Liquid crystal device and electronic equipment

Abstract

A liquid crystal device has a structure in which an electric field is applied across a liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of a substrate. A conductive film is formed on a first substrate on which an electric field control is provided, and also on a color filter substrate located opposite the first substrate, and the conductive films are maintained at either a ground voltage, a common electrode voltage, the center voltage of an image signal, a non-selection voltage of a scanning signal, or a logic voltage of an external driver or otherwise the voltage of the conductive films is maintained in a floating state. The liquid crystal device having the above structure displays a high-quality image without encountering an influence of electrostatic charges.

1. A liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a transparent conducting film is formed on either an inner surface or an outer surface of a second one of said substrates, and the voltage of the transparent conducting film is maintained in a floating state.  
 
     
     
       2. A liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a conductive film is formed on a second one of said substrates, in a periphery of a pixel area on either an inner surface or an outer surface of said, second one of said substrates, and the voltage of the conductive film is maintained in a floating state.  
 
     
     
       3. A liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a polarizing plate having an electrical conductivity is disposed on an outer surface of a second one of said substrates, and voltage of said polarizing plate is maintained in a floating state.  
 
     
     
       4. Electronic equipment using a liquid crystal display device, said liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a conductive film is formed on an inner surface or an outer surface of a second one of said substrates, said conductive film being formed in a periphery of a pixel area,  
 and wherein said electronic equipment includes: an interconnection or frame through which a fixed voltage is applied to said conductive film; and a power supply for supplying said fixed voltage via said interconnection or frame.  
 
     
     
       5. Electronic equipment according to  claim 4 , wherein said fixed voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on said common electrode, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over said image signal lines, a non-selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over said scanning signal lines, or a logic voltage supplied from driving means for driving said liquid crystal device. 
     
     
       6. Electronic equipment using a liquid crystal display device, said liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a polarizing plate is formed on an outer surface of a second one of said substrates,  
 and wherein said electronic equipment includes: an interconnection or a frame through which a fixed voltage is applied to said polarizing plate; and a power supply for supplying said fixed voltage via said interconnection or frame.  
 
     
     
       7. Electronic equipment according to  claim 6 , wherein said fixed voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on said common electrode, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over said image signal lines, a non-selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over said scanning signal lines, or a logic voltage supplied from driving means for driving said liquid crystal device. 
     
     
       8. Electronic equipment using a liquid crystal display device, said liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a transparent conducting film is formed on either an inner surface or an outer surface of a second one of said substrates, and voltage of said transparent conducting film is maintained in a floating state.  
 
     
     
       9. Electronic equipment using a liquid crystal display device, said liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a conductive film is formed on a second one of said substrates, in a periphery of a pixel area on either an inner surface or an outer surface of said second one of said substrates, and voltage of said conductive film is maintained in a floating state.  
 
     
     
       10. Electronic equipment using a liquid crystal display device, said liquid crystal device including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal disposed between said pair of substrates, a first one of the substrates having, thereon, scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed in a matrix form, an active element connected to each of the scanning signal lines and image signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to the active element, and a common electrode, wherein an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal in a direction substantially parallel to a plane in which said pair of substrates lie,
 wherein a polarizing plate having an electrical conductivity is disposed on an outer surface of a second one of said substrates, and voltage of said polarizing plate is maintained in a floating state.  
 
     
     
       11. A liquid crystal device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes; and        a transparent conducting film located at either in between the second substrate and the liquid crystal or at an outer side of the second substrate, the transparent conducting film being in an electrically floating state.     
     
     
       12. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal device according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
       13. A liquid crystal device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes; and        a conductive film located at a periphery of a pixel area either in between the second substrate and the liquid crystal or at an outer side of the second substrate, the voltage of the conductive film being in an electrically floating state.     
     
     
       14. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal device according to  claim 13 . 
     
     
       15. A liquid crystal device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes; and        a polarizing plate having an electrical conductivity disposed at an outer side of the second substrate, voltage of the polarizing plate being in an electrically floating state.     
     
     
       16. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal device according to  claim 15 . 
     
     
       17. An electronic device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        a conductive film located at a periphery of a pixel area either in between the second substrate and the liquid crystal or at an outer side of the second substrate;        a power supply for supplying a voltage; and        an interconnection or frame that transmits the voltage from the power supply to the conductive film.     
     
     
       18. The electronic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       19. An electronic device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        a polarizing plate at an outer side of the second substrate;        a power supply for supplying a voltage; and        an interconnection or frame that transmits the voltage from the power supply to the polarizing plate.     
     
     
       20. The electronic device according to  claim 19 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       21. A liquid crystal device, comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates; and        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film being interposed between the sealing material and the pixel area, the light - shielding metal film being applied with a voltage.     
     
     
       22. A liquid crystal device according to  claim 21 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       23. A liquid crystal device, comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates;        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film being interposed between the sealing material and the pixel area; and        a transparent conductive film located at the second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the transparent conductive film being applied with a voltage.     
     
     
       24. A liquid crystal device according to  claim 23 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       25. A liquid crystal device, comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates;        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film being interposed between the sealing material and the pixel area; and        a conductive film located at a periphery of the pixel area either in between the second substrate and the liquid crystal or at an outer surface of the second substrate, the transparent conducting film being applied with a voltage.     
     
     
       26. A liquid crystal device according to  claim 25 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       27. A liquid crystal device, comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates;        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film being interposed between the sealing material and the pixel area; and        a polarizing plate having an electrical conductivity disposed at an outer side of the second substrate, the polarizing plate being applied with a voltage.     
     
     
       28. A liquid crystal device according to  claim 27 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       29. An electronic device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates;        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film being interposed between the sealing material and the pixel area;        a power supply for supplying a voltage; and        an interconnection that transmits the voltage from the power supply to the light - shielding metal film.     
     
     
       30. The electronic device according to  claim 29 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       31. An electronic device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates;        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film being interposed between the sealing material and the pixel area;        a transparent conducting film formed at the second - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a power supply for supplying a voltage; and        a frame that transmits the voltage from the power supply to the transparent conducting film.     
     
     
       32. The electronic device according to  claim 31 , wherein the voltage is either a ground voltage, a voltage equal to a voltage on one of the pair of electrodes, a center voltage of an image signal supplied over the signal line, a non- selection voltage of a scanning signal applied over the signal line, or a logic voltage supplied from a driving means for driving the liquid crystal device.   
     
     
       33. A liquid crystal device comprising:
   a first substrate;        a second substrate;        a liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate;        a pixel area separated from edges of the first substrate and the second substrate in plan view;        a signal line located at a first - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the signal line supplying one of a scanning signal and an image signal;        an active element at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal and electrically connected to the signal line;        an insulation layer at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal;        a pair of electrodes located at the first - substrate side of the liquid crystal in different layers with the insulation layer interposed therebetween, one of the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to the active element, the liquid crystal being controlled by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes;        sealing material disposed around the pixel area that seals the liquid crystal in between the pair of substrates;        a light - shielding metal film located at a second - substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding metal film extending outside of the sealing material and being electrically connected to a predetermined electrode.     
     
     
       34. The liquid crystal device according to  claim 33 , wherein the predetermined electrode is an electrode extending from a common electrode of the pair of electrodes. 
     
     
       35. The liquid crystal device according to  claim 33 , wherein the light- shielding film is connected to the predetermined electrode at plural portions in the periphery of the sealing area.   
     
     
       36. The liquid crystal device according to  claim 33 , further comprising a color filter at the second- substrate side of the liquid crystal, the light - shielding film being formed across the color filter.