JP2010078944A - Liquid crystal display and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure with a high numerical aperture that prevents a columnar spacer from entering a pixel region side and then prevents light from leaking to prevent a display defect. <P>SOLUTION: An FFS type liquid crystal display 1 is provided with, on one substrate 10: a flattening film 18 covering at least a data line, a scan line, and a switching element 5; a first electrode 31 formed on the flattening film 18; an insulating film 33 covering the first electrode 31; and a second electrode 32 formed on the insulating film 33 and driving liquid crystal molecules constituting a liquid crystal layer 50 with an electric field generated with the first electrode 31. On the other substrate 20 of the pair of substrates 10 and 20, the liquid crystal display is provided with a columnar spacer 40 for holding an interval between the pair of substrates 10 and 20 in a position overlapping at least one of the data line, scan line, and switching element 5 in plane. On the surface of the other substrate 10, a recessed portion 41 is formed by hollowing the flattening film 18, and a portion of the columnar spacer 40 is put in the recessed portion 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and an electronic apparatus.

  In recent years, with the increase in aperture ratio, development of FFS (Fringe Field Switching) type liquid crystal display devices has been actively conducted. In the FFS liquid crystal display device, since an auxiliary capacitance is formed between electrodes in the pixel region, the light shielding region around the pixel region is more efficient than the conventional TN (Twisted Nematic) method and VA (Virtual Alignment) method. It can be reduced well and the aperture ratio can be increased.

  In addition, columnar spacers are provided between a pair of substrates constituting these liquid crystal display devices in order to keep the distance (cell gap) between the substrates constant. However, the columnar spacer often melts at the tip of the columnar spacer in the state of exceeding the glass transition point in the manufacturing process, resulting in variations in the shape after firing. For this reason, the cell gap cannot be kept constant, and display defects of the liquid crystal display device may occur.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, by providing a columnar spacer so as to overlap an edge of a convex portion formed on one substrate, the contact area between the tip of the columnar spacer and the substrate And the strength of the columnar spacer and the substrate with respect to the load is improved. Thereby, the deformation of the columnar spacer is suppressed, the cell gap is kept constant, and the display defect of the liquid crystal display device can be prevented.
JP 2005-62589 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the columnar spacer is provided so as to overlap with a signal line and a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) constituting the convex portion, the columnar spacer is caused by a load applied during a pressure test. May enter the pixel region side. Further, the penetration of the columnar spacer into the pixel region side can also occur due to distortion or deflection of the substrate during normal use. As a result, the surface of the alignment film is scratched, the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules is caused, the light leaks at the portion where black display is to occur, and the liquid crystal display device may have a display defect.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. In an FFS mode liquid crystal display device, when a load is applied, a columnar spacer is prevented from entering the pixel region side, thereby preventing light leakage. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device with a high aperture ratio that can prevent display defects.

In order to solve the above problem, a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of substrates arranged to face each other, and a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines intersecting each other on one of the pair of substrates, A plurality of switching elements electrically connected to the data lines and the scanning lines, and the at least one of the data lines, the scanning lines, and the switching elements is provided on the one substrate. A planarizing film covering; a first electrode formed on the planarizing film; an insulating film covering the first electrode; and an electric field generated between the first electrode and the first electrode. A second electrode for driving liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer, and the other of the pair of substrates has a flat surface and at least one of the data line, the scanning line, and the switching element. Heavy Columnar spacers that maintain a distance between the pair of substrates are provided at a position, and a recess formed by recessing the planarization film is provided on the surface of the one substrate, and a part of the columnar spacers is provided. Is housed in the recess.
According to this configuration, since the columnar spacer is accommodated in the recess having at least the bottom provided in the planarizing film, the columnar spacer does not enter the pixel region side even when a load is applied. In general, in the FFS mode liquid crystal display device, the first electrode and the second electrode are formed on a flat planarizing film. The reason for this is that when the first electrode and the second electrode are formed on an interlayer insulating film reflecting irregularities such as TFTs on one substrate, they are distorted. As a result, there is a problem that the electric field generated between the first electrode and the second electrode is disturbed, the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is disturbed, and display failure occurs. Therefore, since the planarizing film having a sufficient thickness is formed on the TFT on one substrate of the FFS system, a concave part having a sufficient depth can be formed in the thick planarizing film. That is, the columnar spacer is deeply embedded in a recess provided by recessing the planarizing film, and a fitting margin with respect to the recess at the tip of the columnar spacer is sufficiently secured, so that the columnar spacer is firmly accommodated and arranged. For example, even when several films are stacked on the planarization film and a multilayer film is stacked along the inner surface of the recess provided in the planarization film, the bottom of the recess has a sufficient depth in the planarization film. Thus, the fitting margin at the tip of the columnar spacer is sufficiently secured. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device that prevents the columnar spacer from entering the pixel region when a load is applied in the FFS mode, has excellent display performance, and has a high aperture ratio.

