JP2002311434A - Liquid crystal device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal device capable of enhancing display quality by improving blotting (blur) of display and lowering of brightness when a front light is used and to enable bright and brilliant display and electronic equipment having the liquid crystal device. SOLUTION: In a reflective liquid crystal display, a directional front scattered film 18 and the front light are provided so as to conform to a range of an azimuth ϕm and a pole angle θn on the incident side of incident light L1 when the emitting direction of illuminated light L3 from the front light indicates equal to or less than 1/2 of the sum (Tmax+Tmin) when parallel line transmitted light transmitting the directional front scattered film 18 indicates the maximum transmittance (Tmax) and the light indicates the minimum transmittance (Tmin).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reflection type liquid crystal in which a planar illuminant as a front light for illuminating a display surface in a place where ambient light is weak or the like is visible on the front side of the display surface. The present invention relates to a technique capable of improving blur (blurring) of a display by applying to a display device, obtaining a bright and clear display, and providing an electronic apparatus including a liquid crystal device capable of performing such a bright and clear display. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various electronic devices such as notebook personal computers, portable game machines and electronic organizers often use a liquid crystal display device with low power consumption as a display unit. In particular, in recent years, demand for a liquid crystal display device capable of performing color display has been increasing with the frequent use of display contents. Further, a reflection type liquid crystal display device provided with a planar light-emitting body as a front light on the front side of a display surface has been developed in response to a demand to view a display even in a dark place. A liquid crystal display device equipped with a front light can be used as a normal reflective liquid crystal device in a place where ambient light is sufficient, and in a dark place, the display can be viewed by illuminating the liquid crystal panel by turning on the front light It can be.

An outline of a configuration example of a conventional reflection type color liquid crystal display device provided with a front light will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of a conventional forward scattering plate type reflection type color liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device shown in FIG.
1 and a front light 240 arranged on the upper surface side of the light emitting device 1. In the liquid crystal panel 111, a liquid crystal layer 102 is sandwiched between a pair of glass substrates 100 and 101, and a color filter 104 is provided on a surface portion of one of the glass substrates 101 (the upper side in the drawing) on the liquid crystal layer 102 side. And the other (lower in the drawing) glass substrate 100
The reflective layer 103 is provided on the surface portion on the liquid crystal layer 102 side. Further, on the upper surface side of the glass substrate 101, an isotropic forward scattering film 105 in which metal oxide particles are dispersed as a filler in a base material made of, for example, triallyl cyanate having a thickness of 50 to 200 μm is a transparent adhesive material. Alternatively, the polarizing plate 106 is attached via an adhesive sheet (not shown), and the polarizing plate 106 is provided thereon.

[0004] The front light 240 includes a light source 241 such as a cold-cathode tube or a white LED, and a light guide plate 242 formed in a plate shape so as to introduce light from the light source 241 from an end face 242d and guide the light to the right side in the figure. And a reflection plate 243 arranged so as to surround the light source 241. On the surface of the light guide plate 242, a steep slope portion 242b as an operation surface portion is provided.
A groove 242g formed from a gentle slope portion 242a as a transmission surface portion and a flat portion (transmission surface portion) 242h adjacent to the groove 242g are provided with irregularities 242i formed periodically toward the right side in the drawing.

This forward scattering type reflection type liquid crystal device is
When the ambient light is weak, reflection display is performed using the front light 240. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12B, incident light L3 from the front light 240 is emitted from the light source 241 of the front light 240. The emitted light is transmitted through the light guide plate 24.
2, the light is totally reflected on the inner surface of the light guide plate 242 and is transmitted to the right side in the figure.
When the light is totally reflected at b, the light is directed to the back surface 242c, and is emitted from the back surface 242c as shown below as illumination light (incident light) L3. The illumination light L3 emitted from the light guide plate 242 is applied to the polarizing plate 106, the forward scattering film 10
5. After passing through the glass substrate 101, the color filter 104, and the liquid crystal layer 102, the light is reflected on the surface of the light reflection layer 103 also serving as a drive electrode, and the reflected light is forward scattered by the liquid crystal layer 102, the color filter 104, the glass substrate 101 Film 1
05, the light is emitted from the liquid crystal panel 111 via the polarizing plate 106, is further emitted from the liquid crystal display device through the transmission surface of the light guide plate 242, and is visually recognized by the observer E as reflected light L4.

On the other hand, when the ambient light is sufficiently strong, reflection display is performed without using the front light 240. At this time, as shown in FIG.
2, the polarizing plate 106, the forward scattering film 105,
Glass substrate 101, liquid crystal layer 102, color filter 10
4, the light is reflected by the surface of the light reflecting layer 103 also serving as a driving electrode, and the reflected light is reflected by the liquid crystal layer 102, the color filter 104, the glass substrate 101, and the forward scattering film 10.
5. The light is emitted from the liquid crystal panel 111 via the polarizing plate 106, is further emitted from the liquid crystal display device through the transmission surface of the light guide plate 242, and is visually recognized by the observer E as reflected light L2.

By the way, in the conventional structure shown in FIG. 12, the forward scattering film 105 weakens strong mirror reflection (specular reflection) in a specific direction peculiar to the mirror surface when the reflection layer 103 has a specular reflection performance. It is used for the purpose of enabling a bright display in the widest possible range. This type of forward scattering film 105 generally has a thickness of 25 mm.
Acrylic resin layer of about 30 μm (25 to 30 × 10 −6 m) (for example, a refractive index n = 1.48 to 1.49)
Has a structure in which a large number of beads (for example, a refractive index n = 1.4) having a particle size of about 4 μm (4 × 10 −6 m) are dispersed therein, and is a reflection type used for a portable information device, a mobile phone, and the like. It is widely used in liquid crystal display devices.

[0008]

However, the isotropic forward scattering film 105 described above tends to be mixed before different information in different pixels is recognized by the user's eyes. However, there is a problem that the display is easily blurred (blurred) and the display becomes dark. This is because, when the reflective display is performed using the front light 240 as shown in FIG. 12B, the irradiation light (incident light) L3 emitted from the front light 240 to the liquid crystal panel 111 passes through the forward scattering film 105. Pass through the reflection layer 103 and then re-enter the forward scattering film 1 again.
Assuming that white display and black display are performed by adjacent pixels due to scattering generated by the forward scattering film 105 before reaching the user's eyes through the front scattering film 105, the forward scattering film 105
The boundary between white display and black display tends to be difficult to understand due to the isotropic scattering effect of
That is, when the isotropic forward scattering film 105 is provided, the irradiation light L3 from the front light 240 is diffused in all directions both at the time of incidence and at the time of emission, and the display blurs. The present inventor believes that this causes blurring and a decrease in luminance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), even when the reflective display is performed without using the front light 240, the display is blurred due to the isotropic scattering action of the forward scattering film 105. It is easy and the display becomes dark. Also, considering the blurring (blur) of the display of the liquid crystal display device provided with the color filter 104, the boundary of the color display tends to be difficult to determine,
Color mixing may occur, and good color developability may not be obtained.

[0010] From the above background, the inventors of the present invention have conducted further research focusing on the forward scattering film, and as a result, the scattering of the forward scattering film is made to have directivity, whereby the liquid crystal display device is manufactured. The present inventors have found that blurring (blur) of display can be eliminated, and have reached the present invention. In addition, as a result of the inventors' research on the forward scattering film, the first scattering at the time of incidence on the forward scattering film 105 is blurred in the display regardless of whether the front light is used or not. ) Is hardly affected, but the scattering when reflected light and passing through the forward scattering film 105 again is easily observed by the observer E, and the scattered light when the reflected light passes through the forward scattering film 105 is displayed. It has been found that there is a large effect on blurring (blur) and a decrease in luminance.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can improve display quality by improving display blur (blur) and reduction in luminance when a front light is used. It is an object to provide a liquid crystal device capable of clear display and an electronic device including the liquid crystal device. Further, according to the present invention, not only when the front light is used but also when the front light is not used, the display quality can be improved by improving the display bleeding (blur) and the decrease in luminance, and a bright and clear display can be achieved. It is another object to provide a liquid crystal device and an electronic device including the liquid crystal device.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a liquid crystal device according to the present invention comprises a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between these substrates, and a liquid crystal layer on one of the substrates. A reflective layer provided, a liquid crystal panel including a directional forward scattering film provided on the other substrate on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer side, and a liquid crystal panel opposite to the other substrate side of the directional forward scattering film of the liquid crystal panel. And a planar light emitter for emitting illumination light on the liquid crystal panel side. The directional forward scattering film and the planar light emitter are one surface of the directional forward scattering film. Light is incident from a light source disposed on the side of the directional forward scattering film, and in the light receiving unit disposed on the other surface of the directional forward scattering film, of all transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film, When observing the transmitted light, The emission direction of the illumination light from the planar light-emitting body is aligned with the direction of the incident side of the incident light when the parallel transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film is weak or the diffuse transmitted light is strong. It is characterized by being provided in.

