JP2009128570A - Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a high-quality image in an electro-optic device such as a liquid crystal device. <P>SOLUTION: The electro-optic device comprises: a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer (50) held between a pair of a first substrate (20) and a second substrate (10); a first optical compensation plate (310) placed in an exit side of the source light of the liquid crystal panel; and a second optical compensation plate (320) placed in the exit side of the source light of the liquid crystal panel and having a rotating mechanism (600) that can rotate around the optical axis of the source light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device, and an electronic apparatus such as a liquid crystal projector including the electro-optical device.

  As this type of electro-optical device, for example, there is a device that displays an image by irradiating a liquid crystal panel with light. The irradiated light is incident on the liquid crystal panel after the phases are aligned by, for example, a polarizing plate, etc., but the phase is shifted in an optical element such as a liquid crystal panel or a microlens array, resulting in a decrease in contrast and a viewing angle. May be narrowed. For this reason, a technique of using an optical phase difference compensation element has been proposed to compensate for a phase shift of incident light.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which two optical compensation elements are provided on the light emission side of a liquid crystal panel to compensate for a phase shift of incident light.

JP 2002-14345 A

  However, in order to obtain a compensation effect by the optical compensation element, the rotation angle of the optical compensation element is extremely important. If the optical compensation element cannot be arranged at an appropriate rotation angle, a sufficient compensation effect cannot be obtained. On the other hand, according to the above-described technique, since the two optical compensation elements are arranged on the light emission side where it is relatively difficult to take a space, it is difficult to adjust the rotation angle of the optical compensation element. Therefore, high accuracy is required when arranging the optical compensation plate. As described above, the above-described technique has a technical problem that there is a possibility that a compensation effect by the optical compensation element cannot be sufficiently obtained.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electro-optical device capable of displaying a high-quality image and an electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device. And

  In order to solve the above problems, an electro-optical device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal panel disposed on the light source light emission side of the liquid crystal panel. A first optical compensator; and a second optical compensator disposed on the emission side and having a rotation mechanism that is rotatable with respect to the optical axis of the light source light.

  According to the electro-optical device of the present invention, during operation, light source light such as projection light and backlight is incident on the liquid crystal panel, so that an image is displayed as, for example, a projected image or a direct-view image. The liquid crystal panel is configured by a pair of first and second substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer, and is driven by, for example, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor).

  Here, in the present invention, in particular, the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate are arranged on the light source light emission side of the liquid crystal panel. The first and second optical compensators compensate for the phase difference of light generated by passing, for example, liquid crystal molecules present near the interface of the liquid crystal layer or liquid crystal molecules that do not stand up during halftone display. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in contrast and a narrowing of the viewing angle. Note that any of the first and second optical compensation plates may be provided on the side close to the liquid crystal panel. That is, the positional relationship between the first and second optical compensators is not limited. These optical compensators also generate due to the presence of optical elements such as a microlens array (for example, generated when light source light passes through a microlens and passes through pretilted liquid crystal molecules. It is also possible to compensate for the phase shift.

  Further, in the present invention, since the second optical compensation plate has a rotation mechanism, even after the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate are disposed, The angle can be adjusted by rotating around the optical axis of the light source light. That is, the angle of the second optical compensator can be adjusted by rotating the second optical compensator by the rotating mechanism. Note that the rotational motion by the rotation mechanism may be a simple rotational motion in which the rotational axis is fixed, but it is a more complex motion with the rotational shaft moving or a combination of rotational motion and parallel movement. May be. Further, such a rotation mechanism is preferably configured to be fixed at a desired rotation angle. That is, it preferably includes a fixing mechanism. However, it is also possible to provide a fixing mechanism that fixes the angle separately from the rotating mechanism.

  When the phase difference of light is compensated by a plurality of optical compensators, the angles of the plurality of optical compensators are extremely important, and high accuracy is required. For this reason, if the angle between the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate is not set to a predetermined angle, appropriate compensation of the light source light is not performed, and the effect of improving the image quality by compensation is reduced. End up.

