JP2002303843A - Electro-optical device, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus including electro-optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an electro-optical device in which information on production and management of a product such as a lot number is recorded, and a method of manufacturing the same. An electro-optical device includes a first substrate (2a).
And a second substrate (2b) and the first and second substrates in a display area defined in a plane of the first and second substrates.
And a liquid crystal (14) sandwiched between the substrates. Information related to manufacturing is visually recorded at a position on the outer surface of the electro-optical device and outside the display area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention belongs to the technical field of an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic apparatus equipped with such an electro-optical device, and particularly records a lot number in a manufacturing process. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a manufacturing process of an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device, it has been proposed to perform marking on components such as a liquid crystal panel and a polarizing plate for the purpose of identifying types and aligning the components. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-287222 describes that alignment marks are provided on a liquid crystal cell and a polarizing plate. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-230139
In the official gazette, marking is performed on the side of the polarizing plate with a pen,
It describes that the type of the polarizing plate can be identified to prevent an operation error. As a marking method, there is a method using a laser or the like in addition to a method using a pen or the like.

[0003]

However, in the above-described marking, the type of the component can be identified by the color, thickness, position, and the like of the marking, and no further information can be recorded. Further, when marking is performed on the side surface of a liquid crystal panel or a polarizing plate using a laser, there is a problem that cracks may occur.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electro-optical device in which information on production and management of a product such as a lot number is recorded, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0005]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electro-optical device comprising: a first substrate, a second substrate, and a first substrate and a second substrate. A liquid crystal interposed between the first and second substrates within a defined display area, wherein the liquid crystal is related to manufacturing at a position on the outer surface of the electro-optical apparatus and outside the display area. Information is recorded visually.

[0006] According to this electro-optical device, information related to manufacturing is stored, for example, on the outer surface of the electro-optical device or in a portion of the laminated structure on the substrate which can be seen through a transparent member when viewed from the outside. Since the information is recorded visually, information related to manufacturing can be visually recognized without the necessity of destroying the electro-optical device itself. Further, for example, like an electro-optical device for RGB constituting a double-plate type projector,
Even when various electro-optical devices having the same external dimensions but different specifications are used for manufacturing, the possibility of using an erroneous electro-optical device can be reduced, and device reliability and manufacturing yield can be improved. On the other hand, since information related to manufacturing is recorded at a position outside the display area, there is no adverse effect on the display function of the electro-optical device.

According to one aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the electro-optical device includes an optical element provided on a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface on which the liquid crystal is sandwiched, and the information relating to the manufacturing is provided by the optical element. Recorded on the surface.

According to this aspect, after injecting liquid crystal between the substrates and further attaching the optical element, information related to the production is recorded on the optical element, which affects the production of the electro-optical device itself. Instead, information related to manufacturing can be recorded.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device according to the present invention, the information related to the manufacture is recorded on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface holding the liquid crystal.

According to this aspect, the information relating to the production is recorded directly on the surface of the substrate opposite to the side on which the liquid crystal is sandwiched, so that the information relating to the production is produced even when the optical element is not formed on the substrate. Can be recorded.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device according to the present invention, an overhang area extending outside the display area is defined in a plane of the first substrate, and the information relating to the manufacturing is stored in the overhang area. Is recorded at the position corresponding to.

According to this aspect, since information related to manufacturing is recorded in the overhang area defined outside the display area, the influence on the display function of the electro-optical device can be reliably prevented.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, a display electrode is formed in the display area on a surface of the first and second substrates on which the liquid crystal is interposed, and On the surface of the substrate on the side that sandwiches the liquid crystal, a drive circuit area provided with a drive circuit for the display electrode is formed in the overhang area, and the information related to the manufacturing is It is recorded on the surface of the first substrate on the side where the liquid crystal is sandwiched, in the overhang area and outside the drive circuit area.

According to this aspect, the display electrode is formed in the display area, and the drive circuit is formed in the drive circuit area. Since information related to manufacturing is recorded in an area that does not belong to either the display area or the drive circuit area, the original function of the electro-optical device is not affected.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the electro-optical device further includes a polarizing plate provided on a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface on which the liquid crystal is sandwiched, and the information relating to the manufacturing is the polarization light. It is recorded on the opposite side of the board from the substrate.

