JP2009098480A - Display element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display element generating a barrier part and a light transmitting part by electronic control and freely performing variable control on the shape (the number, width, spacing), position (phase), density, and the like of the generated barrier part and light transmitting part. <P>SOLUTION: The display element 10 includes a light adjusting part 18 generating the barrier part 12 and the light transmitting part 14 by electronic control using an electrophoretic element having at least one kind of electrophoretic particles 38 with electric charge, and a display part 16 having a display screen 20 arranged with a predetermined distance X from the generated position of the barrier part 12, and first pixels 32 and second pixels 34 alternately arranged at least in one direction, and outputting a first image displayed by the first pixels 32 and a second image displayed by the second pixels 34 to display it on the display screen 20. The light adjusting part 18 overlaps the electrophoretic particles 38 in a region between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34 of the display part 16 in the highest state of transmittance of light of the light adjusting part 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display element.

  Conventionally, a parallax barrier type image display device is known as a three-dimensional image display device that allows an observer to observe a three-dimensional image without using special glasses. In this method, a fine stripe-shaped light shielding slit called a barrier is arranged in front of the image display device, that is, on the viewer side. When the observer observes through the barrier, the right-eye image can be seen by the observer's right eye, and the left-eye image can be seen by the left eye, thereby enabling a three-dimensional image to be observed.

  FIG. 13A shows the principle of 2D image display, and FIG. 13B shows the principle of 3D image display. A liquid crystal display device is used to electronically generate a barrier to stereoscopically view an image. As shown in FIG. 13A, in a two-dimensional screen display, the liquid crystal display device 114 has no barrier and is two-dimensional. The image is observed. As shown in FIG. 13B, in the three-dimensional image display, a barrier is generated in the liquid crystal display device 114 and a stereoscopic image is displayed behind the barrier by a certain distance X via the barrier unit 116. The stereoscopic image displayed on the surface 118 is observed by the observer A.

  As a three-dimensional image display device using the stripes as described above, a barrier liquid crystal structure as shown in FIG. 14 has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). This barrier liquid crystal structure includes a liquid crystal display panel 120 and a liquid crystal display device 114. A phase difference plate structure as shown in FIG. 15 has also been proposed. This phase difference plate structure includes a liquid crystal display panel 120 and a liquid crystal display device 122. The liquid crystal display device 122 includes a retardation plate 124.

  On the other hand, in addition to the parallax barrier method described above, there are several methods such as lenticular method, varifocal mirror method, integral photography method, holography method, etc. Description of these methods is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

JP-A-8-94968

  In the conventional parallax barrier method described above, as shown in FIG. 13B, the distance X from the pixel portion to the barrier is correlated with the appropriate viewing distance Y, and the appropriate viewing distance Y is shortened. For this purpose, it is necessary to reduce the distance X. In the barrier liquid crystal structure shown in FIG. 14, the sum of the thicknesses of the glass substrate 126, the polarizing plate 128, and the glass substrate 130 corresponds to the distance X. However, In order to shorten the appropriate viewing distance Y, it is necessary to polish the glass substrates 126 and 130 to reduce the distance X. However, the polishing amount of the glass substrates 126 and 130 increases by the thickness of the polarizing plate 128 (leading to cost increase). ). 2. It is difficult to attach the polarizing plate 128 to the glass substrates 126 and 130 which have been thinned by polishing. 3. The thickness of the entire element is increased by the amount of the polarizing plate 128. 4). Since a liquid crystal display device is used, it is necessary to continue to apply a voltage in order to maintain the ON state and the OFF state (except for ferroelectric liquid crystal and cholesteric liquid crystal). 5). An AC circuit is required to use a liquid crystal display device. There are problems such as.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  [Application Example 1] A dimming unit that generates a barrier unit and a light transmission unit by electronic control using an electrophoretic element having at least one type of electrophoretic particle having a charge, and a predetermined distance from the generation position of the barrier unit The display screen is arranged with the first pixel and the second pixel alternately arranged in at least one direction, and the first image displayed by the first pixel and the second pixel displayed by the second pixel are arranged. A display unit capable of outputting and displaying two images on the display screen, and the dimming unit is configured to cause the electrophoretic particles to be contained in the display unit in a state where light transmittance of the dimming unit is highest. A display element, wherein the display element overlaps a region between a first pixel and the second pixel.

  According to this, the barrier part and the light transmission part are generated by electronic control, and the shape (number, width, interval), position (phase), density, etc. of the generated barrier part and the light transmission part can be freely set. Since it can be variably controlled, it can be used as a two-dimensional image display element or a three-dimensional image display element, and a compatible display element can be realized.

  In addition, compared with a conventional mechanism using liquid crystal, the entire device can be made thinner by the amount of the polarizing plate, so that the appropriate viewing distance can be easily adjusted. In addition, since the amount of polishing of the light transmissive substrate can be suppressed, the cost can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to attach a polarizing plate to the light transmissive substrate, the operation becomes easy. Moreover, power consumption can be reduced by the memory property of the electrophoretic element.

  Furthermore, since the electrophoretic particles overlap the region between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display unit in a state where the light transmittance of the light control unit is the highest, it is possible to suppress a decrease in luminance.

  Application Example 2 In the display element, the dimming unit includes a first substrate, a planar first electrode provided on the first substrate, and the first electrode on the first electrode side. A second substrate provided opposite to the substrate, a planar second electrode provided opposite to the first electrode on the second substrate, and a gap between the first and second substrates And a dispersed layer containing the electrophoretic element.

