JP2012009154A - Lighting system and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system capable of reducing luminous unevenness and applicable from partial lighting to the whole area lighting, and to provide a display device equipped with the lighting system.SOLUTION: The lighting system 10 is provided with a light guide body unit 5 in which light guide bodies 4 having one end face 4a and the other end face 4b which have the same cross sections of the same polygons and face each other are arranged in two dimensions with a gap, and is provided with a light source unit 3 including at least one light emitting element 2 arranged with a gap opposing the one end face 4a in each of the light guide bodies 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device and a display device.

  As the lighting device, a light guide unit having end surfaces facing each other and having a light guide function for guiding and emitting light incident from one end surface to the other end surface, and a plurality of point light sources on one end surface of the light guide unit There is known a light source device having a point light source array arranged in a planar shape. As the point light source, a light emitting diode (LED) is cited.

Similarly, as an example of using a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source, it has a first surface having an area equal to or larger than the light emitting area of the light source and a second surface facing the first surface. A rod lens array in which rod lenses having the two surfaces as the bottom surface are two-dimensionally arranged, and a light source including a semiconductor light emitting device having a plurality of colors arranged on the first surface side of each rod lens There are known optical elements including the above.
The rod lens array in this optical element is configured by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of rod lenses with respect to the light source so as to form one emission surface with the second surfaces of the plurality of rod lenses being in contact with each other. ing.

JP 2007-4197 A JP 2007-288169 A

In the light source device of Patent Document 1, when all the point light sources arranged in a planar shape are turned on, the light is guided to the other end face of the light guide means and is emitted with no unevenness in the light intensity. The effect that it is done. However, when a part of the point light source arranged in a planar shape is turned on to obtain partial illumination light, the light diffuses inside the light guide means, so that there is no unevenness in light intensity. There is a problem that partial lighting is difficult.
Similarly, in the optical element of Patent Document 2 described above, even when a part of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices is turned on to obtain partial illumination light, the second surfaces of the rod lens array are mutually connected. Since they are in contact with each other, there is a problem in that light leakage occurs from the contacted portions, and partial illumination in a state where there is no unevenness of light intensity is still difficult.

  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] The illumination device of this application example is a light guide in which a light guide having one end face and the other end face facing each other is two-dimensionally arranged with a gap, having the same polygonal cross-sectional shape. And a light source unit including at least one light emitting element disposed opposite to the one end face of each light guide.

  According to this configuration, the light emitted from the light emitting element of the light source unit is provided with a gap between the light guides. It enters from the end face, propagates through the light guide, and is efficiently emitted from the other end face. Therefore, if the light emitting element is controlled to emit light independently in the light source unit, it is possible to provide an illuminating device that can perform partial illumination to full illumination in a state where luminance unevenness is reduced.

Application Example 2 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the area of the other end face is the same as the area of the one end face.
According to this structure, the partial illumination according to arrangement | positioning of the light emitting element in a light source unit is possible.

Application Example 3 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, the area of the other end surface may be larger than the area of the one end surface.
According to this configuration, since the angle of the light emitted from the other end surface approaches the normal direction with respect to the angle of the light incident on one end surface, the illumination light has high directivity for each light guide. Can be taken out. That is, when partial illumination is performed, more selective partial illumination is possible.

Application Example 4 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, a light guide support portion disposed at least between the light guides in the vicinity of each of the one end face and the other end face is provided. To do.
According to this configuration, the gaps between the light guides can be kept constant on the one end face side and the other end face side of the light guide. That is, on the light incident side, useless light incidence from the light emitting element between the adjacent light guides can be prevented, and light leakage between the adjacent light guides can be prevented on the light emission side.

Application Example 5 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the light guide support portion has light absorptivity or light reflectivity.
According to this configuration, even if light enters the light guide support portion from one light guide between adjacent light guides, it is possible to prevent light from leaking to the other light guide. That is, uneven brightness between the light guides can be reduced.

Application Example 6 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, the light source unit includes a support substrate on which a plurality of the light emitting elements are arranged, and the light guide support portion positioned on the one end surface side includes It is arranged on a support substrate.
According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately position the light emitting element and the light guide disposed on the support substrate using the light guide support portion.