According to this aspect, since information related to manufacturing is recorded on the outer surface of the polarizing plate, information related to manufacturing can be recorded without affecting the portion composed of the substrate and the liquid crystal.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device according to the present invention, the optical element may be a polarizing plate. This allows
Information related to manufacturing can be easily recorded in the manufacturing process of the device.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the first and second substrates are sandwiched between the first and second substrates.
A liquid crystal is injected into a space defined by the first and second substrates and the sealing material, and an outer periphery of the sealing material defines the display area. The information related to the production is recorded at a position outside the sealing material.

In this embodiment, the display area is defined by the outer periphery of the sealing material.
It is possible to easily determine the recording position of information related to manufacturing.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device according to the present invention, the first substrate includes a light-shielding film provided on a surface on the side sandwiching the liquid crystal and defining the display area. The information to be recorded is recorded at a position outside the light shielding film. According to this aspect, since the display region is defined by the light-shielding film, the recording position of information related to manufacturing can be easily determined based on the position of the light-shielding film.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electro-optical device, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate;
And a liquid crystal sandwiched between the second substrate, a polarizing plate provided on a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface that sandwiches the liquid crystal, and a reflection surface positioned on the polarizing plate side. In the electro-optical device including the reflection plate provided on the polarizing plate, information related to manufacturing is visually recorded on a surface of the reflection plate opposite to the reflection surface.

According to this electro-optical device, the electro-optical device itself is configured as a reflection type. No light passes through the surface of the reflector opposite to the reflecting surface, and information related to manufacturing can be recorded at any position on the surface.

In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the information related to the manufacture is a lot number in the manufacture of the electro-optical device.

According to this aspect, by referring to the information recorded in the manufactured electro-optical device, information relating to the manufacture of the product can be easily obtained.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including the above-described electro-optical device (including various aspects thereof) and the electric device so as to cover a portion other than the display area. A housing for housing the optical device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having the above-described electro-optical device (including its various aspects) and an opening, wherein the display is provided in the opening. A cover that covers a surface of the electro-optical device on the display region side so that the region is exposed; and a housing that houses the electro-optical device, wherein the display region is defined by the opening of the cover. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, comprising: a step of arranging a pair of substrates facing each other; a step of injecting a liquid crystal between the pair of substrates; Providing an optical element on a surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal has been injected, and on a surface of the optical element opposite to the substrate and at a position outside a display area defined in the surface of the substrate. And a step of visually recording information related to manufacturing.

According to this manufacturing method, liquid crystal is injected between a pair of substrates, an optical element is provided outside the substrate, and information related to manufacturing is recorded outside the display area on the surface of the optical element. Therefore, information related to manufacturing is recorded on the surface of the optical element, so that it can be easily visually recognized from the outside,
Further, since the information is recorded outside the display area, the display function is not affected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, comprising the steps of: inserting a sealant between a pair of substrates to dispose the pair of substrates facing each other; A step of injecting a liquid crystal into a space defined by the sealing material, a step of providing an optical element on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface in contact with the liquid crystal, and a step of providing the optical element on a surface opposite to the substrate. And visually recording manufacturing-related information at a position outside an area defined by the sealing material.

According to this manufacturing method, the liquid crystal is injected between the pair of substrates sandwiching the sealing material, the optical element is provided outside the substrate, and the surface of the optical element is out of the display area defined by the sealing material. Information related to manufacturing is recorded. Therefore, information related to manufacturing is recorded on the surface of the optical element, so that it can be easily visually recognized from the outside. In addition, since information is recorded outside the display area defined by the sealing material, the display function is not affected. I will not give.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, comprising the steps of: forming a display region on a surface of one of a pair of substrates, the surface being opposed to the other substrate; Forming a prescribed light-shielding film, arranging the pair of substrates facing each other, injecting a liquid crystal between the pair of substrates, and forming a liquid crystal on a surface of the one substrate opposite to a surface in contact with the liquid crystal. The step of providing an optical element, and on the surface of the optical element opposite to the substrate, at a position outside the display area defined by the light-shielding film, the step of visually recording information related to manufacturing, Is provided.

