JP2000298267A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a liquid crystal display device which is bright with sufficient utilization efficiency of light in both of the reflection mode and the transmission mode, and which has a wide reproducing range of colors. SOLUTION: This liquid crystal display device includes at least a counter substrate 1 having a transparent electrode 4, an array substrate 2 having pixels with reflection layers 9 laminated at specified intervals, a liquid crystal material layer 3 which conducts modulation and display according to the voltage applied between the substrates 1, 2, and a backlight part disposed on the back side of the array substrate 2. In this device, the reflection layer 9 has openings as holes, and microlenses 13 are disposed in matching with the region corresponding to the pixels and between the reflection layers 9 and the backlight part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reflection type which can display an image by using external light when the external light is bright such as in the daytime, and a backlight (back light source) when the external light is scarce and dark such as at night. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device having both functions of a transmissive type for displaying images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Reflective color liquid crystal display devices have attracted attention as display devices for portable information terminals and the like due to their features of thinness and low power consumption. The reflection type liquid crystal display device has a reflection plate and performs display using external light. this is,
A feature is that power consumption is smaller than that of a transmission type color liquid crystal display device having a backlight. As a configuration of a reflection type color liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal is filled between a substrate having a reflection plate and a counter substrate having a color filter, and a single polarization plate system in which one polarization plate and an optical compensator are combined is used. There is a method in which a black guest-host liquid crystal is filled between substrates and a color is output by a color filter. However, due to the display method, the reflective type color liquid crystal display device has a drawback that it is not suitable for use in a dark environment where ambient external light is scarce such as at night.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use external light when the surroundings are bright, and to display the image using light from a light source when the surroundings are dark. In such a method, 1) an auxiliary light source (front light) is arranged in front of a reflective color liquid crystal display device,
There are two methods of using a so-called semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device which has both properties of a reflection type and a transmission type, which is used as a substitute for external light, and displays the light from a backlight when dark.

[0004] Of these, the latter transflective liquid crystal display device is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-11-52366.
In this conventional example, in the configuration of the reflection type liquid crystal display device, a fine aperture for transmitting light is provided in the reflection plate, and the reflection type is provided when the light is bright, and the aperture is provided when the surrounding is dark. The light of the backlight is obtained and used as a transmission type.

[0005]

However, when colorizing the transflective liquid crystal display device, a color is formed via a color filter. However, it has been difficult to display brighter and more vivid colors as brightly as the conventional reflection type liquid crystal display device and transmission type liquid crystal display device. That is, when a color is formed using a color filter, it is necessary to design in consideration of the optical density when using the reflection mode and when using the transmission mode.

It is conceivable that the color filter used in the reflection mode and the color filter used in the transmission mode are designed separately. Also at this time, the area is divided for each color filter, and in order to obtain a display with sufficient brightness in each of the reflection mode and the transmission mode, neither area can be large. That is, it is extremely difficult to obtain a sufficient aperture ratio in each mode, and the brightness is significantly inferior to that of the conventional reflection type liquid crystal display device and transmission type liquid crystal display device.

First, it is conceivable that the optical density is designed between the transmission type and the reflection type. Generally, the optical density of the color filter used in the transmission mode is better.
It is larger than the color filter in the reflection mode. Therefore, in the reflection type mode, the same color filter is passed twice, so that a dark image is displayed as compared with the case where the conventional reflection type color filter is used. Further, in the transmission mode, the optical density is lower than that of the color filter used in the conventional transmission type, so that the whole image becomes whitish and the display has a narrow color reproduction range. That is, there is a drawback that an image is displayed with a narrower color reproduction range as compared with the conventional reflection type liquid crystal display device and transmission type liquid crystal display device.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems. A first object of the present invention is to provide a bright mode with a sufficient light use efficiency and a wide color reproduction range in both the reflection mode and the transmission mode. It is to provide a liquid crystal display device.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device comprising a counter substrate having at least a transparent electrode and a pixel having a reflective layer bonded at a constant gap. In a liquid crystal display device having an array substrate, a liquid crystal material layer which performs modulation and display according to a voltage applied between the substrates, and a backlight portion on the back side of the array substrate, an opening in which the reflective layer is a hole A reflective layer having a portion, wherein a microlens is arranged between the reflective layer and the backlight portion in accordance with a region corresponding to the pixel.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when the light is used in the transmissive mode, the light from the backlight is condensed through the microlens, so that a bright display with high light use efficiency due to the high aperture can be realized.

