CH717536B1 - A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device (1), for example for a timepiece, comprising a liquid crystal cell (2) whose liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a planar or vertical manner, this liquid crystal cell (2) being formed of a transparent front substrate (4), and of a rear substrate (8), also transparent, which extends under the front substrate (4) , parallel to and at a distance from the latter, these two substrates being joined together by means of a sealing frame (10) which delimits a sealed enclosure (12) in which a liquid crystal composition is confined, the substrates being coated on their faces facing transparent electrically conductive electrodes (14) and counter-electrodes (16), the liquid crystal display device (1) being provided with a reflective polarizing film (24) arranged to absorb a first component of a light (26) q ui enters the liquid crystal cell (2) through the front substrate (4), and to reflect a second component of light (26) polarized in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component, this reflective polarizing film (24) comprising an absorbent polarizer (32) combined with a reflector (34) disposed below the absorbent polarizer (32), the method comprising the step of raising the reflector (34) to impart a decorative and/or functional shape thereto visible to an observer (6) through the front substrate (4) of the liquid crystal cell (2), then in fixing this reflector (34) under the absorbing polarizer (32) which is itself fixed against a lower face (28) of the rear substrate (8).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device as well as a liquid crystal display device obtained in particular by virtue of this method. The present invention relates in particular to a manufacturing method making it possible to provide a liquid crystal display device with a decorative and/or functional pattern perceptible through a transparent display surface of this liquid crystal display device.

Technological background of the invention

The present invention is concerned with digital type display devices, that is to say display devices which are capable of displaying information in alphanumeric form, as opposed to analog display devices. which display information by means of one or more hands which move next to graduations.

[0003] A well-known family of digital display devices includes liquid crystal display devices. These liquid crystal display devices conventionally comprise a liquid crystal cell formed of a transparent front substrate located on the side of an observer, and of a rear substrate, transparent or not, which extends parallel to and at a distance from the front substrate. These two front and rear substrates are usually joined together by means of a sealing frame which delimits a sealed enclosure in which a liquid crystal composition is confined. Finally, the front and rear substrates are coated on their opposite faces with electrically conductive transparent electrodes and counter-electrodes; by applying an electric field between an electrode and a corresponding counter-electrode, the optical properties of the liquid crystal composition are modified at the crossing point of the electrode and the counter-electrode in question.

In the context of the present invention, we are particularly interested in liquid crystal cells of the type: helical nematics -also called Twist Nematic or TN in Anglo-Saxon terminology-; helix super nematic -also called Super Twist Nematic or STN in Anglo-Saxon terminology-; GuestHost; vertically aligned -also called Vertically Aligned or VA- or electrically controlled birefringence -also called Electrically Controlled Birefringence or ECB-.

To be able to operate in reflective mode, liquid crystal cells of the TN, STN, Guest Host, Vertically Aligned or Electrically Controlled Birefringence type must be provided with a reflective polarizer which, most often, is laminated against one side bottom of the rear substrate and whose function is to reflect the light which enters the liquid crystal cell via the front face of the latter and passes through this liquid crystal cell over its entire thickness, until it is reflected on it.

[0006] There are several types of reflective polarizers which, depending on the case, provide specular or diffuse reflection. A first type of reflective polarizer consists of an absorbing/transparent type polarizer. Such a type of polarizer absorbs a first component of light and transmits the other component of polarized light in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component. To form the reflective polarizer, the underside of the absorbent/transparent polarizer is provided with a reflector, for example a thin metallic layer of aluminum or silver, on which the light transmitted by the absorbent/transparent polarizer is reflected and is returned to the top of the liquid crystal cell, in the direction of the observer.

[0007] In the case of a liquid crystal display device of the transflective type, that is to say which is both reflective and transparent, the polarizer must be both reflective and transparent. To be able to obtain such a polarizer that is both partially reflective and transparent, one solution consists in reducing the thickness of the metal layer with which the absorbing polarizer is provided to a very low value, of the order of a few nanometers, which is precision control. Such a transflective liquid crystal display device is then equipped with a backlight device disposed under the rear substrate and which emits light through the partially reflective/transparent polarizer towards the top of the liquid crystal cell.

