JP2017037211A - Liquid crystal panel - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to achieve both high aperture ratio and color balance adjustment in a liquid crystal panel.
A CF substrate includes a light shielding region having a plurality of openings and an RGB color filter disposed in the openings. The light-shielding region 125 is an area-adjusted light-shielding region 125A that protrudes from the basic light-shielding region toward the opening side and reduces the opening area of the opening with respect to each of the basic light-shielding region having a constant width and at least the R opening and the B opening. With. The area of the area adjustment light shielding region 125A with respect to the B opening is larger than the area of the area adjustment light shielding region 125A with respect to the R opening, and the columnar spacers are on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the B opening and on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the R opening. The arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the B opening is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the R opening.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to the arrangement of columnar spacers in a liquid crystal panel.

  The liquid crystal panel includes a TFT array substrate (hereinafter referred to as “TFT substrate”) including TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) arranged in an array and pixel electrodes, and a color filter substrate (hereinafter referred to as “CF”) that includes a color filter. Substrate ") and a liquid crystal composition (liquid crystal material) sandwiched between the pair of substrates. As a method for keeping the distance between the pair of substrates constant, a method of forming a columnar spacer (post spacer: PS) at a predetermined position on the TFT substrate or the CF substrate by a photolithography process is widely used. In general, alignment anomalies are likely to occur in the vicinity of the columnar spacers, and light leakage occurs to cause a decrease in contrast. Therefore, the columnar spacers are included in the light shielding region (black matrix (BM) formation region) including the vicinity thereof. Be placed.

  In recent years, liquid crystal panels are often designed with a higher ratio of pixel aperture regions due to the trend toward lower power consumption (higher aperture ratio). In particular, recently, since the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal panel has been increased, the light shielding region shielded by the light shielding layer disposed on the CF substrate has been minimized to the limit. In addition, with the trend toward higher definition of display images, the pixel size is often designed to be small. In such a product, the columnar spacer provided in the light-shielding region of the CF substrate also has a small formation region (that is, the size in the plane direction. If the columnar spacer is cylindrical, the diameter of the circular cross section) is reduced to some extent. Need to design.

  For this reason, many designs have been adopted in which small-sized columnar spacers are arranged at a high ratio per a plurality of pixels, but it is still difficult to secure a desired holding area necessary for the entire panel.

  On the other hand, the demand for color balance (chromaticity) to obtain high display quality is increasing at the same time as the demand for low power consumption in recent liquid crystal panels, and chromaticity adjustment at a high level is necessary. It is. For this reason, the design of the light-shielding region in which the columnar spacers are arranged has increased restrictions and has become more complicated.

  With regard to the design of such columnar spacers and light shielding regions, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that columnar spacers having different diameters and heights are arranged in the light shielding regions.

JP 2008-158138 A

  However, since the liquid crystal panel disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not particularly designed in consideration of a high aperture ratio and chromaticity adjustment, the width of the light shielding region is set to a relatively wide light shielding region having a constant width. Irrespective of the columnar spacers. For this reason, it has not been possible to achieve both high aperture ratio and color balance adjustment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal panel capable of achieving both high aperture ratio and color balance adjustment.

  The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes a color filter substrate, a TFT substrate disposed opposite to the color filter substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the color filter substrate and the TFT substrate, a color filter substrate and a TFT substrate, The color filter substrate includes a light-shielding region having a plurality of openings, and an RGB color filter disposed in the openings. The light shielding area includes a basic light shielding area having a constant width, at least an R opening that is an opening in which an R color filter is disposed, and a B opening that is an opening in which a B color filter is disposed. And an area adjustment light-shielding region that protrudes from the basic light-shielding region toward the opening to reduce the opening area of the opening, and the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region with respect to the B opening corresponds to the R opening. The columnar spacer is disposed on the light shielding region with respect to the B opening and on the light shielding region with respect to the R opening, and the columnar spacer disposed on the light shielding region with respect to the B opening. The arrangement area is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the R opening.

  The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes a color filter substrate, a TFT substrate disposed opposite to the color filter substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the color filter substrate and the TFT substrate, a color filter substrate and a TFT substrate, The color filter substrate includes a light-shielding region having a plurality of openings, and an RGB color filter disposed in the openings. The light shielding area includes a basic light shielding area having a constant width, at least an R opening that is an opening in which an R color filter is disposed, and a B opening that is an opening in which a B color filter is disposed. And an area adjustment light-shielding region that protrudes from the basic light-shielding region toward the opening to reduce the opening area of the opening, and the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region with respect to the B opening corresponds to the R opening. The columnar spacer is disposed on the light shielding region with respect to the B opening and on the light shielding region with respect to the R opening, and the columnar spacer disposed on the light shielding region with respect to the B opening. The arrangement area is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the R opening. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both high aperture ratio and color balance adjustment.

