JP2003162914A - Planar light emitting body and liquid crystal display device - Google Patents
Planar light emitting body and liquid crystal display deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JP2003162914A JP2003162914A JP2001363361A JP2001363361A JP2003162914A JP 2003162914 A JP2003162914 A JP 2003162914A JP 2001363361 A JP2001363361 A JP 2001363361A JP 2001363361 A JP2001363361 A JP 2001363361A JP 2003162914 A JP2003162914 A JP 2003162914A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- light
- light guide
- convex
- columnar
- shape
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Landscapes
- Led Device Packages (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
- Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は面発光体および液晶
表示装置に係り、特に、液晶表示装置の照明に用いると
き優れた画像輝度と視認性が得られる面発光体、および
この面発光体を用いた液晶表示装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a surface light emitter and a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a surface light emitter which can obtain excellent image brightness and visibility when used for illumination of a liquid crystal display device, and the surface light emitter. The liquid crystal display device used.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】携帯電話機や携帯用表示端末機などに多
く用いられる反射型液晶表示装置は、一般に表示画面の
照明を外光に依存しているので、外光が不足する環境下
では表示画像の視認性が極端に低下するという問題があ
った。この問題を解決するために、反射型の液晶表示ユ
ニットの表示面上にフロントライトと呼ばれる面発光体
を装備して補助光源として用いる液晶表示装置が提案さ
れている。この面発光体を備えた液晶表示装置は、昼間
の屋外や明るい室内など外光が十分に得られる環境では
外光により表示画面を照明し、暗い環境下では前記面発
光体を発光させて表示画面全体を照明している。2. Description of the Related Art Reflective liquid crystal display devices, which are often used in mobile phones, portable display terminals, etc., generally rely on external light for illumination of the display screen. However, there was a problem that the visibility of was extremely reduced. In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed a liquid crystal display device in which a surface light emitter called a front light is mounted on the display surface of a reflective liquid crystal display unit and used as an auxiliary light source. A liquid crystal display device equipped with this surface light emitter illuminates the display screen with outside light in an environment where sufficient external light is obtained such as outdoors in the daytime or in a bright room, and displays the surface light emitter in a dark environment to emit light. Illuminates the entire screen.
【０００３】従来から用いられている前記液晶表示装置
の一例を図１５および図１６（ａ）（ｂ）に示す。図１
５は前記液晶表示装置の斜視図であり、図１６（ａ）は
前記液晶表示装置の一部を表示面側から見た平面図、図
１６（ｂ）はその線Ｘ−Ｘで切った断面図である。この
液晶表示装置１００は、面発光体１０１と液晶表示ユニ
ット５０とからなっている。面発光体１０１は概略、光
源１０と柱状導光部１２０と板状導光部３０とからなっ
ている。光源１０は冷陰極管またはＬＥＤなどの発光素
子からなり、柱状導光部１２０および板状導光部３０は
透明なアクリル樹脂などを射出成形して形成されてい
る。液晶表示ユニット５０は板面の垂線方向に透光性の
液晶表示板５１と反射層５２とからなっている。An example of the liquid crystal display device which has been conventionally used is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16A and 16B. Figure 1
5 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal display device, FIG. 16 (a) is a plan view of a part of the liquid crystal display device viewed from the display surface side, and FIG. 16 (b) is a cross section taken along line XX thereof. It is a figure. The liquid crystal display device 100 includes a surface light emitter 101 and a liquid crystal display unit 50. The surface light-emitting body 101 is roughly composed of a light source 10, a columnar light guide section 120, and a plate-shaped light guide section 30. The light source 10 is formed of a light emitting element such as a cold cathode tube or an LED, and the columnar light guide 120 and the plate light guide 30 are formed by injection molding a transparent acrylic resin or the like. The liquid crystal display unit 50 includes a translucent liquid crystal display plate 51 and a reflective layer 52 in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface.
【０００４】柱状導光部１２０は、細長い角柱状に成形
され、その受光端面１２１が光源１０からの光を受光す
ると、入射した光を長手方向に沿う出射面１２２から帯
状光束Ｌ1として出射するように構成されている。この
柱状導光部１２０は、その出射面１２２と対向する側面
（以下「反射面」という）１２３に、複数のプリズム状
傾斜面１２４…が形成されている。このプリズム状傾斜
面１２４…は何れもその稜線１２５が板状導光部３０の
面に垂直な方向（図１５のＹ軸方向）に延びていて、光
源１０から柱状導光部１２０に入射した光のうち、この
プリズム状傾斜面１２４…に射突した光の多くは反射し
て出射面１２２から帯状光束Ｌ1として出射される。こ
のときプリズム状傾斜面１２４…の数や配置、それぞれ
の傾斜角などを適宜に選択することにより柱状導光部１
２０の出射面１２２から出射される帯状光束Ｌ1の輝度
と均一性が良好にバランスするよう調整される。The columnar light guide portion 120 is formed into an elongated prismatic shape, and when the light receiving end surface 121 thereof receives the light from the light source 10, the incident light is emitted as a band-like light beam L 1 from an emission surface 122 along the longitudinal direction. Is configured. A plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces 124 ... Is formed on a side surface (hereinafter, referred to as a “reflection surface”) 123 of the columnar light guide section 120, which faces the emission surface 122. Each of the prismatic inclined surfaces 124 has a ridge line 125 extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 (Y-axis direction in FIG. 15) and is incident on the columnar light guide portion 120 from the light source 10. Of the light, most of the light striking the prismatic inclined surfaces 124 is reflected and emitted from the emission surface 122 as a band-shaped light beam L 1 . At this time, by appropriately selecting the number and arrangement of the prismatic inclined surfaces 124, the respective inclination angles, and the like, the columnar light guide portion 1 is formed.
The brightness and the uniformity of the band-shaped light flux L 1 emitted from the emission surface 122 of 20 are adjusted to be well balanced.
【０００５】板状導光部３０は板状に成形され、柱状導
光部１２０の出射面１２２から出射した帯状光束Ｌ1を
その側面（以下「入射側面」という）３１から受光し、
板面の一方である発光面３２から面状光束Ｌ2として液
晶表示ユニット５０の液晶表示板５１に向けて出射する
ように構成されている。板状導光部３０の発光面３２と
対向する面（以下「対向面」という）３３には、複数の
プリズム状傾斜面３４…が形成されている。このプリズ
ム状傾斜面３４…は何れもその稜線３５が柱状導光部１
２０の長手方向（Ｚ−Ｚ）に延びていて、入射側面３１
から入射した帯状光のうち、このプリズム状傾斜面３４
…に射突した光の多くは反射して発光面３２から面状光
束Ｌ2として出射される。このときプリズム状傾斜面３
４…の数や配置、それぞれの傾斜角などを適宜に選択す
ることにより板状導光部３０の発光面３２から出射され
る面状光束Ｌ2の輝度と均一性が良好にバランスするよ
う調整される。The plate-shaped light guide portion 30 is formed in a plate shape, and receives the strip-shaped light beam L 1 emitted from the emission surface 122 of the columnar light guide portion 120 from its side surface (hereinafter referred to as “incident side surface”) 31,
The light emitting surface 32, which is one of the plate surfaces, is configured to emit as a planar light beam L 2 toward the liquid crystal display plate 51 of the liquid crystal display unit 50. A plurality of prism-shaped inclined surfaces 34 ... Are formed on a surface (hereinafter, referred to as “opposing surface”) 33 of the plate-shaped light guide unit 30 that faces the light emitting surface 32. In each of the prismatic inclined surfaces 34 ...
20 extends in the longitudinal direction (Z-Z) of 20, and the incident side surface 31
Of the band-shaped light incident from the prism-shaped inclined surface 34
Most of the light impinging on the light is reflected and emitted from the light emitting surface 32 as a planar light beam L 2 . At this time, the prismatic inclined surface 3
4 is adjusted by appropriately selecting the number and arrangement of 4 ..., the respective inclination angles, and the like so that the brightness and uniformity of the planar light flux L 2 emitted from the light emitting surface 32 of the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 are well balanced. To be done.
【０００６】液晶表示ユニット５０の液晶表示板５１は
一般に用いられているものであって、液晶分子の駆動に
よって、表示面に垂直な光の透過／不透過が動的に制御
される。液晶表示板５１に向けて出射された光のうち、
液晶分子の配向によって板面の垂線方向に光透過性とさ
れた液晶表示板５１の部分を透過した光は、反射層５２
によって反射され、再び液晶表示板５１を垂直方向に透
過し、更に板状導光部３０も透過する。これによって液
晶表示板５１により形成された画像が板状導光部３０の
上方から視認できるようになる。The liquid crystal display plate 51 of the liquid crystal display unit 50 is generally used, and the transmission / non-transmission of light perpendicular to the display surface is dynamically controlled by driving the liquid crystal molecules. Of the light emitted toward the liquid crystal display plate 51,
The light transmitted through the portion of the liquid crystal display panel 51, which is made light-transmissive in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface due to the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, is reflected
Is reflected by the liquid crystal display panel 51 and is transmitted through the liquid crystal display panel 51 in the vertical direction again, and further transmitted through the plate-shaped light guide portion 30. This allows the image formed by the liquid crystal display plate 51 to be viewed from above the plate-shaped light guide unit 30.
