JP2000081624A - Liquid crystal cell and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent generation of display unevenness in a liquid crystal cell utilizing liquid crystal with high viscosity at room temperature and other variety of liquid crystal by taking notice that filling of liquid crystal between two electrode substrates placed opposite to each other via a plurality of stripe shaped partitions is conducted along a longitudinal direction of each partition and that there are non-display regions between the two electrode substrates and constructing each partition so as to form air bubble holders in the non- display regions. SOLUTION: Both wall parts 41 of each partition 40 are formed along a longitudinal direction of both side parts of a corresponding metal electrodes 13 in a width direction. Furthermore a connecting wall part 42 of each partition 40 connects both right side edges of both wall parts 41 as shown by 41a in the figure and also is located on the outside of a display region 10a of both electrode substrates 10, 20. In this case, between the two electrode substrates 10, 20, between individual both wall parts 41 and between individual both connecting wall parts 42, an air bubble holder 43 in which air bubbles are retained by injecting smectic liquid crystal close to the connecting wall part 42 is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal cell using a liquid crystal having a high viscosity at room temperature, such as a smectic liquid crystal, and a method for producing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a liquid crystal cell of this type, a liquid crystal cell using a smectic liquid crystal such as an antiferroelectric liquid crystal has been proposed in order to meet demands for a wide viewing angle and high-speed response. Here, in this liquid crystal cell, as shown in FIG. 9, both electrode substrates 3 and 4 are overlapped via a band-shaped seal 1 and a plurality of striped partition walls 2 located on the inner peripheral side of the band-shaped seal 1. It is formed by filling a smectic liquid crystal between the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 through the liquid crystal inlet 1a of the strip-shaped seal 1 (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-369).
No. 30).

[0003]

In the above-mentioned liquid crystal cell, the plurality of partition walls 2 function as spacers. Therefore, the liquid crystal cell has a cell gap of 1
Even if it is as narrow as 2 to 2 μm, it is excellent in impact resistance, and therefore has an advantage that the smectic liquid crystal does not cause alignment disorder due to external force.

[0004] However, in the liquid crystal cell, the following problems occur. The filling of the smectic liquid crystal between the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 which are superposed as described above is performed by heating the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 in a vacuum and heating the electrode substrate 3 in the vicinity of the liquid crystal inlet 1a. While the smectic liquid crystal (see reference numeral 5 in FIG. 9) dropped on the substrate is softened, the outside of the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 is opened to the atmospheric pressure, and the smectic liquid crystal 5 is injected between the two electrode substrates 3 and 4. It is done by doing.

As described above, since the filling of the smectic liquid crystal 5 is performed in a heated state, a gas is generated between the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 due to the material for forming the two electrode substrates 3 and 4. In addition, due to the difference between the material for forming the plurality of partition walls 2 and the material for forming the alignment films of the two electrode substrates 3 and 4, the wettability between each partition wall 2 and the smectic liquid crystal 5 is determined. Large compared to the wettability between Further, a capillary phenomenon acts between the smectic liquid crystal 5 and each partition 2.

Therefore, when the space between the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 is filled with the smectic liquid crystal 5, the smectic liquid crystal 5 flows along the partition walls 2 in the longitudinal direction while pushing the gas.
Therefore, gas is likely to accumulate as bubbles 6 in the back region between the two electrode substrates 3 and 4 (the region opposite to the liquid crystal injection port 1a). Therefore, when the bubble 6 stays in the display area of the liquid crystal cell, the bubble 6 forms an unfilled area of the smectic liquid crystal 5 even in the display area of the liquid crystal cell, causing a problem that display unevenness is caused.

In order to cope with the above, the present invention provides a liquid crystal cell using a liquid crystal having a high viscosity at room temperature and other various liquid crystals, and a method of manufacturing the same, in which a plurality of liquid crystal cells are opposed via a plurality of stripe-shaped partition walls. Focusing on the fact that the liquid crystal is filled between the two electrode substrates along the longitudinal direction of each partition and that there is a non-display region between the two electrode substrates, a bubble reservoir is formed in the non-display region. It is an object of the present invention to devise the structure of each partition so as to prevent display unevenness from occurring.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal cell comprises two electrode substrates (10, 20) and a peripheral portion between the two electrode substrates. A band-shaped seal (20a) having a liquid crystal injection port (28) interposed therebetween, a plurality of partition walls (40) sandwiched between the two electrode substrates on the inner peripheral side of the seal, And a liquid crystal (30) filled through the liquid crystal injection port.

Each of the plurality of partition walls has a stripe-shaped partition wall portion (41) extending in parallel from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port, A connection wall (42) connected to each other at the liquid crystal injection port side end and located outside the display area (10a) of both electrode substrates, and between the two electrode substrates, both partition walls and the connection wall. And a bubble reservoir (43) formed by the above.

