JP2001343637A - Display device and electronic clock using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device and an electronic clock in which even when a solar cell is disposed in the region of the display screen to display a variety of information, the information can be clearly identified from the back ground base. SOLUTION: The display device has each element of polarizing plate 11, liquid crystal layer part 8, polarization separating film 12 and solar battery 18. The polarization separating film 12 has a function to transmit linearly polarized light having a certain polarization direction (shown as arrow Q) and to reflect other linearly polarized light (arrow P). Since the surface of the solar battery 18 has a dark color such as black, a dark background base is displayed along the optical path of arrow Q. The optical path of arrow P reflected by the polarization separating film 12 displays the information such as numbers with bright reflected colors. Even when the solar battery 18 is disposed in the inner region of the display screen, the information such as numbers can be displayed with high contrast.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device for displaying characters, numerals, patterns, and the like. In addition, the present invention relates to an electronic timepiece that counts and displays time, such as a wristwatch and a stopwatch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, display devices for displaying numbers, characters, and other information using a flat display device such as a liquid crystal display device have been widely known. Conventionally, as such a display device, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, a pair of polarizing plates 5 is provided on both sides of a liquid crystal panel 51.
2 and 53 are provided, and further, a reflector 54 is provided on the back side of one polarizing plate 53. The pair of polarizing plates 52 and 53 are arranged, for example, such that their polarization transmission axes are at right angles to each other.

In this conventional display device, a liquid crystal panel 51 is provided.
Information such as numbers is displayed by applying a predetermined ON voltage between the electrodes, and a background such as white is displayed by not applying a voltage. In the figure, ON
A region to which a voltage is applied is represented by “ON”, and a region to which no voltage is applied is represented by “OFF”.

In this display device, in the OFF region where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel 51, as shown by an arrow P, linearly polarized light of external light, that is, natural light, in a direction parallel to the paper surface passes through the polarizing plate 52, and is turned off. The polarization direction is twisted by 90 ° by the liquid crystal panel 51 in the state, and the liquid crystal panel 51 becomes linearly polarized light in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. This linearly polarized light is
3, the light is irregularly reflected on the surface of the reflecting plate 54, and part of the irregularly reflected light is displayed to an external observer after sequentially passing through the polarizing plate 53, the liquid crystal panel 51, and the polarizing plate 52. This portion is recognized as a reflection image of the reflection plate 54, usually as a uniform white background.

Next, when an ON voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel 51, as shown by the arrow Q, linearly polarized light parallel to the plane of the drawing is extracted from the external light by the polarizing plate 52, and the linearly polarized light is extracted from the liquid crystal panel. 51. At this time, since the liquid crystal panel 51 is in the ON state, the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light is maintained in a direction parallel to the plane of the paper without being twisted, and thus the linearly polarized light is absorbed by the polarizing plate 53. As a result,
This part is recognized from the outside as a dark color such as black.

As described above, in the conventional display device, information such as numbers is displayed in a dark color such as black on a reflection image from the reflection plate 54, usually on a uniform white background.

Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-55565
In the publication, a reflection plate 5 constituting a display unit of an electronic timepiece is disclosed.
A technique is disclosed in which 4 is constituted by a solar cell. According to this electronic timepiece, the clock driving power supply is charged by the electromotive force of the solar cell, and the liquid crystal panel and the like are driven by the charged clock driving power supply.

As described above, it is known that the reflection plate 54 of the display device is formed by using the solar cell. However, since the surface of the solar cell is usually a dark color such as black or dark blue,
As shown by a symbol P in FIG. 20, when the background is displayed by reflecting the external light on the reflection plate 54, the background is displayed in a dark color such as black. On the other hand, information such as numbers is displayed in dark color such as black by using the light absorption characteristics of the polarizing plate 53 as shown by the arrow Q.

In other words, when a reflector is formed using a solar cell in a conventional display device, information such as numbers is displayed in the same dark color such as black on a dark background such as black. As a result, information such as numbers could not be clearly identified. For this reason, conventionally, the technology of arranging a solar cell in the area of the display surface of a clock or the like has not been put to practical use. I had to install solar cells.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide:
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to clearly identify information such as numbers from a background even when a solar cell is arranged in a display surface area such as a clock.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a clock or the like utilizing the light emission of a light-emitting device in a dark place where external light does not enter when a solar cell is disposed in a display surface area such as a clock. Is to be displayed.

[0012]

(1) In order to achieve the first object, a display device according to the present invention comprises:
A first polarized light separating means that transmits a linearly polarized light component directed in the direction of (a) and does not transmit a linearly polarized light component in a direction perpendicular thereto, and (b) is disposed at a position for receiving linearly polarized light emitted from the first polarized light separating means; A transmission polarization axis changing unit that can select either a state in which the polarization axis of the transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarization axis is not changed; and (c) an opposite side to the first polarization separation unit with the transmission polarization axis changing unit interposed therebetween. Placed, second
A second polarized light separating means for transmitting a linearly polarized light component in the direction of (b) and reflecting a linearly polarized light component in a direction perpendicular thereto, and (d) on the opposite side of the transmitted polarization axis changing means with the second polarized light separating means interposed therebetween. And a solar cell that receives external light and converts it into electrical energy.

[0013] In the above-described configuration and each of the configurations described below, from a different viewpoint, the first polarization separation unit transmits the linearly polarized light component in the first predetermined direction with respect to light incident from the observer side. Can be considered as having a polarization separation function of transmitting the linearly polarized light component in the first direction and not transmitting other polarized light with respect to light incident from the opposite side of the observer.

From another point of view, the second polarized light separating means transmits the linearly polarized light component in the second direction with respect to the light incident from the transmission polarized light axis changing means, and reflects the other polarized light. In addition, it can be considered that the light has a polarization separation function of transmitting the linearly polarized light component in the second direction with respect to light incident from the opposite side of the transmission polarization axis changing unit.

