Patent ID: 7499136

Claim:
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate; and a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein: a plurality of picture element regions are each defined by a first electrode provided on one surface of the first substrate which is closer to the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on the second substrate and opposing the first electrode with the liquid crystal layer therebetween; in each of the plurality of picture element regions, the first electrode includes a solid portion formed of a conductive film and a non-solid portion with no conductive film provided, and the liquid crystal layer has an orientation which is regulated by an inclined electric field produced above the non-solid portion of the first electrode when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; a portion of the liquid crystal layer above the solid portion of the first electrode includes a first region having a first thickness d 1 and a second region having a second thickness d 2 which is smaller than the first thickness d 1 , the second region being located in the vicinity of the non-solid portion; and wherein the first substrate includes a transparent substrate and an interlayer insulating layer provided between at least the transparent substrate and at least a majority of each of the solid portions of the first electrode, and wherein the interlayer insulating layer includes an inclining region where a height of one surface thereof closer to the liquid crystal layer changes substantially continuously, and wherein an edge portion of the solid portion of the first electrode in the second region is located on the inclining region.