JP2010266785A - Electrooptical device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein it is difficult to widen flexibility in selection of a liquid crystal material in a conventional electrooptical device. <P>SOLUTION: This electrooptical device includes: a liquid crystal panel for displaying a plurality of images being different depending on color in a display region 67 by switching the images; and a lighting system for applying the light having the color corresponding to the image on the liquid crystal panel. When switching images, a previous image 181 before switching and an after image 183 after switching coexist in the display region 67 across a boundary 185 in a Y-direction. When switching from the before image 181 to the after image 183, the switching progresses as the boundary 185 moves onto a previous image 181 side. An irradiation region 215 which is irradiated by light is set to be smaller than the display region 67. The lighting system changes a position of the irradiation region 215 with respect to the display region 67 along the direction in which the boundary 185 moves while the irradiation region 215 is in a region of the previous image 181. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus.

Conventionally, a projector is known as one of display devices for displaying an image. Some projectors employ, for example, a liquid crystal device as a light valve (hereinafter referred to as a liquid crystal projector).
The liquid crystal projector realizes image display by modulating light with a liquid crystal device as a light valve. In this respect, the liquid crystal projector can be regarded as one of the electro-optical devices.
In such a liquid crystal projector, a field sequential method has been conventionally known as one of display methods (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-268905 A

Patent Document 1 describes the necessity of using a liquid crystal material having a high response speed in the field sequential method. This is because, in a plurality of pixels, the timing for driving the liquid crystal may differ between the pixels.
As described above, the conventional electro-optical device has a problem that it is difficult to increase the degree of freedom in selecting a liquid crystal material.

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

  Application Example 1 A liquid crystal panel that displays a plurality of different images for each color in a display area while sequentially switching the images for each color, and the color corresponding to the image for each image. An illumination device that irradiates the liquid crystal panel with light, and in the switching of the image, a front image that is the image before switching and a rear image that is the image after switching are mixed in the display area, In the switching of the images, the front image and the rear image are arranged in a first direction across a boundary, and switching from the front image to the rear image is performed in the first direction. Advances along with the movement to the previous image side, and in the liquid crystal panel, an irradiation area that is an area irradiated with the light is set smaller than the display area, and the illumination device Light The position of the irradiation region with respect to the display region is changed along the direction in which the boundary moves in the first direction in a state where the region is within the region of the previous image. Optical device.

The electro-optical device of this application example includes a liquid crystal panel and an illumination device. The liquid crystal panel displays a plurality of different images for each of a plurality of colors in the display area while sequentially switching the colors. The illumination device irradiates the liquid crystal panel with light of a color corresponding to the image for each image.
In image switching on the liquid crystal panel, a front image that is an image before switching and a rear image that is an image after switching are mixed in the display area. In image switching, the front image and the rear image are aligned in the first direction across the boundary. Switching from the previous image to the rear image proceeds in the first direction as the boundary moves to the front image side.
In the liquid crystal panel, the irradiation area irradiated with light is set smaller than the display area.
The illumination device changes the position of the irradiation area with respect to the display area in the first direction along the direction in which the boundary moves. At this time, the illumination device changes the position of the irradiation region with respect to the display region in a state where the irradiation region is contained in the region of the previous image.
With this illuminating device, in this electro-optical device, the position of the irradiation region with respect to the display region is along the direction in which the boundary between the front image and the rear image moves while the irradiation region is within the region of the previous image. Change. Thereby, the irradiation area can be superimposed on the previous image. As a result, even if the front image and the rear image are mixed in the display area, only one of the front image and the rear image can be easily seen.
In this electro-optical device, since the irradiation area is set smaller than the display area, the irradiation area can be easily superimposed only on a part of the previous image.

Here, the previous image is an image before switching. For this reason, in the liquid crystal panel, the response state of the liquid crystal is more stable in the area of the previous image than in the area of the subsequent image. In this electro-optical device, the irradiation area can be easily superimposed on only a part of the area of the previous image. Even within the area of the previous image, the liquid crystal drive timing may be shifted depending on the location. On the other hand, if only a part of the area of the previous image is used, a shift in the driving timing of the liquid crystal can be suppressed to be low in the part of the area.
For this reason, in this electro-optical device, the irradiation area can be easily superimposed on a part of the area of the previous image where the deviation of the driving timing of the liquid crystal is suppressed to be low. Therefore, in this electro-optical device, it is possible to easily display an image in a state where the response state of the liquid crystal is stable. That is, in this electro-optical device, it is possible to easily display an image with a stable liquid crystal response state even if the liquid crystal response state varies within the display region. As a result, in this electro-optical device, the degree of freedom in selecting the liquid crystal material can be expanded.

  Application Example 2 In the electro-optical device described above, the irradiation area is narrower than the display area in the first direction, and the display is in the second direction intersecting the first direction. An electro-optical device characterized in that the size is set to penetrate the region.

In this application example, the irradiation area is set narrower than the display area in the first direction. For this reason, in the first direction, the irradiation region can be easily superimposed on the previous image.
In this electro-optical device, the irradiation area is set to have a size that penetrates the display area in the second direction. Note that the second direction is a direction intersecting the first direction. For example, when the second direction corresponds to the horizontal direction, the size that penetrates the display region represents the size that crosses the display region.
In this electro-optical device, it is possible to easily overlap the irradiation region over the entire display region in the second direction.

  Application Example 3 In the electro-optical device described above, the plurality of colors include at least a red color, a green color, and a blue color. .

  In this application example, since a plurality of colors include at least a red color, a green color, and a blue color, color display can be performed.

  Application Example 4 In the above electro-optical device, the illumination device includes a light source that emits the light, a first optical element interposed between the light source and the liquid crystal panel, and the first optical element. A second optical element interposed between the liquid crystal panel and a power source for generating power for rotating the second optical element, wherein the first optical element receives light from the light source, In the liquid crystal panel, the second optical element is focused on the irradiation region, and the second optical element has a refracting surface that refracts light from the first optical element toward the liquid crystal panel, and from the power source. An electro-optical device characterized by changing a refraction direction of light refracted on the refracting surface along the first direction in accordance with rotation by power.

In this application example, the illumination device includes a light source, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a power source. The light source emits light. The first optical element is interposed between the light source and the liquid crystal panel. The second optical element is interposed between the first optical element and the liquid crystal panel. The power source generates power for rotating the second optical element.
The first optical element condenses the light from the light source on the irradiation area in the liquid crystal panel.
The second optical element has a refracting surface that refracts light from the first optical element toward the liquid crystal panel. The second optical element changes the refraction direction of the light refracted on the refracting surface along the first direction with the rotation by the power from the power source.
With the above configuration, in the electro-optical device, the position of the irradiation region with respect to the display region can be changed along the first direction.

  Application Example 5 In the electro-optical device described above, the illuminating device includes a filter that defines the color of light transmitted for each color.

  In this application example, since the lighting device has a filter that defines the color of light that is transmitted for each color, the liquid crystal panel can be irradiated with light of a color corresponding to the image.

  Application Example 6 An electronic apparatus having the electro-optical device described above.