Another solution for enabling a liquid crystal cell of the TN, STN, Guest Host, Vertically Aligned or Electrically Controlled Birefringence type to operate in reflective mode consists in equipping such a liquid crystal cell with a reflective/transparent polarizer which reflects a light polarization direction and is transparent to the orthogonal light polarization direction. Such a reflective/transparent polarizer can be of the "Coextruded Multilayer Birefringent Interference Polarizer" type such as that marketed by the 3M company under the Dual Brightness Enhancement Film brand or else of the nano-grid polarizer type also known by its Anglo-Saxon name Wire- grid Polarizer. The reflective/transparent polarizer is fixed, for example by lamination, to the underside of the rear substrate, and a black or colored background is added after it to absorb the light which should not be reflected. In the case where it is desired to obtain a transflective liquid crystal cell, the black or colored background will only be partially absorbent to allow the light produced by a backlighting device arranged under the rear substrate to pass.

[0009] There are also display devices comprising a liquid crystal cell provided with a single polarizer on an upper face of its front substrate, while a metal reflector is arranged between its front substrate and its rear substrate.

Prior art liquid crystal display devices which include a TN, STN, Guest Host, Vertically Aligned or Electrically Controlled Birefringence type display cell thus display information in the form of alphanumeric characters or icons that stand out against a homogeneous flat background, of the specular or diffusing type. There are therefore few variations in appearance possible between these liquid crystal display devices of the prior art, so that it is difficult for manufacturers to distinguish themselves from each other. Likewise, objects such as wristwatches in particular which are fitted with such liquid crystal display devices have very similar appearances.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to remedy the problems mentioned above as well as still others by providing a manufacturing method making it possible to produce liquid crystal display devices of the reflective or transflective type whose aspects can be varied endlessly. The present invention also aims to provide liquid crystal display devices of the reflective or transflective type which have an original aesthetic appearance.

To this end, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell whose liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a planar or vertical manner, this cell liquid-crystal device being formed of a transparent front substrate located on the side of an observer, and of a rear substrate, also transparent, which extends under the front substrate, parallel to and at a distance from the latter, these two substrates front and rear being joined together by means of a sealing frame which delimits a sealed enclosure in which a liquid crystal composition is confined, the front and rear substrates being coated on their facing faces with electrodes and counter-electrodes electrically conductive transparent materials, the optical properties of the liquid crystal composition being modified by applying an electric field at the point of intersection between u ne electrode and a corresponding counter-electrode, the liquid crystal display device being provided with a reflective polarizing film arranged to absorb a first component of a light which enters the liquid crystal cell via the front substrate, and to reflecting a second component of polarized light in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component, said reflective polarizing film comprising an absorbing polarizer combined with an at least partially reflective reflector disposed below the absorbing polarizer, the method comprising the step of putting the reflector in relief to give it a decorative and/or functional shape visible to the observer through the front substrate of the liquid crystal cell, then fixing this reflector under the absorbing polarizer which is itself fixed against a face bottom of the rear substrate.

According to particular embodiments of the invention: the at least partially reflective reflector is obtained by highlighting a layer of transparent material comprising a rear face to which the desired decorative and/or functional relief shape is imparted and on which an at least partially reflective layer is deposited, the layer of transparent material also comprising a front face opposite the rear face and on which is fixed an absorbing polarizer, the reflective polarizing film formed of the at least partially reflecting layer and of the absorbing polarizer being fixed via this absorbing polarizer against the lower face of the rear substrate by means of a layer of optically transparent adhesive; the at least partially reflective layer is metallic; the metal is chosen from the group formed by silver, aluminum, nickel, chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, gold as well as the alloys of these metals; the at least partially reflective layer is obtained by physical vapor deposition, evaporation or sputtering; the at least partially reflective layer is formed of a plurality of layers of dielectric materials having different refractive indices from each other and forming a dielectric mirror; the layer of transparent material is made of resin; the layer of transparent material is formed by resin injection or by thermoforming a resin sheet; the at least partially reflective reflector is obtained by highlighting a metallic film or a plastic film coated on a rear face with an at least partially reflective layer, a front face of the metallic film or of the coated plastic film being covered a layer of transparent material on which is fixed an absorbing polarizer, the reflective polarizing film formed of the reflector and the absorbing polarizer being fixed via this absorbing polarizer against the underside of the rear substrate by means of a layer of optically transparent adhesive .