Application Example 7 In the illumination device according to the application example, when the light source unit has θ as an angle at which the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting element is at least half with respect to the normal direction of the light emitting element, The light radiated at an angle θ is disposed on the light guide unit so that the light enters from the one end face of the light guide and is reflected by the inner wall of the light guide that intersects the one end face. It is preferable.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an illuminating device capable of obtaining stable luminance (brightness) by radiating light from the light emitting element and efficiently using the emitted light.

  Application Example 8 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the light emitting element is an organic electroluminescence element.

  Application Example 9 In the illumination device according to the application example described above, the light emitting element may be a light emitting diode.

  Application Example 10 A display device according to this application example is a light-receiving display that is disposed so as to be opposed to the illumination device according to the application example described above at a distance from the other end surface of the light guide unit of the illumination device. And a device.

  According to this configuration, the light from the light source unit can be efficiently transmitted through the light guide unit to illuminate the display device, and the light emitting element can be controlled independently according to the display state of the display device. Then, it is possible to provide a display device capable of realizing a display with high contrast and good appearance.

Application Example 11 In the display device according to the application example described above, a plurality of display units including the illumination device and the display device are provided, and display is performed by combining display lights of the plurality of display units. And
According to this configuration, a more expressive display can be performed as compared with the case where the display is performed by one display unit. For example, if the display unit is configured to correspond to the three primary colors of light, it is possible to realize a full-color display having a good appearance after the display light is combined. For example, if the display unit is configured to correspond to the left-eye image and the right-eye image, a display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image can be provided.

The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the illuminating device of 1st Embodiment. The schematic perspective view which shows a light guide. (A) is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of a light source unit, (b) is a side view. (A) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the light source unit with respect to a light guide unit, (b) is an enlarged view which shows arrangement | positioning of the light emitting element with respect to a light guide. Schematic which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal panel as a display device, (b) is a schematic sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the H-H 'line | wire of (a). The schematic exploded perspective view which shows the example of the partial illumination in a display apparatus. Schematic which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 5th Embodiment. (A) is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal panel of 5th Embodiment, (b) is a schematic sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the J-J 'line | wire of (a). The perspective view which shows the light guide of a modification. The schematic sectional drawing which shows the illuminating device provided with the light guide of the modification.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings to be used are appropriately enlarged or reduced so that the part to be described can be recognized.

  In the following embodiments, for example, when “on the substrate” is described, the substrate is disposed so as to be in contact with the substrate, or is disposed on the substrate via another component, or the substrate. It is assumed that a part is arranged so as to be in contact with each other and a part is arranged via another component.

(First embodiment)
<Lighting device>
First, the illuminating device of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the illumination device of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the light guide, FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the light source unit, and FIG. ) Is a side view, FIG. 4A is a schematic sectional view showing the arrangement of the light source unit with respect to the light guide unit, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing the arrangement of the light emitting elements with respect to the light guide. Specifically, FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region indicated by a circle in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination device 10 of the present embodiment includes a light source unit 3 having a support substrate 1 and a plurality of light emitting elements 2 arranged two-dimensionally on the support substrate 1 at intervals, and a light source unit 3. And a light guide unit 5 having a plurality of light guides 4 arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to each of the plurality of light emitting elements 2. Moreover, it has a pair of light guide support parts 6 and 7 that support the plurality of light guides 4 so that the plurality of light guides 4 are two-dimensionally arranged with gaps (intervals) therebetween. That is, the illuminating device 10 emits light emitted from the light emitting element 2 in the light source unit 3 via the light guide 4 and realizes planar illumination by the light guide unit 5.

  The light emitting element 2 is a light emitting diode (LED), and can select white, red, green, blue, or the like according to a desired illumination color. Further, light emitting diodes that can obtain different emission colors may be combined and arranged two-dimensionally on the support substrate 1.

  As the support substrate 1, for example, it is preferable to use a circuit substrate having a base made of ceramic having shape stability and heat resistance with respect to temperature (heat). Such a support substrate 1 is formed with wiring that enables each light emitting element 2 to control light emission independently, and is connected to an external drive circuit (not shown) that supplies power.

  The light emitting element 2 is not limited to a light emitting diode (LED). For example, a plurality of organic electroluminescence (EL) elements are formed on a semiconductor substrate such as a transparent glass substrate or opaque silicon as the support substrate 1. In addition, it is possible to employ a device in which wiring and a drive circuit capable of independently controlling light emission of the organic EL element are formed. The organic EL element as the light emitting element 2 can adopt a known configuration, and preferably emits phosphorescence rather than fluorescence in that high luminance can be obtained. Moreover, it is also possible to form the luminescent color so that white, red, green, blue, etc. are obtained similarly to a light emitting diode. Furthermore, compared with the case where the light source unit 3 is configured by mounting a plurality of light emitting diodes on the support substrate 1, the organic EL element as the light emitting element 2 can be arranged with high definition. Further, since the organic EL element can be formed with a height lower than that of the light emitting diode, there is an advantage that a thin light source unit 3 can be realized.