The electronic apparatus of this application example includes an electro-optical device. The electro-optical device includes a liquid crystal panel and an illumination device. The liquid crystal panel displays a plurality of different images for each of a plurality of colors in the display area while sequentially switching the colors. The illumination device irradiates the liquid crystal panel with light of a color corresponding to the image for each image.
In image switching on the liquid crystal panel, a front image that is an image before switching and a rear image that is an image after switching are mixed in the display area. In image switching, the front image and the rear image are aligned in the first direction across the boundary. Switching from the previous image to the rear image proceeds in the first direction as the boundary moves to the front image side.
In the liquid crystal panel, the irradiation area irradiated with light is set smaller than the display area.
The illumination device changes the position of the irradiation area with respect to the display area in the first direction along the direction in which the boundary moves. At this time, the illumination device changes the position of the irradiation region with respect to the display region in a state where the irradiation region is contained in the region of the previous image.
With this illuminating device, in this electro-optical device, the position of the irradiation region with respect to the display region is along the direction in which the boundary between the front image and the rear image moves while the irradiation region is within the region of the previous image. Change. Thereby, the irradiation area can be superimposed on the previous image. As a result, even if the front image and the rear image are mixed in the display area, only one of the front image and the rear image can be easily seen.
In this electro-optical device, since the irradiation area is set smaller than the display area, the irradiation area can be easily superimposed only on a part of the previous image.
Here, the previous image is an image before switching. For this reason, in the liquid crystal panel, the response state of the liquid crystal is more stable in the area of the previous image than in the area of the subsequent image. In this electro-optical device, the irradiation area can be easily superimposed on only a part of the area of the previous image. Even within the area of the previous image, the liquid crystal drive timing may be shifted depending on the location. On the other hand, if only a part of the area of the previous image is used, a shift in the driving timing of the liquid crystal can be suppressed to be low in the part of the area.
For this reason, in this electro-optical device, the irradiation area can be easily superimposed on a part of the area of the previous image where the deviation of the driving timing of the liquid crystal is suppressed to be low. Therefore, in this electro-optical device, it is possible to easily display an image in a state where the response state of the liquid crystal is stable. That is, in this electro-optical device, it is possible to easily display an image with a stable liquid crystal response state even if the liquid crystal response state varies within the display region. As a result, in this electro-optical device, the degree of freedom in selecting the liquid crystal material can be expanded.
The electronic apparatus according to this application example includes an electro-optical device that can increase the degree of freedom in selecting a liquid crystal material. For this reason, in an electronic device, the freedom degree of selection of a liquid crystal material can be expanded.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a projector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming unit of a projector according to the present embodiment. The top view which looked at the color wheel in this embodiment from the lamp | ramp side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming panel of the projector according to the embodiment. Sectional drawing in the AA in FIG. The block diagram which shows the liquid crystal panel drive circuit and liquid crystal panel in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of a plurality of pixels in the image forming panel according to the present embodiment. Sectional drawing in the CC line in FIG. 7 of the liquid crystal panel in this embodiment. The enlarged view of the TFT element in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of semiconductor layers, signal lines, and scanning lines in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of pixel electrodes in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a liquid crystal panel drive circuit in the present embodiment. 4 is a timing chart showing timing signals and clock signals in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a scan line driver circuit in this embodiment. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a selection signal in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a polarization state in the image forming panel according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows the front image and back image in this embodiment. The figure which shows the main structures of the illuminating device in this embodiment. The top view of the optical member in this embodiment. Sectional drawing of the prism in this embodiment. The figure which shows the transition aspect of the irradiation area | region in this embodiment. The figure which shows the front image and back image in this embodiment, and an irradiation area | region. The figure which shows the front image in this embodiment, a back image, a blank image, and an irradiation area | region.

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a projector which is one of electronic devices.
The projector 1 in the present embodiment includes a lighting device 3, an optical system 4, a control circuit 5, and a power supply unit 7 as shown in FIG. 1, which is a block diagram showing the main configuration. The projector 1 can project an image corresponding to an image signal input from an external device (not shown) onto the screen 8 or the like via the optical system 4.

The illuminating device 3 emits light projected as an image (projection light 9). The optical system 4 forms an image based on the image signal, and projects the formed image onto the screen 8 or the like. The control circuit 5 controls driving of the optical system 4 based on the image signal.
In the projector 1, the power input from the external power supply PW is converted into DC power by the power supply unit 7. DC power is supplied from the power supply unit 7 to the illumination device 3, the optical system 4, the control circuit 5, and the like.

The illumination device 3 includes a lamp 11, a light color switching device 12, and an illumination optical system 13.
The optical system 4 includes an image forming unit 14 and a projection lens unit 15.
The lamp 11 emits projection light 9 emitted toward the screen 8 through the image forming unit 14 and the projection lens unit 15. As the lamp 11, for example, a high-pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp can be employed.
The illumination optical system 13 guides light from the lamp 11 to the optical system 4.
The light color switching device 12 is interposed between the lamp 11 and the illumination optical system 13. The light color switching device 12 changes the color of light from the lamp 11 toward the illumination optical system 13 among three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Switch cyclically.

  Here, the color of R is not limited to a pure red hue, and includes orange and the like. The color of G is not limited to a pure green hue, and includes bluish green and yellowish green. The color of B is not limited to a pure blue hue, and includes bluish purple and blue-green. From another viewpoint, the light exhibiting the color of R can be defined as light having a light wavelength peak in a range of 570 nm or more in the visible light region. The light exhibiting the color G can be defined as light having a light wavelength peak in the range of 500 nm to 565 nm. Light exhibiting the color B can be defined as light having a light wavelength peak in the range of 415 nm to 495 nm.

The image forming unit 14 includes a liquid crystal panel described later. The image forming unit 14 forms an image on the liquid crystal panel based on the image data input from the control circuit 5. The image forming unit 14 is irradiated with light from the lamp 11 via the light color switching device 12 and the illumination optical system 13. For this reason, the image formed in the image forming unit 14 is projected onto the projection lens unit 15 by the light from the lamp 11.
Light from the illumination device 3 enters the projection lens unit 15 through the image forming unit 14. The projection lens unit 15 refracts the incident light in the direction of spreading and emits it as the projection light 9. For this reason, the image formed in the image forming unit 14 can be projected on the screen 8 in an enlarged state.

The control circuit 5 includes a control unit 21 and a liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25.
The control unit 21 is configured by a microcomputer, for example, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 27 and a memory unit 29.
The CPU 27 comprehensively controls the operation of the projector 1 according to a control program stored in the memory unit 29. The memory unit 29 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) such as a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a control program executed by the CPU 27 and the like. The RAM temporarily expands a control program executed by the CPU 27 and temporarily stores various setting values.
An image signal is input to the control unit 21 from a host device (not shown). The image signal is input to the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25 after passing through the control unit 21. The liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25 controls the drive of the image forming unit 14 in accordance with the input image signal.

The image forming unit 14 includes an image forming panel 33 as shown in FIG. 2, which is a diagram illustrating main components of the illumination device 3 and the optical system 4.
Incidentally, the light 41 from the lamp 11 is guided to the light color switching device 12 along the optical path 42a. The light 41 guided to the light color switching device 12 is guided to the illumination optical system 13 along the optical path 42 b after passing through the light color switching device 12. At this time, the color of the light 43 guided to the illumination optical system 13 is switched between R, G, and B by the light color switching device 12. In addition, in the light 43, when each color of R, G, and B is identified, the description of the light 43R, the light 43G, and the light 43B is used.
Details of the configuration of the illumination optical system 13 will be described later.

After passing through the illumination optical system 13, the light 43 is guided to the image forming panel 33 of the image forming unit 14 along the optical path 42 c as light 45. The light 45 passes through the image forming panel 33 to become image light 47 on which an image is projected, and is guided to the projection lens unit 15 along the optical path 42d. The image light 47 is emitted as projection light 9 from the projection lens unit 15.
In addition, in the light 45, when each color of R, G, and B is identified, the description of the light 45R, the light 45G, and the light 45B is used. Similarly, in the image light 47, when the respective colors of R, G, and B are identified, the notation of the image light 47R, the image light 47G, and the image light 47B is used.
For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 2, each of the optical path 42a, the optical path 42b, the optical path 42c, and the optical path 42d is illustrated linearly. However, each of the optical path 42a, the optical path 42b, the optical path 42c, and the optical path 42d may be bent. For example, if a mirror or the like is interposed in each of the optical path 42a, the optical path 42b, the optical path 42c, and the optical path 42d, the optical path 42a, the optical path 42b, the optical path 42c, and the optical path 42d can be bent.