The present invention also relates to a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell whose liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a planar or vertical manner, this liquid crystal cell being formed of a substrate transparent front located on the side of an observer, and a rear substrate, also transparent, which extends under the front substrate, parallel to and at a distance from the latter, these two front and rear substrates being joined together by means a sealing frame which delimits a sealed enclosure in which a liquid crystal composition is confined, the front and rear substrates being coated on their facing faces with electrically conductive transparent electrodes and counter-electrodes, the optical properties of the liquid crystal composition being modified by applying an electric field at the crossover point between an electrode and a counter-electro corresponding trode, the liquid crystal display device being provided with a reflective polarizing film for absorbing a first component of a light which enters the liquid crystal cell through the front substrate, and for reflecting a second component of the light polarized in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component, the reflective polarizing film comprising an absorbing polarizer combined with an at least partially reflecting reflector placed under the absorbing polarizer, the reflector having a decorative and/or functional shape in relief visible to an observer through the front substrate of the liquid crystal cell, the reflective polarizing film being fixed against an underside of the rear substrate of the liquid crystal cell via the absorbing polarizer by means of a layer of optically transparent adhesive.

[0015] According to particular embodiments: the at least partially reflective reflector comprises a layer of transparent material which has the desired decorative and/or functional relief shape and of which a rear face is covered with an at least partially reflective layer, the layer of transparent material also comprising a front face opposite the rear face covered with a layer of transparent material on which the absorbent polarizer is fixed; the at least partially reflective reflector is metallic; the metal in which the at least partially reflecting reflector is made is chosen from the group formed by silver, aluminum, nickel, chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, gold as well as alloys of these metals; the at least partially reflective layer is formed of a plurality of layers of dielectric materials having different refractive indices from each other and forming a dielectric mirror; the layer of transparent material is made of resin; the at least partially reflecting reflector is formed from a metallic film or a plastic film coated on a rear face with an at least partially reflecting layer, a front face of the metallic film or the coated plastic film being covered with a layer of transparent material on which the absorbing polarizer is fixed.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a display device of the above type.

Thanks to these characteristics, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing reflective or transflective liquid crystal display devices which display alphabetical, numerical or other information on relief backgrounds which have innovative and very different aspects. each other. This result is achieved by teaching the reflector to be impressed with shapes in relief which will be perceptible to the naked eye by the wearer of the watch when he looks at the useful display surface of the liquid crystal cell. In particular, in the case where a liquid crystal display device according to the invention is embedded in a wristwatch, the reflector can be placed in relief to give it a texture imitating the appearance of conventional watch dials: nails de Paris, Côtes de Genève, weaving effect, sunbrushed, guillochages etc. It is also possible to print on the reflector simple height variations to highlight areas with or without texture, or areas of the useful display surface of the liquid crystal cell where display segments are located. Finally, thanks to the invention, it is also possible to print in the reflector figurative patterns such as plant patterns, or patterns inspired by cameos, coin faces, sculptures or even stockings. landforms. The present invention thus enables manufacturers of watches or other electronic products comprising a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device to offer their customers objects whose aesthetics are original and stand out from the competition while using a technology based on conventional liquid crystal and well mastered and therefore reliable and inexpensive. The possibility offered by the present invention of easily changing the rear decor of a liquid crystal display device allows manufacturers to have a wide range of products with different aesthetic aspects but which is based on a common technological platform, which makes it possible to pool manufacturing costs. For example, the shape of the segments and icons of a liquid crystal cell according to the invention may be common to several display devices nevertheless having different decorative and/or technical elements.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, this example being given for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes only in connection with the attached drawing on which: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in section a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell and a reflective polarizing film formed of a raised reflector and an absorbing polarizer via which the reflective polarizing film is attached by means of a layer of optically transparent adhesive against an underside of a rear substrate of the liquid crystal cell; FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, a backlighting device being arranged under the liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 3 is a view of a wristwatch equipped with a liquid-crystal cell whose reflective polarizing film, placed under the liquid-crystal display device, has been raised to display a figurative image of a came through the useful display surface of the liquid crystal cell.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display device designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 1. This liquid crystal display device 1 comprises a liquid crystal cell 2 which comprises a transparent front substrate 4 located on the side of an observer 6, and a rear substrate 8, also transparent, which extends under the front substrate 4, parallel to and at a distance from the latter. The two front 4 and rear 8 substrates are joined together by means of a sealing frame 10 which delimits a sealed enclosure 12 in which a liquid crystal composition is confined. The front 4 and rear 8 substrates are coated on their opposite faces with transparent electrodes 14 and counter-electrodes 16 that are electrically conductive. The optical properties of the liquid crystal composition are modified by applying an electric field to the crossing point between an electrode 14 and a corresponding counter-electrode 16. The liquid crystal cell 2 is also provided with an absorbent polarizer 18 bonded to the upper face 20 of the front substrate 4 by means of a layer of optically transparent adhesive 22, also known by its Anglo-Saxon name Optical Clear Adhesive or OCA.

