JP2007256460A - Electro-optical apparatus and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electro-optical apparatus and a projector improving light use efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The width T1 of a groove 40 is preferably the range of T3≤T1≤T3+2t. The width T1 of the groove 40 of the prism element 30 of the invention is T1≥T3+2t, which is within the range (the maximum of the range). Accordingly, light transmitted through the pixel area of a counter substrate 2 can be made incident on a projection lens 114 to the maximum without being substantially absorbed by light shielding parts 23 and 33. This improves light use efficiency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electro-optical device and a projector.

  For example, a projection display device such as a projector mainly includes a light source, a light valve that modulates light from the light source, and a projection lens that projects light modulated by the light valve onto a screen or the like. A liquid crystal device is often used as the light valve. The projection lens has a unique stagnation angle (the angle of light that can enter the projection lens), and light emitted from the light valve at an angle within a predetermined range is incident and emitted at an angle outside the range. Light is not incident.

  A liquid crystal device used as a light valve has a configuration in which a pair of substrates sandwich a liquid crystal. Such a liquid crystal device is required to have high light utilization efficiency in order to contribute light from the light source to display as much as possible. As a technique for increasing the light use efficiency, for example, a technique of forming a microlens on the pair of substrates is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this technique, by forming a microlens on each of a pair of substrates, the function of condensing light into the pixel region works strongly, thereby improving the light utilization efficiency.

  On the other hand, with this technology, alignment for focusing the microlenses formed on the pair of substrates is difficult, loss (Fresnel loss) occurs when light passes through a plurality of lenses, and the pair of substrates. However, there is a problem that the cost increases because microlenses are formed on each of the above.

  On the other hand, by attaching a prism substrate in which a groove-shaped prism element is formed between pixel regions to one of the pair of substrates, light transmitted through the substrate is transmitted to the pixel region in the groove of the prism element. A technique for reflecting inward is known. According to this technique, light can be condensed on the pixel region, the light use efficiency can be improved, and the above problem does not occur.

In such a liquid crystal device, pixel regions are formed in a matrix, and wirings, driving elements, and the like are arranged between the pixel regions. When this wiring or driving element is irradiated with light, an electrical problem occurs, so that the pixel regions are usually covered with a light shielding portion. In the prism substrate, generally, a counter substrate is attached to a surface on which the prism element is formed, and a light shielding portion is disposed on the counter substrate so as to overlap the prism element in plan view.
JP 2000-330101 A

  However, when a prism element is provided on the substrate, the pixel region (between the prism elements) is inclined with respect to the normal direction of the substrate because a space corresponding to the thickness of the counter substrate is provided between the prism element and the light shielding portion. A part of the light that has passed through or the light that has been reflected by the prism element and passed through the pixel region may be absorbed by the light shielding unit. Since these lights are originally emitted from the liquid crystal device and contribute to the display, the light use efficiency is reduced by the amount absorbed by the light shielding portion.

In addition, the angle of light transmitted through the liquid crystal device without being absorbed by the light shielding unit may not fall within the range of the included angle of the projection lens and may not enter the projection lens. For this reason, there exists a problem that the utilization efficiency of light will fall in a light valve. About these points, it is the same problem not only in a liquid crystal device but in other electro-optical devices.
In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an electro-optical device and a projector capable of improving the light use efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electro-optical device according to the present invention includes an electro-optical material layer held between a pair of substrates, and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined penetration angle θf. A prism portion provided in the shape of a groove on the surface of one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, having an opening, and collecting light incident on the substrate; A transparent substrate provided so as to cover the surface of the substrate on the electro-optic material layer side, and on the electro-optic material layer side of the transparent substrate, a predetermined portion so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view A first light-shielding portion that is provided in a width and shields light is disposed, and the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates overlaps with the prism portion in a plan view. A second light-shielding part is provided to block the light. The thickness of the electro-optical material layer is D1, the optical refractive index of the electro-optical material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the optical refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the opening of the prism portion The width is T1, the predetermined width of the first light-shielding portion is T2, the predetermined width of the second light-shielding portion is T3, and t1 = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)). , T2 = D2 × tan (sin−1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1))}}, T1 ≧ T3 + 2 (t1 + t2) and T3 + 2t1 when T3 + 2t1 ≧ T2. In the case of <T2, the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2.

  Here, “electro-optical device” is a generic term that includes an electro-optical effect that changes the light transmittance by changing the refractive index of a substance by an electric field, and also includes devices that convert electric energy into optical energy. is doing. Specifically, a liquid crystal display device using liquid crystal as an electro-optical material, an organic EL device using organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), an inorganic EL device using inorganic EL, a plasma display device using plasma gas as an electro-optical material, etc. There is. Furthermore, there are an electrophoretic display device (EPD), a field emission display device (FED: Field Emission Display device), and the like.

  The “groove width” refers to a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the groove. Similarly, the “predetermined width” of the light shielding portion refers to a dimension in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the light shielding portion. The predetermined width T2 is the width value of the light shielding portion provided on the substrate when the light shielding portion is provided only on one substrate, and the light shielding portions are provided on both substrates. In some cases, in principle, the value of the width having the larger width dimension is used. However, when the width of the light-shielding portion provided on the other substrate is smaller than the width of the light-shielding portion provided on the one substrate, the width of the light-shielding portion having the smaller width is set to “predetermined” depending on the incident angle of light. Sometimes referred to as “width”.

  In the present invention, a transparent substrate is provided so as to cover the surface of the one substrate on the electro-optic material layer side, and the electro-optic material layer side of this transparent substrate is predetermined to overlap the prism portion in plan view. The first light-shielding portion that shields light is disposed, and the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates has a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view. Provided with a second light-shielding portion that shields light, that is, a transparent substrate is provided, and both of the pair of substrates are provided with light-shielding portions (on one substrate) The first light-shielding portion and the second substrate are provided with a second light-shielding portion).

  In this configuration, the thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the width of the opening of the prism portion is T1, the predetermined width of the first light-shielding part is T2, the predetermined width of the second light-shielding part is T3, and t1 = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)), t2 = D2 Xtan (sin-1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin-1 (sin (θf) / n1))}}, T3 + 2t1 ≧ T2, T1 ≧ T3 + 2 (t1 + t2), and T3 + 2t1 <T2. Since the opening width T1 of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2, the light trapped in the projection portion can be maximized and the light absorbed by the light shielding portion can be reduced. This can be More, it is possible to improve the light utilization efficiency.

  From the above equations for t1 and t2, the relationship between the t1 and t2 and the stagnation angle θf of the projection unit was clarified. For example, if the angle of the emitted light exceeds the squeezing angle θf of the projection unit, the light is not incident on the projection unit, and thus the light does not contribute to display. Therefore, in the present embodiment, t1 and t2 are set so that light is incident on the projection unit to the maximum extent.

  In the present invention, since the transparent substrate is provided so as to cover the surface of the one substrate on the side of the electro-optic material layer, a gap is provided between the prism portion and the light shielding portion by the thickness. For this reason, of the light that has passed through the pixel region, for example, a part of the light that has been tilted with respect to the normal direction of the substrate may pass through the pixel region and then be absorbed by the light shielding unit.

  Here, in the configuration of the present invention, there are cases where the light is not absorbed by the first light-shielding portion but is absorbed by the second light-shielding portion and the case where it is absorbed by the first light-shielding portion. In the former case (when T3 + 2t1 ≧ T2), if the groove width T1 satisfies T3 + 2 (t1 + t2), light that has been absorbed by the second light-shielding portion in the past can also contribute to display. In the latter case (when T3 + 2t1 <T2), if the groove width T1 satisfies T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2, light that has been absorbed by the first light-shielding portion in the past can also contribute to display.

  By setting the groove width T1 in this way, it is possible to reduce the light absorbed by the light-shielding portion of the light that has passed through the pixel region, and to make the light incident to the projection portion to the maximum extent. It has become.

  An electro-optical device according to the present invention is an electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined penetration angle θf. A prism portion provided in a groove shape on the surface of one of the substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, having an opening, and condensing light incident on the substrate; and the electro-optic material of the one substrate A transparent substrate provided to cover the surface of the layer side, provided on the electro-optic material layer side of the transparent substrate with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, A light-shielding portion that shields light is disposed, and a light-shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not disposed on the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates. The thickness of the layer is D1, and the optical refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is 1. The thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the optical refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, the width of the opening of the prism portion is T1, and the predetermined width of the light shielding portion is T2, and t2 = D2 × tan (sin −1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1))}}, the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2. And

  In the present invention, a transparent substrate is provided so as to cover the surface of the one substrate on the electro-optic material layer side, and the transparent substrate on the electro-optic material layer side has a predetermined portion so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view. A configuration in which a light-shielding portion that is provided in a width and shields light is disposed, and a light-shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not disposed on the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, In other words, the present invention relates to a configuration in which a transparent substrate is provided, only one of the pair of substrates is provided with a light shielding portion, and the other substrate is not provided with a light shielding portion.