The light color switching device 12 includes a color wheel 51 and a motor 53.
The color wheel 51 intersects with the optical path 42 a and is provided to be rotatable around a rotation center 54.
As shown in FIG. 3 which is a plan view seen from the lamp 11 side, the color wheel 51 has a region 55R that transmits light of R color, a region 55G that transmits light of G color, and a color of B color. And a region 55B through which light is transmitted. A filter that transmits light of R color is provided in the region 55R. A filter that transmits light of G color is provided in the region 55G. The region 55B is provided with a filter that transmits light of B color.
The motor 53 generates power for rotationally driving the color wheel 51.
The color wheel 51 is driven to rotate counterclockwise around the rotation center 54 by the power from the motor 53.

When the color wheel 51 is rotationally driven, the region 55R, the region 55G, and the region 55B sequentially overlap the optical path 42a (FIG. 2) one by one.
When the region 55R overlaps the optical path 42a, the light 41 from the lamp 11 is irradiated onto the region 55R. When the region 55G overlaps the optical path 42a, the light 41 is irradiated onto the region 55G. Similarly, when the region 55B overlaps the optical path 42a, the light 41 is irradiated onto the region 55B.
When the light 41 from the lamp 11 is irradiated onto the region 55R, the light 43 emitted from the region 55R to the illumination optical system 13 (FIG. 2) side becomes R-color light 43R.
When the light 41 is irradiated onto the region 55G, the light 43 emitted from the region 55G to the illumination optical system 13 side becomes G-color light 43G.
Similarly, when the light 41 is irradiated onto the region 55B, the light 43 emitted from the region 55B to the illumination optical system 13 side becomes the light 43B of B color.

By the way, the image forming panel 33 has a transmissive liquid crystal panel as a light valve.
The liquid crystal panel has a plurality of pixels, which will be described later, and a liquid crystal whose drive is controlled for each pixel. The liquid crystal panel can change the polarization state of light incident on a plurality of pixels for each pixel. Details of the liquid crystal panel will be described later.
The image forming panel 33 can form an image with the image light 47 transmitted through the image forming panel 33 by changing the polarization state of the light incident on the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel for each pixel.

In the image forming panel 33, an image is formed for each color. In the present embodiment, images corresponding to the respective colors R, G, and B are formed one after another in a cyclic manner. In the following, the image corresponding to the R color is called an R image. Similarly, an image corresponding to the G color is called a G image, and an image corresponding to the B color is called a B image.
When the image forming panel 33 forms an R image, the light 41 from the lamp 11 is applied to the region 55R. As a result, the image forming panel 33 is irradiated with R-color light 45 </ b> R via the illumination optical system 13.
Similarly, when the image forming panel 33 forms a G image, the image forming panel 33 is irradiated with the G color light 45 </ b> G via the light color switching device 12 and the illumination optical system 13. When the image forming panel 33 forms a B image, the image forming panel 33 is irradiated with B color light 45G via the light color switching device 12 and the illumination optical system 13.

In the present embodiment, the formation of the R image, the formation of the G image, and the formation of the B image are sequentially performed within one frame period.
The R image is projected onto the screen 8 or the like when the R color image light 47R is emitted from the projection lens unit 15 as the projection light 9 (FIG. 1). The G image is projected onto the screen 8 or the like when the G color image light 47 </ b> G is emitted from the projection lens unit 15 as the projection light 9. Similarly, the B image is projected onto the screen 8 or the like when the B color image light 47 </ b> B is emitted as the projection light 9 from the projection lens unit 15.

In one frame period, the formation of the R image, the formation of the G image, and the formation of the B image are shifted from each other in time. However, since at least two of the R, G, and B images are superimposed on the remaining one image as an afterimage, the R, G, and B images can be viewed as a color image for one frame in one frame period. .
Thus, the projector 1 can project (display) a color image on the screen 8 or the like.

Here, the configuration of the image forming panel 33 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming panel 33 includes a liquid crystal panel 61, a retardation plate 62, a retardation plate 63, a polarizing plate 64a, and a polarizing plate 64b.
Here, a plurality of pixels 65 are set in the image forming panel 33. The plurality of pixels 65 are arranged in the region 67 in the X direction and the Y direction in the drawing, and form a matrix M in which the X direction is the row direction and the Y direction is the column direction.
In FIG. 4, the pixels 65 are exaggerated and the number of the pixels 65 is reduced for easy understanding of the configuration.
Note that the X direction is a direction in which scanning lines described later extend. The Y direction is a direction in which a signal line to be described later extends. In the present embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other.

In the projector 1, the surface 69 on the polarizing plate 64b side of the image forming panel 33 is directed to the optical path 42d side, that is, the projection lens unit 15 side shown in FIG. In the image forming panel 33, an image is formed (displayed) on the surface 69 side. Therefore, in the following, the surface 69 is denoted as the display surface 69.
The region 67 corresponds to a region where an image is formed (displayed). Therefore, in the following, the area 67 is denoted as a display area 67.

The liquid crystal panel 61 includes an element substrate 71, a counter substrate 73, a liquid crystal 75, and a sealing material 77, as shown in FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4.
The element substrate 71 is provided with a switching element, which will be described later, corresponding to each of the plurality of pixels 65 on the display surface 69 side, that is, the liquid crystal 75 side.
The counter substrate 73 faces the element substrate 71 on the display surface 69 side with respect to the element substrate 71, and is provided with a gap between the counter substrate 73 and the element substrate 71. The counter substrate 73 is provided with a counter electrode described later on the surface 79 side, that is, the liquid crystal 75 side. Note that the surface 79 corresponds to the bottom surface of the image forming panel 33 opposite to the display surface 69. For this reason, in the following, the surface 79 is referred to as a bottom surface 79.

  The liquid crystal 75 is sandwiched between the element substrate 71 and the counter substrate 73, and is sealed between the element substrate 71 and the counter substrate 73 by a sealing material 77 that surrounds the display region 67 inside the periphery of the liquid crystal panel 61. Has been. In this embodiment, a VA (Vertical Alignment) type driving method is adopted as a driving method of the liquid crystal 75.

The retardation plate 62 is provided on the bottom surface 79 side of the element substrate 71, that is, on the opposite side of the liquid crystal 75 side.
The retardation plate 63 is provided on the display surface 69 side of the counter substrate 73, that is, on the side opposite to the liquid crystal 75 side. In the image forming panel 33, the phase difference plate 62 and the phase difference plate 63 each give a phase difference of ¼ wavelength to the incident light.

The polarizing plate 64 a is provided on the bottom surface 79 side of the element substrate 71. The polarizing plate 64 b is provided on the display surface 69 side of the phase difference plate 63. Each of the polarizing plates 64a and 64b can transmit linearly polarized light having a polarization axis along the transmission axis.
The liquid crystal panel 61 also includes a scanning line driving circuit 81 and a signal line driving circuit 83 as shown in FIG. 6 which is a block diagram showing the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 25 and the liquid crystal panel 61. . The liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25 and the liquid crystal panel 61 are each one of the components of the liquid crystal device 85.

