Indication device

Abstract

To provide a display device that can suppress the delamination of signal lines. [Solution] The display device comprises a substrate having a display area and a peripheral area different from the display area, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided in the display area of ​​the substrate, a plurality of scan lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of signal lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a drive circuit connected to one end of the plurality of signal lines, wherein each of the plurality of signal lines has a first portion that overlaps with the display area and a second portion connected to the first portion and overlapping with the peripheral area at the other end of the plurality of signal lines, and the width of the second portion in the first direction is greater than the width of the first portion in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose technologies related to a display device having a plurality of signal lines and a plurality of scanning lines. As such a display device, for example, a head-mounted display (also referred to as a "Head Mounted Display", hereinafter "HMD") applied to a VR (Virtual Reality) system is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in a display device such as an HMD, high definition is required, and it is necessary to reduce the width of the signal lines. When the width of the signal lines is reduced, the adhesion between the insulating film on which the signal lines are provided and the signal lines decreases, and the signal lines may peel off.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a display device capable of suppressing peeling of signal lines.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a substrate having a display area and a peripheral area different from the display area, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided in the display area of ​​the substrate, a plurality of scan lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of signal lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a drive circuit connected to one end of the plurality of signal lines, wherein each of the plurality of signal lines has a first portion overlapping the display area and a second portion connected to the first portion and overlapping the peripheral area at the other end of the plurality of signal lines, and the width of the second portion in the first direction is greater than the width of the first portion in the first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a display system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the relative relationship between a display device and the user's eyes. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing the pixel arrangement of the display area according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the display panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of area A in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing enlarged views of the first and second portions of the signal line. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX' in Figure 7. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the signal line arrangement pattern of a display device related to a comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the components described below include those that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, and those that are substantially the same. In addition, the components described below can be combined as appropriate. The disclosure is merely an example, and any modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive while maintaining the spirit of this disclosure are naturally included within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, in order to make the explanation clearer, the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of this disclosure. Furthermore, in this disclosure and in each drawing, elements similar to those described above with respect to previously shown drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] In this disclosure, when describing a manner in which one structure is placed on top of another structure, unless otherwise specified, the term "on top of" includes both cases: when one structure is placed directly on top of another structure so as to be in contact with it, and when another structure is placed above another structure via yet another structure.

[0010] (Embodiment) Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a display system according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, display system 1 is a display system that changes the display in accordance with the user's movements. For example, display system 1 is a VR (Virtual Reality) system that displays 3D images of three-dimensional objects in a virtual space in 3D and changes the 3D display in accordance with the orientation (position) of the user's head, thereby creating a sense of virtual reality for the user.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the display system 1 includes, for example, a display device 100 and a control device 200. The display device 100 and the control device 200 are configured to allow information (signals) to be input and output via a cable 300. The cable 300 includes, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables. The display device 100 and the control device 200 may also be configured to allow information to be input and output via wireless communication.

[0012] The display device 100 has a display panel. The display panel is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), but may also be an organic electro-luminescence (OLED) panel, a μ-OLED, a μ-LED panel, a mini-LED panel, etc.

[0013] The display device 100 is fixed to the mounting member 400. The mounting member 400 includes, for example, a headset, goggles, a helmet and mask that cover both of the user's eyes. The mounting member 400 is worn on the user's head. When worn, the mounting member 400 is positioned in front of the user so as to cover both of the user's eyes. The mounting member 400 functions as an immersive mounting member by positioning the display device 100, which is fixed inside, in front of both of the user's eyes. The mounting member 400 may have an output unit that outputs sound signals or the like output from the control device 200. The mounting member 400 may also have a structure that incorporates the functions of the control device 200.

[0014] In the example shown in Figure 1, the display device 100 is shown to be slotted into the mounting member 400, but it may also be fixed to the mounting member 400. In other words, the display system 1 may consist of a mounting-type display device including the mounting member 400 and the display device 100, and a control device 200.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the relative relationship between the display device and the user's eyes. As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting member 400 has, for example, lenses 410 corresponding to both eyes of the user. The lens 410 is a magnifying lens for forming an image of an image on the user's eyes. When the mounting member 400 is mounted on the user's head, the lens 410 is positioned in front of the user's eyes E. The user visually recognizes the display area of the display device 100 enlarged by the lens 410. Therefore, the display device 100 needs to increase the resolution in order to display an image (screen) clearly. In the present disclosure, although one lens 410 has been illustrated and described, for example, it may have a plurality of lenses 410 and the display device 100 may be arranged at a position different from in front of the eyes.