  However, in the present invention, particularly, as described above, since the second optical compensation plate has a rotation mechanism, the angle formed by the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate is made appropriate. Can do. That is, by adjusting the angle of the second optical compensator with respect to the fixed first optical compensator, the angles of each other can be made more appropriate. Therefore, compensation by the first and second optical compensation plates is performed more appropriately. Therefore, a high quality image can be displayed.

  The angle adjustment described above can also be performed after the first and second optical compensators are arranged. For this reason, the precision of the fine angle at the time of arrangement is not required. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time for arranging the optical compensator, and it is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the failure of arrangement.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the present invention, by providing the second optical compensator having the rotation mechanism, the working efficiency can be improved and the cost can be reduced, and the generated light source light can be reduced. The phase difference can be compensated appropriately. Therefore, it is possible to display a high quality image.

  In one aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the first optical compensation plate is tilted so that an optical axis corresponds to a tilt of liquid crystal molecules at an interface between the liquid crystal layer and one of the first and second substrates. The second optical compensator is inclined such that the optical axis corresponds to the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and the other of the first and second substrates.

  According to this aspect, the optical axis of the first optical compensation plate is inclined so as to correspond to the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The optical axis of the second optical compensator is inclined so as to correspond to the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and the other of the first substrate and the second substrate. That is, the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate are configured such that the optical axis corresponds to the inclination of one of the liquid crystal molecules different from each other at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and the first substrate and the second substrate. It is inclined. Typically, of the first and second optical compensators, the optical compensator disposed on the side closer to the liquid crystal panel is inclined so as to correspond to the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the first substrate.

  The inclination of the optical axes of the first and second optical compensators may be realized by forming the optical axes so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle in advance, or the first and second optical axes when arranged. You may implement | achieve by arrange | positioning the optical compensation board itself so that it may incline.

  By arranging the first and second optical compensation plates as described above, the first and second optical compensation plates compensate for the phase difference generated at the interface between the first substrate and the second substrate of the liquid crystal layer, respectively. It becomes possible to do. That is, the first and second optical compensators individually compensate for the phase difference generated at different positions. Therefore, the phase difference generated in the light source light is more reliably compensated. Therefore, according to the electro-optical device according to this aspect, it is possible to display a high-quality image.

  The optical axis of the first optical compensator described above corresponds to the tilt of liquid crystal molecules at one interface between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the optical axis of the second optical compensator corresponds to the tilt of liquid crystal molecules at the other interface. In the inclined aspect, an alignment film is formed on each of the surfaces of the first and second substrates facing the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer has an interface with the one substrate. The liquid crystal molecules at the interface between the molecule and the other substrate are respectively provided with pretilt by the alignment film, and the first optical compensator is inclined by the pretilt of the liquid crystal molecule at the interface with the one. The second optical compensator is tilted so as to compensate for the phase difference generated in the light source light due to the tilt, and the liquid crystal molecules are tilted by the pretilt at the interface with the other. It may be configured to be inclined so as to compensate the phase difference caused in the light source light is.

  If comprised in this way, the alignment film is formed in the surface which faces the liquid-crystal layer in a 1st and 2nd board | substrate, respectively, and the liquid crystal molecule in the interface with the 1st and 2nd board | substrate of a liquid-crystal layer is by an alignment film. A pretilt is awarded respectively. That is, the liquid crystal molecules at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and the first and second substrates are each inclined by the alignment film.

  Here, in the present embodiment, in particular, the first and second optical compensators are arranged to be inclined so as to compensate for the phase difference of the light source light caused by the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules due to the pretilt described above. That is, the first optical compensator is tilted so as to correspond to the tilt due to the pretilt of liquid crystal molecules at the interface with one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the second optical compensator is liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the other. It is inclined to correspond to the inclination due to the pretilt.

  By arranging the first and second optical compensation plates as described above, the phase difference generated at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and the first substrate and the phase difference generated at the interface between the liquid crystal layer and the second substrate can be reliably ensured. Compensated. Therefore, according to the electro-optical device according to this aspect, it is possible to display a high-quality image.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the second substrate is a substrate on the light source light emission side of the liquid crystal panel, and the first optical compensation plate is formed on the second substrate.

  According to this aspect, the substrate on the incident side in the liquid crystal panel is the first substrate, and the substrate on the emission side is the second substrate. That is, light source light incident on the liquid crystal panel passes through the first substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the second substrate in this order.