  As a driving method for independently controlling light emission of the light emitting diode or the organic EL element as the light emitting element 2, simple matrix driving or active matrix driving provided with a switching element corresponding to each light emitting element 2 can be adopted. .

  The light guide unit 5 is formed by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of light guides 4 with a gap (interval) therebetween. Light guide support portions 6 and 7 are provided on the light incident side and light exit side of the light guide 4 to keep the gap constant.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light guide 4 is made of, for example, a transparent member such as glass or resin that is optically isotropic and has a refractive index n larger than 1. It has an end face 4a and the other end face 4b. When the length of the short side portion on one end surface 4a is a and the length of the long side portion is b, the distance between one end surface 4a and the other end surface 4b, that is, the length of the optical path in the light guide 4 of the quadrangular prism. The length L is at least three times the length b of the long side portion.
Light can be incident from either one end surface 4a or the other end surface 4b. However, for the sake of explanation, one end surface 4a is referred to as an incident surface 4a, and therefore, one end surface 4a. The other end face 4b corresponding to is referred to as a light exit face 4b.

Next, the light guide support 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the light guide support portion 6 is disposed on the support substrate 1 on which the light emitting element 2 is provided. The light guide support 6 has an opening 6 a provided corresponding to the arrangement of the light emitting elements 2 on the support substrate 1. The opening 6a is a quadrangle having the same shape as the incident surface 4a of the light guide 4 in plan view, and the area is the same as or slightly larger than the incident surface 4a. And in the thickness direction (the height direction on the support substrate 1) of the light guide support part 6, the opening area is in contact with the opening part 6b that is slightly smaller than the opening part 6a through the step part 6c.

  By inserting the light guide 4 into the opening 6a, the adjacent light guides 4 are supported with a gap (interval) on the incident surface 4a side. The position of the incident surface 4 a of the light guide 4 facing the light emitting element 2 can be defined by the position of the stepped portion 6 c in the thickness direction of the light guide support 6. In other words, the position of the step portion 6c in each opening 6a is determined so that the distance between the light emitting element 2 and the incident surface 4a is constant.

  The exit surface 4b side of the light guide 4 is supported by the other light guide support 7 as shown in FIG. The light guide support part 7 has a plurality of openings 7 a corresponding to the two-dimensional arrangement of the light emitting elements 2. The opening 7 a is a quadrangle having substantially the same shape and size as the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 4. By inserting the exit surface 4b side of the light guide 4 into the opening 7a, the exit surface 4b is exposed over the entire surface, and adjacent light guides 4 are spaced from each other on the exit surface 4b side. Supported.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the light source unit 3 and the light guide unit 5 are arranged so that the light guide 4 is opposed to each other with a certain distance for each light emitting element 2. In the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the light guide 4, there is a gap (air layer) between the light guides 4.

  When light emitted radially from the center of the light emitting element 2 as a substantially point light source is incident on the incident surface 4 a of the light guide 4, the incident light propagates in the light guide 4. Specifically, since the space between the light guides 4 is an air layer, the light incident on the light guide 4 repeatedly undergoes total reflection at the interface with the air layer, that is, the inner wall of the light guide 4, and is thus an exit surface 4b. Is injected from.

  The shapes of the entrance surface 4a and the exit surface 4b (the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 4) are not limited to the quadrangle shown in FIG. 2, and may be a polygon such as a pentagon or a hexagon. When the shape is circular, the light that is totally reflected and propagates in the light guide 4 is concentrated on the optical axis of the light guide 4 (the axis that passes through the center of the circular cross section) and is emitted from the exit surface 4b. There is a possibility that the luminance becomes high in the central portion of the exit surface 4b, resulting in uneven luminance in a plane. If the shape is a polygon, the angle of the light totally reflected on the inner wall of the light guide 4 is changed, and the totally reflected light propagates in the light guide 4 while diffusing in various directions, and the exit surface 4b. Therefore, light can be extracted in a state where luminance unevenness is reduced.