3 is a plan view of the liquid crystal panel according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a main part of the liquid crystal panel according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a liquid crystal panel according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a liquid crystal panel according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a liquid crystal panel according to Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the assembly process of the liquid crystal panel of this invention.

  For the sake of clarity, duplicate explanation is omitted as necessary. In addition, what attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure has shown the same element, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Also, the drawings are schematic and do not reflect the exact size of the components shown. Further, omission of parts other than the main part of the invention and simplification of a part of the configuration are appropriately performed so that the drawings are not complicated.

<A. Embodiment 1>
<A-1. Overall configuration>
The overall configuration of the liquid crystal panel 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the liquid crystal panel 10, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG.

  Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal operation mode is a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode and a thin film transistor (TFT) is used as a switching element.

  The liquid crystal panel 10 includes a TFT array substrate (TFT substrate) 110, a color filter substrate (CF substrate) 120, a liquid crystal layer 130 sandwiched between both substrates, and a seal pattern 133 that seals the liquid crystal layer.

  The TFT substrate 110 is an array substrate in which switching elements such as TFTs and pixel electrodes are arranged in an array. The CF substrate 120 is a counter substrate disposed to face the TFT substrate 110. The seal pattern 133 is provided on the outer edge of the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 in a closed loop shape in contact with both. The material of the seal pattern 133 is a photocurable sealing agent (photocurable resin) mixed with conductive particles.

  A liquid crystal layer 130 is formed in a region sandwiched between the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 and surrounded by the seal pattern 133. Although the detail of the formation method of the liquid crystal layer 130 is mentioned later, it manufactures with a dripping injection | pouring (ODF: One Drop Filling) system. In the drop injection method, the liquid crystal is disposed as a plurality of droplets on the surface of one of the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 and then sandwiched between the substrates so as to be sealed in an area surrounded by the seal pattern 133. Stopped.

  Therefore, the seal pattern 133 is not formed with an injection port which is an opening for injecting liquid crystal unlike a liquid crystal panel manufactured by a vacuum injection method, and is sealed for sealing the injection port separately. It has structural features such as no material.

  In FIG. 1, in order to illustrate the configuration of the TFT substrate 110 disposed below the CF substrate 120, the CF substrate 120 is illustrated only in a part on the left side in the drawing, and in other regions, the CF substrate 120 is illustrated. The TFT substrate 110 is illustrated by omitting the illustration of FIG. Actually, the CF substrate 120 is provided up to a region indicated by a dotted line 120d in the drawing outside the region surrounded by the seal pattern 133.

  In FIG. 1, the inside of the seal pattern 133 is surrounded by a dotted line, and the inside of the dotted line is shown as a display area 100 and the outside is shown as a frame area 101. In the present specification, the display area 100 and the frame area 101 indicate not only the TFT substrate 110 of the liquid crystal panel 10 but also the CF substrate 120 and also an area sandwiched between the two substrates.

  Next, the configuration of the TFT substrate 110 will be described. The TFT substrate 110 includes a glass substrate 111, an alignment film 112, a pixel electrode 113, a TFT 114, an insulating film 115, a gate wiring 118g, a source wiring 118s, a terminal 116, a transfer electrode (not shown), a peripheral wiring (not shown), and A polarizing plate 131 is provided.

  The alignment film 112 aligns liquid crystal on one surface of the glass substrate 111 which is a transparent substrate. The pixel electrode 113 is provided below the alignment film 112 in FIG. 2 and applies a voltage for driving the liquid crystal. The TFT 114 is a switching element that supplies a voltage to the pixel electrode 113. The insulating film 115 covers the TFT 114. A plurality of gate wirings 118g and source wirings 118s are provided and supply signals to the TFTs 114. The terminal 116 receives a signal supplied to the TFT 114 from the outside. The transfer electrode transmits the signal input from the terminal 116 to the CF substrate 120 side. The peripheral wiring transmits a signal input from the terminal 116 to the gate wiring 118g, the source wiring 118s, and the transfer electrode. The polarizing plate 131 is provided on the surface of the glass substrate 111 opposite to the liquid crystal layer 130.