【０００７】[0007]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】前記構成の液晶表示装
置１００は小型の携帯用機器に多く用いられるので、面
発光体１０１による照明に際しては、光源１０のサイズ
と消費電力を極力低減し、なおかつ充分な画像輝度と視
認性の向上とが求められる。しかし、光源１０からの光
は一般に拡散性であることに加え、面発光体１０１は前
記のように光の進路が柱状導光部１２０内と面状導光部
３０内との２箇所でほぼ直角方向に反射を繰り返し、し
かもその反射が入射光の一部しか利用できない前記プリ
ズム状傾斜面に依存しているので導光損失が大きく、出
射光に充分な輝度が得られないばかりか、板状導光部３
０の対向面３３が光透過性であることから、この対向面
３３から外部への光の漏洩や散乱があって、ヘイズやグ
レアを発生し画像コントラストを低下させ、視認性を悪
くする原因になっていた。本発明は前記の課題を解決す
るためになされたものであり、従ってその目的は、発光
面からの出射光に高い輝度が得られると共に対向面から
外部への光の漏洩や散乱が抑制され視認性が向上した面
発光体、およびこの面発光体を用いた液晶表示装置を提
供することにある。Since the liquid crystal display device 100 having the above-mentioned structure is often used in small portable devices, the size and power consumption of the light source 10 are reduced as much as possible when illuminating with the surface light emitter 101. Sufficient image brightness and improved visibility are required. However, in addition to the fact that the light from the light source 10 is generally diffusive, in the surface light emitter 101, as described above, the paths of the light are almost at two locations inside the columnar light guide section 120 and inside the planar light guide section 30. Reflection is repeated in the right angle direction, and the reflection depends on the prismatic inclined surface where only a part of the incident light can be used, so that the light guide loss is large, and sufficient brightness cannot be obtained for the emitted light. Light guide 3
Since the facing surface 33 of 0 is light-transmissive, there is leakage or scattering of light from the facing surface 33 to the outside, which may cause haze or glare, reduce image contrast, and deteriorate visibility. Was becoming. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and therefore an object thereof is to obtain high brightness in light emitted from a light-emitting surface and to suppress leakage or scattering of light from the facing surface to the outside and to visually confirm it. An object of the present invention is to provide a surface light emitter having improved properties and a liquid crystal display device using the surface light emitter.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】前記の課題を解決するた
めに本発明は、柱状導光部と板状導光部とを有し、前記
柱状導光部は端面から入射した光を長手方向に沿う側面
（出射面）から帯状光束として出射するように構成さ
れ、前記板状導光部は前記柱状導光部が出射した前記帯
状光束を側面（入射側面）で受光し、板面から面状光束
として出射するように構成された面発光体であって、前
記柱状導光部の前記出射面に、光の出射方向に凸となる
凸面部が設けられた面発光体を提供する。本発明者ら
は、小型省電力の光源を用い、しかも反射型液晶表示装
置のフロントライトとして充分な画像輝度と視認性とが
得られる面発光体を開発すべく鋭意研究の結果、面発光
体の構成要素である柱状導光部の帯状光束を出射する側
面（出射面）に、光の出射方向に凸となる凸面部を設け
ることにより、出射される光の拡散を適度に制御し、板
状導光部の板面から光を面状光束として効率よく出射さ
せ得ることを見出し本発明に到達した。すなわち、従来
のこの種の柱状導光部においては、出射面が平面であっ
たので、柱状導光部から出射した光が板状導光部内で広
い角度に拡散し、面状光束として出射する板面（発光
面）以外の面から光が外部に漏洩したり散乱したりして
充分な光量が発光面から出射せず、光の利用効率が悪い
ばかりでなくヘイズやグレアを発生し画像コントラスト
を低下させ、視認性を悪くする原因になっていた。本発
明の面発光体によれば、板状導光部内部の光の拡散が好
適に調整され、発光面以外の面から漏洩したり散乱した
りすることによる光の損失や視認性の低下を抑制するこ
とができ、発光面からより多くの光を面状光束として出
射させることができる。In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a columnar light guide portion and a plate-shaped light guide portion, and the columnar light guide portion receives light incident from an end face in the longitudinal direction. Is configured to be emitted as a band-shaped light beam from a side surface (emission surface) along the side, and the plate-shaped light guide unit receives the band-shaped light beam emitted by the columnar light guide unit on a side surface (incident side surface), and then from the plate surface to the surface. Provided is a surface light emitter configured to be emitted as a circular light flux, wherein a convex surface portion that is convex in the light emission direction is provided on the emission surface of the columnar light guide portion. The present inventors have earnestly studied to develop a surface light emitter that uses a small power-saving light source and has sufficient image brightness and visibility as a front light of a reflective liquid crystal display device. The side surface (emission surface) of the columnar light guide portion, which is a component of the above, is provided with a convex surface portion that is convex in the light emission direction to appropriately control the diffusion of the emitted light, The inventors have found that light can be efficiently emitted as a planar light flux from the plate surface of the linear light guide section, and arrived at the present invention. That is, in the conventional columnar light guide portion of this type, since the emission surface is a flat surface, the light emitted from the columnar light guide portion is diffused at a wide angle in the plate-shaped light guide portion and emitted as a planar light flux. Light leaks from the surface other than the plate surface (light emitting surface) or scatters to the outside, and a sufficient amount of light is not emitted from the light emitting surface. Not only is the light utilization efficiency poor, but haze and glare also occur, resulting in image contrast. And the visibility was deteriorated. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the surface light emitter of the present invention, the diffusion of light inside the plate-shaped light guide section is suitably adjusted, and there is no loss of light or reduction in visibility due to leakage or scattering from surfaces other than the light emitting surface. It can be suppressed, and more light can be emitted from the light emitting surface as a planar light flux.
【０００９】前記凸面部は、稜線が前記柱状導光部の長
手方向に延びる１以上の筒形凸レンズの形状に成形され
ていることが好ましい。前記筒形凸レンズ形状の曲率半
径は、当該形状の弦長の０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲内と
されていることが好ましい。稜線が柱状導光部の長手方
向に延びる筒形凸レンズ形状（いわゆるシリンドリカル
レンズ）を出射面に形成すれば、この筒形凸レンズ形状
の曲率を選択することにより、板状導光部における発光
面と、これに対向する板面（対向面）との間の光の拡散
角を好適に制御することができ、面状光束の出射光量と
視認性とを共に向上させることができる。筒形凸レンズ
形状は出射面に１条だけ形成されていてもよく、２条以
上が平行して形成されていてもよい。実験の結果、筒形
凸レンズ形状の曲率半径は、当該筒形凸レンズ形状の弦
長（断面弧の弦の長さ）の０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲内
とすることがより効果的であることがわかった。The convex portion is preferably formed in the shape of one or more cylindrical convex lenses whose ridge lines extend in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion. The radius of curvature of the cylindrical convex lens shape is preferably within a range of 0.5 to 2.0 times the chord length of the shape. If a cylindrical convex lens shape (so-called cylindrical lens) whose ridge line extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide section is formed on the emission surface, the curvature of this cylindrical convex lens shape is selected, so that It is possible to suitably control the diffusion angle of light between the plate surface (opposing surface) facing this, and it is possible to improve both the emitted light amount and the visibility of the planar light flux. As for the cylindrical convex lens shape, only one line may be formed on the emission surface, or two or more lines may be formed in parallel. As a result of the experiment, it is more effective that the radius of curvature of the cylindrical convex lens shape is within a range of 0.5 times to 2.0 times the chord length of the cylindrical convex lens shape (the length of the chord of the arc of the cross section). I found out.
【００１０】前記凸面部は、１以上の球面凸レンズの形
状に成形されていてもよい。前記球面凸レンズ形状の曲
率半径は、当該形状の弦長の０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲
内とされていることが好ましい。出射面に球面凸レンズ
形状を形成すれば、この球面凸レンズ形状の曲率を選択
することにより、板状導光部における発光面と対向面と
の間の光の拡散角を好適に制御することができ、面状光
束の出射光量と視認性とを向上させることができる。球
面凸レンズ形状は出射面全体を覆うように１個だけ成形
されていてもよく、２個以上が配列した形状に成形され
ていてもよい。実験の結果、球面凸レンズ形状の曲率半
径は、当該球面凸レンズ形状の弦長の０．５倍〜２．０
倍の範囲内とすることがより効果的であることがわかっ
た。球面凸レンズ形状の曲率半径は柱状導光部の長手方
向と厚み方向とで同じでも異なっていてもよい。The convex portion may be formed in the shape of one or more spherical convex lenses. The radius of curvature of the spherical convex lens shape is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 times the chord length of the shape. If a spherical convex lens shape is formed on the exit surface, the diffusion angle of light between the light emitting surface and the facing surface of the plate-shaped light guide can be suitably controlled by selecting the curvature of this spherical convex lens shape. Thus, the amount of light emitted from the planar light flux and the visibility can be improved. Only one spherical convex lens shape may be molded so as to cover the entire emission surface, or two or more spherical convex lens shapes may be molded. As a result of the experiment, the radius of curvature of the spherical convex lens shape is 0.5 times to 2.0 times the chord length of the spherical convex lens shape.
It was found that it is more effective to set it within the double range. The radius of curvature of the spherical convex lens shape may be the same or different in the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of the columnar light guide section.
【００１１】更に前記凸面部は、稜線が前記柱状導光部
の長手方向に延びる１以上の凸プリズムの形状に成形さ
れていてもよい。前記凸プリズム形状の底辺を挟む仰角
は、２°〜４５°の範囲内とされていることが好まし
い。稜線が長手方向に延びる凸プリズム形状（断面三角
形）を出射面に成形すれば、この凸プリズム形状の仰角
を選択することにより、板状導光部における発光面と対
向面との間の光の拡散角を好適に制御することができ、
面状光束の出射光量と視認性とを向上させることができ
る。凸プリズム形状は出射面に１条だけ形成されていて
もよく、２条以上が平行して形成されていてもよい。実
験の結果、凸プリズム形状の底辺を挟む仰角（横断面に
おける底辺と斜辺とが挟む角）は、２°〜４５°の範囲
内とすることがより効果的であることがわかった。凸プ
リズム形状の仰角は底辺を挟む双方が同じでも異なって
いてもよい。Further, the convex surface portion may be formed in the shape of one or more convex prisms whose ridge lines extend in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion. The elevation angle sandwiching the base of the convex prism shape is preferably in the range of 2 ° to 45 °. If a convex prism shape (triangular cross section) with a ridge extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the exit surface, the elevation angle of this convex prism shape is selected, so that the light between the light emitting surface and the facing surface of the plate-shaped light guide unit is selected. The diffusion angle can be controlled appropriately,
It is possible to improve the emitted light amount and the visibility of the planar light flux. As for the convex prism shape, only one line may be formed on the emission surface, or two or more lines may be formed in parallel. As a result of the experiment, it was found that it is more effective to set the elevation angle sandwiching the base of the convex prism shape (the angle sandwiched between the base and the hypotenuse in the cross section) within the range of 2 ° to 45 °. The elevation angles of the convex prism shape may be the same or different on both sides of the base.
