JP2009204938A - Liquid crystal display and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display for improving white luminance by adjusting the incident light intensity and for improving the contrast ratio. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid crystal display 1 includes an image display section 100 that includes a first liquid crystal layer 30A sandwiched between a pair of substrates and includes a plurality of effective display areas AR1, and a liquid crystal condensing section 200 that is arranged outside the pair of substrates, includes a second liquid crystal layer 30B sandwiched between the pair of substrates, and includes a condensing element 50 where an electrode pair and liquid crystal molecules LC contained in the second liquid crystal layer 30B overlap the effective display areas AR1 planarly. The liquid crystal display 1 performs display using the incident light L made to come to the liquid crystal condensing section 200 from the opposite side to the image display section 100 of the liquid crystal condensing section 200. A light shielding structure for shielding the incident light L is disposed in the light shielding region. The condensing element 50, in which at least part of an end planarly overlaps the light shielding region, condenses the incident light L in a region of a counter substrate 14L planarly overlapping the effective display areas AR1 by applying voltage to the electrode pair. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and an electronic apparatus.

  Liquid crystal display devices are used as light modulation devices for various electro-optical devices. Due to the wide range of uses, there are many requests for improvement in the quality of display images using liquid crystal display devices, and active research is being conducted.

  Such high quality demands for improvement include a luminance difference (contrast) between a black display and a white display of an image, or a luminance ratio (contrast ratio). In a liquid crystal display device with a high contrast ratio, so-called sharp and vivid image display is possible.

However, in a transmissive liquid crystal display device, it is difficult to completely shield light from a light source that is lit behind the device with a liquid crystal layer due to assembly tolerances, a phase difference of a liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal display device, and the like. Light leakage occurs during black display. As a result, it is difficult to increase the contrast ratio. Therefore, a configuration has been proposed in which another member capable of adjusting the amount of light from the light source is provided between the light source at the rear of the apparatus and the liquid crystal layer, and the amount of light is adjusted before entering the liquid crystal layer (for example, Patent Document 1). ).
JP 11-142819 A

  However, in the above method, since the member capable of adjusting the light amount is provided on the entire back surface of the liquid crystal display device, the light amount can be adjusted only for the entire device. For this reason, when the above method is used, for example, it is not possible to adjust the amount of light in a display image in which white display and black display are simultaneously performed on one screen, and the contrast ratio of the display image cannot be improved.

  In addition, when a liquid crystal device for adjusting the amount of light is disposed between the light source and the liquid crystal display device separately from the liquid crystal display device used for image display, light from the light source is blocked by the polarizing plate of the liquid crystal device. As a whole, the luminance is lowered. Therefore, the contrast ratio cannot be improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which white luminance is increased and contrast ratio is improved by adjusting incident light intensity. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic apparatus including such a liquid crystal display device.

In order to solve the above problems, a liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a first liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates, an image display unit including a plurality of effective display areas, and an outside of the pair of substrates. A second liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a plurality of electrode pairs, wherein the electrode pair and the liquid crystal molecules contained in the second liquid crystal layer form a condensing element that overlaps the effective display area in a planar manner A liquid crystal condensing unit that performs display using incident light incident on the liquid crystal condensing unit from a side opposite to the image display unit of the liquid crystal condensing unit, The condensing element is a liquid crystal that forms a refractive index distribution in a direction perpendicular to a normal direction of the liquid crystal condensing unit based on an alignment distribution of the liquid crystal material arranged in a direction of an electric field applied to the electrode pair. A plurality of the effective display areas, wherein the light-blocking component that blocks the incident light is a lens. The light condensing element is provided in a region that overlaps with the region in between, and at least a part of the end portion overlaps the region between the effective display regions in a plan view, Applying a voltage to the electrode pair condenses the incident light on a region of the pair of substrates that overlaps the effective display region on the opposite substrate opposite to the liquid crystal condensing unit in a plane. It is characterized by.
According to this configuration, the liquid crystal lens is provided in correspondence with the effective display area, and the straight light that should hit the light shielding component that does not transmit light is collected toward the effective display area by the condensing function of the liquid crystal lens. Can be lighted. Therefore, more incident light can pass through the effective display area and white brightness can be improved than when only the straight light is used. In addition, by driving the liquid crystal condensing unit in synchronization with the display by the image display unit, the liquid crystal condensing unit can be condensed when the black display is not performed, and can be condensed when the black display is not performed. Therefore, a liquid crystal display device with improved contrast ratio can be obtained.