  Here, the first optical compensation plate is configured, for example, as a mere film, and functions as a second optical compensation plate by being formed on the second substrate. The first optical compensation plate can be formed on either the surface facing the liquid crystal layer or the surface not facing the second substrate. However, the arrangement of the first optical compensator on the surface of the second substrate that does not face the liquid crystal layer does not complicate the laminated structure on the substrate on the side of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. From the viewpoint of not hindering the voltage application, it is practically advantageous.

  The first optical compensation plate does not have a rotation mechanism like the second optical compensation plate. Therefore, as described above, it can be formed on the second substrate. By forming the first optical compensation plate on the second substrate, the arrangement space of the first optical compensation plate can be reduced. That is, it is possible to realize space saving in the apparatus. Such an effect is remarkably exhibited in downsizing the apparatus.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the electro-optical device further includes a first polarizing plate disposed on a light source light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, and a second polarizing plate disposed on the output side. The optical compensation plate is formed on the second polarizing plate.

  According to this aspect, the first polarizing plate is disposed on the light source light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, and the second polarizing plate is disposed on the light source light exit side of the liquid crystal panel. The first optical compensation plate is configured as a simple film, for example, and functions as a second optical compensation plate by being formed on the second polarizing plate.

  The first optical compensation plate does not have a rotation mechanism like the second optical compensation plate. Therefore, as described above, it can be formed on the second polarizing plate. By forming the first optical compensation plate on the second polarizing plate, the arrangement space of the first optical compensation plate can be reduced. That is, it is possible to realize space saving in the apparatus. Such an effect is remarkably exhibited in downsizing the apparatus.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the electro-optical device further includes a synthesis prism disposed on the emission side of the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate, and the rotation mechanism is fixed to the synthesis prism. Has been.

  According to this aspect, on the light source light emission side of the first and second optical compensation plates, for example, a combining prism that combines the light emitted from the electro-optical device as a plurality of light valves in a double-plate projector is disposed. ing. That is, the light source light compensated by the first and second optical compensators enters the combining prism and is combined with, for example, light emitted from another optical system.

  The synthetic prism is fixed so as not to move in the apparatus due to its nature. Therefore, by fixing the rotation mechanism to the combining prism, the second optical compensation plate can be disposed at a predetermined position, and more stable angle adjustment can be performed. Further, the combining prism is disposed at a position relatively close to the second optical compensator in order to prevent, for example, shortening of the optical path of the light source light and enlargement of the combining prism itself. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the turning mechanism from becoming large and complicated as compared with the case where the turning mechanism is fixed to a member or the like that is relatively far from the second optical compensation plate.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, the second optical compensator is disposed on a side where the rotation mechanism is provided, and an opening for disposing the rotation mechanism is provided. A circuit board electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel.

  According to this aspect, a circuit that is electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel and that performs, for example, a predetermined type of processing on the image signal and supplies various control signals, clocks, power, etc. to the drive circuit is built in. The circuit board is disposed on the side where the rotation mechanism of the second optical compensation plate is provided. The circuit board is preferably arranged near the second optical compensation plate in order to prevent the connection with the liquid crystal panel from being complicated and to save space. However, if an attempt is made to arrange the circuit board without taking any measures, the rotation mechanism and the circuit board come into contact with each other, and there is a possibility that the rotation by the rotation mechanism becomes difficult.

  However, in the present invention, in particular, the circuit board has an opening for arranging the rotation mechanism. Therefore, even when the circuit board is disposed near the second optical compensation plate, contact between the rotation mechanism and the circuit board can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from becoming large and complicated. Further, since the rotation by the rotation mechanism is possible even after the circuit board is arranged, the angle of the second optical compensation plate can be adjusted more preferably.

  The space on the emission side of the light source light related to the liquid crystal panel in which the second optical compensation plate is arranged is particularly small in order to prevent the optical system from becoming large. Therefore, the above-described effect is exhibited extremely remarkably.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, a microlens array is built in or externally attached to at least one of the first and second substrates.

