JP2000193963A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a liquid crystal display device with a wide viewing angle and high brightness. SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display device 10 is provided with a first substrate 3, a second substrate 5 and a liquid crystal layer 4 held between the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 5. The side of the first substrate 3 is defined as the displaying side and the side of the second substrate 5 is defined as the non-displaying side. A first polarizing plate 1 is provided closer to the displaying sidle than the first substrate 3 and a second polarizing plate 6 is provided closer to the won-displaying side than the second substrate 5. A light controlling film 7, which makes an advancing direction of (part of diffused light change to a specified direction, is located still closer to the son- displaying side than the second polarizing plate 6. A diffusion reflection layer 8, which diffuses and reflects external light incident from the displaying side through the liquid crystal layer 4 and makes it enter the light controlling film 7, is located still closer to the now-displaying side than the light controlling film 7.

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 which performs display by reflected light, such as a reflective liquid crystal display device including a front light type liquid crystal display device, a transflective liquid crystal display device, and the like. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device that performs display using transmitted light. More specifically, the present invention relates to a configuration of a liquid crystal display device for improving light use efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display device has low power consumption because it is constituted by a liquid crystal element which is a non-light emitting element.
Further, the liquid crystal display device is a thin, lightweight, and flat display device. The liquid crystal display device is used for a clock, a calculator, a computer terminal, a word processor, a television receiver, and the like by utilizing the above advantages, and is used as a information display device over a wide field.

[0003] The modern society is said to be an advanced information society, and the amount of information circulation is increasing, and the demands of individuals for collecting and selecting information are increasing. In such a social background, the need for a personal portable terminal is widely recognized. And, as a display device for the next-generation mobile terminal module, in black and white display, the white color is white like paper,
There is a demand for a reflective / semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device (including a front-light type liquid crystal display device) that is black as if the black display was written as a pencil, and that has high brightness and high contrast, and is being actively developed. .

In the case of these reflective / semi-transmissive liquid crystal display devices, the amount of light incident on the liquid crystal display device from the outside (hereinafter, referred to as external light) is determined according to the situation of the installation location. In order to achieve a higher degree of accuracy, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of use of external light and collect the emitted light in the direction of the viewing angle of the observer.

Recently, as shown in FIG. 10, a large number of grooves 10 inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of the silver reflection plate.
There has been proposed a method of increasing the brightness of a reflection type liquid crystal display device by condensing light in the viewing angle direction of an observer using an inclined reflector 100 having directivity obtained by attaching 1..

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-113893 discloses a reflective liquid crystal display device using a specular reflector and a light control film in order to provide a bright reflective liquid crystal display device without shadows. .

The above-mentioned reflection type liquid crystal display element comprises a liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal sandwiched between substrates having a pair of electrodes, a polarizing plate disposed outside the liquid crystal cell, and a mirror reflector for reflecting incident light. And a light control film disposed in front of the specular reflector and composed of two types of minute regions having different refractive indices. According to the configuration, the specularly reflected light reflected by the specular reflection plate is scattered by the light scattering (diffusion) function of the light control film, and the reflection of external light is prevented.

[0008]

However, the above prior art has the following problems.

First, in the case of a liquid crystal display device using the above-mentioned inclined reflector, the manufacturing process becomes complicated and costly because the surface of the silver-deposited substrate has a groove structure. In addition, there is a problem that moire occurs due to the groove structure.

Further, in a liquid crystal display device in which a specular reflector and a light control film are combined as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-113893, two types having different refractive indices are used in order to scatter specular reflected light by the specular reflector. Although a light control film composed of microscopic regions is used, there is no description about the light diffusivity of the light control film.

According to the study by the inventors of the present invention, it has been found that a light control film composed of two kinds of minute regions having different refractive indices has a small light diffusion degree. Therefore, in the above-described conventional liquid crystal display device, as shown in FIG. 14, even if the light control film 7 is disposed on the specular reflector 131, the reflected light intensity in the regular reflection direction is high, but the viewing angle of the observer is positive. Even a slight deviation from the reflection direction causes a sharp decrease in the reflected light intensity (display brightness), making the display very difficult to see. Further, when the size of the display screen is increased, as shown in FIG.
There will be a big difference in brightness.

Therefore, in order to achieve high brightness, there is a need for a liquid crystal display device capable of converging outgoing light in the direction of the viewing angle of the observer and further optimizing the degree of diffusion of the outgoing light in the direction of the viewing angle of the observer. ing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle and high brightness, particularly a reflective / semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device. is there. Another object of the present invention is to make the emission light peak from the liquid crystal display device closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device so that it can be viewed from near the front (normal direction) of the liquid crystal display device which is the viewing angle of the observer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device having high brightness and very easy to see, particularly a reflective / semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises a first substrate and a second substrate.
And a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein the first substrate side is a display side, the second substrate side is a non-display side, and the second substrate A light control film further disposed on the non-display side, and further provided with diffused light incidence means disposed on the non-display side further than the light control film and causing diffused light to be incident on the light control film; It is characterized in that the traveling direction of a part of light is changed in a specific direction.

According to the above arrangement, the traveling direction of a part of the diffused light incident on the light control film is changed in a specific direction while passing through the light control film. As a result, the light emitted from the liquid crystal display device has, in addition to the first peak in the regular reflection direction, a second peak in a specific direction closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device than the regular reflection direction. That is,
Part of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display device can be collected in a specific direction closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device than the regular reflection direction. Then, if the specific direction is made coincident with the viewing angle of the observer, the diffused light incident on the light control film can be effectively collected. This makes it possible to obtain a liquid crystal display that is high in brightness even when viewed from near the front of the liquid crystal display device, which is the viewing angle of the observer, and is very easy to see. Therefore, according to the above configuration, a liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle and high brightness can be provided.