[0016] The control device 200 causes, for example, an image to be displayed on the display device 100. The control device 200 can use, for example, an electronic device such as a personal computer or a game device. The virtual image includes, for example, an image such as a computer graphic video or a 360-degree live-action video. The control device 200 outputs a three-dimensional image that utilizes the parallax of both eyes of the user to the display device 100. The control device 200 outputs images for the right eye and the left eye that follow the orientation of the user's head to the display device 100.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 100 includes two display panels 110, a sensor 120, an image separation circuit 150, and an interface 160.

[0018] The display device 100 is composed of two display panels 110, and one is used as a display panel 110 for the left eye and the other is used as a display panel 110 for the right eye.

[0019] Each of the two display panels 110 has a display area 111 and a display control circuit 112. Note that the display panel 110 has a light source device (backlight unit IL described later) that irradiates the display area 111 from behind.

[0020] The display area 111 has P0 × Q0 pixels (P0 pixels in the row direction and Q0 pixels in the column direction) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. In this embodiment, P0 = 2880 and Q0 = 1700. The row direction corresponds to the first direction Dx, and the column direction corresponds to the second direction Dy. Figure 3 schematically represents the arrangement of multiple pixels Pix; the detailed arrangement of pixels Pix will be described later.

[0021] The display panel 110 has scan lines GL extending in a first direction Dx and signal lines SL extending in a second direction Dy intersecting the first direction Dx. For example, the display panel 110 has 2880 signal lines SL and 1700 scan lines GL. In the display panel 110, pixels Pix are arranged in the region enclosed by the signal lines SL and the scan lines GL. Each pixel Pix has a switching element (TFT: thin-film transistor) connected to the signal lines SL and the scan lines GL, and a pixel electrode connected to the switching element. Multiple pixels Pix arranged along the direction of extension of one scan line GL are connected to one scan line GL. Similarly, multiple pixels Pix arranged along the direction of extension of one signal line SL are connected to one signal line SL.

[0022] In the following explanation, the first direction Dx is a direction in the plane parallel to the surface of the first substrate 10 (see Figure 6). The second direction Dy is a direction in the plane parallel to the surface of the first substrate 10 and is perpendicular to the first direction Dx. The second direction Dy may intersect the first direction Dx without being perpendicular to it. The third direction Dz is perpendicular to both the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy. The third direction Dz is the normal direction to the surface of the first substrate 10. Furthermore, "plan view" refers to the positional relationship when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first substrate 10.

[0023] In the first embodiment, the display area 111 of one of the two display panels 110 is for the right eye, and the display area 111 of the other display panel 110 is for the left eye. The first embodiment describes a case where the display panel 110 has two display panels 110, one for the left eye and one for the right eye. However, the display device 100 is not limited to a structure that uses two display panels 110 as described above. For example, there may be only one display panel 110, and the display area 111 of that single display panel 110 may be divided into two halves, with the right half displaying an image for the right eye and the left half displaying an image for the left eye.

[0024] The display control circuit 112 comprises a driver IC (Integrated Circuit) 115, a signal line connection circuit 113, and a scan line drive circuit 114. The signal line connection circuit 113 is electrically connected to the signal line SL. The driver IC 115 controls the ON / OFF state of a switching element (e.g., a TFT) for controlling the operation (light transmittance) of a pixel Pix, via the scan line drive circuit 114. The scan line drive circuit 114 is electrically connected to the scan line GL.

[0025] The sensor 120 detects information that allows for the estimation of the user's head orientation. For example, the sensor 120 detects information indicating the movement of the display device 100 and the mounting member 400, and the display system 1 estimates the head orientation of the user wearing the display device 100 on their head based on the information indicating the movement of the display device 100 and the mounting member 400.

[0026] Sensor 120 detects information that allows for the estimation of the direction of the line of sight, for example, using at least one of the angle, acceleration, angular velocity, orientation, and distance of the display device 100 or the mounting member 400. Sensor 120 can be, for example, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an orientation sensor, etc. Sensor 120 may detect the angle and angular velocity of the display device 100 or the mounting member 400 using a gyro sensor, for example. Sensor 120 may detect the direction and magnitude of the acceleration acting on the display device 100 or the mounting member 400 using an acceleration sensor, for example.

[0027] Furthermore, the sensor 120 may detect the orientation of the display device 100 using, for example, an orientation sensor. The sensor 120 may also detect the movement of the display device 100 or the mounting member 400 using, for example, a distance sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, etc. The sensor 120 may be any other sensor, such as an optical sensor, as long as it is a sensor that can detect the orientation of the user's head, changes in gaze, movement, etc., and multiple sensors may be used in combination. The sensor 120 is electrically connected to the image separation circuit 150 via an interface 160, which will be described later.