In the present invention, the pixel region surrounded by the data lines and the scanning lines has at least a reflective display region, a reflective film is formed on the planarizing film in the reflective display region, It is desirable that irregularities for light scattering be formed on the surface of the planarizing film on the lower layer side.
In a liquid crystal display device having a reflective display region, it is effective to form light scattering irregularities on the lower layer side of the reflective film in order to ensure display quality in the reflective display mode. According to this configuration, the columnar spacer can form a recess for accommodating the columnar spacer in the same step as the light scattering unevenness formed on the planarization film in order to give the reflection film unevenness. That is, it is not necessary to increase the number of steps for forming the recesses for accommodating the columnar spacers, and the recesses are formed in the same process as the unevenness for light scattering, so that they can be efficiently formed without increasing the number of manufacturing steps. Therefore, in a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal display device excellent in display quality and productivity can be provided.

In the present invention, it is desirable that the columnar spacer is provided at a position overlapping the data line or the scanning line in a plan view.
According to this configuration, since the columnar spacer overlaps with the light shielding region shielded by the data line or the scanning line in a plan view, the light shielding effect can be remarkably enhanced.

In the present invention, it is desirable that the concave portion has a longitudinal direction in a direction along the data line or the scanning line.
According to this configuration, the columnar spacer does not enter the pixel region even when a load is applied. The size of the recess is not limited to a size that allows the tip of the columnar spacer to be firmly fixed and accommodated, but may be formed to a size that allows the tip of the columnar spacer to move. That is, when the columnar spacer moves inside the recess when a load is applied, the columnar spacer moves preferentially in the extending direction of the recess provided along the data line or the scanning line of the planarization film. Will not move towards. Therefore, the surface of the alignment film is scratched, the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules is caused, and it is possible to prevent display defects due to light leakage at a position where black display is to occur.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the columnar spacer is provided at a position overlapping the switching element in a planar manner.
According to this configuration, since the columnar spacer is disposed in a region overlapping with the switching element having a larger area than the region overlapping with the data line or the scanning line, the accuracy when the columnar spacer is fitted into the recess may be rough. . In addition, when the columnar spacer is not fitted inside the recess, specifically, it is possible to reliably prevent display quality deterioration such as contrast deterioration caused by finishing larger than the designed cell gap. .

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the columnar spacer from entering the pixel region, to provide an electronic device with excellent display performance and high aperture ratio.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Moreover, in the following drawings, in order to make each structure easy to understand, an actual structure and a scale, a number, and the like in each structure are different.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the liquid crystal layer side of each component of the liquid crystal display device is referred to as an inner side, and the opposite side is referred to as an outer side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the liquid crystal display device 1 of this embodiment, a TFT array substrate (one substrate) 10 and a counter substrate 20 are bonded together by a sealing material 52. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed in a region partitioned by the sealing material 52. An injection port 54 for injecting liquid crystal is provided in a part of the sealing material 52. The injection port 54 is sealed with a sealing material 55. A light shielding film (peripheral parting) 53 made of a light shielding material is formed in a region inside the region where the sealing material 52 is formed. An area inside the peripheral parting 53 is a display area 9 for displaying an image, a moving image, or the like. In the display area 9, a plurality of pixels G are provided in a matrix. The display area 9 is provided with a black matrix 22 in a grid pattern. An opening of the black matrix 22 is a pixel region L. Note that a region located around the pixel region L is a light shielding region M in which a grid-like black matrix 22 is formed on the counter substrate 20.