  According to this, it becomes easy to form the light control part which generates a barrier part and a light transmission part.

  Application Example 3 In the display element, the first substrate, the second substrate, the first electrode, and the second electrode are made of a light transmissive material. Display element.

  According to this, it becomes easy to realize a display element having both brightness and high contrast.

  Application Example 4 In the display element described above, the dimming unit generates the barrier unit by changing light transmittance at a predetermined position of the dispersion layer.

  According to this, it becomes easy to generate a barrier part and a light transmission part by electronic control.

  Application Example 5 In the display element described above, the dimming unit generates the barrier unit when the display unit displays a three-dimensional image or a multi-screen image.

  According to this, it becomes easy to realize a compatible display element.

  Application Example 6 In the display element, when the display unit displays a simple two-dimensional image, the dimming unit stops the generation of the barrier unit and the barrier generation surface is a colorless and transparent panel A display element characterized by:

  According to this, it becomes easy to realize a compatible display element.

  Application Example 7 In the display element, the dimming unit includes a control unit that variably controls a shape and a generation position including the number, width, aperture ratio, and interval of the barrier units according to an instruction input. A display element comprising:

  According to this, it becomes easier to generate the barrier portion and the light transmission portion by electronic control.

  Application Example 8 In the display element, the control unit controls the light control unit by direct current drive.

  According to this, low power consumption is facilitated by enabling direct current drive control.

  Application Example 9 In the display element, the display unit is a dimming element having an electro-optical material layer between two opposing electrodes.

  According to this, the structure of a display part becomes easy.

  Application Example 10 In the display element described above, the display unit is a self-luminous element having an electro-optic material layer between two opposing electrodes.

  According to this, it becomes easy to suppress the thickness of the whole element without using the polarizing plate.

  [Application Example 11] A dimming unit that generates a barrier unit and a light transmission unit by electronic control using an electrophoretic element having at least one type of electrophoretic particle having a charge, and a predetermined distance from the generation position of the barrier unit The display screen is arranged with the first pixel and the second pixel alternately arranged in at least one direction, and the first image displayed by the first pixel and the second pixel displayed by the second pixel are arranged. A display unit capable of outputting and displaying two images on the display screen, and the dimming unit transmits light from the first pixel toward the first direction and from the first pixel to the second direction. A first state in which the light traveling toward the first direction is blocked, the light traveling from the second pixel toward the second direction is transmitted, and the light traveling from the second pixel toward the first direction is blocked; Transmitting light from the pixel toward the first and second directions. In addition, it is possible to switch between a second state in which light traveling from the second pixel toward the first and second directions is transmitted, and in the second state, the electrophoretic particles are transferred to the display unit. A display element, wherein the display element overlaps with a region between the first pixel and the second pixel.

  According to this, the barrier part and the light transmission part are generated by electronic control, and the shape (number, width, interval), position (phase), density, etc. of the generated barrier part and the light transmission part can be freely set. Since it can be variably controlled, it can be used as a two-dimensional image display element or a three-dimensional image display element, and a compatible display element can be realized.

  In addition, compared with a conventional mechanism using liquid crystal, the entire device can be made thinner by the amount of the polarizing plate, so that the appropriate viewing distance can be easily adjusted. In addition, since the amount of polishing of the light transmissive substrate can be suppressed, the cost can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to attach a polarizing plate to the light transmissive substrate, the operation becomes easy. Moreover, power consumption can be reduced by the memory property of the electrophoretic element.

  Furthermore, since the electrophoretic particles overlap the region between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display unit in a state where the light transmittance of the light control unit is the highest, it is possible to suppress a decrease in luminance.

  Application Example 12 In the display element, a non-display portion that does not contribute to display is provided in a region between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display portion. Display element.

  According to this, in the state where the light transmittance of the light control part is the highest, it becomes easy to overlap the electrophoretic particles in the region between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display part.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In each of the drawings used for the description, the scale of each layer and each member is different in order to make each layer and each member recognizable on the drawing.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a display element 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a state where no barrier is generated. FIG. 1B shows a state where the barrier section 12 and the light transmission section 14 are generated. The display element 10 according to the present embodiment can function as a three-dimensional image display device that enables stereoscopic viewing, and can also function as a normal two-dimensional image display device. When the display element 10 functions as a three-dimensional image display device, the directional display that displays different images in the left eye direction (first viewing direction) and the right eye direction (second viewing direction) of the viewer A Operate in mode. On the other hand, when the display element 10 functions as a two-dimensional image display device, the display element 10 operates in a non-directional display mode in which the same image is displayed in both the first viewing direction and the second viewing direction. .

  The display element 10 includes a liquid crystal display panel 16 as a display unit, a light control unit 18, and a control unit (not shown) described later. Further, the liquid crystal display panel 16 is arranged so that the display screen 20 of the liquid crystal display panel 16 is arranged at a predetermined distance X from the generation position of the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 of the light control unit 18. . Further, the light adjusting unit 18 and the liquid crystal display panel 16 are arranged in this order from the viewer A side.

