JP2008089884A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device which can easily view an image even on its curved section and has a high reliable by solving the following problem: the angle between the viewpoint and the display device is significantly varied by the position of the display region inside the display device in the display device having the curved section. <P>SOLUTION: In the display device, a resin layer 60 arranged on a first region 50A on a protruding surface 51 corresponding to the curvature direction of a laminate 50 is formed so as to be thicker than the resin layer 60 arranged on a second region 50B on the protruding surface 51, and further, the thickness of the resin layer of the first region 50A on the protruding surface 51 gradually increases as going closer to the bus 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display element, and more particularly to a display element using a flexible material such as a resin film as a substrate.

  In recent years, display devices using thin film transistors (hereinafter referred to as TFTs) have been widely used as display devices for information terminals such as monitors for personal computers and mobile phones due to their high quality display and moving image display capabilities.

Further, recently, research and development of flexible display devices in which flexibility is given to the display device itself in order to give a further degree of freedom of shape has progressed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-38395 JP 2004-46792 A

  However, in such a display device having flexibility, when the display element is fixed in a curved state, the angle formed between the viewpoint and the display element is different except when the display element is hemispherical with the viewpoint as the center. There is a problem that it varies greatly depending on the display area in the display element. For this reason, there are problems such that the information density varies depending on the viewpoint, the display area becomes narrow due to the narrow viewing angle as the display element, and the display area becomes dark due to the viewing angle dependence as the display element. In order to realize a flexible display element, when a curved display device is formed using a plastic substrate such as a plastic film on a substrate that sandwiches liquid crystal or the like, water or When oxygen permeates and an image is displayed on the curved portion, there is a problem that a display image or the like is disturbed, and there is a problem that reliability of the display device is lowered.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the problem that the angle formed between the viewpoint and the display element varies greatly depending on the display area in the display element in the display element having the curved part, and the image is easy to see even in the curved part of the display element, and An object is to provide a display element with high reliability.

  A display element according to the present invention includes a laminate including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a resin that covers the laminate. A first region that is curved so that one surface of the laminate facing the first substrate and the second substrate is a convex surface and the other surface is a concave surface; A resin layer provided on the convex surface of the first region is provided on the convex surface of the second region, the second region having a radius of curvature larger than that of the first region. It is characterized by being formed thicker than the resin layer.

  According to the present invention, in a display element having a curved portion, the problem that the angle between the viewpoint and the display element varies greatly depending on the display area in the display element is solved. A display element with high reliability is provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. The drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the planar dimensions, the ratio of the thickness of each layer, and the like are different from the actual ones. Further, there are included portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a display element according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of the display element according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display element 10 according to the present embodiment is provided between the array substrate 20, the counter substrate 30 facing the array substrate 20, and the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30. The liquid crystal layer 40 and the resin layer 60 covering the laminated body 50 including the array substrate 20, the counter substrate 30, and the liquid crystal layer 40 are provided, and the whole is curved in a columnar shape. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 80 denotes a display area.

  3 is a plan view showing an example of a pixel region on the array substrate 20 that can be employed in the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of a display element that can be employed in the present invention.

  The display element 10 includes an array substrate 20 and a counter substrate 30. Further, polarizing plates (not shown) are sequentially arranged on the outer surface of the array substrate 20, and similarly, polarizing plates (not shown) are sequentially arranged on the outer surface of the counter substrate 30.

  The array substrate 20 includes a support substrate 100 made of, for example, a flexible organic material such as a plastic film, or a flexible inorganic material such as glass. On the support substrate 100, scanning lines 101 and auxiliary capacitance lines (not shown) are arranged. The scanning lines 101 and the auxiliary capacitance lines each extend in the X direction, and are alternately arranged in the Y direction (the paper surface direction in FIG. 4, hereinafter the same) that intersects the X direction. The scanning line 101 and the auxiliary capacitance line can be formed in the same process. Further, as these materials, for example, a metal such as Al, Ta, Mo, or Ti, a thin film of an alloy such as Mo—W, Mo—Ta, or Al—Nd or a laminated film thereof may be used. Thus, it can be formed by patterning after film formation. A part of the scanning line 101 is used as a gate electrode 102 of the thin film transistor in a thin film transistor (TFT) region.

  An insulating film 103 made of, for example, a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film is provided on the support substrate 100 so as to cover the scanning line 101, the gate electrode 102, and the auxiliary capacitance line. This insulating film 103 can be formed by, for example, a plasma CVD method.

