JP2006099120A - Liquid crystal device and projection type display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal device and a projection display device whose color unevenness can be suppressed by setting an axis of transmission polarization of a polarizing member so that a color unevenness region due to the direction of the axis of transmission polarization of the polarizing member and a color unevenness region due to view angle characteristics of a panel shift from each other. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display device 1 used as a light valve of the projection type display device has an incidence-side polarizer 58, an incidence-side retardation plate 96, a panel 100 where liquid crystal is sandwiched, a projection-side retardation plate 97, and a projection-side polarizer 59 arranged in this order. An axis 580 of transmission polarization of the incidence-side polarizer 58 is at 45° to the rubbing direction in the manufacture of the panel 100 and the incidence-side retardation plate 96 rotates the plane of polarization of light transmitted through the incidence-side polarizer 58 by about 45°. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device and a projection display device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a structure of a liquid crystal device in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates.

  A liquid crystal device using a liquid crystal (TN liquid crystal / twisted nematic mode liquid crystal or the like) in which a transmission polarization axis is twisted and aligned between a pair of substrates is used as, for example, a light valve of a projection display device. In this projection type display device, the light emitted from the light source is guided to a liquid crystal device (light modulation device) by a light guide system, and after being light modulated by the liquid crystal device, it is projected toward the screen from the projection system. .

  In such a liquid crystal device, a pair of substrates are bonded to each other through a predetermined gap to form a panel, and liquid crystal is sealed between the pair of substrates in this panel. Here, since the alignment processing such as rubbing is performed on each of the pair of substrates in a predetermined direction, the alignment state of the liquid crystal sealed between the substrates is controlled by the alignment processing applied to each substrate. In addition, the orientation state can be controlled by whether or not an electric field is applied between the substrates for each pixel.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the transmissive liquid crystal device 1, an incident-side polarizing plate 58 and an outgoing-side polarizing plate 59 are disposed on the incident side and the outgoing side of the panel 100, respectively. Therefore, in a projection display device or the like, light from a light source (indicated by an arrow L) is aligned with predetermined linearly polarized light by the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and then enters the panel 100 and passes through a certain region of the panel 100. The linearly polarized light that is transmitted is emitted after the transmission polarization axis is twisted, while the linearly polarized light that has passed through other regions of the panel 100 is emitted without the transmission polarization axis being twisted. Therefore, if the incident side polarizing plate 58 and the outgoing side polarizing plate 59 are arranged so that their transmission polarization axes are orthogonal to each other (normally white), the liquid crystal 39 passes through the outgoing side polarizing plate 59. Only the linearly polarized light with the transmission polarization axis twisted. Therefore, arbitrary information can be displayed by controlling the alignment state of the liquid crystal 39 for each pixel.

  However, in a projection display device or the like, the light incident on the liquid crystal device 1 is not completely parallel light, as shown in FIG. 11 (illustration of the incident side polarizing plate 58 and the outgoing side polarizing plate 59 is omitted). Further, light from a direction inclined obliquely with respect to the normal direction to the light incident surface of the liquid crystal device 1 also enters the liquid crystal device 1. Here, the incident-side polarizing plate 58, as schematically showing the viewing angle characteristic in FIG. 11, corresponds to the direction of the transmission polarization axis of the incident-side polarizing plate 58, and the color is increased as the distance from the region M2 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is increased. Unevenness is likely to occur. Therefore, in the image projected from the rectangular image display area 7 of the panel 100, the corner portion 7a ′ is likely to have uneven color due to the influence of the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate 58. On the other hand, the panel 100 also has viewing angle characteristics, and in the light incident on the panel 100, color unevenness is more likely to occur in a region where light is incident from a direction greatly inclined from the normal direction P to the light incident surface. Here, when comparing the light incident on each region of the image display region 7, the incident angle θ1 with respect to the corner portion 7a of the image display region 7 is larger than the incident angles θ2 and θ3 with respect to the side portions 7b and 7c of the image display region 7. Since it is large, uneven color tends to appear at the corner portion 7a 'of the projected image. As described above, in the conventional liquid crystal device 1, the corner portion 7 a ′ overlaps with the corner portion 7 a ′ because the color unevenness region caused by the viewing angle characteristic of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and the viewing angle characteristic of the panel 100 overlaps. This causes color irregularities such as green or magenta.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal device and a projection that can suppress the occurrence of color unevenness by adopting a configuration in which the direction of the transmission polarization axis of the polarizing member is adapted to the viewing angle characteristics of the panel. To provide a mold display device.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in the liquid crystal device having a panel in which liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and an incident-side polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the panel, the incident light The incident-side polarization member so that the color unevenness generation region of the light emitted from the panel due to the side polarization member and the color unevenness generation region of the light emitted from the panel due to the panel are shifted. And an optical compensation member for aligning the plane of polarization of the light passing through the incident side polarizing member and the direction of orientation processing on the incident side of the panel.