  The peripheral portion of the TFT array substrate 10 is an overhanging region that protrudes from the counter substrate 20. A data line driving circuit 201 and a terminal portion 202 are formed along one side of the TFT array substrate 10 on the lower side in the drawing in the overhanging region. A scanning line driving circuit 104 is formed along two sides adjacent to the one side. On the remaining side of the TFT array substrate 10 (upper side in the figure), a plurality of lead wirings 105 are provided for connecting between the scanning line driving circuits 104 provided on both sides of the display area 9.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial plan view showing the pixel region L of the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment. A pixel electrode (first electrode) 31 and a TFT (switching element) 5 for switching control of the pixel electrode 31 are formed in the pixel region L of the liquid crystal display device 1. The TFT 5 has a source electrically connected to a data line 15 a extending from the data line driving circuit 201. The TFT 5 is electrically connected to the scanning line 12 a whose gate extends from the scanning line driving circuit 104. The TFT 5 has a drain electrically connected to the pixel electrode 31.

  The data line 15a extends in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction in the figure), and the scanning line 12a extends in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction in the figure). Therefore, the data lines 15a and the scanning lines 12a are wired in a substantially lattice shape in plan view.

  The semiconductor layer 14 is formed in a region that partially overlaps the scanning line 12a. The source electrode 15 is a wiring having a substantially inverted L shape in plan view, and is branched from the data line 15 a and is electrically connected to the semiconductor layer 14. The drain electrode 16 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 31 through a contact hole 19 penetrating an interlayer insulating film 17 and a planarizing film 18 described later. These semiconductor layer 14, source electrode 15 and drain electrode 16 constitute TFT 5. Therefore, the TFT 5 is provided in the vicinity of the intersection of the data line 15a and the scanning line 12a.

  The pixel electrode 31 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view corresponding to the pixel region L, and is formed in a region overlapping the common electrode 32 in plan view. The pixel electrode 31 is made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

  The common electrode 32 is formed in a substantially ladder shape in plan view. Similar to the pixel electrode 31, the common electrode 32 is made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO. Further, the common electrode 32 has a slit 32a at an overlapping portion with the pixel electrode 31, and a band-shaped electrode portion 32b is configured between the adjacent slit 32a and the slit 32a. Then, liquid crystal molecules are driven by an electric field applied between the pixel electrode 31 and the common electrode 32 through the slit 32a. Note that the liquid crystal display device 1 of this embodiment is described as an example of the structure of an FFS liquid crystal display device.

  The columnar spacer 40 is formed in a circular shape in plan view. The columnar spacer 40 is formed in a region overlapping the semiconductor layer 4 constituting the TFT 5. A recess 41 for accommodating the columnar spacer 40 is formed at the same position as the columnar spacer 40. Further, the size of the recess 41 is formed such that the tip of the columnar spacer 40 can be firmly fixed and accommodated.

  Incidentally, a general liquid crystal display device is provided with columnar spacers between a pair of substrates constituting the liquid crystal display device in order to keep the cell gap constant. The columnar spacer often melts at the tip of the columnar spacer in the state of exceeding the glass transition point in the manufacturing process, and the shape after firing often varies. As a result, the cell gap cannot be kept constant, and the problem of display failure of the liquid crystal display device may occur.

  In order to solve such a problem, in Patent Document 1, the contact area between the tip of the columnar spacer and the substrate is increased by providing the columnar spacer so as to overlap the edge of the convex portion formed on one substrate. The cell spacer is expanded and the column spacers and the substrate are improved in strength against the load, the deformation of the column spacers is suppressed, and the cell gap is kept constant. However, in Patent Document 1, since the columnar spacers are provided so as to overlap the signal lines and TFTs that form the projections, the columnar spacers are separated from the projections by the load applied from the outside of the liquid crystal display device and are located on the pixel region side. There is a high possibility of intrusion.

