JP2005156811A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the resolution of gray scale in display in a display device using an optical shutter system. <P>SOLUTION: An image is formed by applying an electric field, which is formed by a first electric field forming means 41 for forming an electric field directed toward a specified direction in an electric field forming means 40, and a second electric field forming means 42 for forming the electric field directed toward a direction crossed to the specified direction in the electric field forming means 40, to flat-shaped particles 35 dispersed in a transparent liquid 30 stored between a transparent substrate 10 disposed on the display side ( arrow V1 side in Figure) and a counter substrate 20 placed opposite to the transparent substrate 10, and by changing inclination of the flat particles 35 for evry region R (regions R1, R2,...) with action of the electric field. The image is displayed on the display side by transmission and illumination of a backlight 39. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device that performs display by moving fine particles dispersed in a liquid accommodated between opposing substrates by the action of an electric field.

Conventionally, a display device for displaying an image by dispersing fine particles in a transparent liquid accommodated between two opposing substrates, charging the fine particles, and moving the charged fine particles by the action of an electric field. Is known (see Patent Document 1). Unlike the liquid crystal display method, the display method is a method for controlling the amount of light transmitted without using the light polarization principle, and is also called an optical shutter method.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-190351

  Since the optical shutter system using the fine particles can perform display without passing through a polarizing plate that attenuates the amount of transmitted light by about 50%, unlike the liquid crystal display system, the liquid crystal display can be used in terms of light utilization efficiency. Better than the method. However, the optical shutter system has a light transmittance in a state in which fine particles are aligned by the action of an electric field and a state in which fine particles are freely dispersed without applying an electric field (brown motion state), Alternatively, display is performed using a difference in reflectance, and it is difficult to obtain gradation resolution equivalent to that of the liquid crystal display device. In other words, the dispersed charged fine particles can basically have two states: a state where the electric field does not act and the fine particles are freely dispersed, and a state where the fine particles are aligned by the action of the electric field. It is difficult to make fine gradation expression by forming an electric field that restricts the free movement of fine particles in stages and gradually changing the alignment state of the fine particles.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display device capable of increasing the resolution of gradation in display.

  The display device of the present invention includes a transparent substrate, a counter substrate disposed so as to face the transparent substrate, a transparent liquid accommodated between the counter substrate and the transparent substrate, fine particles dispersed in the transparent liquid, Electric field forming means for forming an electric field acting on the fine particles in the transparent liquid, and a display device for changing the direction of the fine particles by the action of the electric field and displaying on the transparent substrate side, wherein the fine particles have a flat shape The electric field forming means includes first electric field forming means for forming an electric field in a predetermined direction and second electric field forming means for forming an electric field in a direction crossing the predetermined direction. It is a feature.

  Moreover, the flat shape here is a shape in which a difference occurs between a projected area in a specific direction and a projected area in a direction different from the specific direction, and this flat shape is typically a flat plate shape. For example, it may be in the shape of an elongated bar.

  The counter substrate can be transparent.

  The predetermined direction is a facing direction between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate, and the first electric field forming means and the second electric field forming means can simultaneously form an electric field toward the facing direction and an electric field toward the direction crossing the facing direction. Can be.

  The direction intersecting with the facing direction is preferably a direction perpendicular to the facing direction.

  The first electric field forming unit includes a pair of electrodes disposed on each of the transparent substrate and the counter substrate for forming an electric field in the counter direction, and the second electric field forming unit intersects the counter direction. A pair of electrodes arranged to be separated from at least one of the transparent substrate and the counter substrate for forming an electric field directed in the direction can be provided.

  The electric field formed by the first electric field forming unit and the electric field formed by the second electric field forming unit may be an alternating electric field.

  At least one of the first electric field forming unit and the second electric field forming unit causes electric fields having different magnitudes to act on fine particles existing in different regions within a plane orthogonal to the facing direction. Can be possible.

  Different regions in a plane orthogonal to the opposing direction of the transparent substrate, or different regions in a plane orthogonal to the opposing direction of the counter substrate, are colored in different colors. it can.