Also, when a color filter is formed for each pixel on the first transparent substrate, light from a backlight is condensed via a microlens to the color filter used in the transmission mode, thereby increasing the aperture. Thus, bright display can be achieved with high light use efficiency.

According to a second liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the microlenses are colored microlenses of the same color as a color filter.

According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to form the color filter used in the transmission mode on the opposing transparent substrate. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately form two types of color filters having different optical densities on the opposite substrate. As a result, a bright display with high light use efficiency due to the high aperture can be achieved.

A third liquid crystal display device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that RGB or CMY color filters are formed on the front surface of the light reflecting layer.

According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to form two or more types of color filters having different optical densities on the opposite substrate. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the aperture ratio due to a positional shift occurring when the opposing substrate and the array substrate are bonded to each other.

A fourth liquid crystal display device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a color filter made of one of RGB is formed in an opening of the light reflection layer.

According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to form two or more types of color filters having different optical densities on the opposing substrate. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the aperture ratio due to a positional shift occurring when the opposing substrate and the array substrate are bonded to each other.

A fifth liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is characterized in that a color filter having a high optical density is formed between the array substrate and the light reflection layer.

According to the above arrangement, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device having a high yield by eliminating the occurrence of a defect due to a positional shift at the time of forming a color filter. In addition, when used in the transmission mode, a bright display can be achieved with a high use efficiency due to the high aperture.

A sixth liquid crystal display device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a color filter is formed in the opening of the light reflecting layer.

According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to form two or more types of color filters having different optical densities on the opposing substrate. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the aperture ratio due to a positional shift occurring when the opposing substrate and the array substrate are bonded to each other.

A seventh liquid crystal display device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that there are a plurality of openings through which light condensed from the microlens passes.

According to the above configuration, the above configuration makes it difficult for light source light to be diffracted at the opening, thereby enabling display with less color unevenness. Also, bright display can be achieved with high light use efficiency.

An eighth liquid crystal display device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the shape of the opening through which light condensed from the microlens is transmitted has an elliptical diameter or a circular shape.

According to the above configuration, it is easy to form an opening, and a bright display can be realized with a high use efficiency by a high opening in accordance with the shape of the pixel.

A ninth liquid crystal display device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an aperture through which light condensed from the microlens is transmitted is formed at a random position for each corresponding pixel. And

According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the diffraction caused by the passage of the light source light through the opening, and it is possible to obtain a good display image with less color unevenness. In addition, a bright display can be achieved with high use efficiency due to the high aperture.

As described above, the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a structure capable of reflecting light incident from the outside and transmitting light from the backlight by forming the opening. Further, by forming a micro lens for each opening, high light use efficiency is realized by a high opening. When used in an environment where there is sufficient ambient light, such as during the daytime, display can be performed by reflecting external light forward with the light reflecting layer. In this case, since it is not necessary to turn on the backlight, power consumption can be suppressed. On the other hand, in an environment where ambient light is scarce, such as at night, light from a backlight is condensed by a microlens to realize a high aperture, thereby realizing a bright display. That is, the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention can be visually recognized even when external light is poor.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic partial sectional view showing a first embodiment of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the present liquid crystal display device includes a pair of upper and lower opposing substrates 1 and an array substrate 2 which are joined to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. Of the pair of substrates, the upper opposing substrate 1 is located on the side where ambient external light is incident, and is made of a transparent base material such as glass. On the other hand, the lower array substrate 2 is located on the side that reflects external light, and also uses a transparent base material such as glass. A pair of substrates 1 and 2
A liquid crystal material layer 3 that causes a change in retardation when a voltage is applied is sandwiched between the gaps. This liquid crystal material layer 3
Is composed of a nematic liquid crystal material. On the inner surface of the upper substrate 1, a transparent electrode 4 and an alignment layer 5 are formed. The transparent electrode 4 is made of a transparent conductive film such as ITO (indium oxide). The alignment layer 5 is made of, for example, a polyimide thin film.