  Here, the mechanism of occurrence of display defects in the conventional liquid crystal display device 1000 will be described. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are schematic cross-sectional views schematically showing the mechanism of occurrence of display defects in the liquid crystal display device 1000. The liquid crystal display device 1000 includes a TFT array substrate 1011 (illustrated lower substrate), a counter substrate 1021 (illustrated upper substrate), alignment films 1034 and 1035, a liquid crystal layer 1050, a black matrix 1022, a columnar spacer 1040, It has. A region covered with the black matrix 1022 is a light shielding region 1000M. A region located outside the light shielding region 1000M is a pixel region 1000L.

  Next, the mechanism of occurrence of display defects in the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described in order with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). The columnar spacer 1040 is provided between the pair of substrates 1011 and 1021 in the light shielding region 1000M. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is assumed that a load is applied to the liquid crystal display device 1000 in a direction in which the counter substrate 1021 is pressed against the TFT array substrate side 1011.

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the counter substrate 1021 (the left side in the figure) of the liquid crystal display device 1000 is pushed in by a load and is deformed so as to be inclined obliquely downward to the left. As the counter substrate 1021 is inclined, the columnar spacer 1040 is deformed so as to be compressed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the position of the columnar spacer 1040 on the TFT array substrate 1011 side (bottom) moves from the light shielding region 1000 </ b> M side toward the pixel region 1000 </ b> L side due to compression deformation of the columnar spacer 1040. To do. Along with the movement of the columnar spacer 1040, a rubbing region S is formed by friction between the columnar spacer 1040 and the alignment film 1034 on the TFT array substrate 1011 side. In the rubbing region S, the surface of the alignment film 1034 may be disturbed.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, the load from the upper left side of the counter substrate 1021 is released from the liquid crystal display device 1000. Then, the columnar spacer 1040 that has moved from the light shielding region 1000M to the pixel region 1000L returns to the original position. In addition, the columnar spacer 1040 that has been compressed and deformed returns to the original shape from the compressed shape that is being deformed by the restoring force to return to the original shape.

  At this time, in the rubbing region S formed on the TFT array substrate 1011 side, reciprocal friction is generated between the columnar spacer 1040 and the alignment film 1034. Therefore, the disturbance of the alignment film 1034 due to the reciprocal friction in the rubbing region S is larger than the disturbance of the alignment film 1034 due to one movement shown in FIG. By repeatedly applying such a load, the alignment film 1034 may be more disturbed in some cases. Specifically, in the rubbing region S, the desired liquid crystal molecule alignment formed by rubbing is in a roughened state, and the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 1050 becomes disordered. As a result, light leakage (arrows in the figure) where black display should occur from the disordered rubbing region S of the alignment film 1034 corresponding to the pixel region 1000L may cause display failure of the liquid crystal display device 1000. is there.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a recess 41 formed by recessing the planarizing film 18 in the light shielding region M is provided. A columnar spacer 40 is accommodated in the recess 41.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 1 taken along the line AA of FIG. The liquid crystal display device 1 includes a TFT array substrate 10 (lower substrate in the figure) made of a transparent substrate 11 such as glass and a counter substrate 20 (upper substrate in the figure) made of a transparent substrate 21 such as glass. The liquid crystal layer 50 is sandwiched between the two.

  On the transparent substrate 11 constituting the TFT array substrate 10 in the light shielding region M, the TFT 5 is formed. The TFT 5 includes a gate electrode 12 formed on the transparent substrate 11, a gate insulating film 13 formed so as to cover the gate electrode 12, and a semiconductor layer 14 formed on the gate electrode 12 via the gate insulating film 13. And a source electrode 15 formed on one end of the semiconductor layer 14 and a drain electrode 16 formed on the other end of the semiconductor layer 14.

  An interlayer insulating film 17 is formed on the TFT 5. On the interlayer insulating film 17, a planarizing film 18 for flattening the unevenness of the surface of the interlayer insulating film 17 is formed. The planarizing film 18 is made of an insulating transparent resin such as photosensitive acrylic.

  A contact hole 19 that reaches the surface of the drain electrode 16 through the interlayer insulating film 17 and the planarizing film 18 is provided. Then, the pixel electrode 31 made of a conductive material such as ITO is formed on the inner surface of the contact hole 19 and the planarizing film 18 so that the pixel electrode 31 and the drain electrode 16 are electrically connected.

