Display substrate and liquid crystal display device including the same

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0161499, filed on Nov. 18, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Display Substrate and Liquid Crystal Display Device Comprising the Same,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

1. Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a display substrate and a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device including the display substrate.

2. Description of the Related Art

Display devices are classified into liquid crystal display (“LCD”) devices, organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) display devices, plasma display panel (“PDP”) devices, electrophoretic display (“EPD”) devices, and the like, based on a light emitting scheme thereof.

A LCD device may include two substrates with electrodes formed thereon and a liquid crystal layer between the two substrates. Upon applying voltage to the electrodes, the LCD device rearranges liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer such that an amount of transmitted light is controlled. Such an LCD device generally includes an alignment layer that may align the liquid crystal molecules so as to uniformly control the liquid crystal layer.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display substrate may include a base substrate having a plurality of pixel areas; and a pixel electrode in each of the pixel areas. The pixel electrode may include a vertical stem portion extending in a first direction; a horizontal stem portion extending from the vertical stem portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of main branch portions extending from at least one of the vertical stem portion and the horizontal stem portion in an inclined manner; and a sub-branch portion extending from at least one of the plurality of main branch portions.

The sub-branch portion may extend from a main branch portion of the plurality of main branch portions that is connected to the vertical stem portion.

The sub-branch portion may include a protrusion portion extending from the at least one main branch portion in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical stem portion; and a parallel portion extending from the protrusion portion in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one main branch portion.

The protrusion portion may be spaced apart from the vertical stem portion by a distance in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm.

The protrusion portion may have a length in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm in the first direction in a plan view.

The protrusion portion may extend in the first direction in a plan view in one of an upper direction and a lower direction with respect to the at least one main branch portion.

The parallel portion may be spaced apart from the at least one main branch portion by a distance in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display substrate may include a base substrate having a plurality of pixel areas; and a pixel electrode in the pixel area. The pixel electrode may include a vertical stem portion extending in a first direction; a horizontal stem portion extending from the vertical stem portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of main branch portions extending from at least one of the vertical stem portion and the horizontal stem portion in an inclined manner; and a connecting branch portion connecting at least two main branch portions of the plurality of main branch portions that are adjacent to each other.

The connecting branch portion may be connected to the vertical stem portion.

The connecting branch portion may have a width in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm in the second direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device may include a display substrate; an opposing substrate facing the display substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the display substrate and the opposing substrate. The display substrate may include a base substrate having a plurality of pixel areas; and a pixel electrode in each of the pixel areas. The pixel electrode may include a vertical stem portion extending in a first direction; a horizontal stem portion extending from the vertical stem portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of main branch portions extending from at least one of the vertical stem portion and the horizontal stem portion in an inclined manner; and a sub-branch portion extending from at least one of the plurality of main branch portions.

The sub-branch portion may extend from a main branch portion of the plurality of main branch portions that is connected to the vertical stem portion.

The sub-branch portion may include a protrusion portion extending from the at least one main branch portion in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical stem portion; and a parallel portion extending from the protrusion portion in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one main branch portion.

The protrusion portion may be spaced apart from the vertical stem portion by a distance in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm.

The protrusion portion may have a length in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm in the first direction in a plan view.

The protrusion portion may extend from the main branch portion in the first direction in a plan view in one of an upper direction and a lower direction with respect to the at least one main branch portion.

The parallel portion may be spaced apart from the at least one main branch portion by a distance in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm.

The LCD device may further include a connecting branch portion connecting at least one pair of main branch portions adjacent to each other among the plurality of main branch portions.

The connecting branch portion may be connected to the vertical stem portion.

The connecting branch portion may have a width in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm in the second direction.

Features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view showing a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1B illustrates a plan view showing the LCD device according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1C illustrates a lateral view showing the LCD device according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view showing a pixel of the LCD device according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view showing a first sub-pixel electrode according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged view showing a portion “A” of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial enlarged view showing a portion of a first sub-pixel electrode according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view showing a first sub-pixel electrode according to a third exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial enlarged view showing a portion “B” of FIG. 8 .

