JP2004191641A - Electro-optical device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electro-optical device capable of holding a uniform gap without deteriorating display quality. <P>SOLUTION: This electro-optical device is constituted for a light valve by oppositely arranging a pair of substrates through a seal section formed like a frame, and sealing electro-optical elements in a space surrounded by the pair of substrates and the seal section, and provided with a display area constituted of a plurality of pixels at the central part of the area surrounded by the seal section. The electro-optical device is characterized by arranging spacers 22 and 60 holding the gap of the pair of substrates 10 and 20 only in a non-pixel area B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus suitable for use in a light valve of a projection display device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electro-optical device having a structure in which an electro-optical material is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, such as a liquid crystal device and an electrophoretic display device, in order to maintain a constant thickness of the electro-optical layer, a gap holding substrate is used. Spacers are arranged.
For example, a liquid crystal device is manufactured by sealing a peripheral portion of a pair of substrates facing each other with a sealing material, and sealing a liquid crystal in a space surrounded by the substrate and the sealing portion. Then, a display region is configured by a plurality of pixel regions provided at the center of the region surrounded by the seal portion. In such a liquid crystal device, since the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, that is, the uniformity of the gap between the substrates greatly affects the display quality, spacers are arranged between the substrates to keep the gap constant. 1).
[0003]
However, since the spacers arranged in the display area cause light leakage, it is desirable to reduce the number of the spacers as much as possible. In particular, a liquid crystal device used as a light valve of a projection type display device has a display area as small as about 1 inch, so that a decrease in contrast due to light leakage is greater than that of a direct-view type device having a large size. In addition, when an image is enlarged and projected, a portion where light is leaked is visually recognized, and display quality may be impaired.
For this reason, in a liquid crystal device for a light valve, usually, no spacer is arranged in the display area, and the gap is maintained only by the seal portion. That is, a spacer made of glass fiber, resin beads, or the like is kneaded into the sealing material, and the two substrates are bonded to each other with the sealing material, thereby indirectly holding the gap in the display area.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-53122
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional electro-optical device in which the gap is held only by the spacer arranged in the seal portion, when the panel size is increased to, for example, about 1.6 to 1.8 inches, the gap at the center of the display area is sufficiently increased. May not be able to be held.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an electro-optical device capable of maintaining a uniform gap without deteriorating display quality.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electro-optical device according to the present invention is configured such that a pair of substrates are disposed to face each other via a seal portion formed in a frame shape, and are disposed in a space surrounded by the pair of substrates and the seal portion. An electro-optical device for a light valve, wherein an electro-optical element is sealed, and a display area including a plurality of pixels is provided at a central portion of an area surrounded by the seal portion, wherein the electro-optical device holds a gap between the pair of substrates. The spacer is provided only in the non-pixel region.
Note that, in this specification, a “pixel” refers to an individual region where a pixel electrode is formed. The display region is a region where an image is formed as a whole, and refers to a region including a pixel and a region between pixels. The “non-display region” refers to a region provided outside the display region. Further, the “non-pixel region” is a region that does not contribute to display, and refers to a non-display region and a region between pixels. In addition, examples of the electro-optical element include an electro-optical material such as a liquid crystal and an electrophoretic substance, and a light emitting element including an electroluminescent layer.
[0007]
According to this configuration, the gaps in the display area are held by the spacers arranged in the non-pixel areas, so that the uniformity of the gap in the display area is smaller than that in the related art in which the gap is held only by the spacers in the seal portion. Increase. In addition, since no spacer is arranged in the pixel region, the display quality does not deteriorate due to light leakage or the like.
[0008]
As the above-mentioned spacer, a cylindrical spacer such as a glass fiber or a granular spacer such as a resin bead configured as a spraying agent can be used. Alternatively, a columnar spacer made of a photosensitive resin and formed on at least one of the pair of substrates using a photolithography technique may be used. When a scatter material is used for the spacer, there is no need to separately form a columnar spacer or the like on the substrate, and the manufacturing process can be simplified. On the other hand, when the gap is held by the columnar spacer, its arrangement and density can be freely designed.
In the case where an opening for injecting an electro-optical material is provided in the seal portion, it is desirable that the spacer should not be disposed near the opening. By not providing a spacer that hinders the injection in the injection path, uneven injection of the electro-optical material can be prevented.