  An FFS insulating film 33 is formed on the planarizing film 18 and the pixel electrode 31. On the FFS insulating film 33 in the pixel region L, the common electrode 32 is formed with a fringe-shaped slit 32a. An alignment film 34 is provided on the uppermost surface of the TFT array substrate 10 and in contact with the liquid crystal layer 50.

  The TFT array substrate 10 in the light shielding region M is provided with a recess 41 formed by recessing the planarizing film 18. In other words, the recess 41 is provided so as to have at least a bottom 41a in the planarizing film. The columnar spacer 40 is accommodated in the recess 41 of the alignment film 34. Specifically, the tip of the columnar spacer 40 on the TFT array substrate 10 side of the columnar spacer 40 is accommodated in the recess 41 of the alignment film 34 laminated on the planarizing film 18.

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 20 has a color material layer 23 of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) constituting a color filter on the inner surface side (liquid crystal layer 50 side) of the transparent substrate 21. It is formed for each G (see FIG. 1). A black matrix 22 is formed around each color material layer 23 in order to prevent light leakage around the pixel G. A region covered with the black matrix 22 constitutes a light shielding region M. Further, an overcoat layer (not shown) for protecting the color material layer 23 and flattening a step due to the color material layer 23 is formed, and an alignment film 35 similar to the TFT array substrate 10 side is formed on the overcoat layer. Formed and rubbed.

  The columnar spacer 40 is formed on the liquid crystal layer 50 side of the counter substrate 20 before the pair of substrates 10 and 20 are bonded and fixed, and then provided on the liquid crystal layer 50 side of the TFT array substrate 10. Is fitted into the recessed portion 41.

  Thus, the pixel electrode 31 as the lower electrode and the common electrode 32 as the upper electrode are formed on the transparent substrate 11 as the same substrate via the FFS insulating film 33, and the slit 32a is formed in the common electrode 32 as the upper electrode. And a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 31 as the lower electrode to generate a horizontal electric field mainly parallel to the substrate surface, and the liquid crystal molecules can be driven through the alignment film 34.

  According to the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, the columnar spacer 40 is accommodated in the concave portion 41 in which at least the bottom 41a is provided in the planarizing film 18, so that it enters the pixel region L side even when a load is applied. There is nothing to do. In general, in the FFS mode liquid crystal display device 1, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are formed on the flat planarizing film 18. The reason for this is that when the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are formed on the interlayer insulating film 17 reflecting the unevenness of the TFT 5 or the like in the TFT array substrate 10, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are distorted. . As a result, there is a problem that the electric field generated between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 is disturbed, the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is disturbed, and display defects occur. Accordingly, since the planarizing film 18 having a sufficient thickness is formed on the TFT 5 in the TFT array substrate 10 of the FFS system, the recess 41 having a sufficient depth is formed in the thick planarizing film 18. Can do. That is, the columnar spacer 40 is deeply embedded in a recess 41 provided by recessing the planarizing film 18, and a fitting margin with respect to the recess 41 at the tip of the columnar spacer 40 is sufficiently secured. Be placed. For example, even when several films are stacked on the planarization film 18 and a multilayer film is stacked along the inner surface of the recess 41 provided in the planarization film 18, the bottom 41a of the recess 41 is planarized. Since the film 18 is formed with a sufficient depth, the fitting margin at the tip of the columnar spacer 40 is sufficiently secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the columnar spacer 40 from entering the pixel region L side when a load is applied in the FFS method, and to provide the liquid crystal display device 1 with excellent display performance and high aperture ratio.

  In the present embodiment, in the recess 41 where the columnar spacer 40 is provided, a single film of only the alignment film 34 is stacked on the planarizing film 18, but this is not a limitation, and a plurality of films are stacked. May be. That is, the depth of the recessed part 41 which can fully accommodate the columnar spacer 40 may be provided. Conversely, nothing is stacked on the planarizing film 18 and the planarizing film 18 may be exposed.