  As described above, by inserting the optical compensation member between the panel and the incident-side polarizing member, color unevenness is likely to occur due to the visual characteristics of the incident-side polarizing member, and color unevenness due to the visual characteristics of the panel. Therefore, it is possible to shift the region where it is likely to appear, and to make the color unevenness inconspicuous.

  In addition, a liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied includes a panel having a liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and an incident-side polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the panel. A transmission polarization axis of the incident-side polarizing member is set so as to form about 45 ° with one side of a rectangular image display region, and a polarization plane of light passing through the incident-side polarizing member and an incident side of the panel It has an optical compensation member for aligning the direction of the alignment treatment.

  Thus, by putting the optical compensation member between the panel and the incident side polarizing member, and having an angle of about 45 ° between the transmission polarization axis of the incident side polarizing member and one side of the rectangular image display region of the panel, Color unevenness can be made inconspicuous.

  The liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied is further characterized in that the direction of alignment treatment on the incident side of the panel is parallel to one side of the rectangular image display region of the panel. In this way, the optical compensation member is inserted between the incident-side polarizing member and the incident-side polarizing member due to the visual characteristics, while maintaining the uniformity of the alignment treatment to the panel. The region where color unevenness is likely to occur and the region where color unevenness is likely to occur due to the visual characteristics of the panel can be shifted, and color unevenness can be made inconspicuous.

  In the liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied, it is preferable that the transmission optical axis of the incident-side polarizing member and the direction of alignment treatment on the incident side of the panel are shifted by about 45 °. In this way, it is possible to shift the region where color unevenness easily occurs due to the visual characteristics of the incident side polarizing member and the region where color unevenness easily occurs due to the visual properties of the panel to the maximum.

  In the present invention, an emission side optical compensation member that rotates a polarization plane of light transmitted through the panel by about 45 ° may be disposed between the panel and the emission side polarization member. In this case, the output-side polarizing member may be arranged so that the transmission polarization axis of the output-side polarization member forms an angle of about 90 ° with respect to the transmission polarization axis of the incident-side polarization member.

  The liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied includes, for example, a light source, a light modulation device, a light guide system that guides light from the light source to the light modulation device, and a projection that projects light modulated by the light modulation device. In a projection type display device having a system, it is suitable for use as the light modulation device.

  In addition, the liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied includes a light source, a light modulation device for each color light, and the light emitted from the light source is separated into red light, green light, and blue light by a color separation system, and color separation A light guide system that guides each color light to the light modulation device, a color synthesis system that synthesizes light of each color light-modulated by the light modulation device, and a projection that projects the light synthesized by the color synthesis system In the liquid crystal device having the system, it can be used for at least one of the light modulation devices for each color light.

  In this case, the liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied is used as a light modulator for green light or a light modulator for blue light among the light modulators for red light, green light, and blue light. preferable. That is, for the liquid crystal device to which an optical compensation member is added, it is the minimum necessary, that is, the light modulator for green light having the highest visual sensitivity, or for blue light that tends to deteriorate in visual characteristics due to temperature rise due to light. A conventional liquid crystal device that does not use an optical compensation member may be used as the light modulation device and the other light modulation device.

  Moreover, in this kind of projection side display apparatus, you may use as a light modulation apparatus for green light and blue light among the said light modulation apparatus for red light, green light, and blue light. That is, for a liquid crystal device to which an optical compensation member is added, the minimum necessary, that is, a light modulator for green light in which color unevenness is most noticeable, and a light modulator for blue light in which color unevenness is most noticeable next to green light As a light modulation device for red light, a conventional liquid crystal device that does not use an optical compensation member may be used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
(Configuration of projection display device)
With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of a projection display device using a liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied will be described.
In FIG. 1, in the projection display device 1100, the liquid crystal display module composed of the transmissive liquid crystal device 1 has light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B for R (red light), G (green light), and B (blue light), respectively. It is used as a (light modulation device). In this projection type display device 1100, when projection light is emitted from a lamp unit 1102 (light source) of a white light source such as a metal halide lamp, the light is transmitted through a light guide system including a color separation system described below. 100R, 100G and 100B. In other words, in the light guide system, the projection light from the lamp unit 1102 is transmitted by the three mirrors 1106 and the two dichroic mirrors 1108 constituting the color separation system, and the light components R, G, B corresponding to the three primary colors of RGB. And are guided to the light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B corresponding to the respective colors. At this time, in particular, the B light is guided through a relay lens system 1121 including an incident lens 1122, a relay lens 1123, and an exit lens 1124 in order to prevent light loss due to a long optical path.