  On the insulating film 103 in a region corresponding to the gate electrode 102, a semiconductor layer 104 made of, for example, amorphous silicon is provided. A thin film transistor (TFT) is formed by the semiconductor layer 104, the gate electrode 102, and a portion (gate insulating film) of the insulating film 103 positioned between the gate electrode 102 and the semiconductor layer 104. These thin film transistors are used as the pixel switch 105. Further, a channel protective film 106 made of, for example, a silicon nitride film is provided at a position corresponding to the gate electrode on the semiconductor layer 104.

  Further, a signal line 110 and a drain electrode 120 are further disposed on the insulating film 103. Each signal line 110 extends in the Y direction, and is alternately arranged in the X direction corresponding to the column in which the pixel switch 105 is provided. A part of the signal line 110 is used as the source electrode 115 connected to the pixel switch 105. The signal line 110 and the drain electrode 120 can be formed in the same process. For example, the semiconductor layer 104 provided over the insulating film 103, the n-type semiconductor layer 111 provided over the semiconductor layer 104, The metal thin film 113 is provided on the n-type semiconductor layer 111. The n-type semiconductor layer 111 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor layer obtained by doping amorphous silicon with phosphorus. The metal thin film 113 is made of, for example, a metal such as Al, Ta, Mo, or Ti, a thin film of an alloy such as Mo—W, Mo—Ta, or Al—Nd, or a laminated film thereof. The n-type semiconductor layer 111 and the metal thin film 113 can be formed by patterning after film formation by a sputtering method or the like.

  On the insulating film 103 including the source electrode 115, the drain electrode 120, and the channel protective layer 106, for example, a protective layer 125 made of a silicon oxide film is disposed. A pixel electrode 130 made of, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide) is provided on the protective layer 125, and the pixel electrode 130 is connected to the drain electrode 120 through a through hole formed in the protective layer 125. Yes.

  The pixel electrode 130 is covered with an alignment film 140. In the vicinity of the alignment layer 140, the liquid crystal molecules are tilted with a relatively large pretilt angle, for example, 5 ° to 10 °. The alignment film 140 is obtained, for example, by performing an alignment treatment such as rubbing on an organic film made of acrylic, polyimide, nylon, polyamide, polycarbonate, benzocyclobutene polymer, polyacrylonitrile, polysilane, or the like. Alternatively, the alignment film 140 is obtained, for example, by obliquely depositing silicon oxide. Among these, polyimide, polyacrylonitrile, and nylon are excellent in terms of film formation and chemical stability.

A scanning signal input terminal group (not shown) and a video signal input terminal group (not shown) are disposed on the insulating film 103. These scanning signal input terminal and video signal input terminal are connected to the scanning line 101 and the signal line 110, respectively. As a material of these terminals, for example, a metal or an alloy can be used. The counter substrate 30 is made of, for example, a flexible organic material such as a plastic film, or a flexible inorganic material such as glass. The supporting substrate 200 is included.

  On the support substrate 200, a counter electrode 210 and a color filter 220 are stacked in this order. The counter electrode 210 is a common electrode facing the pixel electrode 130. As a material of the counter electrode 210, for example, ITO can be used.

  The color filter 220 is covered with an alignment film 230. As the alignment film 230, a film similar to the alignment film 140 can be used.

  Here, the counter electrode 210 and the color filter 220 are stacked in this order on the support substrate 200, but the counter electrode 210 and the color filter 220 are reversed, that is, on the support substrate 200. In addition, the color filter 220 and the counter electrode 210 may be stacked in this order.

  The array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 face each other their alignment films 140 and 230. A frame-shaped seal layer 300 is interposed between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30. The scanning signal input terminal and the video signal input terminal described above are located outside the frame formed by the seal layer. The seal layer 300 bonds the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 to each other. As a material of the seal layer 300, an epoxy or acrylic adhesive can be used.

  A transfer electrode (not shown) is disposed between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 and outside the frame formed by the seal layer 300. The transfer electrode is connected to the counter electrode 210 and the array substrate 20.

  The gap between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30, that is, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 40 is held by a spherical spacer 310 made of plastic or the like disposed in the gap. Alternatively, it may be constituted by a columnar spacer (not shown) provided in the gap between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30. These spacers form a substantially constant gap between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 at a position corresponding to the pixel electrode 130.