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “under” another layer, it can be directly under, and one or more intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element is “directly connected” to the other element, or “electrically connected” to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, “a first element” discussed below could be termed “a second element” or “a third element,” and “a second element” and “a third element” can be termed likewise without departing from the teachings herein.

The spatially relative terms “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relations between one element or component and another element or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, in the case where a device shown in the drawing is turned over, the device positioned “below” or “beneath” another device may be placed “above” another device. Accordingly, the illustrative term “below” may include both the lower and upper positions. The device may also be oriented in the other direction, and thus the spatially relative terms may be interpreted differently depending on the orientations.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless clearly defined in this specification.

Hereinafter, a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 .

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device 500 according to a first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the LCD device 500 according to the first exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a lateral view showing the LCD device 500 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

In reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C , the LCD device 500 according to the first exemplary embodiment may include a display substrate 100 , an opposing substrate 300 , and a liquid crystal layer LC (refer to FIG. 3 ) between the display substrate 100 and the opposing substrate 300 . In addition, the LCD device 500 may have a display area DA on which an image may be displayed, and the LCD device 500 may be bent in a direction, e.g., in a second direction D 2 .

At least a portion of the LCD substrate 100 , or an entirety thereof, may be bent along the second direction D 2 , and the opposing substrate 300 coupled to the display substrate 100 may also be bent in the second direction D 2 .

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C , a first point P 1 may be defined at a bent portion of the opposing substrate 300 in a lateral view (e.g., on a surface of the opposing substrate 300 facing away from the display substrate 100 ), and a normal line 510 passing through the first point P 1 may be defined thereat. A point at which the normal line 510 meets the display substrate 100 (e.g., on a surface of the display substrate 100 facing away from the opposing substrate 300 ) may be defined as a second point P 2 . In addition, a line which passes through the first point P 1 and is parallel to a user's line of sight may be defined as a sight line 515 , and a point at which the sight line 515 meets the display substrate 100 may be defined as a third point P 3 .

Since the display substrate 100 and the opposing substrate 300 have curved shapes, a position of the second point P 2 may differ from a position of the third point P 3 in the display substrate 100 . As such, a phenomenon in which the position of the second point P 2 does not correspond to the position of the third point P 3 is defined as misalignment between the display substrate 100 and the opposing substrate 300 .

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a pixel of the LCD device 500 according to the first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2 , and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 2 .

In reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , the display substrate 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment may include a base substrate S 1 , a gate line GL, a first data line DL 1 , a second data line DL 2 , a first thin film transistor TR 1 , a second thin film transistor TR 2 , a pixel electrode PE, and a first alignment layer 110 .

The base substrate S 1 may have a plurality of pixel areas PA arranged in a matrix form.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the pixel area PA may include a first sub-pixel area PA 1 and a second sub-pixel area PA 2 . In addition, the pixel electrode PE may include a first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 disposed in the first sub-pixel area PA 1 and a second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 disposed in the second sub-pixel area PA 2 .

The first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 may include a first unit electrode PU 1 , a second unit electrode PU 2 spaced apart from the first unit electrode PU 1 , and a first connecting portion LP 1 configured to connect the first unit electrode PU 1 and the second unit electrode PU 2 .

The second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 may include a third unit electrode PU 3 , a fourth unit electrode PU 3 spaced apart from the third unit electrode PU 3 , and a second connecting portion LP 2 configured to connect the third unit electrode PU 3 and the fourth unit electrode PU 4 .

The base substrate S 1 may be an insulating substrate, such as a plastic substrate, for example, having flexibility and light transmission characteristics. However, the base substrate S 1 may include or be formed of a hard substrate such as a glass substrate, for example.

The gate line GL may be disposed on the base substrate S 1 parallel to the second direction D 2 , and may be electrically connected to the first thin film transistor TR 1 and the second thin film transistor TR 2 to transmit a gate signal to the first thin film transistor TR 1 and the second thin film transistor TR 2 .

The first data line DL 1 and the second data line DL 2 may be disposed on the base substrate S 1 parallel to the first direction D 1 , while being insulated from the gate line GL. The first data line DL 1 may transmit a first data signal, and the second data line DL 2 may transmit a second data signal.