  The phrase “colored in different colors” may refer to the case where the color of the transparent substrate or the counter substrate itself is used as it is, in addition to the case where it is colored with a paint or the like.

  The display device includes a partition between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate that partitions a region between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate into different partial regions in a plane orthogonal to the counter direction. can do.

  The partial region preferably corresponds to a region where electric fields having different magnitudes can be applied.

  According to the display device of the present invention, the fine particles are flattened, and the first electric field forming means for forming the electric field forming means in the predetermined direction and the first electric field forming means for forming the electric field in the direction crossing the predetermined direction. 2 electric field forming means, the electric field forming means can accurately determine the inclination of the flat shaped fine particles, and the light passing through the region where the fine particles are dispersed according to the inclination. The amount of transmitted light or the amount of reflected light can be adjusted accurately. Thereby, it is possible to increase the resolution for setting the amount of light propagating to the transparent substrate side, and it is possible to increase the resolution of gradation in display.

  If the counter substrate is made transparent, an image formed on the display device can be displayed by transmission illumination.

  The predetermined direction is the opposing direction between the transparent substrate and the opposing substrate, and the first electric field forming means and the second electric field forming means can simultaneously form an electric field in the opposing direction and an electric field in the direction intersecting the opposing direction. Then, the electric field forming means can more accurately determine the inclination of the flat-shaped fine particles, and can further increase the resolution of the light amount setting of light propagating to the transparent substrate side.

  The first electric field forming means includes a pair of electrodes disposed on each of the transparent substrate and the counter substrate for forming an electric field in the opposite direction, and the second electric field forming means crosses the opposite direction. If it is provided with a pair of electrodes arranged to be separated from at least one of the transparent substrate and the counter substrate for forming an electric field toward the flat surface, the flat shape is more reliably obtained by the electric field forming means. The inclination of the fine particles can be determined.

  In addition, if the electric field formed by the first electric field forming unit and the electric field formed by the second electric field forming unit are AC electric fields, deterioration due to chemical changes such as electrolysis generated in the transparent liquid by the action of the electric field is suppressed. And the life of the apparatus can be extended.

  Further, at least one of the first electric field forming means and the second electric field forming means causes electric fields having different magnitudes to act on fine particles existing in different areas in a plane orthogonal to the facing direction. If it is possible, it is possible to display different gradations in different areas, and display an image having the different areas as pixels. Further, different regions in a plane orthogonal to the opposing direction of the transparent substrate are colored in different colors, or different regions in a plane orthogonal to the opposing direction of the counter substrate are mutually different. If it is colored in a different color, a color image can be displayed.

  Further, if the partition between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate is provided with a partition wall that divides the region between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate into different partial regions in a plane orthogonal to the counter direction, the above-described image is displayed. Can be displayed more clearly.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing dimensions of flat fine particles. FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a part of the display device cut along a plane parallel to the facing direction to be described later.

  A display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a transmission illumination type display device, and includes a transparent substrate 10, a counter substrate 20 disposed to face the transparent substrate 10, and a counter substrate. 20 and a transparent liquid 30 accommodated between the transparent substrate 10, fine particles 35 dispersed in the transparent liquid 30, and electric field forming means 40 for forming an electric field acting on the fine particles 35 in the transparent liquid 30. The fine particles 35 have a flat plate shape, and the electric field forming unit 40 includes a first electric field forming unit 41 that forms an electric field in a predetermined direction and a second electric field that forms an electric field in a direction crossing the predetermined direction. Forming means 42.

  The display device 100 displays an image formed by changing the direction of the fine particles 35 by the action of the electric field on the transparent substrate 10 side, that is, on the display side (indicated by an arrow V1 in the figure). Is provided with a backlight 39 for transmissive illumination that emits white light toward the counter substrate 20 so that the image is displayed by transmissive illumination from the opposite side. The display side is the side on which the display device 100 is observed.

  The transparent substrate 10 is transparent and can be formed of a transparent material such as glass or acrylic. The counter substrate 20 is also transparent and can be formed of the same material as the transparent substrate 10.