  In the display region 100 on the TFT substrate 110, the TFTs 114 are provided in the vicinity of the intersections of the gate wirings 118g and the source wirings 118s provided in a plurality of rows and columns. The pixel electrodes 113 are arranged in a matrix in each pixel region surrounded by the gate wiring 118g and the source wiring 118s. The terminal 116, the transfer electrode, and the peripheral wiring are formed in the frame region 101.

  Next, the configuration of the CF substrate 120 will be described. The CF substrate 120 includes a glass substrate 121, an alignment film 122, a common electrode 123, color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B, a light shielding region 125, and a polarizing plate 132.

  The glass substrate 121 is a transparent substrate. The alignment film 122 aligns the liquid crystal on one surface of the glass substrate 121. The common electrode 123 is disposed above the alignment film 122 in FIG. 2, and generates an electric field between the pixel electrode 113 on the TFT substrate 110 and drives the liquid crystal. The color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B are provided above the common electrode 123 in FIG. Here, the color filter 124R represents a red color filter, the color filter 124G represents a green color filter, and the color filter 124B represents a blue color filter. The light shielding region 125 is a black matrix (BM) that shields light between the color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B and the frame region 101. The polarizing plate 132 is provided on the other surface of the glass substrate 121, that is, the surface opposite to the surface with respect to the liquid crystal layer 130.

  The transfer electrode of the TFT substrate 110 and the common electrode 123 of the CF substrate 120 are electrically connected by conductive particles mixed in the seal pattern 133, and a signal input from the terminal 116 is transmitted to the common electrode 123. Is done. As the conductive particles, those that can be elastically deformed are preferable from the viewpoint of stable conduction. For example, a spherical resin whose surface is gold-plated may be used.

  Furthermore, the liquid crystal panel 10 includes a control board 135 that generates a drive signal, and an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) 136 that electrically connects the control board 135 to the terminal 116.

  Further, on the opposite side of the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 10, a backlight unit (not shown) serving as a light source is disposed facing the TFT substrate 110, and the polarization state of light is between the liquid crystal panel 10 and the backlight unit. An optical sheet for controlling the directivity is arranged. The liquid crystal panel 10 is housed in a casing (not shown) in which the outer portion of the CF substrate 120 in the display area 100 serving as a display surface is opened together with these members, thereby forming a liquid crystal display device.

  The liquid crystal panel 10 is disposed between the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120, and includes columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm as members that ensure the distance between the two substrates.

  That is, the liquid crystal panel of Embodiment 1 uses a dual spacer structure having two types of columnar spacers having different heights. In the dual spacer structure, a part of the columnar spacers is made to be a spacer (referred to as a main spacer) that abuts against the opposing substrate and normally holds the substrate by increasing the height relatively. On the other hand, some of the other columnar spacers are relatively low in height, so that they do not normally contact the opposing substrates and do not contribute to the holding between the substrates. A spacer (referred to as a sub-spacer) that abuts against the opposing substrate and holds the substrate only when the distance is reduced.

  Specifically, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are disposed on the light shielding region 125 of the CF substrate 120 corresponding to the RGB pixels in which the color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B are disposed. Among these, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, and 134B are sub-spacers having a height lower than that of the columnar spacer 134Bm. On the other hand, among the columnar spacers arranged corresponding to the B pixels, the columnar spacer 134Bm is a main spacer having a height higher than that of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, and 134B.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, as an example, half of the columnar spacers arranged corresponding to the B pixel every other row are columnar spacers 134Bm of the main spacer. In other words, if six pixels in which each RGB pixel is arranged in two rows are used as a basic repeating unit, the column spacers 134Bm of the main spacer are arranged at one location per six pixels, and the column spacers 134R and 134G of the sub spacers are arranged at the remaining five locations. , 134B are arranged.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which an external pressure or the like is not particularly applied to the surfaces of the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 and the substrate interval is at a predetermined value (cell gap value). As shown in FIG. 2, the columnar spacer 134Bm contacts the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 in this state. Although not shown in the drawing, the columnar spacer 134Bm is also applied when the substrate interval becomes narrower than the predetermined value (cell gap value) by applying external pressure or the like to the surfaces of the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120. Contacts the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120. That is, the columnar spacer 134Bm is always in contact with the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 to maintain the substrate gap at the cell gap value. That is, it functions as a main spacer in the dual spacer structure.