As described above, each partition is formed so as to have a bubble reservoir by both partition portions and the connecting wall portion located outside the display area on the liquid crystal injection port side, and each of these bubble reservoirs is formed by: When the liquid crystal is softened, gas generated from both electrode substrates and the like based on the material for forming the liquid crystal stays in the vicinity of the connecting wall as bubbles as the liquid crystal is filled. Therefore, even if an unfilled region of liquid crystal occurs in the vicinity of the connection wall in each bubble reservoir,
This unfilled area does not occur in the display area. As a result, in the display region of the liquid crystal cell, display unevenness due to unfilled liquid crystal due to bubbles does not occur.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal cell is interposed between the two electrode substrates (10, 20) at a peripheral portion between the two electrode substrates, and is provided with a liquid crystal injection port ( 2
8), and a plurality of partition walls (40) sandwiched between the two electrode substrates on the inner peripheral side of the seal.
B) and a liquid crystal (30) filled between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injection port.

Each of the plurality of partition walls has a stripe-shaped partition wall portion (41) extending in parallel from the liquid crystal injection port side to a portion of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port, A connection wall portion (46) connected to the liquid crystal injection port at an end opposite to the liquid crystal injection port and located outside the display area of the electrode substrates, and between the electrode substrate, the partition walls, and the connection wall portion; And a bubble reservoir (47) formed by the above.

As described above, each partition is formed so as to have a bubble reservoir by both the partition and the connecting wall located outside the display area on the side opposite to the liquid crystal injection port. The reservoir causes a gas generated from the electrode substrates and the like based on the forming material when the liquid crystal is softened to stay near the connecting wall as bubbles as the liquid crystal is filled. With this, the same operation and effect as those described in the first aspect can be achieved.

Here, according to the invention described in claim 3,
In the liquid crystal cell according to the second aspect, the plurality of partition walls are formed by connection at respective connection wall portions thereof. According to this,
Since the bubbles stay at each connecting wall portion connected to each other,
The operation and effect described in claim 2 can be further improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid crystal cell according to the first or second aspect, one (10) of the two electrode substrates is formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate (11). And the opaque metal electrodes (13) formed along the longitudinal direction on the surface of each transparent electrode, and the other electrode substrate (2).
0) incorporates a plurality of stripe-shaped transparent electrodes (25) intersecting the plurality of stripe-shaped transparent electrodes, and each partition wall is provided on each metal electrode at both partition portions along the longitudinal direction. Correspondingly, it is sandwiched between the two electrode substrates.

As described above, since each partition is located corresponding to each opaque metal electrode, each bubble reservoir is also located in the light-shielding region formed by each metal electrode. Therefore, even if the bubble reaches the display area, the bubble stays in the light-shielding area, so that the effect of the first or second aspect of the invention can be surely achieved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal cell is interposed between the two electrode substrates (10, 20) at a peripheral portion between the two electrode substrates and is provided with a liquid crystal injection port ( 2
8), and a plurality of partition walls (4) sandwiched between the two electrode substrates on the inner peripheral side of the seal.
0) and a liquid crystal (30) filled between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal inlet, and one of the two electrode substrates (10)
A plurality of stripe-shaped transparent electrodes (12) formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate (11) and extending from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port; Opaque metal electrodes (13) formed along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the other electrode substrate (20) has a plurality of striped transparent electrodes (25) intersecting the plurality of striped transparent electrodes. ) Built-in.

Each of the plurality of partition walls has a stripe-shaped partition wall portion (41) extending in parallel with each other along both widthwise edges of the surface of the metal electrode. Connecting walls (4
4), and a bubble reservoir (45) formed between the connecting wall portion and the portion of the both electrode substrates and the partition walls opposite to the liquid crystal injection port with respect to the connecting wall portion.

According to this, since each partition is located corresponding to each opaque metal electrode, each bubble reservoir is also located in the light shielding area formed by each metal electrode. Therefore, even if the air bubbles stay near the connecting wall portion in the air bubble reservoir, the air bubbles stay in the light shielding area.
The same operation and effect as the operation and effect of the invention described in (1) can be surely achieved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the seal (20a) is provided on one inner surface of the two electrode substrates (10, 20) so as to have a liquid crystal injection port (28). A seal forming step (S3) for forming a band along the
A partition forming step (S5) of forming a plurality of partitions (40) on the inner surface of the other electrode substrate; and a plurality of partitions on the inner peripheral side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port of the seal from the liquid crystal injection port side. A superposing step (S7) of superposing the two electrode substrates via a seal and a plurality of partition walls so as to extend toward the side, and a heating and pressurizing step of performing a heat and pressure treatment on the two electrode substrates after the superposing step (S8) After this heating and pressurizing step, both electrode substrates are heated in a vacuum state, and a liquid crystal (30) having a high viscosity at room temperature is dropped on one of the two electrode substrates near the liquid crystal injection port. A liquid crystal injection step (S9, S91 to S94) of injecting the softened liquid crystal between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injection port by setting the outside of both electrode substrates to atmospheric pressure. Manufacturing method Te, in the partition wall forming process,
The plurality of partition walls are both strip-shaped partition portions (41) extending parallel to each other from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port, and the partition walls are connected to the liquid crystal injection port. A connection wall (42), which is connected to each other at the side end and located outside the display area (10a) of both electrode substrates, is formed between the two electrode substrates, both partition walls, and the connection wall. A bubble reservoir (43) for retaining gas generated from both electrode substrates and the like based on the material for forming the liquid crystal during heating of the liquid crystal as bubbles along with the injection of the liquid crystal in the vicinity of the connecting wall portion; A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell is provided.