[0028] The image separation circuit 150 receives image data for the left eye and image data for the right eye sent from the control device 200 via the cable 300, sends the image data for the left eye to the display panel 110 that displays the image for the left eye, and sends the image data for the right eye to the display panel 110 that displays the image for the right eye.

[0029] Interface 160 includes a connector to which cable 300 (Figure 1) is connected. Signals from the control device 200 are input to interface 160 via the connected cable 300. The image separation circuit 150 outputs the signals input from sensor 120 to the control device 200 via interface 160 and interface 240. Here, the signals input from sensor 120 include information that allows estimation of the direction of gaze as described above. Alternatively, the signals input from sensor 120 may be output directly to the control unit 230 of the control device 200 via interface 160. Interface 160 may be, for example, a wireless communication device, and information may be transmitted and received between it and the control device 200 via wireless communication.

[0030] The control device 200 comprises an operation unit 210, a storage unit 220, a control unit 230, and an interface 240.

[0031] The control unit 210 receives user input. The control unit 210 can use input devices such as a keyboard, buttons, or a touchscreen. The control unit 210 is electrically connected to the control unit 230. The control unit 210 outputs information corresponding to the operation to the control unit 230.

[0032] The storage unit 220 stores programs and data. The storage unit 220 also temporarily stores the processing results of the control unit 230. The storage unit 220 includes a storage medium. The storage medium includes, for example, ROM, RAM, memory card, optical disk, or magneto-optical disk. The storage unit 220 may also store image data to be displayed on the display device 100.

[0033] The memory unit 220 stores, for example, a control program 211, a VR application 212, etc. The control program 211 can provide, for example, functions related to various controls for operating the control device 200. The VR application 212 can provide a function for displaying virtual reality images on the display device 100. The memory unit 220 can store, for example, various information input from the display device 100, such as data indicating the detection results of the sensor 120.

[0034] The control unit 230 includes, for example, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 230 can comprehensively control the operation of the control device 200. The various functions of the control device 200 are realized based on the control of the control unit 230.

[0035] The control unit 230 includes, for example, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that generates the image to be displayed. The GPU generates the image to be displayed on the display device 100. The control unit 230 outputs the image generated by the GPU to the display device 100 via the interface 240. In this embodiment, the control unit 230 of the control device 200 is described as including a GPU, but is not limited to this. For example, the GPU may be provided in the display device 100 or the image separation circuit 150 of the display device 100. In this case, the display device 100 may acquire data from, for example, the control device 200, external electronic equipment, etc., and the GPU may generate an image based on that data.

[0036] Interface 240 includes a connector to which cable 300 (see Figure 1) is connected. Signals from the display device 100 are input to interface 240 via cable 300. Interface 240 outputs signals input from control unit 230 to display device 100 via cable 300. Interface 240 may, for example, be a wireless communication device and transmit and receive information with the display device 100 via wireless communication.

[0037] When the control unit 230 executes the VR application 212, it displays an image on the display device 100 that corresponds to the user's (display device 100's) movement. When the control unit 230 detects a change in the user (display device 100) while an image is displayed on the display device 100, it changes the image displayed on the display device 100 to reflect the direction of the change. At the start of image creation, the control unit 230 creates an image based on a reference viewpoint and reference line of sight in the virtual space. When it detects a change in the user (display device 100), it changes the viewpoint or line of sight used when creating the displayed image from the reference viewpoint or line of sight direction according to the user's (display device 100's) movement, and displays an image based on the changed viewpoint or line of sight on the display device 100.

[0038] For example, the control unit 230 detects a movement of the user's head to the right based on the detection result of the sensor 120. In this case, the control unit 230 changes the currently displayed image to an image that reflects the user's gaze shifting to the right. The user can then view the image displayed on the display device 100 from the rightward perspective.

[0039] For example, when the control unit 230 detects movement of the display device 100 based on the detection result of the sensor 120, it changes the image according to the detected movement. If the control unit 230 detects that the display device 100 has moved forward, it changes the currently displayed image to the image that would appear if the device had moved forward. If the control unit 230 detects that the display device 100 has moved backward, it changes the currently displayed image to the image that would appear if the device had moved backward. The user can see the image corresponding to their direction of movement from the image displayed on the display device 100.