  In this configuration, the thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the width of the opening of the prism portion is When T1 is a predetermined width of the light-shielding portion and T2 and t2 = D2 × tan (sin-1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin-1 (sin (θf) / n1))}, T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2. As described above, the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided, so that the light absorbed by the light-shielding portion among the light that has passed through the pixel region can be reduced, and the light is incident to the projection portion to the maximum extent. It is possible to make it.

  An electro-optical device according to the present invention is an electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined penetration angle θf. A prism portion provided in a groove shape on the surface of one of the substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, having an opening, and condensing light incident on the substrate; and the electro-optic material of the one substrate A transparent substrate provided so as to cover the surface of the layer side, and the electrooptic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates has a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view A light-shielding part that shields light is disposed, and on the electro-optic material layer side of the transparent substrate, a light-shielding part that overlaps the prism part in plan view is not disposed, and the electro-optic material The thickness of the layer is D1, and the optical refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is 1. The thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, the width of the opening of the prism portion is T1, and the predetermined width of the light shielding portion is T3, and t1 = D1 × tan (sin −1 (sin (θf) / n1)) and t2 = D2 × tan (sin−1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1))}}, T1 ≧ T3 + 2 ( A width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so as to be t1 + t2).

  In the present invention, a transparent substrate is provided so as to cover the surface of one substrate on the electro-optic material layer side, and the prism portion is seen in plan view on the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates. A light-shielding part that shields light is disposed so as to overlap with each other, and a light-shielding part that overlaps the prism part in plan view is not disposed on the electro-optic material layer side of the transparent substrate. That is, the present invention relates to a configuration in which a transparent substrate is provided, a light shielding portion is provided only on the other substrate of the pair of substrates, and a light shielding portion is not provided on one substrate.

  In this configuration, the thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the width of the opening of the prism portion is T1, the predetermined width of the light-shielding part is T3, t1 = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)), and t2 = D2 × tan (sin−1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin −1 (sin (θf) / n1))}, the opening width T1 of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T3 + 2 (t1 + t2). It is possible to reduce the light absorbed by the light and to make the light incident on the projection unit to the maximum extent.

  An electro-optical device according to the present invention is an electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined penetration angle θf. One of the substrates is provided in a groove shape on the surface of the one of the substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, and has an opening and a prism portion that collects light incident on the substrate, On the optical material layer side, there is provided a first light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and shields light from the other substrate of the pair of substrates. On the optical material layer side, a second light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view is disposed, and the thickness of the electro-optical material layer is set to D1, The optical refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, and the width of the opening of the prism is T. When the width of the first light-shielding portion is T2, the width of the second light-shielding portion is T3, and t = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)), T3 + 2t ≧ T2 Is T1 ≧ T3 + 2t. When T3 + 2t <T2, the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2.

  In the present invention, on the electro-optic material layer side of one substrate, a first light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap with the prism portion in plan view is disposed, and a pair of substrates is provided. Of the other substrate, on the electro-optic material layer side, a configuration is provided in which a second light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width and is arranged to overlap the prism portion in plan view, that is, a transparent substrate. It is not provided, and it is related with the structure by which the light-shielding part was provided in both the board | substrates (one board | substrate was provided with the 1st light-shielding part, and the 2nd light-shielding part was provided in the other board | substrate). Is.

  According to the present invention, since the transparent substrate is not provided on the electro-optical material side surface of the one substrate on which the prism portion is formed, the interval between the prism portion and the light shielding portion is reduced accordingly. For this reason, when a transparent substrate is provided, a part of the light that has been absorbed by the light shielding portion among the light that has passed through the pixel region is not absorbed in the present invention.

  In addition to this, the thickness of the electro-optical material layer is D1, the optical refractive index of the electro-optical material layer is n1, the width of the opening of the prism is T1, the width of the first light-shielding portion is T2, and the second light-shielding portion And T = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)), T1 + T3 + 2t when T3 + 2t ≧ T2, and T1 ≧ T2 when T3 + 2t <T2. As described above, since the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided, the light absorbed by the light-shielding portion among the light that has passed through the pixel region can be reduced, and the light is incident to the projection portion to the maximum extent. It is possible to make it. Thereby, the further improvement of the utilization efficiency of light can be aimed at.

  An electro-optical device according to the present invention is an electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined penetration angle θf. One of the substrates is provided in a groove shape on the surface of the one of the substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, and has an opening and a prism portion that collects light incident on the substrate, The optical material layer side is provided with a light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and shields light, and the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates Is not provided with a light-shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view, where the prism opening width is T1, and the light-shielding portion width is T2, so that the prism satisfies T1 ≧ T2. The width T1 of the opening of the part is provided. To.

  In the present invention, on the electro-optic material layer side of one substrate, a light-shielding portion is provided to have a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and the other substrate of the pair of substrates is provided. On the electro-optic material layer side, a configuration in which the light shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not provided, that is, a transparent substrate is not provided, and the light shielding portion is provided only on one of the pair of substrates. The present invention relates to a configuration in which the other substrate is not provided with a light shielding portion. In this configuration, a transparent substrate is not provided on the electro-optical material side surface of one substrate on which the prism portion is formed. As described above, since the gap between the prism portion and the light shielding portion is reduced by that amount, a part of the light absorbed by the light shielding portion among the light that has passed through the pixel region when the transparent substrate is provided is absorbed. It will be done.

  Further, in this configuration, when the width of the opening of the prism is T1 and the width of the light-shielding portion is T2, the width T1 of the opening of the prism is set so that T1 ≧ T2. It is possible to reduce the light absorbed by the light-shielding part among the received light, and to make the light incident on the projection part to the maximum extent.

  An electro-optical device according to the present invention is an electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined penetration angle θf. One of the substrates is provided in a groove shape on the surface of the substrate on the electro-optic material layer side, and has an opening and a prism portion that collects light incident on the substrate, and the other of the pair of substrates On the electro-optic material layer side of the substrate, a light-shielding portion is disposed to have a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and the light-shielding portion is disposed on the one substrate. On the layer side, a light-shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not provided, the thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, and the opening of the prism The width of the part is T1, the width of the light shielding part is T3, and t = D1 × t When an (sin-1 (sin (θf) / n1)), the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T3 + 2t.

  In the present invention, on the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, a light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in a plan view and shields light is disposed. On the electro-optic material layer side of the substrate, there is a configuration in which the light-shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not provided, that is, no transparent substrate is provided, and light is shielded only on the other substrate of the pair of substrates. This is a configuration in which a light shielding portion is not provided on one of the substrates. In this configuration, a transparent substrate is not provided on the electro-optical material side surface of one substrate on which the prism portion is formed. As described above, since the gap between the prism portion and the light shielding portion is reduced by that amount, a part of the light absorbed by the light shielding portion among the light that has passed through the pixel region when the transparent substrate is provided is absorbed. It will be done.

  In this configuration, the thickness of the electro-optical material layer is D1, the optical refractive index of the electro-optical material layer is n1, the width of the opening of the prism is T1, the width of the light-shielding portion is T3, and t = D1 × tan ( When sin-1 (sin (θf) / n1)), the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T3 + 2t, and therefore, the light that has passed through the pixel region is absorbed by the light shielding portion. Light can be reduced, and light can enter the projection unit to the maximum extent.

A projector according to the present invention includes the electro-optical device described above and the projection unit having a predetermined squinting angle θf.
According to the present invention, since the electro-optical device that can improve the light utilization efficiency is provided, it is possible to obtain a projector that can display a bright and high-contrast image.

[First Embodiment]
(projector)
First, a schematic configuration of the projector according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp 101 that is a light source unit includes red light (hereinafter referred to as “R light”) that is first color light and green light (hereinafter referred to as “G light”) that is second color light. And light including blue light (hereinafter referred to as “B light”) that is the third color light. The integrator 104 uniformizes the illuminance distribution of the light from the ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp 101. The light whose illuminance distribution is made uniform is converted into polarized light having a specific vibration direction, for example, s-polarized light by the polarization conversion element 105. The light converted into the s-polarized light is incident on the R light transmitting dichroic mirror 106R constituting the color separation optical system. Hereinafter, the R light will be described. The R light transmitting dichroic mirror 106R transmits R light and reflects G light and B light. The R light transmitted through the R light transmitting dichroic mirror 106R is incident on the reflection mirror 107. The reflection mirror 107 bends the optical path of the R light by 90 degrees. The R light whose optical path is bent enters the spatial light modulator for first color light 110R that modulates the R light as the first color light according to the image signal. The spatial light modulator for first color light 110R is a transmissive liquid crystal display device that modulates R light according to an image signal. Since the polarization direction of the light does not change even if it passes through the dichroic mirror, the R light incident on the first color light spatial light modulator 110R remains as s-polarized light.