  The light components corresponding to the three primary colors modulated by the light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B are synthesized again by the dichroic prism 1112 and then enlarged as a color image on the screen 1120 via the projection lens 1114 (projection system). Projected.

(Configuration of liquid crystal device)
In the projection display device 1100 shown in FIG. 1, all of the liquid crystal devices 1 constituting the three light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B are configured using the panels shown in FIGS.

  2 and FIG. 3 are a plan view of the panel used in the liquid crystal device 1 as viewed from the counter substrate side, and a cross-sectional view of the panel when cut along the line HH ′ in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the panel. 2, 3, and 4, the direction of the panel is represented by a number corresponding to the time on the watch.

  2 and 3, the panel 100 used in the liquid crystal device 1 (light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B) includes an active matrix substrate 30 having pixel electrodes 8 formed in a matrix, a counter electrode 22 and a light shielding film 25. The counter substrate 20 thus formed and a liquid crystal 39 enclosed and sandwiched between the substrates 20 and 30 are schematically configured. The active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20 are bonded together with a gap material-containing sealing material 52 formed along the outer peripheral edge of the counter substrate 20 via a predetermined gap. Between the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20, a liquid crystal sealing region 38 is defined by a gap material-containing sealing material 52, and a liquid crystal 39 is sealed inside thereof. As the sealing material 52, an epoxy resin, various ultraviolet curable resins, or the like can be used. As the gap material, an inorganic or organic fiber or sphere of about 2 μm to about 10 μm can be used. Alignment films 46 and 47 made of polyimide resin or the like are formed on the surfaces of the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20.

  The counter substrate 20 is smaller than the active matrix substrate 30, and the peripheral portion of the active matrix substrate 30 is bonded so as to protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the counter substrate 20. Therefore, the driving circuit (scanning line driving circuit 70 and data line driving circuit 60) and the input / output terminal 45 of the active matrix substrate 30 are exposed from the counter substrate 20.

  The sealing material 52 is partially interrupted to form a liquid crystal injection port 241. Therefore, after the counter substrate 20 and the active matrix substrate 30 are bonded together, the liquid crystal 39 is sealed from the liquid crystal injection port 241, and then the liquid crystal injection port 241 is closed with the sealant 242. The counter substrate 20 is also provided with a light-blocking film 55 for parting off the display so as to parte the image display area 7 in a horizontally long rectangle inside the sealing material 52. In any corner portion of the counter substrate 20, a vertical conductive material 56 for establishing electrical continuity between the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20 is formed.

  In the panel 100 configured as described above, a plurality of pixels formed in a matrix that forms the image display region 7 include a pixel electrode 8 and a TFT 10 for controlling the pixel electrode 8 as shown in FIG. A data line 90 to which an image signal is supplied is electrically connected to the source of the TFT 10. Image signals S1, S2,..., Sn are sequentially supplied to the data line 90. Further, the scanning signals G1, G2,..., Gm are applied to the gate electrode of the TFT 10 via the scanning line 91 in a line sequential manner in this order. The pixel electrode 8 is electrically connected to the drain of the TFT 10, and the image signals S1, S2,..., Sn supplied from the data line 90 are written at a predetermined timing by closing the switch of the TFT 10 for a certain period. . A predetermined level of image signals S1, S2,..., Sn written to the liquid crystal via the pixel electrode 8 is held for a certain period with the counter electrode 22 formed on the counter substrate 20. Here, in order to prevent the held image signal from leaking, a storage capacitor 40 is added in parallel with the liquid crystal capacitor formed between the pixel electrode 8 and the counter electrode. As a method of forming the storage capacitor 40 in this manner, a capacitor line 92 that is a wiring for forming a capacitor may be provided, or a capacitor may be formed between the scanning line 91 in the previous stage.