【００１２】更に前記凸面部は、稜線が前記柱状導光部
の長手方向に延びる４分割筒形凸レンズ部と、前記稜線
を共有する片側傾斜面のプリズム部とからなる１以上の
複合型凸面形状に成形されていてもよい。ここで「４分
割筒形凸レンズ部」とは、円柱を軸心に沿って４分割し
た形状の筒形凸レンズを意味する。前記４分割筒形凸レ
ンズ部の曲率半径は、当該複合型凸面形状の条幅の０．
２倍〜０．８倍の範囲内とされ、前記プリズム部の仰角
は、２５°〜７０°の範囲内とされていることが好まし
い。この複合型凸面形状の凸面部によって、板状導光部
における発光面と対向面との間の光の拡散角を好適に制
御することができ、面状光束の出射光量と視認性とを向
上させることができる。前記複合型凸面形状は出射面に
１条だけ形成されていてもよく、２条以上が平行して形
成されていてもよい。また４分割筒形凸レンズ部とプリ
ズム部とは、これらの組が１稜線を共有していればよい
ので、それらの配列順序は特に限定されない。実験の結
果、４分割筒形凸レンズ部の曲率半径を当該複合型凸面
形状の条幅の０．２倍〜０．８倍の範囲内とし、前記プ
リズム部の仰角を２５°〜７０°の範囲内とすることに
よって面状光束の出射光量と視認性とをより向上できる
ことがわかった。４分割筒形凸レンズ部の曲率半径と凸
プリズム部の仰角は、それぞれの条ごとに同じでも異な
っていてもよい。Further, the convex surface portion has at least one composite convex surface shape which is composed of a four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion having a ridge line extending in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion and a prism portion having one inclined surface sharing the ridge line. It may be molded into. Here, the “four-division cylindrical convex lens portion” means a cylindrical convex lens having a shape obtained by dividing a cylinder into four along the axis. The radius of curvature of the four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion is 0.
It is preferable that the angle is in the range of 2 times to 0.8 times, and the elevation angle of the prism portion is in the range of 25 ° to 70 °. By this convex portion of the composite convex shape, the diffusion angle of light between the light emitting surface and the facing surface of the plate-shaped light guide portion can be appropriately controlled, and the emission light amount and the visibility of the planar light flux are improved. Can be made. The composite convex surface may have only one line formed on the emission surface, or may have two or more lines formed in parallel. Further, the four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion and the prism portion only need to share one ridgeline between these groups, and therefore the arrangement order thereof is not particularly limited. As a result of the experiment, the radius of curvature of the four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion is set within a range of 0.2 times to 0.8 times the strip width of the composite convex surface shape, and the elevation angle of the prism portion is set within a range of 25 ° to 70 °. It was found that by setting the above, it is possible to further improve the output light amount of the planar light flux and the visibility. The radius of curvature of the four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion and the elevation angle of the convex prism portion may be the same or different for each line.
【００１３】前記柱状導光部は、前記出射面（凸面部）
と対向する側面（反射面）に、前記端面から入射した光
を前記帯状光束の出射方向に反射する複数のプリズム状
傾斜面が形成されていることが好ましい。この複数のプ
リズム状傾斜面は、稜線が反射面の延びる方向と直角の
方向に延びていることが好ましい。これによって帯状光
束の出射光輝度と均一性を向上することができる。The columnar light guide portion has the emission surface (convex portion).
It is preferable that a plurality of prism-shaped inclined surfaces that reflect the light incident from the end surface in the emission direction of the band-shaped light flux are formed on the side surface (reflection surface) facing the. It is preferable that the ridgelines of the plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the reflecting surface extends. This can improve the emission light brightness and uniformity of the band-shaped light flux.
【００１４】前記板状導光部は、板面の垂線方向に光透
過性であり、かつ前記入射側面で受光した帯状光束の光
を一方の板面から面状光束として出射する反射手段が設
けられていることが好ましい。前記反射手段は、前記発
光面と対向する板面（対向面）に形成され、稜線が前記
柱状導光部の長手方向に延びる複数のプリズム状傾斜面
からなることが好ましい。これによって本発明の面発光
体は面状光束を１方向（発光面側）に指向して出射でき
るようになり、かつ光が前記面発光体を垂直に透過でき
るようになり、本発明の面発光体を反射型液晶表示装置
のフロントライトとして使用できるようになる。The plate-shaped light guide portion is provided with a reflecting means which is light-transmissive in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface and which emits the band-shaped light beam received by the incident side surface as a surface light beam from one plate surface. Is preferably provided. It is preferable that the reflecting means is formed on a plate surface (opposing surface) facing the light emitting surface and has a plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces having ridge lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide section. As a result, the surface light emitter of the present invention can emit the planar light beam in one direction (light emitting surface side), and the light can pass through the surface light emitter vertically. The luminous body can be used as a front light of a reflective liquid crystal display device.
【００１５】本発明は更に、前記の何れかの面発光体と
液晶表示ユニットとを備えた液晶表示装置を提供する。
本発明の液晶表示装置は、前記本発明の面発光体を液晶
表示面の照明に用いるので小型省電力の光源を用いなが
ら明るく視認性の高い画面が得られる。前記の面発光体
と液晶表示ユニットとの組合わせ順序は特に限定されな
い。例えば板状導光部が板面の垂線方向に光透過性であ
り、かつ入射側面から入射した帯状光束が面状光束とし
て一方の発光面から出射されるタイプの面発光体を上層
に配置し、その下に反射型液晶表示ユニットを表示面が
前記発光面と対向するように配置すれば、本発明の面発
光体をフロントライトとする反射型液晶表示装置が得ら
れる。また反射層を持たない透光性の液晶表示板を上層
に配置し、その下に、板状導光部の対向面を光反射性と
した本発明の面発光体を、その発光面が液晶表示板の裏
面と対向するように配置すれば、前記面発光体をバック
ライトとする反射型液晶表示装置が得られる。The present invention further provides a liquid crystal display device including any one of the above-described surface light emitters and a liquid crystal display unit.
Since the liquid crystal display device of the present invention uses the surface light emitter of the present invention for illuminating the liquid crystal display surface, a bright and highly visible screen can be obtained while using a small power-saving light source. The order of combining the surface light emitter and the liquid crystal display unit is not particularly limited. For example, a surface light emitter of the type in which the plate-shaped light guide is light-transmissive in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface, and the band-shaped light beam incident from the incident side surface is emitted from one light emitting surface as a surface light beam is arranged in the upper layer. By arranging the reflection type liquid crystal display unit under the display type so that the display surface faces the light emitting surface, a reflection type liquid crystal display device using the surface light emitter of the present invention as a front light can be obtained. Further, a translucent liquid crystal display plate having no reflective layer is arranged in the upper layer, and the surface emitting body of the present invention in which the facing surface of the plate-shaped light guide is made light reflective is provided below the light emitting surface. If it is arranged so as to face the back surface of the display plate, a reflective liquid crystal display device using the surface light emitter as a backlight can be obtained.
【００１６】[0016]
【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面
を参照して説明するが、本発明は以下の実施の形態に限
定されるものではない。また、本実施の形態において参
照される各図面は、本発明の思想を説明するためのもの
であり、各部の形状寸法は実際のものと異なる。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, each drawing referred to in the present embodiment is for explaining the idea of the present invention, and the shape and size of each portion are different from actual ones.
【００１７】（実施形態１）図１は、本発明の実施形態
１の面発光体を示す平面図である。この面発光体１は概
略、二つの光源部１０，１０と、この光源部１０，１０
に挟まれた角柱状の柱状導光部２０と、柱状導光部２０
の一側面（凸面部２２）に一側面（入射側面）３１を対
向させて延びる方形の板状導光部３０とからなってい
る。図１においてこの面発光体１は中央線（Ｘ−Ｘ）に
関して左右対称に構成されている。光源部１０，１０は
発光素子１１としてＬＥＤを内蔵するランプハウスから
なり、それぞれ、一方に設けられた照射窓から柱状導光
部２０のそれぞれの端面（以下「受光端面」という）２
１に向けて光を照射するように配置されている。柱状導
光部２０および板状導光部３０はいずれも透明なアクリ
ル樹脂から成形されている。(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a surface light emitter according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This surface light emitter 1 is roughly composed of two light source units 10 and 10, and the light source units 10 and 10.
A prismatic columnar light guide part 20 sandwiched between
The rectangular plate-shaped light guide section 30 extends with one side surface (incident side surface) 31 facing one side surface (convex surface portion 22). In FIG. 1, the surface light emitter 1 is configured symmetrically with respect to the center line (XX). Each of the light source units 10 and 10 includes a lamp house having an LED as a light emitting element 11, and each end face (hereinafter referred to as a “light receiving end face”) of the columnar light guide unit 20 from an irradiation window provided on one side thereof 2
It is arranged to irradiate light toward 1. Both the columnar light guide section 20 and the plate-shaped light guide section 30 are made of transparent acrylic resin.