  The light guide supporters 6 and 7 that support the plurality of light guides 4 with gaps between the adjacent light guides 4 are in contact with the side surfaces of the light guide 4 at the portions that support the light guides 4. Therefore, it is desirable to have light absorptivity or light reflectivity so that light does not leak from the contacted part to the outside or the adjacent light guide 4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the intensity of the light emitted radially from the light emitting element 2 is not necessarily constant depending on the radiation angle θ with respect to the normal direction. As the radiation angle θ increases, the intensity of the emitted light decreases. Therefore, in order to effectively use the radially emitted light, it is desirable to make the distance between the light emitting element 2 and the light guide 4 as close as possible so that more radially emitted light is incident on the incident surface 4a. On the other hand, the light emitting element 2 generates heat with light emission. Considering the use as the lighting device 10 and the light emission lifetime of the light emitting element 2, it is necessary to dissipate the heat generated from the light emitting element 2, and the light emitting element 2 and the light guide 4 are arranged with a certain distance therebetween. Therefore, the heat dissipation can be efficiently promoted.

As described above, when the light guide support 6 is provided on the support substrate 1 of the light source unit 3, the light guide support 6 has light absorption or light reflection in consideration of the heat dissipation. In addition, it is desirable to select a material having thermal conductivity.
As a material suitable for such a light guide support part 6, a metal material such as a resin containing carbon fiber having light absorption and heat conductivity, aluminum having light reflectivity and heat conductivity, or the like An alloy or an oxide is mentioned.

  In the present embodiment, in consideration of effective use and heat dissipation of light emitted from the light emitting element 2, light emitted at a radiation angle θ at which the light intensity is at least half is reliably incident on the incident surface 4a and guided. The distance between the light emitting element 2 and the light guide 4 is set so as to be reflected by the inner wall of the light body 4. Needless to say, if the light emitting element 2 and the incident surface 4a are separated by more than the distance set in this way, it is advantageous in terms of heat dissipation but disadvantageous in terms of increasing light intensity.

  The length (length of the optical path) L in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 4 is the distance between the light emitting element 2 and the light guide 4 (in other words, the incident angle of light with respect to the incident surface 4a), the incident surface. In consideration of the length b of the long side portion 4a, the refractive index n of the light guide 4, etc., it can be determined by performing, for example, optical simulation so that the luminance unevenness on the exit surface 4b is reduced. . An embodiment of the illumination device 10 derived by optical simulation will be described below.

Example 1
-The light emitting element 2 is a light emitting diode or organic EL element from which white light emission is obtained.
The radiation angle θ at which the light intensity in the light emission from the light emitting element 2 becomes half is 30 degrees
The light guide 4 has a refractive index n of about 1.5, the shape of the incident surface 4a is square, the length of one side is 1 mm, and the gap (interval) between the light guides 4 is about 0.1 mm. . Examples of the material of the light guide 4 include acrylic and borosilicate glass.
When an optical simulation is performed under such conditions, the length L of the light guide 4 that makes the luminance unevenness on the exit surface 4b inconspicuous becomes 2.7 mm or more. In other words, if the length L of the light guide 4 is about three times or more than the length of the side of the incident surface 4a, illumination with reduced brightness unevenness is possible.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment, the light emitted from each light emitting element 2 of the light source unit 3 propagates through the light guide 4 that is two-dimensionally arranged with a gap between each other. It can be efficiently taken out from the exit surface 4b.

  (2) The light guide supporters 6 and 7 keep the gap between the light guides 4 arranged two-dimensionally constant. Thereby, the light guide unit 5 including the plurality of light guides 4 can realize planar illumination in a state where luminance unevenness is reduced. In addition, by controlling the light emission of each light emitting element 2 independently, partial illumination and full illumination can be realized in a state where the luminance unevenness is small in a plane.

  (3) Since the light guide supporters 6 and 7 have light absorption or light reflectivity, light leakage at the portion supporting the light guide 4 can be prevented.

  (4) Since the light guide support 6 has further thermal conductivity, it is possible to provide the lighting device 10 that can dissipate heat generated by the light emission of the light emitting element 2 and obtain a long light emission lifetime.

