JP2001318364A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display device which uses two liquid crystal display devices side by side, spreads the devices for use while folding them for portage, and makes an easy-to-see display even when the devices are opened in a V shape. SOLUTION: The two liquid crystal display panels are provided with preference visual field angle directions in the directions symmetric each other making an axis of opening and closing as an axis of symmetry.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device using two liquid crystal panels for a portable information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The spread of mobile phones and personal information devices (P
With the spread of DA equipment, a large number of portable information processing apparatuses have been marketed. And while these portable information processing devices are being reduced in size and weight, they are required to have higher functionality and color display. For this reason, conflicting demands for a liquid crystal display device such as a reduction in size and weight and an increase in density and a large screen have been made.

Conventionally, a liquid crystal display device is composed of a single liquid crystal panel. Therefore, when a high-density large-screen display is performed, the outer shape of the liquid crystal display device is inevitably increased in size.
Information processing devices have become larger, and portability has deteriorated. Therefore, as a liquid crystal display device for a portable information processing device, a small liquid crystal panel has to be used and the display capacity is small, so that the screen is switched and displayed many times.

[0004]

Therefore, two liquid crystal panels are used, one liquid crystal panel is provided in the main body of the information processing apparatus, and the other liquid crystal panel is provided in a lid which is provided in the information processing apparatus and which is opened and closed. Portable information processing devices have been proposed,
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-249596 and
No. 167354. in this way,
By having two liquid crystal panels, the lid is closed when not in use, and the lid is opened when in use and the two liquid crystal panels are simultaneously displayed while being small, enabling a large screen display. .

Usually, in a liquid crystal display device having such two liquid crystal panels, since the liquid crystal panels having the same configuration are used, the preferred viewing angle direction of each liquid crystal panel is the same. A conventional example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional liquid crystal display device.

[0006] A conventional liquid crystal display device comprises a first liquid crystal panel 47 and a second liquid crystal panel 48, and can be folded by an opening / closing shaft 40. The first liquid crystal panel 47
The driving IC 30 for the scanning signal is connected to the connecting portion 32 and the connecting portion 33
The data signal drive IC 31 and the flexible substrate 35
And connect. Similarly, the second liquid crystal panel 48 has a flexible substrate and a driving IC connected thereto.

The priority viewing angle direction 21 of the effective display section 34 of the first liquid crystal panel and the priority viewing angle direction 22 of the effective display section 48 of the second liquid crystal panel are both the short hand direction at 6 o'clock of the timepiece (hereinafter referred to as the hand direction). 6 o'clock direction). The priority viewing angle direction is determined by the rubbing direction of the liquid crystal panel and the arrangement of the constituent members. When the viewer views the liquid crystal display device from the direction of the preferential viewing angle, that is, the direction ahead of the arrow, the change in color tone is small and the contrast is slightly lowered. On the other hand, in the 12 o'clock direction, which is 180 ° opposite to the preferential viewing angle direction, the color tone becomes white and the contrast sharply decreases.

Since the viewing angle characteristics of the liquid crystal panel are not symmetric, the contrast and the color tone are different when viewed from the right direction and when viewed from the left direction. In this conventional example, S
Since TN (Super Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal is used, it becomes brown when tilted at 3 o'clock and green when tilted at 9 o'clock. Then, when the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened, and the opening / closing shaft 40 is arranged on the back side and opened in a V-shape,
The first liquid crystal panel 47 will be seen from the 3 o'clock direction,
Takes a brown color. On the other hand, the second liquid crystal panel 48 is viewed from the 9 o'clock direction, and becomes green. That is, since the color tones of the two liquid crystal panels are different, there is a disadvantage that the continuity is reduced and the display becomes difficult to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the two liquid crystal panels have the same color tone and contrast even when the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened but are opened in a V-shape. There is a display that is easy to read even with continuous display,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device which can be folded to reduce the outer shape when it is carried, and can be expanded when used to display a large screen.