【００１８】図２は、柱状導光部２０の端部近辺を示す
斜視図である。図１および図２において、柱状導光部２
０は概略、細長い角柱状に成形されている。柱状導光部
２０の長手方向（Ｚ−Ｚ方向）に延びる４側面のうち、
板状導光部３０の入射側面３１と対向して配置された側
面（出射面）が凸面部２２とされ、この凸面部２２と対
向する側面が反射面２３とされている。反射面２３には
複数のプリズム状傾斜面２４…が形成されている。この
プリズム状傾斜面２４…は、何れもその稜線２５が柱状
導光部２０の厚みＴ方向に延びていて、受光端面２１か
ら柱状導光部２０に入射した光を凸面部２２側に均一に
反射する形状に成形されている。図示しないが凸面部２
２を除く柱状導光部２０の３方の側面は全て反射膜によ
り覆われている。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the end portion of the columnar light guide portion 20. 1 and 2, the columnar light guide portion 2
0 is shaped like an elongated prism. Of the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (Z-Z direction) of the columnar light guide section 20,
The side surface (emission surface) of the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 that is disposed so as to face the incident side surface 31 is a convex surface portion 22, and the side surface that faces the convex surface portion 22 is a reflective surface 23. A plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces 24 ... Are formed on the reflecting surface 23. In each of the prismatic inclined surfaces 24, the ridge line 25 extends in the thickness T direction of the columnar light guide portion 20, and the light incident on the columnar light guide portion 20 from the light receiving end surface 21 is uniformly distributed to the convex surface portion 22 side. It is shaped to reflect. Although not shown, the convex portion 2
All three side surfaces of the columnar light guide portion 20 except 2 are covered with a reflective film.
【００１９】凸面部２２は、受光端面２１から入射した
光をＺ−Ｚ方向に伸びる帯状光束として板状導光部３０
に向けて出射する出射面である。この凸面部２２は板状
導光部３０方向に凸となる筒形凸レンズ（シリンドリカ
ルレンズ）の形状に成形されている。この筒形凸レンズ
形状は、稜線（図２のＺ−Ｚで示す）の方向が柱状導光
部２０の長手方向に延びていて、その曲率半径ｒは、こ
の筒形凸レンズ形状の弦長Ｃ（本実施形態の場合は柱状
導光部２０の厚みＴに等しい）の０．５倍〜２．０倍の
範囲内とされている。ここで弦長Ｃとは筒形凸レンズ形
状の断面弧の弦の長さであり、柱状導光部の厚みＴと
は、凸面部２２と反射面２３とを挟んで相対する２側面
の離間距離である。この凸面部２２の筒形凸レンズ形状
が本実施形態の特徴となっている。The convex surface portion 22 makes the light incident from the light-receiving end surface 21 into a plate-shaped light guide portion 30 as a band-shaped light flux extending in the ZZ direction.
It is an emission surface that is emitted toward. The convex portion 22 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical convex lens (cylindrical lens) that is convex in the direction of the plate-shaped light guide 30. In this cylindrical convex lens shape, the direction of the ridgeline (indicated by ZZ in FIG. 2) extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion 20, and the radius of curvature r thereof is the chord length C (of this cylindrical convex lens shape. In the case of the present embodiment, it is within a range of 0.5 times to 2.0 times the thickness T of the columnar light guide portion 20). Here, the chord length C is the chord length of the cross section arc of the cylindrical convex lens shape, and the thickness T of the columnar light guide portion is the distance between the two side surfaces facing each other with the convex surface portion 22 and the reflecting surface 23 interposed therebetween. Is. The cylindrical convex lens shape of the convex surface portion 22 is a feature of this embodiment.
【００２０】図３は図１の線Ｘ−Ｘで切った断面図であ
り、本実施形態の面発光体１と液晶表示ユニット５０と
を組合わせて構成した本発明の液晶表示装置の一例を示
している。図１および図３において、板状導光部３０は
概略方形の平板状に成形されてなり、その一方の側面が
入射側面３１として柱状導光部２０の凸面部２２に対向
して配置され、板状導光部３０の受光面とされている。FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention constructed by combining the surface light emitting device 1 of the present embodiment and the liquid crystal display unit 50. Shows. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the plate-shaped light guide section 30 is formed into a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and one side surface thereof is disposed as an incident side surface 31 so as to face the convex surface section 22 of the columnar light guide section 20. It is a light-receiving surface of the plate-shaped light guide section 30.
【００２１】板状導光部３０の板面の一方は液晶表示ユ
ニット５０の表示面５３と対向するように配置され、発
光面３２とされている。発光面３２と対向する外側の板
面は対向面３３とされている。対向面３３には複数のプ
リズム状傾斜面３４…が形成されている。このプリズム
状傾斜面３４…は、何れもその稜線３５が柱状導光部２
０の長手方向（Ｚ−Ｚ）と平行になるように成形され、
かつ柱状導光部２０から板状導光部３０に入射した光を
発光面３２の方向に均一に反射する形状に成形されてい
る。One of the plate surfaces of the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 is arranged so as to face the display surface 53 of the liquid crystal display unit 50 and serves as a light emitting surface 32. The outer plate surface facing the light emitting surface 32 is a facing surface 33. A plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces 34 ... Are formed on the facing surface 33. In each of the prismatic inclined surfaces 34, the ridgeline 35 is the columnar light guide portion 2.
Molded to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of 0 (Z-Z),
In addition, the light that has entered the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 from the columnar light guide portion 20 is shaped to uniformly reflect in the direction of the light emitting surface 32.
【００２２】図３に示した液晶表示ユニット５０は液晶
表示板５１とその下側に配された反射層５２とからなっ
ている。液晶表示板５１は液晶層５４と、図示しないが
液晶層を駆動する電極と、この電極に断続的に電位を印
加する駆動回路と、偏光膜や必要ならカラーフィルタな
どの光制御板とを有し、液晶層５４の液晶分子の配向に
より透光／遮光のスイッチングが行われるようになって
いる。液晶表示板５１の構成や駆動方式は特に限定され
るものではない。反射層５２は、一例を図４に示すよう
に、有機膜５５の表面に内面が球面の一部をなす多数の
凹部５６ａ…が重なり合うように連続して形成されてお
り、この有機膜５５上に反射膜５７が成膜されてなって
いる。液晶表示板５１と反射層５２とは、液晶表示板５
１の表示面５３が板状導光部３０の発光面３２と対向す
るように積層されることで、反射型液晶表示ユニットを
構成している。The liquid crystal display unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a liquid crystal display plate 51 and a reflective layer 52 disposed below the liquid crystal display plate 51. The liquid crystal display plate 51 has a liquid crystal layer 54, an electrode (not shown) for driving the liquid crystal layer, a drive circuit for intermittently applying a potential to this electrode, and a light control plate such as a polarizing film and, if necessary, a color filter. However, switching between light transmission and light shielding is performed by the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 54. The configuration and driving method of the liquid crystal display plate 51 are not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 4, the reflection layer 52 is continuously formed so that a large number of recesses 56 a whose inner surface forms a part of a spherical surface overlaps with the surface of the organic film 55. A reflective film 57 is formed on the. The liquid crystal display plate 51 and the reflective layer 52 are the same as the liquid crystal display plate 5
The display surface 53 of No. 1 is laminated so as to face the light emitting surface 32 of the plate-shaped light guide portion 30, thereby forming a reflective liquid crystal display unit.
【００２３】次に図１〜図３を用い、本実施形態の面発
光体１の作用について説明する。まず概略の光の経路を
説明すると、光源部１０，１０から放射されたＬＥＤ光
は柱状導光部２０のそれぞれの受光端面２１，２１から
入射し、柱状導光部２０内に導入される。柱状導光部２
０内に導入された光は反射面２３に成形された複数のプ
リズム状傾斜面２４…によって大部分の光は凸面部２２
の方向に反射され、凸面部２２から、この細長い面全体
が光る帯状光束として出射し、入射側面３１から板状導
光部３０内に導入される。板状導光部３０内に導入され
た光は、対向面３３に成形された複数のプリズム状傾斜
面３４…によって大部分の光は発光面３２の方向に反射
され、発光面３２から、面全体が光る面状光束として液
晶表示ユニット５０の表示面５３を照射する。Next, the operation of the surface light emitter 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic light path will be described. LED light emitted from the light source units 10 and 10 enters from the light-receiving end faces 21 and 21 of the columnar light guide unit 20 and is introduced into the columnar light guide unit 20. Columnar light guide 2
Most of the light introduced into 0 is reflected by the plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces 24 formed on the reflecting surface 23.
The light is reflected in the direction of, and emitted from the convex surface portion 22 as a strip-shaped light flux whose entire area is elongated, and is introduced into the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 from the incident side surface 31. Most of the light introduced into the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 is reflected in the direction of the light emitting surface 32 by the plurality of prism-shaped inclined surfaces 34 formed in the facing surface 33, and the light is emitted from the light emitting surface 32. The display surface 53 of the liquid crystal display unit 50 is illuminated as a planar light flux that shines entirely.
【００２４】液晶表示ユニットの表示面５３を照射した
光の内、液晶分子の配向によって遮光されることなく液
晶層５４を透過した光は反射層５２に達し、この反射層
５２によって反射され、再び液晶層５４を透過する。板
状導光部３０は、板面に対してほぼ垂直に入射する液晶
表示ユニットからの反射光Ｌ3を透過することができる
ので、反射光Ｌ3は板状導光部３０を透過して対向面３
３から外部に出射され液晶層５４が形成する画像として
視認されるようになる。板状導光部３０は、入射側面３
１以外の側面や上下の板面が、外光や光源光の余分な反
射や散乱に起因するヘイズやグレアを防止し画像コント
ラストを高めるために反射防止膜が施されていてもよ
い。Of the light emitted to the display surface 53 of the liquid crystal display unit, the light that has not passed through the liquid crystal layer 54 without being blocked by the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules reaches the reflection layer 52, is reflected by the reflection layer 52, and is again reflected. It passes through the liquid crystal layer 54. Plate-like light guiding portions 30, it is possible to transmit the reflected light L 3 from the liquid crystal display unit which is incident substantially perpendicularly to the plate surface, the reflected light L 3 is transmitted through the plate-like light guiding portions 30 Opposing surface 3
3 is emitted to the outside and is visually recognized as an image formed by the liquid crystal layer 54. The plate-shaped light guide portion 30 has an incident side surface 3.
The side surfaces other than 1 and the upper and lower plate surfaces may be provided with an antireflection film in order to prevent haze and glare caused by extra reflection and scattering of external light and light from the light source and enhance image contrast.