In the present invention, it is desirable that all ends of the light condensing element are planarly overlapped with a region between the effective display regions.
According to this configuration, light can be efficiently collected from the peripheral area of the effective display area, and a liquid crystal display device with a higher contrast ratio can be obtained.

In the present invention, the counter substrate has a scattering layer that overlaps the effective display area in a plane and scatters the incident light, and the light collecting element condenses the incident light on the scattering layer. Is desirable.
According to this configuration, the condensed light can be diffused to increase the contrast ratio and provide a liquid crystal display device with a wide viewing angle.

In the present invention, the counter substrate includes a color filter layer that overlaps the effective display area in a plane and has a function of scattering the incident light, and the light condensing element transmits the incident light to the color filter layer. It is desirable to collect light.
According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the contrast ratio and widen the viewing angle by diffusing the collected light. Further, since the color filter layer has a scattering function, the device configuration can be simplified as compared with a case where a separate scattering layer is provided, and a thin liquid crystal display device can be obtained.

In the present invention, the liquid crystal molecules are preferably liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy.
According to this configuration, the liquid crystal condensing part can be formed with a simple configuration by setting the initial alignment state of the second liquid crystal layer to the horizontal alignment.

In this invention, it has a detection part which detects the image signal input into the said image display part, and a control part which controls application to the said electrode pair based on the said image signal detected by the said detection part. It is desirable to have a control device.
Since the human eye has different sensitivity to light depending on the wavelength of the light, even if the light has the same intensity, it may feel brighter or darker if the wavelength is different. For this reason, for example, when the colors displayed by the two effective display areas are blue and green, respectively, it is necessary to increase the amount of light incident on the effective display area that displays blue, which is harder for human eyes to feel. According to the configuration of the present invention, the liquid crystal condensing unit can be controlled by detecting the image signal to be displayed. Therefore, in the above-described example, the light amount difference can be provided by driving the light condensing element corresponding to the effective display area displaying blue and not driving the light condensing element corresponding to the effective display area displaying green. Therefore, in addition to the above-described effects, a liquid crystal display device that can display more clearly and with excellent gradation display can be provided.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described liquid crystal display device.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus including a display unit that has a high contrast ratio and can display a clear image.

[First Embodiment]
The liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In all the drawings below, the film thicknesses and dimensional ratios of the constituent elements are appropriately changed in order to make the drawings easy to see.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal display device 1 is disposed between an image display unit 100 that performs image display, a backlight 80 disposed at the rear of the device, and the image display unit 100 and the backlight 80. The liquid crystal condensing part 200 which condenses the light from 80 is provided. In the following description, the vertical relationship of each component is shown with the direction in which the backlight 80 is disposed as the bottom and the direction in which the image display unit 100 is disposed as the top.

  The image display unit 100 is sandwiched between an element substrate 12L on which driving elements, wirings, and the like are formed, a counter substrate 14L that is paired with the element substrate 12L, and the element substrate 12L and the counter substrate 14L. And a liquid crystal layer 30A. A color filter layer 40 having a colored layer for light modulation that enables full color display is disposed on the first liquid crystal layer 30A side of the counter substrate 14L, and a polarizing plate 70 is disposed on the opposite side. In the liquid crystal display device 1, image display is performed in the effective display area AR 1 using light emitted from the backlight 80.

  The substrate body 12 included in the element substrate 12L is formed of a material having optical transparency such as an inorganic material such as glass or silicon nitride, an organic polymer (resin) such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin, or a composite material thereof. ing.

  On the substrate body 12, an element layer 13 including a driving element, wiring, and an inorganic or organic insulating film that electrically insulates these elements is formed. Various wirings and driving elements can be appropriately formed by patterning by photolithography and then etching, and the insulating film can be appropriately formed by a generally known method such as vapor deposition or sputtering.

  A black matrix (light shielding component) 20 made of an opaque resin material is disposed on the element substrate 12L. The black matrix 20 hides the wiring and the like formed on the element substrate 12L from the observer, and forms a light shielding area AR2 between the adjacent effective display areas AR1. That is, the area that is not covered by the black matrix 20 is the effective display area AR1. As a material for forming the black matrix 20, for example, an acrylic resin mixed with a black pigment can be used.