  The predetermined direction is a direction in which the transparent substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are opposed to each other (in the direction of arrow Z in the figure). The first electric field forming unit 41 and the second electric field forming unit 42 An electric field directed in a direction orthogonal to the direction can be simultaneously formed. The first electric field forming means 41 includes counter electrodes 11 and 21 which are a pair of electrodes disposed on the transparent substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 for forming an electric field in the opposite direction, and forms a second electric field. The means 42 is a parallel electrode 22 which is a pair of electrodes arranged to be separated from at least one of the transparent substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 for forming an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the counter direction. 23. More specifically, the second electric field forming means 42 includes parallel electrodes 22 disposed on the counter substrate 20 so as to sandwich the counter electrode 21 for forming an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the counter direction. 23.

  The electric field in the opposite direction formed by the electric field forming means 40 and the electric field in the direction orthogonal to the opposite direction can be an alternating electric field or a direct electric field.

  The counter electrodes 11 and 21 and the parallel electrodes 22 and 23 may be transparent electrodes formed by sputtering a transparent material such as indium titanium oxide (ITO) or zinc oxide (ZnO) on a substrate. Alternatively, an electrode formed by two-dimensionally arranging a wire made of a metal material may be used. The electrodes are preferably covered with a silicon oxide (SiO 2) film to enhance insulation. Here, the silicon oxide film, the counter electrodes 11 and 21, and the parallel electrodes 22 and 23 are formed so as not to interfere with the transmitted illumination by the backlight 39.

  At least one of the first electric field forming means 41 and the second electric field forming means 42 is provided for fine particles 35 present in different regions R (regions R1, R2...) In a plane orthogonal to the facing direction. Thus, different electric fields can be applied.

  A partition wall 33 is provided between the transparent substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 to divide the region between the transparent substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 into different partial regions in a plane orthogonal to the counter direction. Here, the partial region corresponds to the region R (region R1, region R2,...) On which electric fields having different magnitudes are applied.

  The distance between the transparent substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 is preferably 1 μm or more and 1 mm or less. The flat plate-like fine particles 35 (hereinafter also referred to as flat plate-like fine particles 35) have a long plate length of 1 μm or more and 200 μm or less and a thickness of 0.01 μm or more and 50 μm or less. And as shown in FIG. 2, it is desirable that the ratio (L / T) of the length L of the major axis to the thickness T is 2 or more. The fine particles 35 preferably have a small transmittance in the thickness direction of the fine particles 35, and may be colored black or the like to reduce the transmittance. For example, the transmittance of the fine particles 35 in the thickness direction is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and still more preferably 1% or less. The plate-like fine particles may have an elongated rod shape.

  The tabular fine particles 35 are inorganic materials such as carbon, alumina, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mica, zinc oxide, silver halide, silica, boron nitride, tin oxide, aluminum nitride, lead zirconate, lead titanate, or titanium. It may be composed mainly of lead zirconate (PZT), or polymer materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polystyrene, methyl polyacrylate, ethyl polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride. , Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, epoxy resin, urea-formalin resin, benzoguanamine resin, or melamine-formalin resin may be the main component. Further, the flat fine particles 35 may be made of a mixture of an inorganic material and a polymer material. Moreover, these fine particles may be colored with a dye or a pigment.

  Note that the transparent substrate 10 may be configured to enlarge the viewing angle of the display by rubbing the display-side surface of the transparent substrate 10 into a glass-like light scattering surface or the like.

  Next, a case where display is performed by the transmission illumination type display device 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a view of changing the display gradation by changing the direction of the tabular fine particles as seen from the direction of arrow J in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (a) shows the highest display brightness. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the state when the orientation of the tabular fine particles is determined. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the state when the orientation of the tabular particulates is determined so that the display luminance is the lowest. FIG. These are figures which show a mode when the direction of tabular fine particles is determined so that it may become the brightness | luminance which displays an intermediate gradation. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the region R1 in the display device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the electric field forming means 40 applies an AC voltage between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 without applying a voltage to the parallel electrodes 22 and 23, thereby When an alternating electric field is formed in the facing direction (in the direction of arrow Z in the figure) between the electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21, the orientation of the plate surface 36 (see FIG. 2) of the tabular fine particles 35 is caused by the formation of this electric field. The direction of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so as to be parallel to the facing direction. That is, the orientation of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so that the electrostatic energy between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 in the region R1 is minimized.