【００２５】前記実施形態の面発光体１において、柱状
導光部２０の凸面部２２の効果を調べるため、凸面部２
２における筒形凸レンズ形状の曲率半径ｒを種々変化さ
せた試作品を作成し、板状導光部３０の発光面３２から
面状光束として出射する光の輝度と、対向面３３から漏
洩してヘイズやグレアの原因となる有害光の輝度とを測
定した。輝度の測定は、発光面３２において、図５に示
すように、板面の垂線から１°の視野で輝度を測定し、
その平均値を測定点における輝度とした。比較例として
柱状導光部の出射面が平坦な従来型の面発光体について
同様に発光面と対向面から出射する光の輝度を測定し
た。結果を図６に示す。図６において、横軸は、曲率半
径ｒをその弦長Ｃ（この場合は厚みＴに等しい）で割っ
た値ｒ／Ｃであり、縦軸は、各ｒ／Ｃ値を有する試作品
について発光面からの出射光輝度と対向面からの出射光
輝度とを、比較例におけるそれぞれの出射光輝度を１０
０として輝度比で示した値である。In the surface light emitter 1 of the above embodiment, in order to investigate the effect of the convex surface portion 22 of the columnar light guide portion 20, the convex surface portion 2
Prototypes in which the radius of curvature r of the cylindrical convex lens shape in 2 is variously made, and the brightness of light emitted as a planar light flux from the light emitting surface 32 of the plate-shaped light guide portion 30 and the light leaking from the facing surface 33 are generated. The brightness of harmful light causing haze and glare was measured. As for the measurement of the luminance, as shown in FIG. 5, on the light emitting surface 32, the luminance is measured in the visual field of 1 ° from the perpendicular of the plate surface,
The average value was used as the luminance at the measurement point. As a comparative example, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface and the facing surface was similarly measured for the conventional surface light emitting body in which the light emitting surface of the columnar light guide portion is flat. Results are shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis is the value r / C obtained by dividing the radius of curvature r by its chord length C (equal to the thickness T in this case), and the vertical axis is the light emission for the prototype having each r / C value. The brightness of the light emitted from the surface and the brightness of the light emitted from the facing surface are calculated as follows:
It is a value represented by the luminance ratio as 0.
【００２６】図６の結果から、柱状導光部２０の出射面
を筒形凸レンズ形状に成形した本実施形態の面発光体
は、出射面が平坦な従来型の面発光体より、発光面３２
から出射される光の輝度が明らかに向上しており、かつ
ヘイズやグレアの原因となる対向面３３からの漏洩光が
明らかに減少していることがわかる。特に０．５ｒ／Ｃ
〜２．０ｒ／Ｃの範囲内で大きい効果が得られている。From the results shown in FIG. 6, the surface emitting body of the present embodiment in which the emitting surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical convex lens has a light emitting surface 32 more than that of a conventional surface emitting body having a flat emitting surface.
It can be seen that the brightness of the light emitted from the device is clearly improved, and the leakage light from the facing surface 33, which causes haze and glare, is clearly reduced. Especially 0.5r / C
A large effect is obtained within a range of up to 2.0 r / C.
【００２７】（実施形態２）実施形態２の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは主として柱状導光部
の凸面部形状について詳しく説明する。図７は、この実
施形態における柱状導光部２０の一方の受光端面付近を
示す斜視図である。図７において、この柱状導光部２０
は、実施形態１の場合と同様に長手方向に延びる４側面
のうち、板状導光部の入射端面（図示せず）と対向して
配置された出射面が凸面部２６とされ、この凸面部２６
と対向する側面が反射面２３とされている。柱状導光部
２０の受光端面２１は、図示しない光源部から照射され
た光を受光する位置に配置されている。(Embodiment 2) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 2 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be mainly described in detail. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of one light receiving end surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 in this embodiment. In FIG. 7, the columnar light guide portion 20
Of the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction, as in the case of the first embodiment, the emission surface arranged facing the incident end surface (not shown) of the plate-shaped light guide is a convex surface portion 26. Part 26
The side surface opposite to is a reflecting surface 23. The light-receiving end surface 21 of the columnar light-guide portion 20 is arranged at a position for receiving light emitted from a light source portion (not shown).
【００２８】実施形態２の凸面部２６は、光の出射方向
に凸となる２条の筒形凸レンズ２６ａ，２６ｂの形状に
成形されている。この筒形凸レンズ２６ａ，２６ｂは、
いずれも稜線（Ｚ−Ｚ）が柱状導光部２０の長手方向に
延びている。筒形凸レンズ２６ａ，２６ｂの曲率半径は
同じでも異なっていてもよい。またそれぞれの弦長Ｃも
同じでも異なっていてもよい。本実施形態の場合、筒形
凸レンズ２６ａ，２６ｂの弦長Ｃはそれぞれ柱状導光部
２０の厚みをＴとするときＴ／２とされている。また曲
率半径は、弦長Ｃの０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲内とされ
ている。The convex surface portion 26 of the second embodiment is formed in the shape of two cylindrical convex lenses 26a and 26b which are convex in the light emitting direction. The cylindrical convex lenses 26a and 26b are
In each case, a ridge line (ZZ) extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide section 20. The radii of curvature of the cylindrical convex lenses 26a and 26b may be the same or different. Also, the respective chord lengths C may be the same or different. In the case of the present embodiment, the chord length C of each of the cylindrical convex lenses 26a and 26b is T / 2 when the thickness of the columnar light guide portion 20 is T. The radius of curvature is within the range of 0.5 to 2.0 times the chord length C.
【００２９】実施形態２の面発光体は、実施形態１の場
合と同様に反射型液晶表示ユニットの表示面上に発光面
が対向するように配置して本発明の反射型液晶表示装置
を形成し点灯するとき、画面が明るくかつ画像コントラ
ストが高く視認性の良好な液晶表示が得られた。As in the case of the first embodiment, the surface light emitter of the second embodiment is arranged on the display surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display unit so that the light emitting surfaces face each other to form the reflection type liquid crystal display device of the present invention. When turned on, a liquid crystal display with a bright screen and high image contrast and good visibility was obtained.
【００３０】（実施形態３）実施形態３の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは主として柱状導光部
の凸面部形状について詳しく説明する。図８は、この実
施形態における柱状導光部２０の一方の受光端面付近を
示す斜視図である。図８において、この柱状導光部２０
は、実施形態１の場合と同様に長手方向に延びる４側面
のうち、板状導光部の入射端面（図示せず）と対向して
配置された出射面が凸面部２７とされ、この凸面部２７
と対向する側面が反射面２３とされている。柱状導光部
２０の受光端面２１は、図示しない光源部から照射され
た光を受光する位置に配置されている。(Embodiment 3) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 3 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be mainly described in detail. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of one light receiving end surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 in this embodiment. In FIG. 8, this columnar light guide portion 20
Of the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction, as in the case of the first embodiment, the emission surface arranged facing the incident end surface (not shown) of the plate-shaped light guide is a convex surface portion 27. Part 27
The side surface opposite to is a reflecting surface 23. The light-receiving end surface 21 of the columnar light-guide portion 20 is arranged at a position for receiving light emitted from a light source portion (not shown).
【００３１】実施形態３の凸面部２７は、光の出射方向
に凸となる複数の球面凸レンズが隣接して配列した形状
に成形されている。それぞれの球面凸レンズ形状は、曲
率半径が弦長Ｃの０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲内とされて
いる。The convex surface portion 27 of the third embodiment is formed in a shape in which a plurality of spherical convex lenses which are convex in the light emission direction are arranged adjacent to each other. Each spherical convex lens shape has a radius of curvature within a range of 0.5 to 2.0 times the chord length C.
【００３２】実施形態３の柱状導光部は、反射型液晶表
示ユニットの表示面上に発光面が対向するように配置し
て本発明の反射型液晶表示装置を形成し点灯するとき、
画面が明るくかつ画像コントラストが高く視認性の良好
な液晶表示が得られた。この実施形態では凸面部２７を
多数の球面凸レンズを配列した形状に成形したが、１個
の球面凸レンズが出射面全体を覆うように成形してもよ
い。また球面凸レンズ形状の曲率半径は柱状導光部の長
手方向（Ｚ−Ｚ）と厚み方向（Ｔ）とで同じでも異なっ
ていてもよい。The columnar light guide portion of the third embodiment is arranged on the display surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display unit so that the light emitting surfaces face each other to form the reflection type liquid crystal display device of the present invention, and when the light is turned on,
A liquid crystal display with a bright screen and high image contrast and good visibility was obtained. In this embodiment, the convex surface portion 27 is formed in a shape in which a large number of spherical convex lenses are arranged, but it may be formed so that one spherical convex lens covers the entire emission surface. The radius of curvature of the spherical convex lens shape may be the same or different in the longitudinal direction (ZZ) and the thickness direction (T) of the columnar light guide portion.
【００３３】（実施形態４）実施形態４の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは主として柱状導光部
の凸面部形状について詳しく説明する。図９は、この実
施形態における柱状導光部２０の受光端面付近を示す斜
視図である。図９において、この柱状導光部２０は、実
施形態１の場合と同様に長手方向に延びる４側面のう
ち、板状導光部の入射端面（図示せず）と対向して配置
された出射面が凸面部２８とされ、この凸面部２８と対
向する側面が反射面２３とされている。柱状導光部２０
の受光端面２１は、光源部１０から照射された光を受光
する位置に配置されている。(Embodiment 4) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 4 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be mainly described in detail. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the light receiving end surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 in this embodiment. In FIG. 9, the columnar light guide section 20 is an emission member arranged to face the incident end surface (not shown) of the plate-shaped light guide section among the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction as in the case of the first embodiment. The surface is a convex surface portion 28, and the side surface facing the convex surface portion 28 is a reflecting surface 23. Columnar light guide 20
The light-receiving end face 21 of is arranged at a position for receiving the light emitted from the light source unit 10.