  In the liquid crystal display panel 16, glass substrates 22 and 24 as a pair of light-transmitting substrates are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode liquid crystal 26 as an electro-optical material is sealed therebetween. It is an optical element. A distance between the glass substrate 22 and the glass substrate 24 is determined by the spacer 25. A common electrode (not shown) is formed on the glass substrate 24 and a display electrode (not shown) is formed on the glass substrate 22 in order to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal 26. In order to perform active matrix liquid crystal display, polarizing plates 28 and 30 are provided outside the glass substrates 22 and 24, respectively. In the liquid crystal display panel 16, the first pixels 32 and the second pixels 34 are alternately arranged in at least one direction. The liquid crystal display panel 16 can output and display the first image displayed by the first pixel 32 and the second image displayed by the second pixel 34 on the display screen 20. And the light control part 18 is arrange | positioned so that the barrier part 12 and the light transmission part 14 may be arrange | positioned at the predetermined distance X from the display screen 20. FIG.

The light control unit 18 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the display element 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control unit 36 included in the display element 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the light control unit 18 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a state where no barrier is generated. FIG. 4B shows a state where the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 are generated. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view and a plan view showing the display element 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a state where no barrier is generated. FIG. 5B shows a state where the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 are generated. As shown in FIG. 2, the light control unit 18 includes a dispersion layer 42 including an electrophoretic element composed of electrophoretic particles 38 having a certain color and a light-transmitting fluid 40, and the dispersion layer 42 is a first layer. A glass substrate 44 as a substrate, a glass substrate 46 as a second substrate, and a spacer substrate 48 for supporting and sealing between the two substrates are held in a space. The electrophoretic element is a horizontal electric field type.

  In the case of the light control unit 18 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the observer A views the liquid crystal display panel 16 from the outside of the glass substrate 46 toward the glass substrate 44. Therefore, the glass substrates 44 and 46 are light transmissive. Have A first electrode 50 is provided on the surface of the glass substrate 44 on the dispersion layer 42 side. The surface of the first electrode 50 is covered with an insulator 52. A second electrode 54 is provided on the surface of the glass substrate 46 on the dispersion layer 42 side. The surface of the second electrode 54 is covered with an insulator 56. The cross-sectional shape of the electrodes is at least different between the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54, and the side having a smaller cross-sectional area is provided so as to overlap with the black matrix 104 as a non-display portion. Furthermore, it is preferable not to block light from the pixels by completely overlapping with the black matrix 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the second electrode 54 having a smaller cross-sectional area overlaps the black matrix 104. In other words, the second electrode 54 is on the extension line of the black matrix 104 between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34, and the width thereof is approximately the same as the width of the black matrix 104.

  Further, the liquid crystal display panel 16 changes the drive signal output from the first drive circuit 58 (change in voltage between the common electrode and the display electrode) in the liquid crystal 26 sandwiched between the two glass substrates 22 and 24. Accordingly, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules changes. Here, the first drive circuit 58 generates a drive signal FS based on an image signal given from a control unit, which will be described later, and outputs the drive signal FS to the liquid crystal display panel 16, and an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 16 accordingly. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 36 includes a CPU 60, a user interface (UI) processing unit 62, an operation panel 64, a remote controller 66, an image processing unit 68, and an input interface unit 70. Yes. The input interface unit 70 passes an image signal input from an image reproduction device (not shown) (such as a DVD player or a computer) to the image processing unit 68 as image data in a predetermined format. The input interface unit 70 includes an image signal for displaying a three-dimensional image (an image signal of a composite image of a first image for the left eye and a second image for the right eye) or an image for normal display (for displaying a two-dimensional image). A signal is input. The image processing unit 68 resizes the input image data and adjusts brightness, contrast, and the like, and then outputs an image signal FS to the first drive circuit 58. The UI processing unit 62 transmits an instruction from the observer A input from the operation panel 64 or the remote controller 66 to the CPU 60. Then, the CPU 60 controls the image processing unit 68, the second drive circuit 72, and the like in accordance with an instruction from the observer A.

  The operation panel 64 and the remote controller 66 are provided with a display mode switching switch (not shown) for switching between the directional display mode and the non-directional display mode. The observer A can switch (specify) the display mode according to the type of input image (three-dimensional image / two-dimensional image) by operating the display mode switching switch (not shown). When the observer A switches the display mode, information on the designated display mode is notified from the UI processing unit 62 to the CPU 60. Then, the CPU 60 transmits a display mode signal MS indicating the designated display mode to the second drive circuit 72. The second drive circuit 72 outputs drive signals to the first and second electrodes 50 and 54 included in the two glass substrates 44 and 46 in accordance with the display mode indicated by the received display mode signal MS (see FIG. 2). . Specifically, when a drive signal is output, a voltage is supplied to the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light transmissive fluid 40. That is, it is not necessary to always apply a voltage to the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light transmissive fluid 40.

  The drive signals output to the first and second electrodes 50 and 54 may be refreshed by applying a voltage periodically. Further, the light control unit 18 is caused to generate the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 in the case of three-dimensional image display. In the case of two-dimensional image display, the control unit 36 sets the barrier unit 12. Is stopped, and the light control unit 18 is driven and controlled to transmit light over the entire image display area. As a result, this apparatus can also be used as a two-dimensional image display apparatus.