(Second Embodiment)
<Display device>
Next, the display device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the display device according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a liquid crystal panel as a display device, and FIG. 5B is a diagram H of FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of partial illumination in the display device.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display device 100 of this embodiment includes a light-receiving and transmissive liquid crystal panel 110 as a display device, and the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 110. Yes. Such a display device 100 can be applied to, for example, a direct-view head-mounted display (HMD), and is disposed on the left and right eyes of the observer M, and is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 110 via the observation lens 160, for example. It has a configuration in which information such as characters and images can be confirmed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a liquid crystal panel 110 as a display device includes an element substrate 111 arranged opposite to each other and a counter substrate 121 having a size slightly smaller than the element substrate 111 in plan view. And.

  A liquid crystal layer 150 is configured by filling a liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy into a gap (gap) between the element substrate 111 and the counter substrate 121 bonded by the sealant 140. That is, the liquid crystal layer 150 is sandwiched between the element substrate 111 and the counter substrate 121.

  The element substrate 111 is made of, for example, transparent quartz, and the outside of the sealing material 140 is a peripheral circuit region, and the data line driving circuit 113 and the external circuit are arranged along one side of the element substrate 111 in the longitudinal direction (X direction). And a plurality of mounting terminals 117 are provided. A scanning line driving circuit 114 is provided along each of the other two sides of the element substrate 111 in the short direction (Y direction). A plurality of wirings 115 for connecting the two scanning line driving circuits 114 are provided along the remaining side of the element substrate 111.

  Inside the sealing material 140 on the element substrate 111, a plurality of pixel electrodes 112 arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction are provided. Further, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor; not shown) is provided as a switching element that is electrically connected to the data line driving circuit 113 and the scanning line driving circuit 114 and performs switching control of the pixel electrode 112.

The counter substrate 121 is made of, for example, transparent quartz, for example, and on the liquid crystal layer 150 side, the color filter 122 and the light shielding film 123 that demarcates the color filter 122 at the position facing the pixel electrode 112, and the color filter 122 and the light shielding film 123 And a common electrode 124 is provided.
The common electrode 124 provided on the counter substrate 121 is electrically connected to the wiring on the element substrate 111 side by the vertical conduction portions 116 provided at the four corners of the counter substrate 121 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6A, one pixel includes three sub-pixels corresponding to the three color filters 122R (red), 122G (green), and 122B (blue). The pixel electrode 112 is provided for each subpixel.
The three color filters 122R, 122G, and 122B are provided on the counter substrate 121 side so that the color filters 122 of the same color are continuous in the Y direction.

  In the present embodiment, a region of a plurality of pixels that actually contributes to display is defined as a display region 110a, and the light shielding film 123 partitions each subpixel and is provided on the counter substrate 121 side in a frame shape surrounding the display region 110a. It has been.

  Polarizing plates 118 and 126 as polarizing elements are attached to the outer surfaces of the element substrate 111 and the counter substrate 121 (surfaces opposite to the liquid crystal layer 150), respectively.

  In other words, the liquid crystal panel 110 is an active liquid crystal panel that includes the stripe-type color filter 122 and enables color display.

  For example, if the size of the display area 110a in the liquid crystal panel 110 is 0.7 inches diagonal, the length of the display area 110a in FIG. 6A in the X direction (longitudinal direction) is approximately 14.22 mm and the Y direction ( The length in the short direction is approximately 10.67 mm. A configuration example of the light guide unit 5 in the illumination device 10 at this time is as follows.

  That is, the incident surface 4a of the light guide 4 is a square having a side of 1.1 mm, and the gap (interval) between the light guides 4 is 0.1 mm as in Example 1 described above, and the length L is A total of 108 light guides 4 of about 3 mm or more in the X direction and 9 in the Y direction are arranged two-dimensionally to form the light guide unit 5. Needless to say, the arrangement of the light emitting elements 2 in the light source unit 3 is similar to the arrangement of the opposing light guides 4. Thereby, a horizontal (X direction) 14.4 mm and vertical (Y direction) 10.8 mm region corresponding to the shape and size of the display region 110a of the liquid crystal panel 110 can be illuminated.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the liquid crystal panel 110 is driven based on display information in which the four corner areas are brightened in the display area 110 a of the liquid crystal panel 110, the lighting apparatus 10 corresponds to the display information. If the light emitting element 2 corresponding to the four corner areas in the light source unit 3 is controlled to emit light so that the luminance is higher than that of the light emitting elements 2 corresponding to the other areas, partial illumination is performed in a state where there is no luminance unevenness in the area to be illuminated It can be performed. In other words, the luminance of the corresponding light emitting element 2 may be reduced as compared with other light emitting elements 2 based on display information that becomes dark. As a result, the display contrast when viewed by the observer M can be increased as compared with the case where the entire display area 110a of the liquid crystal panel 110 is illuminated with substantially the same luminance. In this way, lighting by partially changing the planar luminance of the lighting device that illuminates the display device in accordance with display information that defines the brightness of the display device is called local deming.
According to the display device 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an HMD that includes the illumination device 10 and has a good display quality by local dimming. Further, since it is not necessary to always keep the light emitting element 2 lit, it is possible to reduce power consumption and is suitable for an HMD in which a battery is mainly used as a power source.