  In the matrix M, a plurality of pixels 65 arranged in the Y direction form one pixel column 87 as shown in FIG. A plurality of pixels 65 arranged in the X direction constitute one pixel row 88.

Here, the configuration of each of the element substrate 71 and the counter substrate 73 of the liquid crystal panel 61 will be described in detail.
The element substrate 71 includes a first substrate 91 and an element layer 92, as shown in FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
The first substrate 91 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or quartz, for example, and includes a first surface 93a facing the display surface 69 and a second surface 93b facing the bottom surface 79. have.

  The element layer 92 is provided on the first surface 93 a of the first substrate 91. The element layer 92 includes an insulating film 95, an insulating film 97, an insulating film 99, and an alignment film 101. As shown in FIG. 6, the element layer 92 includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) element 103 that is one of the switching elements and a pixel electrode 105 for each pixel 65.

As shown in FIG. 8, the insulating film 95 is provided on the first surface 93 a of the first substrate 91. The insulating film 97 is provided on the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 95. The insulating film 99 is provided on the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 97. The pixel electrode 105 is provided on the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 99. The alignment film 101 is provided on the display surface 69 side of the pixel electrode 105.
As the material of the insulating film 95, for example, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be employed. In this embodiment, silicon oxide is used as the material of the insulating film 95.

The TFT element 103 and the pixel electrode 105 are provided corresponding to each pixel 65, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 9 which is an enlarged view, the TFT element 103 includes a semiconductor layer 109 and a gate electrode 111. The semiconductor layer 109 is provided on the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 95. The semiconductor layer 109 is covered with the gate insulating film 113 from the display surface 69 side.

As the semiconductor layer 109, for example, single crystal silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, polycrystalline silicon is employed as the semiconductor layer 109.
As a material of the gate insulating film 113, for example, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be adopted. In this embodiment, silicon oxide is adopted as the material of the gate insulating film 113.

The gate electrode 111 is provided at a position facing the semiconductor layer 109 with the gate insulating film 113 interposed therebetween.
As a material of the gate electrode 111, for example, a material obtained by implanting ions or the like into polycrystalline silicon or the like can be used. Further, as the material of the gate electrode 111, a metal such as molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, or chromium, or an alloy containing these metals can be used. Examples of the alloy containing molybdenum or tungsten include molybdenum silicide and tungsten silicide.
In the present embodiment, a so-called polysilicon gate obtained by implanting ions or the like into polycrystalline silicon is used as the gate electrode 111.

In the present embodiment, the semiconductor layer 109 has a channel region 109a, a source region 109b, and a drain region 109c.
The channel region 109a overlaps the gate electrode 111 in plan view. The source region 109b and the drain region 109c are each provided outside the channel region 109a in plan view. The channel region 109a is provided between the source region 109b and the drain region 109c.
As the semiconductor layer 109, a structure in which an LDD (Lightly Doped Drain) region is provided between the channel region 109a and the source region 109b or between the channel region 109a and the drain region 109c can be employed.

The TFT element 103 having the above configuration is covered with an insulating film 97 from the display surface 69 side. As a material of the insulating film 97, for example, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be adopted. In this embodiment, silicon oxide is used as the material of the insulating film 97.
The insulating film 97 and the gate insulating film 113 are provided with a contact hole 115a and a contact hole 115b.
The contact hole 115a extends to the source region 109b. The contact hole 115b extends to the drain region 109c. A source electrode 117 is provided in the contact hole 115a. A drain electrode 119 is provided in the contact hole 115b.

  A signal line S is provided on the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 97 as shown in FIG. The signal line S is provided at a position overlapping the source electrode 117 in plan view. The signal line S and the source electrode 117 are electrically connected to each other. The signal line S is electrically connected to the source region 109b (FIG. 9) of the semiconductor layer 109 through the source electrode 117. As shown in FIG. 8, the signal line S is covered with an insulating film 99 from the display surface 69 side. As a material of the insulating film 99, for example, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be adopted. In the present embodiment, silicon oxide is employed as the material for the insulating film 99.

Here, the contact hole 115 b shown in FIG. 9 extends to the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 99. As shown in FIG. 8, the drain electrode 119 extends to the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 99. The pixel electrode 105 and the drain electrode 119 are electrically connected to each other. The pixel electrode 105 is electrically connected to the drain region 109c (FIG. 9) of the semiconductor layer 109 through the drain electrode 119.
As the pixel electrode 105, for example, a light-transmitting material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or indium zinc oxide (Indium Zinc Oxide) can be employed. In this embodiment, ITO is adopted as the material of the pixel electrode 105.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pixel electrode 105 is covered with the alignment film 101 from the display surface 69 side.
As a material of the alignment film 101, for example, a material having optical transparency such as polyimide can be adopted. In the present embodiment, polyimide is adopted as the material of the alignment film 101. Note that the alignment film 101 is subjected to an alignment process on the display surface 69 side.

The counter substrate 73 includes a second substrate 121 and a counter layer 122. The second substrate 121 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or quartz, for example, and has an outward surface 121a directed toward the display surface 69 and an opposing surface 121b directed toward the bottom surface 79. is doing.
The facing layer 122 is provided on the facing surface 121 b of the second substrate 121. The counter layer 122 includes an insulating film 123, a counter electrode 125, and an alignment film 127.
The insulating film 123 is provided on the facing surface 121 b of the second substrate 121. As a material of the insulating film 123, for example, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be adopted. In this embodiment, silicon oxide is used as the material of the insulating film 123.

The counter electrode 125 is provided on the bottom surface 79 side of the insulating film 123. As the material of the counter electrode 125, for example, a light transmissive material such as ITO or indium zinc oxide can be employed. In this embodiment, ITO is adopted as the material of the counter electrode 125.
The counter electrode 125 is provided in a series of states over a plurality of pixels 65 (FIG. 4) constituting the matrix M. The counter electrode 125 functions in common with respect to the plurality of pixels 65 constituting the matrix M.
In the present embodiment, the region of the pixel 65 can be defined as a region where one pixel electrode 105 and the counter electrode 125 overlap as shown in FIG.

  The alignment film 127 is provided on the bottom surface 79 side of the counter electrode 125. The counter electrode 125 is covered with the alignment film 127 from the bottom surface 79 side. As the material of the alignment film 127, for example, a light transmissive material such as polyimide may be employed. In this embodiment, polyimide is adopted as the material of the alignment film 127. The alignment film 127 is subjected to an alignment process on the bottom surface 79 side.

Here, the plurality of source electrodes 117 arranged in the Y direction are electrically connected to each other in units of the pixel column 87 (FIG. 6) via the signal line S as shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of gate electrodes 111 arranged in the X direction are electrically connected to each other in units of pixel rows 88 (FIG. 6) via the scanning lines T.
The plurality of signal lines S extend in the Y direction and are arranged in the X direction. A gap is provided between the signal lines S adjacent in the X direction.
The plurality of scanning lines T each extend in the X direction and are arranged in the Y direction. A gap is provided between the scanning lines T adjacent in the Y direction.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a capacitance line C extending along the X direction is provided. The capacitance line C is provided corresponding to the scanning line T, that is, for each pixel row 88 (FIG. 6).
In the present embodiment, the capacitor line C is provided on the display surface 69 side of the insulating film 95 shown in FIG. 8 and is covered with the insulating film 97 from the display surface 69 side. As the material of the capacitance line C, for example, a metal such as molybdenum, tungsten, or chromium, or an alloy containing these metals can be used. Note that the gate electrode 111 (scanning line T) and the capacitor line C are arranged with a gap in the Y direction, as shown in FIG.