If the light incident on the light control film is not diffuse light but is specular reflected light or light from a direct light source,
Even if the light control film is provided with a light diffusing property, it cannot provide a liquid crystal display device having a poor light diffusing effect, a wide viewing angle, and high brightness.

Further, since the light control film is arranged on the non-display side with respect to the liquid crystal layer, the reflected light reflected on the surface of the light control film is emitted after being optically compensated by passing through the liquid crystal layer. As a result, a decrease in contrast can be prevented. Further, when a retardation plate is provided on the display side of the liquid crystal layer, the light reflected on the surface of the light control film is further optically compensated by passing through the retardation plate.
As a result, a decrease in contrast can be further prevented.

The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises a first polarizing plate disposed on the display side of the first substrate, a second polarizing plate disposed between the second substrate and the light control film. It is preferable to further include

When the light control film has a light diffusing property, the diffused light that has passed through the light control film toward the observer is diffused in the light control film, and polarization is disturbed when the light is diffused. .

However, according to the above configuration, the second polarizing plate is disposed between the light control film disposed on the back side of the second substrate viewed from the observer and the second substrate. For this reason, the disorder of the polarization of the diffused light generated at the time of passing through the light control film is eliminated while the diffused light passes through the second polarizing plate disposed on the viewer side of the light control film. As a result, a decrease in contrast or the like due to the polarization disorder is prevented, and a suitable display is obtained.

The diffused light incident on the light control film by the diffused light incident means usually has a polarization disorder. That is, for example, when the diffused light incident unit is a diffuse reflection layer that diffuses and reflects external light, polarization disorder due to diffuse reflection occurs. Further, when the diffused light incident means is a diffused transmission layer that diffuses and transmits external light, the polarization is disturbed due to the diffused transmission.

However, according to the above configuration, the second polarizing plate is provided between the light control film and the second substrate. For this reason, the disturbance of the polarization of the diffused light caused by diffuse reflection or the like before the light enters the light control film is also eliminated while the diffused light passes through the light control film and then passes through the second polarizing plate. As a result, a decrease in contrast or the like due to the polarization disorder is prevented, and a suitable display is obtained.

It is preferable that the diffused light incident means is a diffusely reflective layer which diffuses and reflects at least a part of external light incident from the first substrate through the liquid crystal layer.

According to the above structure, external light incident on the display side (first substrate side) of the liquid crystal display device from the outside is diffusely reflected by the diffuse reflection layer and then passes through the light control film. After a part of the traveling direction is changed in a specific direction, the light is converged in a specific direction, and then emitted from the display side.

Thus, the liquid crystal display device is a liquid crystal display device that performs display using external light, such as a reflective liquid crystal display device including a front light type liquid crystal display device, a transflective liquid crystal display device, or the like. This makes it possible to make the peak of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display device closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device. If the specific direction (condensing direction) is set to the viewing angle of the observer, the incident diffused light can be more effectively condensed to the observer, and displayed using external light. A high-brightness liquid crystal display device can be provided. Therefore, even if the observer looks at the liquid crystal display device from near the front, the brightness is high and a very easy-to-read liquid crystal display can be obtained.
It is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device that performs display using external light, such as a reflective liquid crystal display device including a front light type liquid crystal display device and a transflective liquid crystal display device, which has a wide viewing angle and high brightness.

Further, in the above configuration, these effects can be separated by providing the light diffusion effect to the diffused light incident means and the light control film to collect light in a specific direction. Thereby, each effect can be adjusted independently, and optimization of the liquid crystal display device becomes easy.

The diffuse reflection layer is a diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer that diffuses and reflects part of external light incident from the display side and transmits part of external light incident from the non-display side. You may.

According to the above configuration, external light incident on the display side of the liquid crystal display device from the outside is partially reflected while being diffusely reflected by the diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer and passing through the light control film. The direction is changed to a specific direction, and after being converged in a specific direction, it is emitted from the display side.

Thus, the liquid crystal display device can be a transflective liquid crystal display device that performs display using light from the outside, and can be realized by a conventional transflective liquid crystal display device. It is possible to make the peak of the light emitted from the transmissive liquid crystal display device closer to the normal direction of the transflective liquid crystal display device. And the above specific direction (light collecting direction)
The viewing angle of the observer, it becomes possible to more effectively condense the diffused light entering from the display side and the non-display side to the observer, and provide a transflective liquid crystal display device with high brightness it can. Therefore, even if the observer views the liquid crystal display device from near the front, a highly transmissive liquid crystal display having a high brightness and a very easy-to-view liquid crystal display can be provided, and a wide viewing angle and a high lightness can be provided.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, an auxiliary light source for irradiating light in the specular direction of the observer's viewing angle may be arranged on the display side of the diffuse reflection layer.

According to the above structure, light from an auxiliary light source such as a front light source is reflected by the diffuse reflection layer and is applied to the observer's viewing angle. The brightness decrease when not present can be eliminated.

The light control film preferably changes the traveling direction of a part of the diffused light so as to approach the normal direction of the first substrate.

Thus, the direction in which the diffused light is collected can be made closer to the viewing angle of the observer, and effective light utilization becomes possible.

In the light control film, two or more layers having different refractive indices are overlapped with each other, and a boundary surface of each layer has a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to a normal line of the light control film. preferable.

According to the above configuration, the light control film is formed by overlapping two or more layers having different refractive indices with each other, so that a decrease in luminance is small and diffused light can be collected in a specific direction. In addition, since the boundary surface of each layer has a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the normal direction of the light control film, if the inclination angle of the light control film is adjusted to a predetermined value, the above specific direction (diffused light (Light collecting direction) can be controlled. As a result, it is possible to easily adjust the light collecting direction of the diffused light to the viewing angle of the observer.