According to this manufacturing method, the substrate provided with the light-shielding film and the other substrate are arranged to face each other, liquid crystal is injected between the substrates, the optical element is provided outside the substrate, and the surface of the optical element is provided. Information related to manufacturing is recorded outside the display area defined by the light shielding film above. Therefore, information related to manufacturing is recorded on the surface of the optical element, so that it can be easily viewed from the outside. In addition, since information is recorded outside the display area defined by the light shielding film, the display function is not affected. I will not give.

In another aspect of the method for manufacturing an electro-optical device according to the present invention, the step of visually recording the information related to the production records character information by a laser.

According to this aspect, information related to manufacturing can be recorded efficiently.

By using an arbitrary light-shielding film, reflective film, colored film or the like included in the laminated structure formed on the substrate, for example, the light-shielding film or the like is patterned by photolithography and etching, It is also possible to record such manufacturing-related information, such as by patterning the information. Alternatively, such information can be recorded on an arbitrary optical element or a plate member attached to a substrate by patterning, or can be recorded by inkjet or the like.

The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments explained below.

[0037]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal device as an example of an electro-optical device.

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a plan view of a passive matrix drive type electro-optical device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-optical device 1 shown in FIG. 1 taken along a cutting plane AA ′.

The electro-optical device 1 has a pair of substrates 2a and 2b opposed to each other, and the substrates are bonded to each other by a sealing material 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a conductive material 4 is included inside the seal material 3. Also,
As shown in FIG.
a is formed.

In FIG. 2, the first substrate 2a is a substrate material 6
a, a plurality of first electrodes 7a are formed in a predetermined pattern on a liquid crystal side surface of the substrate material 6a, that is, a surface facing the second substrate 2b, and an overcoat layer 8a is formed thereon. Further, an alignment film 9a is formed thereon. In FIG. 1, illustration of the overcoat layer 8a and the alignment film 9a is omitted for convenience. In FIG. 2, a polarizing plate 11a as an optical element is mounted on the outer surface of the substrate material 6a, for example, by sticking, and a reflector 12 as an optical element is mounted on the outer surface thereof, for example, by sticking. That is, the electro-optical device 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.
Is the image display surface. When an illumination light source is arranged on the back of the electro-optical device, 12 may be a transmissive reflector, or 11a may be a semi-transmissive reflector and 12 may be a polarizing plate. Between the substrate material 6a and the polarizing plate, one or more retardation plates may be arranged as necessary.
Moreover, you may laminate | stack a light-diffusion plate as needed.

The second substrate 2b facing the first substrate 2a has a substrate material 6b, and a plurality of second electrodes 7b are provided on the liquid crystal side surface of the substrate material 6b, that is, on the surface facing the first substrate 6a. A predetermined pattern is formed, an overcoat 8b is formed thereon, and an alignment film 9b is further formed thereon. In FIG. 1, illustration of the overcoat 8b and the alignment film 9b is omitted for convenience. In FIG. 2, a retardation plate 10 as an optical element is mounted on an outer surface of the substrate material 6b by, for example, bonding, and a polarizing plate 11b as an optical element is further mounted thereon by, for example, bonding.

Incidentally, as the optical element provided on both or one of the first substrate 2a and the second substrate 2b, other elements other than those described above, such as a light diffusing plate, can be considered as necessary. Further, on one inner surface of the substrate materials 6a and 6b, other optical elements, for example, a color filter or the like can be provided as necessary.

In FIG. 1, the first substrate 2a has a substrate overhang 2c extending outward from the edge of the second substrate 2b. An ACF (Anistoropic Co.) is provided on the substrate overhang 2c.
Drive IC by nductive Film (anisotropic conductive film) 17
16 is implemented directly. First electrode 7 on first substrate 2a
a extends directly to the substrate overhang portion 2c and
It has become. The electrode 7b on the second substrate 2b is connected to the wiring 15 on the substrate overhang 2c via the conductive material 4 (see FIG. 2) included in the sealing material 3. Reference numeral 20 denotes an external connection terminal for making an electrical connection with an external circuit (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the first electrode 7a is formed by arranging a plurality of linear patterns parallel to each other.
It is formed in a so-called stripe shape. On the other hand, the second electrode 7
b is also formed in a stripe shape by arranging a plurality of linear patterns parallel to each other so as to intersect the first electrode 7a. A plurality of points at which the electrodes 7a and 7b intersect in a dot matrix with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween form pixels for displaying an image. The area defined by the plurality of pixels is a display area for displaying an image such as a character.