[0010]

The first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are connected so that one side of the first liquid crystal panel and one side of the second liquid crystal panel are close to each other. With the opening and closing axis as the opening / closing axis, there is a mechanism capable of opening and closing the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel so that they face each other. The preferred viewing angle directions of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are respectively: A direction from one side of the first and second liquid crystal panels on the opening / closing axis side to the opposite side, and the priority viewing angle direction of the first liquid crystal panel and the second direction.
Is characterized in that the preferred viewing angle direction of the liquid crystal panel is symmetrical with the opening / closing axis as a symmetric axis.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the structure and operation of a liquid crystal display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are schematic views for explaining the configuration of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are connected such that one side of the first liquid crystal panel is close to one side of the second liquid crystal panel. And a mechanism that can be opened and closed so that the first and second liquid crystal panels face each other with the connection part as an opening / closing axis. Here, the structures of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first liquid crystal panel 41
And a flexible substrate 35 connected to the first liquid crystal panel
And a second liquid crystal panel 42, and a flexible substrate 39 connected to the second liquid crystal panel. First
The liquid crystal panel 41 has a signal electrode driving IC 31 on the upper side, and applies a voltage to a signal electrode (not shown) of the first liquid crystal panel 41. The second liquid crystal panel 42 includes the signal electrode driving IC 31 on the upper side, and applies a voltage to signal electrodes (not shown) of the second liquid crystal panel 42.

A scanning electrode driving IC 30 is provided on the right side of the first liquid crystal panel 41, that is, on one side opposite to the side where the liquid crystal panels are connected to each other, and a signal from the scanning electrode driving IC 30 is transmitted. , First liquid crystal panel 41
Are applied to the scan electrodes (not shown). The scanning electrode driving IC 3 is also provided on the left side of the second liquid crystal panel 42, that is, on one side opposite to the side where the liquid crystal panels are connected to each other.
0, and applies a signal from the scan electrode driving IC 30 to a scan electrode (not shown) of the second liquid crystal panel 42.

The preferred viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 41 is set to 3 o'clock, and the second liquid crystal panel 4
The priority viewing angle direction 22 of 2 is set at 9 o'clock. In other words, the preferential viewing angle direction is set in a direction from one side of the liquid crystal panel on the opening / closing axis side to the opposite side, and is herein a direction perpendicular to the opening / closing axis direction. The second liquid crystal panel can be folded around the opening / closing axis 40. Without opening the two LCD panels completely,
In the case of the V-shape, the first liquid crystal panel 41 is viewed from the 3 o'clock direction, that is, viewed from the priority viewing angle direction of the first liquid crystal panel 41, and almost no color change occurs. The contrast is slightly reduced.

On the other hand, the second liquid crystal panel 42 is viewed from the 9 o'clock direction, that is, viewed from the priority viewing angle direction of the second liquid crystal panel 42. The contrast is slightly reduced. Therefore, the display colors and contrasts of the two liquid crystal panels are almost the same, and it is easy to see even continuous display.

Next, the structure of another first liquid crystal panel and second liquid crystal panel is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the first liquid crystal panel 43, the flexible substrate 35, the second liquid crystal panel 44, and the flexible substrate 39 are configured. The priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 43 is set to the direction of 4:30, and the priority viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel 44 is set to the direction of 7:30. In other words, the priority viewing angle direction is set in a direction from one side of the liquid crystal panel on the opening / closing axis to the opposite side, and the angle between the opening and closing axis direction is set to 45 ° here. ing.

If the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened and are formed in a V-shape, the first liquid crystal panel 43 will be viewed from the 3 o'clock direction.
From the direction of the preferred viewing angle of 45 ° to the right, and the color tone changes slightly to brown. On the other hand, the second liquid crystal panel 44 is viewed from the 9 o'clock direction, that is, viewed from the direction inclined 45 ° to the left from the priority viewing angle direction of the second liquid crystal panel 44, and slightly green. Take on. However, the color change is smaller than that of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4, and when the two liquid crystal panels opened in a V-shape are tilted slightly forward, both of the liquid crystal panels have almost the preferred viewing angle. When viewed from the direction, there is almost no color change, and it is easy to see even continuous display.