In the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, the light control film has two or more layers having different refractive indices overlapping each other, and a boundary surface of each layer has a predetermined angle with respect to a normal line of the light control film. An auxiliary light source, which has a slope of, and injects light in a direction inclined toward a side closer to a direction parallel to the boundary surface from a normal direction of the light control film with respect to the first substrate, is displayed from the first substrate. It may be arranged on the side.

As described above, by making the direction of light incident on the light control film from the display side closer to the direction parallel to the boundary surface, the diffusion of the incident light can be suppressed, while the reflected light is directed to the normal of the first substrate. It can be efficiently diffused in the direction side.
Therefore, the outgoing light is defined as the traveling direction of the outgoing light as a whole.
The direction can be made closer to the normal direction of the first substrate from the regular reflection direction of the incident light. Therefore, the light is emitted in a direction closer to the normal direction of the first substrate than the regular reflection direction of the incident light, which is important in display, particularly, in a range between the normal direction of the first substrate and the 30 ° tilt direction. The amount of light to be emitted increases. As a result, incident light can be efficiently used for reflective display, and display with high brightness can be realized.

[0038]

[Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG. 6, and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 10 according to the present embodiment has a first substrate 3, a second substrate 5, and a first substrate 3 and a second substrate 5 sandwiched between the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 5. A liquid crystal layer 4 made of STN (ultra twisted nematic) liquid crystal or the like, wherein the first substrate 3 side is a display side and the second substrate 5 side is a non-display side. The first polarizing plate 1 is disposed on the display side of the substrate 3, the second polarizing plate 6 is disposed on the non-display side of the second substrate 5, and further on the non-display side of the second polarizing plate 6, A light control film 7 that changes the traveling direction of a part of the diffused light in a specific direction is arranged, and further diffuses and reflects external light incident from the display side through the liquid crystal layer 4 to the non-display side further than the light control film 7. A diffuse reflection layer 8 (diffuse light incidence means, diffuse reflection layer) for allowing the light to enter the light control film 7 as diffused light is provided. It is formed.

Further, a phase difference plate 2 is provided between the first polarizing plate 1 and the first substrate 3. The phase difference plate 2
This is a laminated retardation plate including an upper retardation plate 2a and a lower retardation plate 2b. The retardation of the upper retardation plate 2a and the lower retardation plate 2b are preferably different from each other, but may be the same.

Although not shown, electrodes for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 4 are formed on the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 5 on the liquid crystal layer 4 side, respectively. A rubbing-processed alignment film is formed on each of the electrodes on the liquid crystal layer 4 side, though not shown, to align the liquid crystal layer 4. The means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 4 and the means for aligning the liquid crystal layer 4 are not particularly limited.

According to the above configuration, the traveling direction of a part of the diffused light incident on the light control film 7 is changed to a specific direction while passing through the light control film 7. As a result,
The light emitted from the liquid crystal display device 10 has a first peak in the regular reflection direction and a specific direction closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 10 (normal direction of the first substrate 3) than the regular reflection direction. It has a second peak. That is, a part of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display device 10 can be collected in a specific direction closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 10 than the regular reflection direction. Then, if the specific direction is made coincident with the viewing angle of the observer, the diffused light incident on the light control film 7 can be effectively collected. Thereby, the front (the first substrate 3)
(In the direction of the normal line), it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal display which has high brightness even when viewed from near, and is very easy to see. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1
At 0, the viewing angle is wide and high brightness is obtained.

Further, according to the above configuration, since the liquid crystal layer 4 and the phase difference plate 2 are disposed on the display side of the light control film 7, the light is reflected on the surface of the light control film 7 as shown in FIG. The reflected light R is emitted after being optically compensated by passing through the liquid crystal layer 4 and the retardation plate 2 which are optical compensation elements. As a result, a decrease in contrast can be prevented.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in the liquid crystal display device 20 in which the light control film 7 is disposed on the display side from the first substrate 3, the reflected light R ′ reflected on the surface of the light control film 7 is used. Does not pass through the liquid crystal layer 4 and the retardation plate 2 which are optical compensating elements, and is thus emitted without optical compensation.
This leads to a decrease in contrast.

When the light control film 7 has a light diffusing property, the diffused light that has passed through the light control film 7 toward the observer causes polarization disorder when the light is diffused in the light control film 7. Occurs.

However, in the above configuration, the second polarizing plate is provided between the light control film 7 disposed on the rear side of the second substrate 5 (the rear side viewed from the observer) and the second substrate 5. 6 are arranged. For this reason, the disorder of the polarization of the diffused light generated when the diffused light passes through the light control film 7 is eliminated while the diffused light passes through the second polarizing plate 6 arranged on the observer side of the light control film 7. As a result, a decrease in contrast or the like due to the polarization disorder is prevented, and a suitable display is obtained.

Further, the light control film 7 is
In the diffused light incident on the, there occurs polarization disorder due to diffuse reflection. However, according to the above configuration, the second substrate 5 has the second side on the rear side (the rear side viewed from the observer).
Are disposed. For this reason, the disturbance of the polarization caused by the diffuse reflection is also eliminated while the diffused light passes through the light control film 7 and then passes through the second polarizing plate 6. As a result, a decrease in contrast or the like due to the polarization disorder is prevented, and a suitable display is obtained.

In the liquid crystal display device 10 according to the present embodiment, the diffuse reflection layer 8 that diffuses and reflects light and the light control that changes the traveling direction of a part of the light diffusely reflected by the diffuse reflection layer 8 to a specific direction. The reflection plate 9 is formed by laminating the film 7 with the film 7. If the reflection plate 9 is a liquid crystal display device that performs display using external light, the liquid crystal display device 10 of the present embodiment is used.
The present invention can be applied to all kinds of liquid crystal display devices without being limited to.