In the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, the directional forward scattering film and the planar illuminator are arranged such that the direction of emission of illumination light from the planar illuminant is parallel to the direction of transmission of the directional forward scattering film. It is provided to match the direction of the incident light when the linear transmitted light becomes weak or the diffuse transmitted light becomes strong. The illumination light emitted from the luminous body is emitted in the direction where scattering is relatively large when passing through the directional forward scattering film for the first time, that is, in the direction where the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively small, and the second time. When the light passes through the directional forward scattering film, a large amount of light is emitted in a direction in which scattering is relatively small, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large. If a liquid crystal device having a directional forward scattering film and a planar light emitter arranged in this way,
When performing a reflective display using a planar light emitter, the illumination light emitted from the planar light emitter is strongly scattered when entering the liquid crystal panel through the directional forward scattering film. Since the amount of light scattered when passing through the directional forward scattering film after being reflected by the layer is reduced, there is little effect on display blurring (blur), and light from the planar light emitter is efficiently used. As a result, the brightness can be improved, the display blur (blur) is small, a bright and clear reflective display can be obtained, and the display quality can be improved.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a liquid crystal device according to the present invention has a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between these substrates, and a reflection layer provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the one substrate. Layer, a liquid crystal panel having a directional forward scattering film provided on the other substrate opposite to the liquid crystal layer side,
The liquid crystal panel is provided with a planar light emitter having a light source that emits illumination light on the liquid crystal panel side, provided on a side opposite to the other substrate side of the directional forward scattering film. On the other hand, light is incident from a light source disposed on one side of the directional forward scattering film, and in a light receiving unit disposed on the other side of the directional forward scattering film, of the total transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film, diffuse transmitted light When observing parallel-line transmitted light except for, the incident angle of incident light with respect to the normal of the directional forward scattering film is defined as a polar angle θn, and the incident light angle in the in-plane direction of the directional forward scattering film is defined as The azimuth angle φm is defined, and the maximum transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light is Tmax.
When (φ1, θ1) is defined and the minimum transmittance of the parallel-line transmitted light is defined as Tmin (φ2, θ2), the directional forward scattering film and the surface light emitter are separated from the surface light emitter. When the emission direction of the illumination light is less than or equal to １ ／ of the sum (Tmax + Tmin) of the case where the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance. It is characterized by being provided so as to match the range of the azimuth angle φm on the light incident side and the polar angle θn.

In this liquid crystal device, the directional forward scattering film and the planar illuminant are arranged such that the direction of emission of the illumination light from the planar illuminant is such that the parallel light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film passes through the directional forward scattering film. It is provided so as to be within the range of the azimuth angle φm and the polar angle θn on the incident side of the incident light when the light shows a maximum transmittance and a minimum transmittance and shows a half or less of the sum (Tmax + Tmin). Thus, when the reflective display is performed using the planar light-emitting body, the direction in which the illumination light emitted from the planar light-emitting body is relatively scattered when entering the liquid crystal panel through the directional forward scattering film. That is, although the incident light is incident in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively small, when the light passes through the directional forward scattering film after being reflected by the reflective layer inside the liquid crystal panel, the direction in which the scattering is relatively small,
That is, a large amount of light is emitted in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large, has little effect on blurring (blur) of the display, and furthermore, the light from the planar light emitter is efficiently used to improve the luminance. This makes it possible to obtain a bright and clear reflective display with little blurring (blur) of the display and to improve the display quality.

Further, in the liquid crystal device of the present invention having the above configuration, the directional forward scattering film and the planar illuminant are arranged such that the direction of emission of the illumination light from the planar illuminant is equal to the directional forward scattering film. Azimuth angle φ2 and polar angle θ2 on the incident side of the incident light when the parallel ray transmitted light transmitted through
The illumination light emitted from the planar light emitter enters the liquid crystal panel through the directional forward scattering film when performing reflective display using the planar light emitter. Sometimes scattering is as much as possible, that is, light is incident in the direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is as small as possible, but when passing through the directional forward scattering film after being reflected by the reflective layer inside the liquid crystal panel, scattering is as small as possible. In other words, the light is emitted in the direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is as large as possible, the influence on the blurring (blur) of the display is small, and the light from the planar light-emitting body is more efficiently used to further increase the luminance. The display can be improved, the display blur (blurring) is small, a bright and clear reflective display can be obtained, and the display quality can be further improved.

Further, in the liquid crystal device of the present invention having any one of the above structures, the planar illuminant introduces a light source and light emitted from the light source from an end face, and gradually introduces the light along the light guide direction. A light guide plate formed so as to emit from one plate surface, and on the plate surface of the light guide plate, the direction of light emitted by the light source is changed mainly inside the light guide plate to form the one plate. A plurality of working surface portions for emitting illumination light emitted from a surface, and a plurality of transmission surface portions that mainly confine light emitted from the light source in the light guide plate and allow the light guide plate to be seen through are arranged. The light source is 、 of the sum (Tmax + Tmin) of the case where the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance. Azimuth angle φm when It is preferably provided on the incident light side of the coupling. In this liquid crystal device, the light source provided in the planar light-emitting body is a sum (Tmax + Tmin) of the case where the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance. Is provided on the incident light side in the case of an azimuth angle φm indicating less than 1/2 of
The illuminating light emitted from the planar illuminant passes through the directional forward scattering film for the first time and enters the liquid crystal panel in a direction in which scattering is relatively large, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively small. When the light passes through the directional forward scattering film for the second time and goes out of the liquid crystal panel for the second time, the light is emitted in a direction in which scattering is relatively small, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large. Therefore, the light is strongly scattered when entering the liquid crystal panel, but the amount of light scattered when exiting the liquid crystal panel is reduced, so that the light from the planar illuminant is efficiently used to improve the brightness. And a bright reflective display can be obtained, and the display quality can be improved.

In the liquid crystal device having the above-mentioned structure, the light source provided in the planar light-emitting body has an incident angle of azimuth φ2 when the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film shows the minimum transmittance. It is provided on the light side that the light emitted from the planar light emitter is used more efficiently, the luminance can be further improved, a bright reflective display can be obtained, and the display quality can be further improved. preferable. In the liquid crystal liquid crystal device having the above-described configuration, the surface light-emitting body is formed with a convex portion or a concave portion having at least a steeply inclined operation surface portion and a gentlely inclined transmission surface portion in a predetermined direction on the plate surface of the light guide plate. The steeply sloping working surface in the convex or concave portion may be provided so as to face the light source.

Further, in the liquid crystal device of the present invention having any one of the above structures, the directional forward scattering film is formed of a parallel line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film when incident light is incident from a normal direction. When the parallel line transmittance is defined as T (0,0), the relationship may satisfy 10% ≦ T (0,0). In this liquid crystal device, since the directional forward scattering film satisfies the relationship of 10% ≦ T (0,0), scattering in the normal direction of the directional forward scattering film is relatively small, That is,
Since the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large, when viewing the display from the front of the liquid crystal panel (direction along the normal of the liquid crystal panel), there is little blurring (blur) in the display and a bright and clear reflective display is obtained. Display quality can be further improved.

Further, in the liquid crystal device of the present invention having any one of the above structures, light is incident on the directional forward scattering film from a light source disposed on one side of the directional forward scattering film, and the other side of the directional forward scattering film is provided. In the light receiving part arranged on the side,
Of the total transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film, when observing parallel line transmitted light excluding diffuse transmitted light, the incident angle of incident light with respect to the normal line of the directional forward scattering film is defined as a polar angle θn. Defining the incident light angle in the in-plane direction of the directional forward scattering film as an azimuth angle φm, and defining the maximum transmittance of the parallel ray transmitted light as Tmax (φ1, θ1);
When the minimum transmittance of the parallel-line transmitted light is defined as Tmin (φ2, θ2), the maximum transmittance is set so that the incident light side in the case of the polar angle and the azimuth indicating the minimum transmittance is the lighting side of the liquid crystal panel. It is preferable that the directional forward scattering film is disposed on the liquid crystal panel such that the incident light side in the case of the polar angle and the azimuth angle indicating the ratio is on the viewing direction side of the liquid crystal panel.

In this liquid crystal device, the incident light side when the parallel ray transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film has the minimum transmittance is the polar angle and the azimuth angle, is set to the light collecting side of the liquid crystal panel. By arranging the directional forward scattering film on the liquid crystal panel such that the incident light side at the polar angle and the azimuth angle indicating the maximum transmittance is on the viewing direction side of the liquid crystal panel, the parallel line transmitted light is obtained. The azimuth φ2 when the minimum transmittance is shown is the incident angle direction, and the azimuth φ1 when the maximum transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light is the viewer direction. If the liquid crystal device having the directional forward scattering film arranged in this way, the light incident on the directional forward scattering film when performing the reflective display not only when the planar illuminant is used but also when not used. Is strongly scattered at the time of incidence, but the amount of light scattered when passing through the directional forward scattering film after being reflected by the reflection layer inside the liquid crystal panel is reduced, so that the influence on display blur (blurring) is reduced. Less,
A clear reflective display with little blur (blurring) of the display can be obtained.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device according to the present invention having any one of the above structures, wherein a liquid crystal driving electrode is provided on the liquid crystal layer of the one substrate and the liquid crystal layer of the other substrate. Is provided. According to such a liquid crystal device, the orientation state of the liquid crystal can be controlled by the electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, and switching between display, non-display, and halftone display can be performed. In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention may be configured such that a color filter is provided on one of the pair of substrates on the side of the liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal device of the present invention having any one of the above configurations. According to such a liquid crystal device, color display becomes possible by providing the color filter, and by adopting any of the above structures,
A display having a bright and clear color display with little display blur (blurring) can be obtained. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal device according to any one of the above configurations as a display unit. Such an electronic device is provided with the above-described liquid crystal device of the present invention having an excellent display form, and thus, when performing a reflective display using a planar light-emitting body, the display is less bright (clear) and clear. A display device having a display mode having a display can be obtained. In addition, not only when the planar light-emitting body is used, but also when the reflective display is performed without using the planar light-emitting body, it is possible to obtain a display having a display form having a bright and clear display with little display blur (blur). is there.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Liquid Crystal Device of First Embodiment) A liquid crystal device of a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a simple matrix type reflection type liquid crystal device. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a case where a reflective display is performed without using a front light (a planar light-emitting body).
FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a case where a reflective display is performed using a front light, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a color filter portion incorporated in the liquid crystal device. A liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal device) as a final product is configured by attaching ancillary elements such as a liquid crystal driving IC and a support to the liquid crystal device 10 of this embodiment.