  The liquid crystal layer 40 is composed of, for example, a mixture including a high molecular material and a low molecular liquid crystal material having a lower molecular weight than this. The polymer material has an average molecular weight of 5000 or more. The “average molecular weight” referred to here is a number average molecular weight measured by gel permeation chromatography. The polymer material forms a polymer matrix or polymer network in the liquid crystal layer 40. The low molecular weight material has a molecular weight of 1000 or less. The low-molecular liquid crystal material is, for example, a nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.

  For example, polarizing plates (not shown) are arranged so that their transmission axes are substantially orthogonal to each other. Moreover, each polarizing plate is arrange | positioned, for example so that the transmission axis may make an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the X direction and the Y direction.

  The scanning line driver 2 and the signal line driver 3 are connected to a scanning signal input terminal and a video signal input terminal, respectively. In this example, the drivers 2 and 3 are mounted on COG (chip on glass), but instead, TCP (tape carrier package) may be mounted.

  The display element 10 according to the present embodiment is curved in a direction in which the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 face each other. That is, in the display element 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 of the laminate 50 including the array substrate 20, the counter substrate 30, and the liquid crystal layer 40 face each other. A first region 50A curved so that one of the surfaces is a convex surface (51 in the drawing in the present embodiment) and the other surface is a concave surface (52 in the drawing in the embodiment), and adjacent to the first region 50A The second region 50B has a larger radius of curvature than the first region 50A. The display area 80 of the display element 10 according to the present embodiment is provided on the convex surface 51 as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the second region 50B is adjacent to the first region 50A, adjacent to the first region 50A via the second a region 50B1 having a larger radius of curvature than the first region 50A, and the second a region 50B1, and to the stacked body 50. The first region 50A and the second b region 50B2 having a larger radius of curvature than the second region 50B1.

  In the display element 10 according to the present embodiment, the resin layer provided on the convex surface 51 of the first region 50A is formed thicker than the resin layer provided on the convex surface 51 of the second region 50B. More specifically, the thickness of the resin layer provided on the convex surface 51 gradually increases from the outer end 50C of the stacked body 50 toward the first region 50A.

  With such a configuration, the angle formed between the viewpoint of the display region 80 and the display element 10 in the first region 50A can be adjusted.

  This effect will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of light emitted from a resin layer of light emitted from a laminate in a conventional display element, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the entire display element, ) Is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion β in (a).

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the conventional display element 10 ′, the thickness of the resin layer 60 ′ in the display region is substantially uniform, so that the light emitted vertically from the laminate 50 is the resin layer 60 ′. When the light is emitted into the air, the light is emitted vertically as it is (FIG. 6B). For this reason, when the user views the display area 80 of the display element 10 ′ from the convex direction, light is dispersed in the first area 50 </ b> A of the display area 80, which is difficult for the user to view.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of light emitted from the resin layer of light emitted from the laminate in the display element according to the present embodiment, and (a) is a cross-sectional view of the entire display element. (B) is a fragmentary sectional view in the (beta) part of (a).

The resin layer 60 provided on the convex surface 51 of the display element according to the present embodiment has a thickness from the outer end 50C of the stacked body 50 toward the first region 50A (toward the bus 5 of the first region 50A). Since the thickness gradually increases, the thickness of the resin layer 60 in the first region 50A is not uniform. For this reason, the light emitted perpendicularly from the laminate 50 is refracted depending on the difference in refractive index between the resin layer 60 and air and the incident angle because the interface between the resin layer 60 and air is not vertical. When the inclination of the resin layer 60 with respect to the surface of the laminate 50 is θ, and the refractive index of the resin layer 60 and air is n ₁ and n ₀ , respectively, the emission angle is θout, and generally n ₁ > n ₀ Therefore, the light emitted vertically from the laminated body 50 is refracted to the thick side of the resin layer 60. That is, in the portion shown in FIG. 7B, the light is refracted toward the bus 5 direction of the display element 10. Therefore, when the first area 50A of the display element 10 is viewed from the convex direction, light is not dispersed in the first area 50A of the display area 80, and the light is emitted uniformly from the display element 10, so that the first area 50A is for the user. This produces the effect of making the part of the screen very easy to see.