  Here, the white illumination light Le emitted from the backlight 39 is emitted from the transparent substrate 10 through the counter substrate 20 and the transparent liquid 30 in the region R1, and corresponds to the region R1 in the transparent substrate 10. The brightness of the light emitted from the display to the display side is maximized, and this area is displayed in white. That is, most of the illumination light Le emitted from the backlight 39 is emitted from the transparent substrate 10 through between the respective plate-like fine particles 35, so that the region of the transparent substrate 10 corresponding to the region R1 is Brightness is maximized.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the electric field forming means 40 applies an AC voltage between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 without applying a voltage to the counter electrodes 11 and 21. Then, when an alternating electric field is formed in a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction, the flat surface shape of the flat fine particles 35 is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction by the formation of the electric field. The direction of the fine particles 35 is determined. That is, the orientation of each plate-like fine particle 35 is determined so that the electrostatic energy between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in the region R1 is minimized. Here, after the illumination light Le emitted from the backlight 39 passes through the counter substrate 20, the illumination light Le is blocked by the plate-like fine particles 35 in the transparent liquid 30, and is displayed from the region corresponding to the region R 1 in the transparent substrate 10. The brightness of the light emitted to the side is minimized, and this area is displayed in black.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the electric field forming means 40 simultaneously applies an alternating voltage between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 and between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in the region R1. Then, when an alternating electric field directed in the opposite direction and in a direction orthogonal to the opposite direction is formed at the same time, the direction of the plate surface of the tabular fine particles 35 is inclined (0) with respect to the opposite direction due to the formation of these electric fields. The direction of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so as to be an angle between 90 degrees and 90 degrees. That is, the orientation of each plate-like fine particle 35 is determined so that electrostatic energy due to the combined electric field between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 and the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in the region R1 is minimized. . Here, after the illumination light Le emitted from the backlight 39 passes through the counter substrate 20, the amount of light corresponding to the inclination of the tabular fine particles 35 is blocked in the transparent liquid 30, and the region R <b> 1 in the transparent substrate 10 is blocked. The brightness of the light emitted from the area corresponding to 1 to the display side becomes a brightness indicating an intermediate gradation between when the white color is displayed and when the black color is displayed, and gray is displayed in this area.

  For color display, the regions in the transparent substrate 10 corresponding to the regions R (region R1, region R2,...) Are colored in different colors, or the regions in the transparent liquid 30 are different in colors. Coloring may be performed, or regions in the counter substrate 20 may be colored in different colors. Further, the electrodes (counter electrode 11, counter electrode 21, parallel electrode 22, or parallel electrode 23) corresponding to each region R may be colored in different colors for each region. Here, each colored portion needs to be able to transmit light emitted from the backlight 39. Further, when the different colors are red, green and blue (RGB), yellow, magenta, cyan, black (YMCK) or the like, more preferable color display can be realized.

  Note that the method in which the electric field forming means 40 applies an AC voltage between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 and between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in each region R is a word line arranged in a grid pattern. Alternatively, a passive method in which a voltage is applied using a bit line, an active method in which a voltage is applied using TFTs arranged in a matrix, or the like can be employed.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the display device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a part of the display device 200 cut in a facing direction. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are used for the same elements as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The display device 200 in the second embodiment is a reflective illumination type display device, and includes a transparent substrate 10, a counter substrate 50 disposed to face the transparent substrate 10, a counter substrate 50, and the transparent substrate 10. A transparent liquid 30 accommodated in between, flat plate-shaped fine particles 35 dispersed in the transparent liquid 30, and electric field forming means 40 for forming an electric field acting on the flat plate-shaped fine particles 35 in the transparent liquid 30. .