The liquid crystal device 10 of this embodiment has a pair of rectangular substrates in a plan view, which are substantially rectangular in a plan view and are attached to each other via a ring-shaped sealing member 12 so as to face each other with a cell gap therebetween. Units 13 and 14, a liquid crystal layer 15 sandwiched and held between the units 13 and 14 together with the sealing material 12, and a directional forward scattering film 18 provided on the upper surface side of one (upper side in FIG. 2) substrate unit 13 The liquid crystal panel 11 includes a liquid crystal panel 11 having a phase difference plate 19 and a polarizing plate 16, and a front light (plane light emitter) 40 provided above the liquid crystal panel 11. Among the substrate units 13 and 14, the substrate unit 13 is a front (upper) substrate unit provided facing the observer, and the substrate unit 14 is a substrate unit provided on the opposite side, in other words, the back side (lower side). It is.

The upper substrate unit 13 includes a substrate 17 made of a transparent material such as glass, and a directional forward scattering film 18 sequentially provided on the front side of the substrate 17 (the upper side in FIG. 2, the observer side). Phase difference plate 19 and polarizing plate 16
And a color filter layer 20 and an overcoat layer 2 sequentially formed on the back side of the substrate 17 (in other words, on the liquid crystal layer 15 side).
1 and a plurality of stripe-shaped electrode layers 23 for driving liquid crystal formed on the surface of the overcoat layer 21 on the liquid crystal layer 15 side. The liquid crystal layer 15 is composed of nematic liquid crystal molecules having a twist angle θt of 240 to 255 degrees.

In an actual liquid crystal device, alignment films are formed on the liquid crystal layer 15 side of the electrode layer 23 and the liquid crystal layer 15 side of the stripe-shaped electrode layer 35 on the lower substrate, which will be described later, respectively. In FIG. 2, these alignment films are omitted and the description is omitted, and the illustration and description of the alignment films are also omitted in other embodiments which will be sequentially described below. The cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 2 and each of the following drawings is shown by adjusting the thickness of each layer to a thickness different from that of the actual liquid crystal device so that each layer can be easily seen in the drawing.

In the present embodiment, each of the driving electrode layers 23 on the upper substrate is formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) in a stripe shape in plan view. The required number is formed in accordance with the ten display areas and the number of pixels. In the present embodiment, the color filter layer 20 is provided on the lower surface of the upper substrate 17 (in other words, on the liquid crystal layer 15 side) as shown in FIG. Are formed by forming the respective RGB patterns 27. Further, the overcoat layer 21 is coated as a transparent protective flattening film for protecting the RGB pattern 27.

The black mask 26 has a thickness of 100 to 20 by, for example, a sputtering method or a vacuum evaporation method.
It is formed by patterning a metal thin film of about 0 nm such as chromium. The RGB patterns 27 are a red pattern (R), a green pattern (G), and a blue pattern (B).
Are arranged in a desired pattern shape, for example, formed by various methods such as a pigment dispersion method using a photosensitive resin containing a predetermined coloring material, various printing methods, an electrodeposition method, a transfer method, and a dyeing method. ing.

On the other hand, the lower substrate unit 14 includes a substrate 28 made of a transparent material such as glass or other opaque material, and a surface side of the substrate 28 (the upper surface side in FIG. 2, in other words, the liquid crystal layer 15 side). It comprises a formed reflective layer 31, an overcoat layer 33, and a plurality of stripe-shaped driving electrode layers 35 formed on the surface of the overcoat layer 33 on the liquid crystal layer 15 side. These electrode layers 35
In the same manner as in the electrode layer 23 described above, the required number is formed in accordance with the display area of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the number of pixels.

Next, the reflective layer 31 of the present embodiment is made of a metal material having excellent light reflectivity and conductivity, such as Ag or Al, and is formed on the substrate 28 by vapor deposition or sputtering. is there. However, it is not essential that the reflective layer 31 is made of a conductive material, and a structure in which a drive electrode layer made of a conductive material is provided separately from the reflective layer 31 and the reflective layer 31 and the drive electrode are separately provided may be employed. Absent.

The front light 40 is formed in a plate shape so that a light source 41 such as a cold-cathode tube or a fluorescent tube or a plurality of white LEDs and light from the light source 41 are introduced from an end face 42d and guided to the right side in the drawing. It comprises a light guide plate 42 and a reflection plate 43 arranged so as to surround the light source 41. Examples of the material forming the light guide plate 42 include transparent materials such as transparent acrylic resin, polystyrene, and transparent polycarbonate. On the surface (plate surface) of the light guide plate 42, a convex portion 42g formed by a steep slope portion 42a as an action surface portion, a gentle slope portion 42b as a transmission surface portion adjacent to a protruding end of the steep slope portion 42a, and a convex portion. An unevenness 42i is formed in which a flat portion (transmission surface portion) 42h adjacent to 42g is formed periodically toward the right side in the figure. These steep slopes 4
2a and the gentle slope portion 42b are configured to extend in the length direction of the light guide plate 42 in a stripe shape (from the near side to the far side of the paper surface of FIG. 2). The steep slope portion 42 a as an operation surface portion formed on the light guide plate 42 is provided on the side facing the light source 41 (to face the light source 41). On the other hand, the back surface (one plate surface) 42c of the light guide plate 42 is formed flat.

Here, the light source 41 is not always turned on, but only in a dark state where there is almost no ambient light (external light).
It is turned on by the instruction of the user or the sensor. Therefore, when the light source 41 is on, FIG.
As shown in (b), the incident light L from the front light 40
After the light 3 propagates in the light guide plate 42, the light 3 is emitted into the liquid crystal panel 11 as illumination light L3 and is reflected on the surface of the reflective layer 31 to function as a reflective type and perform reflective display.
On the other hand, when the light source 41 is turned off, as shown in FIG. 2A, the incident light L1 that has entered the liquid crystal panel 11 from the upper surface side of the liquid crystal device 10 (the surface side of the light guide plate 42) is reflected by the reflective layer. By reflecting on the 31 surface, it functions as a reflective type and performs reflective display.

Next, the directional forward scattering film 18 attached to the upper substrate unit 13 will be described in detail below. The directional forward scattering film 18 used in the present embodiment is described in JP-A-2000-035356 and JP-A-2000-06 in terms of the basic structure.
6026, and a forward scattering film having directivity disclosed in JP-A-2000-180607 and the like can be appropriately used. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-035356, a resin sheet, which is a mixture of two or more types of photopolymerizable monomers or oligomers having different refractive indices, is irradiated with ultraviolet rays at an oblique direction to a specific direction. A material having a function of efficiently scattering light only in a wide direction, or an on-line holographic diffusion sheet disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-066606, is irradiated with a laser to a hologram photosensitive material to partially reduce the refractive index. Those manufactured so that different regions have a layer structure can be used as appropriate.

Here, the directional forward scattering film 18 used in the present embodiment is one in which various parameters such as the parallel line transmittance described below have a specific positional relationship suitable for a liquid crystal device. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the directional forward scattering film 18 having a rectangular shape in plan view is set horizontally. Although the horizontal installation state is easy to explain in FIG. 4, the horizontal installation state will be described.
Is not limited to the horizontal direction, but may be any direction. In short, the positional relationship (polar angle θn, azimuth φm described later) among the light source K, the light receiving unit J, and the directional forward scattering film 18 described below is important. The direction of the directional forward scattering film 18 and the front light device 60 can be clearly defined. (Tmax + Tmin) when indicates the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance
Azimuth φm on the incident side of incident light when less than 1/2 of
And the polar angle θn. In the present embodiment, the horizontal direction of the directional forward scattering film 18 will be described as an example in which the direction is easy to understand.

In FIG. 4, the directional forward scattering film 1
It is assumed that incident light L1 from a light source (ambient light) K is incident from the obliquely upper right side of 8 toward the origin O at the center of the directional forward scattering film 18. Then, it is assumed that the light receiving unit J such as an optical sensor receives a transmitted light that passes through the origin O of the directional forward scattering film 18, passes through the directional forward scattering film 18, and travels straight.

Here, in order to specify the direction of the incident light L1 to the directional forward scattering film 18, the direction shown in FIG.
Assuming coordinates that divide the directional forward scattering film 18 into four equal parts in a rectangular shape with the coordinate axes of °, 90 °, 180 °, and 270 ° and pass through the origin O at the center (in other words, the directional forward scattering film 18) 18 is divided into four equal parts so that one end of the coordinate axis passes through the center of each side), and the horizontal rotation angle of the incident light L1 vertically projected on the surface of the directional forward scattering film 18 (from the coordinate axis of 0 °) Is defined as +, and the counterclockwise angle from the 0 ° coordinate axis is defined as −. Next, the normal H of the directional forward scattering film to the direction of the incident light L1 horizontally projected on a vertical plane (the plane indicated by the symbol M1 in FIG. 4) including the coordinate axes of 0 ° and 180 °. The angle formed is defined as the polar angle θn of the incident light L1.
In other words, the polar angle θn indicates the incident angle of the incident light L1 in the vertical plane with respect to the directional forward scattering film 18 installed horizontally, and the azimuth φm corresponds to the rotation angle of the incident light L1 in the horizontal plane.

In this state, for example, when the polar angle of the incident light L1 is 0 ° and the azimuth is 0 °, the incident light L1 is incident on the directional front film 18 at right angles as shown in FIG. (Incident from the normal direction), and the directional forward scattering film 18 is in the state indicated by reference numeral 18 in FIG. 5, and when the polar angle θn is + 60 °, the light source K, the light receiving unit J and the The positional relationship with the film 18 is such that the directional forward scattering film 18 is arranged as shown by reference numeral 18A in FIG. The positional relationship with the film 18 is as shown by reference numeral 18B.
8 means to be placed.