Next, the structure of another first liquid crystal panel and second liquid crystal panel is shown in FIG. The two liquid crystal panels are arranged vertically, the first liquid crystal panel 45 is arranged above,
The second liquid crystal panel 46 is disposed on the lower side, and the opening / closing axis 40 is horizontal. The priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 45 is set to 12 o'clock, and the second liquid crystal panel 4
The priority viewing angle direction 22 of 6 is set at 6 o'clock. In other words, the liquid crystal panel on the opening / closing axis is set in the direction of one side opposite to the side of the liquid crystal panel, and here, the direction is perpendicular to the direction of the opening / closing axis.

If the two liquid crystal panels are not opened completely and are formed in a V-shape, the first liquid crystal panel 45
When viewed from the time direction, the second liquid crystal panel 46
When viewed from the time direction, both liquid crystal panels are viewed from the preferential viewing angle direction, and the display colors and contrast of the two liquid crystal panels are almost the same, so that it is easy to see even continuous display.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, two liquid crystal panels, a first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel, are used, and the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are used. Each priority viewing angle direction is provided in a symmetrical direction with the opening / closing axis as a symmetry axis, so that the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened, and even when the two liquid crystal panels are opened in the V-shape, the color tone of the two liquid crystal panels is not changed. It is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device which has the same contrast, provides easy-to-view display even in continuous display, can be folded to reduce the outer shape when carrying, and can be widened when used to display a large screen.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1: FIGS. 1, 5 and 7) Hereinafter, the configuration and effects of the present invention will be described using embodiments of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention. First, the configuration of the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of the liquid crystal panel of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the components of the liquid crystal display device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of components of the liquid crystal display device in Example 1.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, one side of the first liquid crystal panel and one side of the second liquid crystal panel are close to each other.
The first liquid crystal panel 41 and the second liquid crystal panel 42 are connected to each other, and have a mechanism that can be opened and closed so that the first and second liquid crystal panels face each other by using the connection portion as an opening / closing shaft 40. I have.

A general liquid crystal panel can be used for each liquid crystal panel. In this embodiment, an STN mode reflection type liquid crystal panel using a phase difference plate is used. The configuration of the first liquid crystal panel used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid crystal element 19 and the liquid crystal element 1
The liquid crystal panel is composed of a retardation plate 13 and an upper polarizing plate 11 provided outside of the liquid crystal element 9, and a lower polarizing plate 15 and a reflecting plate 17 provided below the liquid crystal element 19. The liquid crystal element 19 has a first substrate 1 made of a glass plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm on which a scanning electrode 3 made of ITO as a transparent electrode material is formed, and a signal electrode 4 made of ITO. A second substrate 2 made of a glass plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm, a sealing material 5 for bonding the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, and sandwiched between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2; And a nematic liquid crystal 6 twisted 240 ° counterclockwise.

The scanning electrode 3 shown in FIG. 5 passes under the sealing material 5 and is drawn out to the connection portion 32 on one side of the liquid crystal panel, and is connected to the scanning electrode driving IC 30. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the signal electrode 4 is also drawn out to the connection portion 33 on one side of the liquid crystal panel in the same manner, and the signal electrode driving IC 31
Connect with

The second liquid crystal panel is also a scanning electrode driving IC.
A liquid crystal panel having the same configuration as that of the first liquid crystal panel can be used except for the position of the connection portion between the first and second liquid crystal panels.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of the first liquid crystal panel 41 and the second liquid crystal panel 42. As shown in FIG. 1, a first liquid crystal panel 41, a flexible substrate 35 connected to the first liquid crystal panel, a second liquid crystal panel 42, and a flexible substrate 39 connected to the second liquid crystal panel. Have been. Upper connection part 3 in first liquid crystal panel 41
3 is provided with a signal electrode driving IC 31 for applying a voltage to the signal electrodes of the first liquid crystal panel 41. A scanning electrode driving IC is provided at the right connection portion 32 of the first liquid crystal panel.
And a signal from the scan electrode driving IC 30 is applied to the scan electrodes of the first liquid crystal panel 41.

