Patent ID: 7505102

Claim:
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first substrate, a second substrate, and a 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 interposed therebetween; in each of the plurality of picture element regions, the first electrode includes a plurality of openings and a solid portion; and the liquid crystal layer is in a vertical orientation state when no voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, forms a plurality of liquid crystal domains each taking a radially-inclined orientation in correspondence with the plurality of openings and the solid portion by an oblique electric field produced in edge portions of the plurality of openings of the first electrode; the solid portion of the first electrode includes a plurality of unit solid portions and a plurality of connecting portions each for connecting at least three unit solid portions of the plurality of unit solid portions to one another; and the second substrate has a first orientation-regulating structure in an area corresponding to each of the plurality of connecting portions, the first orientation-regulating structure exerting an orientation-regulating force for placing liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer above each of the plurality of connecting portions into a radially-inclined orientation at least in a state where a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.