Next, incident light L1 emitted from a light source installed on one surface side (left side in FIG. 6A) of the directional forward scattering film 18 is subjected to directional forward scattering as shown in FIG. 6A. Directional forward scattering film 18 transmitted through film 18
6A, the light scattered on one surface side (left side) of the directional forward scattering film 18 is referred to as backscattered light LR and passes through the directional forward scattering film 18. The light will be referred to as forward scattered light. As for the forward scattered light transmitted through the directional forward scatter film 18, the light of the forward scattered light (parallel ray transmitted light) L5 which travels straight in the same direction with an angle error within ± 2 ° with respect to the traveling direction of the incident light L1. Regarding the intensity, the ratio of the incident light L1 to the light intensity is defined as the parallel line transmittance, and furthermore, forward scattered light (diffuse transmitted light) LT that obliquely diffuses over ± 2 ° to the surrounding side.
Is defined as the diffuse transmittance, and the ratio of the total transmitted light to the incident light is defined as the total light transmittance. From the above definition, a value obtained by subtracting the diffuse transmittance from the total light transmittance can be defined as the parallel line transmittance. FIG. 1 also shows the relationship between the incident light L1, the azimuth angle φ, and the parallel transmitted light L5 in order to make the above description easier to understand.

In the field of optics, Haze
Although the transmittance scale referred to as “Haze” is generally known, haze is a value obtained by dividing the diffuse transmittance by the total light transmittance and expressing it as a percentage. Is a completely different concept definition.

Next, when the maximum transmittance of the parallel line transmittance is described using the polar angle θn and the azimuth angle φm, Tmax (φ
1, θ1) and the minimum transmittance of the parallel line transmittance as Tmin (φ2, θ2). In other words, from the nature of the directional forward scattering film, the condition showing the maximum transmittance is the condition where the scattering is the weakest, and the condition showing the minimum transmittance is the condition where the scattering is the strongest.

For example, if the polar angle θn = 0 ° and the azimuth = 0
In the case where the maximum transmittance is shown at °, it is denoted as Tmax (0,0). (This means that the parallel line transmittance along the normal direction of the directional forward scattering film is the maximum; in other words, the scattering along the normal direction of the directional forward scattering film is the weakest. .) Also, the polar angle θn = 10
°, when the azimuth angle = 45 °, when showing the minimum transmittance, T
min (10, 45), which means that the scattering in this direction is the strongest.

Based on the above definition, each characteristic of the directional forward scattering film 18 which is preferably applied to the liquid crystal device will be described below. As described above, in the directional forward scattering film 18, the angle at which the parallel line transmittance shows the maximum transmittance is the angle at which the scattering is weakest, and the angle at which the parallel transmittance shows the minimum is the angle at which the scattering is strongest.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment performs the reflection display without using the front light 40, the ambient light to the liquid crystal device 10 is used as the incident light L1. Considering that the observer recognizes the light reflected by the reflective layer 31 as the reflected light L2, the liquid crystal panel is turned on from the direction in which the scattering is strong when the light is incident (in other words, the direction in which the parallel line transmittance is low) on the coordinate axis in FIG. When the incident light L1 is input and the observer observes the reflected light L2, when viewing from a direction where scattering is weak (in other words, a direction where the parallel line transmittance is high), it is possible to obtain a state in which display blur (blur) is small. it is conceivable that. This is because although the first scattering at the time of incidence on the directional forward scattering film 18 found by the present inventors does not easily affect the blurring (blur) of the display, the directional forward scattering film 18 is not reflected as reflected light.
This is based on the finding that scattering when passing the second time greatly affects blurring (blur) of the display.

That is, in this embodiment, the front light 40
When the reflective display is performed without using the light, when the incident light L1 passes through the directional forward scattering film 18 for the first time, the one that scatters the light (the one with more diffuse transmitted light) becomes the regular reflection of the reflective layer 31. This is preferable for the purpose of obtaining a bright display with a wide viewing angle by preventing (mirror reflection). Further, the light reflected by the reflective layer 31 inside the liquid crystal device is used for the second time by the directional forward scattering film 18. This is because when passing through, it is considered that it is preferable to reduce scattering in order to reduce blurring (blur) of display. Therefore, in the characteristics of the directional forward scattering film 18, the polar angle and the azimuth indicating the minimum transmittance, in other words, the polar angle and the azimuthal direction of the incident light having the strongest scattering (the polar angle and the azimuth indicating the maximum diffuse transmittance). It is preferable that the angle is directed to the daylighting side of the liquid crystal device 10, in other words, the direction opposite to the observer side. (Polar angle and azimuth angle), in other words, it is necessary to direct the polar angle and azimuth direction of the incident light having the weakest scattering to the viewer E side of the liquid crystal device 10.

FIG. 6B shows a sectional structure of the directional forward scattering film 18 used in the present embodiment.
The polar and azimuthal states described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 6B, the sectional structure model of the directional forward scattering film 18 used in this embodiment has a refractive index of n.
1 and a portion having a refractive index of n2 have a predetermined angle in the cross-sectional structure of the directional forward scattering film 18 and are alternately arranged in layers in an oblique direction. Assuming that the incident light L1 is incident on the directional forward scattering film 18 having this structure at an appropriate polar angle from an oblique direction, the incident light L1 is scattered at the boundary between the layers having different refractive indices and a part of the scattered light. Is reflected by the reflection layer 31 after passing through the liquid crystal layer 15, the reflected light L2 passes through the liquid crystal layer 15 again and passes through the directional forward scattering film 18 at a polar angle different from that of the incident light L1. However, the reflected light L2 can pass through the directional forward scattering film 18 with little scattering.

In order to satisfy such a relationship, the relationship between the azimuth angles φ1 and φ2 is given by φ1 = φ2 ± 1.
Most preferably, it is 80 °. This means that φ2 is the incident angle direction and φ1 is the observation direction, and these angles differ by 180 ° when applied to an actual liquid crystal device. In this case, the light incident on the liquid crystal device is strongly scattered at the time of incidence, and the light reflected on the reflection layer 31 is hardly scattered. Therefore, a sharp display mode without blur (blurring) of the display can be obtained. However, considering that the directional forward scattering film 18 in which layers having different refractive indexes are alternately arranged in layers in a diagonal direction at a predetermined angle as described above is not systematically completely uniform, The relationship between angles φ1 and φ2 is φφ
1 = φ2 ± 180 °, which is ideal, but φ1 = φ2 ±
Based on the relationship of 180 °, (± 10) ° from that angle
In the present invention, even a degree of deviation is included. If the angle deviates by more than (± 10) ゜, it becomes difficult to obtain a sharp display form without blur (blurring) of the display.

Next, the value of (Tmax / Tmin) is set to (Tma
(x / Tmin) ≧ 2 is preferably satisfied. With this relationship, sufficient scattering is obtained at the time of incidence, and a bright and sharp reflective display is obtained. By satisfying this relationship, it is possible to realize a reflective display brighter than in the case where a conventionally known isotropic scattering film is used.

Next, looking at the polar angles θ1 and θ2 individually, in order to obtain a display brighter than the isotropic scattering film,
−40 ° ≦ θ1 <0 ° and 0 ° <θ2 ≦ + 40 °, more preferably −30 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ −10 °, and
It is preferable to set the range of 10 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 30 °.

Next, if the parallel line transmittance in the normal direction (directly in front) of the directional forward scattering film 18 is defined as T (0,0), it is larger than the conventionally known isotropic scattering film. To obtain a bright display, θ1 = −20 °, θ2
= 20 °, T (0,0) is preferably 3% or more and 50% or less, and T (0,0) is 5% or more,
More preferably, it is 0% or less. T (0,0) is 3
If T (0,0) exceeds 40%, the frontal scattering is too weak to be close to mirror reflection.

Next, the azimuth angle φ of the directional forward scattering film
When m is defined as a range of φ1 ± 60 ° (φ2 ± 60 °), the maximum of the parallel line transmittance is always taken at θ1, the minimum value of the parallel line transmittance is taken at θ2, and the maximum value and the minimum value of the parallel line transmittance are taken at θ2. Preferably, the ratio is at least 1.5. With such a feature, not only one direction of φ2 but also light of azimuth up to ± 60 ° can be scattered, so that it is easy to cope with individual environments, A bright reflective display can be realized.

Next, the polar angle θn in the direction orthogonal to the azimuth angle φ1 indicating the maximum transmittance and the azimuth angle φ2 indicating the minimum transmittance.
Is changed from −40 ° to + 40 °, if the parallel line transmittance is equal to or higher than the normal direction transmittance of the directional forward scattering film in this range, the liquid crystal device is observed from the lateral direction. Also, a sharp display without blur (blurring) of the display can be obtained. That is, T (0,0) ≦ T (φ
1 ± 90, θ) and T (0,0) ≦ T (φ
(2 ± 90, θ) is preferably satisfied.

Next, when the polar angle θn is −60 ° ≦ θ ≦ + 60 °
, The parallel line transmittance T (φ, θ) is 2% or more, and preferably 50% or less. That is, 2%
≤ T (φ, θ) ≤ 50%, provided that -60 ° ≤ θ ≤ + 60 °
Is preferably satisfied. By adopting such a relationship, it is possible to obtain a bright and sharp reflective display without blurring (blur) of the display.

Further, in the liquid crystal device 10 of the present embodiment, the directional forward scattering film 18 and the front light 40
This means that the emission direction of the illumination light L3 emitted from the front light 40 toward the liquid crystal panel 11 is such that, in the coordinate axis of FIG. It is provided so as to be within the range of the azimuth φm and the polar angle θn on the incident side of the incident light L1 when the sum (Tmax + Tmin) is equal to or less than １ ／ of the sum when the minimum transmittance Tmax is shown.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment performs a reflection display using the front light 40, the incident light L3 from the front light 40 is
When the light emitted from the light source 41 of the front light 40 is introduced into the inside of the light guide plate 42, it is totally reflected on the inner surface of the light guide plate 42 and propagates to the right side in the figure, but is totally reflected on the steep slope portion (action surface portion) 42a. Then, the light is directed toward the back surface 42c, and is emitted as it is as illumination light (incident light) L3 from the back surface 42c toward the liquid crystal panel 11 below in the figure. Then, the illumination light L3 emitted from the light guide plate 42 is
6, phase difference plate 19, forward scattering film 18, substrate 17,
Color filter 20, overcoat layer 21, electrode layer 2
3. After passing through the liquid crystal layer 15 and the overcoat layer 33, the light is reflected on the surface of the light reflection layer 31 also serving as a drive electrode. Here, when the illumination light L3 emitted from the front light 40 enters the liquid crystal panel 11 through the directional forward scattering film 18, the scattering is relatively large, that is, it is increased in the direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively small. Because it is incident, it is strongly scattered.