The first substrate 2a formed as described above
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of spacers 13 are dispersed on one of the liquid crystal side surfaces of the second substrate 2b and the sealing material 3 is further formed on the liquid crystal side surface of one of the substrates by, for example, printing. It is provided in a frame shape as shown in FIG. Further, a liquid crystal injection port 3a is formed at an appropriate position of the sealing material 3.

A spacer 1 is provided between the substrates 2a and 2b.
3, a gap of about 5 μm, for example, a so-called cell gap is formed.
The liquid crystal 14 is injected into the cell gap through a.
After the injection is completed, the liquid crystal injection port 3a is sealed with a resin or the like. The liquid crystal panel of the electro-optical device is configured as described above.

In the case of a small liquid crystal device having a diagonal size of several centimeters, for example, such spacers are dispersed in the sealing material 3.

In practice, a large number of the electrodes 7a, 7b, the wirings 15 and the external connection terminals 20 on the substrate overhanging portion 2c connected to the electrodes 7a, 7b are arranged at very narrow intervals.
1 and 2b, the electrodes and the like are schematically illustrated at a wider interval than the actual interval in FIG. 1 and each of the drawings to be described in order to make the structure easy to understand. Are not shown.

The first substrate 2a and the second substrate 2b correspond to FIG.
It is configured as a part of the large-sized substrates 2a 'and 2b' shown in FIGS. That is, the large-size substrate materials 6a and 6
By bonding b through the sealing material 3, a mother substrate including a plurality of electro-optical devices 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed. Since a plurality of electro-optical devices 1 can be obtained by dividing one mother substrate, it can be said that the electro-optical devices 1 divided from the same mother substrate have basically the same characteristics. Therefore, a lot number is assigned to each mother board, and each of the divided electro-optical devices 1 is managed by the lot number.

In this embodiment, the electro-optical device 1 is located at a position that can be seen from the outside, such as the polarizing plate 11a or the reflection plate 12, and does not affect the display function in the display area of the electro-optical device 1. The lot number for identifying the mother board is recorded. FIG. 5 shows an example of recording a lot number. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electro-optical device shown in FIGS.

First, when the electro-optical device 1 is configured as a reflection type as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the lot number is located on the surface (lower surface in FIG. 2) opposite to the mirror surface of the reflection plate 12. Does not affect the display of the electro-optical device 1. Therefore, the lot number can be recorded anywhere on the lower surface of the reflection plate 12 as shown by the lot number 72 in FIG.

When an illumination light source is disposed on the back side of the substrate 2a (below the reflection plate 12 in FIG. 2) using the reflection plate 12 as a transmission type reflection plate, the substrate overhang portion is provided on the lower surface of the reflection plate 12. The lot number can be recorded in the area 2c. For example, the position of the lot number 70 in FIG.

In FIG. 2, when the member 11a is a semi-transmissive reflection plate and the member 12 is a polarizing plate, the lot is placed on the lower surface of the polarizing plate 12 in FIG. The number can be recorded.

Further, when the electro-optical device 1 is of a reflection type, but the first electrode 7a formed on the substrate material 6a of the first substrate 2a is made to be reflective, the polarizing plate 11a and the reflection plate 12 Is unnecessary, so that the lot number can be recorded anywhere on the surface of the first substrate 2a opposite to the second substrate 2b (the lower surface in FIG. 2).

Further, on the substrate 2a, if there is an appropriate space outside the sealing material 3 other than the substrate overhang portion 2c, the lot number can be recorded there.
For example, it can be recorded in the area 25 of FIG. 1 in the form of a lot number 74.

Further, in the case of the electro-optical device of the passive matrix driving system as in the present embodiment, even if the electro-optical device is in the display area inside the sealing member 3, it is covered with a cover when being incorporated into the final product. If there is an area that is invisible to the user, the lot number can be recorded in that area.

As shown in FIG. 1, a driving IC 16 is mounted in the substrate overhang portion 2c, and a wiring 15 is formed.
The lot number can also be recorded in a vacant area (such as the hatched portion 25 in FIG. 1) excluding the driving IC 16 and the wiring 15 on the substrate 2a.