According to this, there is provided a manufacturing method suitable for manufacturing the first aspect of the present invention. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the seal (20a) is formed on the inner surface of one of the two electrode substrates (10, 20) along the outer peripheral portion so as to have the liquid crystal injection port (28). Forming a seal (S3), forming a plurality of partitions (40B) on the inner surface of the other electrode substrate (S5), and forming a plurality of partitions on the inner peripheral side of the seal by the liquid crystal injection. A superposing step (S7) of superposing the two electrode substrates via the seal and the plurality of partition walls so as to extend from the entrance side to the side of the seal opposite to the liquid crystal injection port; Heating and pressurizing step (S8), and after this heating and pressurizing step, both electrode substrates are heated in a vacuum state and a liquid crystal (30) having a high viscosity at room temperature is applied to both electrode substrates. Drops on one part near the liquid crystal injection port Liquid crystal injection step (S9, S91 to S94) of injecting the softened liquid crystal between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injection port with the outside of both electrode substrates in the atmospheric pressure state. In the above-mentioned partition wall forming step, in the partition wall forming step, the plurality of partition walls are both stripe-shaped partition wall portions (41) extending in parallel from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port. ), These connecting walls are connected to each other at the end opposite to the liquid crystal injection port, and a connecting wall (46) located outside the display area of both electrode substrates; This is a bubble reservoir formed between the partition wall and the connecting wall, and a gas generated from both electrode substrates and the like based on the forming material when the liquid crystal is heated stays in the vicinity of the connecting wall as bubbles as the liquid crystal is injected. That the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell formed to include a bubble reservoir (47) is provided.

According to this, a production method suitable for the production of the invention described in claim 2 is provided.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
A description will be given based on FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a liquid crystal cell according to the present invention. This liquid crystal cell is
A lower electrode substrate 10 and an upper electrode substrate 20 are provided. A smectic liquid crystal 30 is provided between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 on the inner peripheral side of the band-shaped seal 20a by a plurality of U-shaped partition walls. 40 are provided.

As the smectic liquid crystal 30, a ferroelectric liquid crystal or an antiferroelectric liquid crystal is used. Further, a liquid crystal having a viscosity characteristic similar to that of the smectic liquid crystal 30, that is, a liquid crystal having a high viscosity at room temperature is converted to a smectic liquid crystal 3.
It may be used instead of 0. The lower electrode substrate 10 is formed by sequentially forming a plurality of striped transparent electrodes 12, a plurality of striped opaque metal electrodes 13, a transparent insulating film 14, and a transparent alignment film 15 on the inner surface of a transparent substrate 11. Have been.

Here, each metal electrode 13 is formed along the longitudinal direction on the surface (side surface of the smectic liquid crystal 30) of the corresponding transparent electrode 12 at the center in the width direction. Thereby, each metal electrode 13 reduces the internal resistance of each corresponding transparent electrode 12. The material for forming each metal electrode 13 is as follows:
In addition to an opaque metal such as aluminum or chrome, a resin such as a black resist may be used as long as it has a light shielding property.

On the other hand, the upper electrode substrate 20 is
A plurality of stripe-shaped color filter layers 22 on the inner surface of
A plurality of striped black mask layers 23, an overcoat layer 24, a plurality of striped transparent electrodes 25, a transparent insulating film 26, and an alignment film 27 are sequentially formed. Here, the color filter layers 22 and the black mask layers 23 are alternately formed along the inner surface of the transparent substrate 21 in parallel with each other. Further, each transparent electrode 25 is connected to the corresponding color filter layer 2 via the overcoat layer 24.
2 and extends along the color filter layer 22.