The first polarized light separating means can be constituted by a usual polarizing plate. A normal polarizing plate is a polarization separating element having a property of transmitting a linearly polarized light component in a certain direction with respect to light incident thereon and not transmitting other linearly polarized light components. Is sandwiched between protective layers of TAC (cellulose triacetate).

The transmission polarization axis changing means can be constituted by using, for example, a liquid crystal. As a liquid crystal, TN (Twisted Ne
matic) liquid crystal, STN (Super-Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal,
Various liquid crystals such as an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) liquid crystal can be used. Note that S
Some TN liquid crystals include F-STN (Film Compensated ST).
N) STN using an optically anisotropic body for color compensation such as liquid crystal
Liquid crystals are also included.

As is well known per se, the above-mentioned solar cell can be constituted by using an element having a pn junction of silicon, for example, and converts radiant energy of external light such as sunlight into electric energy.

The second polarization splitting means is provided in an internationally published international application (International Publication No. WO 95/17692 or W
O95 / 27919), a polarization separation film having a structure in which a number of thin films are laminated, a polarization separation plate having a structure in which (1/4) λ plates are disposed on both sides or one side of a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and blue. A polarization separating member (S) having a structure that separates reflected polarized light and transmitted polarized light using the star angle.
ID 92 DIgest Pages 427 to 429
Page) or a polarization separating member using a hologram.

According to the display device having the above-described structure, the background is displayed by the light that passes through the second polarization separating means and reaches the surface of the solar cell, that is, the light receiving surface, and is reflected there. , And information such as numbers can be displayed by light reflected there. Since the surface of the solar cell is usually a dark color such as black, the background displayed as described above is a dark color such as black. On the other hand, the state of the reflected light from the second polarization separation means is the second polarization separation means.
It is determined by the surface state of the polarization separation means. If the surface state is a smooth and smooth surface, the reflected light will be a bright-color specular reflection state, and if the surface state of the second polarization separation means is a light scattering surface. In this case, the reflected light is in a bright diffuse reflection state.

That is, according to the display device of the present invention, when a solar cell is used as a reflector, information such as numbers can be displayed in a bright color on a background such as black.
Therefore, the clock display or other display can be performed without any practical problems. In addition, since the background in the display surface, that is, a wide area in the display surface becomes the light receiving surface of the solar cell, a large amount of external light can be collected by the solar cell and converted into electric energy. In addition, since the solar cells can be arranged in the area of the display surface such as clock information such as numerical information, the entire display device can be compared with the conventional case where the solar cells are arranged separately from the display surface. The shape can be made much smaller, or a display surface such as a clock display can be set wider.

(2) As described above, in the display device having the above configuration, the second polarization separation means can be configured by various devices, as described above.
692 or WO95 / 27919), when using a polarizing beam splitting film having the structure disclosed in, for example, FIG. Polarization separation film 12 shown here
Has a multi-layer structure formed by alternately laminating two types of layers A and B, and between two layers adjacent to each other in the laminating direction of the plural layers A and B in one direction. The refractive index is the same between the two layers, the refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the two layers is set to be different between the two layers, and the thickness of each layer is varied.

In FIG. 2, when considering the three orthogonal directions of XYZ, the two layers A and B are formed in a multilayer state by, for example, extrusion molding, and further extended along one direction (for example, the X direction). , Is not stretched in the other direction (ie, the Y direction). That is, the X-axis direction is the stretching direction, and the Y-axis direction is the transverse direction to it. The B material has a refractive index n _B (eg, n _B = 1.64), which is not substantially changed by the stretching process. On the other hand, the material A has a characteristic that the refractive index changes by the stretching process. For example, when a sheet made of the material A is stretched uniaxially, one refractive index n in the stretching direction (that is, the X direction) is obtained.
_AX (for example, n _AX = 1.88) in the horizontal direction (Y direction)
_{Has a} different refractive index n _AY (eg, n _AY = 1.64).

When the laminated structure of FIG. 2 made of the materials A and B is stretched in the X direction, a large refractive index difference Δn = 1.88-1.64 = 0.24 is generated in the stretching direction. On the other hand, in the Y direction perpendicular to the direction, the refractive index difference Δn = 1.64-1.64 = 0 between the A and B layers, and there is no difference in the refractive index. Due to such optical characteristics, when light is incident on the polarized light separating film 12, the polarized component (a) in the direction of the transmission axis E of the incident light is transmitted through the polarized light separating film 12. On the other hand, the polarization component (b) of the incident light in the direction of the light absorption axis F faces the refractive index difference Δn, and is therefore reflected at that portion.

Further, the layer thicknesses t1, t2, t between the layers A and B
3,... Are gradually changed in size, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, light (b-1) and (b-2)... Having different wavelengths can be reflected at the interface between the layers. It has become. In other words, with the two types of multilayer structures A and B having different layer thicknesses, it is possible to efficiently reflect light including all types of wavelengths. If the combination of the thicknesses of the respective layers is set so as to reflect all wavelengths, white light can be reflected.

According to the display device having a structure in which the polarizing beam splitting film having a thin film laminated structure formed by laminating a plurality of thin films as the second polarizing beam splitting means, the polarizing beam splitting film having this structure is extremely thin. Since it can be formed in a thickness and can also be given flexibility, the overall thickness of an electronic timepiece or the like can be reduced, and the manufacturing process thereof can be simplified.

(3) Next, the electronic timepiece according to the present invention comprises:
An electronic timepiece that counts and displays time, wherein (a) a first polarization separation unit that transmits a linearly polarized component in a first direction and does not transmit a linearly polarized component in a direction orthogonal to the first direction;
(B) a transmission polarization axis changing means which is arranged at a position for receiving the linearly polarized light emitted from the first polarization separation means and which can select either a state in which the polarization axis of the transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarization axis is not changed; c) A second polarized light which is disposed on the opposite side of the first polarized light separating means with respect to the variable transmission polarization axis means, transmits a linearly polarized light component in a second direction, and reflects a linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal thereto. Separating means, and (d) a solar cell arranged on the opposite side of the transmission polarization axis changing means with the second polarized light separating means interposed therebetween, for receiving external light and converting it to electric energy. Features.