[0040] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing the pixel arrangement of the display area according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the scan line GL refers collectively to multiple scan lines G1, G2, and G3. The signal line SL refers collectively to multiple signal lines S1, S2, and S3. In the example shown in Figure 4, the scan line GL and the signal line SL are orthogonal, but this is not the case. For example, the scan line GL and the signal line SL do not have to be orthogonal.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the display area 111 has switching elements TrD1, TrD2, TrD3 for each pixel PixR, PixG, and PixB, as well as signal lines SL and scan lines GL. Signal lines S1, S2, and S3 are wirings for supplying pixel signals to each pixel electrode PE1, PE2, and PE3 (see Figure 6). Scan lines G1, G2, and G3 are wirings for supplying gate signals to drive each switching element TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3.

[0042] The pixels Pix of the display area 111 include multiple pixels PixR, PixG, and PixB arranged in a sequence. Hereinafter, the multiple pixels PixR, PixG, and PixB may be collectively referred to as pixels Pix. Pixels PixR, PixG, and PixB each have switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3, and a liquid crystal layer LC, respectively. The switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 are composed of thin-film transistors, and in this example, they are composed of n-channel MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type TFTs. A sixth insulating film 16 (see Figure 6) is provided between the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3 (described later) and the common electrode COM, and these form the retention capacitance Cs shown in Figure 4.

[0043] The color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB shown in Figure 4 have color regions colored with three colors, for example, red (first color: R), green (second color: G), and blue (third color: B), arranged periodically. Each pixel PixR, PixG, and PixB shown in Figure 4 is associated with a set of three color regions of R, G, and B. Thus, a set of pixels PixR, PixG, and PixB corresponding to three color regions is considered one unit. Note that a color filter may contain four or more color regions. Pixels PixR, PixG, and PixB are sometimes referred to as subpixels.

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display panel according to the embodiment. Note that in Figure 5, some of the signal lines have been omitted for clarity.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the display area 111 of the display panel 110 is polygonal in plan view. More specifically, the display area 111 is octagonal and has a first side e1, a second side e2, a third side e3, a fourth side e4, a first inclined side ea1, a second inclined side ea2, a third inclined side ea3, and a fourth inclined side ea4. The area between the outer edge of the first substrate 10 of the display panel 110 and each side of the display area 111 is the peripheral area 117.

[0046] The first side e1 is located on the right side of the outer perimeter of the display area 111 and extends in the second direction Dy. The second side e2 is located on the opposite side of the first side e1, i.e., on the left side of the outer perimeter of the display area 111, and extends in the second direction Dy. The third side e3 is located on the upper side of the outer perimeter of the display area 111 and extends in the first direction Dx. The fourth side e4 is located on the opposite side of the third side e3, i.e., on the lower side of the outer perimeter of the display area 111, and extends in the first direction Dx.

[0047] The lengths of the multiple signal lines SL provided in the regions corresponding to the third side e3 and the fourth side e4 are equal in the second direction Dy. Also, the lengths of the multiple scan lines GL provided in the regions corresponding to the first side e1 and the second side e2 are equal in the first direction Dx.

[0048] The first inclined edge ea1 is the edge between the first edge e1 and the third edge e3, connected to one end of the first edge e1 (the upper end in Figure 5), and inclined with respect to the second direction Dy. The second inclined edge ea2 is the edge between the first edge e1 and the fourth edge e4, connected to the other end of the first edge e1 (the lower end in Figure 5), and inclined with respect to the second direction Dy. The third inclined edge ea3 is the edge between the second edge e2 and the third edge e3, connected to one end of the second edge e2, and inclined with respect to the second direction Dy. The fourth inclined edge ea4 is the edge between the second edge e2 and the fourth edge e4, connected to the other end of the second edge e2, and inclined with respect to the second direction Dy.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first inclined edge ea1 and the second inclined edge ea2 are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to a virtual line passing through the midpoint of the first edge e1 and parallel to the first direction Dx. The length of the signal line SL provided in the region corresponding to the first inclined edge ea1 and the second inclined edge ea2 in the second direction Dy becomes shorter in the first direction Dx as it moves away from the right ends of the third edge e3 and the fourth edge e4 (i.e., as it approaches the first edge e1).

[0050] Furthermore, the third inclined edge ea3 and the fourth inclined edge ea4 are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to an imaginary line passing through the midpoint of the second edge e2 and parallel to the first direction Dx. The length of the signal line SL provided in the region corresponding to the third inclined edge ea3 and the fourth inclined edge ea4 in the second direction Dy becomes shorter in the first direction Dx as it moves away from the left ends of the third edge e3 and the fourth edge e4 (i.e., as it approaches the second edge e2).

