Patents by Inventor Noboru Kunimatsu
Noboru Kunimatsu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11150523Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a common electrode is formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a through hole is formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, so that the pixel electrode is connected to a source electrode of a TFT through the through hole. Further, the taper angle around the upper base of the through hole is smaller than the taper angle around the lower base. Thus, the alignment film material can easily flow into the through hole when the diameter of the through hole is reduced to connect the pixel and source electrodes, preventing display defects such as uneven brightness due to the absence of the alignment film or due to the alignment film irregularity around the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Tomioka, Yosuke Hyodo, Hidehiro Sonoda, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Publication number: 20210208442Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. A scanning line, a video signal line, a thin film transistor connected to the scanning line and the video signal line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a counter electrode are formed on the TFT substrate, and a columnar spacer formed on the counter substrate. The pixel and counter electrodes are transparent, and the liquid crystal layer is controlled by an electric field generated between the pixel and counter electrodes. The counter electrode contacts with a metal line having a first part which is extended in parallel with the scanning line and a second part which is extended in parallel with the video signal line, a width of the first part of the metal line being narrower than a width of the scanning line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Chikae Matsui, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Patent number: 11036088Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed to oppose the first substrate, a layer of liquid crystal located between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an alignment film disposed on the first substrate so as to be in contact with the layer of the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal has a refractive-index anisotropy ?n of 0.11 or more, the layer of the liquid crystal has a thickness d of 2.5 ?m or less, and a product ?nd of the refractive-index anisotropy ?n and the thickness d is 0.20 or more but 0.31 or less. The transmissivity of light having a wavelength of 450 nm in the first substrate and the alignment film is 85% or more but 97% or less.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Masahiro Kosuge, Yasushi Tomioka, Takenori Hirota, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Publication number: 20210155755Abstract: According to one embodiment, a varnish for a photo alignment film includes an imidization promotor and a first polyamic acid-based compound in an organic solvent. The first polyamic acid-based compound is a polyamic acid or a polyamic acid ester. The imidization promotor has skeleton containing no primary amino group and no secondary amino group. The first polyamic acid-based compound has terminal skeletons containing no primary amino group.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Takenori Hirota, Yasushi Tomioka, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Patent number: 10989965Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. A scanning line, a video signal line, a thin film transistor connected to the scanning line and the video signal line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a counter electrode are formed on the TFT substrate, and a columnar spacer formed on the counter substrate. The pixel and counter electrodes are transparent, and the liquid crystal layer is controlled by an electric field generated between the pixel and counter electrodes. The counter electrode contacts with a metal line having a first part which is extended in parallel with the scanning line and a second part which is extended in parallel with the video signal line, a width of the first part of the metal line being narrower than a width of the scanning line.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Chikae Matsui, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Patent number: 10947345Abstract: According to one embodiment, a varnish for a photo alignment film includes an imidization promotor and a first polyamic acid-based compound in an organic solvent. The first polyamic acid-based compound is a polyamic acid or a polyamic acid ester. The imidization promotor has skeleton containing no primary amino group and no secondary amino group. The first polyamic acid-based compound has terminal skeletons containing no primary amino group.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Takenori Hirota, Yasushi Tomioka, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Publication number: 20210072603Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a common electrode is formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a through hole is formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, so that the pixel electrode is connected to a source electrode of a TFT through the through hole. Further, the taper angle around the upper base of the through hole is smaller than the taper angle around the lower base. Thus, the alignment film material can easily flow into the through hole when the diameter of the through hole is reduced to connect the pixel and source electrodes, preventing display defects such as uneven brightness due to the absence of the alignment film or due to the alignment film irregularity around the through hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Yasushi TOMIOKA, Yosuke HYODO, Hidehiro SONODA, Noboru KUNIMATSU