Finally, the liquid crystal cell 2 is provided with a reflective polarizing film 24 arranged to absorb a first component of light 26 which enters the liquid crystal cell 2 through the front substrate 4, and to reflect a second component of the light polarized in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component. This reflective polarizing film 24 is fixed against an underside 28 of the rear substrate 8 by means of a layer 30 of optically transparent adhesive of the OCA type.

The reflective polarizing film 24 comprises an absorbent polarizer 32 combined with a reflector 34 that is at least partially reflective. Depending on whether this reflector 34 is partially or totally reflective, the display device 1 is transflective, respectively reflective. In the case where the display device 1 is transflective, a backlighting device 36 is placed under the reflective polarizing film 24 (see FIG. 2).

The method according to the invention comprises the step which consists in putting the reflector 34 in relief to give it a decorative and/or functional shape visible to the observer 6 through the front substrate 4 of the liquid crystal cell. 2, then fixing this reflector 34 under the absorbing polarizer 32 which is itself fixed against the lower face 28 of the rear substrate 8 by means of the layer 30 of optically transparent adhesive.

The at least partially reflective reflector 34 is obtained by shaping a layer of transparent material 38 to which the desired decorative and/or functional relief shape is imparted. This layer of transparent material 38 comprises a rear face 40 which has the desired shapes in relief and on which an at least partially reflective layer 42 is deposited, as well as a flat front face 44 opposite the rear face 40. The absorbing polarizer 32 is attached to the flat front face 44 of the layer of transparent material 38 by means of an adhesive layer 46 formed of an optically transparent adhesive of the Optical Clear Adhesive or OCA type. This layer of adhesive 46 can be in the form of a pressure-sensitive film which is laminated on the layer of transparent material 38 or is dispensed as a layer of liquid glue on this layer of transparent material 38. Finally, the polarizer absorbent 32 is covered with adhesive layer 30 formed of an optically transparent adhesive of the Optical Clear Adhesive or OCA type. After securing the absorbing polarizer 32 to the layer of transparent material 38 via the layer of adhesive 46, the reflective polarizing film 24 is obtained which is in turn secured against the lower face 28 of the rear substrate 8 of the liquid crystal cell 2 by means of the optically transparent adhesive layer 30.

The at least partially reflective layer 42 which is deposited on the rear face 40 of the layer of transparent material 38 to form the reflector 34 can be metallic. The metal is then advantageously chosen from the group formed by silver, aluminum, nickel, chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, gold and alloys of these metals. This at least partially reflective layer 42 can be deposited without limitation by physical vapor deposition, by evaporation or by sputtering. This at least partially reflective layer 42 can also be formed from a plurality of layers of dielectric materials having different refractive indices from each other and forming a dielectric mirror.

As regards the layer of transparent material 38 on the rear face 40 of which the at least partially reflective layer 42 is deposited, the latter can be made of resin, for example by injection of such a resin or by thermoforming of a resin sheet. The resin can thus be injected into a mold, one of the parts of which has the shapes in relief corresponding to the shapes that it is desired to give to the reflector 34. If the resin used is photosensitive, it can be solidified by exposure to radiation ultraviolet when it is between the two parts of the mould. In the case where a sheet of resin is used as the base material, the setting in relief of the latter can be obtained by cold or hot deformation against a mold having the shapes in relief which correspond to the shapes that the it is sought to give this sheet of resin to obtain the desired reflector 34. If the resin in the sheet state is photosensitive, its shape can be fixed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Once the layer of transparent material 38 has been shaped and coated on its rear face 40 with the at least partially reflective layer 42 to form the reflector 34, the absorbent polarizer 32 is fixed on its front face 44. Before or after polymerization of the layer of transparent material 38, is deposited on this layer of transparent material 38 the layer of optically transparent adhesive 46 by means of which the absorbent polarizer 32 is fixed on this layer of transparent material 38.