The pixel 65 is set corresponding to each intersection of the plurality of signal lines S and the plurality of scanning lines T.
As shown in FIG. 11, the pixel electrode 105 overlaps a region surrounded by adjacent signal lines S and adjacent scanning lines T. In the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 105 has a peripheral portion overlapping the signal line S and the scanning line T. In addition, the pixel electrode 105 overlaps the capacitor line C.
Thereby, in the liquid crystal panel 61, a capacitive element is formed between the capacitive line C and the pixel electrode 105.
The cross section of the TFT element 103 shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the cross section taken along the line HH in FIG.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal panel 61 includes n (n is an integer of 1 or more) scanning lines T and m (m is an integer of 1 or more) signal lines S. have. In the following, when n scanning lines T are individually identified, the notation of scanning line T (i) is used. i is an integer of 1 or more and n or less. When m signal lines S are individually identified, the notation of signal line S (j) is used. j is an integer of 1 or more and m or less.
Here, the scanning line T is provided for each pixel row 88. Therefore, one pixel row 88 corresponds to one scanning line T. Therefore, in the liquid crystal panel 61 having n scanning lines T, there are n pixel rows 88. In the following, when n pixel rows 88 are individually identified, the notation pixel row 88 (i) is used.

As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal 75 interposed between the element substrate 71 and the counter substrate 73 is interposed between the alignment film 101 and the alignment film 127.
In the present embodiment, the sealing material 77 shown in FIG. 5 is sandwiched between the first surface 93a of the first substrate 91 and the opposing surface 121b of the second substrate 121 shown in FIG. That is, in the liquid crystal panel 61, the liquid crystal 75 is held by the first substrate 91 and the second substrate 121. Note that the sealing material 77 may be provided between the alignment film 101 and the alignment film 127. In this case, the liquid crystal 75 can be regarded as being held on the element substrate 71 and the counter substrate 73.

  The liquid crystal 75 is set to a thickness of L1, as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal 75 can modulate incident light. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal 75 can give a phase difference to incident light. This can be realized by setting the retardation of liquid crystal 75 (product of birefringence and thickness L1). In the present embodiment, retardation is set to give a half-wave phase difference to incident light.

As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 25 outputs a scanning signal PLS to the scanning line driving circuit 81 and outputs image data data to the signal line driving circuit 83 based on the input image signal DATA. In addition, the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25 outputs a common signal Vc to the counter electrode 125.
The scanning line driving circuit 81 outputs a selection signal g (i) for each scanning line T (i) based on the scanning signal PLS. The scanning signal PLS is a signal that defines the timing for outputting the selection signal g (i).
The signal line drive circuit 83 outputs the image data data as the data signal d (j) for each signal line S (j) based on the input image data data.
In addition, the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25 outputs a common signal Vc to the counter electrode 125. As a result, the counter electrode 125 is maintained at the potential of the common signal Vc (hereinafter referred to as a common potential).

As shown in FIG. 12, the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 25 includes a controller 131, a memory unit 133, and a D / A converter (hereinafter referred to as DAC) 135.
The controller 131 is supplied with an image signal DATA.
The memory unit 133 temporarily stores an image signal DATA for one frame. The controller 131 reads out image data data in units of 88 pixel rows from the image signal DATA for one frame stored in the memory unit 133. The controller 131 outputs the read image data data as serial data to the signal line drive circuit 83 via the DAC 135.
Further, the controller 131 outputs the scanning signal PLS to the scanning line driving circuit 81.

By the way, in the present embodiment, field driving in which at least a part of one frame period is divided into a plurality of field periods is employed. In the field drive, the on state and the off state of the liquid crystal 75 can be controlled for each field period.
In the present embodiment, one frame period is divided into three field periods SF1 to SF3 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the three field periods SF1 to SF3 are set to the same length.
In the following, the notation of field period SF1 to field period SF3 and the notation of field period SF are used together.

Here, the image signal DATA includes a timing signal VSYNC shown in FIG. The timing signal VSYNC is a signal that defines the start of one frame period.
The scanning signal PLS includes a start pulse DY and a clock signal CLY. The start pulse DY is a signal that defines the start of the field period SF.
The start pulse DY and the clock signal CLY are respectively generated by the controller 131 (FIG. 12) based on the timing signal VSYNC.
The scanning line driving circuit 81 includes a shift register 134 as shown in FIG. The start pulse DY and the clock signal CLY are input to the shift register 134.
From the shift register 134, selection signals g (1) to g (n) are output. The selection signal g (1) is supplied to the scanning line T (1) as shown in FIG. The selection signal g (2) is supplied to the scanning line T (2), and the selection signal g (n) is supplied to the scanning line T (n).

As shown in FIG. 15, the selection signal g (i) has a pulse width of a half cycle of the clock signal CLY.
The selection signal g (1) is based on the second change point of the clock signal CLY after the start pulse DY falls, that is, based on the rise of the second pulse of the clock signal CLY after the start of one field period SF. It rises from Lo level to Hi level. Here, the change point indicates a time point when the pulse signal changes from the Lo level to the Hi level and a time point when the pulse signal changes from the Hi level to the Lo level.
The selection signal g (1) rising to the Hi level is selected in the order of selection signals g (2), g (3),..., G (n) for each change point of the clock signal CLY by the shift register 134 shown in FIG. It will be shifted.

A period from when the selection signal g (1) rises to the Hi level to when the selection signal g (n) falls to the Lo level corresponds to one vertical period. In the present embodiment, one vertical period is set to a length shorter than one field period SF.
Note that the period in which the first pulse of the clock signal CLY is maintained at the Hi level after the start of the one field period SF is a period for transferring the image data data from the controller 131 to the signal line driver circuit 83. .
In this embodiment, line sequential scanning is used in which the selection signal g (i) is sequentially output from the scanning line T (1) to the scanning line T (n) for the scanning line T (i).

In the liquid crystal panel 61, when a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 105 and the counter electrode 125, an electric field is generated between the pixel electrode 105 and the counter electrode 125. This electric field can change the alignment state of the liquid crystal 75 for each pixel 65.
In the present embodiment, when an electric field acts on the liquid crystal 75, the liquid crystal 75 is turned on. On the other hand, when the electric field acting on the liquid crystal 75 is released, the liquid crystal 75 is turned off.
In the projector 1, the display is controlled by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal 75 in the liquid crystal panel 61 for each pixel 65 in a state where the image forming unit 14 shown in FIG. The alignment state of the liquid crystal 75 can be changed by the difference between the potential of the pixel electrode 105 and the potential of the counter electrode 125 (hereinafter referred to as drive voltage).

Each of the alignment film 101 and the alignment film 127 shown in FIG. 8 is subjected to an alignment process. The alignment state of the liquid crystal 75 is regulated by the alignment film 101 and the alignment film 127 that have been subjected to the alignment treatment.
In the liquid crystal panel 61, when the driving voltage is 0V, the liquid crystal 75 is in an off state. On the other hand, when the drive voltage exceeds 0 V, the liquid crystal 75 changes from the off state to the on state.
FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating a polarization state in the image forming panel 33 when the liquid crystal 75 is in an off state, and FIG. 16B is a polarization state in the image forming panel 33 when the liquid crystal 75 is in an on state. FIG.

In the image forming panel 33, the transmission axis 141 of the polarizing plate 64a and the transmission axis 142 of the polarizing plate 64b are orthogonal to each other as shown in FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b).
In FIGS. 16A and 16B, in the X ′ direction and the Y ′ direction, the X ′ direction indicates the direction of the transmission axis 141 of the polarizing plate 64a, and the Y ′ direction indicates the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 64b. The direction of 142 is shown. The X ′ direction and the Y ′ direction are arbitrary two directions orthogonal to each other in the XY plane.