The lower array substrate 2 has at least a switching element comprising a thin film transistor 6 and a planarizing layer 7.
, A transparent electrode 8 and a light reflection layer 9. The portion where the transparent electrode 8 and the light reflection layer 9 do not overlap is the opening 10
It is. At least one of the transparent electrode 8 and the light reflection layer 9 is electrically connected to the thin film transistor 6 through the contact hole 11. The light reflection layer 9 is composed of the metal film 12 formed on the transparent electrode 8 after forming the film. The light reflection layer 9 reflects most of the light incident from the outside. The opening 10 is formed by removing a part of the metal layer 12 by etching.

A microlens sheet 14 on which microlenses 13 are formed is provided on the rear surface of the array substrate 2 located at the rear. Behind the microlens sheet 14, a backlight 16 is provided. A polarizing layer 15 is interposed between the microlens sheet 14 and the backlight 16. A polarizing layer 17 is formed on the front surface of the counter substrate 1 corresponding to the polarizing layer 15.
If necessary, the retardation plate 18 may be inserted between the polarizing plate 17 and the counter substrate 1. This backlight 16
From there, light is emitted forward as necessary.

In such a configuration, a large portion of external light that normally enters from the front toward the rear is reflected forward by the light reflecting layer 9 to perform display, and if necessary, the backlight is directed from the rear to the front. The display is performed by transmitting the light entering from the front 16 through the opening 10 to the front.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reflective display will be described. When performing reflection display, the backlight is turned off. External incident light passes through the polarizing plate, the counter substrate, and the liquid crystal material layer, and is diffused and reflected by the light reflection layer 9. Switching between black and white display is controlled by turning on and off the voltage applied to the light reflection layer 9.

Further, referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the first embodiment at the time of transmissive display will be described. The backlight is turned on during the transmissive display. The light source light emitted from the backlight passes through the polarizing layer 15 and the microlenses 13. When the light source light from the backlight 16 passes, the microlens 13 moves the focal position of the microlens 13 to the opening 10 provided in the light reflection layer 9 on the array substrate 2.
The lens is designed so as to be in the vicinity. As a result, the light source light from the backlight 16 is condensed by the microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. The light collection efficiency of the micro lens 13 is
6 depends on the degree of parallelism of the light source light. Therefore, a prism sheet or a BEF plate can be arranged on the backlight 16 as a means for increasing the parallelism of the light from the light source.

With the above configuration, when using in a bright environment, a reflection type using external ambient light is used, and when using in a dark environment, a transmission type using a backlight system is used. A usable liquid crystal display for portable information terminal is obtained. That is,
Basically, it is a reflection type liquid crystal display, but in a place where ambient light is scarce, by using a backlight system, it becomes a transmission type liquid crystal display. A microlens was used as a means for realizing a bright display with high light use efficiency when using this transmissive liquid crystal display.

The case where a color filter is used will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the liquid crystal display device as viewed from the front and the cross section. As shown in FIG. 4, a color filter layer 19 is formed on the counter substrate 1. At this time, as shown in the front view, of the color filters 19, light from the light reflection layer 9 passes, and light from the first color filter unit 20 and the backlight in the reflection mode passes through. It comprises the second color filter section 21 when the transmission mode is used. The first color filter section may be a color filter of either RGB or CMY. When RGB is used for both the color filter units 20 and 21, it is preferable that the first
It is preferable that the color filter unit 20 having a lower optical density than the second color filter unit 21 is used. That is, in the color filter section 20 used in the reflection mode, since the same light passes twice, the color is developed. For wider color reproducibility, the color filter section 20 is used in the transmission mode. Filter part 2
It is desirable to use one having an optical density lower than 1.

In the above configuration, since the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed via the microlens 13,
By forming the area of the light reflection layer 9 to be larger than 50% by the light condensing degree of the microlenses 13, it is possible to secure the brightness with high light use efficiency.