Regarding the method of recording the lot number, it is preferable to record using a carbon dioxide gas (CO ₂ ) laser because the tact time is short. However, as other methods, the lot number can be recorded by various methods such as ink jet printing which can record accurately on a member to be recorded and do not cause breakage.

Next, a method of manufacturing the electro-optical device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the process chart shown in FIG.

First, a large-sized substrate material having a size corresponding to a plurality of the first substrates 2a in FIG. 1 is formed of glass, plastic, or the like. An electrode forming step is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first electrode 7a having a predetermined pattern, the wiring 15 and the predetermined pattern are formed on the surface of the large-sized substrate material 6a 'by a known pattern forming method using ITO as a material, for example, a photolithography method. The external connection terminals 20 are formed. Note that FIG. 4A shows only one area of the first substrate 2a in the large-sized substrate material 6a '.

Next, the overcoat layer 8a (see FIG. 2)
Is formed on the surface of the large substrate material 6a 'in FIG. 4A by offset printing using, for example, silicon oxide or titanium oxide as a material (step A2 in FIG. 3). Then, an orientation film 9a (see FIG. 2) is formed thereon by offset printing using, for example, a polyimide resin as a material (Step A in FIG. 3).
3) A rubbing treatment is performed to give the alignment film an orientation (step A4 in FIG. 3).

Further, the sealing material 3 is formed in a frame shape by, for example, screen printing using epoxy resin as a material (step A5 in FIG. 3).
(See FIG. 2) is dispersed (step A6 in FIG. 3). Thus, a large-sized first substrate 2a 'as shown in FIG. 4A is formed. In FIG. 4A, illustration of the overcoat layer and the alignment film is omitted for convenience.

On the other hand, a large-sized substrate material having a size corresponding to a plurality of the second substrates 2b of FIG. 1 is formed of glass, plastic, or the like. An electrode forming step is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, a second electrode 7b having a predetermined pattern is formed on the surface of the large-sized substrate material 6b 'by a known pattern forming method using ITO as a material, for example, a photolithography method. FIG. 4B shows only one region of the second substrate 2b in the large-sized substrate material 6b '.

Next, the overcoat layer 8b (see FIG. 2)
Is formed on the surface of the large substrate material 6b 'in FIG. 4B by offset printing using, for example, silicon oxide or titanium oxide as a material (step B2 in FIG. 3). Then, an alignment film 9b (see FIG. 2) is formed thereon by offset printing using, for example, a polyimide resin as a material (Step B in FIG. 3).
3) A rubbing treatment is performed to give the alignment film an orientation (step B3 in FIG. 3). As a result, FIG.
A large-sized second substrate 2b 'as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4B, illustration of the overcoat layer and the alignment film is omitted for convenience.

As described above, the large-format first substrate 2 shown in FIG.
a 'and the large-sized second substrate 2b' of FIG. 4B are manufactured, and then, in step C1 of FIG.
a ′ and the large-sized second substrate 2b ′ are overlapped with each other with the sealing material 3 interposed therebetween, and further press-bonded, that is, pressurized under heating to bond the two substrates together. By this bonding, a large-sized panel structure (that is, a mother substrate) having a plurality of liquid crystal panel structures, which are main parts of the electro-optical device 1 of FIG. 1, is formed.

After the mother substrate has been manufactured as described above, the first break step is performed (step C2 in FIG. 3).
Specifically, the large-sized first substrate 2a 'constituting the mother substrate is cut along the first cutting line L1a in FIG. 4A, and the large-sized second substrate 2b' is cut in FIG.
Along the first cutting line L1b of FIG.
Disconnect.

As a result, a plurality of medium-sized panel structures including a plurality of liquid crystal panel portions in which the liquid crystal injection port 3 is exposed to the outside, so-called strip-shaped medium-sized panel structures are cut out. Thereafter, the liquid crystal 14 is injected into each liquid crystal panel through each liquid crystal injection port 3a, and after the injection is completed, the liquid crystal injection port 3a is sealed with a resin (step C3 in FIG. 3).

Thereafter, in step C4, a second break step is performed on the medium-sized panel structure. Specifically, the first substrate and the second substrate constituting the medium-size panel structure are cut along the second cutting line L2a in FIG. 4A and the second cutting line L2b in FIG. 2, the driving IC 16, the phase difference plate 10, and the polarizing plate 1
Those without the 1a, 11b and the reflector 12 are cut one by one.