The slow axis 62a of the phase difference plate 62 is set in a direction having a 45 ° inclination in the clockwise direction with respect to the X ′ direction in plan view.
Therefore, the linearly polarized light 143 transmitted through the polarizing plate 64a is given a phase difference of ¼ wavelength by the phase difference plate 62 and is incident on the liquid crystal 75 as circularly polarized light 144 that rotates counterclockwise in plan view.

When the liquid crystal 75 is in the off state, the circularly polarized light 144 that has entered the liquid crystal 75 is maintained as a polarized state (without a phase difference) as shown in FIG. Injected toward the phase difference plate 63.
Here, the slow axis 63a of the phase difference plate 63 is set in a direction having a 45 ° inclination in the clockwise direction with respect to the X ′ direction in plan view.

For this reason, the circularly polarized light 144 incident on the phase difference plate 63 is given a phase difference of ¼ wavelength by the phase difference plate 63 and is polarized as a linearly polarized light 145 having a polarization axis along the X ′ direction in plan view. Injection toward the plate 64b.
The linearly polarized light 145 emitted toward the polarizing plate 64b is absorbed by the polarizing plate 64b because the polarization axis is orthogonal to the transmission axis 142 of the polarizing plate 64b.

On the other hand, when the liquid crystal 75 is in the on state, the circularly polarized light 144 incident on the liquid crystal 75 is given a half-wave phase difference as shown in FIG. The light is emitted toward the phase difference plate 63 as a circularly polarized light 147 that rotates (reversely rotates from the circularly polarized light 144).
The circularly polarized light 147 incident on the phase difference plate 63 is given a phase difference of ¼ wavelength by the phase difference plate 63, and is applied to the polarizing plate 64 b as linearly polarized light 149 having a polarization axis along the Y ′ direction in plan view. It is injected towards.
The linearly polarized light 149 emitted toward the polarizing plate 64b passes through the polarizing plate 64b because the polarization axis is along the transmission axis 142 of the polarizing plate 64b.

Thus, in the image forming panel 33, the image formation is controlled by switching the liquid crystal 75 between the on state and the off state.
In the present embodiment, a so-called normally black (initially “black display” state) display mode in which light emission from the image forming panel 33 is blocked when the liquid crystal 75 is in an off state is employed. However, the display mode is not limited to normally black, and so-called normally white (initially “white display” state) can also be adopted.

In the image forming panel 33, in white display, the amount of light transmitted through the polarizing plate 64b can be changed by controlling the inclination of the molecules of the liquid crystal 75. Thereby, the luminance of the light emitted from the image forming panel 33 can be changed for each pixel 65. As a result, the image forming panel 33 can realize gradation expression in display.
In the present embodiment, the transmittance of light transmitted through the image forming panel 33 is increased according to the magnitude of the drive voltage. That is, in this embodiment, gradation expression in display can be realized by controlling the magnitude of the drive voltage.

In the present embodiment, the image displayed on the image forming panel 33 is switched between the R image, the G image, and the B image for each field period SF. In the present embodiment, the field period SF1 shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the period for forming the R image, the field period SF2 corresponds to the period for forming the G image, and the field period SF3 is the period for forming the B image. It corresponds to.
As described above, in this embodiment, line-sequential scanning is employed for displaying an image on the image forming panel 33.
In line sequential scanning, as shown in FIG. 17, in the image switching, a front image 181 that is an image before switching and a rear image 183 that is an image after switching may be mixed on the display surface 69.

  At this time, the front image 181 and the rear image 183 are arranged in the Y direction across the boundary 185. The boundary 185 extends in the X direction, and penetrates the display area 67 in the X direction. In this embodiment, since line sequential scanning is adopted, the boundary 185 moves from the pixel row 88 (1) side toward the pixel row 88 (n) side. That is, the boundary 185 moves from the rear image 183 side toward the front image 181 side along the Y direction. The image switching proceeds as the boundary 185 moves.

In the present embodiment, an R image and a G image may be mixed, a G image and a B image may be mixed, and a B image and an R image may be mixed.
When the R image and the G image are mixed, the R image becomes the front image 181 and the G image becomes the back image 183.
When the G image and the B image are mixed, the G image becomes the front image 181 and the B image becomes the back image 183.
Similarly, when the B image and the R image coexist, the B image becomes the front image 181 and the R image becomes the back image 183.

In the case where the R image and the G image are mixed, for example, if the image forming panel 33 is irradiated with the R color light 45R via the illumination optical system 13, the G image also has the R color. It is projected onto the image light 47R. On the other hand, in the case where the R image and the G image are mixed, if the image forming panel 33 is irradiated with the G color light 45G via the illumination optical system 13, the R image also becomes the G color. Is projected on the image light 47G.
Such a phenomenon can also occur in each of the case where the G image and the B image are mixed, and the case where the B image and the R image are mixed.
That is, a phenomenon in which an image that should not be originally projected onto each of the image light 47R, the image light 47G, and the image light 47B (hereinafter referred to as a mixing phenomenon) may occur. Such a mixing phenomenon makes it difficult to improve display quality in image display.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the illumination device 3 is capable of making the irradiation area of the light 45 irradiating the image forming panel 33 smaller than the display area 67 and changing the position of the irradiation area with respect to the display area 67. It has been adopted. In the present embodiment, the illumination device 3 can make it easy to visually recognize only one of the front image 181 and the rear image 183. As a result, in this embodiment, the occurrence of the mixing phenomenon can be suppressed to a low level, and the display quality in image display can be easily improved.

Here, the details of the illumination device 3 will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 18, the illumination device 3 includes a light source unit 201 and an illumination optical system 13. Although not shown, the light color switching device 12 described above is interposed between the light source unit 201 and the illumination optical system 13.
In FIG. 18, the straight line passing through the approximate center of the light beam emitted from the lamp 11 is the optical axis L, and the extending direction of the optical axis L is the Z direction. Further, the height direction of the display area 67 of the image forming panel 33 (the vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 18) corresponds to the Y direction, and the depth direction of the paper surface corresponds to the X direction.
The light source unit 201 includes the lamp 11 and the reflector 203. The reflector 203 emits the light from the lamp 11 to the illumination optical system 13 as parallel light. For ease of explanation, it is assumed that the light emitted from the light source unit 201 is a substantially columnar parallel light centered on the optical axis L, and the display region 67 falls within the cross section of the column.
In FIG. 18, the illumination light is indicated by a broken line.

The illumination optical system 13 includes an optical member 205 and a motor 207.
The optical member 205 includes a disk 209, a condenser lens 211, and a prism 213.
A disk 209 as a plate-like member is a disk made of a transparent material, and is a rotating body centered on the rotation axis Cm.
The condensing lens 211 is provided on the side of the light source unit 201 at the periphery of the disk 209, and the cross section in the radial direction of the disk 209 has a convex shape. Further, in FIG. 18, since the sectional shape of the illumination optical system 13 is shown, the condensing lens 211 seems to be separated vertically, but actually, it is continuously annularly formed along the peripheral edge of the disk 209. Yes. That is, an annular cylindrical lens is formed along the peripheral edge of the disk 209.
The condensing lens 211 has a refraction and condensing action (lens surface) for turning the illumination light from the light source unit 201 into band-like light in the display region 67 of the image forming panel 33.
The size of the irradiation region 215, which is a region where the illumination light is irradiated to the image forming panel 33, is smaller than the size of the display region 67 by the condenser lens 211.

