In plane switching liquid crystal display with curved electrodes

• US 20050253989A1
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: Innolux Display Corporation (InnoLux Corporation)
• Inventors: Chen, Chueh-Ju, Yang, Chueh-Ju
• Granted Patent: US 7,319,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/141
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/134363 for applying an electric field parallel to the substrate, i.e. in-plane switching [IPS]
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/122 having a particular pattern

Abstract

A multi-domain IPS (in-plane switching) liquid crystal display (20) includes a first substrate (201), a second substrate (202), liquid crystal molecules (203) filled between the first and second substrates, and gate lines (211) and data lines (212) formed on the first substrate. The gate lines and data lines define pixel regions arranged in a matrix. Each pixel region includes pixel electrodes (233), common electrodes (243), and a TFT (thin film transistor) (220). The pixel electrodes and the common electrodes have a same curved shape with at least two different bend portions, and are uniformly spaced apart from each other. Therefore the electric field generated by them is a smooth continuum of multiple domains, and the visual performance at various different viewing angles is equally good. Because the pixel and common electrodes do not have sharp bends, disclination is avoided. Therefore the IPS liquid crystal display has a high contrast ratio.

Claims

1. An IPS (in-plane switching) liquid crystal display, comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second substrates;

a plurality of gate lines and data lines formed at the first substrate, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions; and

a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a TFT (thin film transistor) provided in each pixel region;

wherein said pixel electrode and said common electrode have a same curved shape with at least two different bend portions, and are uniformly spaced apart from each other.

2. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two bend portions are smoothly connected.

3. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two bend portions define different radiuses.

4. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two bend portions have different lengths.

5. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pixel electrode and the common electrode have a same wavy shape, the wavy shape comprising at least one trough and at least one crest.

6. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 5, wherein a pitch between two adjacent troughs varies along a direction defined by a length of the pixel electrode and/or the common electrode.

7. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on different layers at the first substrate.

8. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on a same layer at the first substrate.

9. An IPS (in-plane switching) liquid crystal display, comprising:

a pixel matrix substrate comprising a plurality of pixel regions;

wherein each pixel region comprises at least one pixel electrode and at least one common electrode, and an electric field generated by adjacent said pixel and common electrodes has a smooth continuum of multiple domains.

10. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pixel electrode and said common electrode have a same curved shape with at least two different bend portions, and the two bend portions are smoothly connected.

11. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 10, wherein the two bend portions define different radiuses.

12. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 10, wherein the two bend portions have different lengths.

13. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pixel electrode and the common electrode have a same wavy shape, the wavy shape comprising at least one trough and at least one crest.

14. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pitch between two adjacent troughs varies along a direction defined by a length of the pixel electrode and/or the common electrode.

15. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 9, wherein the common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on different layers of the substrate.

16. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 9, wherein the common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on a same layer of the substrate.

17. An IPS (in-plane switching) liquid crystal display, comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second substrates;

a plurality of gate lines and data lines formed at the first substrate, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions; and

a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a TFT (thin film transistor) provided in each pixel region;

wherein said pixel electrode is essentially of a serpentine configuration with at least two bend portions having either different curves or widths thereof.

18. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least two bend portions are smoothly connected.

19. The IPS liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least two bend portions define different radiuses.