In this embodiment, the backlight 15
Is 3000 nits, for example, 3000 nits × 0.3 × 0.7 / 3 = 210 n in consideration of the light absorption by the color filter, the polarizing layer, and the liquid crystal material layer 3.
It should be obtained when the luminance of it is 100%. On the other hand, in order not to lose the brightness when used as a reflection type, it is necessary to suppress the aperture ratio that does not contribute to the reflectance to within 10%. Therefore, assuming, for example, 5%, 210 × 0.05 = 10.5n when the transmission mode is used.
It is not enough brightness. In order to solve this, in this embodiment, a microlens sheet 14 on which microlenses 13 are formed is used. Backlight 1
The light source light 5 is condensed by the microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, the luminance is about 30 nit, and the luminance is sufficiently high when used in a dark environment. As described above, in the present embodiment, in a dark environment, tens of nits provide sufficient brightness, and a microlens is used to achieve this.

In the present embodiment, of the color filters 19 formed on the counter substrate 1, the outer portion is a color filter portion 20 that performs color development in a reflection mode, and the inner portion is a color filter portion 20 that performs color development in a transmission mode. Color filter part 2
Although the color filter 1 is formed, a color filter portion for coloring in a transmission mode may be formed on the outside, and a color filter portion for coloring in a reflection mode may be formed on the inside. In this case, the light reflection layer may be formed by forming a transparent electrode on the outside and a reflection layer of a metal film on the inside.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a schematic partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. Although the basic configuration of FIG. 5 is as shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment is characterized by a microlens. That is, the microlens 14 has a color configuration of the same color as the color filter in advance. That is, of the microlenses 13, the microlens portion 22 that transmits only red light and the microlens portion 2 that transmits only green light
3, and so on. R in advance
When light from a backlight passes through a microlens colored in any one of GB, color separation is performed. At the same time as the color separation, light is condensed on the opening. Therefore, when the backlight is turned on, it is not necessary to form the color filter of the transmission mode section on the opposite substrate.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

With the above configuration, a bright display can be performed by using a microlens with a high aperture ratio when used in the transmission mode.

In the present embodiment, the coloring is performed by coloring the microlenses. However, for example, a color filter can be formed for each microlens on the microlens array, and the same can be applied.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a third embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. The basic configuration of FIG. 6 is as shown in FIG. However, the color filter has a feature of the present embodiment. That is, a reflection type color filter 24 having a low optical density is formed on the front surface of the light reflection layer 9. There is no need to form a color filter in the reflective mode on the opposing substrate. As a result, the opposing substrate 1
It is not necessary to consider a positional deviation at the time of bonding the substrate and the array substrate 2, and color development with good color reproducibility is possible.

In this embodiment, RGB, CMY
Both are feasible. In addition, direct contact with the liquid crystal material layer may cause display problems such as image sticking.For example, a conductive material is mixed with the colorant of the color filter, or a conductive film such as ITO is used as a color filter. The present invention can be similarly carried out even when the film is formed on the front surface.

Further, the combination of the color filter on the front surface of the light reflection layer shown in the present embodiment and the color filter of the second embodiment is also extremely effective in terms of high aperture ratio and color reproducibility. That is, since it is not necessary to form a color filter on the opposing substrate 1 at all, there is no need to consider a positional shift at the time of bonding the opposing substrate and the array substrate. As a result, it is not necessary to consider a decrease in the aperture ratio due to the displacement and, consequently, a decrease in the brightness. Second, the light reflected by the light reflecting layer is a color filter used for color development in the transmission mode, or the light collected through the microlens is a color filter used for color development in the reflection mode. Are not transmitted, so that an extremely bright display with a large color reproduction range can be achieved.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a fourth embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. The basic configuration of FIG. 7 is as shown in FIG. However, the color filter has a feature of the present embodiment. That is, a filter having a high optical density using the color filter 25 in the transmission mode is formed on the flattening layer 7 between the light reflection layer 9 and the array substrate 2. After forming the color filter 25, a transparent electrode ITO is formed, and a metal film as a light reflection layer is formed. In this process, the formation accuracy of the color filter 25 is not so required, and there is no need to form a color filter in the transmission mode on the opposite substrate. As a result, there is no need to consider a positional shift when the opposing substrate 1 and the array substrate 2 are bonded, and color development with good color reproducibility is possible.