  Similarly to the substrate body 12, the substrate body 14 provided in the counter substrate 14L is light transmissive such as an inorganic substance such as glass or silicon nitride, an organic polymer (resin) such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin, or a composite material thereof. It is formed with the material provided with.

  A color filter layer 40 is provided on the surface of the substrate body 14 on the first liquid crystal layer 30A side. The color filter layer 40 includes a colored layer that modulates incident light from the backlight 80 into red, green, and blue. Full color display is possible by mixing the light of each color that has passed through these colored layers. Further, the colored layer contains beads-like transparent fine particles that scatter light, and has a function of scattering light incident on the colored layer. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 has a wide viewing angle toward the front of the device.

  According to the technical idea of the present invention, any driving method of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the first liquid crystal layer 30A may be used, and various liquid crystal driving methods such as TN, IPS, VA, OCB which are generally known may be adopted. it can. The image display unit 100 includes necessary configurations such as a pixel electrode, a common electrode, and an alignment film, each having a shape corresponding to a driving method employed.

  The liquid crystal condensing unit 200 includes a substrate 22L having a common wiring 64 on the surface, a signal wiring 62 formed on the surface of the element substrate 12L, and a second liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the element substrate 12L and the substrate 22L. 30B. The overlapping portion of the signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64 forms an electrode pair, and when a voltage is applied between the electrode pair, the liquid crystal molecules LC contained in the second liquid crystal layer 30B become a liquid crystal lens (light condensing element). 50 is formed.

  The substrate main body 22 included in the substrate 22L, like the substrate main bodies 12 and 14, is light transmissive such as inorganic materials such as glass and silicon nitride, organic polymers (resins) such as acrylic resins and polycarbonate resins, or composite materials thereof. It is formed using a forming material having properties.

  A polarizing plate 70 that is paired with the polarizing plate provided on the counter substrate 14L is provided on the surface of the substrate body 22 that does not face the second liquid crystal layer 30B. In the liquid crystal display device 1, since only one pair of polarizing plates 70 is provided, the loss of incident light by the polarizing plate 70 is the same as that of a liquid crystal display device having a normal configuration.

  The signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64 are formed of a light-transmitting conductive material, and in this embodiment, a conductive metal having optical transparency such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). It is made of an oxide. The signal wiring 62 is formed so as to overlap the black matrix 20 in a plan view.

  In addition, an alignment film (not shown) is formed on the surfaces of the signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64, and the alignment regulating force is such that the initial alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules LC included in the second liquid crystal layer 30B is horizontal alignment. Is working. As the liquid crystal molecules LC, liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy are used.

  The liquid crystal lens 50 formed in a portion surrounded by a rectangle with a broken line in the drawing is a refractive index distribution lens having a refractive index distribution in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of parallel light incident on the apparatus. Here, the liquid crystal lens 50 is a so-called radial type refractive index distribution lens in which the refractive index is high in the vicinity of the central portion in plan view and the refractive index changes so that the refractive index decreases toward the end. The gradient index lens has a function of distorting and collecting incident light using a refractive index gradient inside the lens. The liquid crystal lens 50 of the present embodiment uses the anisotropy of the refractive index of the liquid crystal material LC to form a refractive index distribution. The liquid crystal lens 50 is formed so that the end thereof overlaps with the black matrix 20 in a planar manner, and has a function of condensing light from the backlight 80 onto the color filter layer 40. The detailed structure of the liquid crystal lens 50 will be described in detail later.

  2A and 2B are schematic views showing the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 1. FIG. 2A is a plan view of a display screen obtained by observing the liquid crystal display device 1 from the image display unit 100. FIG. It is a top view which shows this wiring structure. 2B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2A, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 2C is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is driven.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the display screen in the image display unit 100 of the liquid crystal display device 1 includes an effective display area AR1 arranged in a matrix and a light shielding area AR2 arranged between the effective display areas AR1. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the liquid crystal condensing unit 200, a plurality of signal wirings 62 and a plurality of common wirings 64 are arranged orthogonal to each other, and are generated at intersections by applying between the wirings. A passive driving method is used in which the second liquid crystal layer 30B is driven by an electric field. The signal wiring 62 is provided with a substantially circular opening 63 in plan view, and the effective display area AR1 is disposed so as to overlap the opening 63 in a plan view.