  Furthermore, since the resin layer 60 in the first region 50A on the convex surface 51 is thicker than the resin layer 60 in the second region 50B on the convex surface 51, water and oxygen are transmitted through the first region 50A of the counter substrate 30. Can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the display image and the like in the first region 50A from being disturbed.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of light emitted from the resin layer of light emitted from the laminate in the display element according to the present embodiment, and (a) is a cross-sectional view of the entire display element. (B) is a fragmentary sectional view in the (beta) part of (a).

  As described above, the convex surface 51 has a configuration in which the thickness of the resin layer 60 on the convex surface 51 is gradually increased as the radius of curvature of the stacked body 50 decreases (as the degree of curvature increases). Since light can be made uniform without being dispersed over the entire surface of the display region 80, an effect that the image can be easily seen in the entire display region 80 can be obtained.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the display element 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, after a surface treatment such as corona treatment or UV ozone treatment is performed on a plastic film having flexibility, a silicon oxide film (SiOx), a silicon nitride film (SiNx), or Then, an insulating film such as a silicon oxynitride film (SiOxNy) is formed. Next, a 300 nm thin film of a metal such as Mo or Al or an alloy such as MoTa or MoWS is formed by sputtering. This thin film is selectively etched using a photolithography method to form a scanning line, a gate electrode, and the like. Next, an insulating film, a semiconductor layer, and a channel protective film are stacked in this order on the scanning line and the gate electrode by the CVD method. As the insulating film, a silicon oxide film (SiOx), a silicon nitride film (SiNx), or a silicon oxynitride film (SiOxNy) is formed as a single layer or a stacked film, for example, with a thickness of 300 nm. As the semiconductor layer, an amorphous silicon layer is formed with a thickness of 50 nm, for example. The channel protective film is formed of a silicon oxide film (SiOx), for example, 300 nm. Next, after the channel protective layer is selectively etched by a photolithography method, amorphous silicon doped with phosphorus is formed by a CVD method to form an n-type semiconductor layer. Next, a metal thin film such as Al or Mo is formed to about 300 nm. Then, a signal line, a source electrode, and a drain electrode are formed by selectively etching the stacked structure of the semiconductor layer, the n-type semiconductor layer, and the metal thin film using a photolithography method. Thereafter, a protective layer such as a silicon oxide film (SiOx) or a silicon nitride film (SiNx) is formed by CVD or the like, and then a contact hole is formed in the drain electrode portion using photolithography. Then, a transparent electrode such as ITO is formed using a sputtering method and patterned by a photolithography method to form a pixel electrode. Next, an alignment film is formed with a resin such as polyimide, and a rubbing process is performed.

  A plastic film having flexibility as an opposing substrate is subjected to surface treatment such as corona treatment or UV ozone treatment, and then a transparent electrode such as ITO is formed on the surface of the plastic film by sputtering. Thereafter, a color filter is bonded, and an alignment film is then formed on the surface with a resin such as polyimide, and a rubbing process is performed.

  Next, the alignment films of both plastic films are arranged so as to face each other to form a spherical spacer that keeps the gap between the plastic films uniform. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the plastic film has a seal. An agent is provided and two plastic films are bonded together. And a liquid crystal is inject | poured and sealed in the gap | interval between two plastic films, and a laminated body is completed.

  Next, in a state where the laminate is curved with a desired generatrix as a fulcrum, the curved convex portion is placed downward and placed in a port containing UV curable epoxy resin, and the whole surface is covered with resin and then pulled up, the convex portion Hold for a certain time with Thereby, a resin layer can be thickly formed on the convex part of a laminated body by gravity. In forming the resin layer, the formation time varies depending on the viscosity. For example, in the case of a resin having a viscosity of 300 cp, the resin layer may be left for about 1 hour. Thereafter, the resin layer is formed by irradiating the coated resin with UV. At this time, the thickness of the resin layer can be controlled more finely by partially shifting the timing of UV irradiation.

  The material of the resin layer is not limited to the above-mentioned UV curable epoxy resin, but various such as acrylic (PMMA), epoxy, PVC, COP, PA, PE, PC, PEN, PET, PI, PAI, silicone, fluororesin, etc. It is possible to use a simple material. Moreover, even if it is not UV curing, other curing methods such as visible light curing, two-component curing, and thermal curing can be used. Also, a coating method such as an inkjet method can be used. These resins are preferably transparent in order to cover the surface of the display device, and a higher refractive index is preferable in order to increase the lens effect.