As the light control film 7, for example, a film formed by irradiating a mixture of two kinds of ultraviolet curable polymers with ultraviolet rays and having a structure in which polymer layers having two kinds of refractive indexes are laminated. Can be used.

The diffuse reflection layer 8 may be any material that diffuses and reflects light, but may be formed on a sheet material having an appropriately roughened surface, such as mat PET (mat-like polyethylene terephthalate). It is preferable to use a general diffuse reflection layer on which a metal material having light reflectivity, for example, silver, aluminum, nickel, chromium, an alloy thereof, or the like is deposited.

Thus, it is possible to control the traveling direction of light without making the reflector a complicated shape having a large number of inclined grooves as in a conventional inclined reflector having a directional reflection effect. Therefore, manufacture of the liquid crystal display device becomes easy. Moreover, the moire phenomenon does not occur due to the groove structure unlike the inclined reflection plate having a large number of inclined grooves. In addition,
As the diffuse reflection layer 8, a diffuse reflection layer having a laminated structure in which a light scattering layer (light diffusion layer) such as a diffusion plate and a specular reflection layer are laminated may be used.

Specific direction (light collecting direction) of the light control film 7
It is preferable to make the angle of view closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 10 and substantially equal to the viewing angle of the observer. Liquid crystal display device 10
Since the display is performed by using the reflected light, the specular reflection direction of the external light becomes the brightest. However, according to the above configuration, the specific direction (condensing direction) of the light control film 7 is determined by the method of the liquid crystal display device 10. By bringing the liquid crystal display device 10 closer to the line direction (the normal direction of the first substrate 3), the observer can observe the liquid crystal display device 10 from near the viewing angle front (the normal direction of the first substrate 3). Can be obtained.

The light control film 7 is, as shown in FIG.
A layer 7a having a refractive index n _1, a layer 7b having a refractive index n ₁ is different from the refractive index n ₂ is preferably formed in a state of folded alternately. Thereby, light can be condensed in a specific direction with little decrease in luminance.

The two or more layers 7a and 7b having different refractive indexes are preferably provided so as to be folded in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the normal direction of the light control film 7. Thereby, the light control film 7
By setting the inclination angle to a predetermined value, it is possible to control the specific direction, and it is possible to easily match the viewing angle of the observer.

As shown in FIG. 6, the light control film 7 having the above structure transmits diffused light incident in the transmission axis direction T parallel to the boundary between the layers 7a and 7b. Most of the diffused light incident in the transmission axis direction T is transmitted and not diffused.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the light control film 7 having the above structure diffuses the diffused light incident in the diffusion axis direction D which forms a predetermined angle with respect to the boundary between the layers 7a and 7b. Then, the diffused light incident in the diffusion axis direction D is partially changed in the direction approaching the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 10 and is collected in the direction approaching the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 10. .

Therefore, in the light control film 7 having the above-described configuration, the direction of light (the direction indicated by T in FIG. 3) incident on the transmission axis direction T from the second polarizing plate 6 is made to coincide with the viewing angle of the liquid crystal layer 4. Is preferred. Thereby, the specific direction in which the diffused light is collected can be made closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 10, and effective light utilization becomes possible.

The light control film 7 preferably has a light diffusing property. Thereby, the specular reflection component in the diffuse reflection light from the diffuse reflection layer 8 can be further diffused, the ratio of the diffuse reflection component to the specular reflection component in the diffuse reflection light can be improved, and the viewing angle can be further widened. , High brightness can be achieved.

The light condensing and diffusing of the diffused light by the light control film 7 utilizes a light diffraction phenomenon. For this reason,
Based on Bragg's law (2 dsin θ = nλ), it is possible to optimize the light collecting direction of the diffused light. That is, based on Bragg's law, if the directions in which the diffused light reinforces each other match the direction of the observer, the diffused light can be collected in the direction of the observer.

Embodiment 2 Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
It is as follows. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in the first embodiment include:
The same reference numerals are added, and the description is omitted.

The liquid crystal display device 10 according to the first embodiment performs display using only an external light source, but the liquid crystal display device of the present invention employs a liquid crystal display device 10 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, light may be emitted in the specular reflection direction of the observer's viewing angle by a front light source (auxiliary light source) disposed on the front side (display side) of the diffuse reflection layer 8 in (1).
As a result, it is possible to eliminate a decrease in brightness when incident light from an external light source is not in the specular reflection direction of the observer's viewing angle. In FIG. 17, components other than the light control film 7 in the liquid crystal display device 10 are not shown.

The front light source preferably has a configuration in which a light source is provided at one end of a light guide plate. In this configuration, most of the incident light from the front light source is oblique in the oblique direction. For this reason, as shown in FIG.
1 is preferably installed at a position where the light emitted from the light guide plate 32 is reflected by the diffuse reflection layer 8 and directed toward the viewing angle of the observer, specifically, at a position opposite to the observer. Thereby, the light in the oblique direction incident from the light guide plate 32 can be efficiently condensed and diffused toward the observer, and the light from the light source 31 can be used efficiently. Therefore, low power consumption can be achieved.

Next, the liquid crystal display of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the liquid crystal display device of the first embodiment has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment.
0 is a front light type liquid crystal display device in which the front light source is provided so as to face the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 (the surface of the first polarizing plate 1).

In the liquid crystal display device 10 according to the first embodiment, when the amount of light incident from the external light source in the specular reflection direction in the viewing angle direction of the observer is small, the amount of light emitted in the viewing angle direction of the observer is small, and the brightness is low. Decrease. On the other hand, in the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment, by providing the front light source, even if there is little or no light incident from the external light source in the specular reflection direction in the viewing angle direction of the observer, A sufficient amount of light emitted in the viewing angle direction of the observer can be obtained. Therefore, the influence of the amount and direction of the light from the external light source is small, and a display with high brightness can be stably realized.