The plurality of transparent electrodes 25 are arranged so as to extend at right angles to the plurality of transparent electrodes 12, and together with the smectic liquid crystal 30, constitute a plurality of matrix-shaped pixels. In the present embodiment, the display area of the liquid crystal cell is formed on the inner peripheral side of the seal 20, as indicated by reference numeral 10a in FIG. Therefore, the seal 20 and the display area 10a
A non-display area outside the display area 10a of the liquid crystal cell (referred to as an outer non-display area) is formed between the annular areas. In the liquid crystal cell, regions corresponding to the metal electrodes 13 and the black mask layers 23 in the display region 10a in FIG. Hereinafter, the light shielding area corresponding to each metal electrode 13 is the first
Of the black mask layer 2
The light shielding area corresponding to No. 3 is called a second inner non-display area.

Therefore, the plurality of matrix-shaped pixels correspond to areas other than the first and second inner non-display areas in the display area 10a. The smectic liquid crystal 30 is filled between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 through a liquid crystal injection port 28 which is an opening of the seal 20a. Multiple partitions 4
Each of the reference numerals 0 is composed of both stripe-shaped partition walls 41 and a connecting wall 42 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both stripe-shaped partition portions 41 are formed on the surface of the alignment film 15 along the longitudinal direction of the width-direction side portions 13 a of the corresponding metal electrode 13 for each partition 40. I have. In addition, for each partition 40, the connecting wall 42
The two stripe-shaped partition portions 41 are formed on the surface of the alignment film 15 so as to connect both right end portions 41a shown in FIG.

As a result, each partition 40 is tightly held between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20, and a bubble is formed between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20, both the stripe-shaped partition 41 and the connecting wall 42. The reservoir 43 is formed, the distance between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 is kept uniform, and the seismic and impact resistance of the liquid crystal cell is enhanced. Here, in each partition 40, both right end portions 41a of both partition portions 41 are provided.
The other part is located in the display area 10a,
Among them, the right end portions 41a and the connecting wall portion 42 are located in the right side area shown in FIG. 1 of the outer non-display area. Next, FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the upper electrode substrate forming step S1 of FIG. 4, the upper electrode substrate 20 having the above structure is formed, and in the rubbing step S2, a rubbing process is performed on the inner surface of the alignment film 27 of the upper electrode substrate 20. After that, the seal printing process S3
In the above, a thermosetting resin is printed in a U-shape on the inner surface peripheral portion of the upper electrode substrate 20 to form a seal 20a. At this time, a liquid crystal injection port 28 is also formed.

On the other hand, in the lower electrode substrate forming step S4, the lower electrode substrate 10 having the above structure is formed. Then
In the partition forming step S5, a plurality of stripe-shaped partitions 40 are formed on the inner surface of the lower electrode substrate 10 and the inner surface of the alignment film 15 as follows. That is, an acrylic photoresist material is coated on the inner surface of the lower electrode substrate 10 with the alignment film 1.
A photoresist film is formed on the entire surface including the inner surface of No. 5. Then, this photoresist film is formed into a predetermined pattern (a plurality of stripe-shaped partition walls 4) by photolithography.
(Pattern corresponding to 0) is exposed and developed to form a plurality of barrier ribs 40 on the inner surface of the alignment film 15 and the lower electrode substrate 1.
0 is formed on the inner surface.

The photoresist material is not limited to the acrylic type, but may be a phenol type or a polyimide type. Further, the formation of each partition wall 40 may be performed by using a photo-curable resin and performing a patterning process by irradiating the photo-curable resin with ultraviolet rays. After that, the rubbing step S
In 6, a rubbing treatment is performed on the inner surface of the alignment film 15 of the lower electrode substrate 10.

Then, in the next superposition step S7, the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 are superposed via the seal 20a and the plurality of partition walls 40. In this case, both alignment films 1
The two electrode substrates 10 and 20 are overlapped so that the respective alignment directions of 5 and 27 are parallel to the longitudinal direction of both partition portions 41 of each partition 40. Next, the processing in the heating and pressing step S8 is performed as follows.

The two electrode substrates 1 superposed as described above
After arranging 0 and 20 in the heating and pressing device 60 as shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the heating and pressing device 60 is heated by a heater. Thereafter, the nitrogen gas N2 is pressure-fed from the gas supply pipe 63 into an airbag 62 (made of silicon rubber) provided on the inner surface of the upper wall 61 of the heating and pressurizing device 60. As a result, the airbag 62 is inflated and the two electrode substrates 10, 2
0 is uniformly pressed on the mounting plate 64. At this time, the pressure was 0.9 kg / cm ² , the heating temperature was 190 ° C., and the electrode substrates 10 and 20 were held for 60 minutes in these states. Then, the heating and pressurizing device 60 is gradually cooled.
Was returned to room temperature and normal pressure.