  Further, the barrier unit 12 and the light transmitting unit 14 are generated in the light control unit 18 in the case of a three-dimensional image display as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B. When displaying a two-dimensional image, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the control unit 36 (see FIG. 3) stops the generation of the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 36 overlaps the electrophoretic particles 38 in the region between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34 of the liquid crystal display panel 16 to thereby display the image display region. The light control unit 18 is driven and controlled so as to be colorless and transparent over the entire area. As a result, this apparatus can also be used as a two-dimensional image display apparatus.

  As the first and second substrates 44 and 46 shown in FIG. 2, glass substrates are used in this embodiment, but are not particularly limited as long as they are optically transparent, but a suitable example is phosphazene. Resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polycyclohexyl methacrylate resin, polycarbonate resin, polysulfone resin, polyether sulfone resin, polystyrene resin, styrene / methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene / maleimide copolymer, polycyclohexyl Methacrylate resin, poly-4-methylpentene-1 resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, diethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polycyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate Resin, transparent ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) resin, an ethylene norbornene copolymer, and a cycloolefin-based polymer represented by Nippon Zeon ZONOR (registered trademark) and ZEONEX (registered trademark). This transparent substrate may be colored. Coloring is preferably an intermediate color such as gray or brown.

  It is desirable that the electrophoretic particles 38 are stably dispersed in the fluid, have a single polarity, and have a small particle size distribution from the viewpoint of the lifetime of the display element, contrast, resolution, and the like. The particle size is preferably 0.1 μm to 5 μm. Within this range, the light scattering efficiency does not decrease, and a sufficient response speed can be obtained when a voltage is applied. Examples of the material of the electrophoretic particles 38 include inorganic pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, cadmium selenide, carbon black, barium sulfate, lead chromate, zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, or the like. Organic pigments such as phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, Hansa yellow, watching red, and diary ride yellow can be used.

  As the light-transmitting fluid 40 for dispersing the electrophoretic particles 38, the electrophoretic particles 38 have a low solubility and can stably disperse the electrophoretic particles 38, and do not contain ions and do not generate ions when a voltage is applied. Is desirable. Furthermore, in order to prevent the electrophoretic particles 38 from floating and sinking, it is preferable that the specific gravity is substantially equal to that of the electrophoretic particles 38 and the viscosity is low in terms of mobility of the electrophoretic particles 38 when a voltage is applied. Insulating liquids that can be used for relatively many electrophoretic particle materials include, for example, hexane, decane, hexadecane, kerosene, toluene, xylene, olive oil, tricresyl phosphate, isopropanol, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dibromotetrafluoro. Examples thereof include ethane and tetrachloroethylene. Note that a mixed fluid can also be used when specific gravity matching with the electrophoretic particles 38 is performed to prevent the electrophoretic particles 38 from rising and falling.

  Further, the mixing weight ratio of the electrophoretic particles 38 in the dispersion layer 42 is not particularly limited as long as the electrophoretic properties of the electrophoretic particles 38 are not inhibited and the reflection control of the dispersion layer 42 can be sufficiently performed. For example, 1 to 20% by weight is preferable.

  Further, in order to increase the charge of the electrophoretic particles 38 or to make them have the same polarity, additives such as a resin and a surfactant can be added to the above-described light transmissive fluid 40 as necessary.

  Further, the thickness of the dispersion layer 42 is larger than the diameter of the electrophoretic particles 38 and is not particularly limited as long as the movement of the particles is not hindered. desirable. From such a viewpoint, the preferable thickness of the dispersion layer 42 is 5 μm to 200 μm.

  As the material of the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54, a material having good conductivity such as aluminum, copper, silver, gold, platinum or the like is preferable. Further, as the light transmissive electrode material, a thin film of tin oxide, indium oxide, copper iodide or the like can be preferably used. Moreover, electrode formation can be performed by normal methods, such as vapor deposition, sputtering, and photolithography. The material of the insulator 56 provided with the second electrode 54 and the insulator 74 provided between the second electrode 54 and the first electrode 50 is, for example, a light transmissive resin (PET, polycarbonate). Etc. is desirable), both the two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display require light transmission.

  The seal member 76 is preferably a light transmissive material such as an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, an acrylic resin, a vinyl acetate resin, or a modified polymer, but is not limited to this. Absent.

  An operation of displaying a three-dimensional image by the display element 10 having the above configuration will be described. When the liquid crystal display panel 16 is viewed from the viewer A side, as shown in FIG. 1, the first electrode 50 straddles over a display electrode (not shown) formed on the adjacent glass substrate 24. Each of the adjacent display electrodes is covered so that the right-eye image is observed only with the right eye and the left-eye image is observed only with the left eye.

  When displaying a three-dimensional image, the liquid crystal display panel 16 displays the right-eye image and the left-eye image alternately (or simultaneously) in the horizontal direction in the drawing. This is because a voltage is applied between the common electrode formed on the glass substrate 22 and the display electrode formed on the glass substrate 24, so that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal 26 are changed into the right-eye image region and the left-eye image region. The orientation can be controlled by controlling the orientation.

  The light control unit 18 includes a dispersion layer 42 including an electrophoretic element made of charged electrophoretic particles and an insulating liquid, and a pair of first and second electrodes 50 and 54 facing each other across the dispersion layer 42. By applying an electric field to the dispersion layer 42 through the first and second electrodes 50 and 54, the electrophoretic particles 38 are moved onto the electrode having the opposite polarity to the charge to perform display. . As a result, the region on the first electrode 50 functions as a striped shutter that blocks light incident from the liquid crystal display panel 16. That is, the region where the first electrode 50 is provided constitutes the barrier unit 12. The barrier unit 12 reflects or absorbs light incident from the liquid crystal display panel 16 and blocks it.