The front light source is shown in FIGS.
9, a light source 31 that emits light in all directions
And a light guide plate 32 that converts most of the light emitted from the light source 31 into parallel light rays along a specific direction and emits the light.
The light exit surface (the surface on the liquid crystal display device 10 side) of the light guide plate 32 is parallel to the light control film 7 (that is, parallel to the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10), and the direction of the parallel light emitted from the light guide plate 32 is light control. It is inclined from the normal direction of the film 7 (that is, the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10). Therefore, most of the light emitted from the light guide plate 32 is parallel light that is emitted in an oblique direction toward the light control film 7 (that is, toward the liquid crystal display device 10), as indicated by arrows in FIG. .

The arrangement of the front light source is shown in FIG.
8 and the arrangement shown in FIG. 19, the arrangement shown in FIG. 18 is preferable because the light can be efficiently emitted in the direction of the viewing angle of the observer.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 18, the direction of the parallel light emitted from the light guide plate 32 changes from the normal direction of the light control film 7 to the boundary surface between the layers 7a and 7b (hereinafter referred to as the layer interface). The front light source is arranged so as to incline to the side approaching the direction parallel to the light control film 7 (preferably parallel to the layer interface of the light control film 7). . In the arrangement shown in FIG. 18, the light source 31 is arranged on the side opposite to the viewing angle direction of the observer.

As described above, by making the direction of light entering the light control film 7 from the display side closer to the direction parallel to the layer interface of the light control film 7, the light entering the light control film 7 from the display side becomes light The light reaches the diffuse reflection layer 8 without causing scattering at the layer interface in the control film 7. On the other hand, the light reflected by the diffuse reflection layer 8 diffuses so as to approach the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 as shown in FIG. As a result, the traveling direction of the emitted light as a whole approaches the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 from the regular reflection direction of the incident light. That is, the output angle of the light from the liquid crystal display device 10 (the angle between the traveling direction of the output light and the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10) is, on average, the incidence of light from the front light source to the liquid crystal display device 10. Angle (the angle between the traveling direction of the incident light and the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10)
Smaller than.

The observer usually observes FIG. 1 from the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 and the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10.
In many cases, the liquid crystal display device 10 is observed from a direction within a range between the right side of FIG. 8 (the opposite side of the light source 31) and a direction inclined by 30 ° (hereinafter, referred to as a 30 ° inclined direction). for that reason,
In order to obtain a good display, it is particularly important to obtain high brightness when observed from a direction within this range.
On the other hand, the angle of incidence of light from the front light source to the liquid crystal display device 10 is set to an angle larger than 30 °, for example, 50 ° due to the design of the front light source.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 18, light can be emitted at an emission angle smaller than the incident angle of light to the liquid crystal display device 10 as a whole. A lot of light can be emitted. In particular, the amount of light emitted in the range between the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 and the 30 ° tilt direction increases. As a result, incident light can be efficiently used for display, and display with high brightness can be realized.

On the other hand, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 19, the arrangement of the light source 31 with respect to the inclination direction of the layer interface of the light control film 7 is opposite to the arrangement shown in FIG. The front light source is arranged such that the direction of the parallel light beam is inclined from the normal direction of the light control film 7 to the side where the angle formed with the layer interface of the light control film 7 becomes larger. Further, the light source 31 is arranged on the side in the viewing angle direction of the observer.

In this configuration, the angle between the direction of light incident on the light control film 7 and the layer interface of the light control film 7 is large, and light incident on the light control film 7 from the display side is shown in FIG. Thus, the light is diffused so as to approach a direction parallel to the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10. The light diffused in this manner is reflected by the diffuse reflection layer 8 and becomes a reflected light that is diffused so as to approach a direction parallel to the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 from the regular reflection direction of the incident light. As a result, the traveling direction of the outgoing light as a whole is from the regular reflection direction of the incident light
0 approaching a direction parallel to the surface. That is, the output angle of the light from the liquid crystal display device 10 (the angle between the traveling direction of the output light and the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10) is, on average, the incidence of light from the front light source to the liquid crystal display device 10. It is larger than the angle (the angle between the traveling direction of the incident light and the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10).

Therefore, in this arrangement, the light is emitted at an emission angle larger than the incident angle of the light to the liquid crystal display device 10 as a whole. The amount of light emitted in the range between the direction and the 30 ° tilt direction is reduced. As a result, the incident light cannot be efficiently used for display, and the brightness of the display decreases.

In each of the above-described embodiments, instead of the diffuse reflection layer 8, a part of the external light incident from the display side through the liquid crystal layer 4 is diffused and reflected, and the non-display side is used. A diffuse reflective semi-transmissive layer (diffuse reflective layer) that transmits a part of the external light incident from the substrate may be used.

According to the above configuration, external light incident on the display side of the liquid crystal display device from the outside is diffusely reflected by the diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer and then passes through the light control film 7.
A part of the traveling direction is changed to a specific direction, and after being converged in a specific direction, it is emitted from the display side.

Thus, the liquid crystal display device can be a transflective liquid crystal display device that performs display using light from the outside, and can be realized by a transflective liquid crystal display device that cannot be realized by the conventional transflective liquid crystal display device. It is possible to make the peak of the light emitted from the transmissive liquid crystal display device closer to the normal direction of the transflective liquid crystal display device. And the above specific direction (light collecting direction)
Closer to the viewing angle of the observer, it becomes possible to more effectively condense the diffused light entering from the display side and the non-display side to the observer. Can be provided. Therefore, even if the observer views the liquid crystal display device from near the front, a highly transmissive liquid crystal display having a high brightness and a very easy-to-view liquid crystal display can be provided, and a wide viewing angle and a high lightness can be provided.