  On the other hand, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, and 134B are provided with a lower height than the columnar spacer 134Bm. When the substrate interval shown in FIG. 6 is a predetermined value (cell gap value), the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, and 134B Do not touch. However, when an external pressure or the like is applied to the surface of the TFT substrate 110 or the CF substrate 120 and the substrate interval becomes narrower than the cell gap value, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, and 134B come into contact with the TFT substrate 110, and the cell gap The substrate interval is held at a value smaller than the value. That is, it functions as a sub-spacer in the dual spacer structure.

  As a characteristic configuration of the present invention, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are arranged corresponding to each pixel, and their planar sizes (diameters if circular) have different sizes. Is set to Then, by changing the width of the light shielding region 125 where the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm having different sizes are arranged, the area of the opening region of the light shielding region 125 is made different for each RGB pixel. Since the above characteristic portions are difficult to understand from FIG. 1, they will be described separately with reference to FIG.

<A-2. Main part configuration>
Next, a columnar spacer and a detailed configuration of the light shielding region 125 in the CF substrate 120, particularly in the display region 100, which are characteristic portions of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 illustrates six pixels serving as the basic repeating unit of the pixel structure in the CF substrate 120 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light shielding region 125 has a plurality of openings, and color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B are arranged in these openings. The color filter 124R constitutes an R pixel, the color filter 124G constitutes a G pixel, and the color filter 124B constitutes a B pixel. FIG. 1 shows six pixels in which color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B are arranged in two columns. Further, columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are arranged corresponding to all six pixels (that is, all pixels in the display region 100). The columnar spacers 134Bm constitute main spacers, and the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B constitute sub-spacers, respectively.

  The opening area of the pixel is different for each RGB color, and the size is in the order of G pixel, R pixel, and B pixel from the largest. The difference in the size of the opening area is caused by the difference in the width of the light shielding region 125 formed in the gate wiring direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) (hereinafter simply referred to as “the width of the light shielding region 125”). That is, the width of the light shielding region 125 is small for the G pixel, larger for the R pixel than for the G pixel, and largest for the B pixel. In addition, the order of the size of the opening area of the pixels is in the order of the transmittance of the color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B arranged in each pixel (from the highest to the color filters 124G, 124R, and 124B). Match.

  In other words, the light shielding region 125 formed in the gate wiring direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) has a fixed width basic light shielding region and an area-adjusted light shielding that projects from the basic light shielding region toward the opening to reduce the area of the opening. And the area. Of the light shielding region 125 formed in the gate wiring direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3), the region indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3 is the area adjustment light shielding region 125A, and the other region is the basic light shielding region.

  The area adjustment light shielding region 125A for the B pixel is larger than the area adjustment light shielding region 125A for the R pixel, and the area adjustment light shielding region 125A for the R pixel is larger than the area adjustment light shielding region 125A for the G pixel. Even if there is no area adjustment light-shielding region 125A for the G pixel, it is possible to make the width of the light-shielding region 125A different in each pixel of RGB, so the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is not provided for the G pixel. Also good. FIG. 3 shows this case.

  Further, columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm having different arrangement areas are arranged in the light shielding region 125 in accordance with the difference in the width of the light shielding region 125. Column B spacers 134B and 134Bm having the largest diameter are arranged for the B pixel having the largest width of the light shielding region 125, and the columnar spacer having the next largest diameter for the R pixel having the next largest width of the light shielding region 125. 134R is arranged, and the columnar spacer 134G having the smallest diameter is arranged for the G pixel having the smallest light shielding region 125.

  In FIG. 3, columnar spacers 134G are provided for the G pixels. However, when the columnar spacers 134R, 134B, and 134Bm alone can secure a necessary support area of the columnar spacers for the entire liquid crystal panel 10, the columnar spacers are used. It is not necessary to provide 134G.

  However, when the area-adjusted light-shielding region 125A and the columnar spacers are provided for all the RGB pixels, the light-shielding regions of all the pixels are effectively used to secure the support area of the columnar spacers, adjust the color balance, and increase the aperture. Both efficiency can be achieved.

  For example, the diameter of the circular cross section of the columnar spacer 134R is 6 μm, the diameter of the circular cross section of the columnar spacer 134G is 3 μm, and the diameter of the circular cross section of the columnar spacers 134B and 134Bm is 10 μm.