For example, the first direction D 1 may be parallel to the data line DL, and the second direction D 2 may be parallel to the gate line GL. In another example, the first direction D 1 may be inclined with respect to the data line DL, and the second direction D 2 may be inclined with respect to the gate line GL.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the first data line DL 1 may extend along a side (e.g., a left side in FIG. 2 ) of the first and second sub-pixel electrodes PE 1 and PE 2 , the second data line DL 2 may extend along another side (e.g., a right side in FIG. 2 ) of the first and second sub-pixel electrodes PE 1 and PE 2 , and the first and second sub-pixel electrodes PE 1 and PE 2 may be disposed between the first and second data lines DL 1 and DL 2 .

The first thin film transistor TR 1 may be electrically connected to the gate line GL, the first data line DL 1 , and the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 . Accordingly, in a case where the first thin film transistor TR 1 is turned on according to the gate signal, the first data signal may be applied to the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 .

The first thin film transistor TR 1 may include a first gate electrode GE 1 , a first active pattern AP 1 , a first source electrode SE 1 , and a first drain electrode DE 1 . The first gate electrode GE 1 may be branched off from the gate line GL, and the first active pattern AP 1 may be disposed on the first gate electrode GE 1 with the first insulating layer L 1 therebetween. As used herein, the first insulating layer L 1 may also be referred to as a gate insulating layer.

The first source electrode SE 1 may be branched off from the first data line DL 1 to contact the first active pattern AP 1 , and the first drain electrode DE 1 may be spaced apart from the first source electrode SE 1 to contact the first active pattern AP 1 .

A second insulating layer L 2 may cover the first thin film transistor TR 1 , and a third insulating layer L 3 may be disposed on the second insulating layer L 2 . The first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 may be disposed on the third insulating layer L 3 , and the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 may pass through a contact hole CNT 1 (refer to FIG. 3 ) that is defined through the second and third insulating layers L 2 and L 3 so as to contact the first drain electrode DE 1 .

The second thin film transistor TR 2 may be electrically connected to the gate line GL, the second data line DL 2 , and the second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 . Accordingly, in a case where the second thin film transistor TR 2 is turned on according to the gate signal, the second data signal may be applied to the second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 .

The second thin film transistor TR 2 may include a second gate electrode GE 2 , a second active pattern AP 2 , a second source electrode SE 2 , and a second drain electrode DE 2 . The second gate electrode GE 2 may be branched off from the gate line GL, and the second active pattern AP 2 may be disposed on the second gate electrode GE 2 with the first insulating layer L 1 interposed therebetween.

The second source electrode SE 2 may be branched off from the second data line DL 2 to contact the second active pattern AP 2 , and the second drain electrode DE 2 may be spaced apart from the second source electrode SE 2 to contact the second active pattern AP 2 .

The second insulating layer L 2 may cover the second thin film transistor TR 2 , and the third insulating layer L 3 may be disposed on the second insulating layer L 2 . The second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 may be disposed on the third insulating layer L 3 , and the second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 may pass through a contact hole CNT 2 (refer to FIG. 4 ) that is defined through the second and third insulating layers L 2 and L 3 so as to contact the second drain electrode DE 2 .

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the first active pattern AP 1 and the second active pattern AP 2 may include a semiconductor material such as amorphous silicon and crystalline silicon, for example. However, the first active pattern AP 1 and the second active pattern AP 2 may include an oxide semiconductor such as IGZO, ZnO, SnO 2 , In 2 O 3 , Zn 2 SnO 4 , Ge 2 O 3 , and HfO 2 , for example, and/or may include a compound semiconductor such as GaAs, GaP, and InP, for example.

The first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 and the second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 may be respectively operated according to different data signals and, thus, may display gray levels different from each other. As such, a single pixel electrode may be divided into two sub-pixel electrodes so that the two sub-pixel electrodes may respectively represent different gray levels from each other and, thereby, side visibility may be improved.