[0009]
Further, in the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, a pair of substrates are disposed to face each other via a first seal portion formed in a frame shape, and electric power is supplied to a space surrounded by the pair of substrates and the first seal portion. An electro-optical device for a light valve, wherein an optical element is encapsulated and a display area including a plurality of pixels is provided at a central portion of a region surrounded by the first seal portion, wherein the first seal portion is provided. A second seal portion is provided in a region between the first seal portion and the display region, and a spacer for holding a gap between the pair of substrates includes only the second seal portion, or the first seal portion and the second seal portion. Characterized in that it is arranged only in the seal portion.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the gap is held in the second seal portion provided on the display area side with respect to the first seal portion, so that the gap is held only in the first seal portion as compared with the related art. Thus, the uniformity of the gap in the display area is improved. Further, since no spacer is arranged in the display area, the display quality does not deteriorate due to light leakage or the like.
[0011]
Further, in this configuration, the step of separately arranging the spacer between the substrates can be omitted, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified and the cost is advantageous. That is, when arranging spacers in the non-pixel region, it is necessary to disperse granular spacers on the substrate or to form columnar spacers by photolithography. On the other hand, in the present configuration, for example, a spacer made of a glass fiber, a resin bead, or the like may be mixed with the sealing material, and the first sealing portion or the second sealing portion may be formed with the sealing material. For this reason, the above-described spraying step and the like become unnecessary, and the conventional step can be followed substantially as it is.
[0012]
Note that, unlike the first seal portion, the second seal portion of the present configuration does not necessarily need to seal the peripheral portion of the substrate. For example, a plurality of linear seals or curved shapes, or a plurality of spots are arranged. Configuration.
[0013]
In the case where an opening for injecting an electro-optical material is provided in the first seal portion, it is preferable that the second seal portion is not arranged near the opening. By not providing the second seal portion that hinders the injection in the injection path, uneven injection of the electro-optical material can be prevented.
In addition, it is desirable that a surface of at least one of the pair of substrates be subjected to a planarization process. Thereby, the uniformity of the gap can be further improved.
According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic apparatus includes the above-described electro-optical device. Thus, an electronic device with increased display luminance can be provided.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a liquid crystal device which is an example of the electro-optical device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an active matrix substrate of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a counter substrate side together with components formed thereon, and FIG. 2 is a diagram including the counter substrate. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line II ′. In all of the following drawings, the thickness of each component, the ratio of dimensions, and the like are appropriately changed in order to make the drawings easy to see.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment is a small (about 2 inches) liquid crystal device with a built-in peripheral circuit used as a light valve, and is an active matrix made of hard glass, quartz, or the like. The substrate 10 and an opposing substrate 20 made of glass or the like are bonded together by a seal portion 30, and a liquid crystal (a liquid crystal layer 40) as an electro-optical material is sealed in a space surrounded by the substrates 10 and 20 and the seal portion 30. It is configured.
[0016]
A rectangular display area A is provided in the center of the substrate 10 surrounded by the seal portion 30, and a plurality of pixel electrodes 11 (see FIG. 2) are formed in the display area A in a matrix. The pixel electrodes 11 are driven in a matrix by peripheral driving circuits such as an X driver 15 and a Y driver 16 provided outside the display area A (non-display area) B.
[0017]
On the other hand, on the substrate 20 on which the common electrode 21 is formed, a columnar spacer 22 made of a photosensitive material containing acrylic as a main component is formed in a non-display area B between the seal part 30 and the display area A by 25 μm ^2. A plurality is formed at a density of 1 mm ² to 1 mm ² , and a gap between the substrates 10 and 20 is maintained at a position immediately adjacent to the display area.
[0018]
Further, a spacer 60 made of glass fiber, resin beads, or the like is mixed in the seal portion 30 provided in a rectangular frame shape on the peripheral portion of the substrate, and the gap between the substrates 10 and 20 can be maintained in the seal portion 30 as well. It has become. In addition, an opening (injection port) 30a is provided in the seal portion 30, and liquid crystal is injected between the substrates 10 and 20 through the injection port 30a. At this time, since the spacers 22 obstruct the injection, the spacers 22 are not formed near the injection port 30a serving as the injection path. In addition, the vicinity of the injection port indicates, for example, a range of about 1 mm from the injection port, but this distance may be appropriately increased or decreased depending on injection conditions.
[0019]
In the substrate 10, when the pixels 11 are formed, a flattening process such as CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) is performed below the pixel electrodes 11. Thereby, the smoothness of the substrate surface can be improved, and the gap can be made more uniform.