(Configuration of active matrix substrate)
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the pixel region of the active matrix substrate 30 used in the liquid crystal device 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (light-shielding) of the active matrix substrate along the line AA 'in FIG. The illustration of the film is omitted). 5 and 6 are also given numbers corresponding to the time on the watch in order to correspond to the directions shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in any pixel, a plurality of transparent pixel electrodes 8 are formed in a matrix, and along the vertical and horizontal boundaries of the pixel electrode 9, a data line 90, a scanning line 91, and a capacitor line 92 is formed. The data line 90 extends in the direction of 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock of the liquid crystal device 1, and the scanning line 91 and the capacitor line 92 extend in the direction of 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock of the liquid crystal device 1.

  The data line 90 is electrically connected to the source region 16 through a contact hole in a semiconductor layer such as a polysilicon film, and the pixel electrode 8 is electrically connected to the drain region 17 through a contact hole. Yes. The scanning line 91 extends so as to face the channel region 15. The storage capacitor 40 has a silicon film 40a (semiconductor film / FIG. 5) corresponding to an extended portion of the silicon film 10a (semiconductor film / shaded area in FIG. 5) for forming the pixel switching TFT 10. The lower electrode 41 is formed by conducting the hatched region), and the capacitor line 92 overlaps the lower electrode 41 as the upper electrode.

  A cross section taken along the line AA ′ of the pixel configured as described above is basically represented as shown in FIG. First, island-like silicon films 10 a and 40 a are formed on the base insulating film 301 on the surface of the active matrix substrate 30. A gate insulating film 13 is formed on the surface of the silicon film 10a, and a scanning line 91 (gate electrode) is formed on the gate insulating film 13. In the silicon film 10 a, a region facing the scanning line 91 through the gate insulating film 13 is a channel region 15. A source region 16 including a low concentration source region 161 and a high concentration source region 162 is formed on one side with respect to the channel region 15, and a drain including a low concentration drain region 171 and a high concentration drain region 172 is formed on the other side. Region 17 is formed. A first interlayer insulating film 18 and a second interlayer insulating film 19 are formed on the surface side of the pixel switching TFT 10 configured as described above, and a data line 90 formed on the surface of the first interlayer insulating film 18 The high-concentration source region 162 is electrically connected through a contact hole formed in the first interlayer insulating film 18. The pixel electrode 8 is electrically connected to the high-concentration drain region 162 through contact holes formed in the first interlayer insulating film 18 and the second interlayer insulating film 19. Further, a lower electrode 41 made of a low concentration region is formed on the silicon film 40a extending from the high concentration drain region 172, and an insulating film (formed simultaneously with the gate insulating film 13) is formed on the lower electrode 41. The capacitor lines 92 are opposed to each other through the dielectric film. In this way, the storage capacitor 40 is formed.

  Here, on the surface of the active matrix substrate 30, a step 900 caused by the data line 90 is formed between the data line 90 and the adjacent pixel, and this step 900 is along the data line 90 at 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock. It extends in the direction of Further, a step 910 is formed along the scanning line 91 on the surface of the active matrix substrate 30, and the step 910 extends along the scanning line 91 in the direction of 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock.

(Manufacturing method of panel 1)
When manufacturing the panel 100 of the liquid crystal device 1 configured as described above, each component is formed on each of the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20 by using a known semiconductor process, and then, FIG. As indicated by arrows B1 and B2 in FIG. 5, the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20 are each subjected to a rubbing process as an alignment process.

  In this embodiment, with respect to the surface of the alignment film 46 formed on the active matrix substrate 30, a direction parallel to one side of the image display region 7, for example, a direction that forms 90 ° with respect to the side portion 7 b of the image display region 7. A rubbing process is performed in the direction of 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, and the surface of the alignment film 47 formed on the counter substrate 20 is also in a direction parallel to one side of the image display region 7, for example, a side portion of the image display region 7 A rubbing process is performed in a direction (at 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock) that forms 180 ° with respect to 7b.

  Next, the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20 are bonded to each other with a sealing material 52 through a predetermined gap. Next, liquid crystal 39 (TN liquid crystal / twisted nematic mode liquid crystal) is sealed between the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20 from the liquid crystal injection port 241 which is a discontinuous portion of the sealing material 52, and then the liquid crystal injection port. 241 is closed with a sealant 242 (see FIG. 2).