The prism 213 is a prism provided on the image forming panel 33 side at the peripheral edge of the disk 209. The prism also has an annular shape like the condensing lens 211, but the angle of the inclined surface K differs depending on the part of the circumference. The details of the inclined surface K will be described later.
Further, the condenser lens 211 and the prism 213 are integrally formed of the same transparent resin as that of the disk 209, for example, by injection molding.
The motor 207 is arranged such that its rotation axis coincides with the rotation axis Cm of the disk 209. When the motor 207 rotates, the disk 209 rotates about the rotation axis Cm.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the optical member. 20A to 20D are views showing a cross-sectional aspect of the prism.
FIG. 19 is a plan view when the optical member 205 is observed from the image forming panel 33 side, and is also a plan view of the prism 213. In FIG. 19, a spiral two-dot chain line P indicates the direction of refraction of the band-like light by the inclined surface K of the prism 213.
As described above, the inclined surface K has a different inclination angle depending on each part of the circumference, that is, along the circumference. Here, the detailed shape of the prism 213 will be described by taking a cross section every 90 ° counterclockwise with the 12 o'clock direction along the Y direction from the rotation axis Cm of the optical member 205 as 0 °.

In the cross section at 0 °, the inclined surface K inclines in a direction descending from the peripheral side of the prism 213 toward the rotation axis Cm, as shown in FIG. ing. In the 0 ° cross section, the inclination angle formed by the reference plane B and the inclined plane K is θ1.
In the 90 ° cross section, the inclined surface K inclines in a direction descending from the peripheral side of the prism 213 toward the rotation axis Cm, as shown in FIG. 20B, which is a cross-sectional view in the E viewing direction in FIG. ing. In the 90 ° section, the inclination angle formed by the reference plane B and the inclined plane K is θ2. The inclination angle θ2 is smaller than the inclination angle θ1.

In the 180 ° cross section, the inclined surface K is substantially parallel to the reference plane B as shown in FIG. 20C, which is a cross-sectional view in the F viewing direction in FIG.
In the cross section at 270 °, the inclined surface K is inclined in a direction that descends from the rotation axis Cm toward the peripheral side of the prism 213, as shown in FIG. 20D, which is a cross sectional view in the G viewing direction in FIG. ing. In the 270 ° cross section, the inclination angle formed by the reference plane B and the inclined plane K is θ3. The inclination angle θ3 is opposite to the inclination angle θ2, but the absolute value of the angle is substantially the same.

Here, the cross-section at each angle is different as described above, but the inclined surface K is composed of continuous surfaces as shown by a two-dot chain line P in FIG. 19 from 0 ° to 270 °. Yes.
Specifically, from 0 ° to 90 °, the slope of the upward-sloping inclination angle θ1 in FIG. 20A gradually decreases the inclination angle, and the inclination of the upward-sloping inclination angle θ2 in FIG. 20B. It is changing continuously.
Similarly, from 90 ° to 180 °, the inclination of the upward-sloping inclination angle θ2 of FIG. 20B continuously changes to the flat shape of FIG. 20C while gradually reducing the inclination angle. To do.
In addition, from 180 ° to 270 °, the flat angle of FIG. 20 (c) is lowered to the right in FIG. Continuously changes to the inclination of the inclination angle θ3.

When the angle is increased from 270 ° to 0 °, the angle is increased from the inclination of the downward-sloping inclination angle θ3 to the downward-sloping inclination angle θ1 (absolute value) in FIG. Return to the slope of the slope angle θ1 that rises to the right.
The optical member 205 provided with such a prism 213 is rotated clockwise at a constant speed around the rotation axis Cm by a motor 207 as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 18, the state of the illumination light at this time will be described. Illumination light from the light source unit 201 enters the condenser lens 211, passes through the disk 209, is then emitted from the inclined surface K of the prism 213, and is displayed. The region 67 is irradiated in a band shape. The position of the band-shaped light irradiation region 215 with respect to the display region 67 changes as the optical member 205 rotates.

21A to 21D are diagrams illustrating transition modes of the irradiation region 215. FIG.
A transition mode of the irradiation region 215 accompanying the rotation of the optical member 205 will be described.
Each of FIGS. 21A to 21D corresponds to each of FIGS. 20A to 20D. 21A to 21D show the display area 67 when the inclined surface K of the prism 213 corresponding to 0 ° to 270 ° is positioned in the display area 67 in FIG. 19 as the optical member 205 rotates. The illumination mode is shown.
At the position of 0 °, the irradiation region 215 overlaps the pixel row 88 (1) of the display region 67 as shown in FIG.
The irradiation area 215 is narrower than the display area 67 in the Y direction and penetrates the display area 67 in the X direction due to the light condensing action of the condenser lens 211. That is, the illumination light applied to the display area 67 is a strip-shaped light extending in the X direction.
The width t2 of the irradiation region 215 may be equal to or less than half the width t1 of the display region 67, but is preferably equal to or less than ¼ of the width t1.
In FIG. 21, the irradiation region 215 is drawn in a state of being curved in the X-axis direction. However, the degree of this curvature depends on the diameter of the disk 209, and can be made closer to a straight line by increasing the diameter. .

At the 90 ° position, the irradiation region 215 is displaced closer to the pixel row 88 (n) than at the 0 ° position.
At the 180 ° position, the irradiation region 215 is displaced closer to the pixel row 88 (n) than at the 90 ° position.
At the position of 270 °, the irradiation region 215 is displaced to the pixel row 88 (n) side than at the position of 180 °.
While returning from the 270 ° position to the 0 ° position, the irradiation region 215 moves to the pixel row 88 (n) of the display region 67.
As described above, when the optical member 205 shown in FIG. 19 rotates once, the irradiation region 215 moves between the pixel row 88 (1) and the pixel row 88 (n) of the display region 67. In other words, when the optical member 205 rotates once, the display area 67 is scanned once by the strip light. Accordingly, when the optical member 205 is continuously rotated, the irradiation region 215 is repeatedly and cyclically scanned from the pixel row 88 (1) to the pixel row 88 (n).

  In the present embodiment, the cycle in which the irradiation region 215 circulates is set to a length equivalent to one frame period. Thereby, the cycle in which the boundary 185 (FIG. 17) circulates in the display region 67 and the cycle in which the irradiation region 215 circulates in the display region 67 can be matched. As a result, even when the front image 181 and the rear image 183 are mixed in the display region 67, the irradiation region 215 can be scanned while the irradiation region 215 is superimposed on one of the front image 181 and the rear image 183. it can. Thereby, even in the state where the front image 181 and the rear image 183 are mixed in the display area 67, it is possible to make it easy for the observer to visually recognize either the front image 181 or the rear image 183.

In the present embodiment, the irradiation region 215 is located on the front image 181 side with respect to the boundary 185, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the illumination device 3 changes the position of the irradiation region 215 relative to the display region 67 in a state where the irradiation region 215 is positioned on the front image 181 side with respect to the boundary 185. For this reason, even if the front image 181 and the rear image 183 are mixed in the display area 67, only the front image 181 can be easily seen.
At this time, when the irradiation region 215 is located within the range of the previous image 181, the boundary 185 and the irradiation region 215 are preferably close to each other. This is due to the response characteristics of the liquid crystal 75.

When the driving voltage is applied to change the liquid crystal 75 from the off state to the on state, a response time is generated until the liquid crystal 75 is switched to the on state. Within the response time, the image forming panel 33 is in a state where it does not reach a predetermined gradation as a display.
When the irradiation region 215 is located within the range of the previous image 181, if the boundary 185 and the irradiation region 215 are close to each other, it is easy to ensure a sufficient response time of the liquid crystal 75. Thereby, the display quality in the display can be further improved.