Similarly, in the second liquid crystal panel 42, the signal electrode driving IC 31 and the left connection
6 is provided with a scanning electrode driving IC 30. In order to improve display continuity, the effective display section 3 of the first liquid crystal panel
4 and the effective display section 38 of the second liquid crystal panel are
It is provided side-by-side.

The priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 41 is set to 3 o'clock, and the priority viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel 42 is set to 9 o'clock. In other words, with the opening / closing axis 40 as the symmetry axis, 180 °
The preferred viewing angle directions of two liquid crystal panels are provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the preferred viewing angle directions of the first liquid crystal panel 41 and the second liquid crystal panel 42 are from one side of the first and second liquid crystal panels on the opening / closing axis 40 side. The preferred viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 43 and the preferred viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel 44 are directions symmetric with respect to the opening / closing axis. is there. In order to make the priority direction different between the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel, the rubbing direction of the liquid crystal panel and the arrangement angle of the constituent members are different. This arrangement will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7A shows the arrangement of the components in the first liquid crystal panel 41. FIG. Based on the horizontal axis H,
Counterclockwise is defined as a positive direction of rotation. An alignment film (not shown) is formed on the surfaces of the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4. As shown in FIG. By rubbing in a counterclockwise direction of 120 °, the lower liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6a becomes + 120 °, a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow, and the second substrate 2 is rubbed in a counterclockwise direction of 60 °. Thus, the upper liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6b becomes + 60 °, and a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow.

To a nematic liquid crystal having a viscosity of 20 cp, a revolving substance called a chiral material is added, and a twist pitch P is set to 1
By adjusting the thickness to 1 μm and injecting the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal panel, a 240 ° twisted STN mode liquid crystal element 19 is formed counterclockwise. The birefringence difference Δn of the nematic liquid crystal 6 to be used is 0.131, and the cell gap d which is a gap between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 is 6.2 μm. Accordingly, the product of the birefringence difference Δn of the nematic liquid crystal 6 and the cell gap d gives the birefringence Δnd value of the liquid crystal element 19 of 0.81 μm.
Becomes

The absorption axis 11a of the upper polarizing plate 11 has a horizontal axis H
Is placed at -72 ° with respect to. The slow axis 13a of the retarder 13 is disposed at -27 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, and the absorption axis 15a of the lower polarizer 15 is disposed at -20 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H. In the preferred viewing angle direction 21
Is at 3 o'clock. Therefore, the angle between the opening / closing axis 40 direction and the preferential viewing angle direction 21 is 90 °.

FIG. 7B shows the positional relationship between the components of the second liquid crystal panel 42. The first substrate 1 is rubbed clockwise 60 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the lower liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6a becomes −60 °, a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow, and the second substrate 1 2 is clockwise 120
By rubbing in the ゜ direction, the upper liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6
b becomes −120 °, and a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow.

The absorption axis 11a of the upper polarizing plate 11 has a horizontal axis H
, The slow axis 13a of the phase difference plate 13 is arranged at -27 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, and the absorption axis 15a of the lower polarizing plate 15 is aligned with the horizontal axis. By arranging at −20 ° with respect to H, the priority viewing angle direction 22 becomes the 9 o'clock direction. Therefore, the angle between the opening / closing axis 40 direction and the preferential viewing angle direction 22 is 90 °.

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.
If the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened and the opening / closing shaft 40 is arranged at the back side and opened in a V-shape in front, the first liquid crystal panel 41 is viewed from the 3 o'clock direction as can be seen from FIG. That is, when viewed from the direction of the preferential viewing angle of the first liquid crystal panel 41, almost no color change occurs, and the contrast slightly decreases.

On the other hand, the second liquid crystal panel 42 is viewed from the 9 o'clock direction, that is, viewed from the priority viewing angle direction of the second liquid crystal panel 42. The contrast is slightly reduced. Therefore, the display colors and contrasts of the two liquid crystal panels are almost the same, and it is easy to see even continuous display.