  As a result, in the state where the liquid crystal 39 is filled between the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20, the liquid crystal 39 is twisted by 90 ° in the major axis direction between the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20. That is, the liquid crystal 39 is twisted and aligned with a twist angle of 90 °.

(Configuration of the liquid crystal device 1)
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment.

  When the liquid crystal device 1 is configured using the panel 100 configured as described above, an incident-side polarizing plate 58 (an incident-side polarizing member) and an output are provided on the incident side and the output side of the panel 100 as illustrated in FIG. A side polarizing plate 59 (outgoing side polarizing member) is disposed. Here, the direction of the transmission polarization axis 580 of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 has an angle with respect to the rubbing process direction (direction indicated by the arrow B2) with respect to the counter substrate 20, and is directed to a direction that forms an angle of 45 °. Is preferred. In addition, since the transmission polarization axis 590 of the exit side polarization plate 59 is oriented in a direction that forms an angle of 90 ° with respect to the transmission polarization axis 580 of the incidence side polarization plate 58, the rubbing process direction on the active matrix substrate 30 ( The angle is 45 ° with respect to the direction indicated by the arrow B1.

  Further, in the liquid crystal device 1 of this embodiment, between the panel 100 and the incident side polarizing plate 58, the polarization plane of the light transmitted through the incident side polarizing plate 58 is aligned with the direction of the alignment process of the counter substrate. An incident-side retardation plate 96 is disposed as an optical compensation member that rotates the polarization plane of light by about 45 °. Further, in the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment, the output side retardation plate as an optical compensator that rotates the polarization plane of the light transmitted through the panel 100 by about 45 ° between the panel 100 and the output side polarizing plate 59. 97 is arranged.

  In the liquid crystal device 1 configured as described above, the light from the light source (indicated by the arrow L) is first directed toward the panel 100 with respect to the side portion 7 b of the image display region 7 of the panel 100 in the incident side polarizing plate 58. After being aligned with linearly polarized light inclined in the clockwise direction by 45 °, the light enters the incident-side phase difference plate 96 as light indicated by an arrow 961. Next, in the incident side phase difference plate 96, the polarization plane of the incident light is rotated by 45 °, and the side portion 7b of the image display area 7 of the panel 100 is inclined 90 ° clockwise toward the panel 100. Incident on the panel 100 as indicated by the arrow 962 (indicated by the arrow 101). Here, the incident-side retardation plate 96 aligns the polarization plane in the rubbing process direction B <b> 2 of the counter substrate 20. Of the light incident on the panel 100, the light incident on the pixel to which no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal is output from the output side phase difference after the transmission polarization axis is twisted by 90 °, as indicated by the arrow 102. The light is emitted to the plate 97. Next, the light (indicated by the arrow 971) incident on the output side retardation plate 97 is applied to the output side polarizing plate 59 as light (indicated by the arrow 972) rotated by 45 ° counterclockwise. Incident. Here, since the transmission polarization axis 590 of the exit side polarizing plate 59 is directed at an angle of 45 ° counterclockwise with respect to the side 7 portion b of the image display region 7, the transmission side polarization axis 59 is transmitted through the exit side polarizing plate 59. To go. The reason why the outgoing light is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise by the outgoing side polarizing plate 59 is to match the direction of the polarization plane of the outgoing light with the optical characteristics of the dichroic prism.

  On the other hand, among the light incident on the panel 100, the light incident on the pixel to which the voltage is applied to the liquid crystal is emitted without the transmission polarization axis being twisted by 90 °. It is absorbed and cut off and is not emitted from the liquid crystal device 1.

  Such control can be performed by whether or not an electric field applied to the liquid crystal is applied to each pixel in the panel 100. Accordingly, since the liquid crystal device 1 can control whether or not the incident light is transmitted for each pixel, it functions as a light modulation device that modulates based on given image information (image signal). Therefore, in the projection type display apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 1, each color light incident on the three light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B is modulated in accordance with given image information and emitted from the light valves 100R, 100G, and 100B. .

(Effect of this embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 8, the effect of the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a color unevenness generation region caused by the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate and a color unevenness generation region caused by the panel viewing angle characteristics in the liquid crystal device 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIG.

