Liquid crystal display device

Abstract

An orientation controller which divides a pixel into a plurality of different priority alignment regions and an additional orientation controller are provided in a pixel. The additional orientation controller is provided at least at an end of a pixel of a long-side alignment region formed along the long side of the pixel among the divided alignment regions, for example, around a center position of the long side of the pixel. The additional orientation controller can be realized, for example, by forming a cutout pattern in a side of a first electrode (pixel electrode) forming a part of the pixel. Because the alignment direction is also controlled by the additional orientation controller, the alignment of liquid crystal in this region is stabilized.

1 . A liquid crystal display device comprising a first substrate having a plurality of first electrodes, and a second substrate having a second electrode in which surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate on which the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode are formed are placed opposing each other with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, wherein
 each pixel region has a shape of a polygon, comprises an orientation controller which controls an alignment direction of liquid crystal, and is divided into a plurality of alignment regions by the orientation controller, and   in an alignment region having an end matching an end of the pixel region among the plurality of alignment regions, an additional orientation controller is provided on the end of the pixel region;   the first electrode has an individual pattern corresponding to each shape of the pixel region;   the orientation controller comprises a first portion extending toward the long side of the first electrode at a first angle to the long side of the first electrode and a second portion extending toward the long side of the first electrode at a second angle different from the first angle to the long side of the first electrode;   the additional orientation controller comprises a cutout pattern of the first electrode which is formed by cutting out the outer edge of the first electrode;   the additional orientation controller is provided in an area defined by the orientation controller and the outer edge of the first electrode, and controls alignment direction of liquid crystal into the approximately same direction which the first and second portion of the orientation controller controls into;   on the second substrate a light shielding layer is formed above a space between the plurality of first electrodes and the light shielding layer extends over a portion of the additional orientation controller.   
     
     
         2 . A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the orientation controller is formed on the second substrate. 
     
     
         3 . A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 2 , wherein the additional orientation controller does not extend to the orientation controller. 
     
     
         4 . A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , said portion of the additional orientation controller which the light shielding layer extends over adjoins the said space between the plurality of first electrodes. 
     
     
         5 . A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutout pattern of the additional orientation controller is triangular. 
     
     
         6 . A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutout pattern of the additional orientation controller is trapezoidal.