[0051] The first inclined edge ea1 and the third inclined edge ea3 are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to a virtual line passing through the midpoint of the third edge e3 and parallel to the second direction Dy. The length of the scan line GL in the first direction Dx, which is provided in the region corresponding to the first inclined edge ea1 and the third inclined edge ea3, becomes shorter in the second direction Dy as it moves away from one end of the first edge e1 and the second edge e2 (i.e., as it approaches the third edge e3).

[0052] Furthermore, the second inclined edge ea2 and the fourth inclined edge ea4 are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to a virtual line passing through the midpoint of the fourth edge e4 and parallel to the second direction Dy. The length of the scan line GL in the first direction Dx, provided in the region corresponding to the second inclined edge ea2 and the fourth inclined edge ea4, becomes shorter in the second direction Dy as it moves away from the other ends of the first edge e1 and the second edge e2 (i.e., as it approaches the fourth edge e4).

[0053] The scan line drive circuit 114A is located in the peripheral region 117 between the outer edge of the first substrate 10 of the display panel 110 and the first inclined edge ea1, first edge e1, and second inclined edge ea2 of the display area 111. More specifically, the scan line drive circuit 114A extends along the first edge e1, first inclined edge ea1, and second inclined edge ea2.

[0054] The scan line drive circuit 114B is located on the opposite side of the scan line drive circuit 114A, in the peripheral region 117 between the outer edge of the first substrate 10 of the display panel 110 and the second inclined edge ea2, second edge e2, and fourth inclined edge ea4 of the display area 111. More specifically, the scan line drive circuit 114B extends along the second edge e2, third inclined edge ea3, and fourth inclined edge ea4. The right end of each of the scan lines GL is electrically connected to the scan line drive circuit 114A, and the left end of each of the scan lines GL is electrically connected to the scan line drive circuit 114B.

[0055] The signal line connection circuit 113 is located in the peripheral area 117 between the outer edge of the first substrate 10 of the display panel 110 and the fourth side e4 of the display area 111. The signal line connection circuit 113 is electrically connected to one end of a plurality of signal lines SL. The driver IC 115 is located in the peripheral area 117 between the outer edge of the first substrate 10 of the display panel 110 and the fourth side e4 of the display area 111. The driver IC 115 (drive circuit) is electrically connected to one end of the signal lines SL via the signal line connection circuit 113. The driver IC 115 is a circuit that controls the scan line drive circuits 114A, 114B and the signal line connection circuit 113.

[0056] In the example shown in Figure 5, multiple signal lines SL are arranged in a line in the first direction Dx and extend parallel to the second direction Dy. Multiple scan lines GL extend parallel to the direction that intersects the signal lines SL (the first direction Dx). Since the direction in which the scan lines GL extend is perpendicular to the direction in which the signal lines SL extend, each pixel PixR, PixG, and PixB is, for example, a rectangle. However, each pixel PixR, PixG, and PixB is not limited to a rectangle. For example, each pixel PixR, PixG, and PixB may be a parallelogram.

[0057] In this embodiment, the display device 100 (display panel 110) is shown as having a polygonal display area 111. However, it is not limited to this, and the display area 111 of the display device 100 (display panel 110) may have other shapes such as a square or rectangular shape. Alternatively, the corners of the display area 111 may have arc-shaped curved portions.

[0058] Next, the cross-sectional structure of the display panel 110 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the display panel according to the embodiment. In Figure 6, the array substrate SUB1 is based on a first substrate 10 that is light-transmitting, such as a glass substrate or a resin substrate. The array substrate SUB1 has a first insulating film 11, a second insulating film 12, a third insulating film 13, a fourth insulating film 14, a fifth insulating film 15, a sixth insulating film 16, signal lines S1 to S3, pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3, a common electrode COM, a first alignment film AL1, etc. on the side of the first substrate 10 facing the opposing substrate SUB2. In the following description, the direction from the array substrate SUB1 toward the opposing substrate SUB2 will be referred to as upward, or simply upward.

[0059] The first insulating film 11 is located on the first substrate 10. The second insulating film 12 is located on the first insulating film 11. The third insulating film 13 is located on the second insulating film 12. The signal lines S1 to S3 are located on the third insulating film 13. The fourth insulating film 14 is located on the third insulating film 13 and covers the signal lines S1 to S3.