Even when the two liquid crystal panels are completely opened, the first liquid crystal panel 41 is viewed from a direction slightly inclined at 9 o'clock from the front.
Although the direction is opposite to 1, the contrast is hardly reduced because the angle is small. In addition, the second liquid crystal panel 42 is viewed from a direction slightly inclined at 3 o'clock from the front, and has a direction opposite to that of the priority viewing angle method 22, but has the same contrast and color tone as the first liquid crystal panel. , Even in continuous display.

When the portable device is carried, it is folded by the open / close shaft 40 at the center of the two liquid crystal panels to reduce the size.
When used, large screen and large capacity display is possible by expanding,
In addition, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device that does not completely open two liquid crystal panels but can display easily even when opened in a V-shape.

(Embodiment 2: FIGS. 2, 6, and 8) Next, the configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment, the liquid crystal panel is TN
The first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the mode is the mode and the preferential viewing angle directions are 4:30 and 7:30.

The structure of the liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the components of the liquid crystal display device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of components of a liquid crystal display device according to a second embodiment.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment, the first liquid crystal panel 43 and the second liquid crystal panel 44 are connected to each other, and the And a second liquid crystal panel that can be opened and closed so as to face each other.

In the second embodiment, a TN mode liquid crystal panel was used. The configuration of the first liquid crystal panel used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A liquid crystal element 20, an upper polarizer 11 provided outside the liquid crystal element 20, a lower polarizer 15 provided below the liquid crystal element 20, and a reflector 17;
It is a reflective liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal element 20 includes a first substrate 1 made of a glass plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm on which a scanning electrode 3 made of ITO as a transparent electrode material is formed, and a signal electrode 4 made of ITO. A second substrate 2 made of a glass plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm, a sealing material 5 for bonding the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, and sandwiched between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2; And a nematic liquid crystal 6 having a 90 ° counterclockwise twist alignment.

The scanning electrode 3 shown in FIG. 6 passes under the sealing material 5 and is drawn out to the connection portion 32 on one side of the liquid crystal panel, and is connected to the scanning electrode driving IC 30. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the signal electrode 4 is also drawn out to the connection portion 33 on one side of the liquid crystal panel in the same manner, and the signal electrode driving IC 31
Connect with

The second liquid crystal panel is also a scanning electrode driving IC.
A liquid crystal panel having the same configuration as that of the first liquid crystal panel can be used except for the position of the connection portion between the first and second liquid crystal panels. In order to improve the display continuity, the effective display section 34 of the first liquid crystal panel and the effective display section 38 of the second liquid crystal panel are provided so as to be shifted toward the opening / closing axis 40 side.

The priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 43 is set at 4:30, and the priority viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel 44 is set at 7:30. . In other words, the preferential viewing angle direction is provided such that the angle between the opening and closing shaft 40 and the direction of the opening / closing axis 40 is 45 °. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Each of the priority viewing angle directions of the first and second liquid crystal panels on the opening and closing axis 40 is a direction from one side of the first and second liquid crystal panels to the opposite side, and The preferred viewing angle direction 21 of the liquid crystal panel 43 and the preferred viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel 44 are symmetrical with respect to the opening / closing axis. In order to make the preferred viewing angle direction different between the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel, the rubbing direction of the liquid crystal panel and the arrangement angle of the components are different. This arrangement will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 (a) shows the arrangement of the components in the first liquid crystal panel 43. Based on the horizontal axis H,
Counterclockwise is defined as a positive direction of rotation. An alignment film (not shown) is formed on the surfaces of the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, and the first substrate 1 is rubbed in the direction of the horizontal axis H as shown in FIG. By performing the treatment, the lower liquid crystal molecule orientation direction 6a becomes 0 °, a tilt angle is generated in the direction of the arrow, and the second substrate 2 is rubbed in the counterclockwise 90 ° direction, whereby the upper liquid crystal molecule orientation direction 6b becomes + 90 °, and a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow.