  In addition, when a resin material having excellent moisture resistance such as PCTFE is used as the resin material, it is possible to prevent a decrease in reliability due to humidity, which is a drawback of curved display using a flexible substrate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the resin layer is formed on the entire surface of the laminate has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even when the resin layer is formed only on the first surface described above. A similar effect can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of the display element according to the second embodiment.

  The display element 10A according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the first layer 50A on the convex surface 51 of the multilayer body 50 and the resin layer 60 of the second b region 50B2 on the convex surface 51 are formed thick, and the second b region 50B2 has a configuration in which the resin layer 60 is gradually increased toward the outer peripheral end 50C of the laminated body 50. Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In addition to the method described in the first embodiment, the resin layer 60 of the display element 10 </ b> A according to the present embodiment is a port in which the outer peripheral portion of the laminate 50 is filled with a UV curable epoxy resin with the convex portion facing upward. It can be formed by putting in and holding for a certain period of time. Alternatively, it may be formed while controlling the coating amount using a coating method such as an ink jet method.

  Note that the resin layer 60 on the second b region 50B2 according to the present embodiment may have a two-layer structure in which the second resin layer 60A is provided on the resin layer 60 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, an example of a two-layer structure will be described. When the resin layer on the second b region 50B2 has a two-layer structure, it can be formed by using a coating method such as an inkjet method in addition to the method described in the first embodiment.

  Thus, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the thickness of the resin layer on the second b region 50B2 gradually increases toward the outer peripheral end portion (the outer peripheral portion of the display region) of the stacked body 50. As a display element, a liquid crystal display element having a wide field of view in all directions of the convex surface 51 can be provided even when viewed from the side direction (lateral direction) as well as when viewed from the convex direction.

  This effect will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of light emitted from the resin layer of light emitted from the laminate in the display element according to the present embodiment, and (a) is a cross-sectional view of the entire display element. (B) is a fragmentary sectional view in the (beta) part of (a).

  The light emitted from the second b region 50B2 perpendicularly emitted from the stacked body 50 of the display element 10A according to the present embodiment is as shown in FIG.

That is, the first resin layer 60 on the convex surface 51 of the second b region 50B2 of the laminate 50 is the resin 1, the second resin layer 60A is the resin 2, and the interface between the resin 1 and the resin 2 is the interface 1. The interface between the resin 2 and the air layer is defined as the interface 2, the angle between the interface 1 and the surface of the laminate 50 is θ1, and the angle between the interface 2 and the surface of the laminate 50 is θ2. In addition, the refractive indexes of the resin 1 and the resin 2 are n ₁ and n ₂ , respectively. The incident angle with respect to the interface 1 is θ1in, the exit angle is θ1out, and the incident angle to the interface 2 is θ2in and the exit angle is θ2out. The angle refracted at the interface 1 is α1, and the angle refracted at the interface 2 is α2. FIG. 11 assumes θ1out ≦ θ1 + θ2.

From Snell's law
n ₁ sinθ ₁ = n ₂ sinθ _1out
n ₂ sinθ _2out = n ₀ sinθ _2out
Also,
Geometrically α ₁ = θ _1out -θ ₁ , θ _2in = θ ₂ -α ₁
Holds.

なお、θ_1out > θ₁ + θ₂の時は、図１１（ｂ）のようになり、出射光は左に屈折される。 At this time

When θ _1out > θ ₁ + θ ₂ , the light is refracted to the left as shown in FIG. 11B.

となる
θ₁=3°、θ₂=10°、n₁=1.55、n₂=1.44、n₀=1.00の時
θ_1out ~3.23（<θ₁+θ₂）となり図１１（ｂ）のような屈折を起こす。このときα₂=4.1度となり表示素子１０Ａの側面方向に光線が屈折する。そのため、表示素子１０Ａの表示領域８０の側面方向から見たときでも、使用者にとって見やすくなるという効果が生じる。 At this time

When θ ₁ = 3 °, θ ₂ = 10 °, n ₁ = 1.55, n ₂ = 1.44, and n ₀ = 1.00, θ _1out to 3.23 (<θ ₁ + θ ₂ ) is obtained, as shown in FIG. Cause refraction. At this time, α ₂ = 4.1 degrees, and the light beam is refracted in the side surface direction of the display element 10A. Therefore, even when viewed from the side surface direction of the display region 80 of the display element 10 </ b> A, there is an effect that it is easy for the user to see.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  12 and 13 are cross-sectional views schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of the display element according to the third embodiment.