Further, since there is no direct contact with the liquid crystal material layer, there is no possibility that a display problem such as image sticking will occur.

Further, the combination of the color filter 25 shown in the present embodiment and the color filter formed on the entire surface of the reflection layer of the third embodiment is also an extremely effective means in terms of high aperture ratio and color reproducibility. is there. That is, since it is not necessary to form a color filter on the opposing substrate 1 at all, there is no need to consider a positional shift at the time of bonding the opposing substrate and the array substrate. As a result, it is not necessary to consider a decrease in the aperture ratio due to the displacement and, consequently, a decrease in the brightness. Second
In addition, the light reflected by the light reflection layer is a color filter used for coloring in the transmission mode, or the light collected through the microlens is a color filter used for coloring in the reflection mode, Since each of them does not transmit, it is possible to display images that are extremely bright and have a large color reproduction range.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 8 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of FIG. 8 is as shown in FIG. However, the color filter has a feature of the present embodiment. That is, the color filter 26 is formed on the front surface of the opening 11 in the light reflection layer. There is no need to form a color filter in the transmission mode on the opposite substrate. As a result, there is no need to consider a positional shift when the opposing substrate 1 and the array substrate 2 are bonded, and color development with good color reproducibility is possible.

If the liquid crystal material layer is in direct contact with the liquid crystal material layer, display problems such as burn-in may occur. For example, a conductive material is mixed with a colorant of a color filter, or a conductive film such as ITO is used. Can be similarly implemented even if the film is formed on the front surface of the color filter.

The combination of the present embodiment with a color filter in front of the light reflecting layer shown in the third embodiment is also a very effective means in terms of high aperture ratio and color reproducibility. That is, since it is not necessary to form a color filter on the opposing substrate 1 at all, there is no need to consider a positional shift at the time of bonding the opposing substrate and the array substrate. As a result, it is not necessary to consider a decrease in the aperture ratio due to the displacement and, consequently, a decrease in the brightness. Second, the light reflected by the light reflecting layer is a color filter used for color development in the transmission mode, or the light collected through the microlens is a color filter used for color development in the reflection mode. Are not transmitted, so that an extremely bright display with a large color reproduction range can be achieved.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 9 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a sixth embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. The basic configuration of FIG. 9 is as shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the opening of the light reflecting layer has the features of the present embodiment. FIG.
As shown in the figure, by forming a plurality of openings 10 ′, color unevenness due to diffraction is reduced, and the aperture ratio is high.
In addition, a bright display with a large color reproduction range is possible. At this time, if a plurality of microlenses 13 'are formed as shown in FIG. 9, a brighter display can be achieved.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

It should be noted that the present invention can be similarly implemented in combination with the first to fifth embodiments.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 10 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of FIG.
As shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the opening of the light reflecting layer has the features of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, by forming the opening portion into an elliptical shape or a circular shape, the opening portion can be easily formed, and a bright display with a high aperture ratio and a large color reproduction range can be performed according to the shape of the pixel. . At this time, if the microlenses 13 ″ having a shape as shown in FIG. 9 are formed, a brighter display can be achieved.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

Incidentally, the present invention can be similarly implemented in combination with the first to sixth embodiments.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 11 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a seventh embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. The basic configuration of FIG.
As shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the opening of the light reflecting layer has the features of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, by randomizing the position of the opening according to each pixel, the aperture ratio is high according to the shape of the pixel,
In addition, a bright display with a large color reproduction range is possible. At this time, as shown in FIG.
By forming ''', diffraction due to the periodic structure of the opening can be suppressed. As a result, good display without color unevenness can be obtained. Also, a brighter display can be achieved. It should be noted that a combination with any of the first to sixth embodiments can be similarly implemented.

Actually, the light source light from the backlight 15 is condensed by the colored microlenses 13 and passes through the opening 10 efficiently. If the brightness of the backlight is 3000 nits, the light condensing effect of the microlens 13 is about three times, and the brightness is about 30 nits, which is sufficiently bright when used in a dark environment.