(Modification 1 of columnar spacer and recess)
Next, the relationship between the shape of the columnar spacer 40 and the shape of the recess 41 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a first modification of the columnar spacer 40 of the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present embodiment. This figure shows the positional relationship of the arrangement of the columnar spacers 40 and the periphery of the data lines 15a, the scanning lines 12a and the TFTs 5 of the liquid crystal display device 1 corresponding to FIG. Elements similar to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 5, the pixel electrode 31 and the common electrode 32 are not shown.

  A black matrix 22 is formed so as to cover the data lines 15a, the scanning lines 12a, and the TFTs 5. A region where the black matrix 22 is formed is a light shielding region M. In the present modification, columnar spacers 40 and recesses 41 are formed in the light shielding region M in regions overlapping with the data lines 15a extending in the illustrated vertical direction in plan view.

  The recess 41 is formed in an oval shape having a length in the extending direction of the data line 15a. A columnar spacer 40 having a circular shape in plan view is accommodated in the formation region of the concave portion 41 so as to be positioned at the approximate center.

  The length 41X in the width direction (the horizontal direction in the figure) of the data line 15a of the recess 41 is substantially the same as the diameter 40D of the columnar spacer 40 or smaller than the diameter 40D of the columnar spacer 40. Further, the length 41Y of the recess 41 in the direction extending in the data line 15a (the vertical direction in the drawing) is sufficiently larger than the diameter 40D of the columnar spacer 40. That is, the clearance in the extending direction of the data line 15a with respect to the concave portion 41 of the columnar spacer 40 is larger than the clearance in the width direction of the data line 15a with respect to the concave portion 41 of the columnar spacer 40 so that the columnar spacer 40 is sufficiently movable. It has become.

  According to this modification, the columnar spacer 40 overlaps with the light shielding region M shielded by the data line 15a or the scanning line 12a in a planar manner, so that the light shielding effect can be remarkably enhanced.

  Further, according to this modification, the columnar spacer 40 does not enter the pixel region L even when a load is applied. The size of the recess 41 is not limited to a size that allows the tip of the columnar spacer 40 to be firmly fixed and accommodated, but may be formed to a size that allows the tip of the columnar spacer 40 to move. That is, when the columnar spacer 40 moves inside the recess 41 due to the load applied, the columnar spacer 40 preferentially extends in the direction in which the recess 41 provided along the data line 15a or the scanning line 12a of the planarization film 18 extends. Since it moves, it does not move toward the pixel region L. Therefore, the surface of the alignment film 34 is scratched, the alignment disorder of the liquid crystal molecules is caused, and it is possible to prevent a display defect due to light leakage at a position where black display is to occur.

  In this modification, the columnar spacer 40 and the recess 41 are provided in a region overlapping the data line 15a in the light shielding region M in plan view, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the light shielding region M is orthogonal to the data line 15a. It may be provided in a region that overlaps the scanning line 12a extending in the direction in plan view. That is, the light shielding region M may be provided in a region overlapping with the data line 15a or the scanning line 12a.

(Modification 2 of columnar spacer and recess)
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a second modification of the columnar spacer 40 of the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present invention. This figure shows the positional relationship of the arrangement of the columnar spacer 40 and the periphery of the data line 15a, the scanning line 12a and the TFT 5 of the liquid crystal display device 1 corresponding to FIG. Elements similar to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present modification, columnar spacers 40 and recesses 41 are formed in regions that overlap the TFT 5 in plan view in the light shielding region M. The recess 41 is formed in a circular shape in plan view. The columnar spacer 40 is formed in a circular shape in plan view, and is accommodated in a position substantially in the center of the formation region of the recess 41.

  The diameter 41 </ b> D of the recess 41 is sufficiently larger than the diameter 40 </ b> D of the columnar spacer 40. That is, the columnar spacer 40 is sufficiently movable in a region overlapping the TFT 5 that can form the recess 41 having a larger area than a region overlapping the data line 15a or the scanning line 12a.