[0020]
Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment, the gap is held in the immediate vicinity of the display area by the spacer 22, so that the display is smaller than that of the related art in which the gap is held only by the seal portion of the outer frame. The uniformity of the gap in the region can be improved. Further, since the gap is maintained by the spacers 22 and 60 arranged in the non-display area B, the display quality does not deteriorate due to light leakage or the like.
[0021]
Further, since the spacer 22 is made of a material containing acrylic as a main component, less impurities are dissolved in the liquid crystal as compared with the sealing material, and the resistance of the liquid crystal can be maintained at a high resistance even after a long period of production. If the seal portion 30 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the display region A and the gap is held by the spacer 60 in the seal portion 30, the uniformity of the gap in the display region is increased, but the gap is moved from the seal portion 30 to the display region A. The display quality is impaired by the dissolved impurities. On the other hand, according to this structure, a highly reliable liquid crystal device can be obtained by minimizing the influence of impurities on display.
[0022]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a liquid crystal device as an example of an electro-optical device according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the active matrix substrate of the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment, together with the components formed thereon, as viewed from the counter substrate side. FIG. FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0023]
In the liquid crystal device 2 of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the active matrix substrate 10 and the opposing substrate 20 are bonded together by a seal portion (first seal portion) 30, and the substrates 10 and 20 and the seal portion A liquid crystal (a liquid crystal layer 40), which is an electro-optical material, is enclosed in a space surrounded by 30 and 30.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the liquid crystal device 1 of the first embodiment, the columnar spacers 22 of the counter substrate 20 are omitted, and the non-display area B between the display area A and the seal portion 30 is provided. The gap is maintained between the formed seal portion (second seal portion) 31 and the seal portion 30. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Is omitted.
[0024]
That is, in the present embodiment, the seal part 31 is formed in the non-display area B between the seal part 30 and the display area A. As in the case of the seal portion 30, a spacer 61 made of glass fiber, resin beads, or the like is mixed in the seal portion 31, so that a gap can be held at a position closer to the display area A than the seal portion 30. I have. The seal portion 31 is provided merely for disposing the spacer 61 in the non-display area, and does not have a role of sealing the peripheral portion of the substrate, unlike the seal portion 30. For this reason, the seal portion 31 is not limited to a frame-shaped seal portion. For example, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the seal portion 31 is configured as a linear seal portion formed along each edge of the display area A. ing. Note that the seal portion 31 is not disposed near the injection port 30a serving as an injection path because it hinders liquid crystal injection.
[0025]
Therefore, also in the liquid crystal device 2 of the present embodiment, since the gap is held in the immediate vicinity of the display area A by the spacer 61, the uniformity of the gap in the display area is improved without lowering the display quality such as light leakage. be able to.
Further, in this configuration, since the gap is held only by the seal portions 30 and 31, there is no need to separately form a columnar spacer, and the manufacturing process can be simplified. That is, in the present configuration, the gap can be maintained only by simultaneously printing the seal portions 30 and 31 with the seal material in which the spacers are mixed, instead of forming the columnar spacers or spraying the granular spacers. The conventional manufacturing process can be substantially followed. For this reason, it is advantageous in cost as compared with the case where a spacer is separately formed.
[0026]
[Third embodiment]
Next, a liquid crystal device as an example of an electro-optical device according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating a display area. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
In the liquid crystal device 3 of the present embodiment, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, the active matrix substrate 10 and the opposing substrate 20 are bonded together by the seal portion 30, and the space surrounded by the substrates 10, 20 and the seal portion 30. And a liquid crystal (liquid crystal layer 40) is sealed therein.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the liquid crystal device 1 according to the first embodiment, a gap in the immediate vicinity of the display region A is held by a granular spacer 62 instead of the columnar spacer 22. The remaining configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.
That is, in the present embodiment, the granular spacers (spraying material) 62 made of resin beads or the like are arranged in the non-pixel region by spraying.
[0028]
As a method of dispersing the spacers 62 only in the non-pixel region as described above, for example, the charged spacers 62 are dispersed while the electric charge is held in the pixel electrode 11 of each pixel, and the pixels are dispersed by the Coulomb repulsive force of both. A method for preventing the electrode 11 from dropping can be exemplified. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, since the spacers 62 that have fallen into the display area A are arranged in the non-pixel areas C between the pixel electrodes 11, the display quality such as light leakage does not occur. In addition to the above method, for example, after the granular spacers 62 are scattered over the entire area including the pixels, the spacers dropped on the display area A may be removed with an adhesive tape or the like.