As the diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer, a semi-permeable sheet material such as a mat PET (mat-like polyethylene terephthalate) having a moderately roughened surface, such as mica or pearl pigment, may be used. It is preferable to use a general diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer in which a material is dispersed. As a result, it is possible to control the light collection that is not realized by the conventional transflective liquid crystal display device. The above semipermeable material is preferably dispersed in an adhesive made of acrylic resin or the like, and then dispersed on the surface of the sheet material. Instead of the diffuse reflection layer 8, it is also possible to use, as the diffuse reflection semi-transmission layer, a layered structure in which a diffusion transmission layer for diffusing and transmitting light and a specular reflection semi-transmission layer are laminated.

In a liquid crystal display device having a diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer in place of the diffuse reflection layer 8 as the diffused light incidence means, a front light source disposed in front of the diffuse reflection layer 8 (display side) allows the observer to observe. Light is emitted in the specular reflection direction of the viewing angle, or light is emitted in the viewing angle direction of the observer by an auxiliary light source disposed behind (non-display side) the diffuse reflection layer 8, that is, a backlight light source. You may. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a decrease in brightness when external incident light is not in the specular reflection direction of the observer's viewing angle.

In each of the above embodiments, two polarizing plates (the first polarizing plate 1 and the second polarizing plate 6) and two phase difference plates (the upper phase difference plate 2a and the lower phase difference plate 2b) are used. Has been described, but the number of polarizing plates and retardation plates in the liquid crystal display device of the present invention may be appropriately selected, and is not particularly limited.

[0081]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Embodiment 1] A feature of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is that a light control film and a diffusely reflective layer are laminated to provide a reflection plate, so that light is emitted in a viewing angle direction of an observer. The point is that light can be effectively condensed and diffused. Therefore, the following basic experiment was performed to confirm the effect of the reflector.

As shown in FIG. 4, a light control film 7 which is a visibility control film (product name "Lumisty" (registered trademark), manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), a light diffusion in which silver is vapor-deposited on matte PET The reflection plate 19 in which the diffuse reflection layer 8 as a conductive silver reflection plate and the glass substrate 11 were laminated in this order was manufactured. In addition, the light control film 7 was stuck on the diffuse reflection layer 8.

[Comparative Example 1] As shown in FIG. 12, a reflection plate 129 in which a diffusion reflection layer 8 which is a light diffusion silver reflection plate obtained by depositing silver on a mat PET and a glass substrate 11 is laminated.
Was manufactured.

Next, the reflection plate 19 of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1
As shown in FIG. 5, the light source 2
1 and a photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube) 22 so that the light incident direction from the light source 21 to the reflector 19 or 129 is set to 25 ° with respect to the normal line of the reflector 19 or 129. With the photomultiplier 22 fixed, the change in the emitted light intensity (viewing angle characteristic) due to the angle (elevation angle) θ of the emitted light with respect to the normal line of the reflection plate 19 or 129 was measured.

At this time, the light source 21 and the photomultiplier 22 were arranged on the light control film 7 side on the observer side in the reflector 19, and on the diffuse reflection layer 8 side on the observer side in the reflector 129.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the reflection plate 19 of the first embodiment, the boundary surface between the layers 7a and 7b of the light control film 7 is inclined at an angle of 25 ° with respect to the normal line of the light control film 7. have. Therefore, in the measurement of the intensity of the emitted light, the light incident direction is the transmission axis direction T (transmission axis side) in consideration of the directivity of the light control film 7 and the light incident direction is the light control film 7. 5 with respect to the boundary between the layers 7a and 7b
In the case of the diffusion axis direction D forming an angle of 0 ° (diffusion axis side)
The measurement was performed for both of the above.

FIG. 8 shows the result of measuring the change in the intensity of the emitted light depending on the angle θ of the emitted light with respect to the normal line of the reflectors 19 and 129.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reflection plate 129 of Comparative Example 1 showed a peak of emitted light having a considerably narrow viewing angle in the regular reflection direction of 25 °.

In the reflection plate 19 of the first embodiment, when the direction of the incident light is set to the transmission axis direction T of the light control film 7, the position 12 is shifted from the regular reflection direction 25 ° to the position just above the regular reflection direction.
° shows a broad peak of the emitted light. In other words,
In the reflection plate 19 of the first embodiment, light is directed directly upward (0 ° direction).
The light was condensed in a direction approaching, and the degree of light diffusion increased, resulting in a wider viewing angle.

In the reflector of Example 1, when the direction of the incident light is set to the diffusion axis direction D of the light control film 7, the direction of the incident light is changed as shown in FIG. In the direction opposite to the case where the transmission axis direction T is set,
That is, the light was condensed and diffused in a direction away from the direction directly above (0 ° direction).

From the above, if the transmission axis direction T of the light control film 7 is made to coincide with the viewing angle (in this case, 25 °) of the observer in the reflection plate 19 of the first embodiment, an important direction for the observer is obtained. It can be seen that light can be condensed in the direction right above (0 ° direction), that is, in the direction normal to the reflection plate 19, and can be diffused appropriately.

Example 2 As an example of the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a first polarizing plate 1, an upper retardation plate 2a, a lower retardation plate 2b, a first substrate 3,
Liquid crystal layer 4 made of STN (super twisted nematic) liquid crystal, second substrate 5, second polarizing plate 6, light control film 7 which is a visibility control film (product name "Lumisty", manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) And a diffuse reflection layer 8 which is a light-diffusing silver reflection plate obtained by depositing silver on a mat PET.
Was manufactured in this order.

Here, the parameters of the liquid crystal cell (liquid crystal panel) composed of the first substrate 3, the liquid crystal layer 4, and the second substrate 5 are as follows: the twist angle of the liquid crystal layer 4 is 240 °; Distance between substrate 3 and second substrate 5) d is 60 μm
m, the refractive index anisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal layer 4 with respect to light having a wavelength λ = 589 nm was set to 0.14. Further, the wavelength λ = 42
Upper retarder 2a and lower retarder 2b for 8 nm light
Was set to 428 nm. Further, the axial direction was set to the direction shown in FIG. Light control film 7
Were arranged such that the diffusion axis direction D matched the viewing angle of the liquid crystal cell.