As shown in the first to seventh embodiments, an array substrate in which a bottom-gate thin film transistor TFT is formed is shown, but a thin film transistor having a top gate structure can also be implemented.
Further, for example, the present invention can be similarly implemented by using a switching element such as a two-terminal thin film diode.

In this embodiment, the active matrix array substrate on which switching elements are formed has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a passive matrix type substrate.

Further, although the structure of the flat metal film is shown as the shape of the light reflecting layer, the present invention can be similarly applied to a reflecting layer having an uneven structure.

Further, the present invention can be similarly implemented by forming a microlens by a microlens sheet on the opposing substrate.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The liquid crystal display device of the present invention performs display by modulating in accordance with a voltage applied between the opposing substrate having at least a transparent electrode, an array substrate including pixels having a reflective layer attached at a fixed gap, and the substrate. In a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal material layer and a backlight portion on the back side of the array substrate, the reflection layer is a reflection layer having an opening serving as a hole, and the reflection layer is provided between the reflection layer and the backlight portion. A micro lens is provided in accordance with a region corresponding to a pixel.

With this configuration, a liquid crystal display device that can be used in either a reflection type or a transmission type can be realized. When used in an environment where there is sufficient ambient light, such as during the daytime, display can be performed by reflecting external light forward with the light reflecting layer. In this case, since it is not necessary to turn on the backlight, power consumption can be suppressed. On the other hand, in environments where ambient light is poor, such as at night,
By condensing the light source light from the backlight with a microlens, a high aperture is realized and a bright display is realized. That is, the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention can be visually recognized even when external light is poor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation during reflective display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation during transmissive display according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device when the color filter according to the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a fourth embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a fifth embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial sectional view and a front view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view and a front view showing an eighth embodiment of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Counter substrate 2 Array substrate 3 Liquid crystal material layer 4 Transparent electrode 5 Alignment layer 6 Thin film transistor 7 Flattening layer 8 Transparent electrode 9 Light reflection layer 10 Opening 11 Contact hole 12 Metal layer 13 Micro lens 14 Micro lens sheet 15 Backlight 16 Polarization Layer 17 Polarizing layer 18 Difference plate 19 Color filter 20 Color filter 21 Color filter 22 Colored micro lens (R) 23 Colored micro lens (G) 24 Color filter 25 Color filter 26 Color filter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09F 9/00 336 G02F 1/1335 530 (72) Inventor Shinya Furusako 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Kadoma, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. EE25 FF03 FF05 FF07 GG02

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An opposing substrate having at least a transparent electrode, an array substrate composed of pixels having a reflective layer attached at a fixed gap, and a liquid crystal material which performs modulation and display according to a voltage applied between the substrates. In a liquid crystal display device having a backlight portion on the back side of the layer and the array substrate, the reflection layer is a reflection layer having an opening serving as a hole, and the pixel is provided between the reflection layer and the backlight portion. A liquid crystal display device wherein a micro lens is arranged in accordance with a corresponding area. 2. The liquid crystal material layer is a liquid crystal material whose retardation can be changed by a voltage applied between the substrates, and a first polarized light that transmits only a specific polarization state to a display surface side of the liquid crystal material layer. 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a layer is disposed, and a second polarizing layer that transmits only light of a predetermined polarization state is disposed between the liquid crystal material layer and the back light source. . 3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a micro lens is also formed on the counter substrate. 4. A first color filter is formed on the counter substrate corresponding to the pixel having the reflective layer, and light radiated from the backlight is collected through a microlens. 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a second color filter is formed corresponding to the pixel at a position on the opposite substrate where light is transmitted. 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the micro lens is a colored micro lens having the same color as a color filter. 6. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a color filter made of one of RGB is formed on the front surface of the micro lens. 7. RGB or CMY on the front surface of the reflection layer.
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the color filter is formed. 8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a color filter made of one of RGB is formed in a gap between the reflection layer and the array substrate. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light-reflecting layer includes an RGB
2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a color filter comprising any one of the following is formed. 10. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings through which light condensed from the microlens is transmitted are formed for each pixel. 11. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the opening through which the light condensed from the microlens passes is circular or elliptical. 12. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein apertures through which light condensed from the microlens is transmitted are formed at random positions for each pixel.