Vertically-aligned (VA) liquid crystal display device

Abstract

A vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display device having an improved viewing angle characteristic is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device uses a liquid crystal having a negative anisotropic dielectric constant, and orientations of the liquid crystal are vertical to substrates when no voltage is applied, almost horizontal when a predetermined voltage is applied, and oblique when an intermediate voltage is applied. At least one of the substrates includes a structure as domain regulating means, and inclined surfaces of the structure operate to regulate azimuths of the oblique orientations of the liquid crystal when the intermediate voltage is applied.

1. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; and 
 at least one phase difference film, whose refractive indices n x  and n y  and refractive index n z  in a thickness direction thereof have the following relation: n x , n y ≧n z  (except n x =n y =n z ), said at least one phase difference film being placed in at least one of the spaces between said liquid crystal panel and one of said first and second polarizing plates or between said liquid crystal panel and the other thereof, 
 wherein a phase lag axis of said at least one phase difference film intersects with an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate or second polarizing plate at a right angle, and 
 each inplane optical retardation of said at least one phase difference film being less than 250 nm, and a sum of optical retardations in a thickness direction of said at least one phase difference film being less than 1.7×R 1c +50 nm (R 1c : an optical retardation of a liquid crystal cell). 
 
     
     
       2. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
     
     
       3. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       4. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; 
 a first phase difference film having a refractive index n y  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate, a refractive index n x  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said first phase difference film being placed in space between said liquid crystal panel and said first polarizing plate; and 
 a second phase difference film having a refractive index n y  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said second polarizing plate, a refractive index n x  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said second phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said second polarizing plate; 
 wherein an inplane optical retardation R 0  of said first phase difference film and an inplane optical retardation R 1  of said second phase difference film have the following relations:
   R 1 ≦450 nm−R 0 ,R 0 −250 nm≦R 1 ≦R 0 +250 nm, 0≦R 0 , 0≦R 1  (except R 0 =R 1 =0).
 
 
 
     
     
       5. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
 
     
     
       6. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       7. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; 
 a first phase difference film having a refractive index n x  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate, a refractive index n y  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said first phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said first polarizing plate; and 
 a second phase difference film having a refractive index n y  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate, a refractive index n x  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said second phase difference film being placed in a space between said first phase difference film and said first polarizing plate; 
 wherein an inplane optical retardation R 0  of said first phase difference film and an inplane optical retardation R 1  of said second phase difference film have the following relations:
   2R 0 −170 nm≦R 1 ≦2R 0 +280 nm, R 1 ≦−R 0 /2+800 nm, 0≦R 0 , 0≦R 1  (except R 0 =R 1 =0).
 
 
 
     
     
       8. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
 
     
     
       9. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       10. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; and 
 at least one phase difference film, whose refractive indices n x  and n y  and refractive index n z  in a thickness direction thereof have the following relation: n x =n y ≧n z , said at least one phase difference film being placed in at least one of the spaces between said liquid crystal panel and one of said first and second polarizing plates or between said liquid crystal panel and the other thereof, 
 wherein a sum of optical retardations in a thickness direction of said at least one phase difference film is less than 1.7×R 1c +50 nm (R 1c : an optical retardation of a liquid crystal cell). 
 
     
     
       11. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 10 , wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
     
     
       12. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       13. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; 
 a first phase difference film having a refractive index n y  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate, a refractive index n x  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said first phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said first polarizing plate; and 
 a second phase difference film, whose refractive indices n x  and n y  and refractive index n z  in a thickness direction thereof have the following relation: n x =n y ≧n z , said second phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said second polarizing plate, 
 wherein an inplane optical retardation R 0  of said first phase difference film and an inplane optical retardation R 1  in a thickness direction of said second phase difference film have the following relation:
   8R 0 −13R 1 ≦1950 nm, 0≦R 0 ≦400, 0≦R 1 ≦400 (except R 0 =R 1 =0).
 
 
 
     
     
       14. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
 
     
     
       15. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       16. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; 
 a first phase difference film having a refractive index n y  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate, a refractive index n x  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said first phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said first polarizing plate; and 
 a second phase difference film, whose refractive indices n x  and n y , and refractive index n z  in a thickness direction thereof have the following relation: n x =n y ≧n z , said second phase difference film being placed in a space between said first polarizing plate and said first phase difference film, 
 wherein an inplane optical retardation R 0  of said first phase difference film and an optical retardation R 1  in a thickness direction of said second phase difference film have the following relations:
   5R 1 +16R 0 ≦3310 nm, 19R 1 +28R 0 ≦7330 nm, 0≦R 0 ≦400, 0≦R 1 ≦400 (except R 0 =R 1 =0).
 