  In the liquid crystal device 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, in the projection display device 1100 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, as shown in FIG. 8 (illustration of the incident side polarizing plate 58 and the outgoing side polarizing plate 59 is omitted). In addition, light from a direction inclined obliquely with respect to the normal direction to the light incident surface of the liquid crystal device 1 is incident on the liquid crystal device 1 instead of perfect parallel light. Therefore, the incident-side polarizing plate 58 tends to generate color unevenness in a region away from the region M1 indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 8 corresponding to the direction of the transmission polarization axis of the incident-side polarizing plate 58. Therefore, color unevenness due to the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 tends to occur in the side portions 7b ′ and 7c ′ of the projected image. On the other hand, uneven color due to the viewing angle characteristics of the panel 100 tends to occur in a region where the incident angle is large. Here, since the incident angle θ1 with respect to the corner portion 7a of the image display region 7 is larger than the incident angles θ2 and θ3 with respect to the side portions 7b ′ and 7c ′ of the image display region 7, the color in the corner portion 7a ′ of the projected image. Unevenness is likely to occur. As described above, in the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment, the corner portion 7 a ′ and the side portions 7 b ′ and 7 c ′ are regions where color unevenness due to the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and the viewing angle characteristics of the panel 100 is likely to occur. Since they are shifted from each other, color unevenness is unlikely to occur in both the corner portion 7a 'and the side portions 7b' and 7c '.

  In this embodiment, in order to take measures against such color unevenness, the transmission polarization axis of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 is oriented in the direction of 45 °, and the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and the panel 100 are placed between the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and the panel 100. Only the retardation plate 91 is disposed. Therefore, the polarization plane of the light incident on the panel 100 can be easily made to correspond to the direction of the alignment process when the panel 100 is manufactured (direction of 90 ° or 180 ° with respect to the side portion 7b of the image display region 7). Can do.

  In this embodiment, when the rubbing process is performed on each of the active matrix substrate 30 and the counter substrate 20, the active matrix substrate 30 is subjected to 6 o'clock from 12 o'clock along the extending direction of the data line 90. Is rubbed in the direction of 90 ° (direction of 90 ° with respect to the side portion 7b of the pixel display region 7), and the counter substrate 20 is directed from the 9 o'clock direction to the 3 o'clock direction (side portion of the pixel display region 7). Rubbing is performed in the direction of 180 ° with respect to 7b. Therefore, when the active matrix substrate 30 is subjected to a rubbing process, even if there is a step 900 (see FIG. 6) or unevenness due to the data lines 90 on the surface of the active matrix substrate 30, such a step 900 or unevenness. This does not prevent the active matrix substrate 30 from being rubbed uniformly. Therefore, rubbing can be performed uniformly on the entire surface of the active matrix substrate 30, so that a defect that display loss due to alignment failure of the liquid crystal 39 occurs along the data lines 90 does not occur in the liquid crystal device 1.

  The rubbing on the active matrix substrate 30 is performed from the 9 o'clock direction to the 3 o'clock direction (180 ° direction with respect to the side portion 7b of the pixel display region 7) along the extending direction of the scanning lines 91. The rubbing of the counter substrate 20 may be performed from the 12 o'clock direction to the 6 o'clock direction (a direction of 90 ° with respect to the side portion 7b of the pixel display region 7). In this case, when a rubbing process is performed on the active matrix substrate 30, even if there is a step 910 (see FIG. 6) or unevenness due to the scanning line 91 on the surface of the active matrix substrate 30, such a step The 910 and the unevenness do not prevent the active matrix substrate 30 from being uniformly rubbed.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment. Since the liquid crystal device of this embodiment is the same as a basic conventional liquid crystal device, corresponding elements are denoted by common reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, also in the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment, the incident side polarizing plate 58 and the outgoing side polarizing plate 59 are respectively arranged on the incident side and the outgoing side of the panel 100. Here, the direction of the transmission polarization axis 580 of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 has an angle with respect to the rubbing process direction (direction indicated by the arrow B2) with respect to the counter substrate 20, and is directed to a direction that forms an angle of 45 °. It is preferable. Further, since the transmission polarization axis 590 of the exit side polarization plate 59 is oriented in a direction that forms an angle of 45 ° with respect to the transmission polarization axis 580 of the incidence side polarization plate 58, the direction of rubbing processing on the active matrix substrate 30 ( An angle of 180 ° with the direction indicated by the arrow B1.

  Further, in the liquid crystal device 1 of this embodiment, the light is transmitted between the panel 100 and the incident-side polarizing plate 58 so that the polarization plane of the light transmitted through the incident-side polarizing plate 58 is aligned with the alignment direction of the counter substrate. An incident-side phase difference plate 96 is disposed as an optical compensation member that rotates the plane of polarization of the light by about 45 °. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, an optical compensator (outgoing side retardation plate) is not disposed between the panel 100 and the outgoing side polarizing plate 59.