According to this electronic timepiece, similarly to the display device described in (1) above, when a solar cell is used as a reflector, information such as numbers is displayed in a bright color on a background such as black. Thus, the display can be performed practically without any trouble. In addition, since the background in the display surface, that is, a wide area in the display surface becomes the light receiving surface of the solar cell, a large amount of external light can be collected by the solar cell and converted into electric energy. In addition, since the solar cells can be arranged in the area of the display surface such as clock information such as numerical information, the entire electronic timepiece can be compared with a conventional case where the solar cells are arranged separately from the display surface. The shape can be made much smaller, or a display surface such as a clock display can be set wider.

(4) In the electronic timepiece having the above configuration,
As shown in FIG. 2, the second polarized light separating means can be constituted by using a polarized light separating film having a structure in which many thin films are laminated.

(5) To achieve the second object,
An electronic timepiece according to the present invention is an electronic timepiece that counts and displays time, and (a) a first timepiece that transmits a linearly polarized light component oriented in a first direction and does not transmit a linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. A polarized light separating means, and (b) a transmitted polarized light axis disposed at a position for receiving the linearly polarized light emitted from the first polarized light separating means and capable of selecting either a state in which the polarization axis of the transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarized light axis is not changed. A variable means, and (c) disposed on the opposite side of the first polarization splitting means with respect to the transmission polarization axis changing means, transmitting the linearly polarized light component in the second direction, and converting the linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal thereto. Reflective second
(D) a light-transmitting planar light-emitting means disposed on the opposite side of the transmission polarization axis varying means with the second polarization-separating means interposed therebetween; and (e) the light-transmitting planar light-emitting means. And a solar cell that receives the external light and converts it into electric energy.

According to this electronic timepiece, as in the case of the display device described in (1) above, when a solar cell is used as a reflection plate, information such as numbers is displayed on a background such as black. The display can be performed in a bright color, so that the clock display can be performed without any trouble in practical use. In addition, since the background in the display surface, that is, a wide area in the display surface becomes the light receiving surface of the solar cell, a large amount of external light can be collected by the solar cell and converted into electric energy. In addition, since the solar cell can be arranged in the area of the display surface of the clock information such as numerical information, the overall shape of the electronic watch can be compared to the conventional case where the solar cell is arranged separately from the display surface. Can be made much smaller, or the display surface of the clock display can be set wider.

Further, according to the electronic timepiece using the translucent planar light emitting means, even when the electronic timepiece is placed in a dark place where external light does not enter, as viewed from the observer, the second polarization separating means can be used. Clock display can be performed using light emission from the light-transmitting planar light emitting means disposed on the back side.

In the electronic timepiece described in the above (5), the first
Polarization separation means, transmission polarization axis variable means, solar cell and second
The same components as those used in the display device described in the above (1) can be used for each component of the polarization separation means.

(6) In the electronic timepiece described in the above (5), the light-transmitting planar light-emitting means may have any structure. And a light guide for guiding light from the light source to the light emitting surface.

(7) When light is emitted from the light emitting surface of the light guide as in the electronic timepiece described in (6), a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the light emitting surface or on the surface opposite to the light emitting surface. By doing so, light can be emitted from the light emission surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a columnar convex portion is provided on the light emitting surface, a columnar concave portion is provided on the light emitting surface as shown in FIG. 15, or the light emitting surface is provided as shown in FIG. A conical convex portion is provided on the opposite surface, a conical concave portion is provided on the opposite surface of the light emitting surface as shown in FIG. 17, or a hemispherical convex is provided on the opposite surface of the light emitting surface as shown in FIG. By providing a portion or by providing a hemispherical concave portion on the surface opposite to the light emitting surface as shown in FIG. 19, light can be emitted from the light emitting surface in a planar manner.

(8) In the electronic timepiece of each configuration described above,
The translucent planar light emitting means can be configured to include a luminous light emitting layer. The light-storing light-emitting layer can be constituted by containing a substance capable of holding electrons excited by absorbed light in its excited state and emitting light by recombination of the held electrons and holes.

When such a luminescent material absorbs light, electrons are first excited to a first excited state, and then to the first excited state.
Is trapped by the trapping centers formed of impurity centers, crystal lattice defects, and the like from the excited state, thereby maintaining a predetermined excited state. Thereafter, the electrons held in the trap centers return to the first excited state again by thermal activation, and recombine holes to emit light. As such a light-emitting substance, for example, a substance containing strontium aluminum oxide (SrAl ₂ O ₄ ) as a base crystal and further containing a rare earth element as an impurity can be given.

The light-storing light-emitting layer can be provided in place of a light-emitting unit composed of a light guide and a light source, or can be provided together with the light-emitting unit. If this luminous layer is used, energy can be stored in the luminous layer in a bright environment, and light can be emitted from the luminous layer based on the energy in a dark environment. And
Clock display can be performed using the light emission.

The light-storing light-emitting layer needs to have a light-storing property and to have a property of transmitting light enough to charge a solar cell. In order to impart such light transmittance to the light-storing light-emitting layer, for example, the thickness of the light-storing light-emitting layer is reduced, or a light-storing material is devised so that light is transmitted to some extent, or light is stored. For example, a method of miniaturizing the parts and scattering them may be considered. When the light-storing portion is made fine and scattered, light is absorbed by the solar cell through portions other than the light-storing portion. By changing the ratio of the light storing portion, the ratio between the light storing and the solar power generation can be optimized.