With the processing in the heating and pressing step S8 as described above, each partition 40 is crushed and its height (both electrode substrates 1
(Corresponding to an interval of 0, 20) is from about 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm.
It was crushed by 2 μm. Accordingly, the two electrode substrates 10, 20
Became about 1.7 μm. Next, a liquid crystal injection step S
The processing of No. 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The vacuum processing step S9 of the liquid crystal injection step S9
In 1, the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 that have been subjected to the heating and pressurizing step S8 as described above are housed in a vacuum vessel, and the pressure inside the vacuum vessel is reduced for about 2 hours. Thereby, the pressure between the electrode substrates 10 and 20 is similarly reduced. Next, in the heating step S92, the two electrode substrates 1
Heat 0,20 to about 120 ° C. In such a state, in the next dropping step S93, a smectic liquid crystal is dropped on a portion of the electrode substrate 10 near the liquid crystal injection port 28. Accordingly, the smectic liquid crystal softens and closes the liquid crystal injection port 28 of the seal 20a.

In such a state, the atmospheric pressure processing step S9
In 4, the inside of the vacuum vessel is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and this atmospheric pressure state is maintained for 12 hours. At this stage, a smectic liquid crystal is applied between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 by a liquid crystal of a seal 20a between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 according to a pressure difference generated between the region between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 and the outside of the two electrode substrates 10 and 20. Inlet 28
Is aspirated and injected. This completes the filling of the smectic liquid crystal.

Thereafter, in a sealing step S10, the liquid crystal injection port 28 of the seal 20a is sealed. Thus, the manufacture of the liquid crystal cell ends. By the way, with the heat treatment in the heating step S92 as described above, both electrode substrates 10, 2
Gas is generated between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 from the seal 20 a and the partition walls 40 due to the material of the formation.

Also, due to the difference in the forming material between each partition 40 and each alignment film 15, 27, each partition 40
Between the alignment film 15 and the smectic liquid crystal.
It is very large in comparison with the wettability between 7 and the smectic liquid crystal. In addition, a capillary phenomenon acts between the smectic liquid crystal and each partition 40. For this reason, as described above, the smectic liquid crystal injected from the liquid crystal injection port 28 between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 in the process of the atmospheric pressure processing step S94 flows along the outer surfaces of the two partition portions 41 of each partition 40. The gas flows while pushing the gas as bubbles in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 5).

Accordingly, when the smectic liquid crystal reaches the end of each partition 40 opposite to the liquid crystal injection port 28 while pushing the bubble, the smectic liquid crystal disperses each bubble into the bubble reservoir of each partition 40. The liquid flows into each of the bubble reservoirs 43 while being pushed into the bubble reservoirs 43. For this reason, each bubble stays in a portion near the inner surface of the connection wall 42 in the bubble reservoir 43 of each partition 40.

Here, the connecting wall 42 of each bubble reservoir 43
Is located in the outer non-display area outside the display area 10a. Moreover, each bubble reservoir 4
3 are located corresponding to the surface of each corresponding metal electrode 13. Therefore, as described above, even when an unfilled area of the smectic liquid crystal is generated in the vicinity of the inner surface of the connection wall 42 due to the bubble remaining in the vicinity of the inner surface of the connection wall 42 in the bubble reservoir 43 of each partition 40 as described above. This unfilled area does not occur in the display area 10a. As a result, the display area 10a of the liquid crystal cell
In this case, display unevenness due to unfilled smectic liquid crystal due to bubbles does not occur.

FIG. 6 shows a first modification of the above embodiment. In the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the stripe-shaped partitions 40A is provided on each of the metal electrodes 13 on the inner surface of the alignment film 15 instead of each of the partitions 40 described in the above embodiment. Correspondingly formed along its longitudinal direction. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each partition 40 </ b> A additionally has a connecting wall portion 44 between each longitudinally intermediate portion of both stripe-shaped partition portions 41 in the partition 40 described in the above embodiment. It has a configuration.

Thus, each partition 40A is
The two electrode substrates 10 and 20 are tightly sandwiched between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20, and the left side portion and the connection wall portion 4 in FIG.
4, a bubble reservoir 45 (hereinafter referred to as a left bubble reservoir 45) is formed, the distance between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 is kept uniform, and the shock resistance and shock resistance of the liquid crystal cell are enhanced. Other configurations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal cell thus configured will be described. In the partition forming step S5 described in the above embodiment, each partition 40A is replaced with each partition 40, and the same formation as each partition 40 is performed. It is formed on the inner surface of the lower electrode substrate 10 and the inner surface of the alignment film 15 by a material and a forming method. Other manufacturing steps are substantially the same as the above embodiment.

By the way, also in this modification, due to the heat treatment in the heating step S92 as described above, gas is generated from both electrode substrates 10, 20, the seal 20a and each partition 40A due to the material for forming the two electrode substrates. Occurs between 10 and 20. Also, due to the difference in the forming material between each partition 40A and each of the alignment films 15 and 27, these partition 40A
Between the alignment film 15 and the smectic liquid crystal.
It is very large in comparison with the wettability between 7 and the smectic liquid crystal. In addition, a capillary phenomenon acts between the smectic liquid crystal and each partition 40A.