  When applied between the signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64 to drive the liquid crystal condensing unit 200, an electric field is generated except for the opening 63 of the signal wiring 62 as shown in FIG. A new alignment distribution of the liquid crystal molecules LC is formed in a region overlapping with 63 in a plane. As a result, the liquid crystal lens 50 is formed due to the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules LC as described above.

  Next, the form of the liquid crystal lens 50 for solving the problem will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the liquid crystal lens 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, symbol r is a width from the center to the outer periphery of the liquid crystal lens 50 (radius of the opening of the signal wiring 62), f is a focal length of the liquid crystal lens 50, and w is an end of the liquid crystal lens 50. The distance in a plan view from the portion to the end of the black matrix 20 is shown. D1 represents the thickness of the second liquid crystal layer 30B, d2 represents the thickness of the element substrate 12L, d3 represents the thickness of the first liquid crystal layer 30A, and d4 represents the thickness of the counter substrate 14L. Here, it is assumed that the units of length are all μm.

The liquid crystal lens 50 focal length f, the use of ordinary refractive index n _o and extraordinary index n _e of the liquid crystal molecules LC given by the following equation (1).

  Since the liquid crystal lens 50 condenses the incident light from the backlight in the area overlapping the effective display area AR1 on the counter substrate 14L, the liquid crystal lens 50 has a focal length f expressed by the following equation (2). Designed to satisfy the indicated relationship. Here, the light is condensed on the surface of the color filter layer 40 provided on the counter substrate 14L on the liquid crystal layer side.

  Here, the light is condensed on the surface of the color filter layer 40 provided on the counter substrate 14L on the liquid crystal layer side. Therefore, f = d1 + d2 + d3.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when it is approximated that the incident light L from the outside of the apparatus to the end of the liquid crystal lens 50 converges to the focal point P with linear light, the refraction angle of the incident light L is θ. In order for the black matrix 20 not to block the incident light L on the end portion of the liquid crystal lens 50, the normal line S1 of the substrate 22L at the end portion of the liquid crystal lens 50, the end portion of the liquid crystal lens 50, and the end portion of the black matrix 20. Assuming that the angle formed by the line S2 connecting the two and φ is φ, the relationship θ> φ may be satisfied from the geometrical relationship in the figure.

  From the above relationship, in order to prevent the incident light L distorted by the liquid crystal lens 50 shown in the figure from being blocked by the black matrix 20, it is only necessary to satisfy tan θ> tan φ. The expression (4) may be satisfied.

  When the condensing position is changed within the condition of Expression (2), the distance w may be changed according to the focal length f.

  In the liquid crystal display device 1, the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 that forms the liquid crystal lens 50 as described above is driven corresponding to the display of the image display unit 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the liquid crystal display device 1 and corresponds to FIG. 4A shows a state in which the image display unit 100 performs black display, and FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which the image display unit 100 transmits the incident light L and performs image display.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the image display unit 100 performs black display, the liquid crystal lens 50 is not formed in the liquid crystal condensing unit 200, and the incident light L incident from the backlight 80 is black. The matrix 20 and the polarizing plate (not shown) provided on the counter substrate 14L are blocked.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the image display unit 100 performs image display, the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is driven to form the liquid crystal lens 50. The incident light L that should hit the black matrix 20 is condensed toward the effective display area AR1 and used for image display. Therefore, when the liquid crystal lens 50 is used, a large amount of incident light L is transmitted through the effective display area AR1, so that the white luminance of the liquid crystal display device 1 can be increased. As described above, when the liquid crystal display device 1 performs display on the image display unit 100, the liquid crystal lens 50 performs display using a large amount of incident light L, so that the contrast ratio can be increased.