  The first color light spatial light modulator 110R includes a λ / 2 phase difference plate 123R, a glass plate 124R, a first polarizing plate 121R, a liquid crystal panel 120R, and a second polarizing plate 122R. The detailed configuration of the liquid crystal panel 120R will be described later. The λ / 2 phase difference plate 123R and the first polarizing plate 121R are arranged in contact with a light-transmitting glass plate 124R that does not change the polarization direction. Thereby, the problem that the first polarizing plate 121R and the λ / 2 phase difference plate 123R are distorted by heat generation can be avoided. In FIG. 1, the second polarizing plate 122R is provided independently. However, the second polarizing plate 122R may be disposed in contact with the exit surface of the liquid crystal panel 120R or the entrance surface of the cross dichroic prism 112.

  The s-polarized light incident on the first color light spatial light modulator 110R is converted into p-polarized light by the λ / 2 phase difference plate 123R. The R light converted into p-polarized light passes through the glass plate 124R and the first polarizing plate 121R as it is and enters the liquid crystal panel 120R. The p-polarized light incident on the liquid crystal panel 120R is converted into s-polarized light by modulation according to the image signal. The R light converted into s-polarized light by the modulation of the liquid crystal panel 120R is emitted from the second polarizing plate 122R. In this way, the R light modulated by the first color light spatial light modulator 110R is incident on the cross dichroic prism 112 which is a color synthesis optical system.

  Next, the G light will be described. The light paths of the G light and the B light reflected by the R light transmitting dichroic mirror 106R are bent by 90 degrees. The G light and the B light whose optical paths are bent enter the B light transmitting dichroic mirror 106G. The B light transmitting dichroic mirror 106G reflects the G light and transmits the B light. The G light reflected by the B light transmitting dichroic mirror 106G is incident on the second color light spatial light modulator 110G that modulates the G light, which is the second color light, according to the image signal. The spatial light modulator for second color light 110G is a transmissive liquid crystal display device that modulates G light according to an image signal. The second color light spatial light modulator 110G includes a liquid crystal panel 120G, a first polarizing plate 121G, and a second polarizing plate 122G. Details of the liquid crystal panel 120G will be described later.

  The G light incident on the second color light spatial light modulator 110G is converted into s-polarized light. The s-polarized light incident on the second color light spatial light modulator 110G passes through the first polarizing plate 121G as it is and enters the liquid crystal panel 120G. The s-polarized light incident on the liquid crystal panel 120G is converted into p-polarized light by modulation according to the image signal. The G light converted into p-polarized light by the modulation of the liquid crystal panel 120G is emitted from the second polarizing plate 122G. Thus, the G light modulated by the second color light spatial light modulator 110G enters the cross dichroic prism 112, which is a color synthesis optical system.

  Next, the B light will be described. The B light transmitted through the B light transmitting dichroic mirror 106G passes through the two relay lenses 108 and the two reflection mirrors 107, and the third light that modulates the B light as the third color light in accordance with the image signal. The light enters the color light spatial light modulator 110B. The spatial light modulator for third color light 110B is a transmissive liquid crystal display device that modulates B light according to an image signal.

  The reason why the B light passes through the relay lens 108 is that the optical path length of the B light is longer than the optical path lengths of the R light and the G light. By using the relay lens 108, it is possible to guide the B light transmitted through the B light transmitting dichroic mirror 106G directly to the third color light spatial light modulator 110B. The spatial light modulator for third color light 110B includes a λ / 2 phase difference plate 123B, a glass plate 124B, a first polarizing plate 121B, a liquid crystal panel 120B, and a second polarizing plate 122B. Note that the configuration of the spatial light modulation device 110B for the third color light is the same as the configuration of the spatial light modulation device 110R for the first color light described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The B light incident on the spatial light modulator for third color light 110B is converted into s-polarized light. The s-polarized light incident on the third color light spatial light modulator 110B is converted into p-polarized light by the λ / 2 phase difference plate 123B. The B light converted into p-polarized light passes through the glass plate 124B and the first polarizing plate 121B as it is, and enters the liquid crystal panel 120B. The p-polarized light incident on the liquid crystal panel 120B is converted into s-polarized light by modulation according to the image signal. The B light converted into the s-polarized light by the modulation of the liquid crystal panel 120B is emitted from the second polarizing plate 122B. The B light modulated by the third color light spatial light modulator 110B is incident on the cross dichroic prism 112 which is a color synthesis optical system. As described above, the R light transmitting dichroic mirror 106R and the B light transmitting dichroic mirror 106G constituting the color separation optical system convert the light supplied from the ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp 101 into the R light that is the first color light, the second light, and the second light. The light is separated into G light, which is colored light, and B light, which is third color light.

  The cross dichroic prism 112, which is a color synthesis optical system, is configured by arranging two dichroic films 112a and 112b perpendicularly to an X shape. The dichroic film 112a reflects B light and transmits G light. The dichroic film 112b reflects R light and transmits G light. As described above, the cross dichroic prism 112 has the R light and G light modulated by the first color light spatial light modulation device 110R, the second color light spatial light modulation device 110G, and the third color light spatial light modulation device 110B, respectively. And B light.

  The projection lens 114 projects the light combined by the cross dichroic prism 112 onto the screen 116. Thereby, a full color image can be obtained on the screen 116.

  As described above, the light incident on the cross dichroic prism 112 from the first color light spatial light modulator 110R and the third color light spatial light modulator 110B is set to be s-polarized light. The light incident on the cross dichroic prism 112 from the second color light spatial light modulator 110G is set to be p-polarized light. In this way, by changing the polarization direction of the light incident on the cross dichroic prism 112, the light emitted from the spatial light modulators for the respective color lights in the cross dichroic prism 112 can be effectively combined. The dichroic films 112a and 112b are usually excellent in the reflection characteristics of s-polarized light. For this reason, R light and B light reflected by the dichroic films 112a and 112b are s-polarized light, and G light transmitted through the dichroic films 112a and 112b is p-polarized light.

(LCD panel)
Next, the details of the liquid crystal panel (electro-optical device) will be described with reference to FIGS. The projector 100 described in FIG. 1 includes three liquid crystal panels 120R, 120G, and 120B. These three liquid crystal panels 120R, 120G, and 120B differ only in the wavelength region of light to be modulated, and have the same basic configuration. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 120R will be described below as an example. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the liquid crystal panel 120R, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 120R. 2 and 3 is the short direction of the liquid crystal panel 120R, and the Y direction is the long direction of the liquid crystal panel 120R.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal panel 120R has a configuration in which a TFT array substrate 2 and a prism substrate 3 made of a transparent material such as glass, for example, are overlaid and bonded together by a sealing material 4 provided therebetween. It has become. A liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed in a region surrounded by the sealing material 4.

  A peripheral parting 6 made of a light shielding material is formed inside the sealing material 4. A region surrounded by the peripheral parting 6 is a light modulation region 12 in which light from the ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp 101 described above is modulated. In the light modulation region 12, pixel regions 13 through which light from the ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp 101 can be transmitted are arranged in a matrix. A region between the pixel regions 13 is an inter-pixel region 14 in which light from the ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp 101 is shielded.

  A data line driving circuit 7 and an external circuit mounting terminal 8 are formed along one side of the TFT array substrate 2 in a region outside the sealing material 4, and the scanning line driving circuit is formed along two sides adjacent to the one side. 9 is formed. On the remaining side of the TFT array substrate 2, a plurality of wirings 10 are provided for connecting between the scanning line driving circuits 9 provided on both sides of the image display area. In addition, an inter-substrate conductive material 11 for providing electrical continuity between the TFT array substrate 2 and the prism substrate 3 is disposed at the corner of the prism substrate 3.

  Instead of forming the data line driving circuit 7 and the scanning line driving circuit 9 on the TFT array substrate 2, for example, a TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) substrate on which a driving LSI is mounted and the peripheral portion of the TFT array substrate 2 The terminal group formed in the above may be electrically and mechanically connected via an anisotropic conductive film.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the inner surface 2a of the TFT array substrate 2, a pixel electrode 24 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) provided in the pixel region 13 and an inter-pixel region 14 are provided. TFT (Thin Film Transistor) 21 as a switching element that supplies an electric signal to the pixel electrode 24 and a transparent resin material or the like provided on almost the entire inner surface 2 a so as to cover the pixel electrode 24 and the TFT 21. A planarizing film 26, a light shielding part 23 disposed in the inter-pixel region 14 on the planarizing film 26, and an alignment film 25 laminated on the planarizing film 26 so as to cover the light shielding part 23 are provided. It has been.

  A counter substrate 32 is attached to the inner surface 3 a of the prism substrate 3 via an adhesive layer 31. On the counter substrate 32, there are formed a light shielding portion 33 provided in the inter-pixel region 14 and a common electrode 34 that covers the light shielding portion 33 and is provided on almost the entire surface of the counter substrate 32. An alignment film 35 is formed on the surface 34.

  A prism element 30 is formed in the inter-pixel region 14 of the prism substrate 3. The prism element 30 is an optical path deflecting unit mainly including a groove 40 formed on the inner surface 3 a of the prism substrate 3. The cross section of the prism element 30 is an isosceles triangle. The prism elements 30 are provided in a lattice shape so as to extend in the X direction and the Y direction of the inter-pixel region 14, and are arranged so as to overlap the light shielding unit 23 and the light shielding unit 33 in plan view. The groove 40 is a hollow portion surrounded by the inclined surface 40a and the counter substrate 32 (adhesive layer 31).