【００３４】実施形態４の凸面部２８は、光の出射方向
に凸となる凸プリズムの形状に成形されている。この凸
プリズムの稜線（Ｚ−Ｚ）は柱状導光部の長手方向に延
びている。凸プリズム形状の底辺を挟む双方の仰角θ，
θは同じでも異なってもよいが、２°〜４５°の範囲内
とされている。The convex surface portion 28 of Embodiment 4 is formed in the shape of a convex prism which is convex in the light emission direction. The ridgeline (ZZ) of this convex prism extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide section. Both elevation angles θ sandwiching the bottom of the convex prism shape,
Although θ may be the same or different, it is within the range of 2 ° to 45 °.
【００３５】実施形態４の柱状導光部は、実施形態１の
場合と同様に反射型液晶表示ユニットの表示面上に発光
面が対向するように配置して本発明の反射型液晶表示装
置を形成し点灯するとき、画面が明るくかつ画像コント
ラストが高く視認性の良好な液晶表示が得られた。As in the case of the first embodiment, the columnar light guide portion of the fourth embodiment is arranged so that the light emitting surface faces the display surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display unit, and the reflection type liquid crystal display device of the present invention is provided. When formed and turned on, a liquid crystal display with a bright screen and high image contrast and good visibility was obtained.
【００３６】前記実施形態の面発光体１において、柱状
導光部２０の凸面部２８の形状の効果を調べるため、凸
プリズム形状の仰角θを種々変化させた試作品を作成
し、実施形態１の場合と同様に板状導光部３０の発光面
３２から面状光束として出射する光の輝度と、対向面３
３から漏洩してヘイズやグレアの原因となる有害光の輝
度とを測定した。試作品の底辺を挟む双方の仰角θ，θ
は何れも等しくした。輝度の測定は、発光面３２におい
て、図５に示すように、板面の垂線から１°の視野で輝
度を測定し、その平均値を測定点における輝度とした。
比較例として柱状導光部の出射面が平坦な従来型の面発
光体について同様に発光面と対向面から出射する光の輝
度を測定した。測定結果を図１０に示す。図１０は、横
軸が仰角θであり、縦軸は、各仰角値を有する試作品に
ついて発光面からの出射光輝度と対向面からの出射光輝
度とを、比較例におけるそれぞれの面からの出射光輝度
を基準（１００）としたときの比で示した値である。In order to investigate the effect of the shape of the convex surface portion 28 of the columnar light guide portion 20 in the surface light emitter 1 of the above embodiment, prototypes in which the elevation angle θ of the convex prism shape was variously changed were prepared, and the embodiment 1 In the same manner as in the above case, the brightness of light emitted as a planar light flux from the light emitting surface 32 of the plate-shaped light guide section 30 and the facing surface 3
The luminance of harmful light leaking from No. 3 and causing haze and glare was measured. Both elevation angles θ, θ that sandwich the bottom of the prototype
Were all equal. As for the measurement of the luminance, as shown in FIG. 5, the luminance was measured in the visual field of 1 ° from the vertical line of the plate surface, and the average value thereof was taken as the luminance at the measurement point.
As a comparative example, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface and the facing surface was similarly measured for the conventional surface light emitting body in which the light emitting surface of the columnar light guide portion is flat. The measurement result is shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents the elevation angle θ, and the vertical axis represents the emission light luminance from the light emitting surface and the emission light luminance from the facing surface for the prototype having each elevation angle value from the respective surfaces in the comparative example. It is a value indicated by a ratio when the emitted light brightness is set as a reference (100).
【００３７】図１０の結果から、柱状導光部２０の出射
面を凸プリズム形状に成形した本実施形態の面発光体
は、出射面が平坦な従来型の面発光体より、発光面３２
から出射される光の輝度が明らかに向上しており、かつ
ヘイズやグレアの原因となる対向面３３からの漏洩光が
明らかに減少していることがわかる。特に仰角θが２°
〜４５°の範囲内で対向面からの漏洩光が大幅に減少
し、視認性の改善に大きい効果が得られた。From the result of FIG. 10, the surface emitting body of the present embodiment in which the emitting surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 is formed in the shape of a convex prism has a light emitting surface 32 more than that of a conventional surface emitting body having a flat emitting surface.
It can be seen that the brightness of the light emitted from the device is clearly improved, and the leakage light from the facing surface 33, which causes haze and glare, is clearly reduced. Especially the elevation angle θ is 2 °
Within a range of up to 45 °, the light leaked from the facing surface was significantly reduced, and a great effect was obtained in improving the visibility.
【００３８】（実施形態５）実施形態５の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは主として柱状導光部
の凸面部形状について詳しく説明する。図１１は、この
実施形態における柱状導光部２０の受光端面付近を示す
斜視図である。図１１において、この柱状導光部２０
は、実施形態１の場合と同様に長手方向に延びる４側面
のうち、板状導光部の入射端面（図示せず）と対向して
配置された出射面が凸面部２９とされ、この凸面部２９
と対向する側面が反射面２３とされている。柱状導光部
２０の受光端面２１は、光源部１０から照射された光を
受光する位置に配置されている。(Embodiment 5) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 5 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be mainly described in detail. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the light receiving end surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 in this embodiment. In FIG. 11, this columnar light guide portion 20
Of the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction, as in the case of the first embodiment, the emission surface arranged facing the incident end surface (not shown) of the plate-shaped light guide is a convex surface portion 29. Part 29
The side surface opposite to is a reflecting surface 23. The light-receiving end surface 21 of the columnar light guide portion 20 is arranged at a position for receiving the light emitted from the light source portion 10.
【００３９】実施形態５の凸面部２９は、光の出射方向
に凸となる２条の凸プリズムの形状２９ａ，２９ｂに成
形されている。この凸プリズム形状２９ａ，２９ｂの稜
線（Ｚ−Ｚ）は何れも柱状導光部の長手方向に延びてい
る。凸プリズム形状２９ａ，２９ｂの各仰角はそれぞれ
が同じでも異なっていてもよいが、いずれも２°〜４０
°の範囲内とされている。The convex surface portion 29 of the fifth embodiment is formed into two convex prism shapes 29a and 29b which are convex in the light emission direction. The ridgelines (ZZ) of the convex prism shapes 29a and 29b both extend in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion. The elevation angles of the convex prism shapes 29a and 29b may be the same or different, but both are 2 ° to 40 °.
It is within the range of °.
【００４０】実施形態５の面発光体は、反射型液晶表示
ユニットの表示面上に発光面が対向するように配置して
本発明の反射型液晶表示装置を形成し点灯するとき、画
面が明るくかつ画像コントラストが高く視認性の良好な
液晶表示が得られた。The surface luminous body of the fifth embodiment is arranged on the display surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display unit so that the light emitting surfaces face each other to form the reflection type liquid crystal display device of the present invention, and when the light is turned on, the screen becomes bright. A liquid crystal display having high image contrast and good visibility was obtained.
【００４１】（実施形態６）実施形態６の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは主として柱状導光部
の凸面部形状について詳しく説明する。図１２は、この
実施形態における柱状導光部２０の受光端面付近を示す
斜視図である。図１２において、この柱状導光部２０
は、実施形態１の場合と同様に長手方向に延びる４側面
のうち、板状導光部の入射端面（図示せず）と対向して
配置された出射面が凸面部４０とされ、この凸面部４０
と対向する側面が反射面２３とされている。(Embodiment 6) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 6 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be mainly described in detail. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the light receiving end surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 in this embodiment. In FIG. 12, this columnar light guide portion 20
Of the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction, as in the case of the first embodiment, the exit surface arranged to face the incident end surface (not shown) of the plate-shaped light guide portion is the convex surface portion 40. Part 40
The side surface opposite to is a reflecting surface 23.
【００４２】実施形態６の凸面部４０は、４分割筒形凸
レンズの形状を有するレンズ部４０ａと片側傾斜面の形
状を有するプリズム部４０ｂとがそれぞれの峰部で合体
して１条の凸面を形成した複合型凸面形状となってい
る。ここで「４分割筒形凸レンズ部」とは、円柱を軸心
に沿って４分割した筒形凸レンズである。レンズ部４０
ａとプリズム部４０ｂとが合体して形成される複合型凸
面形状の稜線（Ｚ−Ｚ）は柱状導光部２０の長手方向に
延びている。試作した柱状導光部６Ａ，６Ｂ，６Ｃの凸
面部におけるレンズ部４０ａの底辺上の曲率半径ｒとプ
リズム部４０ｂの底辺長さＬとを、柱状導光部２０の厚
みＴに対する比として図１２に表示した。柱状導光部６
Ａ，６Ｂ，６Ｃは何れも、レンズ部４０ａがプリズム部
４０ｂの下側、すなわち板状導光部３０と組合わせたと
き発光面３２の側に配置されている。In the convex surface portion 40 of the sixth embodiment, the lens portion 40a having the shape of a four-divided cylindrical convex lens and the prism portion 40b having the shape of the one-side inclined surface are united at their respective peaks to form one convex surface. It has a formed complex convex shape. Here, the “four-division cylindrical convex lens portion” is a cylindrical convex lens obtained by dividing a cylinder into four along the axis. Lens part 40
A ridge line (ZZ) of the composite convex shape formed by combining a and the prism portion 40b extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion 20. As a ratio of the radius of curvature r on the bottom side of the lens part 40a and the bottom side length L of the prism part 40b in the convex surface part of the prototyped columnar light guide parts 6A, 6B, and 6C to the thickness T of the columnar light guide part 20, FIG. Displayed on. Columnar light guide 6
All of A, 6B, and 6C are arranged on the lower side of the prism section 40b, that is, on the light emitting surface 32 side when combined with the plate-shaped light guide section 30.
【００４３】実施形態６の面発光体は、柱状導光部の凸
面部の形状が図１２に示す６Ａ，６Ｂ，６Ｃの何れであ
っても、反射型液晶表示ユニットの表示面上に発光面が
対向するように配置して本発明の反射型液晶表示装置を
形成し点灯するとき、画面が明るくかつ画像コントラス
トが高く視認性の良好な液晶表示が得られた。The surface light emitter of the sixth embodiment has a light emitting surface on the display surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display unit regardless of the shape of the convex surface portion of the columnar light guide portion 6A, 6B or 6C shown in FIG. When the reflective liquid crystal display device of the present invention was formed so as to face each other and turned on, a liquid crystal display with a bright screen, high image contrast and good visibility was obtained.