(9) In the electronic timepiece of each of the above structures, a light diffusion layer can be provided on the observer side of the translucent planar light emitting means. By doing so, it is possible to make the display at the time of clock display using the light emission from the translucent planar light emitting means look bright.

(10) In order to achieve the first object, the electronic timepiece according to the present invention transmits a polarizing plate, a TN liquid crystal layer, and a linearly polarized light component in a first direction, and is orthogonal to the first direction. A polarization separation film that reflects a linearly polarized light component,
An electronic timepiece is formed by stacking a solar cell and a solar cell in this order.

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional structure of an electronic timepiece, particularly an electronic wristwatch, using a display device according to the present invention as a display unit. This wristwatch comprises, for example, a plastic casing 1, a movement 2 stored inside the casing 1, a glass plate 3 fixed to the casing 1 and located on the movement 2, and fixing the movement 2. And back cover 4. Reference numeral 6 indicates an arm band.

The movement 2 is affixed to a frame 7, a liquid crystal layer portion 8 supported by the frame 7 as transmission polarization axis changing means, and an outer surface (upper surface in the figure) of the liquid crystal layer portion 8. Polarizing plate 11 as first polarized light separating means
And a polarization separation film 12 serving as second polarization separation means disposed on the opposite side of the polarizing plate 11 with the liquid crystal layer portion 8 interposed therebetween.
And a solar cell 18 disposed on the bottom side of the polarization separation film 12.

The polarizing plate 11 is formed of a normal polarizing plate, transmits the linearly polarized light component in the first direction, and absorbs and disperses the linearly polarized light component in the direction perpendicular to the first direction so as not to transmit it. Works. In the present embodiment, the position is set so that the polarization transmission axis of the polarizing plate 11 in FIG. The polarization separation film 12
As shown in FIG. 2, it is composed of a polarized light separating film having a structure in which many thin films are laminated. As described above, the polarized light separating film 12 transmits the linearly polarized light component in the second direction, and reflects the other linearly polarized light components instead of absorbing or the like. Polarized light acts to be totally reflected.

The polarization separation film 12 of the present embodiment
The layer thicknesses t1, t2, t3,... (See FIG. 2) of each layer are set so as to reflect light of all wavelengths in the visible light range. The surface of the polarization separation film 12 facing the liquid crystal layer portion 8 may be a smooth surface that reflects light specularly, or may be a light scattering layer, that is, a light diffusion layer. In the case of a smooth surface, the polarization separation film 1
The reflection image from 2 is a specular reflection image. When the light diffusion layer is used, the reflection image from the polarization separation film 12 has no pattern and is a single color (usually white). If a color layer is provided on the surface of the polarization separation film 12, an appropriate color can be provided.

The surface of the solar cell 18, that is, the light receiving surface, is a dark color such as black or dark blue like a solar cell widely seen, and receives external light from this light receiving surface and converts it into electricity. The electricity generated by the conversion is charged to a battery for driving the clock, and then output as needed to drive the clock.

In FIG. 4, the liquid crystal layer portion 8 has a pair of transparent glass substrates 13a and 13b facing each other,
A liquid crystal, for example, a TN liquid crystal L is sealed in a gap formed between the glass substrates, a so-called cell gap.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of transparent electrodes 14 for displaying information such as numbers and characters are provided on the glass substrates 13a and 13b.
Is formed. In the present embodiment, a transparent electrode divided into seven segments is used as a transparent electrode for displaying a one-digit number.

A predetermined voltage can be applied between the pair of segment transparent electrodes 14 formed on each of the pair of glass substrates 13a and 13b and facing each other. Alternatively, the orientation of the liquid crystal L can be set to one of two states depending on whether a voltage is not applied (OFF). The liquid crystal of this embodiment is
When it is in the ON state, the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light passing through the liquid crystal is not changed, while when it is in the OFF state, the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light passing through the liquid crystal is set to be twisted by 90 °. You.

The operation of the electronic wristwatch having the above configuration will be described below.

(When External Light is Used) First, when displaying a background, the liquid crystal layer portion 8 is turned off in FIG. Then, as shown by an arrow Q in the figure, of the external light, that is, natural light, linearly polarized light in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface passes through the polarizing plate 11 and the liquid crystal layer portion 8 in the OFF state.
As a result, the polarization direction is twisted by 90 ° and becomes linearly polarized light parallel to the paper surface. This linearly polarized light passes through the polarization separation film 12 and reaches the light receiving surface of the solar cell 18, most of which is converted into electric energy, and a small part becomes reflected light, and the polarization separation film 12, the liquid crystal layer portion After being transmitted through the polarizing plate 8 and the polarizing plate 11, the light is recognized by a viewer. Since the light receiving surface of the solar cell 18 is a dark color such as black or dark blue, the recognized color is also such a dark color.

Next, in FIG. 1, when displaying information such as numbers, the liquid crystal layer portion 8 is turned on. Then, as shown by an arrow P, a linearly polarized light component in a direction perpendicular to the paper of the drawing is extracted from the external light by the polarizing plate 11, and the linearly polarized light component is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer portion 8. At this time, since the liquid crystal layer portion 8 is in the ON state, the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light is maintained in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface without being twisted, and this linearly polarized light is reflected between the respective layer surfaces in the polarization separation film 12 according to the wavelength. The reflected light passes through the liquid crystal layer portion 8 and the polarizing plate 11 sequentially and is displayed outside. As a result, in FIG. 5, the segment portion in the ON state of the transparent segment electrode 14 is displayed by the reflection color of the polarization separation film 12. This reflection color is a bright color such as a mirror image (silver), gray, white or the like.