  Here, the cross section of the prism element 30 is described as an isosceles triangle, but the cross section is not limited to this, and the prism element 30 has a reflective surface as shown in FIG. 19 and the incident light is emitted to the projection lens 114. It only has to be in shape.

The counter substrate 32 is not limited to being hollow, and a resin having a refractive index lower than that of the prism substrate, or a reflective film such as Cr or Al may be formed on the inclined surface 40a, and an inorganic material may be put into the prism portion. .
About resin, you may be comprised from transparent resin materials, such as an epoxy resin, a melamine resin, and a polyimide resin other than acrylic resin, for example. Acrylic resins are suitably used because they are easily cured in a short time by light irradiation by using a precursor or a photosensitizer (photopolymerization initiator). Further, the ultraviolet curable resin has little curing shrinkage, and is effective in ensuring the reliability and shape stability of the prism element 30. Specific examples of the basic structure of the acrylic resin include a prepolymer or oligomer, a monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator.

  Examples of the prepolymer or oligomer include acrylates such as epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates, polyester acrylates, polyether acrylates, spiroacetal acrylates, epoxy methacrylates, urethane methacrylates, polyester methacrylates, and polyethers. Methacrylates such as methacrylates can be used.

  Examples of the monomer include 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxymethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, carbitol acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, Monofunctional monomers such as dicyclopentenyl acrylate and 1,3-butanediol acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol Bifunctional monomers such as diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, Pentaerythritol triacrylate, etc. polyfunctional monomers such as dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate can be utilized.

Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include acetophenones such as 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, butylphenones such as α-hydroxyisobutylphenone and p-isopropyl-α-hydroxyisobutylphenone, and p-tert-butyl. Halogenated acetophenones such as dichloroacetophenone, p-tert-butyltrichloroacetophenone, α, α-dichloro-4-phenoxyacetophenone, benzophenones such as benzophenone, N, N-tetraethyl-4,4-diaminobenzophenone, benzyl, benzyl Benzines such as methyl methyl ketal, benzoins such as benzoin and benzoin alkyl ether, and olefins such as 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-2- (o-ethoxycarbonyl) oxime Shim include 2-methyl thioxanthone, xanthone such as 2-chlorothioxanthone, Michler's ketone, and the like can be used radical-generating compounds such as benzyl methyl ketal.
Also, a method using a sol-gel glass material as a flowable material, a fine resin powder, a fine metal powder, a fine glass material powder, a fine ceramic powder, a fine mineral, or a material obtained by adding these powder materials to a resin material Can be used in the method.

If necessary, a compound such as amines may be added for the purpose of preventing curing inhibition due to oxygen, or a solvent component may be added for the purpose of facilitating coating. The solvent component is not particularly limited, and various organic solvents such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, methoxymethyl propionate, ethoxyethyl propionate, ethyl lactate, ethyl pyruvate, methyl amyl ketone and the like. Can be used.
As a material of the reflective film, a metal material such as Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Ni, Pt, Rh, Sn, Cr, Zr, Cd, and Ni may be formed by a sputtering method or the like.

  Further, a liquid crystal layer 5 for light modulation is sealed between the TFT array substrate 2 and the prism substrate 3, specifically, between the alignment film 25 and the alignment film 35.

  Light L1 from the ultra-high pressure mercury lamp 101 enters the liquid crystal panel 120R from the upper side of FIG. The incident light is transmitted through the prism substrate side (prism substrate 3, adhesive layer 31, counter substrate 32, common electrode 34, alignment film 35), modulated by the liquid crystal layer 5, and then on the TFT array substrate side (alignment film 25, The light is transmitted to the planarizing film 26, the pixel electrode 24, and the TFT array substrate 2). The light transmitted through the TFT array substrate 2 is emitted to the projection lens 114.

  Further, the light L2 incident on a position different from the light L1 enters the prism substrate 3 in the same manner as the light L1. The light L2 traveling in the prism substrate 3 travels toward the inclined surface 40a of the groove 40. Since the inside of the groove 40 is a hollow portion, the light refractive index is smaller than that of the prism substrate 3. Therefore, the light L2 is totally reflected toward the pixel region 13 on the inclined surface 40a and deflected in the optical path. The light L2 reflected by the inclined surface 40a travels in the same manner as the light L1 described above, passes through the TFT array substrate 2, and is emitted to the projection lens 114.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 120R, and is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section in FIG. In the figure, the dimensions of the elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 120R, particularly the dimensions and positional relationships of the prism element 30, the light shielding part 23, and the light shielding part 33 are shown. In the same figure, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 (distance between the alignment film 25 and the alignment film 35) is D1, the light refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 5 is n1, and the adhesive layer 31 on the prism substrate 3 side The total thickness with the counter substrate 32 is D2, and the average optical refractive index of the adhesive layer 31 and the counter substrate 32 is n2.

  As shown in the figure, the width (dimension in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction) T3 of the light shielding portion 23 and the width T2 of the light shielding portion 33 are equal, and are provided so as to overlap the same region in plan view. Yes. The width T1 of the groove 40 of the prism element 30 is arranged such that the center in the width direction of the groove 40 overlaps with the center in the width direction of the light shielding part 23 and the light shielding part 33 in plan view. 33 is provided so as to protrude from both sides in the width direction. If the dimension of the protruding portion is t, the width T1 of the groove 40 can be expressed as T1 ≧ T3 + 2t.

Here, the dimension t will be described.
In FIG. 4, let us consider virtual light L <b> 3 that enters the adhesive layer 31 and the counter substrate 32 through the end portion P of the groove 40 of the prism element 30. The light L3 passes through the adhesive layer 31 having a light refractive index of n2 and the counter substrate 32 and enters the liquid crystal layer 5 having a light refractive index of n1. The incident angle at this time is θ2. The light L3 incident on the liquid crystal layer 5 passes through the liquid crystal layer 5 and enters the TFT array substrate 2 through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 23. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L3 incident on the TFT array substrate 2 passes through the TFT array substrate 2 and enters the projection lens 114. Here, assuming that the maximum value (squeezing angle) of the range that can be incident on the projection lens 114 is θf, the light L3 is incident on the projection lens 114 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 114.

  When the moving distance in the width direction when the light L3 passes through the liquid crystal layer 5 is t1, and the moving distance in the width direction when the light L3 passes through the adhesive layer 31 and the counter substrate 32 is t2, the dimensions described above. The value of t is expressed by [Formula 1].

  t1 is expressed by [Expression 2], and t2 is expressed by [Expression 3].

  According to Snell's law, θ1 is expressed as [Equation 4], and θ2 is expressed as [Equation 5].

  For θ2, [Equation 4] is substituted into [Equation 5] to obtain [Equation 6].

  Here, from [Equation 1], [Equation 2], [Equation 3], [Equation 4], and [Equation 6], the layer thickness D1 of the liquid crystal layer 5, the optical refractive index n2 of the liquid crystal layer 5, the adhesive layer 31 and When the value of t is shown by the total thickness D2 with the counter substrate 32, the average optical refractive index n2 between the adhesive layer 31 and the counter substrate 32, and the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 114, [Equation 7] is obtained.

  According to the equation relating to t expressed by [Equation 7], it can be said that the angle of light emitted from the TFT array substrate 2 to the projection lens 114 increases as the value of t increases. For example, if the angle of the emitted light exceeds the included angle θf of the projection lens 114, the light is not incident on the projection lens 114, and thus the light does not contribute to display. Therefore, in this embodiment, the maximum value of the value of t is set on the assumption that the virtual light L3 is projected onto the projection lens 114 at the squeezing angle θf so that the light is incident on the projection lens 114 to the maximum extent. Yes.

In addition, since the counter substrate is provided between the prism element 30 and the light shielding part 23, an interval is provided between the prism element 30, the light shielding part 23, and the light shielding part 33 by the thickness. For this reason, a part of the light L1 and the light L2 described above may be absorbed by the light shielding unit 23 and the light shielding unit 33 after passing through the pixel region 13.
On the other hand, if the width T1 of the groove 40 is slightly larger than the width T2 of the light shielding portion 33 and the width T3 of the light shielding portion 23, the region that can be reflected by the prism element 30 is increased accordingly. , 33 can be reflected and changed to the pixel region 13 side. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the light 3 transmitted through the pixel region 13 of the prism substrate 2 from being absorbed by the light shielding unit 23 and the light shielding unit 33.

  From the above, it can be said that the range of the width T1 of the groove 40 is preferably T3 ≦ T1 ≦ T3 + 2t. The width T1 of the groove 40 of the prism element 30 of the present embodiment satisfies T1 ≧ T3 + 2t, and is set within the above range (the maximum value of the above range), and thus transmitted through the pixel region 13 of the prism substrate 2. Light is hardly absorbed by the light-shielding part 23 and the light-shielding part 33, and the light can enter the projection lens 114 to the maximum extent. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the counter substrate is configured to also serve as a prism substrate, and thus this point will be mainly described.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 220R and corresponds to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal panel 220 </ b> R has a configuration in which the TFT array substrate 202 and the counter substrate 203 are provided to face each other and the liquid crystal layer 205 is sandwiched therebetween.