【００４４】（実施形態７）実施形態７の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは主として柱状導光部
の凸面部形状について詳しく説明する。図１３は、この
実施形態における柱状導光部２０の受光端面付近を示す
斜視図である。図１３において、この柱状導光部２０
は、実施形態１の場合と同様に長手方向に延びる４側面
のうち、板状導光部の入射端面（図示せず）と対向して
配置された出射面が凸面部４１とされ、この凸面部４１
と対向する側面が反射面２３とされている。(Embodiment 7) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 7 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be mainly described in detail. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the light receiving end surface of the columnar light guide portion 20 in this embodiment. In FIG. 13, the columnar light guide portion 20
Of the four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction, as in the case of the first embodiment, the exit surface arranged to face the incident end surface (not shown) of the plate-shaped light guide portion is the convex surface portion 41. Part 41
The side surface opposite to is a reflecting surface 23.
【００４５】実施形態７の凸面部４１は、実施形態６と
同様に４分割筒形凸レンズの形状を有するレンズ部４１
ａと片側傾斜面の形状を有するプリズム部４１ｂとがそ
れぞれの峰部で合体して１条の凸面を形成した複合型凸
面形状となっている。ただしレンズ部４１ａとプリズム
部４１ｂとの上下の配列順序が実施形態６の場合とは逆
になっている。すなわちこの実施形態ではレンズ部４１
ａがプリズム部４０ｂの上側、すなわち板状導光部３０
と組合わせたとき対向面３３の側に配置されている。試
作した柱状導光部７Ａ，７Ｂ，７Ｃの凸面部におけるレ
ンズ部４１ａの底辺上の曲率半径ｒとプリズム部４１ｂ
の底辺長さＬとを、柱状導光部２０の厚みＴに対する比
として図１２に表示した。The convex surface portion 41 of the seventh embodiment is similar to the sixth embodiment in that the lens portion 41 has the shape of a four-divided cylindrical convex lens.
a and the prism portion 41b having the shape of one side inclined surface are combined at their respective ridges to form a single convex surface to form a composite convex surface shape. However, the upper and lower arrangement order of the lens portion 41a and the prism portion 41b is opposite to that in the sixth embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the lens unit 41
a is the upper side of the prism portion 40b, that is, the plate-shaped light guide portion 30.
It is arranged on the side of the facing surface 33 when combined with. The radius of curvature r on the bottom side of the lens portion 41a and the prism portion 41b in the convex surface portions of the prototyped columnar light guide portions 7A, 7B, 7C.
The bottom length L of the column is shown in FIG. 12 as a ratio to the thickness T of the columnar light guide 20.
【００４６】実施形態７の面発光体は、柱状導光部の凸
面部の形状が図１３に示す７Ａ，７Ｂ，７Ｃの何れであ
っても、反射型液晶表示ユニットの表示面上に発光面が
対向するように配置して本発明の反射型液晶表示装置を
形成し点灯するとき、画面が明るくかつ画像コントラス
トが高く視認性の良好な液晶表示が得られた。The surface light emitter of the seventh embodiment has a light emitting surface on the display surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display unit regardless of the shape of the convex surface portion of the columnar light guide portion 7A, 7B or 7C shown in FIG. When the reflective liquid crystal display device of the present invention was formed so as to face each other and turned on, a liquid crystal display with a bright screen, high image contrast and good visibility was obtained.
【００４７】（実施形態８）実施形態８の面発光体は、
柱状導光部の凸面部形状が異なる以外は実施形態１と同
様の構成を有する。従ってここでは柱状導光部の凸面部
形状について詳しく説明する。図１４（ａ）〜図１４
（ｄ）はそれぞれ、この実施形態における柱状導光部２
０を長手方向に対し垂直に切った断面図である。実施形
態８には凸面部４２の形状により８Ａ，８Ｂ，８Ｃ，８
Ｄの４種類の変形がある。図１４（ａ）〜図１４（ｄ）
はそれぞれ８Ａ〜８Ｄの変形に対応している。これら４
種類の柱状導光部は、凸面部４２が何れも共通して、４
分割筒形凸レンズの形状を有するレンズ部４２ａと片側
傾斜面の形状を有するプリズム部４２ｂとがそれぞれの
峰部で合体して１条の凸面を形成し、この複合型凸面形
状が２条、柱状導光部２０の長手方向に平行して延びて
いる。それぞれの変形におけるレンズ部４２ａとプリズ
ム部４２ｂとの組合わせ順序は、板状導光部の発光面が
下向きになる状態で、対向面の側から以下のようになっ
ている。
８Ａ［レンズ部４２ａ−プリズム部４２ｂ−プリズム部
４２ｂ−レンズ部４２ａ］
８Ｂ［レンズ部４２ａ−プリズム部４２ｂ−レンズ部４
２ａ−プリズム部４２ｂ］
８Ｃ［プリズム部４２ｂ−レンズ部４２ａ−プリズム部
４２ｂ−レンズ部４２ａ］
８Ｄ［プリズム部４２ｂ−レンズ部４２ａ−レンズ部４
２ａ−プリズム部４２ｂ］
各変形８Ａ〜８Ｄにおいて、レンズ部４１ａの底辺上の
曲率半径ｒとプリズム部４１ｂの底辺長さＬとは特に限
定されるものではないが、一例として例えばレンズ部４
１ａの曲率半径ｒが柱状導光部の厚みＴの０．２５倍、
プリズム部４１ｂの底辺長さＬが柱状導光部の厚みＴの
０．２５倍とされたものを挙げることができる。(Embodiment 8) A surface light emitter according to Embodiment 8 is
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide is different. Therefore, here, the shape of the convex surface of the columnar light guide will be described in detail. 14A to 14
(D) is the columnar light guide 2 in this embodiment, respectively.
It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected 0 to the longitudinal direction perpendicularly. In the eighth embodiment, depending on the shape of the convex portion 42, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8
There are four types of variations, D. 14 (a) to 14 (d)
Correspond to the deformations of 8A to 8D, respectively. These 4
In the columnar light guide portion of the type, the convex surface portion 42 is common to all,
The lens portion 42a having the shape of the split cylindrical convex lens and the prism portion 42b having the shape of the one-side inclined surface are united at their respective ridges to form one convex surface. It extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light guide portion 20. The order of combination of the lens portion 42a and the prism portion 42b in each deformation is as follows from the facing surface side with the light emitting surface of the plate-shaped light guide portion facing downward. 8A [lens part 42a-prism part 42b-prism part 42b-lens part 42a] 8B [lens part 42a-prism part 42b-lens part 4]
2a-prism part 42b] 8C [prism part 42b-lens part 42a-prism part 42b-lens part 42a] 8D [prism part 42b-lens part 42a-lens part 4]
2a-Prism part 42b] In each of the deformations 8A to 8D, the radius of curvature r on the bottom side of the lens part 41a and the bottom length L of the prism part 41b are not particularly limited, but for example, the lens part 4 is used.
The radius of curvature r of 1a is 0.25 times the thickness T of the columnar light guide,
An example is one in which the bottom length L of the prism portion 41b is 0.25 times the thickness T of the columnar light guide portion.
【００４８】実施形態８の面発光体は、柱状導光部の凸
面部の形状が図１４に示す８Ａ〜８Ｄの何れであって
も、反射型液晶表示ユニットの表示面上に発光面が対向
するように配置して本発明の反射型液晶表示装置を形成
し点灯するとき、画面が明るくかつ画像コントラストが
高く視認性の良好な液晶表示が得られた。In the surface light emitter of the eighth embodiment, the light emitting surface is opposed to the display surface of the reflective liquid crystal display unit regardless of the shape of the convex surface portion of the columnar light guide portion 8A to 8D shown in FIG. When the reflective liquid crystal display device of the present invention was formed and turned on with the above arrangement, a liquid crystal display with a bright screen, high image contrast and good visibility was obtained.
【００４９】[0049]
【発明の効果】本発明の面発光体は、柱状導光部の出射
面に、光の出射方向に凸となる凸面部が設けられている
ので、出射面が平坦な柱状導光部を用いた従来の面発光
体に比べ、板状導光部の発光面から出射される面状光束
の輝度が増大し、また対向面からの有害光の漏洩や散乱
が抑制される。本発明の液晶表示装置は、前記の面発光
体と液晶表示ユニットとを備えているので、柱状導光部
の出射面が平坦な従来の面発光体を用いた液晶表示装置
に比べ、画面が明るくかつ画像コントラストが高く視認
性の良好な液晶表示が得られる。In the surface light emitter of the present invention, since the emitting surface of the columnar light guide portion is provided with the convex portion which is convex in the light emitting direction, the columnar light guide portion having a flat emitting surface is used. Compared with the conventional surface light emitter, the brightness of the planar light flux emitted from the light emitting surface of the plate-shaped light guide portion is increased, and the leakage or scattering of harmful light from the opposing surface is suppressed. Since the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned surface light emitter and the liquid crystal display unit, the screen has a screen as compared with a liquid crystal display device using a conventional surface light emitter whose emission surface of the columnar light guide part is flat. A liquid crystal display that is bright and has high image contrast and good visibility can be obtained.
【図１】 本発明の実施形態１の面発光体を示す平面図
である。FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a surface light emitter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】 前記実施形態の柱状導光部の端部付近を示す
斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end portion of the columnar light guide portion of the embodiment.
【図３】 前記実施形態の面発光体と液晶表示ユニット
とを組合わせて構成した本発明の液晶表示装置の一例を
示す断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention, which is configured by combining the surface light emitter of the embodiment and a liquid crystal display unit.
【図４】 前記液晶表示装置に用いられる反射層の一例
を示す斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a reflective layer used in the liquid crystal display device.
【図５】 板状導光部の板面から出射される出射光の輝
度を測定する方法を示す断面図である。FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for measuring the brightness of emitted light emitted from the plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide unit.