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Publication number: 20210041748Abstract: The present invention prevents the shaving of an alignment film caused by a columnar spacer in a liquid crystal display device of an IPS method using photo-alignment. A plinth higher than a pixel electrode is formed at a part where a columnar spacer formed over a counter substrate touches a TFT substrate. When an alignment film of a double-layered structure is applied over the pixel electrode and the plinth, the thickness of the alignment film over the plinth reduces by a leveling effect. When photo-alignment is applied in the state, a photodegraded upper alignment film over the plinth disappears and a lower alignment film having a high mechanical strength remains. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shaving of the alignment film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Noboru KUNIMATSU, Masaki MATSUMORI, Hidehiro SONODA, Yasushi TOMIOKA, Toshiki KANEKO
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Publication number: 20210041749Abstract: An alignment film is given a 2-layer structure comprising a photoalignment film that is photoalignable and a low-resistivity alignment film whose resistivity is smaller than that of the photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid alkyl ester, the number molecular weight of the photoalignment film is large, and the stability of alignment of the photoalignment film by photoalignment is excellent. The low-resistivity alignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid, the number molecular weight of the low-resistivity alignment film is small, and the resistivity of the low-resistivity alignment film is small. The 2-layer structure alignment film can be maintaining an excellent photoalignment characteristic, so DC afterimages can be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Chikae MATSUI, Noboru KUNIMATSU, Hidehiro SONODA
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Patent number: 10877325Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a common electrode is formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a through hole is formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, so that the pixel electrode is connected to a source electrode of a TFT through the through hole. Further, the taper angle around the upper base of the through hole is smaller than the taper angle around the lower base. Thus, the alignment film material can easily flow into the through hole when the diameter of the through hole is reduced to connect the pixel and source electrodes, preventing display defects such as uneven brightness due to the absence of the alignment film or due to the alignment film irregularity around the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Tomioka, Yosuke Hyodo, Hidehiro Sonoda, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Publication number: 20200393726Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a first area and a second area, a second substrate opposing the first substrate but not opposing the second area, a sealing part which adheres the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounded by the sealing part, an alignment film disposed on the first substrate so as to be in contact with the liquid crystal layer and a terminal located in the second area and connected to an external circuit. In plan view, the alignment film includes an end located between the sealing part and the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Takenori Hirota, Noboru Kunimatsu, Koichi Igeta
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Patent number: 10852588Abstract: An alignment film is given a 2-layer structure comprising a photoalignment film that is photoalignable and a low-resistivity alignment film whose resistivity is smaller than that of the photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid alkyl ester, the number molecular weight of the photoalignment film is large, and the stability of alignment of the photoalignment film by photoalignment is excellent. The low-resistivity alignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid, the number molecular weight of the low-resistivity alignment film is small, and the resistivity of the low-resistivity alignment film is small. The 2-layer structure alignment film can be maintaining an excellent photoalignment characteristic, so DC afterimages can be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignees: JAPAN DISPLAY INC., PANASONIC LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CO., LTD.Inventors: Chikae Matsui, Noboru Kunimatsu, Hidehiro Sonoda
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Patent number: 10852589Abstract: The present invention prevents the shaving of an alignment film caused by a columnar spacer in a liquid crystal display device of an IPS method using photo-alignment. A plinth higher than a pixel electrode is formed at a part where a columnar spacer formed over a counter substrate touches a TFT substrate. When an alignment film of a double-layered structure is applied over the pixel electrode and the plinth, the thickness of the alignment film over the plinth reduces by a leveling effect. When photo-alignment is applied in the state, a photodegraded upper alignment film over the plinth disappears and a lower alignment film having a high mechanical strength remains. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shaving of the alignment film.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Noboru Kunimatsu, Masaki Matsumori, Hidehiro Sonoda, Yasushi Tomioka, Toshiki Kaneko