  According to this modification, the columnar spacer 40 is arranged in a region overlapping with the TFT 5 having a larger area than the region overlapping with the data line 15a or the scanning line 12a, so that accuracy when the columnar spacer 40 is fitted into the recess 41 is obtained. May be rough. In addition, when the columnar spacer 40 is not fitted inside the recess 41, it is possible to reliably prevent display quality degradation such as contrast degradation caused by finishing larger than the designed cell gap. It becomes.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a pixel region L of the liquid crystal display device 1A of the second embodiment having another display form of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. Unlike the liquid crystal display device 1 of the first embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 1A of the present embodiment is a transflective liquid crystal display device 1A that performs transmissive display and reflective display within one pixel region L. This figure shows a pixel region L of the liquid crystal display device 1A corresponding to FIG. Elements similar to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the liquid crystal display device 1A of this embodiment, the TFT 5 side (the upper side in the drawing) of the pixel region L is a transmissive display region T. Further, the opposite side (the lower side in the figure) of the pixel region L to the TFT 5 side is a reflective display region R. A boundary portion between the transmissive display region T and the reflective display region R is positioned so as to overlap one of the plurality of strip-shaped electrode portions 32b.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 1A taken along line BB in FIG. This figure shows a cross-sectional configuration of the liquid crystal display device 1A corresponding to FIG. Elements similar to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  On the surface of the planarization film 18 constituting the TFT array substrate 10 in the reflective display region R, light scattering irregularities 42 are formed. Covering the light scattering irregularities 42 is formed a reflective film 36 composed of a metal film having a high light reflectivity, such as aluminum, or a dielectric laminated film in which dielectric films having different refractive indexes are laminated. . With such a configuration, the reflected light from the reflective film 36 can be scattered, and the visibility of the reflective display can be improved.

  A pixel electrode 31 is formed on the reflective film 36. The pixel electrode 31 is integrally formed between the reflective display region R and the transmissive display region T (boundary part). Further, the pixel electrode 31 in the reflective display region R is formed to be uneven so as to follow the unevenness of the reflective film 36. In addition, the FFS insulating film 33 formed on the pixel electrode 31 in the reflective display region R and the common electrode 32 formed on the FFS insulating film 33 are also formed to be uneven as in the pixel electrode 31.

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 20 in the reflective display region R is provided with a liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 37 for forming a multi-gap structure on the inner surface side (liquid crystal layer 50 side) of the transparent substrate 21. The liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 37 is set such that the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the reflective display region R is about half of the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the transmissive display region T. Thereby, the phase difference of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the reflective display region R and the transmissive display region T is set to be substantially the same. In this way, a multi-gap structure is realized by the liquid crystal layer thickness adjusting layer 37, and a uniform image display can be obtained in the reflective display region R and the transmissive display region T.

  A region corresponding to the formation position of the TFT 5 adjacent to the reflective display region R is a light shielding region M. Similar to the reflective display region R, light scattering irregularities 42 are formed on the planarizing film 18 constituting the TFT array substrate 10 in the light shielding region M. A reflection film 36 is formed so as to cover the light scattering unevenness 42.

  A columnar spacer 40 is provided in the concave portion 41 of the reflective film 36 formed on the planarizing film 18 in the light shielding region M. That is, one recess in the light scattering unevenness 42 of the planarizing film 18 is a recess 41 for accommodating the columnar spacer 40. Thereby, the formation process of the light scattering unevenness 42 for imparting unevenness to the reflective film 36 and the formation process of the recess 41 for accommodating the columnar spacer 40 in the planarizing film 18 are formed in the same process. can do.

  The tips of the columnar spacers 40 on the TFT array substrate 10 side of the columnar spacers 40 are accommodated in the recesses 41 of the reflective film 36, the FFS insulating film 33, and the alignment film 34 stacked on the planarizing film 18. It is like that.

  According to the liquid crystal display device 1 </ b> A of the present embodiment, the columnar spacer 40 is formed in the same process as the light scattering unevenness 42 formed on the planarization film 18 in order to give the reflection film 36 unevenness. The recessed part 41 to accommodate can be formed. That is, there is no need to increase the number of steps for forming the recess 41 for accommodating the columnar spacer 40, and the recess 41 is formed in the same process as the light scattering unevenness 42. Can be formed well. Therefore, in the reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device 1A, the liquid crystal display device 1A having excellent display quality and productivity can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the reflective film 36 is laminated on the planarizing film 18 in the recess 41 where the columnar spacer 40 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reflective film 36 may not be laminated. Good. That is, the recess 41 may be formed in the same process as the light scattering unevenness 42 without increasing the number of steps for forming the recess 41 for accommodating the columnar spacer 40.