  In the display element 10 </ b> B according to the present embodiment, the resin layer 60 according to the first embodiment is replaced with a plastic film 70 having flexibility such as a plastic film, and the plastic film 70 and the convex surface 51 of the laminate 50. Is provided with a liquid layer 75. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The plastic film 70 has a substantially uniform thickness over the entire surface. Each of the end surfaces of the plastic film 70 and the laminated body 50 is provided with a sealing agent 300A, which fixes the plastic film 70 and the laminated body 50, and a liquid (between the plastic film 70 and the laminated body 50 ( For example, water is sealed. The liquid layer 75 between the plastic film 70 and the laminated body 50 is provided with a spherical spacer (not shown), and the plastic film 70 and the laminated body 50 are not larger than the gap defined by the size of the spherical spacer (not shown). The structure is not reduced. Further, by adjusting the amount of liquid sealed in the liquid layer 75, the state in part will be spacer defining gaps (12 in T ₁ part), the other part spread gap by liquid ( 12 in which a _{T 2} parts).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the convex surface 51 of the stacked body 50 is placed on the top, the liquid in the liquid layer 75 accumulates on the side surface of the display element 10B (on the second b region 50B2 of the stacked body 50) by gravity. It will be. In this case, the same effect as described in the second embodiment can be obtained.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the convex portion of the convex surface 51 of the multilayer body 50 is placed below, the liquid in the liquid layer 75 causes the convex portion of the display element 10 </ b> B (first region of the multilayer body 50) by gravity. 50A)). In this case, the same effect as described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, for example, even when the convex surface 51 of the stacked body 50 is placed on the top, the liquid in the liquid layer 75 is applied to the display element 10B by applying an external force to the side surface of the display element 10B as shown in FIG. Will be accumulated on the convex portion (on the first region 50B of the laminate 50). In this case, the same effect as described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  As described above, the flexible plastic film 70 having a gap is arranged on the convex surface 51 of the display area 80 of the laminate 50, and a liquid is sealed in this gap, so that an easy-to-see portion of the display area 80 is used. A display element 10B that can be freely controlled by a person can be obtained.

  The means for applying an external force to the side surface of the display element 10B may include a detachable fixing member 400 as shown in FIG. In addition, it is preferable that this fixing member 400 is comprised with the transparent member from a viewpoint of seeing the image in the fixing | fixed part.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of a display element according to the fourth embodiment.

  Compared with the first embodiment, the display element 10C according to the present embodiment has TFTs, pixel electrodes, and the like on the array substrate 20 shown in FIG. 4 arranged on a glass substrate 100 having flexibility and flexibility. The counter electrode and the like are similarly arranged on the glass substrate 200 having flexibility and flexibility, and constitute the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30, respectively. A plastic film 430 that is more flexible and flexible than the glass substrate 100 is provided on the surface facing the surface of the glass substrate 100 on which TFTs, pixel electrodes, and the like are provided, with an adhesive layer 410 interposed therebetween. A plastic film 440 having greater flexibility and flexibility than the glass substrate 200 is provided on the surface facing the surface of the provided glass substrate 200 with an adhesive layer 420 interposed therebetween. Here, the glass substrate having flexibility and flexibility refers to a glass substrate having a thin thickness of 150 μm or less, for example. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Various materials such as PA, PE, PC, PEN, PET, PI, PAI, silicone, and fluororesin can be used as the material for the plastic substrate described above.

  In addition, as an adhesive mentioned above, an epoxy-type or acrylic-type adhesive can be used.

  In this way, the pair of substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer 30 in the resin layer 60 has a two-layer structure of a glass substrate having flexibility and a plastic substrate having higher flexibility than the glass substrate, whereby the first In addition to the effects described in the embodiment, it is possible to obtain a display element that is easily bent and is difficult to return.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the display device in which the liquid crystal is sandwiched is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device is configured by organic EL, electrophoresis, or the like. Can also be applied.