For this reason, the smectic liquid crystal injected from the liquid crystal injection port 28 between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 in the above-mentioned atmospheric pressure processing step S94 in the present modified example is applied to both the partition portions 41 of each partition 40A. The gas flows along the outer surface while pushing the gas as bubbles in the longitudinal direction. Along with this,
While the smectic liquid crystal is pushing the bubbles, each partition 4
When it reaches the end opposite to the liquid crystal injection port 28 in 0A,
The smectic liquid crystal flows into each left bubble reservoir 45 while pushing each bubble into the left bubble reservoir 45 of each partition 40A.

Therefore, each bubble stays in the bubble reservoir 45 of each partition 40 in a portion of the connecting wall 44 near the left side in FIG. 6. Here, each left bubble reservoir 45
Are located corresponding to the surface of each corresponding metal electrode 13, so that each left bubble reservoir 45 is located in the first inside non-display area. Therefore, as described above, bubbles are generated in each partition 40.
Even if an unfilled area of the smectic liquid crystal is generated in the vicinity of the connecting wall 44 in the vicinity of the connecting wall 44 in the left bubble reservoir 45 of FIG.
a in the first inside non-display area.
As a result, in the original display area (area other than the first and second inner non-display areas) in the display area 10a of the liquid crystal cell, display unevenness due to unfilled smectic liquid crystal due to bubbles does not occur. Absent.

In the first modification, the connecting wall 42 may be omitted. In this case, each partition 40A
6, a bubble reservoir (hereinafter referred to as a right bubble reservoir) is formed on the right side of the connecting wall portion 44 in FIG. 6, and the smectic liquid crystal is also contained in the right bubble reservoir. The right bubble reservoir is in the first inside non-display area and the outside non-display area. Therefore, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the first modification can be achieved.

FIG. 7 shows a second modification of the above embodiment. In the second modification, each partition 40B is formed along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of the alignment film 15 so as to correspond to each metal electrode 13 instead of each partition 40 described in the above embodiment. I have. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the partition walls 40 </ b> B is different from the partition wall 40 described in the above embodiment in that the connecting wall portion 42 is replaced with the both-striped partition wall portion 4.
1, a connecting wall 46 is formed between the left ends of the drawings, and the connecting wall 42 is eliminated.

Thus, each partition 40B is
The air bubbles 47 are formed between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 in close contact with each other to form a bubble reservoir 47 between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20, the respective striped partition walls 41 and the connecting wall portions 46. Is maintained uniformly, and the shock resistance and shock resistance of the liquid crystal cell are enhanced. However, the left end portions and the connecting wall portions 46 of both partition portions 41 in each partition 40B shown in FIG. 7 are located in the left portion shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

The method of manufacturing the liquid crystal cell thus configured will be described. In the partition forming step S5 described in the above embodiment, each partition 40B is replaced with each partition 40 in the same manner as each partition 40. It is formed on the inner surface of the lower electrode substrate 10 and the inner surface of the alignment film 15 by a material and a forming method. Other manufacturing steps are substantially the same as the above embodiment.

By the way, also in the second modified example, due to the heat treatment in the heating step S92 as described above, gas is generated from both the electrode substrates 10, 20, the seal 20a, and each partition 40B due to the material for forming the same. It occurs between the electrode substrates 10 and 20. Also, each partition 40B and each alignment film 15, 27
Due to the difference of each forming material between
OB and the smectic liquid crystal have a wettability of each alignment film 1
It is very large in comparison with the wettability between 5, 27 and the smectic liquid crystal. Moreover, the smectic liquid crystal and each partition 40B
Capillary action acts between them.

Therefore, the smectic liquid crystal injected from the liquid crystal injection port 28 between the two electrode substrates 10 and 20 in the above-described atmospheric pressure processing step S94 in the second modified example is as follows.
The gas flows into the bubble reservoir 47 of each partition 40B having the connecting wall portion 46 while pressing the gas, and both the partition portions 41B
The gas flows along the outer surface of the device while pushing the gas as bubbles in the longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, the bubbles pushed by the smectic liquid crystal into each of the bubble reservoirs 47 have a corresponding shape.
7 and stays in the vicinity of each connecting wall 46. Here, as described above, each bubble reservoir 47 is located in the left side portion in FIG. 7 of the outside non-display area. Therefore, as described above, the bubbles are stored in the bubble reservoir 4 of each partition 40B.
By staying in the vicinity of the connecting wall portion 46 in the inside 7,
Even if an unfilled area of smectic liquid crystal is generated in the vicinity, the unfilled area does not occur in the display area 10a of the liquid crystal cell. Further, even if bubbles remain in each of the bubble reservoirs 47, since these bubble reservoirs 47 are located on the metal wiring 13, these bubbles are not visible.

