JP2010169721A - Electro-optical device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electro-optical device which is bright in display even when a display range in which images coexist is reduced, and is applicable to a directional display and a non-directional display, and also to provide a method for manufacturing the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid crystal device 100 is provided with: a liquid crystal panel 1 having a display surface 1a and a pixel row 7, in which sub-pixels 4R and sub-pixels 4L are arranged, and capable of displaying a first image composed of light rays emitted from the sub-pixels 4R and a second image composed of light rays emitted from the sub-pixels 4L on the display surface 1a; and a barrier portion 5 which is disposed on the display surface 1a side of the liquid crystal panel 1 and generates a light shielding portion 76 with electronic control. The light shielding portion 76 generated by the barrier portion 5 has: a first light shielding portion 76a superposed on the sub-pixels 4R; and a second light shielding portion 76b superposed on the sub-pixels 4L, and the first light shielding portion 76a and the second light shielding portion 76b are inclined toward directions different from each other with respect to the display surface 1a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electro-optical device, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus.

  It is known that different images can be directionally displayed in two or more different directions by superimposing a light-shielding optical element having an opening on an electro-optical panel (for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electro-optical device capable of directivity display. Light contributing to display of different images is emitted from the sub-pixels 4R and 4L of the liquid crystal panel 1 as the electro-optical panel. Hereinafter, an image displayed by the sub-pixel 4R is also called a first image, and an image displayed by the sub-pixel 4L is also called a second image.

  An optical element 91 having an opening 97 is disposed substantially parallel to the display surface 1 a of the liquid crystal panel 1 at a position facing the liquid crystal panel 1. The optical element 91 is a so-called parallax barrier. The light emitted from the sub-pixel 4R and passing through the opening 97 is visually recognized in the display angle range 3R that is unevenly distributed to the right in FIG. Similarly, the light emitted from the sub-pixel 4L and passing through the opening 97 is visually recognized in the display angle range 3L that is unevenly distributed to the left in FIG. In the display angle range VR of the display angle range 3R, only light from the sub pixel 4R is visually recognized, and in the display angle range VL of the display angle range 3L, only light from the sub pixel 4L is visually recognized. Therefore, only the first image is visually recognized in the display angle range VR, and only the second image is visually recognized in the display angle range VL. In the display angle range VC, both the first image and the second image are visually recognized.

  According to the electro-optical device capable of such directivity display, for example, by positioning different persons in the display angle ranges VR and VL, the first image and the second image can be simultaneously viewed by the different persons. Can do. Alternatively, if the right eye and the left eye are positioned in the display angle ranges VR and VL, respectively, the first image is incident on the right eye and the second image is incident on the left eye. be able to.

Japanese Patent No. 3096613

  In the above configuration, in order to reduce the display angle range VC in which the first image and the second image are mixed, the width of the opening 97 may be reduced. If the optical action is ignored, the display angle range VC can be made zero by setting the width of the opening 97 to be equal to or smaller than the width of the light shielding layer 32 that partitions the sub-pixels 4L and 4R. However, the smaller the width of the opening 97, the smaller the amount of light passing through the opening 97. Therefore, when the display angle range VC is almost zero, the display visually recognized in the display angle ranges VL and VR is very high. There was a problem of getting dark.

  In the above configuration, when a non-directional two-dimensional image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 1, since the optical element 91 that is a parallax barrier is disposed, the light is emitted from the sub-pixel 4 (4R, 4L). There is a problem that the display angle range in which light is visually recognized is limited and the display becomes dark.

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

  Application Example 1 An electro-optical device according to this application example includes a display surface, a pixel row in which first pixels and second pixels are arranged, and light emitted from the first pixels. An electro-optical panel capable of displaying on the display surface a first image composed of the second image composed of light emitted from the second pixel, and the display surface of the electro-optical panel A light control unit that is arranged on the side and generates the light blocking unit by electronic control, and the light blocking unit generated by the light control unit includes a first light blocking unit that overlaps the first pixel, and the second light blocking unit. A second light-shielding portion that overlaps the pixel, and the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are inclined in different directions with respect to the display surface.

  According to this configuration, the dimming unit functions as a parallax barrier by generating the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit, and the first image and the second image are in different display angle ranges. Directivity can be displayed. Here, the first light-shielding portion that overlaps the first pixel and the second light-shielding portion that overlaps the second pixel are arranged to be inclined with respect to the display surface of the electro-optical panel. For this reason, compared with the case where the light-shielding part is arrange | positioned in parallel with a display surface, the light which passes in the direction along the inclined surface of a 1st light-shielding part and a 2nd light-shielding part exists. That is, even if the width of the opening that overlaps the first pixel or the second pixel in the same plane is the same, the amount of light that passes through the opening is larger than when the light-shielding portion is arranged in parallel to the display surface. Can be more. Thereby, even if the width of the opening is reduced in order to reduce the display angle range in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized, the light shielding portion is arranged in parallel to the display surface. Even bright display can be obtained. In addition, since the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are arranged to be inclined with respect to the display surface of the electro-optical panel, not only the width of the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion but also the inclination angle Can also control the display angle range. As a result, a higher-quality directional display can be obtained as compared with the case where the light-shielding portion is arranged in parallel with the display surface.

  Further, if the generation of the first light-shielding part and the second light-shielding part is stopped, the function as the parallax barrier of the light control part is stopped, so that a two-dimensional image having no directivity can be displayed. As a result, an electro-optical device applicable to directional display and non-directional display can be provided.

  Application Example 2 In the electro-optical device according to the application example, the dimming unit includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate, and the first substrate. The first inclined surface corresponding to the first pixel and the first inclined surface corresponding to the second pixel and inclined in a direction different from the first inclined surface. A light transmitting layer having two inclined surfaces, a first electrode formed on a surface of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the light transmitting layer, and the first substrate or A second electrode formed on a second substrate; and an optical adjustment layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode By changing the light transmittance in the optical adjustment layer in the vicinity of the surface of the first electrode due to a potential difference with the first electrode, the first inclined surface is overlapped. And said second shielding portion and the first light shielding portion overlapping the second inclined surface may be generated that.

  According to this configuration, by changing the light transmittance in the vicinity of the surface of the first electrode formed on the surfaces of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, along the first inclined surface. A first light shielding portion is generated, and a second light shielding portion is generated along a second inclined surface that is inclined in a direction different from the first inclined surface. Thereby, the first light-shielding part and the second light-shielding part can be generated by being inclined in different directions with respect to the display surface.

  Application Example 3 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, the optical adjustment layer may include electrophoretic particles.

  According to this configuration, the light transmittance in the optical adjustment layer can be changed by moving the electrophoretic particles to the surface of the first electrode due to the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. it can.

  Application Example 4 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, the dimming unit selectively generates the light-shielding unit that overlaps a predetermined pixel among the first pixel and the second pixel. May be.

  According to this configuration, by selectively generating the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion at predetermined positions, the configuration as a parallax barrier of the light control portion according to the image displayed on the electro-optical panel Can be different.

  Application Example 5 In the electro-optical device according to the application example, the first pixel and the second pixel are configured by three different color sub-pixels arranged along the pixel row. The first light-shielding part and the second light-shielding part may be arranged for each sub-pixel.

  According to this configuration, the first image and the second image can be directionally displayed for each sub-pixel.

  Application Example 6 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, the first light shielding part and the second light shielding part are inclined in directions facing each other along the pixel row, and The pixel rows and the pixel columns located in a direction intersecting with the pixel rows may be alternately arranged.

  According to this configuration, the first image and the second image can be alternately displayed in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.

  Application Example 7 In the electro-optical device according to the application example, the first light shielding part and the second light shielding part may be alternately arranged in the pixel row.

  According to this configuration, the first image and the second image can be alternately displayed in the row direction.

  Application Example 8 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, the first light shielding part and the second light shielding part may be alternately arranged in the pixel column.

  According to this configuration, the first image and the second image can be alternately displayed in the column direction.

  Application Example 9 In the electro-optical device according to the application example, the first light shielding part and the second light shielding part may be alternately arranged in the pixel row and the pixel column.

  According to this configuration, the first image and the second image can be displayed alternately in the row direction and the column direction.

  Application Example 10 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, the first light-shielding portion overlaps the first pixel region in a plane, and the second light-shielding portion is the second pixel region. The region may overlap with the plane.

  According to this configuration, the light traveling in the normal direction of the display surface can be substantially blocked by the light shielding unit while allowing the light emitted from the first pixel and the second pixel to pass through the opening. Thereby, the display angle range in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized can be made substantially zero.

  Application Example 11 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, the width of the first light shielding unit in the direction along the pixel row and the width of the second light shielding unit in the direction along the pixel row May be smaller as the distance from the central portion of the pixel row increases.

  According to this configuration, the width of the opening increases as the distance from the center in the row direction increases. For this reason, the display angle range of the first image and the second image increases as the distance from the central portion in the row direction increases. Thereby, a viewpoint suitable for visually recognizing the first image or the second image can be obtained even when the distance from the display surface on the observation side is shorter.

  Application Example 12 In the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, an inclination angle of the first light shielding unit with respect to the display surface is different from an inclination angle of the second light shielding unit with respect to the display surface. It may be.

  According to this configuration, the display angle range of the first image and the display angle range of the second image can be made different from each other. Thereby, the display angle range of one of the first image and the second image can be made larger or smaller than the other display angle range.

  Application Example 13 An electronic apparatus according to this application example includes the electro-optical device described above.

  According to this configuration, since the electronic apparatus has the electro-optical device described above as a display unit, higher-quality directional display can be obtained, and the electronic apparatus can be applied to directional display and non-directional display. is there.

  Application Example 14 A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device according to this application example includes a display surface and a pixel row in which first pixels and second pixels are arranged. An electro-optical panel capable of displaying a first image composed of emitted light and a second image composed of light emitted from the second pixel on the display surface; and An electro-optical device manufacturing method comprising: a light control unit that is disposed on the display surface side and generates a light shielding unit by electronic control, wherein the step of manufacturing the light control unit is performed on a first substrate. A translucent layer having a first inclined surface corresponding to the first pixel and a second inclined surface corresponding to the second pixel and inclined in a direction different from the first inclined surface. Forming, and forming a first electrode on the surfaces of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the translucent layer; A step of forming a second electrode on the first substrate or the second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged to face each other, and the first substrate and the second substrate And an optical adjustment layer capable of changing the light transmittance between the substrate and the substrate.