  A display unit of a display element using organic EL, electrophoresis, or the like can use a conventional general known configuration.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the display portion of the display element includes, for example, a support substrate 500 made of a plastic film having flexibility, a TFT 510 provided on the support substrate 500, and the support substrate 500. A pixel electrode 520 that is provided and connected to the TFT 510, for example, is made of ITO (indium tin oxide) and covers the TFT 510, and is made of, for example, a silicon oxide film (SiOx), a silicon nitride film (SiNx), etc. A light emitting layer 540 formed by organic EL, electrophoresis, or the like provided between the film 530 and the interlayer insulating film 530, and provided between the interlayer insulating film 530 and on the light emitting layer 540, for example, ITO (indium tin The counter electrode 550 made of oxide), the interlayer insulating film 530, and the counter electrode 550 are covered. For example, a silicon oxide film (SiOx), silicon It is composed of a protective layer 560 made of a nitride film (SiNx) or the like. Further, signal lines and power lines (not shown) are arranged in parallel on the substrate, and scanning lines (not shown) are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the signal lines and power lines. The area surrounded by the scanning lines to be set as one pixel is arranged in a matrix.

  The pixel electrode 520 is connected to the pixel drive circuit 570. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the pixel drive circuit 570 includes two transistors, a drive TFT 580 and a current control TFT 590. The drain electrode of the driving TFT 580 is connected to the gate electrode of the current control TFT 590. The source electrode of the driving TFT 580 is connected to the signal line 600, and the gate electrode of the driving TFT 580 is connected to the gate line 610. In addition, the source electrode of the current control TFT 590 is connected to the power supply line 620, and the drain electrode is connected to the pixel electrode (light emitting layer 630).

  In the display element 10 </ b> D according to the present embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 19A, the resin layer 60 is provided so as to cover the display unit 700 having the above-described configuration. A configuration similar to that described in the embodiment is provided.

  Further, in the display element 10E according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19B, the resin layer 60 is provided so as to cover the display unit 700 described above, and the resin layer 60 has been described in the second embodiment. It has the same configuration as

  Further, in the display element 10F according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19C, flexibility and flexibility are provided on the surface facing the display direction (upward in the drawing in the drawing) of the display unit 700 described above. A configuration in which a glass substrate 710 having a plastic film 730 that is more flexible than the glass substrate 710 is provided on the surface of the glass substrate 710 opposite to the surface on which the display unit 700 is provided (fourth adhesive layer 720). A configuration similar to that of the first embodiment.

  By providing the above-described configuration, even in a display element configured by organic EL, electrophoresis, etc., by providing the configuration described in the first, second, and fourth embodiments described above, the same effects as those of the embodiments are provided. Can be obtained.

  Further, when the pixel electrode 520 described above is formed of an ITO electrode and the support substrate 500 described above is provided with a substrate made of a transparent material, light is extracted from both the curved convex direction of the display portion and the opposite surface. The display element which can be provided can be provided.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, the resin layer 60 of the convex surface 51 in the curved convex direction of the display unit 700 has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment, and is in the direction opposite to the convex surface 51. That is, it is preferable that the resin layer 60 of the concave surface 52 in the concave direction in which the display portion is curved is configured to gradually decrease from the outer peripheral end portion of the concave surface 52 toward the first region 700A.

  By adopting such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and a display element having a configuration that is easy for the user to view can be obtained in the curved concave direction of the display element as well. .

(Other embodiments)
The display elements according to the first to fourth embodiments described above have been described with a configuration in which the display area is curved in the convex direction. However, when the display area is curved in the concave direction, the display element according to the fifth embodiment is used. As described above, in detail, as shown in FIG. 21, the resin layer 60 covering the display region 80 gradually decreases from the outer peripheral end portion 50C of the convex surface 51 toward the generatrix (not shown) of the laminate 50. It is preferable to configure.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a display element having a configuration that is easy for the user to see even in the concave direction in which the display region is curved, by the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Needless to say, the configuration according to the present embodiment can also be applied to the second to fourth configurations described above.