As a result, in the display area 10a of the liquid crystal cell, there is no display unevenness due to unfilled smectic liquid crystal due to bubbles. Here, as described above, the bubbles that are pushed and moved by the smectic liquid crystal that flows along the outer surfaces of both the partition portions 41 of each of the partition walls 40B are located outside the respective bubble reservoirs 47. The bubbles are reduced by the amount of bubbles staying in each of the bubble reservoirs 47. As a result, an unfilled area of the smectic liquid crystal is not generated in the display area 10a of the liquid crystal cell.

In the second modified example, each partition 4
When the connecting wall portions 46 of 0B are connected to each other and formed as a connecting wall as shown by reference numeral 46a in FIG.
As described in the second modification, the air bubbles which are pushed and moved by the smectic liquid crystal flowing along the outer surfaces of both the partition walls 41 of each of the partition walls 40B also have a connection wall 4 between each of the partition walls 40B.
6a.

Therefore, the operation and effect of the second modification can be further improved. In practicing the present invention, the liquid crystal cell may be a liquid crystal cell that does not use a color filter layer. Further, in implementing the present invention, in the above embodiment and each of the modifications shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, even if the metal electrodes 13 are abolished, the same operation and effects as those of the above embodiments and each of the modifications are achieved. it can.

Further, in the practice of the present invention, the liquid crystal is not limited to the smectic liquid crystal but may be a liquid crystal having a viscosity characteristic with respect to temperature similarly to the smectic liquid crystal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a liquid crystal cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a process chart showing a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal cell of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a detailed process diagram of a liquid crystal injection process of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a flow state of smectic liquid crystal and bubbles in a liquid crystal injection step of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a lower electrode substrate showing a first modification of the above embodiment, viewed from a smectic liquid crystal side.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a second modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a modification example of the modification example of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a conventional liquid crystal cell.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20: electrode substrate, 10a: display area, 20a: seal, 40, 40A, 40B: partition, 41: partition, 4
2, 46: connecting wall portion, 43, 45, 47: bubble reservoir, S
3: seal printing step, S5: partition forming step, S7: overlapping step, S8: heating / pressing step, S9: liquid crystal injection step, S91: vacuum processing step, S92: heating step, S93
... Drip step, S94 ... Atmospheric pressure treatment step.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takahisa Kaneko 1-1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi F-term in Denso Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H088 EA02 FA03 FA04 FA10 FA20 GA04 HA02 HA04 JA17 JA20 KA02 MA04 MA18 2H089 HA10 HA15 JA11 KA01 LA04 LA09 LA11 LA14 LA16 LA18 LA22 LA28 LA33 LA41 MA04X NA14 NA25 NA28 NA30 NA31 NA45 NA48 QA03 QA16 RA13 RA14 SA01 TA02 TA13 2H090 HA03 JA03 JA05 JC11 KA14 KA15 LA01 LA02 LA03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A band-shaped seal (20a) having a liquid crystal injection port (28) interposed between the two electrode substrates (10, 20) at a peripheral portion between the two electrode substrates (10, 20). A liquid crystal cell comprising: a plurality of partition walls (40) sandwiched between the two electrode substrates on a peripheral side; and a liquid crystal (30) filled between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injection port. The plurality of partition walls are both stripe-shaped partition portions (41) extending in parallel from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal opposite to the liquid crystal injection port, and these both partition portions are formed of the liquid crystal. The display area (10a) of the two electrode substrates connected to each other at the inlet side end.
A liquid crystal cell comprising: a connection wall portion (42) located outside of the device; and a bubble reservoir (43) formed between the electrode substrates, the partition walls, and the connection wall portion. 2. A band-shaped seal (20a) having a liquid crystal injection port (28) interposed between the two electrode substrates (10, 20) at a peripheral portion between the two electrode substrates (10, 20). A liquid crystal cell comprising: a plurality of partition walls (40B) sandwiched between the two electrode substrates on a peripheral side; and a liquid crystal (30) filled between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injection port. The plurality of partition walls are both stripe-shaped partition portions (41) extending in parallel from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal opposite to the liquid crystal injection port, and these both partition portions are formed of the liquid crystal. A connection wall (46) connected to each other at an end opposite to the injection port and located outside a display area of the two electrode substrates; and a connection wall (46) of the two electrode substrates, the two partition walls, and the connection wall. The bubble reservoir formed between them ( 7) and a liquid crystal cell with a. 3. The liquid crystal cell according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of partition walls are connected to each other at respective connecting wall portions. 4. One of the two electrode substrates (10) has a plurality of stripe-shaped transparent electrodes (12) formed on the inner surface of a transparent substrate (11) and a surface of each of these transparent electrodes extending along the longitudinal direction thereof. Each of the formed opaque metal electrodes (13) has a built-in structure. The other electrode substrate (20) has a plurality of striped transparent electrodes (25) intersecting the plurality of striped transparent electrodes. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the partition walls is sandwiched between the two electrode substrates so as to correspond to each of the metal electrodes in a longitudinal direction thereof at both partition portions. 4. The liquid crystal cell of the above. 5. A band-shaped seal (20a) having a liquid crystal injection port (28) interposed between the two electrode substrates (10, 20) at the peripheral portion between the two electrode substrates (10, 20). A plurality of partition walls (40) sandwiched between the two electrode substrates on a peripheral side; and a liquid crystal (30) filled between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injection port, and one of the two electrode substrates is provided. (10) a plurality of striped transparent electrodes (12) formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate (11) and extending from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port; An opaque metal electrode (13) formed on the surface of each transparent electrode along the longitudinal direction is built therein, and the other electrode substrate (20) has a plurality of stripes located crossing the plurality of stripe-shaped transparent electrodes. Inside the transparent electrode (25) A plurality of partition walls, each of the plurality of partition walls having a stripe shape extending in parallel with each other along both widthwise edges of the surface of the metal electrode; A connecting wall portion (44) interconnecting the liquid crystal injection ports at respective longitudinally intermediate portions thereof; a portion of the electrode substrate and the partition walls opposite to the liquid crystal inlet from the connecting wall portion; A liquid crystal cell comprising a bubble reservoir (45) formed between the walls. 6. A seal (20a) is attached to a liquid crystal injection port (2).
8), a seal forming step (S3) of forming a band along the outer peripheral portion on one inner surface of both electrode substrates (10, 20), and a plurality of partition walls ( 40) forming a partition wall (S5); and forming the plurality of partition walls on the inner peripheral side of the seal from the liquid crystal injection port side to a portion of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port. A superposition step (S7) of superposing the two electrode substrates via the seal and the plurality of partition walls; and a heating and pressurizing step (S8) of performing a heat and pressure treatment on the two electrode substrates after the superposition step. After the heating and pressurizing step, the two electrode substrates are heated in a vacuum state, and a liquid crystal (30) having a high viscosity at room temperature is dropped on one of the two electrode substrates in the vicinity of the liquid crystal injection port to be softened. And then both A liquid crystal injecting step of injecting the softened liquid crystal between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injecting port with the outside of the electrode substrate at atmospheric pressure (S9, S91)
To S94), wherein in the partition wall forming step, the plurality of partition walls are respectively parallel to each other from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port. Extending stripe-shaped partition walls (41), and connecting these partition walls to each other at an end of the liquid crystal injection port, and connecting the partition walls outside the display area (10a) of the electrode substrates. A bubble reservoir formed between the wall portion (42), the two electrode substrates, the two partition walls, and the connecting wall portion, and is generated from the two electrode substrates and the like based on the material formed when the liquid crystal is heated. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell, comprising: a bubble reservoir (43) for retaining gas as bubbles in the vicinity of the connecting wall portion with the injection of the liquid crystal. 7. A seal (20a) is attached to a liquid crystal injection port (2).
8), a seal forming step (S3) of forming a band along the outer peripheral portion on one inner surface of both electrode substrates (10, 20), and a plurality of partition walls ( 40B) forming a partition (S5); and forming the plurality of partitions on the inner peripheral side of the seal from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port. A superposition step (S7) of superposing the two electrode substrates via the seal and the plurality of partition walls; and a heating and pressurizing step (S8) of performing a heat and pressure treatment on the two electrode substrates after the superposition step. After the heating and pressurizing step, the two electrode substrates are heated in a vacuum state, and a liquid crystal (30) having a high viscosity at room temperature is dropped on one of the two electrode substrates in the vicinity of the liquid crystal injection port to be softened. And then A liquid crystal injecting step of injecting the softened liquid crystal between the two electrode substrates through the liquid crystal injecting port with the outsides of both electrode substrates at atmospheric pressure (S9, S91)
To S94), wherein in the partition wall forming step, the plurality of partition walls are respectively parallel to each other from the liquid crystal injection port side to the side of the seal facing the liquid crystal injection port. Extending stripe-shaped partition walls (41), connecting the partition walls to each other at an end opposite to the liquid crystal injection port, and connecting the partition walls outside the display area of the electrode substrates. A bubble reservoir formed between a wall portion (46), the two electrode substrates, the two partition portions, and the connecting wall portion, and is generated from the two electrode substrates and the like at the time of heating the liquid crystal based on the material formed. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell, comprising: a bubble reservoir (47) for retaining gas as bubbles in the vicinity of the connection wall portion with the injection of the liquid crystal.