Thereafter, the driving IC 16 is mounted on the surface of the substrate overhang 2c using the ACF 17.
5). Next, in steps C6 and C7, the driving IC 1
6, a counterpart substrate facing the first substrate 2a on the side where 6 is mounted;
That is, the retardation plate 10 and the polarizing plate 11b are mounted on the second substrate 2b, and then, in steps C8 and C9, the polarizing plate 11a and the reflecting plate 12 are mounted on the first substrate 2a, as shown in FIG. The electro-optical device 1 is manufactured.

Finally, the lot number is laser-recorded on the reflection plate 12 as a step C10. Thus, information for identifying the mother board is recorded in each electro-optical device 1. Therefore, if a defective product is found in a later inspection process,
All the electro-optical devices 1 on which the same lot number is recorded can be processed as defective products. When the electro-optical device 1 is a transmission type, the reflection plate 12 is not present, and the lot number is recorded on the polarizing plate 11a in step C10. Also, when the lot number is recorded on the surface of the first substrate 2a on the side of the second substrate 2b and in the hatched portion 25 shown in FIG. 1, the lot number is similarly recorded on the glass substrate 6a in step C10. be able to.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a thin film transistor (Th
TFT array substrate 30 of an electro-optical device of an active matrix driving system using TFT (in Film Transistor).
FIG. 7 is a plan view together with the components formed thereon viewed from the counter substrate side, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line HH ′ of FIG.

In FIG. 6, a sealing material 52 is provided on the TFT array substrate 30 along the edge thereof.
A light shielding film 53 as a frame defining the periphery of the image display area 35 is provided in parallel with the inside. In an area outside the sealing material 52, a data line driving circuit 101 for driving a data line by supplying an image signal to a data line (not shown) at a predetermined timing and an external circuit connection terminal 102
Are provided along one side of the TFT array substrate 30, and a scanning line driving circuit 104 that drives a scanning line by supplying a scanning signal to a scanning line (not shown) at a predetermined timing.
Are provided along two sides adjacent to this one side.
If the delay of the scanning signal supplied to the scanning line does not matter, the scanning line driving circuit 104 may be provided on only one side. Further, the data line driving circuit 101 is connected to the image display area 35.
May be arranged on both sides along the side of.

Further, on the remaining one side of the TFT array substrate 30, a plurality of wirings 105 for connecting between the scanning line driving circuits 104 provided on both sides of the image display area 35 are provided. Further, at least one of the corners of the counter substrate 40, the TFT array substrate 30 and the counter substrate 4
A conductive material 106 for providing electrical continuity with 0 is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the counter substrate 40 having substantially the same contour as the sealing material 52 shown in FIG. 6 is fixed to the TFT array substrate 30 by the sealing material 52.

Further, as an optical element, a polarizing plate 112 is attached to the back surface (upper side in FIG. 7) of the counter substrate 40,
A polarizing plate 114 is attached to the back surface (the lower side in FIG. 7) of the TFT array substrate 30. In the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the light-shielding film 53 as a frame is provided around the image display area 35 as described above. Accordingly, the lot number is recorded on the surface of the polarizing plate 114 on the side opposite to the counter substrate 40 (the lower surface in FIG. 2) and outside the light shielding film 53. In the case where a reflection plate is provided on the further back surface (lower side in FIG. 7) of the polarizing plate 114 as in the first embodiment,
On the lower surface of the reflector, the lot number can be recorded in an area corresponding to the outside of the image display area 53.

Also in this embodiment, the TFT array substrate 30 on which electrodes are formed and the counter substrate 40 are bonded together, liquid crystal is injected into the cell gap, divided into individual electro-optical devices, and the polarizing plate is further mounted. After sticking, the lot number is recorded by the laser. It is to be noted that the lot number is preferably recorded by a laser, and that the lot number can be recorded by another method such as ink jet printing, as in the case of the first embodiment.

(3) Electronic Equipment Next, electronic equipment using the electro-optical device according to the present invention will be described.