  Specifically, when a voltage is applied by the control unit 36 such that the first electrode 50 has a different polarity from the electrophoretic particles 38 and the second electrode 54 has the same polarity as the electrophoretic particles 38, the electrophoretic particles As shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B, 38 moves to the insulator 52 covering the first electrode 50 and covers the surface thereof. At this time, the observer A (see FIG. 2) who is looking at the apparatus from the outside of the glass substrate 44 visually recognizes the color of the electrophoretic particles 38. Next, when the polarity of the voltage applied to the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54 is reversed by the control unit 36, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 5 (A), the electrophoretic particles 38 are moved to the second state. Move to electrode 54 (see FIG. 2) and cover its surface. The electrophoretic particles 38 are attracted to the first electrode 50 or the second electrode 54 even when the control unit 36 is disconnected from the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54 after voltage application. It is also possible to add a memory function that lasts.

  Therefore, the light adjustment unit 18 blocks the right-eye image generated on the liquid crystal display panel 16 so that it does not enter the left eye of the viewer A and the left-eye image does not enter the right eye. That is, the light control unit 18 is provided to block the right-eye image from entering the left eye and the left-eye image from entering the right eye.

  The light adjusting unit 18 changes the light transmittance according to the absolute value of the applied voltage between the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54, and generates the barrier unit 12 and the light transmitting unit 14. Further, since the light control unit 18 can be controlled by direct current drive, a complicated drive circuit is not required. In addition, the light control unit 18 has a memory function and can reduce power consumption.

  In the first state, the light control unit 18 transmits light from the first pixel 32 in the first direction and blocks light from the first pixel 32 in the second direction. At the same time, light traveling from the second pixel 34 in the second direction is transmitted, and light traveling from the second pixel 34 in the first direction is blocked. Moreover, the light control part 18 permeate | transmits the light which goes to the 1st and 2nd direction from the 1st pixel 32 as a 2nd state. At the same time, light traveling from the second pixel 34 in the first and second directions is transmitted. The dimmer 18 overlaps the electrophoretic particles 38 in the region between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34 of the liquid crystal display panel 16 in the second state.

A method of manufacturing the light control unit 18 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Selection, formation, and setting of each member were performed as follows. As the first and second substrates 44 and 46, light-transmitting glass plates having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm were used. Further, SiO ₂ (or resin) having a thickness of 20 μm to 50 μm was used as the spacer substrate 48. Further, a light transmissive resin (PET, polycarbonate or the like is preferable) is used as the insulator 74. The insulator 74 was formed, and the light shielding part and the opening part of the barrier were each set to a width of 100 μm to 200 μm. The first electrode 50 was prepared by depositing light-transmitting indium oxide to a thickness of about 10 μm on the surface of the glass substrate 44 on the dispersion layer 42 side. The second electrode 54 was prepared by electrolytically depositing nickel on the dispersion side surface of the spacer substrate 48 and the insulator 74 to a width of 10 μm and a thickness of about 10 μm. The insulator 52 prevents irreversible adsorption of the electrophoretic particles 38 to the first electrode 50. The insulator 52 is formed of a light-transmitting resin (PET, polycarbonate, or the like is desirable) with a thickness of 50 μm to 100 μm.

  The dispersion layer 42 was prepared as follows. First, black resin toner (particle size: 1 μm to 5 μm) is used as the electrophoretic particles 38, and isopropanol is used as the light-transmitting fluid 40, and both are mixed so that the mixing weight ratio of the electrophoretic particles 38 is 10%. Further, a small amount of a surfactant was added to improve dispersion stability, and a dispersion layer 42 was prepared. In this case, the surface of the electrophoretic particle 38 is positively charged. The dispersion layer 42 is held in a space sandwiched between a glass substrate 44, a glass substrate 46, and a spacer substrate 48 for supporting and sealing between the two substrates, and UV curing or heat curing using a seal member 76. Sealed with

  The drive operation for one pixel of the light control unit 18 obtained in this way will be described below. First, when a direct current voltage of 30 V is applied by the control unit 36 so that the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54 become a negative electrode and a positive electrode, respectively, the positively charged electrophoretic particles 38 move to the first electrode 50, Adsorbed on the surface of the insulator 52 covering the first electrode 50. At this time, when observed from the glass substrate 46 side, the black color of the electrophoretic particles 38 is observed. This state continues even after the electrical connection between the control unit 36 and each electrode is cut and the voltage application is stopped, indicating that the display device has a memory function. Next, when a voltage is applied with the polarity reversed from the previous case, that is, when a DC voltage of 30 V is applied so that the first electrode 50 is a positive electrode and the second electrode 54 is a negative electrode, the electrophoretic particles 38 are The first electrode 50 moves to the second electrode 54 and is adsorbed on the surface thereof.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 are generated by electronic control, and the shapes (number, width, interval) of the generated barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 are generated. In addition, since the position (phase), density, and the like can be freely variably controlled, it can be used as a two-dimensional image display element or a three-dimensional image display element. Can be realized.