As described above, when a clock is displayed using external natural light in the present embodiment, information such as numbers is displayed on a polarization separation film with a dark color caused by light reflected from the surface of the solar cell 18 as a background. This is indicated by the bright reflected color from the image 12. Therefore, information such as numbers can be clearly recognized without any practical problems. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the solar cell 18 is disposed in the area of the display surface of the timepiece, so that the electronic timepiece is compared with a case where the solar cell is disposed outside the display surface. Can be significantly reduced in overall shape.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which another embodiment of the display device according to the present invention is used as a display unit of an electronic desk calculator. In this embodiment, the numerical display screen 21 of the electronic desk calculator 20 is configured using the display device according to the present invention. At the screen position G of the desktop computer 20, the solar cell 18, the polarization separation film 12, the liquid crystal layer portion 8, and the polarizing plate 11 are disposed in a state of being stacked on each other in this order from the bottom.
Is configured.

The components of the polarizing plate 11, the liquid crystal layer portion 8, the polarization splitting film 12, and the solar cell 18 have the same functions as the components denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. By operating various keys 22 selectively,
A desired number and a number obtained as a calculation result can be displayed on the number display screen 21 based on ON / OFF of the segment electrode in the liquid crystal layer portion 8. At that time, the solar cell 18
A light-colored light-receiving surface is used to display a dark background, and information such as numbers is clearly displayed thereon in a bright color such as a specular reflection image or gray.

Also in this electronic desk calculator 20, since the solar cells 18 are arranged in the area of the display surface of the liquid crystal layer portion 8, an area for providing the solar cells 18 in a portion other than the screen area G is prepared. It is no longer necessary, and
0 can be made much smaller.

(Other Embodiments) Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments with respect to claims 1 and 3, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but is defined by the claims. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the described invention.

For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the display device according to the present invention is applied to an electronic wristwatch, and FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the display device is applied to an electronic desk calculator. It can be applied as a display for all kinds of electronic devices. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the case where the present invention is applied to a wristwatch is illustrated, but the present invention can naturally be applied to an electronic timepiece having another structure such as a stopwatch.

In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal panel using the TN liquid crystal is used as the transmission polarization axis changing means capable of selecting either a state in which the polarization axis of the transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarization axis is not changed. Alternatively, a liquid crystal panel using STN liquid crystal or ECB liquid crystal can be used.

As a second polarized light separating means for transmitting a linearly polarized light component in a second direction and reflecting a linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal to the second direction, a multilayer structure in which a plurality of thin films as shown in FIG. Structure, but instead of this,
(1/4) λ on both sides or one side of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer
A polarization separation plate having a structure in which a plate is disposed, a polarization separation member having a structure in which Brewster angles are used to separate reflected polarized light and transmitted polarized light (SID92 DIGEST, pages 427 to 429), or a hologram It is also possible to use a polarized light separating member or the like utilizing the above.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows an electronic timepiece, particularly an electronic wristwatch, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic timepiece includes a casing 1 formed of, for example, plastic or metal, a movement 2 stored inside the casing 1, a glass plate 3 fixed to the casing 1 and positioned on the movement 2, and And a back cover 4 for fixing the movement 2. Reference numeral 6 indicates an arm band.

As shown in FIG. 9, the movement 2 includes a frame 7, a liquid crystal display unit 5 supported by the frame 7, and a circuit board 10 provided below the liquid crystal display unit 5. It consists of. As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid crystal display unit 5 includes a liquid crystal layer portion 8 serving as a transmission polarization axis changing device and a first polarization separation device disposed on the viewer side (upper side of the drawing) of the liquid crystal layer portion 8. And a polarization separation film 12 as second polarization separation means disposed on the back side (the lower side in the figure) of the liquid crystal layer portion 8 when viewed from the observer side. On the further back side of the polarization separation film 12, the light diffusion layer 15, the translucent planar light emitting device 29, and the solar cell 18 are arranged in that order.

The polarizing plate 11 is formed of a normal polarizing plate, and transmits a linearly polarized light component in a first predetermined direction with respect to light incident from the observer side, in this embodiment, parallel to the paper surface. Does not transmit polarized light,
With respect to the light incident from the opposite side of the observer, it acts so as to transmit the linearly polarized light component in the direction parallel to the paper and not transmit the other polarized light.

As shown in FIG. 2, the polarization separation film 12 is constituted by a polarization separation film having a structure in which many thin films are laminated. In FIG. 7, the polarization separation film 12 has a second direction with respect to light incident from the liquid crystal layer portion 8 side.
In the present embodiment, a linearly polarized component perpendicular to the plane of the paper is transmitted, and other polarized light is reflected. In particular, light in a direction parallel to the plane of the paper is totally reflected. Furthermore, the polarization separation film 12
With respect to light incident from the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer portion 8, that is, from the light emitting device 29 side, it acts so as to transmit a linearly polarized light component in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

The polarization separation film 12 of the present embodiment
The layer thicknesses t1, t2, t3... (See FIG. 5) of the layers A and B are set so as to reflect light of all wavelengths included in the visible light range. The surface of the polarization separation film 12 facing the liquid crystal layer portion 8 may be a smooth surface that reflects light specularly, or may be a light scattering layer, that is, a light diffusion layer. When the surface is a smooth surface, the reflection image from the polarization separation film 12 is a specular reflection image. When the light diffusion layer is used, the reflection image from the polarization separation film 12 has no pattern and is a single color (usually white). If a color layer is provided on the surface of the polarization separation film 12, an appropriate color can be provided.

The surface of the solar cell 18, ie, the light receiving surface,
It is a dark color such as black or dark blue like a solar cell widely seen, and receives external light from this light receiving surface and converts it into electricity. The electricity generated by the conversion is
After the battery for driving the clock is charged, it is output as needed to drive the clock.

In FIG. 7, the liquid crystal layer portion 8 has a pair of light-transmitting substrates 13a and 13b opposed to each other, and a liquid crystal is formed in a gap formed between the light-transmitting substrates, that is, in a so-called cell gap. For example, a TN liquid crystal L is sealed. The light-transmitting substrates 13a and 13b are formed of a light-transmitting material such as glass, plastic, or the like, and have a plurality of light-transmitting electrodes 14a for displaying visible information including numbers, characters, and the like on their inner surfaces. And 14b are ITO (In
dium Tin Oxide) or the like. The electrodes 14a,
An alignment film is further formed on the surface of the substrate on which 14b is formed by using polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, or the like, and the alignment film is subjected to an alignment process such as a rubbing process.