First, an example in which the electro-optical device according to the present invention is applied to a display unit of a portable personal computer (so-called notebook personal computer) will be described. FIG.
(A) is a perspective view showing a configuration of the personal computer. As shown in the figure, a personal computer 41 includes a main body 412 having a keyboard 411,
A display unit 413 to which the electro-optical device according to the invention is applied.

Next, an example in which the electro-optical device according to the present invention is applied to a display unit of a portable telephone will be described. FIG.
(B) is a perspective view showing a configuration of the mobile phone.
As shown in the figure, a mobile phone 42 includes a plurality of operation buttons 421, an earpiece 422, a mouthpiece 423, and a display unit 424 to which the electro-optical device according to the invention is applied.
Is provided.

The electronic apparatus to which the electro-optical device according to the present invention can be applied includes, in addition to the personal computer shown in FIG. 8A and the mobile phone shown in FIG. Examples include a viewfinder type / monitor direct-view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic organizer, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a digital still camera.

(4) Modification In the above embodiment, the lot number is recorded immediately after the mounting of the polarizing plate and the reflecting plate. However, the lot number can be recorded after the inspection process of each electro-optical device 1. In this case, if the lot number is recorded only in the inspection process, it is determined that the lot number is recorded as a non-defective product. Meaning as information indicating good / bad of the electro-optical device can be given.

In the above embodiment, the lot number is recorded in characters (including alphabets, symbols, etc.). However, for example, a bar code may be printed.

In the above embodiment, the lot number is recorded after a plurality of electro-optical devices are separated from the mother board and optical elements such as a polarizing plate and a reflecting plate are mounted on each of the electro-optical devices. The lot number may be recorded in advance on the polarizing plate or the reflection plate itself before mounting on the element. Also in this case, the lot number can be recorded on the polarizing plate or the reflecting plate by laser marking. Also,
The lot number can be recorded not only on the polarizing plate and the reflecting plate but also on the surface of the retardation plate or the light diffusing plate or on the glass substrate as long as it does not affect the display area.

In the present invention, since the lot number is recorded on the outermost surface of the electro-optical device such as a polarizing plate or a reflection plate, the lot number can be confirmed without damaging the electro-optical device itself. The electro-optical device itself is used as a part of various devices to which it is applied, such as a mobile phone and a projection display device, while being covered with a cover. Because it is possible to confirm, even if a defect is found after the final product, it is easy to respond.

In the above-described embodiment, the lot number and the like are recorded on the outermost surface of the electro-optical device such as the polarizing plate or the reflection plate. However, the lot number and the like are included in the laminated structure on the substrate constituting the electro-optical device. It is also possible to record a lot number or the like by using an arbitrary light-shielding film, a reflective film, a colored film, or the like, for example, by patterning character information at the same time as patterning the light-shielding film or the like by photolithography and etching. It is possible. In this case, after the electro-optical device is completed, it is desirable that the lot number and the like can be seen through a transparent or translucent film or plate member in a region outside the image display region. However, even if the electro-optical device is not visible from the outside after completion, as long as the lot number and the like can be seen over an arbitrary process of the manufacturing, a certain similar effect can be obtained.

The present invention relates to a two-terminal switching element represented by a TFD (Thin Film Diode) and a TFT (Thin Film Diode).
The present invention can be applied to any active matrix type liquid crystal display device using a three-terminal switching element represented by a film transistor, and can also be applied to a passive matrix type liquid crystal display device having no switching element.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display device using liquid crystal as an electro-optical material has been described. However, as an electro-optical material, an EL device represented by an organic EL (electroluminescence) device is used. The present invention is also applicable to various devices that perform display by the electro-optic effect using the above-described method. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a plasma display panel (PDP).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification. An optical device, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electronic device are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electro-optical device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the electro-optical device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a process chart illustrating a method for manufacturing the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of a large-sized substrate used during the step of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a recording position of a lot number.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a TFT array substrate of an electro-optical device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the TFT array substrate shown in FIG. 6 taken along line HH ′.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an electronic apparatus to which the electro-optical device according to the invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 electro-optical device 2a first substrate 2b second substrate 2c substrate overhang portion 3 sealing material 15 wiring 16 driving IC 30 TFT array substrate 35 display area 40 counter substrate 52 sealing material 53 light shielding film