  In addition, compared with a conventional mechanism using liquid crystal, the entire device can be made thinner by the amount of the polarizing plate, so that the appropriate viewing distance can be easily adjusted. In addition, since the amount of polishing of the light transmissive substrate can be suppressed, the cost can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to attach a polarizing plate to the light transmissive substrate, the operation becomes easy. In addition, power consumption can be reduced by enabling memory performance and direct current drive control of the electrophoretic element.

  Furthermore, since the electrophoretic particles 38 are generated in a region overlapping with the region between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34 of the display unit 16 in a state where the light transmittance of the light control unit 18 is the highest, A decrease in luminance can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the display element 78 according to this embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the said 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The display element 78 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 16 as a display unit and a light control unit 80.

  The light control unit 80 has a configuration in which a pair of glass substrates 24 and 46 as first and second substrates are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light-transmitting fluid 40 are sandwiched therebetween. In addition, the first electrode 50 is formed on the glass substrate 24 and the second electrode 54 is formed on the glass substrate 46 in order to apply a voltage to the electrophoretic particles 38.

  This is because the functions of the glass substrate 24 of the liquid crystal display panel 16 of the first embodiment and the glass substrate 44 of the light control unit 18 are unified, and the first electrode 50 is directly formed on the glass substrate 24. The glass substrate 44 used in the display element 10 is unnecessary in this embodiment.

  According to this, since the whole element can be made thinner by the reduction in the number of glass substrates, it is easy to adjust the viewing distance. In addition, the amount of polishing of the glass substrate can be suppressed, and cost reduction and work are facilitated.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the display element 82 according to the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the said 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The display element 82 according to the present embodiment includes an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel 84 as a display unit, and a light control unit 18. Further, the organic EL display panel is arranged such that the display screen 20 of the organic EL display panel 84 is arranged at a predetermined distance X from the generation position of the barrier portion 12 and the light transmitting portion 14 on the barrier surface of the light control portion 18. 84 is arranged. Further, the light adjusting unit 18 and the organic EL display panel 84 are arranged in this order from the viewer A side.

  In the organic EL display panel 84, the glass substrate 92 is fixed with the EL element portion 90 formed on the glass substrate 88 formed inside. The EL element unit 90 includes a pixel electrode made of an ITO film functioning as an anode, a hole injection / transport layer for injecting / transporting holes from the pixel electrode, a light emitting layer made of an organic EL material, and an electron injection / An electron injecting and transporting layer to be transported and a cathode made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy are provided (not shown).

  The cross-sectional shape of the electrodes is at least different between the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54, and the side having a smaller cross-sectional area is provided so as to overlap with the partition wall 93 as a non-display portion. Furthermore, it is preferable that the light from the pixel is not blocked by completely overlapping with the partition wall 93. The second electrode 54 on the side having a smaller cross-sectional area overlaps the partition wall 93. In other words, the second electrode 54 is on the extension line of the partition wall 93 between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34, and the width thereof is approximately the same as the width of the partition wall 93.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the display element 94 according to this embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the said 3rd Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The display element 94 according to the present embodiment includes an organic EL display panel 84 as a display unit and a light control unit 96.

  The light control unit 96 has a configuration in which a pair of glass substrates 92 and 46 as first and second substrates are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light-transmitting fluid 40 are sandwiched therebetween. Further, the first electrode 50 is formed on the glass substrate 92 and the second electrode 54 is formed on the glass substrate 46 in order to apply a voltage to the electrophoretic particles 38.

  This is because the functions of the glass substrate 92 of the organic EL display panel 84 of the third embodiment and the glass substrate 44 of the light control unit 18 are unified, and the first electrode 50 is formed directly on the glass substrate 92. In this embodiment, the glass substrate 44 used in the display element 82 is not necessary.

  Note that the glass substrate 92 of the organic EL display panel 84 of the third embodiment and the glass substrate 44 of the light control unit 18 are unified, and the glass substrate on which the light control unit 18 and the EL element unit 90 are formed. You may form by sticking 88. Thereby, the light control part 18 functions as a sealing member of an organic EL element. In addition, the light control unit 96 may be formed after the organic EL display panel 84 is formed.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the display element 98 according to the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the said 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The display element 98 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 16 as a display unit and a light control unit 100.

  The light control unit 100 has a configuration in which a pair of glass substrates 44 and 46 as first and second substrates are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light-transmitting fluid 40 are sandwiched therebetween. The light-transmitting fluid 40 and the electrophoretic particles 38 are enclosed in a light-transmitting capsule 102 as a dispersion layer, and are provided between the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54 arranged above and below.

  The light transmissive capsule 102 is in contact with the entire electrode of the first electrode 50 of one electrode, and is only in contact with the second electrode 54 of the other electrode. The cross-sectional shape of the light transmissive capsule 102 is a triangular shape with the first electrode 50 side as a base. The contact point between the light transmissive capsule 102 and the second electrode 54 is on the extension line of the black matrix 104 between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34, and the width of the contact point is approximately the same as the width of the black matrix 104. . The material of the light transmissive capsule 102 is, for example, a light transmissive resin (PET, polycarbonate, or the like is desirable) and requires light transmissive properties for both two-dimensional image display and three-dimensional image display.

  This is because the functions of the insulators 52, 56, and 74 of the first embodiment are integrated into the light-transmitting capsule 102, thereby making the insulators 52, 56, and 74 unnecessary in this embodiment. The amount of light transmissive fluid 40 used was reduced.

  According to this, the use of the light transmissive capsule 102 facilitates cost reduction and work.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the display element 105 according to this embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the said 5th Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The display element 105 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 16 as a display unit and a light control unit 106.