The perspective view which shows the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows an example of the pixel area | region on the array board | substrate 20 employable for this invention. Sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the AA line. The fragmentary sectional view which shows an example of the display element employable for this invention. The cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed typically the mode of the light radiate | emitted from the resin layer of the light emitted from the laminated body in the conventional display element. The cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed typically the mode of the light radiate | emitted from the resin layer of the light which came out of the laminated body in the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed typically the mode of the light radiate | emitted from the resin layer of the light which came out of the laminated body in the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed typically the mode of the light radiate | emitted from the resin layer of the light emitted from the laminated body in the display element which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display part which concerns on 5th Embodiment. The circuit diagram which shows roughly the pixel drive circuit of the display part which concerns on 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the cross-section of the display element which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 scanning line driver 3 signal line driver 5 bus 10 display element 20 array substrate 30 counter substrate 40 liquid crystal layer 50 laminated body 50A first region 50B second region 50B1 second a region 50B2 second b region 51 convex surface 52 concave surface 60 resin layer 60 first 2 resin layer 70 plastic film 75 liquid layer 80 display region 100 support substrate 101 scanning line 102 gate electrode 103 insulating film 104 semiconductor layer 105 pixel switch 106 channel protective film 110 signal line 111 n-type semiconductor layer 113 metal thin film 115 source electrode 120 Drain electrode 125 Protective layer 130 Pixel electrode 140 Alignment film 200 Support substrate 210 Counter electrode 220 Color filter 230 Alignment film 300 Seal layer 300A Sealant 310 Spacer 400 Fixing member 410 Adhesive layer 420 Adhesive layer 430 Plastic fill 440 plastic film 500 supporting the substrate 510 TFT
520 Pixel electrode 530 Interlayer insulating film 540 Light emitting layer 550 Counter electrode 560 Protective film 570 Pixel drive circuit 580 Drive TFT
590 Current control TFT
600 Signal line 610 Gate line 620 Power supply line 630 Light emitting layer 700 Display unit

Claims (9)

A laminate including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A resin layer covering the laminate,
The laminated body is adjacent to the first region, the first region curved so that one surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other is a convex surface, and the other surface is a concave surface, A second region having a larger radius of curvature than the first region,
The display element, wherein the resin layer provided on the convex surface of the first region is formed thicker than the resin layer provided on the convex surface of the second region. A laminate including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A resin layer covering the laminate,
The laminated body is adjacent to the first region, the first region curved so that one surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other is a convex surface, and the other surface is a concave surface, A second region having a larger radius of curvature than the first region, and adjacent to the first region via the second region, including an outer end of the stacked body, and having a radius of curvature greater than that of the first region and the second region. A large third region,
The display element, wherein a thickness of the resin layer provided on the convex surface gradually increases from the outer end toward the first region. A laminate comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A resin layer covering the laminate,
The laminated body is adjacent to the first region, the first region curved so that one surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other is a convex surface, and the other surface is a concave surface, A second region having a larger radius of curvature than the first region, and adjacent to the first region via the second region, including an outer end of the stacked body, and having a radius of curvature that is greater than that of the first region and the second region. A large third region,
The resin layer provided on the convex surface gradually increases in thickness from the second region toward the first region, and gradually increases in thickness from the second region toward the third region. A display element characterized by comprising: A laminate including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A resin layer covering the laminate,
The laminated body is adjacent to the first region, the first region curved so that one surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other is a convex surface, and the other surface is a concave surface, A second region having a larger radius of curvature than the first region, and adjacent to the first region via the second region, including an outer end of the stacked body, and having a radius of curvature greater than that of the first region and the second region. A large third region,
A display element, wherein a liquid crystal layer is provided between the laminate and the resin layer on the convex surface, and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is variable. In the liquid layer, a spacer is provided to maintain a gap between the laminate and the resin layer on the convex surface at a predetermined thickness. By adding an external means to the laminate, the liquid layer The display element according to claim 4, wherein the liquid moves to change the thickness. The display element according to claim 5, wherein the external means is a detachable fixing jig. A laminate including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A resin layer covering the laminate,
The laminated body is adjacent to the first region, the first region curved so that one surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other is a convex surface, and the other surface is a concave surface, A second region having a larger radius of curvature than the first region, and adjacent to the first region via the second region, including an outer end of the stacked body, and having a radius of curvature greater than that of the first region and the second region. A large third region,
The display element, wherein a thickness of the resin layer provided on the concave surface gradually decreases from the outer end toward the first region. A laminate including a first substrate, a display unit provided on the first substrate, and a protective layer provided on the display unit;
A resin layer covering the laminate,
The laminated body is adjacent to the first region, the first region curved so that one surface of the first substrate and the protective layer facing each other is a convex surface, and the other surface is a concave surface, A second region having a larger radius of curvature than one region,
The display element, wherein the resin layer provided on the convex surface of the first region is formed thicker than the resin layer provided on the convex surface of the second region. The display element according to claim 8, wherein the display unit is configured by organic EL or electrophoresis.

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