  According to this aspect, the microlens array is built in or externally attached to at least one of the first and second substrates, and the light use efficiency is increased by condensing the incident light source light. . Since the microlens array refracts the light source light at the time of condensing, there is a higher possibility that a phase difference will occur in the light source light compared to a case where no microlens array is provided. That is, there is a high possibility that the contrast or the like of the displayed image is lowered.

  However, in this embodiment, in particular, the angle of the second optical compensator can be made more appropriate by adjusting the angle by the rotation mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately compensate for the phase difference of the light source light generated at the interface of the liquid crystal layer. Therefore, according to the electro-optical device according to this aspect, it is possible to display a high-quality image.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described electro-optical device according to the present invention (including various aspects thereof).

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the electro-optical device according to the present invention described above is provided, a projection display device, a television, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, and a word processor capable of performing high-quality display. Various electronic devices such as a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel can be realized. Further, as the electronic apparatus of the present invention, for example, an electrophoretic device such as electronic paper can be realized.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the invention described below.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<LCD panel>
First, a liquid crystal panel used in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH ′ of FIG. In the following, as an example of the liquid crystal panel according to the present embodiment, a TFT active matrix driving type liquid crystal panel with a built-in driving circuit is taken as an example.

  1 and 2, in the liquid crystal panel 100 according to the present embodiment, the TFT array substrate 10 which is an example of the “second substrate” of the present invention, and the counter substrate 20 which is an example of the “first substrate” of the present invention. Are arranged opposite to each other. The TFT array substrate 10 is a transparent substrate such as a quartz substrate, a glass substrate, or a silicon substrate. The counter substrate 20 is also a transparent substrate, like the TFT array substrate 10. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20. The TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are bonded to each other by a sealing material 52 provided in a sealing region located around the image display region 10a provided with a plurality of pixel electrodes.

  The sealing material 52 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, or the like for bonding the two substrates, and is applied on the TFT array substrate 10 in the manufacturing process and then cured by ultraviolet irradiation, heating, or the like. It is. In the sealing material 52, a gap material such as glass fiber or glass bead is dispersed for setting the distance between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 (that is, the inter-substrate gap) to a predetermined value.

  A light-shielding frame light-shielding film 53 that defines the frame area of the image display area 10a is provided on the counter substrate 20 side in parallel with the inside of the seal area where the sealing material 52 is disposed. However, part or all of the frame light shielding film 53 may be provided as a built-in light shielding film on the TFT array substrate 10 side.

  A data line driving circuit 101 and an external circuit connection terminal 102 are provided along one side of the TFT array substrate 10 in a region located outside the sealing region in which the sealing material 52 is disposed in the peripheral region. The scanning line driving circuit 104 is provided along two sides adjacent to the one side so as to be covered with the frame light shielding film 53. Further, in order to connect the two scanning line driving circuits 104 provided on both sides of the image display area 10 a in this way, a plurality of the pixel lines are covered along the remaining side of the TFT array substrate 10 and covered with the frame light shielding film 53. Wiring 105 is provided.

  On the TFT array substrate 10, vertical conduction terminals 106 for connecting the two substrates with the vertical conduction material 107 are arranged in regions facing the four corner portions of the counter substrate 20. Thus, electrical conduction can be established between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  In FIG. 2, on the TFT array substrate 10, an alignment film is formed on the pixel electrode 9a after the pixel switching TFT, the scanning line, the data line and the like are formed. The pixel electrode 9a is made of a transparent conductive film such as an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film, and the alignment film is made of an organic film such as a polyimide film. On the other hand, on the counter substrate 20, a lattice-shaped or striped light-shielding film 23 is formed, and then a counter electrode 21 is provided over the entire surface, and an alignment film is formed on the uppermost layer portion. Yes. The counter electrode 21 is made of a transparent conductive film such as an ITO film, and the alignment film is made of an organic film such as a polyimide film. A liquid crystal layer 50 is formed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 that are configured as described above and are arranged so that the pixel electrode 9a and the counter electrode 21 face each other. The liquid crystal layer 50 is made of, for example, a liquid crystal in which one or several types of nematic liquid crystals are mixed, and takes a predetermined alignment state between the pair of alignment films.