  The difference between the display device 200 and the first embodiment is that an image formed on the device is displayed by illumination from the display side. Therefore, the display device 200 does not include a backlight. Here, it is assumed that the counter substrate 50 is colored white and the tabular fine particles 35 are colored black.

  Next, a case where display is performed by the reflective illumination type display device 200 will be described. FIG. 5 is a view of changing the gray scale of the display by changing the direction of the tabular fine particles as seen from the direction of the arrow J in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 (a) shows the highest display brightness. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the state when the orientation of the tabular fine particles is determined. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the state when the orientation of the tabular particulates is determined so that the display luminance is the lowest. FIG. These are figures which show a mode when the direction of tabular fine particles is determined so that it may become the brightness | luminance which displays an intermediate gradation. FIG. 5 shows a configuration in the region R1 in the display device 200 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the first electric field forming unit 41 is opposed to the counter electrode 11 without applying a voltage to the parallel electrodes 22 and 23 included in the second electric field forming unit 42 of the electric field forming unit 40. When an AC voltage is applied between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 in the opposite direction (arrow Z direction in the figure), an AC electric field is formed between the electrode 21 and the electrode 21. The orientation of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so that the orientation of the plate surface 35 is parallel to the facing direction. That is, the orientation of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so that the electrostatic energy between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 in the region R1 is minimized. Here, the white illumination light Le emitted from the display side (indicated by the arrow V1 in the figure) which is the transparent substrate 10 side passes through the transparent substrate 10 and the transparent liquid 30 in the region R1, and the white counter substrate 50. Then, the brightness of light emitted from the transparent substrate 30 through the transparent liquid 30 and emitted from the transparent substrate 10 to the display side from the region corresponding to the region R1 in the transparent substrate 10 is maximized, and this region is white. Is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the electric field forming means 40 applies an AC voltage between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 without applying a voltage to the counter electrodes 11 and 21. Then, when an alternating electric field is formed in a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction, the flat surface shape of the flat fine particles 35 is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction by the formation of the electric field. The direction of the fine particles 35 is determined. That is, the orientation of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so that the electrostatic energy between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in the region R1 is minimized. Here, the white illumination light Le emitted from the display side passes through the transparent substrate 10 and is then absorbed by the black plate-like fine particles 35 in the transparent liquid 30, and the region R <b> 1 in the transparent substrate 10. The brightness of light emitted from the area corresponding to the display side to the display side is minimized, and this area is displayed in black.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the electric field forming means 40 simultaneously applies an alternating voltage between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 and between the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in the region R1. Then, when an alternating electric field directed in the opposite direction and in a direction orthogonal to the opposite direction is formed at the same time, the direction of the plate surface of the tabular fine particles 35 is inclined (0) with respect to the opposite direction due to the formation of these electric fields. The direction of each tabular fine particle 35 is determined so as to be an angle between 90 degrees and 90 degrees. That is, the orientation of each plate-like fine particle 35 is determined so that electrostatic energy due to the combined electric field between the counter electrode 11 and the counter electrode 21 and the parallel electrode 22 and the parallel electrode 23 in the region R1 is minimized. .

  Here, the white illumination light Le emitted from the display side is reflected by the white counter substrate 50 through the transparent substrate 10 and the transparent liquid 30 in the region R1, and then again passes through the transparent liquid 30 and passes through the transparent substrate 30. 10, the amount of light that is blocked in the transparent liquid 30 changes according to the inclination of the tabular fine particles 35, and the light emitted from the region R <b> 1 in the transparent substrate 10 to the display side is changed. The luminance is a luminance indicating an intermediate gradation between when the white color is displayed and when the black color is displayed, and gray is displayed in this region.

  It is also possible to display the image by coloring the counter substrate 50 in black and coloring the tabular fine particles in white and reflecting the illumination light incident from the display side with the tabular fine particles.