  The width of the light shielding region 125 for the R pixel is 10 μm, the width of the light shielding region 125 for the G pixel is 5 μm, and the width of the light shielding region 125 for the B pixel is 15 μm. The columnar spacers such as the columnar spacers 134B and 134BM and the main spacer, which have a large diameter, have a large alignment abnormality region (light mole region) generated in the vicinity of the columnar spacer when the rubbing process is performed as the alignment process. For this reason, the columnar spacer having a larger arrangement area is set to have a wider width of the light shielding region 125 than the diameter of the columnar spacer in order to shield the alignment abnormal region from light.

  In addition, the specific size of the opening of the light shielding region 125 in which the RGB pixel is formed is as follows. The G pixel (color filter 124G) in which the area adjustment light shielding region is not arranged has a width (length in the short direction) of 20 μm. The length (length in the longitudinal direction) is 60 μm. Further, in the R pixel (color filter 124R), the difference in width of the light shielding region 125 described above is shortened, and the width (length in the short direction) is 20 μm and the length (length in the longitudinal direction) is 55 μm. . In the B pixel (color filter 124B), the length is further reduced to a width (length in the short direction) of 20 μm and a length (length in the longitudinal direction) of 50 μm.

  Therefore, the ratio of the opening area of the R pixel, the G pixel, and the B pixel 3 is 5.5: 6: 5. Thus, by adjusting the width of the area adjustment light-shielding region for each pixel, the ratio of the opening area of each pixel can be adjusted, and the color balance of the display image can be adjusted.

  Each of the dimensions shown above is an example, and the pixel size (pixel pitch) according to the pixel resolution, the aperture ratio for adjusting the desired color balance, and the total area of the columnar spacers that need to be arranged Considering the necessary width of the light shielding region 125 corresponding to the gate wiring width, the difference between the width of the light shielding region 125 and the columnar spacer necessary for shielding the alignment abnormal region in the vicinity of the columnar spacer described above, etc. Each dimension can be set.

<A-3. Operation>
The liquid crystal display device of the first embodiment described above operates as follows. For example, when an electric signal such as an image signal or a control signal is input from the control board 135 which is an external circuit, a driving voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 113 and the common electrode 123, and the direction of liquid crystal molecules changes according to the driving voltage. . As a result, the light transmittance of each pixel is controlled. The light emitted from the backlight unit passes through the TFT substrate 110, the liquid crystal layer 130, and the CF substrate 120, and is transmitted or blocked to the outside according to the light transmittance of each pixel. A color image or the like is displayed at 100.

<A-4. Effect>
The liquid crystal panel 10 according to the first embodiment includes a TFT substrate 110, a color filter substrate (CF substrate) 120 disposed to face the TFT substrate 110, and a liquid crystal sandwiched between the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120. The layer 130 and columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm that are disposed between the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 to ensure the distance between the two substrates are provided. The CF substrate 120 has a plurality of openings. The light shielding area 125 includes RGB color filters 124R, 124G, and 124B disposed in the opening. The light shielding area 125 includes a basic light shielding area having a certain width and at least an R color filter. For each of the R opening that is the opening and the B opening that is the opening where the B color filter is disposed, the opening from the basic light shielding region An area adjustment light-shielding region 125A that protrudes to the side and reduces the opening area of the opening, and the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A with respect to the B opening is larger than the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A with respect to the R opening. Are arranged on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the B opening and on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the R opening, and the arrangement area of the columnar spacers 134B and 134Bm arranged on the light shielding region 125 with respect to the B opening is the R opening Is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers 134R arranged on the light shielding region 125. In this way, columnar spacers having a large arrangement area are installed in areas where the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is large while adjusting the aperture ratio of each pixel required from the viewpoint of color balance by the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A. As a result, the width of the light shielding region 125 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both high aperture ratio and color balance adjustment. In addition, since the above effect can be obtained even when the pixel size is reduced, it is compatible with high definition.

  The light shielding region 125 also includes an area adjustment light shielding region 125A for the G opening, which is an opening where the G color filter is disposed, and the area of the area adjustment light shielding region 125A with respect to the R opening is the G opening. The area of the columnar spacer 134G is larger than the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A with respect to the portion, and the columnar spacer 134G is disposed on the light-shielding region with respect to the G opening. It is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers 134G arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the part. Therefore, the aperture ratio of each pixel can be adjusted by the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A provided for all the RGB pixels, and the arrangement area of the columnar spacers can be controlled, thereby increasing the aperture ratio and adjusting the color balance. Can be compatible.