  1 and 2, on the TFT array substrate 10, in addition to the drive circuits such as the data line drive circuit 101 and the scanning line drive circuit 104, the image signal on the image signal line is sampled to obtain data. Sampling circuit that supplies lines, precharge circuit that supplies pre-charge signals of a predetermined voltage level to multiple data lines in advance of image signals, inspection of quality, defects, etc. of the electro-optical device during production or shipment An inspection circuit or the like may be formed.

<Electro-optical device>
Next, an electro-optical device having the above-described liquid crystal panel 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following drawings, detailed members of the liquid crystal panel 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted as appropriate, and only directly related members are shown.

<First Embodiment>
First, the configuration of the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the rotation mechanism, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a circuit board having an opening.

  3, the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment includes the liquid crystal panel 100, the first optical compensation plate 310, the second optical compensation plate 320, the first polarizing plate 410, and the second polarizing plate 420. The synthetic prism 500 and the circuit board 700 are provided.

  In the liquid crystal panel 100, the liquid crystal layer 50 is sandwiched between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, and the flexible substrate 200 is electrically connected to the external circuit connection terminal 102 (see FIG. 1). An end portion of the flexible substrate 200 that is not connected to the liquid crystal panel 100 is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 700. That is, a control signal, an image signal, and the like for driving the liquid crystal panel 100 are supplied from the circuit board 700 to the liquid crystal panel via the flexible board 200.

  The first polarizing plate 410 is disposed on the light source light incident side with respect to the liquid crystal panel 100, and the second polarizing plate 420 is disposed on the light source light emitting side with respect to the liquid crystal panel 100. The first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320 are disposed between the liquid crystal panel 100 and the second polarizing plate 420, respectively. Here, in particular, the second optical compensation plate 320 has a rotation mechanism 600 and is rotatable. Below, the structure of the rotation mechanism 600 is demonstrated in detail.

  In FIG. 4, the rotation mechanism 600 includes a first connecting part 610, an operating part 620, a second connecting part 630, a fixing screw 640, and an adjusting rod 650.

  The first connecting part 610 connects one side of the second optical compensation plate 320 and the operating part 620. The second connecting unit 630 connects the combining prism 500 and the operating unit 620. However, the operating part 620 is not fixed to the second connecting part 630 but can be moved along the second connecting part 630 in the direction of the arrow P2 shown in the figure. A fixing screw 640 is provided at a position of the second connecting portion 630 that faces the operating portion 620. The operating part 620 is fixed to the second connecting part 630 by tightening the fixing screw 640. Such movement and fixing of the operating unit 620 may be performed manually, or may be performed semi-automatically or fully automatically using a dedicated jig or an electric tool.

  When the angle of the second optical compensation plate 320 is adjusted by the rotation mechanism 600, the adjustment bar 650 is moved in the direction of the arrow P1 shown in the drawing. As a result, the operating unit 620 moves in the direction of the arrow P2 shown in the drawing, and the second optical compensation plate 320 moves in the direction of the arrow P3 shown in the drawing. That is, the second optical compensation plate 320 is rotated with respect to the optical axis of the light source light. The rotation angle of the second optical compensation plate 320 may be relatively small. For example, if the second optical compensation plate 320 can be rotated about ± 5 °, the effect of improving the image quality described later can be sufficiently obtained. The operation of the adjustment rod 650 is typically performed manually, but may be performed using an appropriate jig or device. After adjusting the second optical compensation plate 320 to an appropriate angle, the operating unit 620 is fixed by the fixing screw 640. Thereby, the angle after adjustment is maintained. The adjustment rod 650 can be removed from the rotation mechanism 600 when angle adjustment is not performed.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the circuit board 700 is disposed on the side of the second optical compensation plate 320 where the rotation mechanism 600 is provided. The circuit board 700 has an opening for placing the flexible board 200 and the rotation mechanism 600.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible substrate 200 and the circuit substrate 600 are disposed in the opening of the circuit substrate 700. As described above, since the circuit board 700 has the opening, even when the circuit board 700 is disposed at a position relatively close to the second optical compensation plate 320, the flexible board 200 and the rotation mechanism 600 are arranged. And contact with the circuit board 700 can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from becoming large and complicated. In addition, in the manufacturing process, the rotation by the rotation mechanism 600 is possible even after the circuit board 700 is arranged, so that the angle of the second optical compensation plate 320 can be adjusted more preferably. Note that one opening may be provided instead of one as shown in the figure. For example, if it is provided only in a portion that may come into contact with the flexible substrate 200 and the rotation mechanism 600, the area where the circuit is disposed can be further increased.