By the way, on the image forming panel 33, the image is rewritten in units of pixel rows 88. Further, the irradiation region 215 overlaps only a part of the pixel rows 88 among the n pixel rows 88. If only some of the pixel rows 88 are present, the shift in driving timing of the liquid crystal 75 is smaller than the shift in the n pixel rows 88.
In the present embodiment, the irradiation region 215 can be easily overlapped only on a part of the pixel rows 88 in which the shift in the driving timing of the liquid crystal 75 is suppressed to be low. For this reason, in this embodiment, even if the response state of the liquid crystal 75 varies in the display area 67, it is possible to easily display an image in a state where the response state of the liquid crystal 75 is stable. As a result, in this embodiment, the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the liquid crystal 75 can be expanded.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, a configuration in which a blank image 221 is interposed as a boundary 185 between the front image 181 and the rear image 183 may be employed.
With the configuration in which the blank image 221 is interposed as the boundary 185, the space between the front image 181 and the rear image 183 mixed in the display area 67 can be easily widened. As a result, the front image 181 and the rear image 183 mixed in the display area 67 can be easily moved away from each other, and only one of the front image 181 and the rear image 183 can be further visually recognized. Thereby, the display quality in the display can be further improved.
Note that the margin image 221 is an image indicating a margin and is different from both the front image 181 and the rear image 183. Here, the margin does not include the concept of white as a color, and represents a plain concept without a pattern.

In the configuration in which the blank image 221 is interposed as the boundary 185, it is preferable to display the blank image 221 by stopping the emission of light from the pixel 65 of the image forming panel 33, that is, causing the pixel 65 to perform black display. .
Thereby, the blank image 221 can be made inconspicuous. Further, since the pixel 65 performs black display, it is possible to suppress the emission of light from the area of the blank image 221 to a low level even when the irradiation area 215 overlaps the blank image 221.
In the irradiation region 215, a luminance distribution may occur in the Y direction. In this case, the luminance tends to be higher near the center of the irradiation region 215 in the Y direction than near the end portion of the irradiation region 215 in the Y direction. In the light irradiation to the area of the previous image 181, it is preferable to overlap the high luminance portion of the irradiation area 215 with the pixel row 88 closest to the boundary 185. The reason for this is as described above.

In the configuration in which the blank image 221 is not interposed, when the vicinity of the center in the Y direction of the irradiation region 215 is overlapped with the pixel row 88 closest to the boundary 185 in the region of the previous image 181, the region of the rear image 183 is also irradiated with light. End up.
On the other hand, in the configuration in which the blank image 221 is interposed as the boundary 185, even if the vicinity of the center in the Y direction of the irradiation region 215 is superimposed on the pixel row 88 closest to the boundary 185 in the region of the previous image 181, The region 183 is difficult to be irradiated with light.
For this reason, in the configuration in which the blank image 221 is interposed as the boundary 185, the response time of the liquid crystal 75 can be more easily ensured. Thereby, the display quality in the display can be further improved.

In the embodiment described above, the Y direction corresponds to the first direction, the X direction corresponds to the second direction, the condenser lens 211 corresponds to the first optical element, and the prism 213 corresponds to the second optical element. The motor 207 corresponds to the power source.
In the embodiment described above, the optical member 205 in which the condenser lens 211 and the prism 213 are integrally formed is employed. However, as the optical member 205, a configuration in which the condenser lens 211 and the prism 213 are separate bodies may be employed. In this case, a configuration in which the prism 213 is rotated without rotating the condenser lens 211 may be employed. Thereby, since the moment of inertia of the optical member 205 can be reduced, the load applied to the motor 207 can be reduced. As a result, the motor 207 and the optical member 205 can be reduced in size.

In the present embodiment, an image forming panel 33 having a transmissive liquid crystal panel 61 is employed as the light valve. However, the liquid crystal panel 61 is not limited to the transmissive type, and a reflective type may be employed.
In this embodiment, the example in which the liquid crystal device 85 is applied to the projector 1 has been described. However, the application of the liquid crystal device 85 is not limited to the projector 1. The liquid crystal device 85 can be applied to a display device such as a display, for example.
In this embodiment, the case where the color of the light 43 is three colors of R, G, and B has been described as an example. However, the number of colors is not limited to three, and examples thereof include yellow, magenta, and cyan. Any number of colors, such as six colors with complementary colors, may be employed.

In the present embodiment, the VA type driving method is adopted as the driving method of the liquid crystal 75, but the driving method is not limited to this. Various methods such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) type, an IPS (In Plane Switching) type, and an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) type can be adopted as the driving method of the liquid crystal 75.
In addition, the electronic device to which the liquid crystal device 85 can be applied is not limited to the projector 1, but is a mobile phone, a mobile computer, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a display device for a car navigation system, an audio device, or the like. There are various electronic devices.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Projector, 3 ... Illuminating device, 4 ... Optical system, 11 ... Lamp, 12 ... Light color switching apparatus, 13 ... Illumination optical system, 14 ... Image forming part, 15 ... Projection lens part, 21 ... Control part, 25 ... Liquid crystal panel drive circuit, 33... Image forming panel, 41... Light, 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d... Optical path, 43 ... light, 43 R, 43 G, 43 B ... light, 45 ... light, 45 R, 45 G, 45 B. ... image light, 47R, 47G, 47B ... image light, 51 ... color wheel, 53 ... motor, 54 ... center of rotation, 55R, 55G, 55B ... area, 61 ... liquid crystal panel, 65 ... pixel, 67 ... display area, 69 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Display surface, 71 ... Element substrate, 73 ... Counter substrate, 75 ... Liquid crystal, 81 ... Scanning line drive circuit, 83 ... Signal line drive circuit, 85 ... Liquid crystal device, 87 ... Pixel column, 88 ... Pixel row, 131 ... Controller 133: Memory unit, 181 ... Previous image, 183 ... Rear image, 185 ... Border, 201 ... Light source unit, 203 ... Reflector, 205 ... Optical member, 207 ... Motor, 209 ... Disc, 211 ... Condensing lens, 213 ... Prism 215. Irradiation area.

Claims (6)

A liquid crystal panel that displays a plurality of different images for each color of a plurality of colors in a display area while sequentially switching for each color;
An illumination device that irradiates the liquid crystal panel with the light of the color corresponding to the image for each of the images;
In the switching of the image, a front image that is the image before switching and a rear image that is the image after switching are mixed in the display area,
In the switching of the images, the front image and the rear image are arranged in a first direction across a boundary,
Switching from the previous image to the rear image proceeds in the first direction as the boundary moves to the front image side,
In the liquid crystal panel, an irradiation area that is an area irradiated with the light is set smaller than the display area,
The illumination device changes the position of the irradiation area with respect to the display area along the direction in which the boundary moves in the first direction in a state where the irradiation area is within the area of the previous image. ,
An electro-optical device. The irradiation region is set to a size that is narrower than the display region in the first direction and penetrates the display region in a second direction that intersects the first direction.
The electro-optical device according to claim 1. The plurality of colors include at least a red color, a green color, and a blue color.
The electro-optical device according to claim 1 or 2. The lighting device includes:
A light source that emits the light;
A first optical element interposed between the light source and the liquid crystal panel;
A second optical element interposed between the first optical element and the liquid crystal panel;
A power source that generates power for rotating the second optical element,
The first optical element condenses the light from the light source on the irradiation area in the liquid crystal panel,
The second optical element has a refracting surface that refracts light from the first optical element toward the liquid crystal panel, and is refracted by the refracting surface with rotation by power from the power source. Changing the direction of light refraction along the first direction;
The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device includes a filter that defines the color of light transmitted for each color.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1.

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