To a nematic liquid crystal having a viscosity of 20 cp, a revolving substance called a chiral material is added, and the twist pitch P is set to 1
By adjusting the thickness to 00 μm and injecting the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal panel, a TN mode liquid crystal element 20 having a 90 ° counterclockwise twist is formed. The birefringence difference Δn of the nematic liquid crystal 6 used is 0.
At 15, the cell gap d, which is the gap between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, is 7.3 μm. Therefore, the product of the birefringence difference Δn of the nematic liquid crystal 6 and the cell gap d gives
The birefringence Δnd value of the liquid crystal element 20 is 1.1 μm.

The absorption axis 11a of the upper polarizing plate 11 has a horizontal axis H
, And the absorption axis 15a of the lower polarizing plate 15 is arranged at 0 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the preferential viewing angle direction 21 becomes the direction of 4:30.

FIG. 8B shows the arrangement of the components in the second liquid crystal panel 44. The first substrate 1 is rubbed clockwise 90 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the lower liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6a becomes −90 °, a tilt angle occurs in the arrow direction, and the second substrate 1 2 is a rubbing process in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis H, so that the upper liquid crystal molecule orientation direction 6
b becomes 0 °, and a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow.

The absorption axis 11a of the upper polarizing plate 11 has a horizontal axis H
At an angle of 0 ° with respect to the absorption axis 15 of the lower polarizing plate 15.
a is arranged at 90 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H,
The priority viewing angle direction 22 is a direction at 7:30.

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, the TN mode is used.
Unlike the TN mode, there is very little change in contrast and color tone in the ± 90 ° direction from the preferential viewing angle direction. When the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened, and the opening / closing shaft 40 is arranged on the back side and opened in a V-shape in front, the first liquid crystal panel 43 is viewed from the 3 o'clock direction as can be seen from FIG. In other words, in other words, the image is viewed in the 45 ° counterclockwise direction from the priority viewing angle direction of the first liquid crystal panel 43, and the contrast does not decrease much.

On the other hand, the second liquid crystal panel 44 is viewed from the 9 o'clock direction, that is, viewed from the 45 ° direction clockwise from the priority viewing angle direction of the second liquid crystal panel 44, and the contrast is not so high. Does not decrease, and therefore 2
It becomes easy to see even continuous display using two liquid crystal panels.

Further, when viewing two liquid crystal panels opened in a V-shape with a slight forward inclination,
Since the image is viewed almost from the priority viewing angle direction, there is almost no change in color, and it is easy to see even continuous display.

Even when the two liquid crystal panels are completely opened, the first liquid crystal panel 43 is viewed from a direction slightly inclined at 9 o'clock from the front.
Although the direction is opposite to 1, the contrast is hardly reduced because the angle is small. In addition, the second liquid crystal panel 44 is viewed from a direction slightly inclined at 3 o'clock from the front, which is in the opposite direction to the priority viewing angle method 22, but has the same contrast and color tone as the first liquid crystal panel. , Even in continuous display.

When carrying the portable telephone, it is possible to reduce the size by folding it at the center of the two liquid crystal panels.
It is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of performing a display that is easy to see even when the two liquid crystal panels are opened in a V-shape without being opened.

In the second embodiment, the priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 43 is set at 4:30, and the priority viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel 44 is set at 7:30. The angle between the direction of the preferential viewing angle and the direction of the opening / closing axis 40 was set to 45 °. For example, even if the priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel is set at 1:30 and the priority viewing angle direction 22 of the second liquid crystal panel is set at 10:30, or at an angle between them. Has the same effect.

(Embodiment 3: FIGS. 3, 5, and 9) Next, the configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The liquid crystal display device of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that two liquid crystal panels are provided above and below, and the priority viewing angle directions are 12:00 and 6:00.