  Next, the operation of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the operation of each unit described above will be described according to the path of the light source light. The liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 50 is a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal.

  In FIG. 3, the light source light is first incident on the first polarizing plate 410. The first polarizing plate 410 is configured so that only light that vibrates in a predetermined direction can pass therethrough. Therefore, the light source light incident on the first polarizing plate 410 becomes linearly polarized light.

  The light source light that has passed through the first polarizing plate 410 enters the liquid crystal panel 100. That is, the light enters the liquid crystal layer 50 through the counter substrate 20. Here, a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 50, and the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 50 changes depending on the applied voltage. However, for example, near the interface between the counter substrate 20 and the TFT array substrate 10, there are liquid crystal molecules that do not rise completely even when a voltage is applied, or liquid crystal molecules that do not fully rise during halftone display. Such liquid crystal molecules cause the light source light incident on the liquid crystal layer 50 to be out of phase.

  The light that has passed through the liquid crystal panel 100 is incident on the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320. The first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320 compensate for the phase shift generated in the liquid crystal panel 100.

  Here, compensation and angle adjustment by the optical compensator will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6A is a perspective view conceptually showing the relationship between the optical axis of the optical compensation plate and the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules when the refractive index anisotropy is positive, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually showing the relationship between the optical axis of the optical compensation plate and the inclination of liquid crystal molecules when the refractive index anisotropy is negative as a modification. 7 to 9 are graphs showing the relationship between the rotation adjustment angle of the optical compensator and the contrast, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 50 are twisted by 90 ° between the incident side and the emission side of the light source light. The inclination of the liquid crystal molecules is set by an alignment film provided at the interface between the liquid crystal layer 50 and the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  Here, the first optical compensation plate 310 is disposed so as to correspond to the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules on the incident side of the light source light in the liquid crystal layer 50, and the second optical compensation plate 320 is the emission side of the light source light in the liquid crystal layer 50. The liquid crystal molecules are arranged so as to correspond to the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules. More specifically, the optical axis of the crystal as the optical compensation element included in the first optical compensation plate 310 is tilted so as to compensate for the phase difference generated in the light source light due to the tilt of the liquid crystal molecules on the incident side. The That is, here, assuming that the refractive index anisotropy of the optical material constituting the first optical compensation plate 310 is positive, the optical axis thereof is the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules on the incident side as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions so that it may incline conversely. The optical axis of the crystal as the optical compensation element included in the second optical compensation plate 320 is tilted so as to compensate for the phase difference generated in the light source light due to the tilt of the liquid crystal molecules on the incident side. That is, here, assuming that the refractive index anisotropy of the optical material constituting the second optical compensation plate 320 is positive, the optical axis thereof is the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules on the exit side as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions so that it may incline conversely.

  Due to the above configuration, the phase shift generated in the liquid crystal layer 50 is reliably compensated by the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320. The crystal as the optical compensation element may be a positive uniaxial crystal such as quartz, or a negative uniaxial or biaxial crystal such as sapphire.

  As shown as a modification in FIG. 6B, the refractive index anisotropy of the optical material constituting the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320 may be negative. In this case, the flat crystal composing the first optical compensation plate 310 is arranged so as to receive the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules on the incident side in the liquid crystal layer 50 at its main surface, as shown in FIG. Is done. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the flat crystal constituting the second optical compensation plate 320 is arranged so as to receive the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules on the emission side in the liquid crystal layer 50 on the main surface thereof. The The crystals constituting the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320 may be a combination of positive and negative refractive index anisotropy.

  In FIG. 7, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the phase shift is compensated by the optical compensator including the positive uniaxial crystal, the relationship between the contrast of the displayed image and the angle of the optical compensator is as follows. It looks like a graph. That is, if the angle of the optical compensator is an appropriate value, the contrast of the image can be increased by compensation. However, the effect of improving the contrast is greatly reduced even if the angle is shifted by several degrees. This is the same even when a negative uniaxial crystal and a negative biaxial crystal are used, as shown in FIGS.