  According to this method, the light transmittance in the vicinity of the surface of the first electrode formed on the surfaces of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface is changed along the first inclined surface. The first light-shielding portion can be generated, and the second light-shielding portion can be generated along the second inclined surface that is inclined in a direction different from the first inclined surface. For this reason, since the light control unit functions as a parallax barrier, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device that directs the first image and the second image in different display angle ranges. Here, since the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are inclined with respect to the display surface of the electro-optical panel, the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are compared with the case where the light-shielding portion is arranged in parallel to the display surface. There is light that passes in the direction along the inclined surfaces of the light shielding portion and the second light shielding portion. That is, even if the width of the opening that overlaps the first pixel or the second pixel in the same plane is the same, the amount of light that passes through the opening is larger than when the light-shielding portion is arranged in parallel to the display surface. Can be more. Thereby, even if the width of the opening is reduced in order to reduce the display angle range in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized, the light shielding portion is arranged in parallel to the display surface. Even bright display can be obtained. In addition, since the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are arranged to be inclined with respect to the display surface of the electro-optical panel, not only the width of the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion but also the inclination angle Can also control the display angle range. As a result, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device that can provide a higher-quality directional display than in the case where the light-shielding portion is arranged in parallel to the display surface.

  Further, if the generation of the first light-shielding part and the second light-shielding part is stopped, the function as the parallax barrier of the light control part is stopped, so that a two-dimensional image having no directivity can be displayed. Thereby, an electro-optical device applicable to directional display and non-directional display can be manufactured.

  Application Example 15 In the electro-optical device manufacturing method according to the application example, the optical adjustment layer may include electrophoretic particles.

  According to this method, the electrophoretic particles are moved to the surface of the first electrode by the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that the light transmittance in the vicinity of the surface of the first electrode is increased. The first light-shielding part and the second light-shielding part can be generated by changing.

  Application Example 16 In the method of manufacturing the electro-optical device according to the application example, the first pixel and the second pixel are sub-pixels of three different colors arranged along the pixel row. In the step of forming the translucent layer, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be formed for each of the sub-pixels.

  According to this method, by forming the first electrode on the surfaces of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface that are formed for each subpixel, the first light shielding portion, the second light shielding portion, Can be generated for each sub-pixel. As a result, an electro-optical device that displays the first image and the second image in a directional manner for each sub-pixel can be manufactured.

  Application Example 17 In the electro-optical device manufacturing method according to the application example described above, in the step of forming the light transmitting layer, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in the pixel row. And may be alternately arranged in at least one of the pixel row and a pixel column located in a direction intersecting the pixel row.

  According to this method, the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are arranged in a direction opposite to each other along the pixel row, and among the pixel columns located in the direction intersecting with the pixel row and the pixel row. It can generate | occur | produce so that it may be located alternately in at least one. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device that alternately displays the first image and the second image in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.

  Application Example 18 In the electro-optical device manufacturing method according to the application example, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be alternately arranged in the pixel row.

  According to this method, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device that displays the first image and the second image alternately in the row direction.

  Application Example 19 In the electro-optical device manufacturing method according to the application example, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be alternately arranged in the pixel column.

  According to this method, an electro-optical device that displays the first image and the second image alternately in the column direction can be manufactured.

  Application Example 20 In the electro-optical device manufacturing method according to the application example, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be alternately arranged in the pixel row and the pixel column. Good.

  According to this method, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device that displays the first image and the second image alternately in the row direction and the column direction.

  Application Example 21 In the method of manufacturing the electro-optical device according to the application example, in the step of forming the light transmitting layer, the first inclined surface is planarly overlapped with the region of the first pixel. In the step of forming the first electrode, the second inclined surface is formed so as to overlap the second pixel region in a planar manner, and the first electrode is formed in the step of forming the first electrode. You may form so that it may overlap with the area | region of a pixel and the area | region of a said 2nd pixel planarly.

  According to this method, the light-shielding portion can be generated so as to overlap the first pixel region and the second pixel region in a planar manner. For this reason, the light which goes to the normal line direction of a display surface can be substantially interrupted | blocked by the light-shielding part, passing the light inject | emitted from a 1st pixel and a 2nd pixel from an opening part. Thereby, the display angle range in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized can be made substantially zero.

  Application Example 22 In the method of manufacturing the electro-optical device according to the application example, in the step of forming the first electrode, the width of the first electrode in the direction along the pixel row is set to the pixel. You may form small as it leaves | separates from the center part in a line.

  According to this method, the width of the generated light-shielding portion decreases as the distance from the central portion in the row direction decreases, so the width of the opening increases as the distance from the central portion in the row direction increases. For this reason, the display angle range of the first image and the second image increases as the distance from the central portion in the row direction increases. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device that can obtain a viewpoint suitable for visually recognizing the first image or the second image even when the distance from the display surface is shorter.

  Application Example 23 In the method of manufacturing the electro-optical device according to the application example described above, in the step of forming the light transmitting layer, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined with respect to the display surface. The angles may be formed different from each other.

  According to this method, since the generated first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion have different inclination angles with respect to the display surface, the display angle range of the first image and the display angle range of the second image are set as follows. Can be different from each other. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture an electro-optical device in which one display angle range of the first image and the second image is larger or smaller than the other display angle range.

  The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings to be referred to, in order to show the configuration in an easy-to-understand manner, the layer thickness, dimensional ratio, angle, and the like of each component are appropriately changed. In each drawing to be referred to, some elements, wiring, connection portions, and the like are omitted.

(First embodiment)
<Liquid crystal device>
First, the configuration of a liquid crystal device as an electro-optical device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 1A is a perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a display area of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. In detail, it is the figure which looked at the liquid crystal device from the observation side. In the present specification, viewing from the normal direction of the observation side surface of the liquid crystal device is also referred to as “plan view”.

  The liquid crystal device as the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment is an active matrix type liquid crystal device including a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) element as a switching element, and a TN (Twisted Nematic) transmission type. It is a liquid crystal device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal device 100 includes a liquid crystal panel 1 as an electro-optical panel, a barrier unit 5 as a dimming unit disposed on the liquid crystal panel 1, and a backlight 46. Hereinafter, the direction on the barrier unit 5 side of the liquid crystal panel 1 is also referred to as “observation side”, and the direction opposite to the barrier unit 5 is also referred to as “back side”. A polarizing plate 45 is disposed on the observation side of the barrier unit 5, and a polarizing plate 44 is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 1.

  The liquid crystal panel 1 includes an element substrate 10 and a counter substrate 30 as a pair of substrates. The counter substrate 30 is disposed on the observation side, and the element substrate 10 is disposed to face the counter substrate 30. The liquid crystal panel 1 has a display surface 1a on the surface on the observation side. The element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 are bonded together via a frame-shaped sealing agent 41. A liquid crystal layer 40 as a display element is disposed in a space surrounded by the element substrate 10, the counter substrate 30, and the sealing agent 41. A driver IC 42 for driving the liquid crystal layer 40 is disposed on the element substrate 10. A backlight 46 is disposed on the back side of the polarizing plate 44. The liquid crystal device 100 performs display in the display region 2 by modulating the light incident from the backlight 46 and transmitting the light from the display surface 1a to the observation side.

  The barrier unit 5 includes a substrate 50 and a substrate 60. The substrate 60 is disposed on the observation side, and the substrate 50 is disposed opposite to the substrate 60. The substrate 50 and the substrate 60 are bonded together via a frame-shaped seal member 71. In a space surrounded by the substrate 50, the substrate 60, and the seal member 71, an electrophoretic layer 70 as an optical adjustment layer is disposed. The barrier unit 5 functions as a parallax barrier that displays different images in two or more different directions by causing the light shielding unit 76 to be generated by electronic control.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal panel 1 has sub-pixels 4r, 4g, and 4b having a rectangular planar shape arranged in a matrix, and these are red (r), green (g), This contributes to the display of blue (b) (hereinafter, when the corresponding colors are not distinguished, they are also simply referred to as sub-pixels 4). One pixel 6 is composed of the sub-pixels 4r, 4g, and 4b of three different colors. The pixels 6, that is, the sub-pixels 4r, 4g, and 4b are repeatedly arranged in this order in one direction to form a pixel row 7.

  In the direction orthogonal to the pixel row 7, the sub-pixels 4 are arranged so that the sub-pixels 4 corresponding to the same color are arranged in a line in a stripe shape, thereby forming a pixel column 8. A light shielding layer 32 made of a light shielding resin is disposed between the adjacent sub-pixels 4. That is, the area surrounded by the light shielding layer 32 is the area of the sub-pixel 4. In addition, illustration of the barrier part 5 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the liquid crystal device 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the direction along the pixel row 7 indicated by the line B-B ′ in FIG. 2, and is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the liquid crystal panel. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the direction along the pixel row 7 indicated by the line B-B ′ in FIG. 2, and is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the barrier unit. 5 and 6 are plan views showing the configuration of the electrodes of the barrier section as viewed from the observation side.

<LCD panel>
First, the configuration of the liquid crystal panel 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The element substrate 10 is configured using the substrate 11 as a base, and includes a TFT element 20, an insulating layer 22, an insulating layer 24, a pixel electrode 16, and an alignment film 28 on the substrate 11. The substrate 11 is made of a light-transmitting material, for example, glass. The material of the substrate 11 may be quartz or resin.

A gate electrode 20 g is formed on the liquid crystal layer 40 side of the substrate 11. The gate electrode 20g is a part of a scanning line (not shown) formed in the same layer. The insulating layer 22 is formed so as to cover the substrate 11 and the gate electrode 20g. The insulating layer 22 is made of, for example, SiO ₂ (silicon oxide).

  On the insulating layer 22, a semiconductor layer 20a, a source electrode 20s, and a drain electrode 20d are formed. The semiconductor layer 20a is formed at a position overlapping the gate electrode 20g in plan view. The semiconductor layer 20a is made of a semiconductor such as amorphous silicon or polysilicon. The source electrode 20s is a portion branched from a data line (not shown), and a part thereof is formed so as to cover a part of the semiconductor layer 20a. The drain electrode 20d is formed so as to partially cover the semiconductor layer 20a. The gate electrode 20g, the semiconductor layer 20a, the source electrode 20s, and the drain electrode 20d constitute the TFT element 20.