  The light control unit 106 has a configuration in which a pair of glass substrates 44 and 46 as first and second substrates are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light-transmitting fluid 40 are sandwiched therebetween. The light-transmitting fluid 40 and the electrophoretic particles 38 are enclosed in a light-transmitting capsule 107 as a dispersion layer, and are provided between the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54 arranged above and below.

  The light-transmitting capsule 107 is in contact with the entire electrode of the first electrode 50 of one electrode, and is only in contact with the second electrode 54 of the other electrode. The cross-sectional shape of the light transmissive capsule 107 is a semicircular shape with the first electrode 50 side as a base. The contact point between the light transmissive capsule 107 and the second electrode 54 is on the extension line of the black matrix 104 between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34, and the contact width is approximately the same as the width of the black matrix 104. . The material of the light transmissive capsule 107 is, for example, a light transmissive resin (PET, polycarbonate, or the like is desirable), and light transmissive properties are required for both two-dimensional image display and three-dimensional image display.

  This is because the functions of the insulators 52, 56, and 74 of the first embodiment are integrated into the light-transmitting capsule 107, thereby making the insulators 52, 56, and 74 unnecessary in this embodiment. The amount of light transmissive fluid 40 used was reduced.

  Accordingly, the use of the light transmissive capsule 107 facilitates cost reduction and work.

  As described above, the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14 are generated electronically, and the shape (number, width, interval), position (phase) of the generated barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14, and Since the density and the like can be freely variably controlled, it can be used as a two-dimensional image display element or a three-dimensional image display element, and a compatible display element can be realized. Further, since the shapes of the barrier section 12 and the light transmitting section 14 can be changed electronically, a single display can be used as a multi-view stereoscopic image display element as well as a twin-lens display. Furthermore, by configuring the barrier not only in a flat shape but also in a curved shape, it can also be applied to a curved display such as a CRT.

(Modification)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a display element 108 according to a modification of the sixth embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the said 6th Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The display element 108 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 16 as a display unit and a light control unit 109.

  The light control unit 109 has a configuration in which a pair of glass substrates 44 and 46 as first and second substrates are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrophoretic particles 38 and the light-transmitting fluid 40 are sandwiched therebetween. The light transmissive fluid 40 and the electrophoretic particles 38 are enclosed in a light transmissive capsule 110 serving as a dispersion layer, and are provided between the first electrode 50 and the second electrode 54 that are arranged vertically.

  The light transmissive capsule 110 is in contact with the entire electrode of the first electrode 50 of one electrode, and is only in contact with the second electrode 54 of the other electrode. The cross-sectional shape of the light transmissive capsule 110 is different at least between the first electrode 50 side and the second electrode 54 side, and the side having a small cross-sectional area is provided so as to overlap the black matrix 104. Further, the side where the electrode area of the first and second electrodes 50 and 54 is smaller, or the side where the cross-sectional area of the light transmissive capsule 110 is smaller is provided so as to overlap at least the black matrix 104. Furthermore, it is preferable not to block light from the pixels by completely overlapping with the black matrix 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the cross-sectional shape of the light transmissive capsule 110 is a trapezoid. The second electrode 54 side having a smaller cross-sectional area overlaps the black matrix 104. In other words, the contact point between the light-transmissive capsule 110 and the second electrode 54 is on the extension line of the black matrix 104 between the first pixel 32 and the second pixel 34, and the contact width is the same as the width of the black matrix 104. Degree.

  The mode of the liquid crystal 26 included in the liquid crystal display panel 16 is not limited to the TN mode, but is VA (Vertical Alignment), IPS (In Plain Switching), FFS (Fringe Field Switching), STN (Super Twisted Nematic). For example, various modes can be adopted. Among these modes, VA, IPS, and FFS that can obtain a wide viewing angle are suitable. If the liquid crystal 26 is set to a mode in which a wide viewing angle can be obtained, a multi-screen display image that is viewed in a visual field tilted left and right from the front can be displayed with high brightness and high quality.

  In addition, each of the above embodiments is an example in which the light control unit is applied to a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. However, instead of this, it is applied to various electro-optical devices that perform display according to electricity. be able to. For example, a flat display using a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), a fluorescent display tube or the like as the display unit is suitable, but a curved display such as a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display or a projection screen is used. It can also be set as the structure which overlap | superposed the light control part on this.

  In each of the above embodiments, the three-dimensional image display device is configured by generating the barrier unit 12 and the light transmission unit 14, but a predetermined distance between the display screen 20 and the barrier unit 12 (light transmission unit 14). By adjusting X, the two-screen image display device 112 as a device for displaying a multi-screen image shown in FIG. 12 can be configured.

  FIG. 12A illustrates a normal image display (a mode in which a plurality of observers view the same image), and FIG. 12B illustrates a principle diagram of a two-screen image display. In the normal image display shown in FIG. 12A, a barrier is not generated in the light control unit 18, and a plurality of observers C and D observe the same image. In the two-screen image display shown in FIG. 12B, a barrier is generated in the light control unit 18 and is displayed on the display screen 20 separated by a certain distance X behind the barrier through the barrier unit 12. Further, different images are observed from the observers C and D, respectively.