  On the other hand, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the angle of the second optical compensation plate 320 can be adjusted by the rotation mechanism 600 described above. That is, the angle of the second optical compensation plate 320 can be set to a more appropriate angle. Therefore, it is possible to effectively compensate for the phase shift.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the light source light that has passed through the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320 is converted into linearly polarized light again by the above-described compensation. Therefore, in the second polarizing plate 420, it is possible to prevent light that is allowed to pass through or light that is not allowed to pass through from passing. The light source light that has passed through the second polarizing plate 420 is incident on the combining prism 500 and is combined with the light emitted from the other optical system. For example, when applied to an apparatus using the liquid crystal panel 100 corresponding to each of the three primary colors of R, G, and B, such as an electronic device to be described later, each color is combined to produce a full color An image can be displayed.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment, a phase shift that occurs in the liquid crystal layer 50 or the like can be compensated more favorably, so that a high-quality image can be displayed. It is.

Second Embodiment
Next, an electro-optical device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the configurations of the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320, and the other configurations are generally the same. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the optical compensator will be described in detail, and description of other components will be omitted as appropriate. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those according to the first embodiment.

  10, the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which the positions of the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320 are interchanged as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment described above. Yes. Even in this case, the angle of the second optical compensator 320 can be adjusted by slightly increasing the rotation mechanism 600. Therefore, more appropriate compensation can be performed, and the contrast of the displayed image can be increased.

  In the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment, the first optical compensation plate 310 is formed on the second polarizing plate 420. Therefore, space can be saved, which is extremely advantageous when the apparatus is downsized.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment, it is possible to display a high-quality image as in the first embodiment described above. Therefore, for example, when the optical compensation plate closer to the liquid crystal panel 100 can be rotated, if more appropriate adjustment can be performed, or if the compensation effect is enhanced, the configuration according to the second embodiment is selected. That's fine.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an electro-optical device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electro-optical device according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments described above in the configuration of the first optical compensation plate 310 and the second optical compensation plate 320, and the other configurations are generally the same. For this reason, in the third embodiment, the optical compensator will be described in detail, and description of other components will be omitted as appropriate. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those according to the first and second embodiments.

  In FIG. 11, in the electro-optical device according to the third embodiment, a microlens array substrate 800 is provided between the first polarizing plate 410 and the liquid crystal panel 100. The microlens array substrate 800 condenses incident light source light. Thereby, it is possible to increase the light use efficiency in the liquid crystal panel 100.

  However, since the microlens array substrate 800 refracts the light source light at the time of condensing, there is a higher possibility that a phase difference will occur in the light source light than when the microlens array substrate 800 is not provided. That is, there is a high possibility that the quality of the displayed image is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, in the electro-optical device according to the third embodiment, the second optical compensation plate 320 can be adjusted to a more appropriate angle by the rotation mechanism 600 described above. That is, it is possible to effectively compensate for a phase shift caused by providing the microlens array substrate 800. Therefore, it is possible to display a high quality image. Even when the microlens array is built in the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, the same effect can be obtained.

  In the electro-optical device according to the third embodiment, the first optical compensation plate 310 is formed on the TFT array substrate 10 in the liquid crystal panel 100. Therefore, space can be saved, which is extremely advantageous when the apparatus is downsized.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the third embodiment, the phase shift due to the provision of the microlens array substrate 800 can also be appropriately compensated for, while improving the utilization efficiency of the light source light. It is possible to display a high-quality image.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, the case where the above-described electro-optical device is applied to various electronic devices will be described. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the projector.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a projector 1100 includes a lamp unit 1102 made of a white light source such as a halogen lamp. The projection light emitted from the lamp unit 1102 is separated into three primary colors of RGB by four mirrors 1106 and two dichroic mirrors 1108 arranged in the light guide 1104, and serves as a light valve corresponding to each primary color. The light enters the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G.