The first alignment layer 110 may be disposed on the pixel electrode PE to contact the liquid crystal layer LC. The first alignment layer 110 aligns liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LC so that a major axis of the liquid crystal molecules is perpendicular with respect to a surface of the display substrate 100 and a surface of the opposing substrate 300 , while an electric field is absent between the display substrate 100 and the opposing substrate 300 .

The opposing substrate 300 may include an opposing base substrate S 2 , a color filter CF, a light blocking member BM, a common electrode CE, and a second alignment layer 310 .

The opposing base substrate S 2 may be, for example, an insulating substrate having flexibility and light transmission characteristics. However, the opposing base substrate S 2 may include or be formed of a hard substrate such as a glass substrate, for example.

The common electrode CE may be disposed on the opposing base substrate S 2 and, along with the pixel electrode PE, may generate an electric field over the liquid crystal layer LC.

The light blocking layer BM may be disposed on the opposing base substrate S 2 corresponding to positions of the first and second data lines DL 1 and DL 2 and the first and second thin film transistors TR 1 and TR 2 . The color filter CF may be disposed on the opposing base substrate S 2 so as to filter a color of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer LC.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, at least one of the light blocking layer BM and the color filter CF may be disposed on the base substrate S 1 .

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion “A” of FIG. 5 , and FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view showing a portion of a first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment.

According to the exemplary embodiments, a second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 may be substantially the same as the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 in terms of shape, despite having different sizes, and thus descriptions pertaining to the second sub-pixel electrode PE 2 will be omitted.

In reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 , the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment may include a first unit electrode PU 1 and a second unit electrode PU 2 that may be arranged, e.g., spaced apart from each other, in a first direction D 1 . The first connecting portion LP 1 may connect the first unit electrode PU 1 and the second unit electrode PU 2 . For example, the first connecting portion LP 1 may extend at an oblique angle with respect to each of the first and second directions D 1 and D 2 in a space between the first a second unit electrode PU 1 and PU 2 .

The first unit electrode PU 1 may include a first vertical stem portion VS 1 extending in a first direction D 1 , a first horizontal stem portion HS 1 extending from the first vertical stem portion VS 1 in a second direction D 2 intersecting, e.g., perpendicular to, the first direction D 1 , a plurality of first main branch portions MB 1 extending from at least one of the first vertical stem portion VS 1 and the first horizontal stem portion HS 1 in a third direction D 3 inclined, e.g., at an oblique angle, with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a plurality of second main branch portions MB 2 extending from at least one of the first vertical stem portion VS 1 and the first horizontal stem portion HS 1 in a fourth direction D 4 inclined, e.g., at an oblique angle, with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a plurality of first sub-branch portions SB 1 extending from at least one of the plurality of first main branch portions MB 1 , and a plurality of second sub-branch portions SB 2 extending from at least one of the plurality of second main branch portions MB 2 .

The first sub-branch portion SB 1 may extend from the first main branch portion MB 1 connected to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , and the second sub-branch portion SB 2 may extend from the second main branch portion MB 2 connected to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 . The first sub-branch portion SB 1 may include a first protrusion portion M 1 extending, e.g., directly, from the first main branch portion MB 1 substantially parallel to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , and a first parallel portion N 1 extending from the first protrusion portion M 1 substantially parallel to the first main branch portion MB 1 . The second sub-branch portion SB 2 may include a second protrusion portion M 2 extending, e.g., directly, from the second main branch portion MB 2 substantially parallel to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , and a second parallel portion N 2 extending from the second protrusion portion M 2 substantially parallel to the second main branch portion MB 2 .

The second unit electrode PU 2 may include a second vertical stem portion VS 2 extending in a first direction D 1 , a second horizontal stem portion HS 2 extending from the second vertical stem portion VS 2 in a second direction D 2 intersecting the first direction D 1 , a plurality of third main branch portions MB 3 extending from at least one of the second vertical stem portion VS 2 and the second horizontal stem portion HS 2 in a fifth direction D 5 inclined with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a plurality of fourth main branch portions MB 4 extending from at least one of the second vertical stem portion VS 2 and the second horizontal stem portion HS 2 in a sixth direction D 6 inclined with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a plurality of third sub-branch portions SB 3 extending from at least one of the plurality of third main branch portions MB 3 , and a plurality of fourth sub-branch portions SB 4 extending from at least one of the plurality of fourth main branch portions MB 4 .