  The insulating layer 24 is formed on the TFT element 20 and the insulating layer 22. The insulating layer 24 is made of a light-transmitting resin, for example, a positive photosensitive acrylic resin.

  The pixel electrode 16 is formed on the insulating layer 24. The pixel electrode 16 is made of a light-transmitting conductive material, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The pixel electrode 16 is electrically connected to the drain electrode 20 d through a contact hole provided in the insulating layer 24.

  The alignment film 28 is formed so as to cover the side of the element substrate 10 in contact with the liquid crystal layer 40, that is, the insulating layer 24 and the pixel electrode 16. The alignment film 28 is made of, for example, a polyimide resin. The surface of the alignment film 28 is subjected to an alignment process such as a rubbing process in a predetermined direction.

  Next, the counter substrate 30 is positioned closer to the observation side than the element substrate 10. The counter substrate 30 includes a substrate 31 as a base, and includes a light shielding layer 32, a color filter layer 34, an overcoat layer 35, a common electrode 18, and an alignment film 36 on the substrate 31. . The substrate 31 is made of a light-transmitting material, such as glass. The material of the substrate 31 may be quartz or resin.

  The light shielding layer 32 and the color filter layer 34 are formed on the liquid crystal layer 40 side of the substrate 31. The light shielding layer 32 is a so-called black matrix, and is disposed in a region between adjacent sub-pixels 4 on the substrate 31. The light shielding layer 32 plays a role of preventing light leakage from the inter-pixel region and improving display contrast.

  The color filter layer 34 is disposed corresponding to the area of the sub-pixel 4. The color filter layer 34 is made of, for example, acrylic resin, and contains color materials corresponding to the colors r, g, and b displayed by the sub-pixels 4r, 4g, and 4b. Here, the observation-side surface of the color filter layer 34 is a display surface 1 a from which light is emitted from each sub-pixel 4. The overcoat layer 35 is formed so as to cover the light shielding layer 32 and the color filter layer 34. The overcoat layer 35 is made of a translucent resin.

  The common electrode 18 is formed on the overcoat layer 35. The common electrode 18 is disposed so as to face the pixel electrode 16 in a region that substantially overlaps the pixel electrode 16 in plan view. The common electrode 18 is made of a light-transmitting conductive material, for example, ITO. The common electrode 18 generates a vertical electric field in a direction perpendicular to the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 between the pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode 18.

  The alignment film 36 is formed on the side of the counter substrate 30 in contact with the liquid crystal layer 40 so as to cover the common electrode 18. The alignment film 36 is made of, for example, a polyimide resin. An alignment process is performed on the surface of the alignment film 36 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the alignment direction of the alignment film 28.

  The liquid crystal layer 40 is disposed between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30. In the liquid crystal layer 40, when no electric field is generated between the pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode 18 (off state), the liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially horizontally with respect to the alignment treatment surface, and the alignment film 28 and The alignment film 36 is twisted by approximately 90 ° by the alignment treatment. In a state where an electric field is generated between the pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode 18 (on state), the liquid crystal molecules rise along the direction of the electric field perpendicular to the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30.

<Barrier part>
Next, the configuration of the barrier unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The substrate 50 is located closer to the observation side than the counter substrate 30. The substrate 50 is configured with a substrate 52 as a first substrate as a base, and includes a light-transmitting layer 54 and an electrode 56 as a first electrode on the substrate 52. The substrate 50 is bonded to the counter substrate 30 with, for example, a UV-curable translucent adhesive. Thereby, the barrier unit 5 is fixed to the liquid crystal panel 1.

  The substrate 52 is made of a light-transmitting material, for example, glass. The material of the substrate 52 may be quartz or resin. The light transmissive layer 54 is disposed on the side of the substrate 52 facing the substrate 60. The translucent layer 54 is made of, for example, a UV curable resin having translucency. The translucent layer 54 preferably has a refractive index close to that of the substrate 52. The translucent layer 54 is formed with a first inclined surface 54a and a second inclined surface 54b that are inclined with respect to the display surface 1a.

  The first inclined surface 54 a and the second inclined surface 54 b are arranged corresponding to the area of each sub-pixel 4, and are inclined in a direction facing each other along the pixel row 7. One end portion of the first inclined surface 54a and the second inclined surface 54b in the inclined direction is on the substrate 52 side, and is opposed to the opposite end portion in the direction along the pixel row 7 of the sub pixel 4 in plan view. Is located. The other end of the first inclined surface 54a and the second inclined surface 54b in the inclined direction is on the substrate 60 side, and is located at a substantially central portion in the direction along the pixel row 7 of the sub-pixel 4 in plan view. is doing. The translucent layer 54 is formed in a stripe shape in the direction along the pixel column 8 (see FIG. 2), and each column of the translucent layer 54 is arranged at the same arrangement pitch as the sub-pixels 4.

  The electrode 56 is formed on the surface of the light transmitting layer 54 on the substrate 60 side. The electrode 56 is made of a light-transmitting conductive material, for example, ITO. The electrode 56 has a first electrode portion 56a and a second electrode portion 56b. The first electrode portion 56a is formed on the first inclined surface 54a. The second electrode portion 56b is formed on the second inclined surface 54b. The first electrode portion 56 a and the second electrode portion 56 b overlap the subpixel 4. Further, the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b are arranged to be inclined in the direction along the pixel row 7 with respect to the display surface 1a.

  The substrate 60 is located on the observation side with respect to the substrate 50. The substrate 60 is configured by using a substrate 62 as a second substrate as a base, and includes an electrode 64 as a second electrode on the substrate 62. The electrode 64 is made of a conductive material having translucency, for example, ITO. The electrode 64 is disposed to face the electrode 56.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b extend along the pixel column 8 direction in plan view. For each pixel column 8, a pair of first electrode portion 56a and second electrode portion 56b are arranged. That is, the first electrode portion 56 a and the second electrode portion 56 b are arranged for each subpixel 4. The first electrode portions 56a and the second electrode portions 56b are alternately arranged in the pixel row 7 direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the electrode 64 extends along the direction of the pixel row 7 in plan view. One electrode 64 is arranged for each pixel row 7. Therefore, the electrodes 56 (the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b) and the electrodes 64 intersect with each other and are arranged in a matrix. With this configuration, a potential difference can be generated at a predetermined position between the electrode 56 (the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b) and the electrode 64.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the electrophoretic layer 70 is disposed between the substrate 50 and the substrate 60. The electrophoretic layer 70 includes electrophoretic particles 74 and a dispersion medium 72. The electrophoretic particles 74 have a property of moving by electrophoresis in the dispersion medium 72. It is desirable that the electrophoretic particles 74 are stably dispersed in the dispersion medium 72 and have a small particle size distribution. Further, it is desirable that the particle size of the electrophoretic particles 74 is in a range in which the light scattering efficiency does not decrease and a sufficient response speed can be obtained when a voltage is applied. The particle size of the electrophoretic particles 74 is, for example, about 0.1 μm to 5 μm.

  The electrophoretic particles 74 preferably have a single polarity. The material of the electrophoretic particles 74 is particles (polymer or colloid) made of a black pigment such as aniline black or carbon black, and is positively charged, for example. Accordingly, the electrophoretic particles 74 can move in the dispersion medium 72 by an electric field generated by a potential difference between the electrode 56 and the electrode 64. The electrophoretic particles 74 stop moving when the potential difference between the electrode 56 and the electrode 64 disappears. Therefore, a voltage need not always be applied between the electrode 56 and the electrode 64.

  The dispersion medium 72 is a medium in which the electrophoretic particles 74 are dispersed. The dispersion medium 72 is preferably an insulating material that has low solubility in the electrophoretic particles 74, can stably disperse the electrophoretic particles 74, does not contain ions, and does not generate ions when a voltage is applied. As a material of the dispersion medium 72, for example, hexane, decane, hexadecane, kerosene, toluene, xylene, olive oil, tricresyl phosphate, isopropanol, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane, tetrachloroethylene, or the like can be used.

  Further, a thixotropic agent may be added to the dispersion medium 72. The thixotropic agent is an additive that imparts thixotropy (thixotropy) in which the viscosity decreases when force is applied and returns to its original value when left standing. When a thixotropic agent is added to the dispersion medium 72, the dispersion medium 72 maintains a jelly-like state and suppresses movement of the electrophoretic particles 74 in a stationary state where the electrophoretic particles 74 do not perform electrophoresis. On the other hand, in the electrophoretic state in which the electrophoretic particles 74 are electrophoresed, the fluidity of the dispersion medium 72 is increased to show fluidity like a liquid. Accordingly, the electrophoretic particles 74 are easier to move in the electrophoretic state than in the stationary state, and can move faster. The electrophoretic particles 74 are less likely to move when the electrophoretic state is completed, and are kept stationary.

<Control unit>
Next, the control unit 80 included in the liquid crystal device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control unit. The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a user interface (UI) processing unit 82, an operation panel 83, a remote controller (RC) 84, an image processing unit 85, and an input interface (I / F) unit 86. ing.

  The input interface unit 86 is supplied with an image signal for directional display or an image signal for non-directional display from an image reproduction device (not shown) or the like. The input interface unit 86 passes the input image signal to the image processing unit 85 as image data of a predetermined format. The image processing unit 85 outputs the image signal S1 to the first drive circuit 87 based on the input image data. The user interface processing unit 82 transmits an instruction from the observer input from the operation panel 83 or the remote controller 84 to the CPU 81. Then, the CPU 81 controls the image processing unit 85, the second drive circuit 88, and the like according to instructions from the observer.

  The operation panel 83 and the remote controller 84 are provided with a display mode switching switch (not shown) for switching between the directional display mode and the non-directional display mode. The observer can designate (switch) the display mode according to the type of the input image by operating the display mode switching switch.

  When the display mode is switched, information on the designated display mode is transmitted from the user interface processing unit 82 to the CPU 81. Then, the CPU 81 transmits the designated display mode signal S2 to the second drive circuit 88. The second drive circuit 88 outputs a drive signal to the electrode 56 (first electrode portion 56a, second electrode portion 56b) and the electrode 64 in accordance with the display mode indicated by the received display mode signal S2.