[0060] If necessary, wiring may be placed on the fourth insulating film 14. This wiring will be covered by the fifth insulating film 15. In this embodiment, the wiring is omitted. The first insulating film 11, the second insulating film 12, the third insulating film 13, and the sixth insulating film 16 are formed from a translucent inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride. The fourth insulating film 14 and the fifth insulating film 15 are formed from a translucent resin material and have a thicker film thickness compared to the other insulating films formed from inorganic materials. However, the fifth insulating film 15 may also be formed from an inorganic material.

[0061] The common electrode COM is located on the fifth insulating film 15. The common electrode COM is covered by the sixth insulating film 16. The sixth insulating film 16 is formed of a translucent inorganic material, such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride.

[0062] The pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 are located on the sixth insulating film 16 and face the common electrode COM via the sixth insulating film 16. The pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 and the common electrode COM are formed of a translucent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide). The pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 are covered by the first alignment film AL1. The first alignment film AL1 also covers the sixth insulating film 16.

[0063] The opposing substrate SUB2 is based on a light-transmitting second substrate 20, such as a glass substrate or a resin substrate. The opposing substrate SUB2 has a light-shielding layer BM, color filters CFR, CFG, CFB, an overcoat layer OC, a second alignment film AL2, etc., on the side of the second substrate 20 that faces the array substrate SUB1.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the light-shielding layer BM is located on the side of the second substrate 20 facing the array substrate SUB1. The light-shielding layer BM defines the size of the apertures facing the pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3, respectively. The light-shielding layer BM is formed from a black resin material or a light-shielding metal material.

[0065] Each of the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB is located on the side of the second substrate 20 facing the array substrate SUB1, with its respective edge overlapping the light-shielding layer BM. The color filter CFR faces the pixel electrode PE1. The color filter CFG faces the pixel electrode PE2. The color filter CFB faces the pixel electrode PE3. In one example, the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB are formed from resin materials colored red, green, and blue, respectively.

[0066] The overcoat layer OC covers the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB. The overcoat layer OC is formed from a translucent resin material. The second orientation layer AL2 covers the overcoat layer OC. The first orientation layer AL1 and the second orientation layer AL2 are formed from, for example, a material exhibiting horizontal orientation.

[0067] As explained above, the opposing substrate SUB2 includes a light-shielding layer BM, color filters CFR, CFG, CFB, etc. The light-shielding layer BM is positioned in the region opposite to the wiring sections such as the scan lines G1, G2, G3, signal lines S1, S2, S3, and switching elements TrD1, TrD2, TrD3 shown in Figure 4.

[0068] In Figure 6, the opposing substrate SUB2 was equipped with three color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB, but it may be equipped with four or more color filters. Also, although the color filter CF is provided on the opposing substrate SUB2, it may be a so-called COA (Color filter on Array) structure in which the color filter CF is provided on the array substrate SUB1.

[0069] The array substrate SUB1 and the opposing substrate SUB2 described above are arranged so that the first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2 face each other. The liquid crystal layer LC is sealed between the first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2. The liquid crystal layer LC is composed of a negative-type liquid crystal material with negative dielectric anisotropy, or a positive-type liquid crystal material with positive dielectric anisotropy.

[0070] The array substrate SUB1 faces the backlight unit IL, and the opposing substrate SUB2 is located on the display side. Various forms of backlight unit IL can be used, but a detailed explanation of its structure will be omitted.

[0071] The first optical element OD1, including the first polarizer PL1, is positioned on the outer surface of the first substrate 10, or on the surface facing the backlight unit IL. The second optical element OD2, including the second polarizer PL2, is positioned on the outer surface of the second substrate 20, or on the surface facing the observation position. The first polarization axis of the first polarizer PL1 and the second polarization axis of the second polarizer PL2 are, for example, in a crossed nicol positional relationship in the XY plane. Note that the first optical element OD1 and the second optical element OD2 may also include other optical functional elements such as phase difference plates.

[0072] For example, if the liquid crystal layer LC is a negative-type liquid crystal material, and no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC, the liquid crystal molecules LM are initially oriented in the XY plane with their long axes aligned along the X direction. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC, that is, when an electric field is formed between the pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 and the common electrode COM (ON state), the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LM changes due to the influence of the electric field. When ON, the polarization state of the incident linearly polarized light changes according to the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LM as it passes through the liquid crystal layer LC.

[0073] Next, the detailed configuration of the signal line SL in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of area A in Figure 5. Figure 8 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the first and second parts of the signal line. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX' in Figure 7. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement pattern of the signal lines of a display device according to a comparative example.