  The TFT array substrate 202 is provided with a pixel electrode 224, a TFT 221, a planarization film 226, a light shielding part 223, and an alignment film 225. In addition, a light shielding portion 233, a common electrode 234, and an alignment film 235 are formed on the counter substrate 203, and a prism element 230 is formed in the inter-pixel region 214 of the counter substrate 203.

As in the first embodiment, the prism element 230 is an optical path deflecting unit mainly composed of a groove 240 formed on the inner surface 203a of the counter substrate 203, and has a cross section of an isosceles triangle. The prism elements 230 are provided in a lattice shape so as to extend in the X direction and the Y direction of the inter-pixel region 214, and are arranged so as to overlap the light shielding part 223 and the light shielding part 233 in plan view. In the present embodiment, the counter substrate 203 also serves as a prism substrate, and the light shielding portion 223 is directly provided on the inner surface 203 a of the counter substrate 203.
Here, the cross section of the prism element 30 is described as an isosceles triangle. However, the cross section is not limited to this, and the prism element 30 has a reflection surface as shown in FIG. 19 and the incident light is emitted to the projection lens 214. It only has to be in shape.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 220R, which is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section in FIG. 5, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The figure shows the dimensions of the elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 220R, in particular, the dimensions and positional relationships of the prism element 230, the light shielding part 223, and the light shielding part 233. In the figure, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 205 (distance between the alignment film 225 and the alignment film 235) is D1, and the optical refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 205 is n1.

  As shown in the figure, as in the first embodiment, the width T3 of the light shielding portion 223 and the width T2 of the light shielding portion 233 are equal, and are provided so as to overlap the same region in plan view. Further, the groove 240 is provided so as to protrude from both sides in the width direction of the light shielding part 223 and the light shielding part 233 in plan view, and the center in the width direction of the groove 240 is in the width direction of the light shielding part 223 and the light shielding part 233. It is arranged so as to overlap with the center in plan view. When the dimension of the protruding portion is t, the width T1 of the groove 240 can be expressed as T1 ≧ T3 + 2t.

  In FIG. 6, let us consider virtual light L <b> 4 that enters the liquid crystal layer 205 through the end portion P of the groove 240 of the prism element 230. The light L4 is incident on the liquid crystal layer 205 having an optical refractive index n1, passes through the liquid crystal layer 205, and enters the TFT array substrate 202 through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 223. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L4 incident on the TFT array substrate 202 passes through the TFT array substrate 202 and enters the projection lens 214. Here, assuming that the squeezing angle of the projection lens 214 is θf, it is assumed that the light L4 is incident on the projection lens 214 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 214.

  In the present embodiment, since the adhesive layer and the counter substrate are not provided, this corresponds to the case where the thickness D2 of the adhesive layer / counter substrate is 0 in [Equation 7] of the first embodiment. Therefore, when D2 = 0 is substituted into [Equation 7], the value of t in the present embodiment becomes [Equation 8].

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the counter substrate is not provided, the distance between the prism element 230 and the light shielding portions 223 and 223 is reduced accordingly. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a part of the light that has been absorbed by the light shielding portions 223 and 233 among the light that has passed through the pixel region 213 when the counter substrate is provided is not absorbed.

  In addition, by setting the width T1 of the groove 240 of the prism element 230 to T1 ≧ T3 + 2t, the light transmitted through the pixel region 213 of the prism substrate 202 is hardly absorbed by the light shielding unit 233, and is incident on the projection lens 214. It becomes possible to make light incident as much as possible. Thereby, the further improvement of the utilization efficiency of light can be aimed at.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the light shielding portion is not provided on the prism substrate side and the light shielding portion is provided only on the TFT array substrate side. explain.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 320R, and corresponds to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid crystal panel 320 </ b> R has a configuration in which the TFT array substrate 302 and the prism substrate 303 are provided to face each other and the liquid crystal layer 305 is sandwiched therebetween.

  The TFT array substrate 302 is provided with a pixel electrode 324, a TFT 321, a planarization film 326, a light shielding part 323, and an alignment film 325. A prism element 330 is formed on the inner surface 303 a of the prism substrate 303. A counter substrate 332 is attached to the inner surface 303a with an adhesive layer 331 interposed therebetween. A common electrode 334 and an alignment film 335 are formed on the counter substrate 332, and a prism element 330 is formed in the inter-pixel region 314 of the prism substrate 303. In the present embodiment, the light shielding portion is not provided on the prism substrate 303 side.

As in the first embodiment, the prism element 330 is an optical path deflecting unit mainly composed of a groove 340 formed on the inner surface 303a of the prism substrate 303, and has a cross section of an isosceles triangle. Further, the prism elements 330 are provided in a lattice shape so as to extend in the X direction and the Y direction of the inter-pixel region 314, and are arranged so as to overlap the light shielding portion 323 in plan view.
Here, the cross section of the prism element 30 is described as an isosceles triangle, but the cross section is not limited to this, and the prism element 30 has a reflection surface as shown in FIG. 19 and the incident light is emitted to the projection lens 314. It only has to be in shape.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 320R, is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section in FIG. 7, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. In the figure, the dimensions of elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 320R, in particular, the dimensions and positional relationships of the prism elements 330 and the light shielding portions 323 are shown. In the figure, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 305 (distance between the alignment film 325 and the alignment film 335) is D1, the light refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 305 is n1, and the stagnation angle of the projection lens 314 is θf. It is said.

  As shown in the figure, as in the first embodiment, the groove 340 is provided so as to protrude to both sides in the width direction from the light shielding portion 323 in plan view, and the center in the width direction of the groove 340 is the light shielding portion. It arrange | positions so that it may overlap with the center of the width direction of H.323 by planar view. When the dimension of the protruding portion is t and the width of the light shielding portion 323 is T3, the width T1 of the groove 340 can be expressed as T1 ≧ T3 + 2t.

  In FIG. 8, let us consider virtual light L5 incident on the adhesive layer 331 and the counter substrate 332 through the end P of the groove 340 of the prism element 330. The light L5 passes through the adhesive layer 331 having a light refractive index of n2 and the counter substrate 332, and enters the liquid crystal layer 305 having a light refractive index of n1. The incident angle at this time is θ2. The light L5 incident on the liquid crystal layer 305 is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 305 and then enters the TFT array substrate 302 through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 323. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L5 incident on the TFT array substrate 302 passes through the TFT array substrate 302 and enters the projection lens 314. Here, if the stagnation angle of the projection lens 314 is θf, the light L5 is incident on the projection lens 314 at the stagnation angle θf of the projection lens 314.

  As described above, even if the light shielding portion is not provided on the prism substrate 303 side, the virtual light L5 is emitted from the TFT array substrate 302 through the same optical path as the virtual light L3 in the first embodiment and projected. The light enters the lens 314. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 7] as in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, even in the configuration in which the light shielding portion is not provided on the prism substrate 303 side, the width T1 of the groove 340 of the prism element 330 is set to T1 ≧ T3 + 2t so that the pixel region 313 of the prism substrate 302 is transmitted. The light is hardly absorbed by the light shielding portion 323, and the light can be incident on the projection lens 314 to the maximum extent. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the counter substrate is configured to also serve as a prism substrate, and the light shielding portion is not provided on the counter substrate side but the light shielding portion is provided only on the TFT array substrate side. This point is different from the first embodiment, and this point will be mainly described.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 420R, and corresponds to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal panel 420R is configured such that the TFT array substrate 402 and the counter substrate 403 are opposed to each other, and the liquid crystal layer 405 is sandwiched therebetween.

  The TFT array substrate 402 is provided with a pixel electrode 424, a TFT 421, a planarization film 426, a light shielding portion 423, and an alignment film 425. A prism element 430 is formed on the inner surface 403 a of the counter substrate 403. A common electrode 434 and an alignment film 435 are formed on the inner surface 403a. In the present embodiment, the counter substrate 403 is configured to also serve as the prism substrate in the above embodiment, and the light shielding portion is not provided on the counter substrate 403 side.

As in the first embodiment, the prism element 430 is an optical path deflecting unit mainly composed of a groove 440 formed on the inner surface 403a of the counter substrate 403, and has a cross section of an isosceles triangle. Further, the prism elements 430 are provided in a lattice shape so as to extend in the X direction and the Y direction of the inter-pixel region 414, and are arranged so as to overlap the light shielding portion 423 in plan view.
Here, the cross section of the prism element 30 is described as an isosceles triangle, but the cross section is not limited to this. The prism element 30 has a reflection surface as shown in FIG. 19 and the incident light is emitted to the projection lens 414. It only has to be in shape.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 420R, which is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section in FIG. 9, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. In the figure, the dimensions of elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 420R, in particular, the dimensions and positional relationships of the prism elements 430 and the light shielding portions 423 are shown. Further, in the drawing, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 405 (distance between the alignment film 425 and the alignment film 435) is D1, and the optical refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 405 is n1.