  According to the liquid crystal display device 1 configured as described above, the liquid crystal lens 50 is provided corresponding to the effective display area AR1, and the liquid crystal lens 50 should hit the black matrix 20 that does not transmit light by the light collecting function. The incident light L of the straight light can be condensed toward the effective display area AR1. Therefore, more incident light L can be transmitted through the effective display area AR1 and white brightness can be increased than when only the straight light is used. Further, by driving the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 in synchronism with the display by the image display unit 100, the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 can be condensed when not displaying black but condensing when displaying black. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 having an improved contrast ratio can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the counter substrate 14L includes the color filter layer 40 having a function of scattering the incident light L in a plane overlapping with the effective display area AR1, and the liquid crystal lens 50 allows the incident light L to pass through the color filter. The light is focused on the layer 40. Therefore, the color filter layer 40 having a scattering function diffuses the collected light, so that the contrast ratio can be increased and the viewing angle can be widened. Further, the device configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where a separate scattering layer is provided, and the liquid crystal display device 1 can be made thin.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC are liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy. Therefore, the liquid crystal condensing part 200 can be formed with a simple configuration by setting the initial alignment state of the second second liquid crystal layer 30B to the horizontal alignment.

  In the present embodiment, the light shielding area AR2 is provided with the black matrix 20 formed of an opaque resin. However, according to the technical idea of the present invention, the black matrix 20 is not essential in the light shielding area AR2. . For example, the light shielding region AR2 of the present invention can be used as long as it is a light shielding component that blocks the incident light L from the backlight 80, such as a metal wiring or a driving element that does not have light transmittance. With the function of the liquid crystal lens 50, the incident light that should be incident on these light shielding components is condensed on the color filter 40, whereby the luminance can be increased and the contrast ratio can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the color filter layer 40 has a light scattering function. However, the counter substrate 14L may be provided with a scattering layer having only a scattering function. In that case, it is preferable that the condensing position of the liquid crystal lens 50 be on the scattering layer, whereby the liquid crystal display device 1 that can ensure a good viewing angle can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, liquid crystal molecules having a positive dielectric anisotropy are used for the liquid crystal molecules LC included in the second liquid crystal layer 30B. However, a liquid crystal molecule having a negative dielectric anisotropy is used. You can also. In such a case, a generally known method such as attaching an alignment film with the initial alignment state to a vertical alignment on the surfaces of the signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64 and forming slits in the electrode or providing an uneven shape on the electrode surface. It is desirable to control the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules to form a liquid crystal lens when a voltage is applied.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is not driven for black display, and the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is driven for image display. However, in more detail, the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is associated with the display image. The liquid crystal condensing unit 200 may be driven. In that case, a detection unit that detects an image signal input to the image display unit 100, a control unit that controls application to the signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64 based on the image signal detected by the detection unit, It is desirable to provide a control device having

  Since the human eye has different sensitivity to light depending on the wavelength of the light, even if the light has the same intensity, it may feel brighter or darker if the wavelength is different. For this reason, for example, when the colors displayed by the two effective display areas are blue and green, respectively, it is necessary to increase the amount of light incident on the effective display area AR1 that displays blue, which is more difficult for human eyes to feel.

  In that case, the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 can be more finely controlled based on the image signal of the image to be displayed by detecting the image signal to be displayed by the detection unit and controlling the image signal based on the image signal. . Therefore, in the above-described example, the liquid crystal lens 50 corresponding to the effective display area AR1 displaying blue is driven, and the liquid crystal lens 50 corresponding to the effective display area AR1 displaying green is not driven, thereby providing a light amount difference. it can. Therefore, in addition to the above-described effects, the liquid crystal display device 1 that can display more clearly and with excellent gradation display can be obtained.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the liquid crystal display device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. The liquid crystal display device 2 of this embodiment is partly in common with the liquid crystal display device 1 of the first embodiment. The difference is that the signal wiring 62 provided in the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is formed by a set of two thin wires and is disposed in a region overlapping the black matrix 20 in a plane. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component which is common in 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the display screen in the image display unit 100 of the liquid crystal display device 2 includes an effective display area AR1 arranged in a matrix and a light shielding area AR2 arranged between the effective display areas AR1. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the signal wiring 62 included in the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is planarly overlapped with the light shielding area AR2 arranged between the effective display areas AR1 and extends orthogonally to the common wiring 64. Is formed. Two signal wirings 62 are formed between the adjacent effective display areas AR1, and the two effective display areas AR1 are arranged with one set interposed therebetween. The common wiring 64 is formed so as to overlap with the effective display area AR1 in a plan view. For this reason, a region where the common wiring 64 overlaps in a plane and has a pair of signal wirings 62 formed with the effective display region AR1 interposed therebetween is disposed so as to completely overlap the effective display region AR1. .