The structure of the liquid crystal display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of two liquid crystal panels employed in the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of components of a liquid crystal display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The cross-sectional structure of each liquid crystal panel is the same as that shown in FIG.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the third embodiment, the first liquid crystal panel 45 is disposed on the upper side, and the second liquid crystal panel 46 is disposed on the lower side. As in the first embodiment, the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are connected, and the connection part is a horizontal opening / closing axis 40, and the first and second liquid crystal panels are connected to each other. It has a mechanism that can be opened and closed in the shape of a letter. The flexible substrate 35 is connected to both liquid crystal panels by one sheet, and the number of components is reduced.

In the third embodiment, the same STN mode liquid crystal panel as that of the first embodiment is used, so that the description of the configuration is omitted.
Next, the arrangement relationship will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9A shows the arrangement of the components in the first liquid crystal panel 45. Based on the horizontal axis H,
Counterclockwise is defined as a positive direction of rotation. First substrate 1
Is rubbed in the clockwise 150 ° direction with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the lower liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6a becomes −150 °, a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow, and the second substrate 2 is By rubbing in the 150 ° direction, the upper liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6b becomes + 150 °, and a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow.

To a nematic liquid crystal having a viscosity of 20 cp, a revolving substance called a chiral material is added, and the twist pitch P is set to 1
By adjusting the thickness to 1 μm and injecting the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal panel, a 240 ° twisted STN mode liquid crystal element 19 is formed counterclockwise. The birefringence difference Δn of the nematic liquid crystal 6 to be used is 0.131, and the cell gap d which is a gap between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 is 6.2 μm. Accordingly, the product of the birefringence difference Δn of the nematic liquid crystal 6 and the cell gap d gives the birefringence Δnd value of the liquid crystal element 19 of 0.81 μm.
Becomes

The absorption axis 11a of the upper polarizing plate 11 is
, And the absorption axis 15a of the lower polarizing plate 15 is arranged at + 70 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the preferential viewing angle direction 21 becomes the 12 o'clock direction.

FIG. 9B shows the arrangement of the components in the second liquid crystal panel 46. The first substrate 1 is rubbed counterclockwise 30 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the lower liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6a becomes + 30 °, a tilt angle is generated in the direction of the arrow, and the second substrate 1 2 is rubbed in the clockwise direction 30 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, so that the upper liquid crystal molecule alignment direction 6b becomes −30 °, and a tilt angle occurs in the direction of the arrow.

The arrangement of the polarizing plate and the phase difference plate is exactly the same as that of the first liquid crystal panel 45.
a is arranged at + 18 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H, and the absorption axis 15a of the lower polarizing plate 15 is set at + 70 ° with respect to the horizontal axis H.
By arranging at ゜, the preferential viewing angle direction 22 becomes the 6 o'clock direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the preferred viewing angle directions of the first liquid crystal panel 45 and the second liquid crystal panel 46 correspond to one side of the first and second liquid crystal panels on the opening / closing axis 40 side. From the side to the opposite side, and here, the preferred viewing angle directions 21, 2
The angle between 2 and the opening / closing shaft 40 direction was set to 90 °.
Further, the priority viewing angle direction 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 45 and the second
The preferred viewing angle direction 22 of the liquid crystal panel 46 is symmetric with the opening / closing axis as a symmetric axis.

Next, the effect of the third embodiment will be described.
When the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened, and the opening / closing shaft 40 is arranged on the back side and opened in a V shape, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the first liquid crystal panel 45 is viewed from the 12 o'clock direction. That is, when viewed from the direction of the preferential viewing angle of the first liquid crystal panel 45, almost no color change occurs, and the contrast slightly decreases.

On the other hand, the second liquid crystal panel 46 is viewed from the 6 o'clock direction, that is, viewed from the direction of the preferential viewing angle of the second liquid crystal panel 46, and almost no color change occurs. The contrast is slightly reduced. Therefore, the display colors and contrasts of the two liquid crystal panels are almost the same, and it is easy to see even continuous display.

Even when the two liquid crystal panels are completely opened, the first liquid crystal panel 45 is viewed from a direction slightly inclined at 6 o'clock from the front.
Although the direction is opposite to 1, the contrast is hardly reduced because the angle is small. In addition, the second liquid crystal panel 46 is viewed from a direction slightly inclined at 12:00 from the front, and is in the opposite direction to the priority viewing angle method 22, but has the same contrast and color tone as the first liquid crystal panel. , Even in continuous display.