[0074] Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the configuration of the signal line SL and scan line GL near the third side e3 and the third inclined side ea3 of the display area 111. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, each of the multiple signal lines SL has a first portion SLa that overlaps the display area 111, and a second portion SLb that is connected to the first portion SLa and overlaps the peripheral area 117 on the other end of the multiple signal lines SL (i.e., the side opposite to the driver IC 115 (see Figure 5)).

[0075] The first portion SLa provided in the display area 111 extends in the second direction Dy in a plan view and intersects with multiple scan lines GL. Of the second portions SLb provided in the peripheral area 117, at least multiple second portions SLb arranged along the third edge e3 do not overlap with the multiple scan lines GL and are positioned closer to the peripheral area 117 (towards the outer edge of the first substrate 10) than the multiple scan lines GL. Of the second portions SLb provided in the peripheral area 117, multiple second portions SLb arranged along the third inclined edge ea3 overlap with the multiple scan lines GL arranged between the display area 111 and the scan line drive circuit 114B.

[0076] In this embodiment, a guard wiring GD is provided in the peripheral region 117. The guard wiring GD includes a first guard wiring GDa and a second guard wiring GDb that are arranged overlapping each other. The guard wiring GD is provided for static electricity countermeasures and is supplied with a predetermined reference potential, such as ground potential. Alternatively, the guard wiring GD may be supplied with the same potential as the scan line GL as its reference potential. The second portion SLb of the plurality of signal lines SL is located on the peripheral region 117 side (the outer edge side of the first substrate 10) than the guard wiring GD. In Figure 7, the ends of the second portion SLb of the plurality of signal lines SL overlap with the guard wiring GD, but this is not limited to this, and they may not overlap with the guard wiring GD and may be arranged on the peripheral region 117 side than the guard wiring GD.

[0077] As shown in Figure 8, the width Wb of the second portion SLb of a plurality of signal lines SL in the first direction Dx is greater than the width Wa of the first portion SLa in the first direction Dx. Specifically, the width Wb of the second portion SLb in the first direction Dx is 2 μm or more, and the width Wa of the first portion SLa in the first direction Dx is less than 2 μm. More preferably, the width Wb of the second portion SLb in the first direction Dx is 0.3 μm or more greater than the width Wa of the first portion SLa in the first direction Dx. That is, when the width Wa of the first portion SLa in the first direction Dx is X μm, the width Wb of the second portion SLb in the first direction Dx is (X + 0.3) μm or more.

[0078] Furthermore, the length Lb of the second portion SLb in the second direction Dy is longer than the length Lpe of one pixel electrode PE in the second direction Dy (see Figure 7).

[0079] The width Wa of the first part SLa in the first direction Dx is, for example, about 1.5 μm. The width Wb of the second part SLb in the first direction Dx is, for example, about 2.0 μm. The length Lb of the second part SLb in the second direction Dy is, for example, about 10.0 μm. The width Wsp between adjacent second parts SLb is, for example, about 3.0 μm.

[0080] In the comparative example shown in Figure 10, the display device 101 does not have a second portion SLb and is formed with a constant width from one end to the other. In the comparative example, if the width of the signal line SL is formed to be as narrow as, for example, 1 μm, the adhesion between the inorganic insulating film on the underside of the signal line SL and the signal line SL may decrease. Alternatively, when patterning the signal line SL by photolithography and etching, the manufacturing process variation relative to the target line width may become relatively large, making it impossible to form the signal line SL with a constant width.

[0081] Furthermore, although one end of signal line SL is connected to a circuit such as the driver IC 115 or the signal line connection circuit 113, or to wiring, the other end of signal line SL on the opposite side of the driver IC 115 is not connected to anything. The other end of signal line SL is more prone to peeling off than the one end (the driver IC 115 side). As a result, in the comparative example, signal line SL is more likely to peel off and disappear from the end located on the peripheral region 117 side, as shown by arrows B1 and B2.

[0082] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment, a second portion SLb is provided on the other end of the signal line SL (opposite the driver IC 115) where peeling is likely to occur, overlapping the peripheral region 117 and having a relatively large width. This improves the adhesion of the signal line SL in the peripheral region 117 compared to the case where the second portion SLb is not provided and the signal line SL is formed with a constant width, thereby suppressing peeling of the signal line SL from its end.

