Liquid crystal display unit with conductive light-shielding member having substantially the same potential as common electrode

• US 6,417,900 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1998
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: LG Philips LCD Company Limited (LG Display Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Shin, Hyunho, Suzuki, Kuniaki, Sung, Chae Gee
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, TARIFUR RASHID
• Application Number:
  US09/044,568
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 349/110, 349/111, 349/123, 349/130
• US Class Current: 349/110
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133512 Light shielding layers, e.g. black matrix G02F1/136209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136218 Shield electrodes

Abstract

A liquid crystal display unit has wider viewing angles and a brighter display. In this display unit, an alignment film is not required to be processed for alignment of a liquid crystal, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. A first substrate and a second substrate are disposed such that they face each other. A liquid crystal having a negative anisotropy of dielectric constant is provided between the substrates. A common electrode and an alignment film which has a pretilt angle of 90°±1° and which is not rubbed are sequentially disposed on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate. A plurality of pixel electrodes are provided on the surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate so as to cover a display area of the liquid crystal. A conductive light-shielding member is disposed on the second substrate and positioned around each of the pixel electrodes in a non-display area of the liquid crystal. The conductive light-shielding member is electrically insulated from the pixel electrode. An alignment film which has a pretilt angle of 90°±1° and which is not rubbed is formed on the pixel electrodes and on the light-shielding members. The conductive light-shielding member is set at substantially the same potential as the common electrode.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display unit comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate disposed to face each other;

a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy disposed between said first substrate and said second substrate;

a common electrode on the first substrate;

a first alignment film on the first substrate, the first alignment film having a pretilt angle of 90°

±

1° and

not rubbed, said common electrode and said first alignment film being sequentially disposed on a surface of said first substrate facing said second substrate;

a plurality of pixel electrodes on said second substrate to cover a display area of said liquid crystal;

a conductive light-shielding member disposed on said second substrate and positioned around each of said plurality of pixel electrodes in a non-display area of said liquid crystal while being electrically insulated from said pixel electrode, said conductive light-shielding member being continuously grounded;

a second alignment film having a pretilt angle of 90°

±

1° and

not rubbed, the second alignment film being disposed on said pixel electrodes and on said conductive light-shielding members, the first and second alignment films inducing a long axis of molecules of the liquid crystal to be aligned perpendicularly to a thickness direction of the alignment films when an electric field is not applied between said common electrode and said pixel electrode.

2. A liquid crystal display unit according to claim 1, wherein an optical compensator is provided for at least one of said first and second substrates.

3. A liquid crystal display unit according to claim 1, said first and second alignment films comprising polyimide.

4. A liquid crystal display unit according to claim 1, said conductive light-shielding member comprising one of Cr and Mo.