<B. Second Embodiment>
<B-1. Main part configuration>
The liquid crystal panel of the second embodiment is obtained by partially changing the liquid crystal panel of the first embodiment. Therefore, the following will focus on the changes from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the light shielding region 125 in the CF substrate 120 of the liquid crystal panel of the second embodiment. In particular, the configuration in the display area 100 is shown, and 6 pixels are shown as a basic repeating unit as in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is provided over the entire region in the short direction of the opening of the light-shielding region 125. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is provided at the corner of the pixel facing the TFT 114 by utilizing the fact that the TFT is generally disposed in the vicinity of the corner portion of the pixel and the BM of that portion is relatively wide. Is provided.

  The dimensional relationship for each pixel of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is the same as that in the first embodiment, and is the largest for the B pixel, and then the R pixel and then the G pixel. Further, the BM width other than the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A can be designed as narrow as possible, for example, 3 μm, which is equal to the gate wiring width.

  Columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are arranged in the light shielding region 125 including the area adjustment light shielding region 125A. The sizes of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the above configuration, even if the BM width is a narrow design corresponding to the gate wiring width, the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is disposed in the vicinity of the TFT 114, and the columnar spacer is disposed using the region. A support area by the columnar spacer can be ensured.

<B-2. Modification 1>
In FIG. 4, the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is provided for all of the RGB pixels, but the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A may not be provided for the G pixel having the largest pixel opening area. FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration of the light shielding region 125 in Modification 1 in which the area adjustment light shielding region 125A is not provided for the G pixel. In the first modification, since the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is not provided for the G pixel (color filter 124G), the columnar spacer 134G is also not disposed. However, the size relationship between the area adjustment light-shielding regions in the R pixel and the B pixel and the size relationship between the cross-sectional areas of the columnar spacers are the same as those in the second embodiment. According to the configuration of this modified example, by omitting the arrangement of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A and the columnar spacer for the G pixel, even when a higher aperture ratio is required, a higher aperture ratio and color balance adjustment can be achieved. It is possible to achieve both.

<B-3. Effect>
In the liquid crystal panel of the second embodiment, the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is provided at a position facing the TFT 114 of the TFT substrate 110. Therefore, even in the case where the width of the light shielding region 125 is narrow, it is easy to secure the support area of the columnar spacer, and both color balance adjustment and high aperture ratio can be achieved.

<C. Embodiment 3>
<C-1. Main part configuration>
The liquid crystal panel of the third embodiment is obtained by partially changing the liquid crystal panel of the second embodiment. Therefore, the following will focus on the changes from the second embodiment.

  In the liquid crystal panel of the third embodiment, a photo-alignment film material is used for the alignment film 112 of the TFT substrate 110 and the alignment film 122 of the CF substrate 120, and these are manufactured by a photo-alignment process in which ultraviolet light or the like is irradiated.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed configuration of the light shielding region 125 in the CF substrate 120 of the liquid crystal panel of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is provided at the corner of the pixel facing the TFT 114.

  In the second embodiment, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are formed for each pixel and are mainly formed in the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A, but a part of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm is formed so as to protrude from the normal light-shielding region 125. It was. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the width of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A is made to coincide with the diameter of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm, and the end portions in the width direction of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A are columnar spacers 134R and 134G. , 134B, 134Bm are arranged flush with each other. That is, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are arranged on the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A, and the end portions of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are at the boundary between the basic light-shielding region and the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A. To position.

  Specifically, for example, if the columnar spacers 134R disposed corresponding to the R pixels have a diameter of 6 μm, the width of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A in which the columnar spacers 134R are disposed is also 6 μm. Similarly, when the columnar spacer 134G disposed corresponding to the G pixel has a diameter of 3 μm, the width of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A in which the columnar spacer 134R is disposed is also 3 μm. Similarly, if the columnar spacers 134B and 134Bm arranged corresponding to the B pixel have a diameter of 10 μm, the width of the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A in which the columnar spacers 134B and 134Bm are arranged is also 10 μm.

  Note that as the semiconductor layer serving as an active layer in the TFT 114, a crystalline silicon layer or an In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor layer may be used. As a result, the TFT 114 can be miniaturized and the gate wiring can be thinned, and the aperture ratio can be further increased. In particular, in the case where an oxide semiconductor layer such as an In—Ga—Zn—O-based material is used, in addition to the above effect, the display signal rewrite cycle is lengthened by using TFT characteristics that cause low leakage current. By combining with a low-frequency driving technology, the power consumption of the entire liquid crystal display device can be further reduced. Therefore, it can be suitably used for mobile LCDs that are highly demanded for low consumption, in-vehicle LCDs for mounting in electric vehicles, and the like.