When carrying the portable telephone, it is possible to reduce the size by folding up and down at the center of the two liquid crystal panels.
It is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device that can display easily even when the two liquid crystal panels are not opened completely but opened in a V shape.

As shown in these embodiments, the vertical and horizontal lengths of the liquid crystal panels used are extremely different, that is, except for the case where a very thin liquid crystal panel is used. Is preferably from about 45 ° to 90 °. In addition, since it opens and closes about the opening and closing axis, it is particularly preferable to set the angle to 90 °.

(Modification of Each Embodiment) In the first to third embodiments, the COG connection method in which the driving IC is directly connected to one end of the liquid crystal panel is used. Of course, it is also possible to mount on a substrate and connect the flexible substrate to one end of the liquid crystal panel by a TAB method or a COF method.

In the first to third embodiments, the signal electrode driving IC is connected to the upper portion of the first or second liquid crystal panel, and the scanning electrode driving IC is connected to the right side of the first or second liquid crystal panel. The scan electrode driving IC is connected to the upper part of one or both liquid crystal panels, and the first and second liquid crystal panels are connected.
It is also possible to connect a signal electrode driving IC to one or both of the right and left sides of the liquid crystal panel. In the first and second embodiments, the driving IC is provided on the upper part of the liquid crystal panel. However, the driving IC may be provided on the lower part of the liquid crystal panel. Similarly, in the third embodiment, the driving IC is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal panel, but may be provided on the left side of the liquid crystal panel.

In the first to third embodiments, a monochrome liquid crystal display device is used. However, an internal reflection type color liquid crystal display device having a color filter and a reflection plate formed therein can be used. It is possible to realize a portable information device capable of displaying a color on a large screen with a high density.

In the first and third embodiments, one retardation plate is used as the optical compensating element for the STN liquid crystal.
A similar liquid crystal display device can be provided by using a plurality of retardation plates, a twisted retardation plate fixed with a twisted structure using a liquid crystal polymer, or both a retardation plate and a twisted retardation plate. .

[0076]

As is apparent from the above description, the priority viewing angle direction of the first liquid crystal panel and the priority viewing angle direction of the second liquid crystal panel are provided in symmetric directions with the opening / closing axis as a symmetric axis. Even when the two liquid crystal panels are not completely opened but open in a V-shape or in a V-shape, the color tone and contrast of the two liquid crystal panels are the same. At times, it can be folded down to make it smaller,
It is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device which can be widened when used to display a large screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st board | substrate 2 2nd board | substrate 3 scanning electrode 4 signal electrode 5 sealing material 6 nematic liquid crystal 11 upper polarizing plate 13 phase difference plate 15 lower polarizing plate 17 reflector 19 liquid crystal element (STN) 20 liquid crystal element (TN) 21 Priority viewing angle direction of first liquid crystal panel 22 Priority viewing angle direction of second liquid crystal panel 32 Connecting portion 35, 39 Flexible substrate 40 Opening / closing axis 41, 43, 45 First liquid crystal panel 42, 44, 46 Second LCD panel

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H089 HA40 JA10 QA16 RA10 SA12 TA04 TA14 2H090 KA08 LA06 LA09 MA06 MA17 MB01 5C094 AA12 AA14 AA55 BA43 DA01 FA03 HA08

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel are connected so that one side of the first liquid crystal panel and one side of the second liquid crystal panel are close to each other, and the connection portion is formed as an opening / closing axis. A liquid crystal display device having a mechanism that can be opened and closed so that the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel face each other,
The respective preferred viewing angle directions of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are directions from one side of the first and second liquid crystal panels on the opening / closing axis side to the opposite side, and A liquid crystal display device, wherein the priority viewing angle direction of the first liquid crystal panel and the priority viewing angle direction of the second liquid crystal panel are symmetrical with respect to the opening / closing axis.