Light was incident on the liquid crystal display device 10 from the first polarizing plate 1 side, which is the observer side, and the brightness and contrast were evaluated by visual confirmation from the first polarizing plate 1 side. As a result, as in Example 1, an increase in the brightness in the viewing angle direction of the observer was confirmed.

Comparative Example 2 As shown in FIG. 16, a light control film 7 which is a visibility control film (product name "Lumisty", manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and a specular reflection plate 13
1 and a reflection plate 139 in which the glass substrate 11 was laminated in this order.

Next, the outgoing light intensity of the reflecting plate 19 of Example 1 and the reflecting plate 139 of Comparative Example 2 were measured in the same manner as the measuring method of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

At this time, the reflection plate 19 and the reflection plate 139
In both cases, the light source 21 and the photomultiplier 22 were arranged on the light control film 7 side, which is the observer side. Further, the reflection plate 19 of Example 1 was measured only when the light incident direction was the transmission axis direction T.

FIGS. 9 and 13 show the results of measuring the change in the intensity of the emitted light with respect to the angle θ of the emitted light with respect to the normal line of the reflection plate 19 and the reflection plate 139, respectively.

In the reflection plate 139 of Comparative Example 2, as shown in FIG. 13, only the emission intensity in the regular reflection direction is very strong, and light is concentrated at one point. A region having almost no emission intensity occurs between a peak at 25 ° due to regular reflection and a peak at 12 ° generated by condensing the light control film 7. For this reason, light cannot be used effectively in the reflection plate 139 in directions other than the regular reflection direction. As a result, when a liquid crystal display is performed using the reflected light of the reflector 139, the visibility is deteriorated.

On the other hand, in the reflecting plate 19 of the first embodiment, the light is diffused on the reflecting plate 19, so that the intensity of the emitted light in the regular reflection direction is weakened to some extent and becomes a broad peak. Since this light is incident on the light control film 7, the light emitted from the light control film 7 is appropriately diffused as shown in FIG. °
Direction).

Example 3 As an example of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a light source 31 and a light guide plate are provided on the viewer side of the liquid crystal display device 10 manufactured in the second example. 32, the light incident direction on the liquid crystal display device 10 is changed to the layer 7a of the light control film 7.
7b were arranged in a direction parallel to the boundary surface.

Comparative Example 3 In the liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the light source 31 and the light guide plate 32 were placed on the viewer side of the liquid crystal display device 10 manufactured in the second example. The light incident direction on the liquid crystal display device 10 is inclined from the normal direction of the light control film 7 to the side where the angle formed by the boundary surface between the layers 7a and 7b of the light control film 7 becomes large. Was placed.

Comparative Example 4 First, a liquid crystal display device similar to the liquid crystal display device 10 of Example 2 was manufactured except that the light control film 7 in the liquid crystal display device 10 of Example 2 was omitted. Next, a front light source was arranged on the obtained liquid crystal display device in the same manner as in Example 3 and Example 4.

The liquid crystal display devices of Example 3 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 were visually checked from the first polarizing plate 1 side (in the range between the normal direction of the surface of the liquid crystal display device 10 and the 30 ° tilt direction). Observation) was used to evaluate the lightness. As a result, in the third embodiment in which the light source of the front light is arranged on the opposite side to the observer,
Brightness higher than Comparative Example 4 in which the light control film 7 was omitted was obtained. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 3 in which the light source of the front light was arranged on the observer side, the brightness was lower than in Comparative Example 4 in which the light control film 7 was omitted.

Further, in Comparative Example 4, since the light control film 7 was not provided, unlike Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 in which the light control film 7 was provided, the lightness depending on the arrangement direction of the front light source was different. No change was observed.

[0107]

As described above, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises the first substrate, the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a first substrate side on a display side; and a second substrate side on a non-display side, wherein the light control film is disposed on the non-display side of the second substrate. The light control film further includes a diffused light incident unit that is disposed on the non-display side and that causes the diffused light to be incident on the light control film, wherein the light control film changes a traveling direction of a part of the diffused light in a specific direction.

According to the above configuration, a part of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display device can be focused in a specific direction closer to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device than the regular reflection direction. And
If the specific direction is made coincident with the viewing angle of the observer, the diffused light incident on the light control film can be effectively collected. As a result, it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal display which has high brightness even when viewed from near the front and is very easy to see. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle and high brightness.

Further, according to the above configuration, the reflected light reflected on the surface of the light control film is emitted after being optically compensated by passing through the liquid crystal layer. Therefore, the above configuration has an effect that a decrease in contrast can be prevented.

As described above, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises:
A first polarizing plate disposed on the display side of the first substrate;
It is preferable to further include a second polarizing plate disposed between the substrate and the light control film.

According to the above arrangement, the polarization of the diffused light caused by diffuse reflection or the like before entering the light control film,
Disturbance in the polarization of the diffused light generated when passing through the light control film is caused by the second light transmitted between the light control film and the second substrate.
Is eliminated while the diffused light passes through the polarizing plate. Therefore, the above-described configuration has an effect of preventing a decrease in contrast or the like due to polarization disorder and obtaining a suitable display.

As described above, it is preferable that the diffused light incident means is a diffusely reflective layer which diffuses and reflects at least a part of the external light incident from the first substrate through the liquid crystal layer.

As a result, even when an observer looks at the liquid crystal display device from near the front, a liquid crystal display with high brightness and very easy to see is obtained, and a reflection type including a front light type liquid crystal display device with a wide viewing angle and high lightness is obtained. An advantage is obtained in that a liquid crystal display device that performs display using external light, such as a liquid crystal display device or a transflective liquid crystal display device, can be provided.