The third sub-branch portion SB 3 may extend from the third main branch portion MB 3 connected to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 , and the fourth sub-branch portion SB 4 may extend from the fourth main branch portion MB 4 connected to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 . The third sub-branch portion SB 3 may include a third protrusion portion M 3 extending, e.g., directly, from the third main branch portion MB 3 substantially parallel to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 , and a third parallel portion N 3 extending from the third protrusion portion M 3 substantially parallel to the third main branch portion MB 3 . The fourth sub-branch portion SB 4 may include a fourth protrusion portion M 4 extending, e.g., directly, from the fourth main branch portion MB 4 substantially parallel to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 , and a fourth parallel portion N 4 extending from the fourth protrusion portion M 4 substantially parallel to the fourth main branch portion MB 4 .

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the first and second vertical stem portions VS 1 and VS 2 may extend parallel to the first direction D 1 , and the first and second horizontal stem portions HS 1 and HS 2 may extend parallel to the second direction D 2 . However, in another example, the first and second vertical stem portions VS 1 and VS 2 may extend in an inclined manner with respect to the first direction D 1 , and the first and second horizontal stem portions HS 1 and HS 2 may extend in an inclined manner with respect to the second direction D 2 .

The first vertical stem portion VS 1 and the second vertical stem portion VS 2 may be respectively disposed at one side (a left side in FIG. 5 ) of the first sub-pixel area PA 1 and another side (a right side in FIG. 5 ) of the first sub-pixel area PA 1 . The first horizontal stem portion HS 1 may extend in the second direction D 2 from the center of the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , and the second horizontal stem portion HS 2 may extend in the second direction D 2 from the center of the second vertical stem portion VS 2 .

An angle formed by each of the third direction D 3 , the fourth direction D 4 , the fifth direction D 5 , and the sixth direction D 6 with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 may be about 45 degrees in a plan view.

The first protrusion portion M 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment is depicted as extending in a lower direction with respect to the first direction D 1 in a plan view. However, in reference to FIG. 7 , the first protrusion portion M 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment may extend in an upper direction with respect to the first direction D 1 in a plan view. In other words, the first, second, third, and fourth protrusion portions M 1 , M 2 , M 3 , and M 4 may extend in one of an upper direction and a lower direction with respect to the first direction D 1 in a plan view.

The first, second, third, and fourth sub-branch portions SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 3 , and SB 4 according to the first exemplary embodiment are depicted as extending from each single one of the first, second, third, and fourth main branch portions MB 1 , MB 2 , MB 3 , and MB 4 , respectively. However, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourth sub-branch portions SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 3 , and SB 4 may extend from the first, second, third, and fourth main branch portions MB 1 , MB 2 , MB 3 , and MB 4 for every two or more first, second, third, and fourth main branch portions MB 1 , MB 2 , MB 3 , and MB 4 , respectively, and may be formed in an irregular manner.

In a case where the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 has the aforementioned structure, the first domain may be defined by the first main branch portion MB 1 and the first parallel portion N 1 , the second domain may be defined by the second main branch portion MB 2 and the second parallel portion N 2 , the third domain may be defined by the third main branch portion MB 3 and the third parallel portion N 3 , and the fourth domain may be defined by the fourth main branch portion MB 4 and the fourth parallel portion N 4 .

At least one second main branch portion MB 2 defining the second domain and at least one third main branch portion MB 3 defining the third domain may be connected by the first connecting portion LP 1 . A boundary area between the second domain and the third domain may have an angle in a range of about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to the second direction D 2 . In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , the area of the space between the first and second unit electrodes PU 1 and PU 2 may angled, e.g., at an oblique angle, with respect to the second direction D 2 . By employing such a structure, liquid crystal molecules disposed at the boundary area between the second domain and the third domain may be aligned parallel to the second main branch portion MB 2 and the third main branch portion MB 3 . As such, in a case where the first, second, third, and fourth domains are arranged sequentially in the first direction D 1 , viewing angle properties may be improved, and even in the case where the LCD device is curved in the second direction D 2 , alignment defects that may arise from misalignments between the display substrate and the opposing substrate may be prevented.