Then, the scattered illumination light L3 is reflected by the reflection layer 31.
The light reflected on the surface of the overcoat layer 3
3, liquid crystal layer 15, electrode layer 23, overcoat layer 21,
The light is emitted from the liquid crystal panel 11 through the color filter 20, the glass substrate 17, the forward scattering film 18, the phase difference plate 19, and the polarizing plate 16, and furthermore, the light guide plate 42 has a gentle slope 42b as a transmission surface or a flat surface as a transmission surface. Part 42
h, the light is emitted from the liquid crystal device to the outside, and is visually recognized as reflected light L4 by the observer E. Here, when the reflected light L4 reflected by the reflective layer 31 inside the liquid crystal panel 11 passes through the directional forward scattering film 18, the reflected light L4 is reflected in a direction in which scattering is relatively small, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large. A large amount of light L4 is emitted, which has little effect on display bleeding (blurring), and the illumination light L3 emitted from the front light 40 is efficiently used to improve the luminance. A bright and clear reflective display with less (blur) is obtained, and the display quality can be improved.

Here, light emitted from the liquid crystal device is applied to the liquid crystal layer 15.
That is, the polarization state of the reflected light L4 is controlled by the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 15, and when the polarization state of the reflected light coincides with the polarization axis of the polarization plate 16, And the desired color is displayed. Also, when performing reflective display without using the front light 40, the reflected light L2 emitted from the liquid crystal device is controlled by the state of the liquid crystal layer 15 similarly to the above-described reflected light L3.

The directional forward scattering film 18 and the front light 40 are arranged such that the direction of emission of the illumination light L3 from the front light 40 to the liquid crystal panel 11 is the same as that of the directional forward scattering film 18 in the coordinate axes of FIG. Incident light L1 when the transmitted parallel ray transmitted light shows the minimum transmittance Tmin
It is more preferable to provide the azimuth angle φ2 and the polar angle θ2 on the incident side of. With this configuration, the illumination light L3 emitted from the front light 40 passes through the directional forward scattering film 18 when performing reflection display using the front light 40 as shown in FIG. When the light enters the liquid crystal panel 11 in a direction in which scattering is as large as possible, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is as small as possible, the directional forward scattering film is reflected by the reflection layer 31 inside the liquid crystal panel 11. When passing through the front light 40, the reflected light L4 is emitted as much as possible in the direction in which the scattering is as small as possible, that is, in the direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is as large as possible. The illumination light L4 emitted from the light source is used more efficiently, and the luminance can be further improved. Less bleeding (blurring) is bright and clear reflective display is obtained, can be further improved display quality.

The light source 41 provided in the front light 40 of the present embodiment has a minimum transmittance when the parallel light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film 18 shows the maximum transmittance in the coordinate axis of FIG. Sum (Tmax + Tm)
in) is provided on the incident light side in the case of an azimuth angle φm indicating less than half of (in).

For example, when the light source 41 is a long tube, the side of the light guide plate 42 on the side where the light source 41 is provided receives parallel light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film 18 (T
max + Tmin) is provided on the incident light side when the azimuth angle φm is equal to or less than 1/2 of the azimuth angle, in other words, the light source 41
And the azimuth φm when the parallel transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film 18 shows １ ／ or less of (Tmax + Tmin). With such a configuration, when performing reflection display using the front light 40, the illumination light L3 emitted from the front light 40 emits the directional forward scattering film 18 for the first time.
When the light passes through the liquid crystal panel 11 and enters the liquid crystal panel 11, the light is emitted in a direction in which scattering is relatively large, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively small. When the light exits the liquid crystal device, a large amount of light is emitted in a direction in which scattering is relatively small, that is, a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large. Since the amount of light scattered when going out of the device is reduced, the light from the front light 40 is efficiently used, the brightness can be improved, a bright reflective display can be obtained, and the display quality can be improved. .

The light source 41 provided on the front light 40 is provided on the incident light side in the case of the azimuth angle φ2 when the parallel ray transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film 18 shows the minimum transmittance. That the light emitted from the front light 40 is used more efficiently, the brightness can be further improved, and a bright reflective display can be obtained.
This is preferable in that the display quality can be further improved.

When the reflection display is performed by using the front light 40, the light source 60 of the front light device 60 is used.
a emitted from the liquid crystal device 10
Assuming that the observer recognizes the light transmitted through the reflective layer 31 as reflected light L4, the liquid crystal is viewed from the direction in which the scattering is strong when the light is incident (in other words, the direction in which the parallel line transmittance is low) on the coordinate axis in FIG. When the incident light L3 is applied to the panel and the observer observes the reflected light L4, when viewing from a direction where scattering is weak (in other words, a direction where parallel ray transmittance is high), a state where display blur (blur) is small is obtained. It is thought that it is possible. This is because the first scattering at the time of incidence on the directional forward scattering film 18, which the present inventors have found, does not easily affect the bleeding (blur) of the display. This is based on the finding that scattering at the time of passing the second time greatly affects blurring of display (blur) and reduction in luminance.

That is, in this embodiment, the front light 40
When the reflective display is performed using the light, the incident light (illumination light) L
When 3 passes through the directional forward scattering film 18 for the first time, the one that scatters the light (the one with more diffuse transmitted light) prevents specular reflection (mirror reflection) of the reflective layer 31 and has a wide viewing angle. This is preferable for the purpose of obtaining a bright display. Further, the light reflected by the reflective layer 31 inside the liquid crystal device 10
This is because, when the light passes through the directional forward scattering film 18 for the first time, it is considered that less scattering is preferable in reducing blurring (blur) of the display. Therefore, in the characteristics of the directional forward scattering film 18, the minimum transmittance Tmin
In other words, the polar angle and the azimuthal direction of the incident light L1 which has the strongest scattering (the polar angle and the azimuthal angle at which the diffuse transmittance is maximum) are directed to the light source 61 side of the front light 60. In other words, it is preferable that the light is directed to the side opposite to the observer E side. The polar angle and the azimuth at which the parallel line transmittance shows the maximum transmittance Tmax (the polar angle and the azimuth at which the diffuse transmittance shows the minimum), in other words, the most scattering. It is preferable that the polar angle and the azimuthal direction of the weak incident light L1 be directed to the viewer E side of the liquid crystal device 10.

(Liquid Crystal Device of Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a liquid crystal device 50 of a second embodiment of the liquid crystal device according to the present invention. Liquid crystal device 50 of this embodiment
Is a reflection type simple type in which a front light 90 as shown in FIG. 7 is provided instead of the front light 40 provided in the liquid crystal device 10 of the first embodiment described based on FIGS. In the matrix structure, the same components as those in the first embodiment in the other basic structures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of those components will be omitted. The following mainly describes different components. .

In the liquid crystal panel 50 of the present embodiment, the first
The difference from the structure of the embodiment is that the unevenness provided on the surface (plate surface) of the front light is different. The front light 90 used in the present embodiment includes a light source 91.
And a light guide plate 92 formed in a plate shape so as to introduce light from the light source 91 from the end face 92 d and guide the light to the right side in the figure, and a reflection plate 93 arranged so as to surround the light source 91. . On the surface (plate surface) of the light guide plate 92, a concave portion 92g formed by a steep slope portion 92a as an operating surface portion, a gentle slope portion 92b as a transmission surface portion adjacent to the steep slope portion 92a, and a flat portion adjacent to the recess portion 92g. Part (transmission surface part) 9
2h are irregularities 92 periodically formed toward the right side in the figure.
i is provided. The steep slope portion 92a and the gentle slope portion 92b are configured to extend in a stripe shape in the length direction of the light guide plate 92 (from the near side to the far side of the paper surface of FIG. 7). A steep slope portion 92a as an operating surface portion formed on the light guide plate 92 is on the side facing the light source 91 (the light source 91).
On the side facing the surface). On the other hand, the back surface (one plate surface) 92c of the light guide plate 92 is formed flat.

Here, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the front light 90 used in this embodiment has a specific positional relationship with the directional forward scattering film 18 suitable for a reflective liquid crystal device. . The directional forward scattering film 18 and the front light 90 of the present embodiment are such that the direction of emission of the illumination light L3 emitted from the front light 40 toward the liquid crystal panel 11 is parallel light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film 18. Is the sum (Tmax + Tmin) of 1 when the maximum transmittance Tmax and the minimum transmittance Tmax are shown.
Azimuth φm on the incident side of the incident light L1 when the angle is equal to or less than / 2
And the polar angle θn. Also,
The direction of the directional forward scattering film 18 and the front light 90 is such that the emission direction of the illumination light L3 from the front light 90 to the liquid crystal panel 11 is the same as that of the directional forward scattering film 1.
More preferably, it is provided so as to match the azimuth φ2 and the polar angle θ2 on the incident side of the incident light when the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through 8 shows the minimum transmittance Tmin.

Also in this embodiment, the front light 90
The light source 91 provided in the first embodiment is the sum of the case where the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film 18 shows the maximum transmittance and the case where it shows the minimum transmittance for the same reason as described in the first embodiment. (Tmax + Tmin) is provided on the incident light side when the azimuth angle φm is equal to or less than 1/2 of (Tmax + Tmin). Is provided on the incident light side in the case of the azimuth φ2.