  When a drive signal is output to the electrode 56 and the electrode 64, an electric field is generated due to a potential difference between the electrode 56 and the electrode 64, and the electrophoretic particles 74 are electrophoresed in the dispersion medium 72 and are applied to the surface of the electrode 56. Moving. Thereby, the barrier unit 5 is in a state of functioning as a parallax barrier in the directional display mode, and is in a state of not functioning as a parallax barrier in the non-directional display mode. As a result, the liquid crystal device 100 can be used as a directional display device and can also be used as a non-directional display device.

<First barrier pattern>
Next, the operation of the barrier unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a barrier section having a first barrier pattern. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the barrier unit 5 functions as a parallax barrier in FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line CC ′ in FIG. 2, and FIG. 9C is FIG. It is a schematic cross section along the line DD '. 9A, 9B, and 9C, illustration of components other than the main part of the barrier unit 5 is omitted.

  When the liquid crystal device 100 is switched to the directional display mode, a potential difference is generated between the electrode 56 and the electrode 64 by the drive signal output from the second drive circuit 88 (see FIG. 7). The barrier unit 5 of the present embodiment can generate a potential difference at a predetermined position between the electrode 56 (the first electrode unit 56 a and the second electrode unit 56 b) and the electrode 64.

  For example, a potential difference is generated between the electrode 56 (first electrode portion 56a) and the electrode 64 in the direction along the pixel row 7 (odd number row) shown in FIG. More specifically, the first electrode portion 56 a has a different polarity from the electrophoretic particles 74, and the second electrode portion 56 b and the electrode 64 have the same polarity as the electrophoretic particles 74. Then, the electrophoretic particle 74 moves to the first electrode portion 56a having a polarity different from that of the electrophoretic particle 74 and covers the surface thereof. The electrophoretic particles 74 covering the surface of the first electrode portion 56a constitute a first light shielding portion 76a. The first light shielding part 76a reflects or absorbs light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 1 and blocks it.

  In the odd-numbered pixel rows 7 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C, the first light shielding portions 76 a are arranged in a line along the pixel rows 7. In the even-numbered pixel row 7 shown in FIG. 9B, the second light shielding portions 76 b are arranged in a line along the pixel row 7. The second light-shielding part 76b is composed of electrophoretic particles 74 that cover the surface of the second electrode part 56b. The first light-shielding part 76a and the second light-shielding part 76b constitute a light-shielding part 76.

  The first light shielding portion 76a is inclined along the first inclined surface 54a, and the second light shielding portion 76b is inclined along the second inclined surface 54b. Therefore, the first light-shielding part 76a and the second light-shielding part 76b are inclined in directions facing each other. Along the pixel column 8, the first light-shielding portions 76 a and the second light-shielding portions 76 b are alternately and repeatedly arranged in the odd-numbered and even-numbered columns of the pixel columns 8. Here, the arrangement positions of the first light-shielding portions 76a and the second light-shielding portions 76b in each pixel row 7 and each pixel column 8 are referred to as a barrier pattern, and are shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C. The barrier pattern shown is called the first barrier pattern.

  In addition, an opening 77 that allows light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 1 to pass through is formed on the side of the inclined surface on which the light shielding portion 76 is not disposed, of the first inclined surface 54a and the second inclined surface 54b. The light emitted from the sub-pixel 4 toward the display surface 1a and passing through the opening 77 constitutes either the first image or the second image. The sub-pixel 4 that emits light constituting the first image is also called a sub-pixel 4R, and the sub-pixel 4 that emits light constituting the second image is also called a sub-pixel 4L.

  In the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, light from the sub-pixels 4 </ b> R constituting the first image is emitted from the openings 77, and in the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, the second images are configured from the openings 77. Light from the sub-pixel 4L is emitted. Therefore, the first image is visually recognized in the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, and the second image is visually recognized in the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7. Thereby, directivity display is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of a display region of a liquid crystal device including a barrier portion having a first barrier pattern as viewed from the observation side. As shown in FIG. 10, the pixel 6 that emits light constituting the first image is also called a pixel 6R, and the pixel 6 that emits light constituting the second image is also called a pixel 6L. The pixel 6R is configured by three different color sub-pixels 4R (4r, 4g, 4b), and the pixel 6L is configured by three different color sub-pixels 4L (4r, 4g, 4b). The pixel 6R corresponds to the first pixel, and the pixel 6L corresponds to the second pixel.

  Sub-pixels 4R are arranged in the direction along the pixel row 7 indicated by the line B-B '. A sub-pixel 4L is arranged in the direction along the pixel row 7 indicated by the C-C ′ line. Similarly, after the pixel row 7 indicated by the D-D ′ line, the rows in which the sub-pixels 4R are arranged and the rows in which the sub-pixels 4L are arranged are alternately arranged. In addition, sub-pixels 4R and sub-pixels 4L are alternately arranged in the direction along each pixel column 8. That is, in the first barrier pattern, either the sub-pixel 4R or the sub-pixel 4L is arranged in a line along the pixel row 7, and the sub-pixel 4R and the sub-pixel 4L are alternately arranged along the pixel column 8. It is arranged repeatedly.

  Next, the display angle range of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a display angle range of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 11A corresponds to FIG. 9A and is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the barrier portion 5 in the odd-numbered row of the pixel row 7. FIG. 11B corresponds to FIG. 9B and is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the barrier portion 5 in the even-numbered row of the pixel rows 7. In addition, illustration of components other than the principal part of the barrier part 5 is abbreviate | omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, the light emitted from the sub-pixels 4R, passing through the barrier portion 5 and going from the opening 77 toward the observation side is unevenly distributed in the right direction in the figure. It is visually recognized in the display angle range 3R. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), in the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, the light emitted from the sub-pixels 4L, passing through the barrier section 5 and traveling from the opening 77 to the observation side is unevenly distributed in the left direction in the figure. It is visually recognized in the display angle range 3L. The display angle ranges 3R and 3L are ranges within the boundaries 3a and 3b where the light emitted from the sub-pixels 4R and 4L is not blocked by the first light-blocking portion 76a or the second light-blocking portion 76b.

  In FIG. 11A, the display angle range 3L shown in FIG. 11B is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 11A, the display angle range 3R includes a range different from the display angle range 3L. Therefore, the opening 77 allows the light from the first pixel (sub-pixel 4R) to pass through the display angle range 3R, and the light from the second pixel (sub-pixel 4L) to have a display angle different from the display angle range 3R. Pass through the range 3L.

  In the display angle range VR of the display angle range 3R, only light from the sub pixel 4R is visually recognized, and in the display angle range VL of the display angle range 3L, only light from the sub pixel 4L is visually recognized. Therefore, only the first image is visually recognized in the display angle range VR, and only the second image is visually recognized in the display angle range VL. In addition, in the display angle range VC where the display angle range 3R and the display angle range 3L overlap, light from both the sub-pixels 4R and 4L is visually recognized, and thus both the first image and the second image are visually recognized. Is done.

  As described above, the liquid crystal device 100 can display the first image and the second image in a directional manner in different display angle ranges. If the display angle ranges VR and VL are made larger and the display angle range VC is made smaller, the first image and the second image can be simultaneously viewed by different persons. Further, if the display angle ranges VR and VL are made closer, the first image can be incident on the right eye and the second image can be incident on the left eye, and stereoscopic display can be performed.

  In the barrier portion 5 according to the first embodiment, the first light shielding portion 76a and the second light shielding portion 76b are arranged to be inclined with respect to the display surface 1a. Therefore, compared to the conventional configuration in which the first light-shielding portion 76a and the second light-shielding portion 76b are arranged in parallel to the display surface 1a, the first light-shielding portion 76a (first inclined surface 54a) and There is light that is emitted in a direction along the second light shielding portion 76b (second inclined surface 54b) and passes without being shielded.

  That is, even if the width of the opening 77 that overlaps the first pixel or the second pixel in the same plane is the same, the substantial opening area of the opening 77 becomes larger than that of the conventional configuration, and the opening 77 The amount of light passing through can be increased. Thereby, even if the width of the opening 77 is reduced in order to reduce the display angle range VC in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized, a brighter display than the conventional configuration can be obtained. .

  Part of the light emitted from the sub-pixels 4R and 4L is diffracted at the end of the opening 77 to become diffracted light, and travels toward the outside of the opening 77. With this diffracted light, the display angle range VC is increased by the amount of diffracted light, and the display angle ranges VR and VL are reduced. However, since either one of the first image and the second image is visually recognized along each pixel row 7 in the barrier unit 5, it is observed that both eyes are positioned substantially parallel to the pixel row 7. If so, the influence of the diffracted light on the actual visibility is reduced compared to the conventional configuration in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized along each pixel row 7.

  Next, the display angle ranges VR, VL, and VC in the barrier unit 5 according to the first embodiment will be simply calculated. In FIG. 11, the width W1 of the sub-pixel 4 in the pixel row 7 direction is, for example, 72.5 μm, and the substantial thickness H of the barrier portion 5 is ½ of the width W1, that is, 36.25 μm. In addition, it is assumed that the observation-side end portions of the first light-shielding portion 76a and the second light-shielding portion 76b are located in the center in the direction along the pixel row 7 of the sub-pixel 4 in plan view. That is, it is assumed that the width W2 of the first light-shielding part 76a and the second light-shielding part 76b projected in the normal direction of the display surface 1a from the observation side is 1/2 of the width W1, that is, 36.25 μm. The substantial thickness H of the barrier unit 5 means the height of the light shielding unit 76 in the normal direction of the display surface 1a. Here, the width of the light shielding layer 32 and the thickness of the substrate 31 are not taken into consideration.

  According to such a configuration, in FIG. 11A, the angle θ1 formed by the boundary 3b where the light emitted from the sub-pixel 4R is not blocked by the first light blocking portion 76a and the display surface 1a is the first The angle between the light shielding part 76a (first inclined surface 54a) and the second light shielding part 76b (second inclined surface 54b) and the display surface 1a is the same as 45 °. In FIG. 11A, the angle θ2 formed by the boundary 3a where the light emitted from the sub-pixel 4R is not blocked by the first light blocking portion 76a and the display surface 1a is 18.4 °. On the other hand, in FIG. 11B, the angle formed by the boundary 3b and the display surface 1a is the angle θ2 (18.4 °), and the angle formed by the boundary 3a and the display surface 1a is the angle θ1 (45 °). .

