IP Library Granted Patent US 7,499,131
Granted Patent B2
US 7,499,131 · App. 10/935,382 · Granted Mar 3, 2009

Liquid crystal display device with different alignments

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,499,131
App. No.
10/935,382
Granted
Mar 3, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid crystal display device of the present invention has a first structure (protrusion) which is provided on a first substrate and which causes liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the first structure to align with a first direction when a voltage is applied, and a second structure (protrusion) which is provided at a position on the second substrate where the second structure is opposed to the first structure and which causes liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the second structure to align with a second direction when the voltage is applied. Here, the second direction is different from the first direction. The shapes or sizes of the first and second structures are different from each other.

Claims (16)

1. A liquid crystal display device including a first substrate on which a first electrode is provided, a second substrate on which a second electrode is provided, and liquid crystals filling a space between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal display device comprising:

a first structure provided on the first substrate, the first structure causing liquid crystal molecules in a vicinity of the first structure to align with a first direction when a voltage is applied; and

a second structure provided at a position on the second substrate where the second structure is opposed to the first structure, the second structure causing liquid crystal molecules in a vicinity of the second structure to align with a second direction, which is different from the first direction, when the voltage is applied,

wherein a relational expression 1<a/b≦9 is satisfied,

where a length, measured in a layer thickness direction, of an area where liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the first direction is denoted by a, and a length, measured in the layer thickness direction, of an area where liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the second direction is denoted by b.

2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of directions in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted when the voltage is applied, in substrate planes.

3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystals have negative dielectric anisotropy.

4. The liquid crystal display device according claim 1 , wherein both the first and second structures are protrusions, and any one of a size or a shape of the first structure is different from that of the second structure.

5. A liquid crystal display device including a first substrate on which a first electrode is provided, a second substrate on which a second electrode is provided, and liquid crystals filling a space between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal display device comprising:

a first structure provided on the first substrate, the first structure causing liquid crystal molecules in a vicinity of the first structure to align with a first direction when a voltage is applied; and

a second structure provided at a position on the second substrate where the second structure is opposed to the first structure, the second structure causing liquid crystal molecules in a vicinity of the second structure to align with a second direction, which is different from the first direction, when the voltage is applied,

wherein a relational expression 1<a/b≦2.5 is satisfied,

where a length, measured in a layer thickness direction, of an area where liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the first direction is denoted by a, and a length, measured in the layer thickness direction, of an area where liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the second direction is denoted by b.

6. The liquid crystal display device according claim 5 , wherein both the first and second structures are protrusions, and any one of a size or a shape of the first structure is different from that of the second structure.

7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 5 , wherein there are a plurality of directions in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted when the voltage is applied, in substrate planes.

8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 5 , wherein the liquid crystals have negative dielectric anisotropy.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2011
From: FUJITSU LIMITED
To: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027068/0612 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 23, 2006
From: FUJITSU DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: FUJITSU LIMITED
Reel/Frame 017049/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2004
From: SASABAYASHI, TAKASHI
To: FUJITSU DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015782/0332 →