In the liquid crystal device 50 of the present embodiment, when performing reflection display using the front light 90, the incident light L3 from the front light 90 is emitted from the light source 91 of the front light 90 as shown in FIG. Light is light guide plate 9
2, the light is totally reflected on the inner surface of the light guide plate 92 and propagates to the right side in the figure.
The illumination light (incident light) L3 is emitted as it is from the back surface 92c to the liquid crystal panel 11 below in the figure. The illumination light L3 emitted from the light guide plate 92 is supplied to the polarizing plate 16, the phase difference plate 19, and the forward scattering film 1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
8, substrate 17, color filter 20, overcoat layer 21, electrode layer 23, liquid crystal layer 15, overcoat layer 33
Is reflected by the surface of the reflection layer 31. Then, the light reflected on the surface of the reflection layer 31 is applied to the overcoat layer 33, the liquid crystal layer 15, the electrode layer 23, the overcoat layer 21, the color filter 20, the glass substrate 1 as in the first embodiment.
7, forward scattering film 18, retardation plate 19, polarizing plate 16
Are emitted from the liquid crystal panel 11 through the
The light exits from the liquid crystal device through the gentle slope portion 42b as the transmission surface portion 2 or the flat portion 92h as the transmission surface portion, and is visually recognized by the observer E as reflected light L4.

In the liquid crystal device 50 of the present embodiment, with the above configuration, when performing reflection display using the front light 90, the illuminating light L3 emitted from the front light 90 is directional forward scattering. When the light enters the liquid crystal panel 11 through the film 18, the light is largely incident in the direction where scattering is relatively large, that is, in the direction where the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively small, but is reflected by the reflection layer 31 inside the liquid crystal panel 11. Later, when the light passes through the directional forward scattering film 18, a large amount of light is emitted as reflected light L4 in a direction in which scattering is relatively small, that is, in a direction in which the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large. The influence is small, and the light from the front light 18 is efficiently used, the luminance can be improved, and the blur of display is small. Ku, bright and clear reflective display is obtained, the display quality can be improved. In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, when performing the reflection display without using the front light, the reflection display can be performed in the same manner as the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment described above. )
The same effect as that of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the liquid crystal devices of the first and second embodiments, the directional forward scattering film 18 is such that the incident light L1 incident from the normal H direction is
8 is represented by T (0, 0).
0), it may satisfy the relationship of 10% ≦ T (0,0).

In the liquid crystal device in which the directional forward scattering film 18 satisfies the relationship of 10% ≦ T (0,0), the above-described directional forward scattering film 1
8, the scattering in the direction of the normal H is relatively small, that is, the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large. There is an advantage that display blurring (blur) is small, bright and clear reflective display is obtained, and display quality can be further improved.

In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a simple matrix type reflection type liquid crystal display device has been described.
Of course, the present invention may be applied to an active matrix type reflection type liquid crystal display device having a terminal type switching element or a three terminal type switching element. When applied to those active matrix type liquid crystal display devices, a common electrode is provided on one substrate side instead of the striped electrodes shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, and a large number of pixel electrodes are formed on the other substrate side. A TF provided for each pixel electrode and each pixel electrode is individually driven by a thin film transistor which is a three-terminal switching element.
T (thin film transistor) driven type structure, a stripe-shaped electrode is provided on one substrate side, and a pixel electrode is provided for each pixel on the other substrate side, and these pixel electrodes are individually thin films that are two-terminal linear elements. Of course, the present invention can be applied to a two-terminal type linear element driving type liquid crystal display device driven by a diode, and the present invention is applicable to any of these types of liquid crystal display devices. And the directional forward scattering film and the front light (plane light emitter) are arranged such that the direction in which illumination light is emitted from the front light to the liquid crystal panel is the directional forward scattering film. Is transmitted through the parallel line (Tmax +
Tmin), the emission direction of the illumination light from the planar light-emitting body is more preferably adjusted to be in the range of the azimuth φm on the incident side of the incident light and the polar angle θn when satisfying the condition of 以下 or less of Tmin). Since the parallel line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film has the minimum transmittance Tmin and is applied only to match the azimuthal angle φ2 and the polar angle θ2 on the incident side of the incident light, it is extremely applicable. It has features that can be easily applied to various types of liquid crystal display devices.

The present invention is also applicable to any of the above-mentioned types of liquid crystal display devices, in which the directional forward scattering film is disposed in the above-described specific direction, and the directional forward scattering film and the front light are further disposed. Is the incident side of the incident light when the emission direction of the illumination light from the front light satisfies the condition that the transmittance of the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film is １ ／ or less of (Tmax + Tmin). More preferably, the emission direction of the illumination light from the front light is in the range of the azimuth angle φm and the polar angle θn, and the parallel ray transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the minimum transmittance Tmin. Azimuth angle φ2 on the incident side of incident light
Since it is applicable only by being provided so as to match the polar angle θ2, it has a feature that it can be very easily applied to various types of liquid crystal display devices.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the reflection type liquid crystal display device in which one retardation plate is provided between the upper substrate 17 and the directional forward scattering film 18 is used. Although an example in which the present invention is applied has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention may be applied to a reflective liquid crystal display device provided with a plurality of retardation plates.

(Embodiment of Electronic Apparatus) Next, the first
A specific example of an electronic apparatus including any one of the liquid crystal panels 10 and 50 of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 (a)
1 is a perspective view showing an example of a mobile phone. FIG. 8 (a)
, Reference numeral 200 denotes a mobile phone main body, and reference numeral 20 denotes
Reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid crystal display using one of the liquid crystal panels 10 and 50. FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a portable information processing device such as a word processor or a personal computer. 8B, reference numeral 300 denotes an information processing apparatus, reference numeral 301 denotes an input unit such as a keyboard, and reference numeral 303.
Denotes an information processing apparatus main body, and reference numeral 302 denotes the liquid crystal panel 1 described above.
A liquid crystal display unit using any one of 0, 40, and 50 is shown.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing an example of a wristwatch-type electronic device. In FIG. 8C, reference numeral 400
Denotes a watch body, and reference numeral 401 denotes the liquid crystal panel 1 described above.
A liquid crystal display using either 0 or 50 is shown.
Each of the electronic devices shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C includes a liquid crystal display unit using any one of the above liquid crystal panels 10 and 50. When performing, there is no display blur (blur), a bright and clear display is obtained, and the display quality is excellent. Each of the electronic devices shown in FIGS.
Not only when the front light is used, but also when the reflective display is performed without using the front light, it is possible to obtain a display having a display mode with a bright and clear display with little blurring (blur) of the display.

[0076]

EXAMPLES Test Example 1 A transmittance measurement test was performed using a directional forward scattering film produced by a transmission hologram technique. The light source of the (halogen) lamp (3 from the directional forward scattering film) was placed in the center of the surface of the directional forward scattering film having a rectangular shape (50 × 40) mm in a plan view and placed horizontally.
From the light source (located at a position 300 mm away from the directional forward scattering film) and having a light receiving element composed of a CCD on the back side of the directional forward scattering film. The polarizer and the azimuth of the light source were set as shown in FIG. 4, respectively, and the parallel line transmittance was measured in the light receiving section in a 2-degree field of view.

The polar angle θn of the light source (the incident angle of the incident light with respect to the normal to the directional forward scattering film) was adjusted within a range of ± 60 °, and the parallel line transmittance (%) was measured at each polar angle. FIG. 9 shows the results. The azimuth φm is 0
゜, + 30 °, + 60 °, + 90 °, + 180 ° (all clockwise directions shown in FIG. 4), -30 °, -60 °,
All data at −90 ° (all in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 4) were measured and collectively shown in FIG.

From the results shown in FIG. 9, the measurement results at 0 ° and 180 ° are exactly the same curve, and the relationship between the maximum transmittance Tmax and the minimum transmittance Tmin of the parallel line transmitted light is (Tmax
/Tmin)≒50:6≒8.33, indicating a value exceeding 2 desired in the present invention. Next, FIG. 10 shows the result of a similar transmittance measurement test performed using another directional forward scattering film in which the scattering intensity was increased in all directions. Looking at the characteristics shown in FIG. 10, the relationship between the maximum transmittance Tmax and the minimum transmittance Tmin of the parallel line transmitted light is (Tmax / Tmin) ≒ 12:
3 ≒ 4, indicating a value exceeding 2 desired in the present invention.

In each of the directional forward scattering films shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the azimuth φm is ± 60.
In the range of °, it was found that the values of the local maximum and the local minimum exist at almost the same angle. For example, from the results shown in FIG. 9, the local maximum value is obtained when the polar angle θn is − (30) °, the local minimum value is obtained when the polar angle θn is + (23) °, and the local maximum value is obtained from the result shown in FIG. When the angle θn is − (20) °, the minimum value is when the polar angle θn is + (18) °.

Next, in the directional forward scattering film of the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the azimuth φm is ± 90 °,
In any of the examples, it was also found that the transmittance was the lowest when the polar angle θn was 0, in other words, the scattering at the time of incidence was strong (a large amount of diffuse transmitted light). It is also clear that in the directional forward scattering films of the examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the transmittance under all conditions is in the range of 2 to 50%.

FIG. 11 shows the polar angle and transmittance of a sample of a reflection type liquid crystal device constructed using a conventional isotropic forward scattering film (trade name: IDS-16K, manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.). It shows the result of measuring the relationship for each azimuth angle. In the test, the same liquid crystal device as in the first test example was used, and the results were measured by changing the directional forward scattering film (anisotropic forward film) to the isotropic scattering film used this time.

From the results shown in FIG. 11, the transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light shows almost no change at any azimuth angle, almost overlaps one curve, and the polar angle is maximized when the polar angle is 0 °. It is clear that even if is changed to the + region or the-region, only about a few% changes. From this result, it is clear that the effect of the present invention cannot be obtained even when reflective display is performed using an isotropic forward scattering film in a reflective liquid crystal device.