(Third embodiment)
<Display device>
Next, another embodiment of the display device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the display device of the third embodiment. The display device according to the third embodiment does not directly view information such as an image displayed on the display device, but is a head-up display (HUD) that is viewed indirectly. In addition, about the same structure as the display apparatus 100 of 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the display device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a light-receiving and transmissive liquid crystal panel 110 as a display device and a lighting device 10 that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 110, as in the second embodiment. I have. In the normal direction of the liquid crystal panel 110, an observation lens 160 and a half mirror 170 are provided.

  Light emitted from the light source unit 3 in the illumination device 10 enters from the back side of the liquid crystal panel 110 via the light guide unit 5. The incident light (illumination light) is modulated based on display information on the liquid crystal panel 110 and emitted as display light. The display light is reflected by the half mirror 170 after passing through the observation lens 160 for generating an enlarged virtual image of the liquid crystal panel 110, and the observer M observes the video such as characters and images as the virtual image 180 through the half mirror 170. be able to. Further, the observer M can see not only the projected virtual image 180 but also the scenery in front through the half mirror 170.

A display system including such a display device 100 is applied as, for example, a vehicle-mounted HUD, and transmits the vehicle speed (speed), road information, and the like to the driver who is an observer M with the driver's line of sight facing forward. Can do. Further, it is applied as, for example, a HUD for a product display, and not only the product can be shown to the observer M, that is, a customer, but also product information such as a price can be notified.
Since the illumination device 10 is provided with reduced luminance unevenness and capable of partial illumination or full illumination, information such as characters and images displayed on the liquid crystal panel 110 can be easily communicated to the observer M even indirectly. Can do.

  When used as a HUD, the liquid crystal panel 110 in the display device 100 is not limited to the transmissive type, and may be a reflective type. A reflection type liquid crystal panel is arranged so as to intersect the optical axis of the observation lens 160, and illumination is performed so that illumination light emitted from the light guide unit 5 enters the display surface (reflection surface) of the liquid crystal panel. The device 10 is arranged. The light modulated and reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel is reflected by the half mirror 170 via the observation lens 160.

(Fourth embodiment)
<Display device>
Next, a display device according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the display device of the fourth embodiment. The display device according to the fourth embodiment does not directly look at information such as an image displayed on the display device, but projects the display on the display device. In addition, about the same structure as the display apparatus 100 of 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the display device 200 of the fourth embodiment includes a light-receiving and transmissive liquid crystal panel 110 as a display device, and a lighting device 10 that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 110, as in the second embodiment. And a projection lens 210.

  Light emitted from the light source unit 3 in the illumination device 10 enters from the back side of the liquid crystal panel 110 via the light guide unit 5. The incident light (illumination light) is modulated based on display information on the liquid crystal panel 110 and emitted as display light. The display light passes through the projection lens 210 and is projected onto the screen 250 provided in front, and is enlarged and displayed.

  According to such a display device 200, the illumination device 10 that can reduce partial luminance and can also perform partial illumination or full illumination is provided. Therefore, information such as characters and images displayed on the liquid crystal panel 110 is displayed on the screen 250. Information can be transmitted in a state in which the image is enlarged and projected with high contrast and is easily visible to an observer.

(Fifth embodiment)
<Display device>
Next, a display device according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the display device of the fifth embodiment, FIG. 11A is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the liquid crystal panel of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is the diagram of FIG. It is the schematic sectional drawing cut along the JJ 'line. The display device according to the fifth embodiment does not directly view information such as an image displayed on the display device, but projects a display on the display device. In addition, about the same structure as the display apparatus 100 of 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the display device 300 according to the present embodiment includes display units 301 </ b> R and 301 </ b> G provided corresponding to red (R), green (G), blue (B), and three colors of display light. , 301B, a dichroic prism 360, and a projection lens 370.