  The display angle ranges 3R and 3L are each obtained by 180 ° − (θ1 + θ2), and both are 116.6 °. Further, the display angle ranges VR and VL are obtained by θ1−θ2 and are both 26.6 °, and the display angle range VC is obtained by 180 ° −2θ1 and is 90 °. Here, if θ1 is made larger and θ2 is made smaller, the display angle ranges VR and VL become larger and the display angle range VC becomes smaller. In order to make θ1 larger and θ2 smaller, it is only necessary to make the width W2 larger than the width W1.

  If the substantial thickness H of the barrier portion 5 is reduced while the width W2 is ½ of the width W1, the angles θ1 and θ2 are both reduced, so that the display angle ranges 3R and 3L are increased and the display angle is increased. The ranges VR and VL are reduced, and the display angle range VC is increased.

<Second barrier pattern>
Next, a 2nd barrier pattern is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a barrier portion having a second barrier pattern. Specifically, FIG. 12A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line BB ′ in FIG. 2, and FIG. 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line CC ′ in FIG. 2. FIG. 12C is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line DD ′ in FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the display area of the liquid crystal device including the barrier portion having the second barrier pattern as viewed from the observation side. In the second barrier pattern, the arrangement of the first light shielding part 76a and the second light shielding part 76b is different from the first barrier pattern.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A, 12 </ b> B, and 12 </ b> C, in the second barrier pattern, the first light shielding portion 76 a and the first light shielding portion 76 a are arranged along the pixel row 7 in the odd and even rows of the pixel row 7. Two light shielding portions 76b are alternately arranged. That is, in each pixel row 7, the first light shielding part 76 a and the second light shielding part 76 b are arranged alternately with respect to the sub-pixel 4. In addition, in the odd-numbered and even-numbered columns of the pixel columns 8, the first light-shielding portions 76a or the second light-shielding portions 76b are arranged in a row.

  In addition, in the odd and even rows of the pixel row 7, light from the sub-pixel 4R constituting the first image and light from the sub-pixel 4L constituting the second image are emitted from the opening 77. Therefore, in each row of the pixel row 7, the first image and the second image are visually recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the liquid crystal device 100 including the barrier unit 5 having the second barrier pattern, the sub-pixels 4R and the sub-pixels 4L are alternately and repeatedly arranged along the pixel rows 7, Either the sub pixel 4R or the sub pixel 4L is arranged in a line along the pixel column 8. In the direction along the pixel row 7, the arrangement pitch of the first light shielding portions 76 a and the arrangement pitch of the second light shielding portions 76 b are twice the arrangement pitch of the sub-pixels 4. In the direction along the pixel row 8, the arrangement pitch of the first light shielding portions 76 a and the arrangement pitch of the second light shielding portions 76 b are the same as the arrangement pitch of the sub-pixels 4. The display angle range in the second barrier pattern is the same as the display angle range in the first barrier pattern.

<Third barrier pattern>
Next, a 3rd barrier pattern is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a barrier unit having a third barrier pattern. Specifically, FIG. 14A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line BB ′ in FIG. 2, and FIG. 14B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line CC ′ in FIG. 2. FIG. 14C is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line DD ′ in FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the display area of the liquid crystal device including the barrier portion having the third barrier pattern as viewed from the observation side. In the third barrier pattern, the arrangement of the first light shielding portion 76a and the second light shielding portion 76b is different from the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern.

  In the third barrier pattern, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14 </ b> B, and 14 </ b> C, the first light shielding portion 76 a and the second light shielding portion 76 b are alternately repeated along each pixel row 7. Is arranged. In addition, the first light-shielding portions 76 a and the second light-shielding portions 76 b are alternately and repeatedly arranged along each pixel column 8. That is, the first light shielding part 76a and the second light shielding part 76b are arranged in a staggered pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the liquid crystal device 100 including the barrier unit 5 having the third barrier pattern, the sub pixels 4 </ b> R and the sub pixels 4 </ b> L are alternately arranged in the direction along each pixel row 7. . In addition, sub-pixels 4R and sub-pixels 4L are alternately arranged in the direction along each pixel column 8. That is, the sub-pixels 4R and the sub-pixels 4L are alternately and repeatedly arranged along the pixel row 7 and the pixel column 8.

  The first light-shielding part 76 a and the second light-shielding part 76 b are arranged so as to be shifted by one pitch of the sub-pixel 4 between the odd-numbered row and the even-numbered row of the pixel row 7. Further, the first light-shielding part 76 a and the second light-shielding part 76 b are arranged so as to be shifted by one pitch of the sub-pixel 4 in the odd-numbered column and the even-numbered column of the pixel column 8. In the direction along the pixel row 7 and the pixel column 8, the arrangement pitch of the first light shielding portions 76 a and the arrangement pitch of the second light shielding portions 76 b are both twice the arrangement pitch of the sub-pixels 4. The display angle range in the third barrier pattern is the same as the display angle range in the first barrier pattern and the display angle range in the second barrier pattern. In the third barrier pattern, the effect of further improving the vertical resolution can be obtained.

  The liquid crystal device 100 may have a configuration in which the three barrier patterns can be selected, or may have a configuration including any one of the three barrier patterns. In the barrier unit 5, a potential difference is selectively generated at a predetermined position according to each barrier pattern between the electrode 56 (first electrode unit 56 a and second electrode unit 56 b) and the electrode 64. The pattern can be selected.

  In the case of a configuration including any one of the three barrier patterns, the electrode 56 (the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b) is selected only at a predetermined position corresponding to the barrier pattern. The electrode 64 may be formed in a solid shape. In this case, the electrodes 56 (the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b) may be integrally formed.

  By the way, the barrier unit 5 does not function as a parallax barrier in the non-directional display mode. This is because when the directional display mode is switched to the non-directional display mode, the generation of the light shielding portion 76 (the first light shielding portion 76a and the second light shielding portion 76b) is stopped, and light is transmitted over the entire display region 2. It means to become a state to do. In order to obtain a state in which light is transmitted over the entire display area 2, when the directional display mode is switched to the non-directional display mode, the electrodes 56 (first electrode portion 56a, second electrode portion 56b) It is desirable that the electrophoretic particles 74 covering the surface are moved and dispersed in the dispersion medium 72.

  In the liquid crystal device 100, when the directional display mode is switched to the non-directional display mode in this manner, for example, the potential of the electrode 56 (first electrode portion 56a, second electrode portion 56b) is floated and the electrode The potential of 64 is attenuated while alternating between positive and negative. As a result, the electrophoretic particles 74 move from the surface of the electrode 56 (the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode portion 56b) and are dispersed in the dispersion medium 72. The state in which the electrophoretic particles 74 are dispersed is maintained by thixotropic properties of the thixotropic agent added to the dispersion medium 72. The controller 80 drives and controls the barrier unit 5 in this way.

  According to the liquid crystal device 100 including the barrier unit 5 according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) By generating the first light shielding part 76a and the second light shielding part 76b, the barrier part 5 can function as a parallax barrier. Accordingly, the first image and the second image can be directionally displayed in different display angle ranges. Accordingly, the first image and the second image can be simultaneously viewed by different persons, or stereoscopic display can be performed.

  (2) Since the first light-shielding portion 76a and the second light-shielding portion 76b are disposed to be inclined with respect to the display surface 1a, the opening 77 that overlaps the first pixel or the second pixel in a planar manner. Even if the widths of the light beams are the same, the amount of light passing through the opening 77 can be increased as compared with the conventional configuration. Thereby, even if the width of the opening 77 is reduced in order to reduce the display angle range VC in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized, a brighter display than in the conventional configuration can be obtained.

  (3) Since the first light-shielding part 76a and the second light-shielding part 76b are arranged to be inclined with respect to the display surface 1a, only the widths of the first light-shielding part 76a and the second light-shielding part 76b are used. The display angle ranges VR, VL, VC can also be controlled by the inclination angle. As a result, a higher quality directional display can be obtained as compared with the conventional configuration in which the first light shielding part 76a and the second light shielding part 76b are arranged in parallel to the display surface 1a.

  (4) The function of the barrier unit 5 as a parallax barrier can be stopped by not generating the first light shielding part 76a and the second light shielding part 76b. For this reason, a two-dimensional image having no directivity can be displayed without limiting the display angle range or darkening the display. Thereby, the liquid crystal device 100 applicable to directional display and non-directional display can be provided.

<Method for manufacturing liquid crystal device>
Next, a manufacturing method of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the method for manufacturing the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 16, process P <b> 11 and process P <b> 12 are processes for manufacturing the element substrate 10, and process P <b> 21 and process P <b> 22 are processes for manufacturing the counter substrate 30. Process P31 and process P32 are processes for manufacturing the liquid crystal panel 1 by combining the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30. Moreover, the process P41, the process P42, and the process P43 are processes for manufacturing the barrier section 5.

  Step P11 and Step P12, Step P21 and Step P22, Step P41, Step P42, and Step P43 are performed independently. Step P51 is a step of attaching the barrier section 5 to the liquid crystal panel 1. Step P52 is a step of attaching the polarizing plates 44 and 45 to the liquid crystal panel 1 to which the barrier unit 5 is attached. In addition, a well-known technique is applicable to the process which is not explained in full detail among these processes.

  First, the process for manufacturing the element substrate 10 and the process for manufacturing the counter substrate 30 will be described. In Step P11, the TFT element 20, the insulating layer 22, the insulating layer 24, the pixel electrode 16 and the like are formed on the substrate 11.

  Subsequently, in step P12, an alignment film 28 is formed on the surface of the element substrate 10 on which these elements, electrodes, and the like are formed, and an alignment process is performed on the surface of the alignment film 28.

  Next, in step P21, the light shielding layer 32, the color filter layer 34, the overcoat layer 35, the common electrode 18 and the like are formed on the substrate 31. Subsequently, in step P22, an alignment film 36 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 30, and an alignment process is performed on the surface of the alignment film 36.

  Next, in process P31, the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 are bonded together. The bonding is performed by applying the sealing agent 41 to the element substrate 10 or the counter substrate 30 and performing alignment, and then bringing the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 into contact with each other and pressing them. Subsequently, in step P32, liquid crystal is injected between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 from the opening (injection port) of the sealant 41, and the injection port is sealed. Thus, the liquid crystal panel 1 is manufactured.