【図６】 出射光輝度比の測定結果を示すグラフであ
る。FIG. 6 is a graph showing measurement results of emission light luminance ratio.
【図７】 実施形態２における柱状導光部の端部付近を
示す斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end of a columnar light guide in the second embodiment.
【図８】 実施形態３における柱状導光部の端部付近を
示す斜視図である。FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end of a columnar light guide in the third embodiment.
【図９】 実施形態４における柱状導光部の端部付近を
示す斜視図である。FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end of a columnar light guide in the fourth embodiment.
【図１０】 出射光輝度比の測定結果を示すグラフであ
る。FIG. 10 is a graph showing measurement results of emission light luminance ratio.
【図１１】 実施形態５における柱状導光部の端部付近
を示す斜視図である。FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end portion of a columnar light guide unit according to the fifth embodiment.
【図１２】 実施形態６における柱状導光部の端部付近
を示す斜視図である。FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end of a columnar light guide in the sixth embodiment.
【図１３】 実施形態７における柱状導光部の端部付近
を示す斜視図である。FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an end of a columnar light guide in the seventh embodiment.
【図１４】 （ａ）（ｂ）（ｃ）（ｄ）はそれぞれ実施
形態８における柱状導光部の変形を示す断面図である。14 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are cross-sectional views showing modifications of the columnar light guide section in the eighth embodiment.
【図１５】 従来から用いられている液晶表示装置の一
例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventionally used liquid crystal display device.
【図１６】 （ａ）は前記従来の液晶表示装置の一部を
表示面側から見た平面図、（ｂ）はその線Ｘ−Ｘで切っ
た断面図である。16A is a plan view of a part of the conventional liquid crystal display device seen from the display surface side, and FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken along line XX thereof.
１０…光源部、２０…導光体、２１…受光端面、２２…
凸面部、２３…反射面、３０…板状導光部、３１…入射
側面、３２…発光面、３３…対向面、５０…液晶表示ユ
ニット、５１…液晶表示板、５２…反射層。10 ... Light source part, 20 ... Light guide, 21 ... Light receiving end surface, 22 ...
Convex surface portion, 23 ... Reflective surface, 30 ... Plate-shaped light guide portion, 31 ... Incident side surface, 32 ... Light emitting surface, 33 ... Opposing surface, 50 ... Liquid crystal display unit, 51 ... Liquid crystal display plate, 52 ... Reflective layer.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (51)Int.Cl.7 識別記号 ＦＩ テーマコート゛(参考） Ｈ０１Ｌ 33/00 Ｈ０１Ｌ 33/00 Ｌ Ｍ // Ｆ２１Ｙ 101:02 Ｆ２１Ｙ 101:02 Ｆターム(参考） 2H038 AA54 AA55 BA01 BA06 2H091 FA15X FA23X FA42X FA45X FD06 FD22 LA03 LA16 LA17 LA18 5F041 AA05 DA82 EE11 EE25 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. 7 Identification code FI theme code (reference) H01L 33/00 H01L 33/00 LM // F21Y 101: 02 F21Y 101: 02 F term (reference) 2H038 AA54 AA55 BA01 BA06 2H091 FA15X FA23X FA42X FA45X FD06 FD22 LA03 LA16 LA17 LA18 5F041 AA05 DA82 EE11 EE25
Claims (13)
柱状導光部は端面から入射した光を長手方向に沿う側面
（出射面）から帯状光束として出射するように構成さ
れ、前記板状導光部は前記柱状導光部が出射した前記帯
状光束を側面（入射側面）で受光し、板面から面状光束
として出射するように構成された面発光体であって、 前記柱状導光部の前記出射面に、光の出射方向に凸とな
る凸面部が設けられたことを特徴とする面発光体。1. A columnar light guide portion and a plate-shaped light guide portion are provided, and the columnar light guide portion is configured to emit light incident from an end face as a band-shaped light flux from a side surface (emission surface) along the longitudinal direction. The plate-shaped light guide unit is a surface light emitter configured to receive the band-shaped light beam emitted from the column-shaped light guide unit on a side surface (incident side surface) and emit it as a planar light beam from the plate surface. A surface-emitting body, wherein a convex surface portion that is convex in the light emission direction is provided on the emission surface of the columnar light guide portion.
長手方向に延びる１以上の筒形凸レンズの形状に成形さ
れたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の面発光体。2. The surface light emitter according to claim 1, wherein the convex surface portion is formed into a shape of one or more cylindrical convex lenses whose ridge lines extend in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion.
該形状の弦長の０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲内とされたこ
とを特徴とする請求項２に記載の面発光体。3. The surface-emitting body according to claim 2, wherein the radius of curvature of the cylindrical convex lens shape is within a range of 0.5 times to 2.0 times the chord length of the shape. .
形状に成形されたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の面
発光体。4. The surface light emitter according to claim 1, wherein the convex surface portion is formed into one or more spherical convex lens shapes.
該形状の弦長の０．５倍〜２．０倍の範囲内とされたこ
とを特徴とする請求項４に記載の面発光体。5. The surface light emitter according to claim 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the spherical convex lens shape is within a range of 0.5 times to 2.0 times the chord length of the shape.
長手方向に延びる１以上の凸プリズムの形状に成形され
たことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の面発光体。6. The surface light emitter according to claim 1, wherein the convex surface portion is formed in a shape of one or more convex prisms whose ridge lines extend in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion.
は、２°〜４５°の範囲内とされたことを特徴とする請
求項６に記載の面発光体。7. The surface-emitting body according to claim 6, wherein an elevation angle sandwiching the base of the convex prism shape is in the range of 2 ° to 45 °.
長手方向に延びる４分割筒形凸レンズ部と、前記稜線を
共有する片側傾斜面のプリズム部とからなる１以上の複
合型凸面形状に成形されたことを特徴とする請求項１に
記載の面発光体。8. The one or more composite convex surfaces, wherein the convex surface portion is composed of a four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion whose ridge line extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion, and a prism portion of one side inclined surface that shares the ridge line. The surface light emitter according to claim 1, wherein the surface light emitter is formed into a shape.
は、当該複合型凸面形状の条幅の０．２倍〜０．８倍の
範囲内とされ、前記プリズム部の仰角は、２５°〜７０
°の範囲内とされたことを特徴とする請求項８に記載の
面発光体。9. The radius of curvature of the four-divided cylindrical convex lens portion is in the range of 0.2 times to 0.8 times the width of the complex convex surface shape, and the elevation angle of the prism portion is 25 ° to 25 °. 70
9. The surface light emitter according to claim 8, wherein the surface light emitter is in the range of °.
する側面に、前記端面から入射した光を前記帯状光束の
出射方向に反射する複数のプリズム状傾斜面が形成され
たことを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項９の何れかに記載
の面発光体。10. The prismatic light guide unit has a plurality of prismatic inclined surfaces for reflecting the light incident from the end surface in the emission direction of the band-shaped light flux, on the side surface facing the emission surface. The surface light emitter according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
光透過性であり、かつ前記入射側面で受光した帯状光束
の光を一方の板面から面状光束として出射する反射手段
が設けられたことを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項１０の
何れかに記載の面発光体。11. The plate-shaped light guide portion is light-transmissive in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface, and is a reflection means for emitting light of a band-shaped light beam received on the incident side surface as a surface light beam from one plate surface. The surface light emitter according to claim 1, wherein the surface light emitter is provided.
出射する前記板面（発光面）と対向する板面に形成さ
れ、稜線が前記柱状導光部の長手方向に延びる複数のプ
リズム状傾斜面からなることを特徴とする請求項１１に
記載の面発光体。12. The prism means is formed on a plate surface opposite to the plate surface (light emitting surface) from which light is emitted as a planar light beam, and a ridge line extends in the longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide portion. The surface light emitter according to claim 11, wherein the surface light emitter comprises an inclined surface.
の面発光体と液晶表示ユニットとを備えたことを特徴と
する液晶表示装置。13. A liquid crystal display device comprising the surface light emitter according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a liquid crystal display unit.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001363361A JP4044324B2 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2001-11-28 | Planar light emitter and liquid crystal display device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001363361A JP4044324B2 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2001-11-28 | Planar light emitter and liquid crystal display device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2003162914A true JP2003162914A (en) | 2003-06-06 |
| JP4044324B2 JP4044324B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 |
Family
ID=19173718
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001363361A Expired - Fee Related JP4044324B2 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2001-11-28 | Planar light emitter and liquid crystal display device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP4044324B2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010052991A1 (en) * | 2008-11-07 | 2010-05-14 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Light guide plate, wiring module and electronic device |
| WO2012114553A1 (en) * | 2011-02-21 | 2012-08-30 | パナソニック株式会社 | Light guiding member and light emitting device provided with same |
| KR101338823B1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2013-12-06 | 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 | Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device having the same |
| WO2014038807A1 (en) * | 2012-09-05 | 2014-03-13 | 희성전자 | Light guide bar and backlight device with same |
| CN104728668A (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-24 | 三星显示有限公司 | Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same |
-
2001
- 2001-11-28 JP JP2001363361A patent/JP4044324B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR101338823B1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2013-12-06 | 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 | Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device having the same |
| WO2010052991A1 (en) * | 2008-11-07 | 2010-05-14 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Light guide plate, wiring module and electronic device |
| JP2010113977A (en) * | 2008-11-07 | 2010-05-20 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Light guide plate, wiring module, and electronic equipment |
| WO2012114553A1 (en) * | 2011-02-21 | 2012-08-30 | パナソニック株式会社 | Light guiding member and light emitting device provided with same |
| WO2014038807A1 (en) * | 2012-09-05 | 2014-03-13 | 희성전자 | Light guide bar and backlight device with same |
| US10107956B2 (en) | 2012-09-05 | 2018-10-23 | Heesung Electronics Ltd. | Light guide bar and backlight device with the same |
| CN104728668A (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-24 | 三星显示有限公司 | Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same |
| US20150177440A1 (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-25 | Samsung Display Co., Ltd. | Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same |
| US9377572B2 (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2016-06-28 | Samsung Display Co., Ltd. | Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP4044324B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 |
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