The at least partially reflective reflector 34 can also be obtained by highlighting an at least partially reflective metal film or a plastic film coated on a rear face with an at least partially reflective layer, for example metal. . A front face of the metal film or of the coated plastic film is then covered with the layer of transparent material 38 on which is fixed the absorbent polarizer 32 by means of the layer of optically transparent adhesive 46. The reflective polarizing film 24 formed of the reflector 34 and of the absorbing polarizer 32 is fixed via this absorbing polarizer 32 against the lower face 28 of the rear substrate 8 of the liquid crystal cell 2 by means of the layer 30 of optically transparent adhesive.

[0028] Figure 3 is a view of a wristwatch 60 equipped with a liquid crystal cell whose reflective polarizing film, disposed under the liquid crystal display device, has been raised to display an image figurative 62 of a cameo through the useful display surface of the liquid crystal cell. It can thus be seen that the useful information 64 displayed by the liquid crystal display device is superimposed on the figurative image 62 formed in the reflective polarizing film, permanently or on demand, which gives the wristwatch 60 a quite remarkable and innovative aesthetic aspect. Of course, the reflective polarizing film can be shaped to display not a figurative image but technical information such as for example a graduation which will cooperate with information displayed by the liquid crystal display device.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device which have just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be recalled in particular that by reflective polarizer is meant a polarizer which reflects a direction of polarization of the light and which transmits the direction of polarization of the orthogonal light. Similarly, the term "absorbing polarizer" means a polarizer which absorbs one component of the light and which transmits the other component of the light which is orthogonal to the component of the absorbed light. It will also be noted that the present invention applies to liquid crystal cells in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a planar manner, that is to say with their major axis which extends parallel to the substrates of the cell at liquid crystal, or whose liquid crystal molecules are aligned vertically, that is to say with their major axis which extends perpendicularly to the substrates of the liquid crystal cell. Examples of such liquid crystal cells are given by liquid crystal cells of the helix nematic, super helix nematic, guest host or even vertical alignment or electrically controlled birefringence type liquid crystal cells, better known by their respective Anglo-Saxon names. Vertically Aligned or VA and Electrically Controlled Birefringence or ECB. It will also be noted that the layers of adhesive 30, 38 and 46 can be made using a slightly diffusing material, in order to provide a matte or satin appearance to the reflected light. The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, equipped with a liquid crystal display device 1 of the type described above. The wearer of the watch will thus see through the front substrate 4 of the liquid crystal cell 2, in the background of the information displayed by this liquid crystal cell 2, the decoration or any other functional indication printed in relief in the film polarizing reflector 24, which gives this watch a look that is unique to it and that stands out from the look of competition watches.

Nomenclature

1. Liquid crystal display device 2. Liquid crystal cell 4. Front substrate 6. Observer 8. Rear substrate 10. Sealing frame 12. Sealed enclosure 14. Electrodes 16. Counter-electrodes 18. Absorbing polarizer 20. Top side 22. Adhesive layer 24. Reflective polarizing film 26. Light 28. Bottom side 30. Adhesive layer 32. Absorbing polarizer 34. Reflector 36. Backlight device 38. Transparent material layer 40. Back side 42. Layer 44. Front side 46. Adhesive layer 60. Wristwatch 62. Figurative image 64. Useful information

Claims (17)

