Patent Application
20070263153
Referring to
A first biaxial compensation film 211 and a first polarizer 212 are disposed at an outer surface of the first substrate 21 that is farthest from the liquid crystal layer 23. A common electrode 218 and a first alignment layer 219 are disposed at an inner surface of the first substrate 21 that is nearest to the liquid crystal layer 23.
A second biaxial compensation film 221 and a second polarizer 222 are disposed at an outer surface of the second substrate 22 that is farthest from the liquid crystal layer 23. An insulating layer 223, a passivation layer 227, and a second alignment layer 229 are disposed at an inner surface of the second substrate 22 that is nearest to the liquid crystal layer 23.
Also referring to
A plurality of separate pixel electrodes 228 is formed between the second alignment layer 229 and the passivation layer 227. The pixel electrodes 228 correspond in position to the display regions of the LCD device 2. The passivation layer 227 forms a plurality of separate rectangular-shaped protrusions 2271. The protrusions 2271 correspond in position to the non-display regions of the LCD device 2. Thus, a height of the passivation layer 227 corresponding to the display regions is different from a height of the passivation layer 227 corresponding to the non-display regions.
The first and second alignment layers 219, 229 both have an alignment direction that is horizontal. The liquid crystal molecules are bend aligned so that the LCD device 2 operates in an optically compensated bend (OCB) mode. A pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to each of the substrates 21 and 22 is in a range of 0° to 15°. A height of the liquid crystal layer 23 in the pixel regions (display regions) is greater than a height of the liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the protrusions 2271 of the passivation layer 227 (i.e. at the non-display regions).
With the above-described configuration, the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to (i.e. above) the protrusions 2271 are obliquely aligned relative the profile of the protrusions 2271. Therefore during the transition process of converting the liquid crystal molecules from a splay alignment state into a bend alignment state, the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the protrusions 2271 are easily converted from their already obliquely aligned state to the bend alignment state. That is, the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the protrusions 2271 convert fast, because only a slight change in their orientation is needed. In addition, the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the protrusions 2271 can help actuate other adjacent liquid crystal molecules farther away from the protrusions 2271 to convert to the bend alignment state. That is, the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the protrusions 2271 and liquid crystal molecules farther away from the protrusions 2271 cooperate to reorient together. Thus, the transition process of all the liquid crystal molecules is fast. Furthermore, once all the liquid crystal molecules in the LCD device 2 are bend-aligned, they have respective pre-tilt angles, which ensures that the liquid crystal molecules can more easily adjust their orientations when a voltage is applied to the LCD device 2 and a change in a driving electric field is effected. Thereby, the LCD device 2 has a fast response time. Moreover, because liquid crystal molecules farther away from the protrusions 2271 are actuated by the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the protrusions 2271, this helps ensure all the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 23 are converted in the transition process. Thereby, the LCD device 2 avoids exhibiting display defects.
Various modifications and alterations of the above-described embodiments are possible. For example, each compensation film may instead be a uniaxial compensation film, an A-plate compensation film, or a discotic molecular film. In another example, each protrusion may have a triangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, or curved shape.
It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set out in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95116847 | May 2006 | TW | national |