[0083] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, in this embodiment, the scan line GL has a first scan line GLa and a second scan line GLb. The first scan line GLa and the second scan line GLb are arranged to overlap and extend in the same direction.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9, the first scan line GLa and the second scan line GLb face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate 10, with the semiconductor layer SC constituting the switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 (see Figure 4) in between. The first scan line GLa is located between the first substrate 10 and the semiconductor layer SC. The second scan line GLb is located on the opposite side of the first scan line GLa, between the semiconductor layer SC and the signal line SL (first portion SLa). Steps are formed in the third insulating film 13 that reflect the thickness of the semiconductor layer SC, the first scan line GLa, and the second scan line GLb.

[0085] Of the signal line SL, the first portion SLa located in the display area 111 is formed along the step of the third insulating film 13. This increases the contact area between the first portion SLa provided in the display area 111 and the third insulating film 13 compared to when the signal line SL is formed on a flat surface. Furthermore, the adhesion of the first portion SLa to the third insulating film 13 is improved due to the so-called anchoring effect. As a result, the adhesion of the first portion SLa of the signal line SL provided in the display area 111 can be improved even when the width Wa is reduced. Note that although Figure 9 shows one scan line GL, the signal line SL is arranged to intersect with multiple scan lines GL in the display area 111.

[0086] As described above, the display device 100 of this embodiment includes a substrate (first substrate 10) having a display area 111 and a peripheral area 117 different from the display area 111, a plurality of pixel electrodes PE provided in the display area 111 of the substrate, a plurality of scan lines GL extending in a first direction Dx, a plurality of signal lines SL extending in a second direction Dy intersecting the first direction Dx, and a drive circuit (driver IC 115) connected to one end of the plurality of signal lines SL. Each of the plurality of signal lines SL has a first portion SLa that overlaps the display area 111 and a second portion SLb connected to the first portion SLa and overlapping the peripheral area 117 at the other end of the plurality of signal lines SL. The width Wb of the second portion SLb in the first direction Dx is greater than the width Wa of the first portion SLa in the first direction Dx.

[0087] As a result, the display device 100 of this embodiment has a second portion SLb on the peripheral region 117 side, which improves the adhesion of the signal line SL in the peripheral region 117. Therefore, even when the width of the first portion SLa of the signal line SL is reduced in order to achieve high resolution of the display, the occurrence of peeling starting from the end of the signal line SL can be suppressed.

[0088] Note that the second portion SLb of the signal line SL shown in Figures 7 and 8 is rectangular in shape and extends in the second direction Dy, but is not limited to this. The second portion SLb may also be oval, elliptical, polygonal, or have other shapes. In this case, the width Wb in the first direction Dx and the length Lb in the second direction Dy are the largest width Wb and longest length Lb of the second portion SLb, respectively.

[0089] Note that the thicknesses of the semiconductor layer SC, the first scanning line GLa, the second scanning line GLb, and each insulating film shown in Figure 9 are highlighted for ease of understanding. The thicknesses of the semiconductor layer SC, the first scanning line GLa, the second scanning line GLb, and each insulating film in this embodiment are not limited to the example shown in Figure 9.

[0090] While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The contents disclosed in the embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Any modifications made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure will naturally fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. At least one of various omissions, substitutions, and modifications of components can be made without departing from the gist of each embodiment and each modification described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1 Display System 10. First board 20 Second board 100, 101 Display device 110 Display Panel 111 Display area 112 Display Control Circuit 113 Signal line connection circuit 114, 114A, 114B scan line drive circuit 115 Driver IC 117 Peripheral area 200 Control device 400 Mounting component 410 Lens GL, G1, G2, G3 scan lines Lb, Lpe length PE1, PE2, PE3 pixel electrodes Pix, PixR, PixG, PixB pixels SL, S1, S2, S3 signal line SLa Part 1 SLb Part 2 Wa, Wb, Wsp Width

Claims

1. A substrate having a display area and a peripheral area different from the display area, A plurality of pixel electrodes provided in the display area of ​​the substrate, Multiple scan lines extending in the first direction, Multiple signal lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, It has a drive circuit connected to one end of the plurality of signal lines, Each of the plurality of signal lines has a first portion that overlaps with the display area, and a second portion that is connected to the first portion and overlaps with the peripheral area at the other end of the plurality of signal lines. The width of the second portion in the first direction is greater than the width of the first portion in the first direction. Display device.

2. The width of the second portion in the first direction is 2 μm or more. The width of the first portion in the first direction is less than 2 μm. The display device according to claim 1.

3. When the width of the first portion in the first direction is X μm, the width of the second portion in the first direction is (X + 0.3) μm or more. The display device according to claim 1.

4. The length of the second portion in the second direction is longer than the length of one of the pixel electrodes in the second direction. The display device according to claim 1.

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