  As shown in the figure, like the first embodiment, the groove 440 is provided so as to protrude from both sides in the width direction of the light shielding part 423 in plan view, and the center of the groove 440 in the width direction is the light shielding part 423. Are arranged so as to overlap with the center in the width direction in plan view. When the dimension of the protruding portion is t and the width of the light shielding portion 423 is T3, the width T1 of the groove 440 can be expressed as T1 ≧ T3 + 2t.

  In FIG. 10, a virtual light L6 that enters the liquid crystal layer 405 through the end P of the groove 440 of the prism element 430 is considered. The light L6 is incident on the liquid crystal layer 405 having an optical refractive index n1, passes through the liquid crystal layer 405, and enters the TFT array substrate 402 through the end Q of the light shielding portion 423. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L6 incident on the TFT array substrate 402 passes through the TFT array substrate 402 and enters the projection lens 414. Here, assuming that the squeezing angle of the projection lens 414 is θf, it is assumed that the light L6 is incident on the projection lens 414 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 414.

  As described above, even if the light shielding portion is not provided on the counter substrate 403 side, the virtual light L6 is emitted from the TFT array substrate 402 through the same optical path as the virtual light L4 in the second embodiment and projected. The light enters the lens 414. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 8] as in the second embodiment.

  Even in the configuration in which the light shielding portion is not provided on the counter substrate 403 side as in the present embodiment, since the counter substrate is not provided, the interval between the prism element 430 and the light shielding portion 423 is reduced accordingly. . For this reason, in the present embodiment, a part of the light that has been absorbed by the light shielding portion 423 among the light that has passed through the pixel region 413 when the counter substrate is provided is not absorbed.

  In addition to this, by setting the width T1 of the groove 440 of the prism element 430 to T1 ≧ T3 + 2t, the light transmitted through the pixel region 413 of the prism substrate 402 is hardly absorbed by the light shielding unit 423, and the projection lens 414 receives the light. It becomes possible to make light incident as much as possible. Thereby, the further improvement of the utilization efficiency of light can be aimed at.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the light shielding portion is not provided on the TFT array substrate side, and the light shielding portion is provided only on the prism substrate side. explain.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 520R and corresponds to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, the liquid crystal panel 520R is configured such that the TFT array substrate 502 and the prism substrate 503 are provided to face each other and the liquid crystal layer 505 is sandwiched therebetween.

  The TFT array substrate 502 is provided with a pixel electrode 524, a TFT 521, and an alignment film 525. In the present embodiment, the planarization film and the light shielding portion are not provided on the TFT array substrate 502 side. The configuration of the prism substrate 503 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a prism element 530 is formed on the inner surface 503a. A counter substrate 532 is attached to the inner surface 503a with an adhesive layer 531 interposed therebetween. On the counter substrate 532, a common electrode 534, a light shielding portion 533, and an alignment film 535 are formed.

  As in the first embodiment, the prism element 530 is an optical path deflecting unit mainly composed of a groove 540 formed on the inner surface 503a of the prism substrate 503, and has a cross section of an isosceles triangle. Further, the prism elements 530 are provided in a lattice shape so as to extend in the X direction and the Y direction of the inter-pixel region 514, and are arranged so as to overlap the light shielding portion 533 in plan view.

  Here, the cross section of the prism element 30 is described as an isosceles triangle, but the cross section is not limited to this. The prism element 30 has a surface to be a reflection surface as shown in FIG. 19 and the incident light is emitted to the projection lens 514. It only has to be in shape.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 520R, is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section in FIG. 12, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. In the drawing, the dimensions of elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 520R, particularly the dimensions and positional relationship of the prism element 530 and the light shielding portion 533 are shown. Further, in the figure, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 505 (the distance between the alignment film 525 and the alignment film 535) is D1, and the optical refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 505 is n1.

  As shown in the figure, like the first embodiment, the groove 540 is provided so as to protrude from both sides in the width direction of the light shielding portion 533 in plan view, and the center in the width direction of the groove 540 is the light shielding portion 533. Are arranged so as to overlap with the center in the width direction in plan view.

  In FIG. 12, let us consider virtual light L 7 that enters the adhesive layer 531 and the counter substrate 532 through the end P of the groove 540 of the prism element 530. The light L7 passes through the adhesive layer 531 having the light refractive index n2 and the counter substrate 532, and enters the liquid crystal layer 505 having the light refractive index n1. The incident angle at this time is θ2. The light L5 that has entered the liquid crystal layer 505 is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 505 and then enters the TFT array substrate 502 through the end Q of the light shielding portion 533. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L5 incident on the TFT array substrate 502 passes through the TFT array substrate 502 and enters the projection lens 514. Here, assuming that the squeezing angle of the projection lens 514 is θf, it is assumed that the light L7 is incident on the projection lens 514 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 514.

  In the present embodiment, the moving distance in the substrate surface direction of the light L7 transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 505 is t1, and the moving distance in the substrate surface direction of the light L7 transmitted through the adhesive layer 531 and the counter substrate 532 is t2. When the width of 533 is T2, the width T1 of the groove 540 can be expressed as T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2.

  As described above, even if the light shielding portion is not provided on the TFT array substrate 502 side, the virtual light L7 is emitted from the TFT array substrate 502 through the same optical path as the virtual light L3 in the first embodiment. The light enters the projection lens 514. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 7] as in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, the width T1 of the groove 540 of the prism element 530 is set to T1 even in the configuration in which the light shielding portion is not provided on the TFT array substrate 502 side and the light shielding portion 533 is provided only on the prism substrate 503 side. By setting ≧ T2 + 2t2, the light transmitted through the pixel region 513 of the prism substrate 502 is hardly absorbed by the light shielding unit 533, and the light can be incident on the projection lens 514 to the maximum extent. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment according to the invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the counter substrate also serves as a prism substrate, and the light shielding portion is not provided on the TFT array substrate side but the light shielding portion is provided only on the counter substrate side. This point is different from the first embodiment, and this point will be mainly described.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 620R, and corresponds to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid crystal panel 620R is configured such that a TFT array substrate 602 and a counter substrate 603 are provided to face each other and a liquid crystal layer 605 is sandwiched therebetween.

  The TFT array substrate 602 is provided with a pixel electrode 624, a TFT 621, and an alignment film 625. In this embodiment, the TFT array substrate 602 side is not provided with a planarizing film and a light shielding portion. A prism element 630 is formed on the inner surface 603 a of the counter substrate 603. Thus, the counter substrate 603 is configured to also serve as a prism substrate. A common electrode 634, an alignment film 635, and a light shielding portion 633 are formed on the inner surface 603a.

  As in the first embodiment, the prism element 630 is an optical path deflecting unit mainly composed of a groove 640 formed on the inner surface 603a of the counter substrate 603, and has a cross section of an isosceles triangle. The prism elements 630 are provided in a lattice shape so as to extend in the X direction and the Y direction of the inter-pixel region 614.

  Here, the cross section of the prism element 30 is described as an isosceles triangle. However, the cross section is not limited to this, and the prism element 30 has a reflection surface as shown in FIG. 19 and the incident light is emitted to the projection lens 614. It only has to be in shape.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 620R, which is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section in FIG. 13, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. In the drawing, dimensions of elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 620R, particularly dimensions and positional relationships of the prism element 630 and the light shielding portion 633 are shown. In the drawing, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 605 (distance between the alignment film 625 and the alignment film 635) is D1, and the optical refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 605 is n1.

  As shown in the figure, like the first embodiment, the groove 640 is provided so as to protrude from both sides in the width direction of the light shielding portion 633 in plan view, and the center of the groove 640 in the width direction is the light shielding portion 633. Are arranged so as to overlap with the center in the width direction in plan view. When the width of the light shielding portion 633 is T2, the width T1 of the groove 640 can be expressed as T1 ≧ T2.

  In FIG. 14, consider a virtual light L 8 that enters the liquid crystal layer 605 through the end P of the groove 640 of the prism element 630. The light L8 is incident on the liquid crystal layer 605 having an optical refractive index n1, passes through the liquid crystal layer 605, and enters the TFT array substrate 602 through the end Q of the light shielding portion 633. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L8 incident on the TFT array substrate 602 passes through the TFT array substrate 602 and enters the projection lens 614. Here, if the squeezing angle of the projection lens 614 is θf, it is assumed that the light L8 is incident on the projection lens 614 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 614.

  As described above, even if the light shielding portion is not provided on the TFT array substrate 602 side, the virtual light L8 is emitted from the TFT array substrate 602 through the same optical path as the virtual light L4 in the second embodiment. The light enters the projection lens 614. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 8] as in the second embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the light shielding portion is not provided on the TFT array substrate 602 side and the light shielding portion 633 is provided only on the counter substrate 603 side is a configuration in which the counter substrate is not provided. The distance between the element 630 and the light shielding portion 633 is reduced accordingly. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a part of the light that has been absorbed by the light shielding unit 633 among the light that has passed through the pixel region 613 when the counter substrate is provided is not absorbed.