  In the liquid crystal device 1 configured as described above, the light from the light source (indicated by the arrow L) is first directed toward the panel 100 with respect to the side portion 7 b of the image display region 7 of the panel 100 in the incident side polarizing plate 58. After being aligned with linearly polarized light inclined in the clockwise direction by 45 °, the light enters the incident-side phase difference plate 96 as light indicated by an arrow 961. Next, in the incident side phase difference plate 96, the polarization plane of the incident light is rotated by 45 °, and the side portion 7b of the image display area 7 of the panel 100 is inclined 90 ° clockwise toward the panel 100. Incident on the panel 100 as indicated by the arrow 962 (indicated by the arrow 101). Here, the incident side phase difference plate 96 aligns the polarization plane in the direction B2 of the rubbing process of the counter substrate. Of the light incident on the panel 100, the light incident on the pixels to which no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal is twisted by 90 ° through the transmission polarization axis, as indicated by the arrow 102, and then the output side polarizing plate. 92. Here, the transmission polarization axis 590 of the exit side polarizing plate 59 is oriented in a direction that forms an angle of 90 ° with respect to the side 7 portion b of the image display region 7. Go.

  On the other hand, among the light incident on the panel 100, the light incident on the pixel to which the voltage is applied to the liquid crystal is emitted without the transmission polarization axis being twisted by 90 °. It is absorbed and cut off and is not emitted from the liquid crystal device 1.

  Even when the thus configured liquid crystal device 1 is used in the projection display device shown in FIG. 1, as described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, it is caused by the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate 58. The color unevenness that occurs corresponds to the direction away from the region M1 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8, that is, the side portions 7b ′ and 7c ′ of the projected image corresponding to the direction of the transmission polarization axis of the incident side polarizing plate 58. There is a tendency. On the other hand, the color unevenness caused by the viewing angle characteristics of the panel 100 tends to occur in the side portions 7b ′ and 7c ′ having a large incident angle, and the color unevenness caused by the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate 58. The prone area is shifted. Therefore, even in this embodiment, color unevenness hardly occurs in both the corner portion 7a 'and the side portions 7b' and 7c '. In this embodiment, in order to take measures against such color unevenness, the transmission polarization axis of the incident-side polarizing plate 58 is oriented in the direction of 45 °, and the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and the panel 100 are placed between the incident-side polarizing plate 58 and the panel 100. Only the optical compensation member 91 is disposed. Therefore, the polarization plane of the light incident on the panel 100 can be easily made to correspond to the direction of the alignment process when the panel 100 is manufactured (direction of 90 ° or 180 ° with respect to the side portion 7b of the image display region 7). The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, only the incident side phase difference plate 96 is arranged, and no phase difference plate is arranged on the emission side. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to minimize a reduction in contrast due to the retardation plate, so that display with high contrast can be performed.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, in the projection display device 1100 having a configuration in which the light from the light source is separated into three colors and respectively incident on the corresponding three light valves (liquid crystal device 1 / light modulation device), red light and green light are used. The liquid crystal device 1 with a retardation plate to which the present invention is applied was used for both light bulbs for blue and blue light. However, for the purpose of reducing the number of used retardation plates, among the three light valves for red light, green light, and blue light, a phase difference in which the present invention is applied only to a light valve in which color unevenness is conspicuous. A liquid crystal device 1 with a plate may be used, and a conventional liquid crystal device without a retardation plate may be used for other light valves for light.

  For example, with respect to green, the visual characteristics are high and the visual characteristics are likely to be lowered due to the temperature rise due to light, and for blue, the visual characteristics are likely to be lowered due to the temperature rise due to light. A liquid crystal device 1 with a retardation plate to which the present invention is applied may be used for one or both of them, and a conventional liquid crystal device without a retardation plate may be used for the other light valves.

  Furthermore, the liquid crystal device 1 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a projection type display device that separates light from a light source into three colors and each enters the corresponding three light valves (liquid crystal devices). The liquid crystal device formed with a light valve may be used for a projection display device that performs color display with a single light valve.