  In the present embodiment, the columnar spacers 40 are provided only in the recesses 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the columnar spacers 40 may be provided in the recesses of the light scattering irregularities 42 in addition to the recesses 41. That is, the columnar spacer 40 may be provided at least in the recess 41.

  Note that the first and second modifications of the columnar spacer 40 and the recess 41 described above can also be applied to the liquid crystal display device 1A of the present embodiment.

(Electronics)
Next, an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone terminal will be described as an example of an electronic device.

  FIG. 9 is an external view of a mobile phone terminal 500 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the mobile phone terminal 500 according to the present embodiment includes a first casing 501 and a second casing 502 that are foldably connected, and the first casing 501 includes The liquid crystal display device 1 and the voice output speaker 503 are provided as a display device. The second casing 502 has operation keys 504 including various keys such as a numeric keypad, function keys, and a power key, and voice input. The microphone 505 is provided.

  As described above, according to the cellular phone terminal 500 including the liquid crystal display device 1 as a display device, the columnar spacer is prevented from entering the pixel region side when a load is applied, and a display device with excellent display performance and high aperture ratio is obtained. be able to.

  In addition, although the mobile phone terminal 500 is illustrated as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and has a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a portable terminal such as a notebook computer, a wristwatch, and other display functions. The present invention can also be applied to various electronic devices. For example, a fax machine with a display function, a finder for a digital camera, a portable TV, an electronic notebook, an electric bulletin board, a display for advertisement announcement, and the like are also included.

It is the top view which showed schematic structure of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is the fragmentary top view which expanded and showed the pixel area | region of the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic cross section which showed the mechanism of generation | occurrence | production of the display defect of a liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display device which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification 1 of a columnar spacer and a recessed part. It is a top view which shows the modification 2 of the recessed part of a columnar spacer. It is the fragmentary top view which expanded and showed the pixel area | region of the liquid crystal display device of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display device which follows the BB line of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the mobile telephone terminal which is an example of an electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A ... Liquid crystal display device, 5 ... TFT (switching element), 10 ... TFT array substrate (one board | substrate), 12a ... Scanning line, 15a ... Data line, 18 ... Planarization film | membrane, 20 ... Opposite board | substrate (the other board | substrate) Substrate), 31 ... pixel electrode (first electrode), 32 ... common electrode (second electrode), 36 ... reflective film, 40 ... columnar spacer, 41 ... recess, 42 ... unevenness for light scattering, 50 ... liquid crystal layer, 500: mobile phone terminal (electronic device), G: pixel, L: pixel area, M: light shielding area, R: reflection display area

Claims (6)

A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of opposed substrates, and one of the pair of substrates has a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines intersecting each other, and the data lines and the scanning lines are electrically connected. A plurality of switching elements connected to each other, and a liquid crystal display device comprising:
A planarization film covering at least the data line, the scanning line, and the switching element on the one substrate; a first electrode formed on the planarization film; and an insulating film covering the first electrode; A second electrode that is formed on the insulating film and that drives liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer by an electric field generated between the first electrode and the first electrode;
A columnar spacer that holds a distance between the pair of substrates is disposed on the other substrate of the pair of substrates at a position that overlaps at least one of the data line, the scanning line, and the switching element. Provided,
A liquid crystal display device, wherein a recess formed by recessing the planarizing film is provided on a surface of the one substrate, and a part of the columnar spacer is accommodated in the recess.   The flat region corresponding to the lower layer side of the reflective film is provided with at least a reflective display region in a pixel region surrounded by the data lines and the scanning lines, and a reflective film is formed on the planarizing film in the reflective display region. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein unevenness for light scattering is formed on the surface of the conversion film.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the columnar spacer is provided at a position overlapping the data line or the scanning line in a plane.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 3, wherein the concave portion has a longitudinal direction in a direction along the data line or the scanning line.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the columnar spacer is provided at a position overlapping the switching element in a planar manner.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.

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