Test Example 2 Next, a directional forward scattering film in which the polar angle θ1 and the polar angle θ2 in the previous test were variously changed, and a reflection type color liquid crystal display device using a front light (the above-mentioned). Using a directional forward scattering film used for the measurement shown in FIG. 9 and a reflection type color liquid crystal display device using a front light as shown in FIG. 2), the luminance when performing reflection display without using a front light was measured. The comparison was made in an office under fluorescent lighting. As for the luminance, a conventional isotropic forward scattering film, a reflective color liquid crystal display device using a front light (the isotropic scattering film used in the measurement shown in FIG. Reflective color liquid crystal display device using a front light), which can be recognized as brighter than the conventional reflective color liquid crystal display device compared to the reflective display when the front light is not used. The results are shown in Table 1 below, where x is dark.

[Table 1] θ1 (°) -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 θ2 (°) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Evaluation result × × × × × △ △ △ × θ1 (°) -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 θ2 (°) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Evaluation result × × × × △ 〇 〇 〇 × θ1 (° ) -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 θ2 (°) 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Evaluation result × × × × △ 〇 〇 〇 × θ1 (°) -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 θ2 (°) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 Evaluation result × × × × △ 〇 〇 〇 × θ1 (°) -80 -70 -60 -50- 40 -30 -20 -10 0 θ2 (°) 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 20 20 Evaluation result × × × × × △ △ △ ×

As is clear from the measurement results shown in Table 1,
The polar angle θ1 when the parallel line transmitted light is maximum (when the diffuse transmitted light is minimum) is in the range of −40 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 0 °,
In the range of 0 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 40 °, the same level of brightness as the conventional product can be secured, and in the range of −30 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ −10 °,
It can be seen that a reflection type liquid crystal display device that can provide a reflection display with superior brightness than the conventional product can be provided in the range of 0 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 30 °.

Test Example 3 A directional forward scattering film was prepared by changing the parallel line transmittance T (0,0) in the normal direction of the directional forward scattering film to various values. The brightness of the reflective display when the front light of the liquid crystal display device with the front light provided with the above was not used was compared in the office under the fluorescent lamp lighting. The compared conventional product is the same as that used in the previous test example. The following Table 2 shows that those which could be recognized brighter than the conventional reflective color liquid crystal display device with a front light using an isotropic forward scattering film were rated as 〇, equivalents as の も の, and dark as ×.

[Table 2] T (0,0) 3% 5% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Evaluation result △ 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇 △ × As is clear from the results shown in Table 2, 3% ≦ T (0,
0) ≦ 50%, more preferably 5% ≦ T (0,0) ≦ 4
It is apparent that when the range is 0%, it is possible to provide a reflection type color liquid crystal display device which has a brighter reflection display when the front light is not used than in the conventional case, in an actual use environment. Next, from the results shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the azimuth φm of the directional forward scattering film was set to
When the angle is defined in the range of 0 °, it always shows the maximum of the parallel line transmittance (in other words, the minimum of the diffuse transmittance) at θ1;
It is also clear that at θ2, the parallel line transmittance shows a minimum (in other words, a maximum of the diffuse transmittance).

Test Example 4 Next, a number of directional forward scattering films produced by a transmission type hologram technology were prepared.
When the value of (Tmax / Tmin) is adjusted to various values, the brightness of the reflection display when the front light of the reflection type color display device with the front light is not used is changed by using the conventional isotropic scattering film of the prior art. The results of comparison with the reflection type liquid crystal display device with a front light used are shown in Table 3 below.
In the case where the recognition was more than twice as bright as that of the conventional reflection type liquid crystal display device, the evaluation was ◎;

“Table 3” Tmax / Tmin 10.0 5.0 3.0 2.0 1.8 1.5 1.0 Evaluation Results ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ 〇 〇 △ △ It is apparent that the image was recognized particularly bright when the ratio between the minimum value and the maximum value of the parallel line transmittance was 2 or more.

Test Example 5 In the directional forward scattering film, the parallel light transmittance was set to the minimum value (in other words, the diffuse transmittance was the maximum value) or the parallel light transmittance was the maximum value (in other words, the diffuse transmittance was the minimum value). The azimuth when taking is φ2 or φ1
Then, the polar angle θ in the range of φ2 ± 60 ° and φ1 ± 60 °
The ratio between the maximum value and the minimum value of the transmitted light characteristic measured by changing n was measured. By changing this ratio, the brightness of the reflection display when the front light of the reflection type color liquid crystal display device with the front light (the front light shown in FIG. 2) is not used was compared in the office under the fluorescent lamp lighting. The compared conventional product is the same as that used in the previous test example. With a front light using a conventional isotropic forward scattering film (front light shown in FIG. 2), those that could be perceived as brighter than the reflective color liquid crystal display device were marked with Δ, those equivalent were marked with Δ, and those with dark were marked X. The results are shown in Table 4 below.

[Table 4] Maximum value / minimum value 5.0 3.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 1.0 Evaluation result 〇 〇 〇 〇 △ △ From the results shown in Table 4, maximum value / minimum value It is clear that the value of is preferably 1.5 or more. That is, the azimuth φm of the directional forward scattering film is set to φ1 ± 60 ° and θ2 ± 60.
When the angle is defined in the range of °, it is clear that the ratio between the minimum value and the maximum value of the parallel line transmittance is 1.5 or more.

"Test Example 6" In the directional forward scattering film, when the polar angle θn is set to −60 ° ≦ θ ≦ + 60 °,
By changing the maximum value and the minimum value of the parallel line transmittance T, the brightness of the reflection display when the front light of the reflection type color liquid crystal display device with the front light (the front light shown in FIG. 2) is not used is changed to the fluorescent lamp. The comparison was made in the office under lighting. The compared conventional product is the same as that used in the previous test example. The ones that could be perceived as brighter than the conventional reflective color liquid crystal display device with a front light using an isotropic forward scattering film were rated as 〇, the equivalents as △, and the dark as ×.
The results are shown in Table 5 below.

[Table 5] Maximum transmittance Tmax 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Evaluation result ×× △ △ △ × Maximum transmittance Tmax 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% Evaluation result × 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇 Maximum transmittance Tmax 60% 50% 40% 30% 20 % 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% Evaluation result △ 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇 Maximum transmittance Tmax 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 10% 10 % 10% 10% 10% 10% Evaluation result △ 〇 〇 〇 〇 △ Maximum transmittance Tmax 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% Evaluation Result × 〇 〇 △ △ × Maximum transmittance Tmax 0% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% Evaluation result × △ △ × × × Maximum transmittance Tmax 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Minimum transmittance Tmin 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% Evaluation result × × × × × ×

From the results shown in Table 5, the maximum value / minimum value ≧ 2
It is understood that a transmittance of 2% or more and 50% or less is required.

Test Example 7 A directional forward scattering film used for the measurement shown in FIG. 9 and a reflection type color liquid crystal display device using a front light as shown in FIG. 2 were used. When the emission direction of the illumination light emitted to the panel is (i) the azimuth angle (the angle in the in-plane direction of the directional forward scattering film (azimuth angle φm)) is φ = 0 degrees, the polar angle direction (the direction of the directional forward film The brightness of the reflective display when using the front light when the angle with respect to the normal (the direction of the polar angle θn) was changed in the range of β = −40 ° to + 20 ° was compared in a dark room. An isotropic forward scattering film (directional forward scattering film used for the measurement shown in FIG. 11) and a reflective color liquid crystal display device using a front light as shown in FIG. Compare Those recognized brighter than conventional reflection type color liquid crystal display device 〇, equivalent to △,
The results are shown in Table 6 below, with the dark ones as x. Since the maximum transmittance Tmax of the directional forward scattering film used in the measurement shown in FIG. 9 in the parallel-line transmitted light characteristic is 50% and the minimum transmittance Tmin is 5%, (Tmax + Tmin) / 2 =
27.5%. The brightness of the conventional reflective color liquid crystal display device was 10 cd / m ² .

“Table 6” (i) Azimuth = 0 β (degrees) -40 -30 -20 -100 +10 +20 Parallel line transmittance (%) 50 48 45 39 28 155 Luminance (cd / m ² ) 3.2 3.5 3.8 6.5 9.9 12.5 16.5 Evaluation result × × × × △ 〇 〇

From the results shown in Table 6 above, the emission direction of the illumination light emitted from the front light to the liquid crystal panel was defined as azimuth =
At 0 °, β (polar angle) = − 40 ° to 0 °, the parallel line transmittance is (Tmax + Tmin) / 2.
= 27.5%, indicating that the brightness when using the front light can be recognized as being lower than that of the conventional reflective color liquid crystal display device. On the other hand, the emission direction of the illumination light emitted from the front light to the liquid crystal panel is azimuth = 0 degree,
In the case of β (polar angle) = 10 degrees to 20 degrees, the parallel line transmittance is (Tmax + Tmin) / 2 = 27.
It is smaller than 5%, and it can be seen that the brightness when the front light is used can be recognized brighter than the conventional reflective color liquid crystal display device. In addition, since the luminance when β = + 10 to +20 degrees is bright and the luminance when β = 0 degrees is almost the same as that of the conventional product, the display when viewed from the front (normal direction) and its vicinity. It turns out that is bright. From the above, the emission direction of the illumination light from the front light to the liquid crystal panel is determined by the sum (Tmax + Tmin) when the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance. The reflection type color liquid crystal display with a front light using an isotropic forward scattering film by adjusting the angle to the range of the azimuth and the polar angle on the incident side of the incident light when the angle is less than 1/2. It can be seen that a brighter reflective display can be realized when using a front light than the device.

[0098]

As described above, in the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the directional forward scattering film and the planar illuminant are arranged such that the direction of emission of illumination light from the planar illuminant is When the parallel light transmitted through the scattering film becomes weaker or the diffuse transmitted light becomes stronger, it is provided so as to match the direction of the incident side of the incident light. When the illumination light emitted from the planar light emitter is strongly scattered when entering the liquid crystal panel through the directional forward scattering film, the directional forward scattering film is reflected by the reflection layer inside the liquid crystal panel. Since the amount of light scattered when passing through can be reduced,
There is little effect on display blur (blur), and the light from the planar illuminant is used efficiently, and the brightness can be improved. There is little display blur (blur) and a bright and clear reflective display is obtained. Display quality can be improved.