<Manufacturing method of barrier part>
Next, the process for manufacturing the barrier unit 5 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the barrier unit 5 according to the first embodiment. 17 shows a cross section in the direction along the pixel row 7 indicated by the line BB ′ in FIG. 2 as in FIG.

  In Step P41, the light transmitting layer 54 is formed on the substrate 52. In this step P41, first, as shown in FIG. 17A, for example, a UV curable resin having translucency is applied onto the substrate 52 by using a spin coating method, a laminating method, or the like. Form. Subsequently, in a state where the mold provided with the inclined surfaces corresponding to the first inclined surface 54a and the second inclined surface 54b is pressed against the resin film 53 before being cured, the resin film 53 is exposed to the ultraviolet region from the substrate 52 side. The resin film 53 is cured by irradiating light. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17B, a translucent layer 54 having a first inclined surface 54a and a second inclined surface 54b is formed.

  Next, in step P42, the electrode 56 is formed on the surface of the light transmitting layer 54. In this step P42, first, as shown in FIG. 17C, a conductive film 55 made of a light-transmitting conductive material is formed on the surface of the light-transmitting layer. Next, as shown in FIG. 17D, the conductive film 55 is patterned by photolithography. As a result, the electrode 56 having the first electrode portion 56 a and the second electrode portion 56 b is formed on the light transmitting layer 54. Although not shown, an electrode 64 is formed on the substrate 62. By the process P41 and the process P42, the substrate 50 and the substrate 60 are formed.

  Next, in process P43, the sealing member 71 is disposed on the substrate 50 or the substrate 60, and the electrophoretic layer 70 including the electrophoretic particles 74 and the dispersion medium 72 is surrounded by the substrate 50, the substrate 60, and the sealing member 71. It is arranged in a space and sealed with a UV curable adhesive or the like. Thereby, the barrier part 5 is manufactured.

  Next, in step P51, the barrier portion 5 is attached to the counter substrate 30 of the liquid crystal panel 1 with a UV curable adhesive having translucency. Thereby, the barrier part 5 is bonded and fixed to the surface on the observation side of the liquid crystal panel 1 (counter substrate 30). Subsequently, in the process P52, the polarizing plate 44 is bonded to the outside of the element substrate 10 and the polarizing plate 45 is bonded to the outside of the barrier unit 5, respectively. Thus, the liquid crystal device 100 is completed.

(Second Embodiment)
<Barrier part>
Next, the configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid crystal device according to the second embodiment is different from the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the barrier unit, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, here, the configuration of the barrier unit according to the second embodiment will be described. Constituent elements common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the direction along the pixel row 7 indicated by the line B-B ′ in FIG. 2, and is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a barrier unit. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the barrier unit according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 19A, 19 </ b> B, and 19 </ b> C are diagrams illustrating a state in which the barrier unit according to the second embodiment functions as a parallax barrier. 19A is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 18, FIG. 19B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ in FIG. 2, and FIG. 19C is FIG. It is a schematic cross section along the line DD '. In FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C, illustration of components other than the main part of the barrier unit is omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 18, the liquid crystal device 200 according to the second embodiment includes the liquid crystal panel 1, the barrier unit 9, and the backlight 46 (see FIG. 1). The barrier unit 9 includes a substrate 50 a and a substrate 60. The substrate 50 a is configured using the substrate 52 as a base, and includes a light-transmitting layer 54 and an electrode 56 on the substrate 52. The translucent layer 54 is formed with a first inclined surface 54a and a second inclined surface 54b (see FIG. 19B) that are inclined with respect to the display surface 1a.

  Further, the translucent layer 54 has one side along the pixel column 8 of the sub-pixel 4 in a plan view at the end of the first inclined surface 54a (or the second inclined surface 54b) opposite to the substrate 52. A wall portion 54c is formed along the normal direction of the display surface 1a. That is, the first inclined surface 54a is planarly overlapped with the region of the sub-pixel 4R, and the second inclined surface 54b is planarly overlapped with the region of the sub-pixel 4L, which is different from the first embodiment. ing.

  In the directional display mode, as the electrophoretic particles 74 cover the surfaces of the first electrode portion 56a and the second inclined surface 54b, as shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C, The 1st light shielding part 76a and the 2nd light shielding part 76b generate | occur | produce. The barrier pattern of the barrier unit 9 is the same as the first barrier pattern in the first embodiment. However, in the barrier unit 9 according to the second embodiment, the first light shielding unit 76a overlaps the area of the sub pixel 4R in a plane, and the second light shielding part 76b overlaps the area of the sub pixel 4L in a plane. This point is different from the first embodiment.

  In the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, the light from the sub-pixels 4R constituting the first image is emitted from the wall 54c through the opening 77, and in the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, the second image is emitted. The light from the sub-pixel 4L constituting the light passes through the opening 77 through the wall 54c and is emitted. Therefore, the first image is visually recognized in the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, and the second image is visually recognized in the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7.

  Subsequently, a display angle range of directivity display by the barrier unit 9 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. 20 and 21 are diagrams for explaining a display angle range by the barrier unit 9 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 20A and FIG. 21A are cross-sectional views schematically showing the barrier portions 9 in the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7. FIG. 20B and FIG. 21B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the barrier portions 9 in the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7. In addition, illustration of components other than the principal part of the barrier part 9 is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The boundary 3b of the display angle range 3R in the odd-numbered rows shown in FIG. 20A and the boundary 3a of the display angle range 3L in the even-numbered rows shown in FIG. 20B are in the direction along the wall 54c, that is, the display surface 1a. Normal direction. That is, the light emitted from the sub-pixels 4R and 4L in the normal direction of the display surface 1a is substantially blocked by the first light-shielding portion 76a and the second light-shielding portion 76b. For this reason, the display angle range VC in which the display angle range 3R and the display angle range 3L overlap is almost zero. Further, the display angle range VR where only the light from the sub-pixel 4R is visually recognized and the display angle range VL where only the light from the sub-pixel 4L is visually recognized are substantially equal to the display angle ranges 3R and 3L, respectively.

  Thus, in the barrier unit 9 according to the second embodiment, the display angle range VC is substantially zero compared to the barrier unit 5 according to the first embodiment, and the display angle range VR and the display angle range VL are different from each other. growing. Therefore, the barrier unit 9 according to the second embodiment is more suitable for a liquid crystal device that allows a different person to visually recognize the first image and the second image than the barrier unit 5 according to the first embodiment. Yes.

  By the way, in the parallax barrier in which the light-shielding part is arranged in parallel to the display surface, in order to eliminate the display angle range in which both the first image and the second image are visually recognized, the width of the opening is set to be equal to that of the counter substrate. It is set to be equal to or smaller than the width of the light shielding layer. In such a configuration, the amount of light passing through the opening and traveling toward the observation side is small.

  According to the configuration of the barrier unit 9 of the present embodiment, since the first light shielding unit 76a and the second light shielding unit 76b are arranged to be inclined with respect to the display surface 1a, the light is emitted from the sub-pixels 4R and 4L. The amount of light that passes through the opening 77 without being blocked by the first light-blocking portion 76a and the second light-blocking portion 76b is larger than that of the parallax barrier in which the light-blocking portion is arranged parallel to the display surface. Will be much more. Therefore, according to the configuration of the barrier unit 9 of the present embodiment, even if the display angle range in which both the first image and the second image are viewed is as close as possible to zero, the light shielding unit is parallel to the display surface. A much brighter display can be obtained than in the case of the arrangement.

  Next, the display angle ranges VR and VL in the barrier unit 9 of this embodiment will be simply calculated. In FIG. 20, the width W of the sub-pixel 4 in the pixel row 7 direction is, for example, 72.5 μm, and the substantial thickness H1 of the barrier portion 9 is 1/2 of the width W, that is, 36.25 μm. The boundary 3b of the display angle range 3R in the odd-numbered rows shown in FIG. 20A and the boundary 3a of the display angle range 3L in the even-numbered rows shown in FIG. 20B are normal directions of the display surface 1a.

  According to such a configuration, in FIG. 20A, the angle θ3 formed by the boundary 3a where the light emitted from the sub-pixel 4R is not blocked by the first light blocking portion 76a and the display surface 1a is 14 °. Become. In FIG. 20B, an angle formed by the boundary 3b and the display surface 1a is an angle θ3 (14 °). The display angle ranges 3R and 3L are each obtained by 180 ° − (θ3 + 90 °), and both are 76 °. The display angle ranges VR and VL are the same as the display angle ranges 3R and 3L, and both are 76 °. The display angle range VC is 0 °. Therefore, the display angle range VC is zero and the display angle range VR and the display angle range VL are larger than those of the barrier unit 5 of the first embodiment.

  Here, if the thickness H1 is decreased and the angle θ3 is further decreased, the display angle range VR and VL (display angle ranges 3R and 3L) are increased while the display angle range VC remains 0 °. For example, in FIG. 21, the width W is set to 72.5 μm, and the substantial thickness H2 of the barrier portion 9a is set to 18 μm, which is substantially ½ of the thickness H1 in FIG. In this case, an angle θ4 formed by the boundary 3a and the display surface 1a in FIG. 21A is 7.1 °, which is approximately a half of the angle θ3 in FIG. Therefore, the display angle ranges VR and VL (display angle ranges 3R and 3L) are both 82.9 °, which is larger than the case in FIG.

<Manufacturing method of barrier part>
Next, the manufacturing method of the barrier part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to figures. FIG. 22 is a view for explaining the method for manufacturing the barrier section according to the second embodiment. The manufacturing method of the barrier part according to the second embodiment includes the same steps as the manufacturing method of the barrier part according to the first embodiment. However, the configuration of the substrate is partially different.

  As shown in FIG. 22A, a resin film 53 is formed on a substrate 52 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 22B, a light-transmitting layer 54 having a first inclined surface 54a, a second inclined surface 54b (not shown), and a wall portion 54c, as in the first embodiment. Form. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 22C, a light-transmitting conductive film 55 is formed on the surface of the light-transmitting layer 54. Next, as shown in FIG. 22D, the conductive film 55 on the surface of the wall 54c is removed. As a result, the electrode 56 (first electrode portion 56a) is formed on the light transmitting layer 54. Thus, the substrate 50a as the first substrate included in the barrier unit 9 is manufactured.