The first protrusion portion M 1 and the second protrusion portion M 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment may be parallel to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 . However, the first protrusion portion M 1 and the second protrusion portion M 2 may be formed in an inclined manner with respect to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 .

Similarly to the first protrusion portion M 1 and the second protrusion portion M 2 , the third protrusion portion M 3 and the fourth protrusion portion M 4 according to the first exemplary embodiment may be parallel to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 . However, the third protrusion portion M 3 and the fourth protrusion portion M 4 may be formed in an inclined manner with respect to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 .

In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel electrode may be patterned through a photolithography process using an exposure apparatus and, in such a case, due to a resolution limit of the exposure apparatus, the protrusion portion and the vertical stem portion may be formed in an inclined manner in an exposure process (refer to FIG. 7 ).

Accordingly, hereinafter, the term “substantially parallel” is to be understood to include a case in which the protrusion portion and the vertical stem portion are substantially parallel to each other and a case in which the protrusion portion and the vertical stem portion are formed in an inclined manner with respect to each other within the resolution limit of an exposure apparatus.

A distance W 1 between the first protrusion portion M 1 and the first vertical stem portion VS 1 may be in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm, e.g., about 3 μm to about 6 μm. Similarly to the distance W 1 between the first protrusion portion M 1 and the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , a distance between the second protrusion portion M 2 and the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , a distance between the third protrusion portion M 3 and the second vertical stem portion VS 2 , and a distance between the fourth protrusion portion M 4 and the second vertical stem portion VS 2 may be in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm, e.g., about 3 μm to about 6 μm.

The first protrusion portion M 1 may have a length l in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm and, similarly, the second, third, and fourth protrusion portions M 2 , M 3 , and M 4 may have a length in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm. In an exemplary embodiment, the first protrusion portion M 1 may extend from between the first main branch portion MB 1 and the first vertical stem portion VS 1 in the exposure process due to the resolution limit of an exposure apparatus (refer to FIG. 7 ).

A distance W 2 between the first parallel portion N 1 and the first main branch portion MB 1 may be in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm and, similarly, a distance between the second parallel portion N 2 and the second main branch portion MB 2 , a distance between the third parallel portion N 3 and the third main branch portion MB 3 , and a distance between the fourth parallel portion N 4 and the fourth main branch portion MB 4 may be in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm.

The first unit electrode PU 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment may have a bent slit structure defined by the first vertical stem portion VS 1 , the first main branch portion MB 1 , and the first sub-branch portion SB 1 at a point from which the first vertical stem portion VS 1 starts extending. As such, the pixel electrode according to exemplary embodiments may include the plurality of sub-branch portions having the protrusion portion substantially parallel to the vertical stem portion, such that effects of a fringe field generated outwardly of the vertical stem portion toward the pixel area may be cancelled. Accordingly, transmittance degradation of the LCD device that may arise from irregular movements of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the vertical stem portion may be significantly reduced or prevented.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to a third exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view showing a portion “B” of FIG. 8 . The descriptions provided hereinabove with respect to the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment will be omitted in the descriptions with respect to the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

In reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first sub-pixel electrode PE 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment may include a first unit electrode PU 1 and a second unit electrode PU 2 arranged in a first direction D 1 , and a first connecting portion LP 1 configured to connect the first unit electrode PU 1 and the second unit electrode PU 2 .