In the liquid crystal device of the present invention, particularly, in the case of using a directional forward scattering film satisfying the relationship of 10% ≦ T (0,0), the normal line of the directional forward scattering film is used. Direction scattering is relatively low, ie
Since the amount of transmitted parallel rays is relatively large, when viewing the display from the front of the liquid crystal panel (direction along the normal of the liquid crystal panel), there is little blurring (blur) in the display and a bright and clear reflective display is obtained. Display quality can be further improved. Also,
In the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the parallel light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film is such that the incident light side in the case of the polar angle and the azimuth indicating the minimum transmittance is the daylighting side of the liquid crystal panel. In the case where the directional forward scattering film is disposed on the liquid crystal panel such that the incident light side in the case of the polar angle and the azimuthal angle indicating the maximum transmittance is on the viewing direction side of the liquid crystal panel, The light incident on the directional forward-scattering film is strongly scattered at the time of incidence when performing reflective display not only when using but also when not using it, but the directivity is reflected after being reflected by the reflective layer inside the liquid crystal panel. Since the amount of light scattered when passing through the forward scattering film is reduced, the influence on display blur (blurring) is small, and a clear reflective display with less display blur (blurring) is obtained.

Further, in the case of an electronic apparatus having the liquid crystal device having the above-described various structures, a bright and clear display without blur (blurring) of the display can be obtained when the reflective display is performed using the planar light emitting element. Thus, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of displaying sharp and high-quality images. In addition, not only when the planar light-emitting body is used but also when the reflective display is performed without using the planar light-emitting body, a bright and clear display is obtained without blurring (blur) of the display, and a sharp high-quality image display is performed. It is also possible to provide an electronic device capable of performing such operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a liquid crystal panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic partial cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 1, taken along line AA. FIG. It is a figure showing the case where reflective display is performed using a light.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a color filter portion of the liquid crystal panel shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship among a directional forward scattering film, a light source, a light receiving unit, a polar angle, an azimuth angle, and a parallel line transmitted light.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship among a directional forward scattering film, a light source, and a light receiving unit.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between incident light and parallel-line transmitted light and diffusely transmitted light, and the relationship between backscattered light and forward scattered light with respect to a directional forward scattering film, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a transparent forward scattering film and a relationship between incident light and reflected light.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B show an application example of the electronic apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a portable telephone, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing an example of a portable information processing apparatus. FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing an example of a wristwatch-type electronic device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a result of measuring a first example of the relationship between the polar angle and the transmittance measured in the example for each azimuth angle.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of measuring the second example of the relationship between the polar angle and the transmittance measured in the example for each azimuth angle, and showing that the ratio between the minimum value and the maximum value of the parallel line transmittance is 4; It is a figure showing the measurement result in the case.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a result of measuring a relationship between a polar angle and a transmittance measured for each azimuth angle in a comparative example.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of a conventional forward scattering plate type reflective color liquid crystal display device. FIG. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a case where reflection display is performed using a front light.

[Explanation of symbols]

 θn: Polar angle φm: Azimuth angle β: Azimuth angle K: Light source J: Light receiving unit LR: Backscattered light LT: Diffuse transmitted light L1: Incident light L3: Illumination light (incident light) L2, L4: Reflected light L5: Parallel Linear transmitted light Tmax (φ1, θ1): Maximum transmittance Tmin (φ2, θ2): Minimum transmittance 10, 50: Liquid crystal device 11: Liquid crystal panel 17, 28: Substrate 18: Directional forward scattering film 20: Color filter layer 23, 35 ... electrode layer 31 ... reflective layer 40, 90 ... front light (plane light emitter) 41, 91 ... light source 42, 92 ... light guide 42a, 92a ... steep slope (working face) 42b, 92b ... gentle slope (Transmissive surface portion) 42d, 92d: End surface 42h, 92h: Flat portion (Transmissive surface portion) 42i, 92i: Irregularity 42g: Convex portion 92g: Concave portion 200: Cellular phone body 300: Portable information processing device 400: Wristwatch type Child equipment

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09F 9/30 G09F 9/30 349D F-term (Reference) 2H091 FA02Y FA08Y FA14Z FA23X FA41X FA43X FA45X GA01 LA16 5C094 AA02 AA10 BA03 BA43 CA19 CA24 DA13 DA14 DA15 EA04 EA06 EA07 EB02 ED01 ED03 ED13 5G435 AA00 AA03 BB12 BB16 DD11 DD13 EE22 EE33 FF03 FF06 GG12 GG24

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between these substrates, a reflective layer provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the one substrate, and a reflective layer provided on the other substrate opposite to the liquid crystal layer side. A liquid crystal panel having a provided directional forward scattering film,
The liquid crystal panel further includes a planar light-emitting body that is provided on a side of the liquid crystal panel opposite to the other substrate side and emits illumination light on the liquid crystal panel side. The luminous body, the light from the light source disposed on one side of the directional forward scattering film, the light is incident on the light receiving unit disposed on the other side of the directional forward scattering film, the directional forward scattering film When observing the parallel line transmitted light excluding the diffuse transmitted light among the total transmitted light transmitted through, the emission direction of the illumination light from the planar illuminant is changed to the parallel line transmitted through the directional forward scattering film. A liquid crystal device, which is provided so as to match a direction on an incident side of incident light when light becomes weak or diffuse transmitted light becomes strong. 2. A pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between these substrates, a reflective layer provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the one substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided on the other substrate side opposite to the liquid crystal layer side. A liquid crystal panel having a provided directional forward scattering film,
The liquid crystal panel includes a planar light-emitting body provided on a side of the liquid crystal panel opposite to the other substrate side of the directional forward scattering film, and having a light source that emits illumination light on the liquid crystal panel side. Light is incident from a light source disposed on one side of the directional forward scattering film, and at a light receiving unit disposed on the other side of the directional forward scattering film, of the total transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film, diffuse transmitted light When observing the parallel-line transmitted light except for, the incident angle of the incident light with respect to the normal of the directional forward scattering film is defined as a polar angle θn, and the incident light angle in the in-plane direction of the directional forward scattering film is defined as The azimuth angle φm is defined, the maximum transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light is defined as Tmax (φ1, θ1), and the minimum transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light is Tmin (φ2, θ2).
When defined as, the directional forward scattering film and the planar light-emitting body, the emission direction of the illumination light from the planar light-emitting body, the parallel line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film is the maximum transmission That the azimuth angle φm on the incident side of the incident light and the polar angle θn when the sum is equal to or less than の of the sum (Tmax + Tmin) when the transmittance is shown and the minimum transmittance is shown. Characteristic liquid crystal device. 3. The directional forward scattering film and the planar illuminant, wherein the emission direction of illumination light from the planar illuminant is
The azimuth angle φ2 and the polar angle θ2 on the incident side of the incident light when the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the minimum transmittance are provided. 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1. 4. The planar illuminator includes a light source and a light guide formed so as to introduce light emitted from the light source from an end face and to gradually emit the light from one plate surface along the light guide direction. And a plurality of functions for forming illumination light emitted from the one plate surface while changing the direction of light emitted from the light source inside the light guide plate on the plate surface of the light guide plate. Surface part, mainly comprising a plurality of transmission surface parts arranged so as to be able to see through the light guide plate while confining the light emitted by the light source in the light guide plate, and the light source, The incident light side when the azimuth angle φm is equal to or less than 和 of the sum (Tmax + Tmin) of when the parallel-line transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film exhibits the maximum transmittance and the minimum transmittance. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The liquid crystal device according to any one of Itaru claims 1 to 3. 5. A light source provided in the planar light-emitting body is provided on an incident light side in the case of an azimuth angle φ2 when parallel ray transmitted light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film shows a minimum transmittance. The liquid crystal device according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The planar light-emitting body is formed with a convex portion or a concave portion having at least a steeply sloping working surface portion and a gentlely sloping transmission surface portion in a predetermined direction on a plate surface of the light guide plate, The liquid crystal device according to claim 4, wherein a steeply sloping working surface portion in the convex portion or the concave portion is provided to face the light source. 7. The directional forward scattering film is defined as T (0,0) where the parallel light transmittance of parallel light transmitted through the directional forward scattering film when incident light is incident from the normal direction. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a relationship of 10% ≦ T (0,0) is satisfied. 8. A directional forward scattering film which receives light from a light source disposed on one surface side of the directional forward scattering film and receives light on a light receiving unit disposed on the other surface side of the directional forward scattering film. Of the total transmitted light transmitted through
When observing the parallel-line transmitted light excluding the diffuse transmitted light, the incident angle of the incident light with respect to the normal of the directional forward scattering film is defined as a polar angle θn, and the incident angle in the in-plane direction of the directional forward scattering film is defined. The light angle is defined as the azimuth angle φm, the maximum transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light is defined as Tmax (φ1, θ1), and the minimum transmittance of the parallel line transmitted light is defined as Tmin (φ2, θ2).
When defined, the incident light side in the case of the polar angle and the azimuth indicating the maximum transmittance so that the incident light side in the case of the polar angle and the azimuth indicating the minimum transmittance is the daylighting side of the liquid crystal panel. 8. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the directional forward scattering film is arranged on the liquid crystal panel so as to be on a viewing direction side of the liquid crystal panel. 9. 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a liquid crystal driving electrode is provided on the liquid crystal layer of the one substrate and the liquid crystal layer of the other substrate. The liquid crystal device according to the above. 10. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a color filter is provided on one of the pair of substrates on the side of the liquid crystal layer. 11. An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to claim 1 as display means.