In the case of the present embodiment, the translucent electrodes 14a and 14b form a pattern in which six single-digit numbers formed by seven segments are arranged as shown in FIG. Various numbers for time display are displayed by selectively changing the color of some of these segments. Of course, any information other than numbers can be displayed as needed.

In FIG. 7, a light transmitting planar light emitting device 29 is shown.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a light guide 28 having a plate-like shape and having a light-transmitting property, and a plurality of light guides 28 disposed at side positions of the light guide 28, three in this embodiment, Light sources, such as LEDs
(Light Emitting Diode) 30.
In the light guide 28, the upper surface 28a in the figure is a light emission surface,
That is, it is the observer side surface. A plurality of cylindrical projections 31a are formed on the light emission surface 28a so as to project outward in a regular or irregular dot arrangement. A light reflecting film 32 is adhered to a surface of the light guide 28 other than the side end surface on which the LED 30 is provided.

The light guide 28 can be formed of a transparent resin such as an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, or an amorphous polyolefin resin, an inorganic transparent material such as a glass, or a composite thereof. As the production method, various methods such as an injection molding method, a method utilizing photocurability of a resin, an etching method, a method of bonding a film to a transparent resin or a glass flat plate, and the like can be adopted.

In the light guide 28, as shown in FIG. 12, the light S1 and S2 emitted from the LED 30 are emitted from the light exit surface 28a.
Propagates inside the light guide 28 while repeating total reflection on the inner surface and the opposite surface. The light that has propagated to the side end surface is reflected by the light reflecting film 32 provided there, and propagates again inside the light guide 28. During the propagation, the convex portion 31
The light reaching the side surface a is emitted to the outside, and goes to the liquid crystal layer portion 8 side in FIG. 7, that is, to the observer side. The light from the LED 30 hardly emits directly from the surface on which the convex portion 31a is not provided.

The electronic timepiece having the above configuration has two display modes, a reflective display mode using external natural light and a transmissive display mode using light emission from the light emitting device 29. , Will be described individually.

(Reflective Display Mode; Using External Light) FIG.
In the case where display is performed using external light without causing the light emitting device 29 to emit light, when no voltage is applied between the electrodes 14a and 14b of the liquid crystal layer portion 8 (OFF), as shown by an arrow P, polarization The plate 11 extracts a linearly polarized light component parallel to the paper from the external light and natural light, and the linearly polarized light is turned into a linearly polarized light component perpendicular to the paper by the liquid crystal layer portion 8 whose polarization direction is twisted by about 90 °. This linear polarization component is
The light passes through the polarization separation film 12, the diffusion layer 15, and the light guide 28 in this order, and is further absorbed by the light receiving surface of the solar cell 18.
As a result, the voltage non-applied area (OFF) is displayed as a dark background such as black. The solar cell 18
Is converted into electric power in accordance with the function of the solar cell 18, and the electric power is stored in the power storage unit of the clock driving power supply as needed.

Next, when an ON voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer portion 8, as shown by the arrow Q, linearly polarized light parallel to the plane of the drawing is extracted from the external natural light by the polarizing plate 11, and the linearly polarized light is further removed from the liquid crystal layer portion. 8, the polarization direction is changed to linearly polarized light parallel to the paper surface with almost no twist.
This linearly polarized light is reflected by the polarization separation film 12 according to the function of the polarization separation film 12, and the reflected light passes through the liquid crystal layer portion 8 while maintaining the linearly polarized light parallel to the paper surface. It passes through and exits to the outside. Thereby, the observer recognizes a reflection color according to the surface state of the polarization separation film 12, for example, a specular reflection (silver) image, a white image, or the like. As described in connection with FIG.
This ON voltage region is recognized as a visible image such as a numeral.

As described above, when the clock display is performed in the reflection type display mode using external natural light, a background such as black is displayed in the voltage non-application area (OFF), and at the same time, the ON voltage application area is displayed. Visible information such as white color is displayed as clock information. Then, in the voltage non-applied area (OFF), power is generated by the external light reaching the solar cell 18, and the electric power is stored as needed.

(Transmissive Display Mode; Using Backlight) Next, when the clock display surface is dark and difficult to see, such as at night or in a dark room, the L
The ED 30 is turned on. In this case, in a region (OFF) where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer portion 8, the light emitted from the LED 30 propagates through the light guide 28 and then from the light exit surface 28 a to the viewer, as schematically shown by an arrow R. The light is emitted toward the side (that is, the upper side in the figure). The emitted light passes through the diffusion layer 15 and is further extracted as linearly polarized light in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing by the polarization separation film 12. The polarization direction is further twisted by about 90 ° by the liquid crystal layer portion 8 to be parallel to the plane of the drawing. Linearly polarized light. The linearly polarized light passes through the polarizing plate 11 and is displayed outside. Thus, the observer recognizes the emission color of the light guide 28 that has passed through the diffusion layer 15 as the background. The light emission color of the light guide 28 is the light emission color (green, red, etc.) of the LED, and by diffusing the light by the diffusion layer 15, the observer can change the background color of the light emission color of the LED, such as bright green, red, etc. Can be recognized.

Next, in a region where the ON voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer portion 8, the light emission of the LED 30 is emitted from the light emission surface 28a of the light guide 28 as schematically shown by an arrow T, and , And is further extracted by the polarization separation film 12 as linearly polarized light in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.
Since this linearly polarized light passes through the liquid crystal layer portion 8 without twisting the polarization direction, its polarization axis does not coincide with the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 11, and is therefore absorbed by the polarizing plate 11. As a result, this region is recognized as black display by the observer.