The first unit electrode PU 1 may include a first vertical stem portion VS 1 extending in a first direction D 1 , a first horizontal stem portion HS 1 extending from the first vertical stem portion VS 1 in a second direction D 2 intersecting the first direction D 1 , a plurality of first main branch portions MB 1 extending from at least one of the first vertical stem portion VS 1 and the first horizontal stem portion HS 1 in a third direction D 3 inclined with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a plurality of second main branch portions MB 2 extending from at least one of the first vertical stem portion VS 1 and the first horizontal stem portion HS 1 in a fourth direction D 4 inclined with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a first connecting branch portion LB 1 configured to connect at least two first main branch portions MB 1 of the plurality of first main branch portions MB 1 that are adjacent to each other, and a second connecting branch portion LB 2 configured to connect at least two second main branch portions MB 2 of the plurality of second main branch portions MB 2 that are adjacent to each other.

The first connecting branch portion LB 1 and the second connecting branch portion LB 2 may be connected to the first vertical stem portion VS 1 and, in such a case, the first connecting branch portion LB 1 and the second connecting branch portion LB 2 may have a width T 1 in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm in the second direction D 2 .

The second unit electrode PU 2 may include a second vertical stem portion VS 2 extending in the first direction D 1 , a second horizontal stem portion HS 2 extending from the second vertical stem portion VS 2 in the second direction D 2 intersecting the first direction D 1 , a plurality of third main branch portions MB 3 extending from at least one of the second vertical stem portion VS 2 and the second horizontal stem portion HS 2 in a fifth direction D 5 inclined with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a plurality of fourth main branch portions MB 4 extending from at least one of the second vertical stem portion VS 2 and the second horizontal stem portion HS 2 in a sixth direction D 6 inclined with respect to the first direction D 1 and the second direction D 2 , a third connecting branch portion LB 3 configured to connect at least two third main branch portions MB 3 of the plurality of third main branch portions MB 3 that are adjacent to each other, and a fourth connecting branch portion LB 4 configured to connect at least two fourth main branch portions MB 4 of the plurality of fourth main branch portions MB 4 that are adjacent to each other.

The third connecting branch portion LB 3 and the fourth connecting branch portion LB 4 may be connected to the second vertical stem portion VS 2 and, in such a case, the third connecting branch portion LB 3 and the fourth connecting branch portion LB 4 may have a width in a range of about 2 μm to about 10 μm in the second direction D 2 .

As such, a pixel electrode according to the third exemplary embodiment may include at least one connecting branch portion configured to connect at least two main branch portions, such that effects of a fringe field generated outwardly of the vertical stem portion toward a pixel area may be cancelled. Accordingly, transmittance degradation of the LCD device that may arise from irregular movements of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the vertical stem portion may be significantly reduced or prevented.

By way of Summation and review, in a case where a LCD device is utilized to form a curved display device that is curved in a predetermined direction, texture may arise from misalignment between an electrode of an upper substrate and an electrode of a lower substrate. In order to obviate the misalignment, an attempt was made for a structure of a pixel electrode with a plurality of domains, each domain having different liquid crystal inclinations from one another, respectively arranged in directions perpendicular to a direction in which the LCD device is curved. Such a structure of pixel electrode may include a stem portion and a plurality of branch portions extending from the stem portion in different directions from one another in an inclined manner. However, in such a pixel electrode structure of a LCD device, it may be difficult to align liquid crystal molecules at a portion where a branch portion starts extending from a stem portion in a predetermined direction due to a fringe field of both the stem portion and the branch portion. Accordingly, texture may appear at a portion where the branch portion starts extending from the stem portion, and thus transmittance of the LCD device may be degraded.

In contrast, the LCD device according to exemplary embodiments may efficiently reduce or prevent texture arising from misalignment when the LCD device is utilized to form a curved display device, and may efficiently reduce or prevent irregular movements of liquid crystal molecules disposed above a stem portion. That is, the LCD device according to exemplary embodiments may include domains that are sequentially arranged in the first direction, and thus viewing angle properties thereof may be improved. Further, even in the case where the LCD device is curved in the second direction D 2 , alignment defects that may arise from misalignments between the display substrate and the opposing substrate may be prevented. In addition, by including the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode that represent different gray levels from each other, side visibility may be improved. Therefore, the LCD device according to one or more exemplary embodiments may efficiently reduce or prevent degradation of transmittance arising from irregular movements of liquid crystal molecules that may occur in the vicinity of a vertical stem portion.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.