spacer  150  formed in frame section  112  is higher than spacer  150  formed in pixel section  111 . Resultantly, in liquid crystal display device  100  of the comparative example, a non-uniform gap is generated between TFT substrate  231  and second substrate  232 . 
         [0037]    On the other hand, in the first exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  includes light shielding forming region  138  where light shielding layer  38  is formed and light shielding non-forming region  139  where light shielding layer  38  is not formed. Additionally, spacers  130   b  disposed in frame section  102  among the plurality of spacers  130  is formed so as to overlap light shielding forming region  138  in planar view, and light shielding non-forming region  139  is disposed in the periphery of light shielding forming region  138 . Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, not only the level difference is formed by light shielding layer  38  in frame section  102 , but also the formation area of light shielding layer  38  and the formation area of the convex region of overcoat layer  239  are reduced in frame section  102 . Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  of liquid crystal display device  1  and counter substrate  32 . 
         [0038]    A specific configuration of first display panel  21  of the first exemplary embodiment will be described below.  FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  of the first exemplary embodiment. A part of counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  of the first exemplary embodiment is cut out in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32  of the first exemplary embodiment, a plurality of light shielding layers  38  are formed into an island shape in planar view. In other words, in first pixel area  32   a , a plurality of light shielding layers  38  are arranged so as to be separated from each other. For example, each light shielding layer  38  is formed so as to overlap the thin film transistor formed in TFT substrate  31  of first display panel  21  in planar view. In this case, each light shielding layer  38  is formed into a rectangular shape. However, each light shielding layer  38  is not limited to the rectangular shape, but light shielding layer  38  may be formed into another shape. Spacers  130   a  disposed in pixel section  101  among the plurality of spacers  130  respectively overlap with light shielding layers  38  formed into the island shape in planar view. In first pixel area  32   a , by way of example, the plurality of light shielding layers  38  are formed into the island shape. However, for example, light shielding layer  38  may be formed into a lattice shape or a stripe shape. 
         [0040]    In first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  of the first exemplary embodiment, light shielding non-forming region  139  is formed between neighboring two light shielding forming regions  138  in planar view. Specifically, light shielding forming regions  138  include first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a  surrounding the periphery of the pixel section  101  (first pixel area  32   a ) and second frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   b  located outside first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a  to surround first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a . Light shielding non-forming region  139  is disposed between first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a  and second frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   b . The plurality of spacers  130   b  are disposed in frame section  102  so as to overlap first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a  or second frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   b  in planar view. 
         [0041]    According to the first exemplary embodiment, light shielding non-forming region  139  is thus formed between light shielding layers  38  in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32 . Therefore, the level difference is formed by light shielding layer  38 , and the formation area of light shielding layer  38  and the formation area of the convex region of overcoat layer  239  are reduced in first frame area  32   b . Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  and counter substrate  32  of liquid crystal display device  1 . 
         [0042]    Width W 0  in the row or column direction of each light shielding layer  38  formed in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32 , width W 1  of first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a  (i.e. width of a light shielding layer disposed on first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a ), and width W 2  of second frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   b  (i.e. width of a light shielding layer disposed on second frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   b ) may be equal to one another. Interval GO between adjacent light shielding layers  38  disposed in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32  and interval G 1  between first frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   a  and second frame-shaped light shielding forming region  38   b  may be equal to each other. Therefore, the formation area of light shielding layer  38  and the formation area of the convex region of overcoat layer  239  can be uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  and counter substrate  32  of liquid crystal display device  1 . 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in planar view, light shielding non-forming region  139  included in first frame area  32   b  of first display panel  21  may overlap light shielding layer  48  included in second frame area  42   b  of second display panel  22 . Therefore, the light transmitted through light shielding non-forming region  139  included in frame section  102  of first display panel  21  can be blocked by light shielding layer  48  included in frame section  102  of second display panel  22 . 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in planar view, light shielding forming region  138  included in first frame area  32   b  of first display panel  21  may overlap light shielding layer  48  included in second frame area  42   b  of second display panel  22 . 
       Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0045]      FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  according to a second exemplary embodiment. A part of counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  of the second exemplary embodiment is cut out in  FIG. 5 . Because the shape of light shielding layer  38  in pixel section  101  of the second exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, the overlapping description is omitted. 
         [0046]    In first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  of the second exemplary embodiment, the plurality of light shielding layers  38  are formed into the island shape in planar view. That is to say, a plurality of the light shielding layers  38  are arranged so as to be separated from each other. The plurality of light shielding layers  38  formed into the island shape constitute light shielding forming region  138 . Light shielding non-forming region  139  is disposed between the plurality of light shielding forming regions  38  formed into the island shape. In this case, each light shielding layer  38  is formed into the rectangular shape. However, light shielding layer  38  is not limited to the rectangular shape, but light shielding layer  38  may be formed into another shape. The plurality of spacers  130   b  in frame section  102  are disposed so as to overlap light shielding layers  38  formed into the island shape in planar view. 
         [0047]    According to the second exemplary embodiment, the plurality of light shielding layers  38  having the island shape are spread in whole counter substrate  32 . Therefore, the level difference is formed by light shielding layer  38 , and the formation area of light shielding layer  38  and the formation area of the convex region of overcoat layer  239  can be uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  and counter substrate  32  of liquid crystal display device  1 . 
         [0048]    Width W 0  in the row or column direction of each light shielding layer  38  formed in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32  and width W 3  in the row or column direction of each light shielding layer  38  formed in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  may be equal to each other. Interval GO between adjacent light shielding layers  38  disposed in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32  and interval G 2  between adjacent light shielding layers  38  disposed in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  may be equal to each other. The plurality of light shielding layers  38  having the identical area are formed into the island shape at regular intervals in whole counter substrate  32 . Therefore, the formation area of light shielding layer  38  and the formation area of the convex region of overcoat layer  239  can further be uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  of liquid crystal display device  1  and counter substrate  32 . 
       Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0049]      FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  according to a third exemplary embodiment. A part of counter substrate  32  of first display panel  21  of the third exemplary embodiment is cut out in  FIG. 6 . Because the shape of light shielding layer  38  in pixel section  101  of the third exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, the overlapping description is omitted. 
         [0050]    In first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  of the third exemplary embodiment, each annular-shaped (frame-shaped) light shielding non-forming region  139  is disposed so as to surround the periphery of spacer  130  disposed in corresponding light shielding layer  38  in planar view. The light shielding forming region is constructed with island-shaped light shielding layer  38  surrounded by frame-shaped light shielding non-forming region  139  and light shielding layer  38  disposed outside frame-shaped light shielding non-forming region  139 . 
         [0051]    According to the third exemplary embodiment, frame-shaped light shielding non-forming region  139  is formed so as to surround the periphery of spacer  130  in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32 . Therefore, the level difference is formed by light shielding layer  38 , and the formation area of light shielding layer  38  in the vicinity of spacer  130  in frame section  102  and the formation area of the convex region of overcoat layer  239  are reduced. Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  and counter substrate  32  of liquid crystal display device  1 . 
         [0052]    Width W 0  in the row or column direction of each light shielding layer  38  formed in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32  and width W 4  in the row or column direction of island-shaped light shielding layer  38  surrounded by frame-shaped light shielding non-forming region  139  in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  may be equal to each other. Interval G 0  in the row or column direction between adjacent light shielding layers  38  disposed in first pixel area  32   a  of counter substrate  32  and width G 3  in the row or column direction of frame-shaped light shielding non-forming region  139  disposed in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  (in other words, a distance in the row or column direction from island-shaped light shielding layer  38  in first frame area  32   b  of counter substrate  32  to light shielding layer  38  adjacent to said island-shaped light shielding layer  38 ) may be equal to each other. Therefore, in the vicinity of spacer  130 , the formation area of light shielding layer  38  and the formation area the convex region of overcoat layer  239  can be uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . Resultantly, the thickness of the spacer forming resin film is uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 , and the height of spacers  130  are uniformized in pixel section  101  and frame section  102 . This enables the uniformization of the gap between TFT substrate  31  of liquid crystal display device  1  and counter substrate  32 . 
         [0053]    In the above, the specific embodiments of the present application have been described, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present application.