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Patent number: 10795211Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a first area and a second area, a second substrate opposing the first substrate but not opposing the second area, a sealing part which adheres the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounded by the sealing part, an alignment film disposed on the first substrate so as to be in contact with the liquid crystal layer and a terminal located in the second area and connected to an external circuit. In plan view, the alignment film includes an end located between the sealing part and the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Takenori Hirota, Noboru Kunimatsu, Koichi Igeta
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Publication number: 20200278573Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. A scanning line, a video signal line, a thin film transistor connected to the scanning line and the video signal line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a counter electrode are formed on the TFT substrate, and a columnar spacer formed on the counter substrate. The pixel and counter electrodes are transparent, and the liquid crystal layer is controlled by an electric field generated between the pixel and counter electrodes. The counter electrode contacts with a metal line having a first part which is extended in parallel with the scanning line and a second part which is extended in parallel with the video signal line, a width of the first part of the metal line being narrower than a width of the scanning line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Hidehiro SONODA, Chikae MATSUI, Noboru KUNIMATSU
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Publication number: 20200249533Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a first alignment film formed over the first substrate, a second substrate, a second alignment film formed over the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first alignment film and the second alignment film, and a projecting portion formed over the second substrate. The first film is a photo alignment film, and a thickness “d2” of the second alignment film over the projecting portion and a film thickness “d1” of a portion of the first alignment film facing the projecting portion satisfy formula (2), d2<d1 ??(2).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Hidehiro SONODA, Chikae MATSUI, Noboru KUNIMATSU
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Publication number: 20200225543Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device which is a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal alignment film to which an alignment regulating force is imparted by a photo-alignment treatment, including: a film forming step of forming a film containing a polymer whose main chain is cleaved by irradiation with light; a photo-alignment step of imparting an alignment regulating force to the film formed in the film forming step by irradiation of the film with light in an atmosphere of a temperature lower than 100° C.; and a removing step of removing a low-molecular weight component generated by cleaving the main chain of the polymer through the light irradiation after the light irradiation. Also disclosed is a liquid crystal display device manufactured by the manufacturing method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Shoichi UCHINO, Noboru KUNIMATSU, Hidehiro SONODA, Chikae MATSUI, Yuko MATSUMOTO, Tomio YAGUCHI, Toshiki KANEKO, Jun TANAKA
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Patent number: 10690971Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. A scanning line, a video signal line, a thin film transistor connected to the scanning line and the video signal line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a counter electrode are formed on the TFT substrate, and a columnar spacer formed on the counter substrate. The pixel and counter electrodes are transparent, and the liquid crystal layer is controlled by an electric field generated between the pixel and counter electrodes. The counter electrode contacts with a metal line having a first part which is extended in parallel with the scanning line and a second part which is extended in parallel with the video signal line, a width of the first part of the metal line being narrower than a width of the scanning line.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Chikae Matsui, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Patent number: 10670922Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a first alignment film formed over the first substrate, a second substrate, a second alignment film formed over the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first alignment film and the second alignment film, and a projecting portion formed over the second substrate. The first alignment film is a photo alignment film, and a thickness “d2” of the second alignment film over the projecting portion and a film thickness “d1” of a portion of the first alignment film facing the projecting portion satisfy formula (2), d2<d1??(2).Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Chikae Matsui, Noboru Kunimatsu
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Patent number: 10634954Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device which is a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal alignment film to which an alignment regulating force is imparted by a photo-alignment treatment, including: a film forming step of forming a film containing a polymer whose main chain is cleaved by irradiation with light; a photo-alignment step of imparting an alignment regulating force to the film formed in the film forming step by irradiation of the film with light in an atmosphere of a temperature lower than 100° C.; and a removing step of removing a low-molecular weight component generated by cleaving the main chain of the polymer through the light irradiation after the light irradiation. Also disclosed is a liquid crystal display device manufactured by the manufacturing method.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichi Uchino, Noboru Kunimatsu, Hidehiro Sonoda, Chikae Matsui, Yuko Matsumoto, Tomio Yaguchi, Toshiki Kaneko, Jun Tanaka