The display unit 301 </ b> R includes a liquid crystal panel 310 as a display device and an illumination device 10 </ b> R that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 310. The illumination device 10 </ b> R includes a light source unit 3 </ b> R including a plurality of light emitting elements that can emit red light, and a light guide unit 5.
The same applies to the other display units 301G and 301B, and the display unit 301G includes a liquid crystal panel 310 as a display device and an illumination device 10G that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 310. The illumination device 10G includes a light source unit 3G including a plurality of light emitting elements that can emit green light, and a light guide unit 5. The display unit 301 </ b> B includes a liquid crystal panel 310 as a display device and an illumination device 10 </ b> B that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 310. The illuminating device 10B includes a light source unit 3B including a plurality of light emitting elements that can emit blue light, and a light guide unit 5.

  The display unit 301R is disposed opposite to one of the three incident surfaces of the dichroic prism 360, and the display unit 301B is disposed opposite to the incident surface opposite to the incident surface where the display unit 301R is disposed oppositely. The display unit 301G is disposed to face the remaining incident surface. That is, the display units 301 </ b> R, 301 </ b> G, and 301 </ b> B are disposed to face the incident surface for each color light of the dichroic prism 360.

  The dichroic prism 360 has four right-angle prisms bonded together, and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects red light and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects blue light are formed in a cross shape on the inner surface thereof. The three color lights emitted from the display units 301R, 301G, and 301B and modulated based on the display information are combined as display lights representing a color image by these dielectric multilayer films. The combined display light is projected onto the screen 400 by a projection lens 370 that is a projection optical system, and a color image is enlarged and displayed.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a liquid crystal panel 310 provided in each of the display units 301R, 301G, and 301B includes an element substrate 311 and a counter substrate 321 as a pair of substrates, and the pair of substrates. And the liquid crystal layer 350 sandwiched between the two.
The element substrate 311 is slightly larger than the counter substrate 321, and both substrates are bonded via a sealant 340, and liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy is sealed in the gap to form the liquid crystal layer 350. .

  As shown in FIG. 5A, a data line driving circuit 313 is provided along one side of the element substrate 311 (in the X direction), and a plurality of terminal portions 317 electrically connected thereto are arranged. ing. On the other two sides orthogonal to the one side and facing each other, a scanning line driving circuit 314 is provided along the two sides (in the Y direction). A plurality of wirings 315 that connect the two scanning line driving circuits 314 are provided on the other one side opposite to the one side with the counter substrate 321 interposed therebetween.

  A parting part 323 is also provided in a frame shape on the inner side of the sealing material 340 arranged in a frame shape. The parting part 323 is made of a light-shielding metal material or resin material, and the inside of the parting part 323 is a display area 310a having a plurality of pixels.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, on the surface of the element substrate 311 on the liquid crystal layer 350 side, a light-transmitting pixel electrode 312 provided for each pixel and a thin film as a switching element for controlling switching of the pixel electrode 312 are provided. A transistor (not shown), a signal wiring (not shown), and an alignment film 318 covering these are formed.

  On the surface of the counter substrate 321 on the liquid crystal layer 350 side, a parting portion 323, a common electrode 324 formed so as to cover it, and an alignment film 326 covering the common electrode 324 are formed.

The alignment film 318 and the alignment film 326 are inorganic alignment films made of an inorganic material, and are obtained by oblique deposition of SiO ₂ (silicon oxide) as an inorganic material. The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 350 sandwiched between the alignment films 318 and 326 are aligned substantially perpendicular to the alignment film surface. Note that the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 350 is not limited to this, and may be approximately horizontal alignment.

  The common electrode 324 provided on the counter substrate 321 is electrically connected to the wiring on the element substrate 311 side by vertical conduction portions 316 provided at the four corners of the counter substrate 321 as shown in FIG.

  Note that the liquid crystal panel 310 is used in each of the display units 310R, 301G, and 301B with the polarizing elements arranged so as to be optically normally black on the light incident side and the light exit side. 11, illustration is omitted.

  Each of the display units 301R, 301G, and 301B includes the light source units 3R, 3G, and 3B each having a light emitting element corresponding to the color light, so that the illuminated liquid crystal panel 310 is compared with the liquid crystal panel 110 of the second embodiment. Thus, the color filter 122 is unnecessary.