Further, the flat fine particles are colored black so that the regions in the counter substrate 50 corresponding to the regions R (region R1, region R2,...) Are colored in different colors, or the counter substrate 50. Is colored black, and the display device 200 can perform color display by coloring the plate-like fine particles present at the positions corresponding to the respective regions R to different colors. Instead of coloring the counter substrate 50, the electrodes (counter electrode 21, parallel electrode 22, or parallel electrode 23) corresponding to each region R are different from each other for each region R (region R1, region R2,...). You may color. Further, the different colors can be red, green and blue (RGB), or yellow, magenta, cyan, black (YMCK), etc., and more preferable color display can be realized. In the display device according to, the amount of illumination light emitted from the transparent substrate toward the display side can be accurately controlled by changing the orientation of the plate surface of the plate-like fine particles by the electric field forming means. Resolution can be increased.

  In the above embodiment, the electric field forming means forms electric fields that go in two directions orthogonal to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the electric field forming means goes in two directions that intersect each other. Any device that forms an electric field may be used.

  Note that the electrode for forming the electric field in the direction crossing the opposing direction is not limited to being disposed on the opposing substrate, but may be disposed on the transparent substrate or on both the transparent substrate and the opposing substrate. May be.

  Further, the electric field formed by the electric field forming means may be a DC electric field. In such a case, by changing the posture of the tabular fine particles charged in the transparent liquid by the Coulomb force by the action of the electric field. The same effect as described above, that is, the effect of increasing the resolution of gradation in display can be obtained.

  Here, the fine particles are not limited to a flat plate shape, but may be a flat shape, for example, a rod shape.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it is provided with the partition which divides | segments the area | region between the said transparent substrate and a counter substrate into a mutually different partial area | region in the surface orthogonal to a counter direction between a transparent substrate and a counter substrate. However, the partition need not necessarily be provided, and the same effect as described above can be obtained even when the partition is not provided.

The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the display apparatus by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Diagram showing dimensions of tabular fine particles The figure which shows a mode that the direction of a tabular fine particle is changed and the gradation of a display is changed The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the display apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows a mode that the direction of a tabular fine particle is changed and the gradation of a display is changed

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Transparent substrate 20 Opposite substrate 30 Transparent liquid 35 Fine particle 40 Electric field formation means 39 Backlight 100 Display apparatus

Claims (9)

A transparent substrate, a counter substrate disposed to face the transparent substrate, a transparent liquid accommodated between the counter substrate and the transparent substrate, fine particles dispersed in the transparent liquid, and the transparent liquid Electric field forming means for forming an electric field acting on the fine particles, and changing the direction of the fine particles by the action of the electric field to display on the transparent substrate side,
The fine particles have a flat shape, and the electric field forming unit forms a first electric field forming unit that forms an electric field in a predetermined direction, and a second electric field forming unit that forms an electric field in a direction crossing the predetermined direction. And a display device. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the counter substrate is transparent. The predetermined direction is a direction in which the transparent substrate and the counter substrate are opposed to each other, and the first electric field forming unit and the second electric field forming unit have an electric field directed to the opposed direction and an electric field directed to a direction intersecting the opposed direction. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the two can be formed simultaneously. The first electric field forming means includes a pair of electrodes disposed on each of the transparent substrate and the counter substrate for forming an electric field in the opposite direction, and the second electric field forming means includes the counter direction and 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a pair of electrodes arranged to be spaced apart from each other in at least one of the transparent substrate and the counter substrate for forming an electric field directed in a crossing direction. Display device. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the electric field formed by the first electric field forming unit and the electric field formed by the second electric field forming unit are alternating electric fields. At least one of the first electric field forming unit and the second electric field forming unit applies electric fields having different magnitudes to the fine particles existing in different regions in a plane orthogonal to the facing direction. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is capable of operating. The display device according to claim 6, wherein different regions in a plane orthogonal to the facing direction of the transparent substrate are colored in different colors. The display device according to claim 6, wherein different regions in a plane orthogonal to the opposing direction of the counter substrate are colored in different colors. A partition wall is provided between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate to partition a region between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate into different partial regions in a plane orthogonal to the counter direction. The display device according to claim 6.

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