  The structure using a crystalline silicon layer or an oxide semiconductor layer such as an In—Ga—Zn—O-based semiconductor layer as an active layer in the above-described TFT is described in Embodiments 1 and 2 and modifications thereof. You may combine it with an example.

<C-2. Effect>
In the liquid crystal panel of Embodiment 3, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are arranged on the area adjustment light-shielding region 125A, and the end portions of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are connected to the basic light-shielding region 125 and the area adjustment light-shielding region. It is located at the boundary with the region 125A. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, the substantial BM width can be narrowed, and a higher aperture ratio can be realized.

  In addition, when the TFT substrate 110 and the CF substrate 120 are provided with a photo-alignment film that orients the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 130, the photo-alignment film is formed by the photo-alignment process, so that the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm are formed. It is possible to suppress a decrease in display contrast due to the occurrence of alignment failure in the vicinity and the light leakage associated therewith. In other words, there is no need to worry about the occurrence of alignment failure in the vicinity of the columnar spacers, and it is possible to achieve both securing the installation area of the columnar spacers and minimizing the BM width (light-shielding region), and increasing the aperture ratio and color balance at a higher level. Both adjustments can be achieved.

<D. Manufacturing process>
The manufacturing process of the liquid crystal panel according to the first to third embodiments and their modifications according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The basic description will be given with an example of the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel 10 of the first embodiment, and the manufacturing of the configuration of each embodiment or modification differs from the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device of the first embodiment. If there is a case where a characteristic manufacturing method is used, the explanation will be supplemented as appropriate.

  Usually, a liquid crystal panel is manufactured by cutting out one or a plurality of liquid crystal panels from a mother substrate larger than the final shape (also referred to as multi-face drawing). The processes in steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 7 are processes in the state of the mother substrate.

  First, in the substrate preparation process, wiring and the like are formed on the mother TFT substrate and the mother CF substrate. That is, in the mother TFT substrate, a process of forming the gate wiring 118g, the source wiring 118s, the TFT 114, the pixel electrode 113, and the like shown in FIGS. Since these processes are the same as the manufacturing method of a TFT substrate in a general liquid crystal panel, a detailed description of the manufacturing method is omitted.

  On the other hand, in the mother CF substrate, a process of forming the BM 125, the color filters 124R, 124G, 124B, the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, 134Bm shown in FIGS. Since these processes are the same as the method for manufacturing a CF substrate in a general liquid crystal panel, a detailed description of the manufacturing method is omitted. The columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm having different heights and different diameters are divided into heights using a half-tone technique that is a known method for forming dual spacer structures having different heights, and at the time of patterning. Depending on the mask design, the diameter of the circular pattern of the planar pattern is made different.

  As described above, after preparing the mother TFT substrate and the mother CF substrate, first, the mother TFT substrate and the mother CF substrate are cleaned (step S1). Next, an alignment film material is applied to one surface of the mother TFT substrate and the mother CF substrate (step S2). This step includes a step of transferring and applying an alignment film material composed of an organic material to the main surfaces of the mother TFT substrate and the mother CF substrate facing each other by, for example, a flexographic printing method, and baking and drying with a hot plate or the like. Note that the alignment film material applied and formed here is a general alignment film material for rubbing treatment or a photo-alignment film material for photo-alignment treatment in the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, and subsequent steps. An appropriate alignment film material corresponding to the alignment processing method performed in the alignment processing step of S3 may be selected. However, in Embodiment 3, a photo-alignment film material for photo-alignment processing is selected.

  Next, by performing a predetermined alignment process on the alignment film material, the alignment film material surface is aligned to form the alignment film 112 and the alignment film 122 (step S3). Here, in accordance with the alignment film material selected in step S2, an appropriate alignment process of either rubbing process or photo-alignment process is selected. In the third embodiment, a photo-alignment film material for photo-alignment processing is selected in step S2, and photo-alignment processing for irradiating ultraviolet light or the like is performed in step S3. Note that the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm formed on the mother CF substrate are covered with the alignment film 122 in this step. However, since the alignment film 112 and the alignment film 122 are thinner than the height of the columnar spacers 134R, 134G, 134B, and 134Bm, the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG.