1. A method of manufacturing a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device (1) comprising a liquid crystal cell (2) whose liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a planar or vertical manner, this liquid crystal cell ( 2) being formed of a transparent front substrate (4) located on the side of an observer (6), and of a rear substrate (8), also transparent, which extends under the front substrate (4), parallel and at a distance therefrom, these two front (4) and rear (8) substrates being joined together by means of a sealing frame (10) which delimits a sealed enclosure (12) in which a liquid crystal composition is confined, the front (4) and rear (8) substrates being coated on their facing faces with electrically conductive transparent electrodes (14) and counter-electrodes (16), the optical properties of the liquid crystal composition being modified by application of an electric field at the crossing point nt between an electrode (14) and a corresponding counter-electrode (16), the liquid crystal display device (1) being provided with a reflective polarizing film (24) arranged to absorb a first component of a light ( 26) which enters the liquid crystal cell (2) through the front substrate (4), and to reflect a second component of light (26) polarized in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component, this reflective polarizing film ( 24) comprising an absorbent polarizer (32) combined with an at least partially reflective reflector (34) disposed below the absorbent polarizer (32), the method comprising the step of raising the reflector (34) to impart a decorative and/or functional shape visible to the observer (6) through the front substrate (4) of the liquid crystal cell (2), then in fixing this reflector (34) under the absorbing polarizer (32) which is itself -even fixed against an underside (28) of the subs rear track (8). 2. Manufacturing process according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflective polarizing film (24) at least partially reflective is obtained by highlighting a layer of transparent material (38) to which the decorative relief shape is imparted. and/or functional desired and on a rear face (40) of which an at least partially reflective layer (42) is deposited, the layer of transparent material (38) also comprising a front face (44) opposite the rear face (40 ) and on which the absorbent polarizer (32) is fixed, the reflective polarizing film (24) formed of the at least partially reflective layer (42), of the layer of transparent material (38) and of the absorbent polarizer (32) being fixed via this absorbent polarizer (32) against the underside (28) of the rear substrate (8) by means of a layer of optically transparent adhesive (30). 3. Manufacturing process according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least partially reflective layer (42) is metallic. 4. Manufacturing process according to claim 3, characterized in that the metal is chosen from the group formed by silver, aluminum, nickel, chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, gold and alloys of these metals. 5. Manufacturing process according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the at least partially reflective layer (42) is obtained by physical vapor deposition, evaporation or sputtering. 6. Manufacturing process according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least partially reflective layer (42) is formed of a plurality of layers of dielectric materials having different refractive indices from each other and forming a dielectric mirror. 7. Manufacturing process according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the layer of transparent material (38) is made of resin. 8. Manufacturing process according to claim 7, characterized in that the layer of transparent material (38) is formed by injection of resin or by thermoforming of a sheet of resin. 9. Manufacturing process according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the reflector (34) at least partially reflective is obtained by highlighting a metal film or a plastic film coated on a rear face of an at least partially reflective layer, a front face of the metallic film or of the coated plastic film being covered with the layer of transparent material (38) on which the absorbing polarizer (32) is fixed, the reflective polarizing film (24) formed the reflector (34) and the absorbent polarizer (32) being fixed via this absorbent polarizer (32) against the lower face (28) of the rear substrate (8) by means of the layer of optically transparent adhesive (30). 10. Reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device (1) comprising a liquid crystal cell (2) whose liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a planar or vertical manner, this liquid crystal cell (2) being formed of a transparent front substrate (4) located on the side of an observer, and a rear substrate (8), also transparent, which extends under the front substrate (4), parallel to and at a distance from the latter, these two front (4) and rear (8) substrates being joined together by means of a sealing frame (10) which delimits a sealed enclosure (12) in which a liquid crystal composition is confined, the front substrates (4) and back (8) being coated on their facing faces with electrically conductive transparent electrodes (14) and counter-electrodes (16), the optical properties of the liquid crystal composition being modified by application of an electric field at the point crossing between an electrode (14) and a corresponding counter electrode (16), the liquid crystal display device (1) being provided with a reflective polarizing film (24) for absorbing a first component of a light (26) which enters the crystal cell liquid (2) by the front substrate (4), and to reflect a second component of light (26) polarized in a direction orthogonal to that of the first component, the reflective polarizing film (24) comprising an absorbing polarizer (32) combined with an at least partially reflective reflector (34) arranged under the absorbing polarizer (32), the reflector (34) having a decorative and/or functional shape in relief visible to an observer (6) through the front substrate (4) of the liquid crystal cell (2), the reflective polarizing film (24) being fixed against an underside (28) of the rear substrate (8) of the liquid crystal cell (2) via the absorbing polarizer (32) by means with a layer of optically transparent adhesive ent (30). 11. Liquid crystal display device according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least partially reflective reflector (34) comprises a layer of transparent material (38) of which a rear face (40) has the decorative relief shape and / or functional desired and is covered with a layer (42) at least partially reflective, the layer of transparent material (38) also comprising a front face (44) opposite the rear face (40) on which is fixed the absorbing polarizer (32). 12. Liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least partially reflective layer (42) is metallic. 13. Liquid crystal display device according to claim 12, characterized in that the metal in which the at least partially reflective layer (42) is made is chosen from the group formed by silver, aluminum, nickel , chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, gold and alloys of these metals. 14. Liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least partially reflective layer (42) is formed of a plurality of layers of dielectric materials having different refractive indices from each other and forming a dielectric mirror. 15. Liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least partially reflective reflector (34) is formed of a metal film or a plastic film coated on a rear face with a layer of less partially reflective, a front face of the metallic film or of the coated plastic film being covered with the layer of transparent material (38) on which the absorbing polarizer (32) is fixed. 16. Liquid crystal display device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the layer of transparent material (38) is made of resin. 17. Timepiece comprising a display device according to one of claims 10 to 16.