  At this time, the input interface unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 replaces the three-dimensional image display image signal with a two-screen image display image signal (first image for the observer C shown in FIG. 12B). Image signal of a different image from the second image for the observer D) or an image signal for normal image display. 3 is provided with a display mode changeover switch (not shown) for switching between the directional display mode and the non-directional display mode, the observation shown in FIG. The persons C and D switch (specify) the display mode according to the type of input image (multi-screen image / normal image) by operating the display mode switch (not shown).

Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control part with which the display element which concerns on 1st Embodiment is provided. The perspective view which shows the light control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view and a plan view showing the display element according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the display element which concerns on 6th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the modification of the display element which concerns on 6th Embodiment. The figure which shows a 2 screen image display apparatus. FIG. 3 is a principle diagram of 2D image display and 3D image display. Sectional drawing which shows the display element of the conventional barrier liquid crystal structure. Sectional drawing which shows the display element of the conventional phase difference plate structure.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display element 12 ... Barrier part 14 ... Light transmission part 16 ... Liquid crystal display panel (display part) 18 ... Light control part 20 ... Display screen 22, 24 ... Glass substrate 25 ... Spacer 26 ... Liquid crystal 28, 30 ... Polarizing plate 32 ... 1st pixel 34 ... 2nd pixel 36 ... Control part 38 ... Electrophoretic particle 40 ... Light transmissive fluid 42 ... Dispersion layer 44 ... Glass substrate (1st substrate) 46 ... Glass substrate (2nd substrate) 48 ... Spacer substrate DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... 1st electrode 52 ... Insulator 54 ... 2nd electrode 56 ... Insulator 58 ... 1st drive circuit 60 ... CPU 62 ... User interface (UI) process part 64 ... Operation panel 66 ... Remote control 68 ... Image process part 70 ... Input interface unit 72 ... second drive circuit 74 ... insulator 76 ... seal member 78 ... display element 80 ... dimmer 82 ... display element 84 ... organic EL Display panel 88 ... Glass substrate 90 ... EL element part 92 ... Glass substrate 93 ... Partition wall 94 ... Display element 96 ... Light control part 98 ... Display element 100 ... Light control part 102 ... Light transmissive capsule 104 ... Black matrix 105 ... Display element DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 106 ... Light control part 107 ... Light transmission capsule 108 ... Display element 109 ... Light control part 110 ... Light transmission capsule 112 ... Two screen image display apparatus 114 ... Liquid crystal display device 116 ... Barrier part 118 ... Three-dimensional image display surface 120 ... Liquid crystal display panel 122 ... Liquid crystal display device 124 ... Phase difference plate 126 ... Glass substrate 128 ... Polarizing plate 130 ... Glass substrate.

Claims (12)

A light control unit for generating a barrier unit and a light transmission unit by electronic control using an electrophoretic element having at least one type of electrophoretic particle having a charge;
A display screen is arranged at a predetermined distance from the occurrence position of the barrier portion, and first pixels and second pixels are alternately arranged in at least one direction, and the first image displayed by the first pixels And a display unit capable of outputting and displaying the second image displayed by the second pixel on the display screen;
Including
The dimming unit is configured to cause the electrophoretic particles to overlap an area between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display unit in a state where the light transmittance of the dimming unit is the highest. Characteristic display element. The display element according to claim 1,
The light control unit is
A first substrate;
A planar first electrode provided on the first substrate;
A second substrate provided on the first electrode side so as to face the first substrate;
A planar second electrode provided on the second substrate so as to face the first electrode;
A dispersion layer including the electrophoretic element sandwiched between the first and second substrates;
A display element comprising: The display element according to claim 2,
The display element, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate, the first electrode, and the second electrode are made of a light-transmitting material. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the light control section generates the barrier section by changing a light transmittance at a predetermined position of the dispersion layer. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The said light control part is a display element characterized by generating the said barrier part, when the said display part displays a three-dimensional image or a multiscreen image. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
When the display unit displays a simple two-dimensional image, the light control unit stops the generation of the barrier unit and becomes a panel having a colorless and transparent barrier generation surface. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-6,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the light control unit includes a control unit that variably controls the shape including the number, width, aperture ratio, and interval of the barrier units and the generation position according to an instruction input. The display element according to claim 7,
The control unit controls the light control unit by direct current drive. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-8,
The display element is a light-modulating element having an electro-optic material layer between two opposing electrodes. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-8,
The display element is a self-luminous element having an electro-optic material layer between two opposing electrodes. A light control unit for generating a barrier unit and a light transmission unit by electronic control using an electrophoretic element having at least one type of electrophoretic particle having a charge;
A display screen is arranged at a predetermined distance from the occurrence position of the barrier portion, and first pixels and second pixels are alternately arranged in at least one direction, and the first image displayed by the first pixels And a display unit capable of outputting and displaying the second image displayed by the second pixel on the display screen;
Including
The light control unit is
Transmitting light from the first pixel in the first direction, blocking light from the first pixel in the second direction, and transmitting light from the second pixel in the second direction; A first state in which light traveling from the second pixel toward the first direction is blocked;
A second state that transmits light from the first pixel in the first and second directions and transmits light from the second pixel in the first and second directions;
Can be switched,
The display element, wherein in the second state, the electrophoretic particles are overlapped with a region between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display unit. In the display element as described in any one of Claims 1-8,
A display element, wherein a non-display portion that does not contribute to display is provided in a region between the first pixel and the second pixel of the display portion.

Images