(Electronics)
The liquid crystal devices 100 and 200 described above can be used by being mounted on a display device 500 for a car navigation system as an electronic device as shown in FIG. 23, for example. In the display device 500, the two images can be directionally displayed in different display angle ranges by the liquid crystal devices 100 and 200 incorporated in the display unit 510. For example, a map image can be displayed on the driver's seat side, and a movie image can be displayed on the passenger seat side. At that time, bright display can be performed even if the display range where the images are mixed is reduced.

  The liquid crystal devices 100 and 200 can be used for various electronic devices such as a mobile computer, a digital camera, a digital video camera, an in-vehicle device, and an audio device in addition to the display device 500.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, various deformation | transformation can be added with respect to the said embodiment in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. As modifications, for example, the following can be considered.

(Modification 1)
In the barrier unit provided in the liquid crystal device of the above embodiment, the light shielding unit is disposed in each sub-pixel in the directional display mode, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. The light shielding unit may be selectively disposed with respect to a predetermined sub pixel among the sub pixels arranged in the pixel row and the pixel column.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a barrier pattern according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 24, in the barrier pattern according to the first modification, for example, the light shielding portion 76 that overlaps the sub-pixels 4 is not disposed over the plurality of pixel columns 8 in the central portion of the pixel row 7, and these pixel columns The light shielding portions 76 (the first light shielding portion 76a and the second light shielding portion 76b) are selectively arranged in the pixel rows 8 other than 8. In the pixel columns 8 other than the pixel column 8 in which the light shielding portions 76 are not disposed, for example, the first light shielding portions 76a are disposed in a line along the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7, and The second light shielding portions 76b are arranged in a line along the even rows.

  Therefore, non-directional display is performed in the directional display mode on the sub-pixels 4 positioned in the pixel column 8 where the light-shielding portion 76 is not disposed, and the sub-pixels 4 positioned in the pixel columns 8 other than these pixel columns 8 are displayed. The directional display is performed. That is, in the barrier pattern according to the modification example 1, in the directional display mode, the pixels 6R and 6L contributing to the directional display and the pixels 6 not contributing to the directional display are mixed.

  According to the barrier pattern according to the first modification, for example, in addition to the first image composed of the light emitted from the pixel 6R and the second image composed of the light emitted from the pixel 6L, the directivity A third image can be formed by light emitted from the pixels 6 that do not contribute to the sex display. According to such a configuration, the first image, the second image, and the third image can be simultaneously viewed by different persons. Further, if a stereoscopic (three-dimensional) image is composed of the first image and the second image, and a planar (two-dimensional) image is composed of the third image, the stereoscopic image and the planar image can be displayed simultaneously. Can do.

  For example, the barrier pattern according to the first modification includes an electrode 56 (first electrode unit 56a, second electrode unit 56b) that overlaps the sub-pixel 4 in which the light-shielding unit 76 is not disposed in the barrier units 5 and 9 of the above embodiment. This can be realized by not generating a potential difference between the electrode 64 and the electrode 64. Further, the barrier portions 5 and 9 may be configured such that the electrode 56 that overlaps the sub-pixel 4 in which the light shielding portion 76 is not provided is not provided.

(Modification 2)
In the barrier unit of the above embodiment, the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit have the same width in the direction along the pixel row. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. You may have the structure where the width | variety in the direction along the pixel row of a 1st light-shielding part and a 2nd light-shielding part becomes small as it leaves | separates from the center part in a pixel row.

  FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a barrier section according to Modification 2. In FIG. 25, an alternate long and short dash line M-M ′ indicates the center of the display surface 1 a in the pixel row 7 direction in the display region 2 of the liquid crystal panel 1.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the barrier unit 9b according to Modification 2 includes sub-pixels 4R (1), 4R (2), 4R (3), 4R (4)... Arranged along the pixel row 7. Corresponding to the first light shielding portions 76a (1), 76a (2), 76a on the surface of the first electrode portion 56a (not shown) formed on the first inclined surface 54a of the light transmitting layer 54. (3), 76a (4). The barrier portion 9b has a configuration in which the width of the first electrode portion 56a in the pixel row 7 direction becomes smaller as the distance from the central portion (one-dot chain line M-M ′) in the pixel row 7 direction increases.

  Accordingly, in the first light shielding portions 76a (2), 76a (3), 76a (4),..., The width of the first light shielding portion 76a (1) located on the one-dot chain line MM ′ side is larger. The width of the first light shielding part 76a (2) located on the right side of the figure is smaller, and the width of the first light shielding part 76a (3) located on the right side of the first light shielding part 76a (2) is smaller. The width of the first light-shielding part 76a (4) located right next to the first light-shielding part 76a (3) is further smaller.

  Although not shown, on the left side of the barrier portion 9b with the one-dot chain line MM ′ in between, the first light shielding portions 76a (2), 76a are symmetrical to the right side of the one-dot chain line MM ′. (3), 76a (4)... Are arranged in order. Further, the first light shielding portions 76a (1), 76a (2), 76a (3), 76a (4)... Are arranged at substantially the same pitch in the pixel row 7 direction, and the arrangement pitch is sub. It is slightly smaller than the arrangement pitch of the pixels 4R (1), 4R (2), 4R (3), 4R (4).

  In the barrier portion 9b according to the second modification, the width of the first light shielding portions 76a (1), 76a (2), 76a (3), 76a (4)... Is the central portion (one-dot chain line MM ′ The display angle range of light emitted from the sub-pixels 4R (1), 4R (2), 4R (3), 4R (4)... Is in the center (one-dot chain line M). -M ') increases with distance. Therefore, the display surface 1a of the viewpoint VP that can appropriately view the first image composed of the light emitted from the sub-pixels 4R (1), 4R (2), 4R (3), 4R (4). The distance from can be made shorter.

  The barrier portion 9b has a second light shielding portion that is inclined in a direction opposite to the first light shielding portions 76a (1), 76a (2), 76a (3), 76a (4). The width of the second light-shielding portion in the direction along the pixel row 7 is also similar to the first light-shielding portions 76a (1), 76a (2), 76a (3), 76a (4). However, it has the structure which becomes small as it leaves | separates from the center part (one-dot chain line MM ') in the pixel row 7 direction.

  According to the configuration of the barrier unit 9b according to the second modification, for example, in the display device 500 for a car navigation system, the viewpoint at which an image can be viewed appropriately on the driver seat side and the passenger seat side can be set at a position closer to the display surface. .

(Modification 3)
In the barrier unit of the above embodiment, the inclination angle of the first light shielding unit with respect to the display surface and the inclination angle of the second light shielding unit with respect to the display surface are the same, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The inclination angle of the first light shielding part with respect to the display surface and the inclination angle of the second light shielding part with respect to the display surface may be different from each other.

  FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the barrier section according to Modification 3. As shown in FIG. 26A, in the third modification, the odd-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7 have the configuration of the barrier unit 9a shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 26B, the even-numbered rows of the pixel rows 7 have the configuration of the barrier section 9 shown in FIG.

  For this reason, the display angle range 3L (VL) in the even-numbered row of the pixel row 7 is smaller than the display angle range 3R (VR) in the odd-numbered row of the pixel row 7. Therefore, the angle range in which the second image is visually recognized is smaller than the angle range in which the first image is visually recognized.

  According to the configuration of the barrier unit according to the modified example 3, for example, in the display device 500 for a car navigation system, an angle range in which a movie image displayed on the passenger seat side is visually recognized is displayed on the driver seat side. It can be made smaller than the angle range in which the image is visually recognized.

(Modification 4)
In the barrier unit of the second embodiment, the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed to face each other, but the present invention is not limited to this form. The second electrode may be provided on the same substrate as the first electrode.

  FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the barrier section 9c according to Modification 4. As shown in FIG. 27, in the barrier portion 9 c according to the modification example 4, the electrode 58 as the second electrode is provided on the surface of the wall portion 54 c of the translucent layer 54. In FIG. 22C, the electrode 58 is formed by separating the conductive film 55 on the surface of the wall portion 54c from the conductive film 55 on the surface of the first inclined surface 54a when the conductive film 55 is patterned. Can do.

  In the directional display mode, the control unit 80 causes the electrodes 56 (the first electrode unit 56 a and the second electrode unit 56 b) to have different polarities from the electrophoretic particles 74, and the electrodes 58 have the same polarity as the electrophoretic particles 74. A voltage is applied so that Then, as in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the first light-shielding portion 76a and the first light-shielding portion 76a are connected to the first light-shielding portion 76a by the electrophoretic particles 74 that cover the surfaces of the electrodes 56 (first electrode portion 56a and second electrode portion 56b). 2 light shielding portions 76b.

  In the non-directional display mode, the control unit 80 causes the electrodes 56 (the first electrode unit 56 a and the second electrode unit 56 b) to have the same polarity as the electrophoretic particles 74 and the electrodes 58 have a different polarity from the electrophoretic particles 74. A voltage is applied so that Then, the electrophoretic particles 74 cover the surface of the electrode 58, and the electrophoretic particles 74 constitute a third light shielding portion 76c.

  Here, since the third light shielding portion 76c overlaps the light shielding layer 32 in plan view, the light emitted from the sub-pixel 4 does not pass through the wall portion 54c, but the electrode 56 (the first electrode portion 56a and the second electrode). Part 56b) toward the viewing side. That is, the barrier unit 9b does not function as a parallax barrier. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal device that is applied to directional display and non-directional display, as in the above embodiment.

(Modification 5)
In the barrier section of the above embodiment, the electrophoretic layer 70 is disposed over the plurality of subpixels 4 within the region surrounded by the seal member 71, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The electrophoretic layer 70 may be disposed in a region partitioned for each subpixel 4 by a translucent resin or the like, or may be disposed for each subpixel 4 enclosed in a microcapsule. Good. According to such a configuration, since the electrophoretic particles 74 do not move between the plurality of subpixels 4, the density of the electrophoretic particles 74 in the area of each subpixel 4 can be made more uniform. As a result, variation in the light shielding property of the light shielding unit 76 in the directional display mode and the translucency in the non-directional display mode are suppressed among the plurality of sub-pixels 4.