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H088 FA25 HA01 HA14 HA18 MA20 2H089 HA40 NA37 QA16 2H091 FA08X FA08Z FA34Y FC01 GA01 5G435 AA17 BB12 EE12 EE33 EE37 FF05 KK05

Claims (17)

[Claims] A first pair of first and second substrates;
And a liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates in a display area defined in the plane of the second substrate. An electro-optical device, wherein information related to manufacturing is visually recorded at a position outside the display area. 2. An optical element provided on a surface of at least one of the first and second substrates opposite to a surface on which the liquid crystal is sandwiched, and information related to the manufacturing is provided by the optical device. 2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the information is recorded on a surface of the element. 3. The information relating to the manufacture is recorded on at least one of the first and second substrates on a surface opposite to a surface sandwiching the liquid crystal. The electro-optical device according to claim 1. 4. An overhang area extending outside the display area is defined in a plane of the first substrate, and information related to the manufacturing is recorded at a position corresponding to the overhang area. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. A display electrode is formed in said display area on a surface of at least one of said first and second substrates on which said liquid crystal is sandwiched, and said liquid crystal of said first substrate is A drive circuit area in which a drive circuit for the display electrode is provided is formed in the overhanging area on the surface on the side to be sandwiched, and the information related to the manufacture is the information on the first substrate. 5. The electro-optical device according to claim 4, wherein the information is recorded on a surface on a side where the liquid crystal is sandwiched, in the overhang area and outside the drive circuit area. 6. A polarizing plate provided on at least one of the first and second substrates on a surface opposite to a surface on which the liquid crystal is sandwiched, wherein information related to the manufacturing is the polarization. 2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the information is recorded on a surface of the plate opposite to the substrate. 7. The electro-optical device according to claim 2, wherein the optical element is made of a polarizing plate. 8. A sealing material sandwiched between the first and second substrates to couple the first and second substrates, wherein the sealing material is defined by the first and second substrates and the sealing material. The liquid crystal is sealed in a space, the inner periphery of the sealing material defines the display area, and information related to the manufacturing is recorded at a position outside the sealing material. The electro-optical device according to claim 1. 9. At least one of the first and second substrates includes a light-shielding film that is provided on a surface on the side that sandwiches the liquid crystal and that defines the display area. 2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the information is recorded at a position outside the light shielding film. 10. A pair of first and second substrates, a liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal on a side of the first substrate opposite to a surface on which the liquid crystal is sandwiched. An electro-optical device comprising: a polarizing plate provided on a surface; and a reflecting plate provided on the polarizing plate such that a reflecting surface is located on the polarizing plate side. An electro-optical device, wherein information related to manufacturing is visually recorded on a surface of the electro-optical device. 11. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the manufacture is a lot number in the manufacture of the electro-optical device. 12. An electro-optical device according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing that houses the electro-optical device so as to cover a portion other than the display area. Electronic equipment. 13. An electro-optical device according to claim 1, further comprising an opening, wherein the display region of the electro-optical device is exposed so that the display region is exposed in the opening. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a cover that covers a surface of the electronic device; and a housing that houses the electro-optical device, wherein the display area is defined by the opening of the cover. 14. A step of arranging a pair of substrates facing each other, a step of sealing liquid crystal between the pair of substrates, and an optical element on a surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal is sealed. Providing, and on the surface of the optical element opposite to the substrate, at a position outside a display area defined in the surface of the substrate, and visually record information related to manufacturing, A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, comprising: 15. A step of inserting a sealant between a pair of substrates to dispose the pair of substrates facing each other; enclosing a liquid crystal in a space defined by the pair of substrates and the sealant; Providing an optical element on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface in contact with the liquid crystal; and on the surface of the optical element opposite to the substrate and outside the display area defined by the sealing material. Recording the information related to the manufacturing at a position visually. A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, comprising: 16. A step of forming a light-shielding film that defines a display area on a surface of one of the pair of substrates and on a surface facing the other substrate; and disposing the pair of substrates to face each other. A step of enclosing a liquid crystal between the pair of substrates; a step of providing an optical element on a surface of the one substrate opposite to a surface in contact with the liquid crystal; And visually recording information related to manufacturing at a position on the side surface and outside a display area defined by the light-shielding film. 17. The manufacturing of the electro-optical device according to claim 14, wherein the step of visually recording the information related to the manufacturing records character information by a laser. Method.