As described above, when the clock display is performed by the transmissive display mode using the light emission of the light emitting device 29, a background such as green is displayed in the voltage non-applying area (OFF), and at the same time, the ON state is displayed. Visible information is displayed as clock information in black or the like in the voltage application area. In the case of this transmissive display mode, almost no light enters the solar cell 18, so that the solar cell 18 hardly generates power.

As described above, according to the electronic timepiece of the present embodiment, the clock display such as a number can be clearly distinguished and displayed in a color different from the background, regardless of whether external natural light or light emission of the light emitting device 29 is used. . As a result, even if the solar cell is arranged in the area of the clock display surface on which numbers and the like are displayed, the clock can be displayed without any trouble.
For this reason, the light receiving area of the solar cell can be made as large as possible, and a large power can be supplied to the power supply for driving the timepiece.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the liquid crystal display unit used in the electronic timepiece according to the present invention. The liquid crystal display unit 25 shown in FIG.
7 is different from the liquid crystal display unit 5 shown in FIG. 7 in that the light-storing light-emitting layer 26 is disposed between the polarization separation film 12 and the solar cell 18 instead of the light-transmitting planar light-emitting device 29 and the diffusion layer 15 in FIG. It is that was arranged. Note that the same reference numerals in FIGS. 13 and 7 indicate the same members, and thus,
A description of them will be omitted.

The upper surface of the luminous light emitting layer 26 is a light receiving surface and a light emitting surface. When external light is received on the light receiving surface of the light-storing light-emitting layer 26, the light is stored inside as energy, and when the outside is dark, the stored energy is emitted to the outside as light. In addition, the luminous light-emitting layer 26
Has a light storing property and has a property of transmitting light to the extent that the solar cell 18 can be charged.

In the electronic timepiece according to the present embodiment, when a timepiece is displayed using external light, an area where no voltage is applied (OF) is displayed.
In F), as shown by the arrow P, the external light is
The light sequentially passes through the liquid crystal layer portion 8, the polarization separation film 12, and the luminous light-emitting layer 26, and then reaches the light receiving surface of the solar cell 18. This area is perceived by the observer as a dark background, and at the same time, the light reaching the solar cell 18 is converted into electric power and used as a power source for clock display. Also, in the ON voltage application region, as in the case of FIG. 7, information such as numbers is displayed by light reflected by the polarization separation film 12, as indicated by an arrow Q.

Next, when the electronic timepiece is placed at night or in a dark room, the energy stored in the luminous layer 26 is emitted from the light emitting surface as light. In this case, in a region where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer portion 8 (OFF), the light emission passes through the polarization separation film 12, the liquid crystal layer portion 8, and the polarizing plate 11, and is displayed outside as indicated by an arrow R. You. Thereby, the observer recognizes the luminescent color of the luminous light-emitting layer 26 as the background.

On the other hand, in the region where the ON voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer portion 8, the light emitted from the luminous light-emitting layer 26 passes through the polarization separation film 12 and the liquid crystal layer portion 8 and then is 11 so that this region is perceived by the observer as a black display.

As described above, in the electronic timepiece of the present embodiment,
A transmissive display mode can be realized by using the luminous light-emitting layer 26 that does not require dedicated power, and external light can be converted to electric power using the solar cell 18 and used as a power supply for a timepiece. .

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment of the liquid crystal display unit used in the electronic timepiece according to the present invention. Liquid crystal display unit 35 shown here
Is different from the liquid crystal display unit 5 shown in FIG.
Instead of the diffusion layer 15 in FIG.
Between the light-emitting device 2 and the light-transmitting planar light-emitting device 29
It is that was arranged. The same reference numerals in FIGS. 14 and 7 denote the same members, and a description thereof will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, a clock display can be performed by using light emission from the luminous light-emitting layer 26, and a clock display can be performed by using light emission from the translucent planar light-emitting device 29. it can. Desirably, first, display is performed using light emission from the luminous light-emitting layer 26, and when the amount of light emission is reduced to an amount that is not practically sufficient, the LE of the light-emitting device 29 is used.
D30 is turned on to use the light emitted from the light emitting device 29.

(Other Embodiments) In the light guide 28 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
In order to take out the light from outside a, a columnar convex portion 31a was formed on the light emitting surface 28a. However, instead of this convex portion 31a, a cylindrical concave portion 3 as shown in FIG.
3a can be provided on the light exit surface 28a. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the conical convex portion 31b is
On the back surface of the light exit surface 28a. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, a conical concave portion 33b may be formed on the back surface of the light emitting surface 28a of the light guide 28. In addition, as shown in FIG.
May be formed on the back surface of the light exit surface 28a of the light guide 28. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a hemispherical concave portion 33c may be formed on the back surface of the light emitting surface 28a of the light guide 28.

[0087]

According to the display device of the first aspect and the electronic timepiece of the third aspect, at least one of the polarization splitters sandwiching the transmission polarization axis variable unit transmits linearly polarized light in a certain direction. At the same time, since other linearly polarized light is constituted by using a polarization separating element having a property of reflecting light, when a solar cell is used as a reflector, information such as numbers can be displayed in a bright color on a dark background. Therefore, as a result, even when the solar cell is used as the reflection plate, the clock display or other display can be performed without any practical problem.

Further, since the background in the display surface, that is, the wide area in the display surface becomes the light receiving surface of the solar cell, a large amount of external light can be collected by the solar cell and converted into electric energy. In addition, since the solar cells can be arranged in the area of the display surface such as clock information such as numerical information, compared to the conventional arrangement of the solar cells in a different place from the display surface,
The overall shape of the display device or the electronic timepiece can be made much smaller, or a display surface such as a clock display can be set wider.