(Modification 6)
In the barrier section of the above embodiment, the substrate 50 is configured using the substrate 52 as a base material, but is not limited to this form. The substrate 50 may be configured using the substrate 31 of the counter substrate 30 as a base material. Although illustration is omitted, in the barrier unit according to Modification 6, the substrate 31 is used as the first substrate, and the light-transmitting layer 54 and the electrode 56 are provided on the substrate 31.

  According to such a configuration, since the substrate 52 is not interposed between the display surface 1a and the light shielding portion 76, the display angle ranges VR, VL, and VC can be easily controlled by the light shielding portion 76, and the light transmissive layer 54 and the substrate. The reflection and scattering of light due to the difference in the refractive index can be eliminated at the interface with 52 and the interface between the display surface 1a and the substrate 52. In addition, since the number of substrates is less than that in the above embodiment, the total thickness of the liquid crystal devices 100 and 200 can be reduced.

(Modification 7)
In the above embodiment, the electrophoretic layer 70 including the electrophoretic particles 74 and the dispersion medium 72 is used as the optical adjustment layer of the barrier unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The barrier unit may have another optical adjustment layer as long as the light shielding unit can be generated at a predetermined position by electronic control.

(Modification 8)
In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal device is a TN liquid crystal device, but is not limited to this mode. The liquid crystal device is a liquid crystal device such as a VA (Vertical Alignment) method or an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) method in which the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is controlled by a vertical electric field generated between the element substrate and the counter substrate as in the TN method. May be. The liquid crystal device may be an FFS (Fringe-Field Switching) type or IPS (In-Plane Switching) type liquid crystal device that controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules by a lateral electric field. Further, the liquid crystal device may be a transflective liquid crystal device having a transmissive display area and a reflective display area. Even in these liquid crystal devices, the configuration of the liquid crystal device of the above embodiment and the method for manufacturing the liquid crystal device can be applied.

(Modification 9)
In the above embodiment, the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device, but is not limited to this mode. The electro-optical device may be an organic electroluminescence device (organic EL device) including an organic electroluminescence element (organic EL element), a plasma display device including a plasma display element, or the like. Even in these electro-optical devices, the configuration of the electro-optical device and the method of manufacturing the electro-optical device of the above-described embodiment can be applied.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a display area of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the electrode of the barrier part seen from the observation side. The top view which shows the structure of the electrode of the barrier part seen from the observation side. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of a control part. The figure which shows the barrier part which has a 1st barrier pattern. The figure which shows the barrier part which has a 1st barrier pattern. The top view which looked at the display area of the liquid crystal device provided with the barrier part which has a 1st barrier pattern from the observation side. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display angle range of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the barrier part which has a 2nd barrier pattern. The top view which looked at the display area of the liquid crystal device provided with the barrier part which has a 2nd barrier pattern from the observation side. The figure which shows the barrier part which has a 3rd barrier pattern. The top view which looked at the display area of the liquid crystal device provided with the barrier part which has a 3rd barrier pattern from the observation side. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a manufacturing method of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. The figure explaining the manufacturing method of the barrier part concerning a 1st embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining the structure of the barrier part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining the structure of the barrier part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure explaining the display angle range by the barrier part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure explaining the display angle range by the barrier part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure explaining the manufacturing method of the barrier part concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 14 illustrates a display device as an electronic apparatus. The figure which shows the barrier pattern which concerns on the modification 1. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the barrier part which concerns on the modification 2 typically. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the barrier part which concerns on the modification 3 typically. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the barrier part which concerns on the modification 4 typically. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electro-optical device capable of directivity display.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal panel, 1a ... Display surface, 2 ... Display area, 3L, 3R, VL, VR ... Display angle range, 4 ... Sub pixel, 5, 9 ... Barrier part, 6 ... Pixel, 6L ... 2nd pixel, 6R ... first pixel, 7 ... pixel row, 8 ... pixel column, 10 ... element substrate, 11 ... substrate, 16 ... pixel electrode, 18 ... common electrode, 20 ... TFT element, 20a ... semiconductor layer, 20d ... drain electrode 20 g ... gate electrode, 20 s ... source electrode, 22 ... insulating layer, 24 ... insulating layer, 28 ... alignment film, 30 ... counter substrate, 31 ... substrate, 32 ... light shielding layer, 34 ... color filter layer, 35 ... overcoat 36, alignment film, 40 ... liquid crystal layer, 44, 45 ... polarizing plate, 46 ... backlight, 50 ... substrate, 52 ... substrate, 54 ... translucent layer, 54a ... first inclined surface, 54b ... second , 54c ... wall part, 56 ... electrode, 58 ... electrode, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0 ... Board | substrate, 62 ... Board | substrate, 64 ... Electrode, 70 ... Electrophoresis layer, 71 ... Sealing member, 72 ... Dispersion medium, 74 ... Electrophoretic particle, 76 ... Light-shielding part, 76a ... 1st light-shielding part, 76b ... 1st 2 light-shielding portions, 76c ... third light-shielding portion, 77 ... opening, 80 ... control portion, 81 ... CPU, 82 ... user interface processing portion, 83 ... operation panel, 84 ... remote controller, 85 ... image processing portion, 86: Input interface unit, 87: First drive circuit, 88 ... Second drive circuit, 100 ... Liquid crystal device, 500 ... Display device, 510 ... Display unit.

Claims (23)

A first image having a display surface, a pixel row in which the first pixels and the second pixels are arranged, the light being emitted by the first pixels, and the second pixels An electro-optical panel capable of displaying a second image composed of light emitted from the display surface;
A light control unit disposed on the display surface side of the electro-optical panel and generating a light shielding unit by electronic control,
The light shielding unit generated by the light control unit includes a first light shielding unit that overlaps the first pixel, and a second light shielding unit that overlaps the second pixel,
The electro-optical device, wherein the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are inclined in different directions with respect to the display surface. The electro-optical device according to claim 1,
The light control unit is
A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate;
The first inclined surface corresponding to the first pixel is different from the first inclined surface corresponding to the second pixel, which is disposed on the second substrate side of the first substrate. A light-transmitting layer having a second inclined surface inclined in the direction;
A first electrode formed on a surface of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the light transmitting layer;
A second electrode formed on the first substrate or the second substrate;
An optical adjustment layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate,
By changing the light transmittance in the optical adjustment layer in the vicinity of the surface of the first electrode by the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first inclined surface overlaps the first inclined surface. An electro-optical device that generates the first light shielding part and the second light shielding part overlapping the second inclined surface. The electro-optical device according to claim 2,
The electro-optical device, wherein the optical adjustment layer includes electrophoretic particles. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The electro-optic device, wherein the light control unit selectively generates the light-shielding unit that overlaps a predetermined pixel among the first pixel and the second pixel. The electro-optical device according to claim 1,
The first pixel and the second pixel are composed of three different color sub-pixels arranged along the pixel row,
The electro-optical device, wherein the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are arranged for each of the sub-pixels. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are inclined in directions facing each other along the pixel row, and are arranged in a pixel column located in a direction intersecting the pixel row and the pixel row. An electro-optical device, wherein at least one of them is alternately arranged. The electro-optical device according to claim 6,
The electro-optical device, wherein the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are alternately arranged in the pixel row. The electro-optical device according to claim 6,
The electro-optical device, wherein the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are alternately arranged in the pixel row. The electro-optical device according to claim 6,
The electro-optical device, wherein the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion are alternately arranged in the pixel row and the pixel column. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The electro-optical device, wherein the first light-shielding portion overlaps the area of the first pixel in a plane, and the second light-shielding portion overlaps the area of the second pixel in a plane. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The width of the first light-shielding portion in the direction along the pixel row and the width of the second light-shielding portion in the direction along the pixel row become smaller as the distance from the center portion in the pixel row is increased. An electro-optical device. The electro-optical device according to claim 1,
An electro-optical device, wherein an inclination angle of the first light shielding portion with respect to the display surface and an inclination angle of the second light shielding portion with respect to the display surface are different from each other.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1. A first image having a display surface, a pixel row in which the first pixels and the second pixels are arranged, the light being emitted by the first pixels, and the second pixels An electro-optical panel capable of displaying a second image composed of light emitted from the display surface;
A light control unit that is disposed on the display surface side of the electro-optical panel and generates a light-shielding unit by electronic control, and a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device,
The step of manufacturing the light control unit includes:
A first inclined surface corresponding to the first pixel and a second inclined surface corresponding to the second pixel and inclined in a direction different from the first inclined surface on the first substrate; Forming a translucent layer having:
Forming a first electrode on the surface of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the translucent layer;
Forming a second electrode on the first substrate or the second substrate;
The first substrate and the second substrate are disposed to face each other, and an optical adjustment layer capable of changing light transmittance is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A process for manufacturing the electro-optical device. 15. The method of manufacturing the electro-optical device according to claim 14,
The method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, wherein the optical adjustment layer includes electrophoretic particles. The method for manufacturing an electro-optical device according to claim 14 or 15,
The first pixel and the second pixel are composed of three different color sub-pixels arranged along the pixel row,
In the step of forming the light transmitting layer, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed for each of the sub-pixels. The method of manufacturing an electro-optical device according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
In the step of forming the translucent layer, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed in a direction facing each other along the pixel row, and intersect the pixel row and the pixel row. A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, wherein the pixel columns are alternately arranged in at least one of the pixel columns positioned in the direction in which the electro-optical device is positioned. The electro-optical device manufacturing method according to claim 17,
The method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are alternately arranged in the pixel row. The electro-optical device manufacturing method according to claim 17,
The method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are alternately arranged in the pixel column. The electro-optical device manufacturing method according to claim 17,
The method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are alternately arranged in the pixel row and the pixel column. The method for manufacturing an electro-optical device according to any one of claims 14 to 20,
In the step of forming the translucent layer, the first inclined surface is formed so as to overlap the first pixel region in a planar manner, and the second inclined surface is formed in the second pixel region. Formed to overlap in a plane,
In the step of forming the first electrode, the first electrode is formed to planarly overlap the first pixel region and the second pixel region. Manufacturing method. The method for manufacturing an electro-optical device according to any one of claims 14 to 20,
In the step of forming the first electrode, the width of the first electrode in the direction along the pixel row is formed to be smaller as the distance from the central portion in the pixel row is increased. Production method. 23. A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device according to claim 14, comprising:
In the step of forming the translucent layer, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed with different inclination angles with respect to the display surface. .

Images