  When the liquid crystal condensing unit 200 is driven by applying between the signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64, as shown in FIG. 5C, the pair of signal wiring 62 and the common wiring 64 sandwiching the effective display area AR1. An electric field is generated between them, and a new alignment distribution of the liquid crystal molecules LC is formed. As a result, a kamaboko-like orientation distribution as shown in the figure is formed in a region where the common wiring 64 overlaps in a plane and has a pair of signal wirings 62 formed with the effective display region AR1 interposed therebetween. Thus, the liquid crystal lens 50 is formed due to the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules LC.

  According to the liquid crystal display device 2 configured as described above, since the area where the liquid crystal lens 50 is formed completely overlaps the effective display area AR1, the incident light L inserted into the light shielding area AR2 is efficiently effective without omission. The liquid crystal display device 2 can be focused on the display area AR1 and has a higher contrast ratio.

[Electronics]
Next, an embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. A cellular phone 1300 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes the liquid crystal display device of the present invention as a small-sized display portion 1301 and includes a plurality of operation buttons 1302, an earpiece 1303, and a mouthpiece 1304. As a result, a mobile phone 1300 including a display unit having a high contrast ratio and excellent display quality, which is configured by the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, can be provided.

  The liquid crystal display device of each of the above embodiments is not limited to the mobile phone, but is an electronic book, a projector, a personal computer, a digital still camera, a television receiver, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, and a car navigation device. , Pagers, electronic notebooks, calculators, word processors, workstations, video phones, POS terminals, devices equipped with touch panels, etc., and can be suitably used as an image display means. With such a configuration, the contrast ratio is high and clear. It is possible to provide an electronic device provided with a display portion that can display smoothly.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described examples are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic explaining the structure of the liquid crystal lens of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining the mode of operation | movement of the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the liquid crystal display device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Liquid crystal display device, 12 ... Element substrate (substrate), 14 ... Counter substrate, 20 ... Black matrix (light shielding component), 30A ... 1st liquid crystal layer, 30B ... 2nd liquid crystal layer, 40 ... Color filter layer 50 ... Liquid crystal lens (light condensing element), 100 ... Image display unit, 200 ... Liquid crystal condensing unit, 1300 ... Mobile phone (electronic device), AR1 ... Effective display area, AR2 ... Light shielding area (effective display area) Region), L ... incident light, LC ... liquid crystal molecule,

Claims (7)

An image display unit having a first liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates and including a plurality of effective display areas;
The second liquid crystal layer is disposed outside the pair of substrates and sandwiched between a plurality of electrode pairs, and the electrode pair and the liquid crystal molecules contained in the second liquid crystal layer are planar with the effective display region. A liquid crystal condensing part for forming a condensing element overlapping with
A liquid crystal display device that performs display using incident light incident on the liquid crystal condensing unit from a side opposite to the image display unit of the liquid crystal condensing unit,
The condensing element forms a refractive index distribution in a direction perpendicular to a normal direction of the liquid crystal condensing unit based on an orientation distribution of the liquid crystal material arranged in a direction of an electric field applied to the electrode pair. A liquid crystal lens,
A light shielding component that shields the incident light is provided in a region that overlaps with a region between the plurality of effective display regions,
The condensing element has at least a part of its end portion overlapping in a plane with the area between the effective display areas, and the condensing element is applied with a voltage to the electrode pair, The liquid crystal display device, wherein the incident light is condensed on a region of the substrate that overlaps the effective display region on the opposite substrate opposite to the liquid crystal condensing unit.   2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein all ends of the light condensing element are planarly overlapped with a region between the effective display regions. The counter substrate has a scattering layer that overlaps the effective display area in a plane and scatters the incident light,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the condensing element condenses the incident light on the scattering layer. The counter substrate includes a color filter layer having a function of scattering the incident light in a plane overlapping with the effective display area,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the condensing element condenses the incident light on the color filter layer.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy.   A control unit having a detection unit that detects an image signal input to the image display unit, and a control unit that controls application to the electrode pair based on the image signal detected by the detection unit; The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein:   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.

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