According to the electronic timepiece according to the fifth aspect, the same effect as that of the electronic timepiece according to the third aspect can be obtained, and further, a transparent light is provided on the back side of the second polarized light separating means as viewed from an observer. Since the planar light emitting means is provided, clock display can be performed using light emitted from the light emitting means in a dark place where external light does not enter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an internal structure of a polarization separation film used as a main part of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing an operation of the polarization separation film shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of an electronic wristwatch as one embodiment of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a movement used in the electronic wristwatch of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an electronic desk calculator which is a use example of the display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing one embodiment of a liquid crystal display unit used in the electronic timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of one embodiment of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main part of the sectional structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an embodiment of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a light-transmitting planar light-emitting device used as a main part of the liquid crystal display unit of FIG.

12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of the light emitting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of the liquid crystal display unit used in the electronic timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing still another embodiment of the liquid crystal display unit used for the electronic timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a light guide.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the light guide.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the light guide.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the light guide.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the light guide.

FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating a main part of an example of a conventional display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Movement 3 Glass plate 4 Back lid 5 Liquid crystal display unit 6 Arm band 7 Frame 8 Liquid crystal layer part (transmission polarization axis variable means) 10 Circuit board 11 Polarizer (first polarization separation means) 12 Polarization separation film (Second polarization) Separating means) 13a, 13b Glass substrate 14 Transparent electrode 15 Light diffusion layer 18 Solar cell 20 Electronic desktop calculator 21 Numeric display surface 22 Key 25 Liquid crystal display unit 26 Luminescent light emitting layer 28 Light guide 28a Light emitting surface 29 Light transmitting surface Light emitting device 30 LED 31a, 31b, 31c Convex part 32 Light reflective film 33a, 33b, 33c Concave part 35 Liquid crystal display unit A, B Different kinds of thin film layers E Transmission axis F Absorption axis L Liquid crystal P, Q External optical path S1, S2 light path

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference)

Claims (10)

[Claims] A first polarized light separating means for transmitting a linearly polarized light component directed in a first direction and not transmitting a linearly polarized light component in a direction perpendicular thereto, and a position for receiving linearly polarized light emitted from the first polarized light separating means; And a transmission polarization axis changing unit that can select either a state in which the polarization axis of the transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarization axis is not changed, and an opposite side of the first polarization separation unit with the transmission polarization axis changing unit interposed therebetween. A second polarized light separating means for transmitting a linearly polarized light component in a second direction and reflecting a linearly polarized light component in a direction perpendicular to the second polarized light component; A solar cell disposed on the opposite side to receive external light and convert it to electrical energy. 2. The second polarized light separating means according to claim 1, wherein the second polarized light separating means has a multilayer structure formed by alternately stacking two types of layers.
Among the layers, the refractive index in one direction is equal between the two layers, the refractive index in the direction perpendicular thereto is different between the two layers, and the thickness of each of the plurality of layers in the stacking direction is different between the layers. Display device. 3. An electronic timepiece for counting and displaying time, comprising: a first polarized light separating means that transmits a linearly polarized light component in a first direction and does not transmit a linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal thereto. A transmission polarization axis variable unit disposed at a position for receiving linearly polarized light emitted from the first polarization separation unit and capable of selecting either a state in which the polarization axis of transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarization axis is not changed; A second polarized light separating means which is disposed on the opposite side of the first polarized light separating means with the means interposed therebetween, transmits a linearly polarized light component in a second direction, and reflects a linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal thereto; An electronic timepiece, comprising: a solar cell disposed on the opposite side of the transmission polarization axis varying means with respect to the polarization separation means, and receiving external light and converting it to electric energy. 4. The second polarized light separating means according to claim 3, wherein the second polarized light separating means has a multi-layer structure formed by alternately laminating two types of layers.
Among the layers, the refractive index in one direction is equal between the two layers, the refractive index in the direction perpendicular thereto is different between the two layers, and the thickness of each of the plurality of layers in the stacking direction is different between the layers. And an electronic watch. 5. An electronic timepiece for counting and displaying time, comprising: a first polarized light separating means that transmits a linearly polarized light component in a first direction and does not transmit a linearly polarized light component in a direction orthogonal thereto. A transmission polarization axis variable unit disposed at a position for receiving linearly polarized light emitted from the first polarization separation unit and capable of selecting either a state in which the polarization axis of transmitted polarized light is changed or a state in which the polarization axis is not changed; A second polarized light separating means disposed on the opposite side of the first polarized light separating means with the means interposed therebetween, transmitting a linearly polarized light component in a second direction, and reflecting a linearly polarized light in a direction orthogonal thereto; A light-transmitting planar light emitting means disposed on the opposite side of the transmission polarization axis varying means with the separating means interposed therebetween; and a light transmitting planar light emitting means disposed on the opposite side of the second polarization separating means with the light transmitting planar light emitting means interposed therebetween. Receiving external light, Electronic timepiece and having a solar cell for converting into electrical energy. 6. The light-transmitting planar light-emitting device according to claim 5, wherein the light-transmitting planar light-emitting device includes a light source that emits light, and a light-emitting surface on the side of the transmission polarization axis changing device, and transmits light from the light source to the light. An electronic timepiece comprising: a light guide for guiding to an emission surface. 7. The electronic timepiece according to claim 6, wherein the light guide has a convex portion or a concave portion on the light emitting surface or a surface opposite to the light emitting surface to emit light from the light emitting surface. . 8. The light-transmitting planar light-emitting means according to claim 5, wherein
An electronic timepiece comprising a phosphorescent light-emitting layer. 9. An electronic timepiece according to claim 5, wherein a light diffusing layer is provided on a viewer side of said translucent planar light emitting means. 10. A polarizing plate, a TN liquid crystal layer, a polarization separation film that transmits a linearly polarized light component in a first direction and reflects a linearly polarized light component orthogonal to the first direction, and a solar cell. An electronic watch made by laminating.