As described above, the diffuse reflection layer diffuses and reflects a part of the external light incident from the display side,
It may be a diffuse reflection semi-transmissive layer that transmits part of the external light incident from the non-display side.

As a result, even when an observer looks at the liquid crystal display device from near the front, it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal display with high brightness and very easy to see, and to provide a transflective liquid crystal display device with a wide viewing angle and high brightness. The effect is obtained.

As described above, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises:
An auxiliary light source for irradiating light in the specular reflection direction of the observer's viewing angle may be arranged on the display side of the diffuse reflection layer.

Therefore, in the above configuration, the light from the auxiliary light source such as the front light source is reflected by the diffuse reflection layer and irradiated to the observer's viewing angle, so that the external incident light is specularly reflected by the observer. There is an effect that a decrease in brightness when there is no direction can be eliminated.

As described above, the light control film preferably changes the traveling direction of a part of the diffused light so as to approach the normal direction of the first substrate.

As a result, the direction in which the diffused light is condensed can be made closer to the observer's viewing angle, and an effect that effective light utilization becomes possible is obtained.

As described above, the light control film has two or more layers having different refractive indices overlapping each other, and the boundary surface of each layer has a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line of the light control film. This is a configuration having an inclination.

As a result, the diffused light can be condensed in a specific direction with a small decrease in luminance, and the condensing direction of the diffused light can be controlled by adjusting the inclination angle of the light control film. As a result, the above configuration has an effect that the light collecting direction of the diffused light can be easily adjusted to the viewing angle of the observer.

In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, as described above, the light control film has two or more layers having different refractive indices overlapping each other, and the boundary surface of each layer is normal to the light control film. Has a predetermined angle of inclination,
An auxiliary light source for making light incident on the first substrate in a direction inclined from a normal line direction of the light control film toward a direction parallel to the boundary surface is disposed closer to the display side than the first substrate. It is preferable that it is a structure.

As described above, by making the direction of the light incident on the light control film from the display side closer to the direction parallel to the above-mentioned boundary surface, the traveling direction of the emitted light as a whole is the first direction from the regular reflection direction of the incident light. It can be close to the normal direction of the substrate. Therefore, the direction closer to the normal direction of the first substrate than the regular reflection direction of the incident light, which is important for display,
The amount of light emitted in the range between the normal direction of the substrate and the 30 ° tilt direction increases. As a result, the above configuration has an effect that the incident light can be efficiently used for the reflective display, and a display with high brightness can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a light control film provided in the liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reflection on the surface of a light control film in the liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the reflection plate according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a measurement system used for measuring a change in the intensity of emitted light in the reflector shown in FIG. 4 and a reflector for comparison.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in a diffusion state of the reflector shown in FIG. 4 depending on a light incident direction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the setting of the light control film in the axial direction.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a change in emitted light intensity depending on an elevation angle in the reflector shown in FIG. 4 and a reflector for comparison.

9 is a graph showing a change in emitted light intensity according to an elevation angle in the reflector shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional inclined reflector having directivity.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid crystal display device in which the light control film in the liquid crystal display device has been moved from the first substrate to the display side.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a reflector for comparison.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a change in emitted light intensity depending on an elevation angle of another comparative reflector.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in the appearance of light depending on an angle in a conventional reflector.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in the appearance of light depending on a position on a conventional reflector.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing another comparative reflector.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing an arrangement of a front light source.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view showing the entire liquid crystal display device, and FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows a part.

19A and 19B are cross-sectional views showing still another embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view showing the entire liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 19B is a light control film in the liquid crystal display device. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 first polarizing plate 2 retardation plate 2 a upper retardation plate 2 b lower retardation plate 3 first substrate 4 liquid crystal layer 5 second substrate 6 second polarizing plate 7 light control film 8 diffuse reflection layer (diffuse light incidence means , Diffuse reflection layer) 9 reflector 10 liquid crystal display device 11 glass substrate 19 reflector 20 liquid crystal display device 21 light source 22 photomultiplier 31 light source (auxiliary light source) 32 light guide plate 100 inclined reflector 101 groove 131 specular reflector 129 reflector 139 Reflector

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A liquid crystal display device having a substrate side as a display side and a second substrate side as a non-display side, comprising: a light control film disposed on the non-display side of the second substrate; and a non-display side further than the light control film. And a diffused light incident means for causing diffused light to be incident on the light control film, wherein the light control film changes a traveling direction of a part of the diffused light in a specific direction. Liquid crystal display. 2. The image display apparatus further comprises a first polarizing plate disposed on the display side of the first substrate, and a second polarizing plate disposed between the second substrate and the light control film. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said diffused light incident means is a diffusely reflective layer which diffuses and reflects at least a part of external light incident through the liquid crystal layer from the first substrate side.
Or the liquid crystal display device according to 2. 4. A diffusely reflective semi-transmissive layer which diffuses and reflects part of external light incident from a display side and transmits part of external light incident from a non-display side. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 3, wherein an auxiliary light source for irradiating light in a specular reflection direction of a viewing angle of an observer is arranged on a display side of the diffuse reflection layer. 6. The light control film according to claim 1, wherein a traveling direction of a part of the diffused light is changed so as to approach a normal direction of the first substrate. Item 2. The liquid crystal display device according to item 1. 7. The light control film according to claim 1, wherein two or more layers having different refractive indices overlap each other, and a boundary surface of each layer has a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to a normal line of the light control film. The liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. An auxiliary light source for making light incident on the first substrate in a direction inclined from a direction normal to the light control film toward a direction parallel to the boundary surface, the auxiliary light source being closer to the display than the first substrate. 8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal display device is disposed in a liquid crystal display.