 
 
     
     
       17. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
 
     
     
       18. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       19. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy is sandwiched between first and second substrates, said liquid crystal is aligned in a direction vertical to said first and second substrates when no voltage is applied to said liquid crystal, and at least one of said first and second substrates includes domain regulating means for regulating said liquid crystal to be oriented in a plurality of azimuths when a voltage is applied to said liquid crystal; 
 first and second polarizing plates placed on both sides of said liquid crystal panel; 
 a first phase difference film having a refractive index n y  in a direction parallel to an absorption axis of said first polarizing plate, a refractive index n x  in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a refractive index n z  in a thickness direction, the indices having the following relation: n x >n y =n z , said first phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said first polarizing plate; and 
 a second phase difference film, whose refractive indices n x  and n y  and refractive index n z  in a thickness direction thereof have the following relation: n x =n y ≧n z , said second phase difference film being placed in a space between said liquid crystal panel and said first phase difference film, 
 wherein an optical retardation R 0  in a thickness direction of said second phase difference film and inplane optical retardation R 1  of said first phase difference film have the following relation:
   8R 1 −13R 0 ≦1950 nm, 0≦R 0 ≦400, 0≦R 1 ≦400 (except R 0 =R 1 =0).
 
 
 
     
     
       20. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions, said first line portions being extended in a first direction, said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged approximately parallel to each other. 
 
     
     
       21. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein said domain regulating means includes first and second domain regulating means, and 
 wherein when vertically seen to the substrates, said first and second domain regulating means are arranged on said substrates so that said first domain regulating means substantially surrounds said second domain regulating means in the display areas of the pixels. 
 
     
     
       22. The liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are protrusions formed on an electrode. 
     
     
       23. The liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are depressions formed in an electrode. 
     
     
       24. The liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are slits formed in an electrode. 
     
     
       25. The liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are each zig-zag shaped. 
     
     
       26. The liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are connected via bend portions. 
     
     
       27. The liquid crystal display device of claim 24, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are connected via bend portions. 
     
     
       28. The liquid crystal display device of claim 2, further comprising a supplemental structure extending from at least one of the first line portions and the second line portions along an edge of a pixel of the liquid crystal display device. 
     
     
       29. The liquid crystal display device of claim 28, wherein said supplemental structure comprises a protrusion. 
     
     
       30. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the refractive indices n x , n y , and n z  of the phase difference film are characterized by n x >n y >n z . 
     
     
       31. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
       32. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises a plurality of slits in at least one electrode. 
     
     
       33. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one protrusion on the first substrate and at least one slit defined in an electrode on the second substrate. 
     
     
       34. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises: (a) protrusions on the first substrate, and/or (b) at least one slit defined in an electrode on the second substrate. 
     
     
       35. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one protrusion at least part of which is V-shaped as viewed from above. 
     
     
       36. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one zig-zag shaped protrusion. 
     
     
       37. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one substantially V-shaped slit in an electrode. 
     
     
       38. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein said domain regulating means includes first line portions and second line portions in a pixel,
 said first line portions being extended in a first direction,   said second line portions being extended in a second direction that is different from said first directions, and   neighboring ones of said first line portions being arranged on different substrates.   
     
     
       39. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein refractive indices n x , n y , and n z  of the phase difference film are characterized by n x >n y >n z . 
     
     
       40. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
       41. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises a plurality of slits in at least one electrode. 
     
     
       42. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one protrusion on the first substrate and at least one slit defined in an electrode on the second substrate. 
     
     
       43. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises: (a) protrusions on the first substrate, and/or (b) at least one slit defined in an electrode on the second substrate. 
     
     
       44. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one protrusion at least part of which is V-shaped as viewed from above. 
     
     
       45. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one zig-zag shaped protrusion. 
     
     
       46. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said domain regulating means comprises at least one substantially V-shaped slit in an electrode. 
     
     
       47. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said first line portions and second line portions are protrusions formed on an electrode. 
     
     
       48. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are depressions formed in an electrode. 
     
     
       49. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are slits formed in an electrode. 
     
     
       50. The liquid crystal display device of claim 49, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are connected via bend portions. 
     
     
       51. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are each zig-zag shaped. 
     
     
       52. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, wherein said first line portions and said second line portions are connected via bend portions. 
     
     
       53. The liquid crystal display device of claim 38, further comprising a supplemental structure extending from at least one of the first line portions and the second line portions along an edge of a pixel of the liquid crystal display device. 
     
     
       54. The liquid crystal display device of claim 53, wherein said supplemental structure comprises a protrusion.