  Next, the height of the columnar spacer 134Bm is measured (step S4). Since the columnar spacers 134Bm in the first to third embodiments are formed on the mother CF substrate, the initial height of the columnar spacers 134Bm may be measured on the mother CF substrate. The meaning of measuring the height of the columnar spacer 134Bm in this step is to determine the amount of the liquid crystal material dropped when the liquid crystal material is injected by the drop injection (ODF) method, which will be described later. . Accordingly, the height of the columnar spacer 134Bm that functions as a main spacer that determines the cell gap value related to the volume of the space that fills the liquid crystal material is measured.

  Next, using a seal dispenser device, a sealant is applied as a paste from the dispenser nozzle to the main surface of the mother TFT substrate or the mother CF substrate (step S5). The sealant is applied so as to surround the display area 100 of the liquid crystal panel 10 to form a seal pattern 133.

  Next, a liquid crystal material is dropped into a region surrounded by the seal pattern 133 on the substrate on which the seal pattern 133 is formed (step S6). The dropping amount of the liquid crystal material is determined based on the height of the columnar spacer 134Bm functioning as the main spacer measured in step S4.

  Next, the mother TFT substrate and the mother CF substrate are bonded together in a vacuum state to form a mother cell substrate (step S7). Then, the mother cell substrate is irradiated with ultraviolet rays (UV) to temporarily cure the sealant (step S8). Thereafter, after-curing is performed by heating to completely cure the sealant, and a cured seal pattern 133 is obtained (step S9).

  Further, the mother cell substrate is cut along the scribe lines and divided into individual liquid crystal panels (step S10). A polarizing plate pasting process (step S11), a control board mounting process (step S12), and the like are performed on the individual liquid crystal panels divided in step S10, and a series of manufacturing processes is completed. The liquid crystal panel 10 shown is completed.

  Further, a backlight unit is disposed on the back side of the TFT substrate 110 on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel 10 via an optical film such as a retardation plate, and the liquid crystal panel 10 is placed in a frame made of resin, metal, or the like. The liquid crystal display device to which the present invention is applied is completed by appropriately storing these peripheral members.

  In the present invention, the embodiments can be appropriately modified and omitted within the scope of the invention.

  10 liquid crystal panel, 100 display area, 101 frame area, 110 TFT substrate, 111, 121 glass substrate, 112, 122 alignment film, 113 pixel electrode, 114 TFT, 115 insulating film, 116 terminal, 118 g gate wiring, 118 s source wiring, 120 CF substrate, 123 common electrode, 124R, 124G, 124B color filter, 125 light shielding region, 130 liquid crystal layer, 131, 132 polarizing plate, 133 seal pattern, 134R, 134G, 134B sub columnar spacer, 134Bm main columnar spacer, 135 control Substrate, 136 FFC.

Claims (5)

A color filter substrate;
A TFT substrate disposed opposite to the color filter substrate;
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the color filter substrate and the TFT substrate;
A columnar spacer that is disposed between the color filter substrate and the TFT substrate and secures an interval between the two substrates,
With
The color filter substrate is
A light shielding region having a plurality of openings, and
RGB color filters disposed in the opening,
With
The shading region is
A basic light-shielding area of constant width;
At least the R opening that is the opening where the R color filter is disposed and the B opening that is the opening where the B color filter is disposed, from the basic light shielding region to the opening. An area adjustment light-shielding region that protrudes to the side and reduces the opening area of the opening,
The area of the area adjustment light-shielding region with respect to the B opening is larger than the area of the area adjustment light-shielding region with respect to the R opening,
The columnar spacers are disposed on a light shielding region with respect to the B opening and on a light shielding region with respect to the R opening,
The arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the B opening is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the R opening,
LCD panel. The light-shielding region includes the area adjustment light-shielding region with respect to a G opening which is an opening in which a G color filter is disposed,
The area of the area adjustment light shielding region with respect to the R opening is larger than the area of the area adjustment light shielding region with respect to the G opening,
The columnar spacer is also disposed on a light shielding region with respect to the G opening,
The arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the R opening is larger than the arrangement area of the columnar spacers arranged on the light shielding region with respect to the G opening,
The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1. The area adjustment light-shielding region is provided at a position facing the TFT of the TFT substrate.
The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 or 2. The columnar spacer is disposed on the area adjustment light shielding region,
The end of the columnar spacer is located at the boundary between the basic light shielding region and the area adjustment light shielding region,
The liquid crystal panel according to claim 3. The TFT substrate and the liquid crystal layer include a photo-alignment film that aligns the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer.
The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4.

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