  The configurations of the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G are the same as those of the liquid crystal device described above, and are driven by R, G, and B primary color signals supplied from the image signal processing circuit. The light modulated by these liquid crystal panels is incident on a dichroic prism 1112 which is an example of the “synthesis prism” of the present invention from three directions. In the dichroic prism 1112, R and B light is refracted at 90 degrees, while G light travels straight. Therefore, as a result of the synthesis of the images of the respective colors, a color image is projected onto the screen or the like via the projection lens 1114.

  Here, paying attention to the display images by the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G, the display image by the liquid crystal panel 1110G needs to be horizontally reversed with respect to the display images by the liquid crystal panels 1110R and 1110B.

  In addition, since light corresponding to each primary color of R, G, and B is incident on the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G by the dichroic mirror 1108, it is not necessary to provide a color filter.

  In addition to the electronic device described with reference to FIG. 12, a mobile personal computer, a mobile phone, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct-view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic device Examples include a notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a device equipped with a touch panel. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to these various electronic devices.

  In addition to the liquid crystal devices described in the above embodiments, the present invention includes a reflective liquid crystal device (LCOS), a plasma display (PDP), a field emission display (FED, SED), an organic EL display, and a digital micromirror device. (DMD), electrophoresis apparatus and the like are also applicable.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. In addition, an electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the HH 'sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an electro-optical device according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a rotation mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the circuit board which has an opening part. It is a perspective view which shows notionally the relationship between the optical axis of an optical compensator, and the inclination of a liquid crystal molecule. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a rotation adjustment angle and contrast about the optical compensator containing a positive uniaxial crystal. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a rotation adjustment angle and contrast about the optical compensation board containing a negative uniaxial crystal. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a rotation adjustment angle and contrast about the optical compensation board containing a negative biaxial crystal. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an electro-optical device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an electro-optical device according to a third embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the projector which is an example of the electronic device to which the electro-optical apparatus is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... TFT array substrate, 10a ... Image display area, 20 ... Opposite substrate, 50 ... Liquid crystal layer, 200 ... Flexible substrate, 310 ... First optical compensation plate, 320 ... Second optical compensation plate, 410 ... First polarizing plate, 420 ... second polarizing plate, 500 ... composite prism, 600 ... rotation mechanism, 610 ... first connecting portion, 620 ... operating portion, 630 ... second connecting portion, 640 ... fixing screw, 650 ... adjusting rod, 700 ... circuit Substrate, 800 ... micro lens array substrate

Claims (9)

A liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of first and second substrates;
A first optical compensator disposed on the light source light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel;
An electro-optical device comprising: a second optical compensation plate that is disposed on the emission side and has a rotation mechanism that is rotatable with respect to an optical axis of the light source light. The first optical compensator is inclined such that an optical axis corresponds to an inclination of liquid crystal molecules at an interface between the liquid crystal layer and one of the first and second substrates,
The second optical compensator is inclined so that an optical axis thereof corresponds to an inclination of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer at an interface between the liquid crystal layer and the other of the first and second substrates. The electro-optical device according to claim 1. An alignment film is formed on each of the surfaces facing the liquid crystal layer in the first and second substrates,
A pretilt is imparted to the liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the one substrate of the liquid crystal layer and the liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the other substrate, respectively, by the alignment film,
The first optical compensation plate is tilted so as to compensate a phase difference generated in the light source light due to the tilt of the liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the one due to the pretilt,
The second optical compensation plate is tilted so as to compensate for a phase difference generated in the light source light due to the tilt of the liquid crystal molecules due to the pretilt at the interface with the other. The electro-optical device according to 1. The second substrate is a substrate on the emission side of the light source light in the liquid crystal panel,
4. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the first optical compensation plate is formed on the second substrate. 5. A first polarizing plate disposed on an incident side of light source light in the liquid crystal panel;
A second polarizing plate disposed on the emission side,
4. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the first optical compensation plate is formed on the second polarizing plate. 5. Further comprising a combining prism disposed on the exit side of the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate;
The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism is fixed to the combining prism.   The second optical compensator is disposed on the side where the rotation mechanism is provided and has an opening for disposing the rotation mechanism, and is electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board.   The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a microlens array is built in or externally attached to at least one of the first and second substrates.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1.

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