  In addition to this, by setting the width T1 of the groove 640 of the prism element 630 to T1 ≧ T2, the light transmitted through the pixel region 613 of the prism substrate 602 is hardly absorbed by the light shielding unit 633, and the projection lens 614 receives the light. It becomes possible to make light incident as much as possible. Thereby, the further improvement of the utilization efficiency of light can be aimed at.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the width of the light-shielding portion on the prism substrate side and the width of the light-shielding portion on the TFT array substrate side are different from each other in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 720R, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal panel 720R has a configuration in which a TFT array substrate 702 and a prism substrate 703 are provided to face each other and a liquid crystal layer 705 is sandwiched therebetween. Further, as shown in the figure, the width T2 of the light shielding part 733 provided on the prism substrate 703 side is narrower than the width T3 of the light shielding part 723 provided on the TFT array substrate 702 side. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the light shielding part 723 and the light shielding part 733 are provided so as to overlap in a plan view. Further, the groove 740 of the prism element 730 is provided so as to protrude from both sides of the light shielding part 723 and the light shielding part 733 in the plan view, and the center of the groove 740 in the width direction is the light shielding part 723 and the light shielding part 733. Are arranged so as to overlap with the center in the width direction in plan view.

  Here, the virtual light L9 that enters the adhesive layer 731 and the counter substrate 732 through the end P of the groove 740 of the prism element 730 is considered. The light L9 passes through the adhesive layer 731 having the light refractive index n2 and the counter substrate 732, and enters the liquid crystal layer 705 having the light refractive index n1. The incident angle at this time is θ2. The light L 9 incident on the liquid crystal layer 705 passes through the liquid crystal layer 705, passes through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 723, and enters the TFT array substrate 702. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L9 incident on the TFT array substrate 702 passes through the TFT array substrate 702 and enters the projection lens 714. Here, assuming that the squeezing angle of the projection lens 714 is θf, the light L9 is incident on the projection lens 714 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 714.

  In this embodiment, if the moving distance in the substrate surface direction of the light L9 transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 705 is t1, and the moving distance in the substrate surface direction of the light L9 transmitted through the adhesive layer 731 and the counter substrate 732 is t2, in this embodiment, T3 + 2t1 ≧ T2. Therefore, the width T1 of the groove 740 is expressed as T1 ≧ T3 + 2t where t1 + t2 = t.

  As described above, even if the width T3 of the light shielding portion 723 on the TFT array substrate 702 side is larger than the width T2 of the light shielding portion 733 on the prism substrate 703 side, the virtual light L9 is The light is emitted from the TFT array substrate 702 through the same optical path as the virtual light L3 in the first embodiment, and enters the projection lens 714. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 7] as in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, when the width T2 of the light shielding portion 723 on the TFT array substrate 702 side is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 733 on the prism substrate 703 side, the virtual light L9 By setting the optical path so that the light passes through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 723, the light transmitted through the pixel region 713 of the prism substrate 702 is hardly absorbed by the light shielding portion 723 and the light shielding portion 733, and the light is transmitted to the projection lens 714. Can be incident to the maximum. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the width of the light shielding portion on the prism substrate side is different from the width of the light shielding portion on the TFT array substrate side and that the counter substrate also serves as the prism substrate. Since it is different, this point will be mainly described.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 820R, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal panel 820R has a configuration in which a TFT array substrate 802 and a counter substrate 803 are provided to face each other and a liquid crystal layer 805 is sandwiched therebetween. As shown in the figure, the width T2 of the light shielding part 833 provided on the counter substrate 803 side is narrower than the width T3 of the light shielding part 823 provided on the TFT array substrate 802 side. In this embodiment, the counter substrate is not provided, and the light shielding portion 823 is directly provided on the inner surface 803 a of the counter substrate 803. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the light shielding part 823 and the light shielding part 833 are provided so as to overlap in a plan view. Further, the groove 840 of the prism element 830 is provided so as to protrude to both sides in the width direction with respect to the light shielding portion 823 and the light shielding portion 833 in plan view, and the center in the width direction of the groove 840 is the light shielding portion 823 and the light shielding portion. The portion 833 is disposed so as to overlap with the center in the width direction in plan view.

  Here, consider the virtual light L10 incident on the liquid crystal layer 805 through the end P of the groove 840 of the prism element 830. The light L10 is incident on the liquid crystal layer 805 having an optical refractive index of n1, passes through the liquid crystal layer 805, and enters the TFT array substrate 802 through the end Q of the light shielding portion 823. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L10 incident on the TFT array substrate 802 passes through the TFT array substrate 802 and enters the projection lens 814. Here, assuming that the squeezing angle of the projection lens 814 is θf, it is assumed that the light L10 is incident on the projection lens 814 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 814.

  Assuming that the moving distance of the light L10 transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 805 in the substrate surface direction is t, in this embodiment, T3 + 2t ≧ T2, and therefore the width T1 of the groove 840 is expressed as T1 ≧ T3 + 2t.

  Thus, even if the width T2 of the light shielding part 833 on the counter substrate 803 side and the width T3 of the light shielding part on the TFT array substrate 802 side are different from each other, the virtual light L10 is the second implementation. The light is emitted from the TFT array substrate 802 through the same optical path as the virtual light L4 in the form, and enters the projection lens 814. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 8] as in the second embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, since the counter substrate is not provided, the interval between the prism element 830 and the light shielding portions 823 and 833 is reduced accordingly. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a part of the light that has been absorbed by the light shielding portions 823 and 833 among the light that has passed through the pixel region 813 when the counter substrate is provided is not absorbed.

  In addition, as in the present embodiment, the width T2 of the light shielding portion 823 on the TFT array substrate 802 side is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 833 on the counter substrate 803 side. By setting the optical path so that the virtual light L10 passes through the end Q of the light shielding portion 823, the light transmitted through the pixel region 813 of the prism substrate 802 is hardly absorbed by the light shielding portions 823 and 833, and the projection lens It becomes possible to make light incident on 814 to the maximum extent. Thereby, the further improvement of the utilization efficiency of light can be aimed at.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the width of the light-shielding portion on the prism substrate side and the width of the light-shielding portion on the TFT array substrate side are different from each other in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 920R and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal panel 920R has a configuration in which a TFT array substrate 902 and a prism substrate 903 are provided facing each other and a liquid crystal layer 905 is sandwiched therebetween. Further, as shown in the figure, the width T2 of the light shielding portion 933 provided on the prism substrate 903 side is wider than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 923 provided on the TFT array substrate 902 side. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the light shielding part 923 and the light shielding part 933 are provided so as to overlap in a plan view. Further, the groove 940 of the prism element 930 is provided so as to protrude from both sides in the width direction of the light shielding portion 923 and the light shielding portion 933 in plan view, and the center in the width direction of the groove 940 is the light shielding portion 923 and the light shielding portion 933. Are arranged so as to overlap with the center in the width direction in plan view.

  Here, consider the virtual light L11 that enters the adhesive layer 931 and the counter substrate 932 through the end P of the groove 940 of the prism element 930. The light L11 passes through the adhesive layer 931 having a light refractive index of n2 and the counter substrate 932, and enters the liquid crystal layer 905 having a light refractive index of n1. The incident angle at this time is θ2. The light L 11 that has entered the liquid crystal layer 905 passes through the liquid crystal layer 905 and enters the TFT array substrate 902 through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 933. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L11 incident on the TFT array substrate 902 passes through the TFT array substrate 902 and enters the projection lens 914. Here, if the stagnation angle of the projection lens 914 is θf, it is assumed that the light L11 is incident on the projection lens 914 at the stagnation angle θf of the projection lens 914.

  In this embodiment, if the moving distance in the substrate surface direction of the light 11 transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 905 is t1, and the moving distance in the substrate surface direction of the light 11 transmitted through the adhesive layer 931 and the counter substrate 932 is t2, in this embodiment, T3 + 2t1. Since <T2, the width T1 of the groove 940 is expressed as T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2.

  As described above, when the width T2 of the light shielding portion 933 on the prism substrate 903 side is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 923 on the TFT array substrate 902 side, the virtual light L11 is the first light L11. The light is emitted from the TFT array substrate 902 through the same optical path as the virtual light L3 in the embodiment, and enters the projection lens 914. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 7] as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the width of the light shielding portion 933 on the prism substrate 903 side is described as “a predetermined width”. However, in this embodiment, in order to set the width of the light shielding portion 933 to the predetermined width T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2, it is limited to the case where [Equation 9] is satisfied.

  When [Equation 9] is not satisfied, the virtual light L11 passes through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 933 in the liquid crystal layer 905 and is then absorbed by the light shielding portion 923. Therefore, only when the width T2 of the light shielding portion 933 is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 923 and the above [Equation 9] is satisfied, the width T2 of the light shielding portion 933 is set to the “predetermined width”. be able to.