  As described above, in the liquid crystal device and the projection display device according to the present invention, the color unevenness is likely to occur due to the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing member, and the color unevenness due to the viewing angle characteristics of the panel. Since it is shifted from the easy region, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven color at the corner of the projected image. In order to suppress the occurrence of color unevenness, an optical compensation member is disposed between the incident side polarizing member and the panel even if the transmission polarization axis of the incident side polarizing member is tilted. The polarization plane can be directed in a predetermined direction.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the optical system of a projection type display apparatus. It is the top view which looked at the panel of the liquid crystal device used as a light valve (light modulation device) in the projection type display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the direction of the counter substrate. It is sectional drawing of a panel when cut | disconnected by the HH 'line | wire of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an active matrix substrate used in the liquid crystal device illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of a pixel region of an active matrix substrate used in the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the active matrix substrate taken along line AA ′ in FIG. 5. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. In the liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied, it is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a color unevenness generation region caused by the viewing angle characteristics of the incident-side polarizing plate and a color unevenness generation region caused by the viewing angle characteristics of the panel. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional liquid crystal device. In the conventional liquid crystal device, it is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the generation | occurrence | production area | region of the color nonuniformity resulting from the viewing angle characteristic of the incident side polarizing plate, and the color nonuniformity generation | occurrence | production area | region resulting from the viewing angle characteristic of a panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal device 7 Image display area 8 Pixel electrode 10 TFT for pixel switching
20 counter substrate 22 counter electrode 30 active matrix substrate 39 liquid crystal 40 liquid crystal sealing region 52 sealing material 55 light blocking film 56 for display parting up and down conducting material 58 incident side polarizing plate (incident side polarizing member)
59 Output-side polarizing plate (Output-side polarizing member)
60 data line driving circuit 70 scanning line driving circuit 90 data line 91 scanning line 96 incident side phase difference plate (incident side optical compensation member)
97 Output side retardation plate (Output side optical compensation member)
100 Panel 100R, 100G, 100B Light valve 1100 Projection type display device 1102 Lamp unit (light source)
1106 Mirror 1108 Dichroic mirror 1112 Dichroic prism 1114 Projection lens (projection system)
1120 Screen 1121 Relay lens system 1122 Incident lens 1123 Relay lens 1124 Exit lens

Claims (10)

In a liquid crystal device having a panel in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and an incident-side polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the panel,
The incidence side is configured such that the uneven color generation region of the light emitted from the panel due to the incident side polarization member and the uneven color generation region of the light emitted from the panel due to the panel are shifted. The transmission polarization axis of the polarizing member is installed,
A liquid crystal device comprising: an optical compensation member for aligning a polarization plane of light passing through the incident side polarizing member and an orientation processing direction on the incident side of the panel. In a liquid crystal device having a panel in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and an incident-side polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the panel,
The transmission polarization axis of the incident side polarization member is set so as to form about 45 ° with one side of the rectangular image display region of the panel,
A liquid crystal device comprising: an optical compensation member for aligning a polarization plane of light passing through the incident side polarizing member and an orientation processing direction on the incident side of the panel.   3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a direction of alignment treatment on the incident side of the panel is parallel to one side of the rectangular image display area of the panel.   4. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a transmission optical axis of the incident side polarizing member and a direction of alignment treatment on the incident side of the panel are shifted by about 45 degrees.   5. The exit-side optical compensation member for rotating the polarization plane of the light transmitted through the panel by about 45 ° is further disposed between the panel and the exit-side polarizing member. A liquid crystal device characterized by that.   6. A projection-side display device using a liquid crystal device as defined in claim 1, wherein the light source, a light modulation device, a light guide system for guiding light from the light source to the light modulation device, and the light modulation. And a projection system that projects light modulated by the device, wherein the liquid crystal device is used as the light modulation device.   6. A projection-side display device using the liquid crystal device as defined in claim 1, wherein a light source, a light modulation device for each color light, and light emitted from the light source are converted into red light and green light by a color separation system. A light guide system that separates each color light into the light modulation device, and a color composition system that synthesizes light of each color light-modulated by the light modulation device. A projection system for projecting light synthesized by a synthesis system, wherein the liquid crystal device is used as at least one of the light modulation devices for the respective color lights.   8. The projection display device according to claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal device is used as a light modulation device for green light among the light modulation devices for red light, green light, and blue light.   8. The projection type display device according to claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal device is used as a light modulator for blue light among the light modulators for red light, green light, and blue light. 8. The projection type according to claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal device is used as a light modulator for green light and blue light among the light modulators for red light, green light and blue light. Display device.

Images