[0029]
Therefore, even in the liquid crystal device 3 of the present embodiment, the uniformity of the gap in the display area A can be improved without deteriorating the display quality.
[0030]
[Electronics]
Next, an example of an electronic apparatus including the above-described electro-optical device will be described.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a mobile personal computer (information processing apparatus) including the electro-optical device according to the above-described embodiment. In the figure, a personal computer 1100 includes a main body 1104 having a keyboard 1102, and a display unit having the above-described electro-optical device 1106.
[0031]
FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a projection display device including the above-described electro-optical device as a light valve. In this projection type liquid crystal display device 1110, three modules including a liquid crystal device (electro-optical device) 100 in which the drive circuit 1014 is mounted on an active matrix substrate are prepared, and RGB light valves 100R and 100G, respectively. It is configured as a projector used as 100B. In the liquid crystal projector 1110, when light is emitted from a lamp unit 1112 of a white light source such as a metal halide lamp, light corresponding to the three primary colors of R, G, and B is emitted by three mirrors 1116 and two dichroic mirrors 1118. The components are separated into components R, G, and B (light separating means) and guided to corresponding light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B (liquid crystal device 100 / liquid crystal light valve). At this time, since the light component B has a long optical path, the light component B is guided through a relay lens system 1131 composed of an entrance lens 1132, a relay lens 1123, and an exit lens 1134 to prevent light loss. The light components R, G, and B corresponding to the three primary colors modulated by the light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B are incident on the dichroic prism 1122 (light combining means) from three directions, are combined again, and then are projected. The image is projected as a color image on a screen 1130 or the like via 1124.
In the above electronic apparatus, since the spacer is not arranged in the display area of the electro-optical device that outputs display light, bright display can be performed.
[0032]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the first and third embodiments, the seal portion 30 is formed by the sealing material in which the granular spacers 60 are mixed, but the spacer of the seal portion 30 may be configured as the columnar spacer 23 (see FIG. 9). ).
[0033]
In the above-described second embodiment, the seal portion 31 has a linear configuration. However, the seal portion 31 may have, for example, a curved shape or a plurality of spots. Further, the arrangement position does not need to be provided at all four end sides of the display area, but may be provided at at least one place.
[0034]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the active matrix substrate 10 is subjected to the flattening process such as the CMP. However, the opposing substrate 20 may be flattened, or both the substrates 10 and 20 may be flattened. May be. In addition, the planarization treatment is not limited to the above-described CMP, and the substrate surface can be planarized by a method such as etch back using SOG or coating a thick film on the substrate.
In the above description, the electro-optical device has been described as a liquid crystal device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the electrophoretic device, electroluminescence (EL), digital micromirror device (DMD), or It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various devices using plasma emission or fluorescence by electron emission.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same liquid crystal device.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a liquid crystal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same liquid crystal device.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a display area of the liquid crystal device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing another configuration example of the liquid crystal device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 to 4 liquid crystal device, 10, 20 substrate, 22, 23, 60, 61, 62 spacer, 30 first seal portion, 30a inlet (opening), 31 second seal portion, 40 liquid crystal layer, A display Area, B non-display area

Claims (9)

A pair of substrates are arranged to face each other via a seal formed in a frame shape, and an electro-optical element is sealed in a space surrounded by the pair of substrates and the seal, and is surrounded by the seal. An electro-optical device for a light valve, having a display region including a plurality of pixels in a central portion of the region,
An electro-optical device, wherein a spacer for holding a gap between the pair of substrates is provided only in a non-pixel region. 2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is a spray material. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is a columnar spacer formed on at least one of the pair of substrates. The seal has an opening for injecting electro-optic material,
The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is not disposed near the opening. A pair of substrates are disposed to face each other via a first seal portion formed in a frame shape, and an electro-optical element is sealed in a space surrounded by the pair of substrates and the first seal portion. An electro-optical device for a light valve, comprising: a display region including a plurality of pixels in a central portion of a region surrounded by a first seal portion;
A second seal portion provided in a region between the first seal portion and the display region;
An electro-optical device, wherein a spacer for holding a gap between the pair of substrates is disposed only on the second seal portion or only on the first seal portion and the second seal portion. 6. The electro-optical device according to claim 5, wherein the second seal portion is formed in a line shape or a dot shape arranged around the display area. The first seal portion has an opening for injecting an electro-optical material,
The electro-optical device according to claim 5, wherein the second seal portion is not disposed near the opening. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is subjected to a planarization process. An electronic apparatus using the electro-optical device according to claim 1.

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