  According to the present embodiment, when the width T2 of the light shielding portion 933 on the prism substrate 903 side is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 923 on the TFT array substrate 902 side, the virtual light L11 is shielded. By setting the optical path so as to pass through the end Q of the portion 923, light transmitted through the pixel region 913 on the prism substrate 902 side is hardly absorbed by the light shielding portion 923 and the light shielding portion 933, and light is transmitted to the projection lens 914. Maximum incidence is possible. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved.

[Tenth embodiment]
Next, a tenth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the width of the light-shielding portion on the prism substrate side and the width of the light-shielding portion on the TFT array substrate side are different from each other, and the counter substrate is configured to also serve as the prism substrate. Since this is different from the first embodiment, this point will be mainly described.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 1020R, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the liquid crystal panel 1020R is configured such that a TFT array substrate 1002 and a counter substrate 1003 are provided to face each other and a liquid crystal layer 1005 is sandwiched therebetween. As shown in the figure, the width T2 of the light shielding portion 1033 provided on the counter substrate 1003 side is wider than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 1023 provided on the TFT array substrate 1002 side. In this embodiment, the counter substrate is not provided, and the light shielding portion 1023 is directly provided on the inner surface 1003 a of the counter substrate 1003. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the light shielding part 1023 and the light shielding part 1033 are provided so as to overlap in a plan view. Further, the groove 1040 of the prism element 1030 is provided so as to protrude to both sides in the width direction with respect to the light shielding portion 1023 and the light shielding portion 1033 in plan view, and the center in the width direction of the groove 1040 is the light shielding portion 1023 and the light shielding portion. It arrange | positions so that it may overlap with the center of the width direction of the part 1033 by planar view.

  Here, consider the virtual light L12 incident on the liquid crystal layer 1005 through the end P of the groove 1040 of the prism element 1030. The light L12 is incident on the liquid crystal layer 1005 whose optical refractive index is n1, passes through the liquid crystal layer 1005, and enters the TFT array substrate 1002 through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 1033. The incident angle at this time is θ1.

  The light L12 incident on the TFT array substrate 1002 passes through the TFT array substrate 1002 and enters the projection lens 1014. Here, assuming that the squeezing angle of the projection lens 1014 is θf, it is assumed that the light L12 is incident on the projection lens 1014 at the squeezing angle θf of the projection lens 1014.

  In the present embodiment, T3 + 2t <T2 where t is the movement distance of the light 12 transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 1005 in the substrate surface direction. Therefore, the width T1 of the groove 1040 is expressed as T1 ≧ T2.

  As described above, even if the width T2 of the light shielding portion 1033 on the counter substrate 1003 side is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion on the TFT array substrate 1002 side, the virtual light L12 is the second implementation. The light is emitted from the TFT array substrate 1002 through the same optical path as the virtual light L4 in the form, and enters the projection lens 1014. Therefore, t can be expressed by [Equation 8] as in the second embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the width T2 of the light shielding portion 1033 on the counter substrate 1003 side is described as “a predetermined width”. However, in the present embodiment, in order to set the width of the light shielding portion 1033 to the predetermined width T2, it is limited to the case where [Equation 9] is satisfied as in the ninth embodiment.
When [Formula 9] is not satisfied, the virtual light L12 passes through the end Q of the light shielding portion 1033 in the liquid crystal layer 1005 and is then absorbed by the light shielding portion 1023. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the width T2 of the light shielding portion 1033 is set to “predetermined” only when the width T2 of the light shielding portion 1033 is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 1023 and the above [Equation 9] is satisfied. Width ".

  According to the present embodiment, since the counter substrate is not provided, the interval between the prism element 1030 and the light shielding portions 1023 and 1033 is reduced accordingly. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a part of the light that has been absorbed by the light shielding portions 1023 and 1033 among the light that has passed through the pixel region 1013 when the counter substrate is provided is not absorbed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the width T2 of the light shielding portion 1033 on the counter substrate 1003 side is larger than the width T3 of the light shielding portion 1023 on the TFT array substrate 1002 side, the virtual light L12 By setting the optical path so that the light passes through the end portion Q of the light shielding portion 1023, the light transmitted through the pixel region 1013 on the prism substrate 1002 side is hardly absorbed by the light shielding portion 1023 and the light shielding portion 1033, and is incident on the projection lens 1014. It becomes possible to make light incident as much as possible. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the liquid crystal device (liquid crystal panel) is described as an example of the electro-optical device. However, the electro-optical device is not limited to this, and other electro-optical devices such as an organic EL device and an inorganic EL device. The present invention can also be applied to plasma display devices, electrophoretic display devices, field emission display devices, and the like.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a projector according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of liquid crystal device which concerns on 10th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of prism element of the liquid crystal device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

120R ... Liquid crystal panel (electro-optical device) 2 ... TFT array substrate (other substrate) 3 ... Prism substrate (one substrate) 5 ... Liquid crystal layer (electro-optical material layer) 30 ... Prism element (prism part) 40 ... Groove 32 ... counter substrate (transparent substrate) 23, 33 ... light shielding part

Claims (7)

An electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf,
A prism portion that is provided in a groove shape on the surface of one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, has an opening, and condenses light incident on the substrate;
A transparent substrate provided so as to cover the surface of the one substrate on the electro-optic material layer side,
On the electro-optic material layer side of the transparent substrate, a first light-shielding part that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism part in plan view and that shields light is disposed.
On the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, a second light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view and that shields light is disposed.
The thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the width of the opening of the prism portion T1, the predetermined width of the first light shielding part is T2, the predetermined width of the second light shielding part is T3,
t1 = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1))
If t2 = D2 × tan (sin-1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin-1 (sin (θf) / n1))}},
In the case of T3 + 2t1 ≧ T2, T1 ≧ T3 + 2 (t1 + t2)
When T3 + 2t1 <T2, the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2. An electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf,
A prism portion that is provided in a groove shape on the surface of one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, has an opening, and condenses light incident on the substrate;
A transparent substrate provided so as to cover the surface of the one substrate on the electro-optic material layer side,
The electro-optical material layer side of the transparent substrate is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and a light shielding portion for shielding light is disposed.
On the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, a light shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not disposed,
The thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the width of the opening of the prism portion Is T1, and the predetermined width of the light-shielding portion is T2.
If t2 = D2 × tan (sin-1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin-1 (sin (θf) / n1))}},
An electro-optical device, wherein an opening width T1 of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2 + 2t2. An electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf,
A prism portion that is provided in a groove shape on the surface of one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, has an opening, and condenses light incident on the substrate;
A transparent substrate provided so as to cover the surface of the one substrate on the electro-optic material layer side,
The electro-optic material layer side of the other of the pair of substrates is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and a light shielding portion for shielding light is disposed.
On the electro-optic material layer side of the transparent substrate, there is no light shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view,
The thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the light refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the thickness of the transparent substrate is D2, the light refractive index of the transparent substrate is n2, and the width of the opening of the prism portion Is T1, and the predetermined width of the light shielding portion is T3,
t1 = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1))
t2 = D2 × tan (sin−1 {(n1 / n2) sin (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1))}}
An electro-optical device, wherein an opening width T1 of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T3 + 2 (t1 + t2). An electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf,
A prism portion that is provided in a groove shape on the surface of the one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, has an opening, and condenses light incident on the substrate;
On the electro-optic material layer side of the one substrate, a first light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in a plan view and shields light is disposed,
On the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, a second light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view and that shields light is disposed.
The thickness of the electro-optical material layer is D1, the optical refractive index of the electro-optical material layer is n1, the width of the opening of the prism is T1, the width of the first light-shielding portion is T2, and the second light-shielding portion. Let T3 be the width of
If t = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)),
In the case of T3 + 2t ≧ T2, T1 ≧ T3 + 2t,
In the case of T3 + 2t <T2, the width T1 of the opening of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2. An electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf,
A prism portion that is provided in a groove shape on the surface of the one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, has an opening, and condenses light incident on the substrate;
The electro-optic material layer side of the one substrate is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view, and a light shielding portion for shielding light is provided.
On the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, a light shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not disposed,
When the width of the opening of the prism is T1, and the width of the light shielding portion is T2,
An electro-optical device, wherein an opening width T1 of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T2. An electro-optical device that holds an electro-optical material layer between a pair of substrates and emits light toward a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf,
A prism portion that is provided in a groove shape on the surface of the one of the pair of substrates on the electro-optic material layer side, has an opening, and condenses light incident on the substrate;
On the electro-optic material layer side of the other substrate of the pair of substrates, a light-shielding portion that is provided with a predetermined width so as to overlap the prism portion in plan view and shields light is disposed.
On the electro-optic material layer side of the one substrate, a light-shielding portion that overlaps the prism portion in plan view is not disposed,
The thickness of the electro-optic material layer is D1, the optical refractive index of the electro-optic material layer is n1, the width of the opening of the prism is T1, and the width of the light shielding portion is T3.
If t = D1 × tan (sin−1 (sin (θf) / n1)),
An electro-optical device, wherein an opening width T1 of the prism portion is provided so that T1 ≧ T3 + 2t. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
And a projection unit having a predetermined stagnation angle θf.

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