IP Library Granted Patent US 7,834,964
Granted Patent B2
US 7,834,964 · App. 11/819,907 · Granted Nov 16, 2010

Transflective liquid crystal display device

Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
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 7,834,964
App. No.
11/819,907
Granted
Nov 16, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transflective liquid crystal display device with improved display quality in which the liquid initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of a clearance between the counter electrode of a transmission portion and a counter electrode of a reflection portion or in a direction within a range of ±2° in the clockwise direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the clearance in a case where the liquid crystal layer comprises positive type liquid crystals, or the liquid crystal initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction parallel with the extending direction of a clearance, or a direction within a range of ±2° in the clockwise direction relative to the extending direction of the clearance in a case where the liquid crystal layer comprises negative type liquid crystals.

Claims (40)

1. A transflective liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display panel having a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer put between the pair of substrates, in which the liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of sub-pixels each having a transmission portion and a reflection portion, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels has a pixel electrode and a counter electrode, wherein:

in each of the sub-pixels, the pixel electrode is in common with the transmission portion and the reflection portion, the counter electrode is independent between the transmission portion and the reflection portion;

a clearance extending to separate the counter electrode of the transmission portion and the counter electrode of the reflection portion;

the potential applied to the counter electrode is different between the transmission portion and the reflection portion;

the liquid crystal layer comprises positive type liquid crystals; and

the liquid crystal initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the clearance between the counter electrode of the transmission portion and the counter electrode of the reflection portion, or in a direction within a range of ±2° in a clockwise direction relative to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the clearance.

2. A transflective liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display panel having a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer put between the pair of substrates, in which the liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of sub-pixels each having a transmission portion and a reflection portion, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels has a pixel electrode and a counter electrode, wherein:

in each of the sub-pixels, the pixel electrode is in common with the transmission portion and the reflection portion, the counter electrode is independent between the transmission portion and the reflection portion;

a clearance extending to separate the counter electrode of the transmission portion and the counter electrode of the reflection portion;

the potential applied to the counter electrode is different between the transmission portion and the reflection portion;

the liquid crystal layer comprises negative type liquid crystals; and

the liquid crystal initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction parallel to an extending direction of the clearance between the counter electrode of the transmission portion and the counter electrode of the reflection portion, or in a direction within a range of ±2° in a clockwise direction relative to the extending direction of the clearance.

3. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the counter electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on one of the pair of substrates;

the transmission portion has a normally black characteristic providing black display in a state of not applying a voltage; and

the reflection portion has a normally white characteristic providing white display in a state of not applying a voltage.

4. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 3 , wherein:

the counter electrode is a planar electrode;

the pixel electrode is an electrode having a plurality of linear portions and formed to one of the substrates to a layer above the counter electrode; and

the extending direction of the clearance and the extending direction of the linear portion of the pixel electrode intersect obliquely.

5. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein:

a first polarization plate is disposed on one substrate of the pair of substrates and a second polarization plate is disposed on the other substrate of the pair of substrates respectively;

the respective polarization axes of the first and second polarization plates are perpendicular to each other; and

the liquid crystal initial alignment axis of the liquid crystal layer and the polarization axis of one of the first polarization plate and the second polarization plate are aligned.

6. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein:

in each of the sub-pixels, the potential applied to the counter electrode for one of the transmission portion and the reflection portion is a potential higher than the potential applied to the pixel electrode; and

the potential applied to the counter electrode for the other of the transmission portion or the reflection portion is a potential lower than the potential applied to the pixel electrode.

7. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein for adjacent two display lines defined as one display line and the other display line, the counter electrode of the reflection portion in each of the sub-pixels of one display line, and the counter electrode of the transmission portion in each of the sub-pixels of the other display line are a common electrode.

8. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 2 , wherein:

the counter electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on one of the pair of substrates;

the transmission portion has a normally black characteristic providing black display in a state of not applying a voltage; and

the reflection portion has a normally white characteristic providing white display in a state of not applying a voltage.

9. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 8 , wherein:

the counter electrode is a planar electrode;

the pixel electrode is an electrode having a plurality of linear portions and formed to one of the substrates to a layer above the counter electrode; and

the extending direction of the clearance and the extending direction of the linear portion of the pixel electrode intersect obliquely.

10. A transflective liquid crystal display device according to claim 8 , wherein:

a first polarization plate is disposed on one substrate of the pair of substrates and a second polarization plate is disposed on the other substrate of the pair of substrates respectively;

the respective polarization axes of the first and second polarization plates are perpendicular to each other; and

the liquid crystal initial alignment axis of the liquid crystal layer and the polarization axis of one of the first polarization plate and the second polarization plate are aligned.

Assignments (3)
COMPANY SPLIT PLAN TRANSFERRING FIFTY (50) PERCENT SHARE OF PATENTS Recorded Oct 14, 2011
From: HITACHI DISPLAYS, LTD.
To: IPS ALPHA SUPPORT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 027063/0019 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 14, 2011
From: IPS ALPHA SUPPORT CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 027063/0139 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2007
From: OCHIAI, TAKAHIRO; MIYAZAWA, TOSHIO; MAKI, MASAHIRO; SASAKI, TOHRU; MORIMOTO, MASATERU
To: HITACHI DISPLAYS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 019552/0581 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2006-193485 · Jul 14, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080013023A1 · Jan 17, 2008