  According to such a display device 300, an optical system such as a dichroic mirror that separates a white light source into color light and uses it as illumination light is not required, and illumination devices 10R, 10G, and 10B corresponding to individual color lights are provided. Therefore, if a local dimming driving method is used, a bright and high-contrast video can be projected and displayed.

  Various modifications other than the above embodiment are conceivable. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

(Modification 1) In the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment, the configuration of the light guide 4 is not limited to this. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a light guide of a modified example, and FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an illumination device including the light guide of the modified example. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the light guide 41 of the modification has a quadrangular (square) incident surface 42 and a similarly quadrangular (square) exit surface 43 that faces the incident surface 42. The area of the exit surface 43 is larger than the area of the entrance surface 42, that is, the lengths of the respective side portions are a <a ′ and b <b ′. The length L of the optical path of the light guide 41 is approximately three times or more of the longer length of the sides of the incident surface 42. That is, in this modification, L ≧ 3b.
As shown in FIG. 13, the lighting device 50 includes a plurality of light emitting elements 2 arranged two-dimensionally on the support substrate 1, one light guide support portion 6 arranged on the support substrate 1, and the light emitting element 2. A light guide unit 45 having a plurality of light guides 41 each having an incident surface 42 facing each other, and a plurality of light guides 41 on the exit surface 43 side of the light guide unit 45 with gaps (intervals). And the other light guide support portion 7 to be supported.
The light incident on the incident surface 42 of the light guide 41 is totally reflected on the inner wall of the light guide 41 and propagates. Since the exit surface 43 has a larger area than the entrance surface 42 as described above, the angle when the light is totally reflected by the inner wall of the light guide 41 is smaller than that of the light guide 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the light emitted from the emission surface 43 of the light guide 41 is in a state closer to the normal direction (optical axis) of the emission surface 43 than the light guide 4, and light having high directivity from the emission surface 43. It is taken out. Therefore, if the liquid crystal panel 110 is disposed opposite to the emission surface 43 side, the display area of the liquid crystal panel 110 can be more selectively illuminated. In other words, partial illumination can be performed more effectively by preventing illumination light from being applied to areas other than the selected area.

  (Modification 2) In the illuminating device 10 of the first embodiment, a plurality of light emitting elements 2 are two-dimensionally arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction along the side portion of the support substrate 1, and a plurality of light emitting elements 2 are correspondingly arranged. The light guide 4 is also two-dimensionally arranged with a gap (interval), but is not limited thereto. For example, the light emitting element 2 is formed as an organic EL element in a line shape in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction on the support substrate 1 to form a line light source. The light guide 4 has an incident surface 4a (exit surface 4b) that is continuous in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, like the line light source, so that light emitted from the line light source is efficiently incident. To do. Such a light guide 4 is disposed with a gap (interval) in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the line light source. According to this, although the region where partial illumination is possible is in a sparse state as compared with the first embodiment, the light emission control of the light emitting element 2 in local dimming is performed in the row direction or the column direction in the display region 110a of the liquid crystal panel 110. It can be simplified corresponding to the display information.

  (Modification 3) In the illumination device 10 according to the first embodiment, the configuration of one light guide support portion 6 is not limited to this. For example, as long as the light guide 4 can be supported with a gap (interval) between each other, it is not necessary to have an integral structure having the opening 6 a that houses the incident surface 4 a side of the light guide 4. That is, a plurality of independent structures that are positioned between the light guides 4 and are erected on the support substrate 1 may be used. With such a configuration, a space is created between the structures on the support substrate 1, and the heat from the light emitting element 2 can be efficiently radiated. In addition, since the structure does not necessarily need to be a heat conductor, the room for material selection is widened.

  (Modification 4) In the display device 100 arranged on the left and right eyes of the observer M in the second embodiment, the display corresponds to image information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 110 for the left eye and for the right eye. Then, the observer M can enjoy a stereoscopic display. That is, the display device 100 as an HMD capable of stereoscopic display can be provided.

  (Modification 5) The display device illuminated by the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment is not limited to the liquid crystal panel 110 (the liquid crystal panel 310), and may be a light receiving display device illuminated from the back.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Support substrate, 2 ... Light emitting element, 3 ... Light source unit, 4 ... Light guide, 4a ... One end surface or entrance surface, 4b ... The other end surface or exit surface, 5 ... Light guide unit, 6, 7 ... Light guide supporter 10, 10R, 10G, 10B ... illumination device, 41 ... light guide, 42 ... incident surface, 43 ... emission surface, 45 ... light guide unit, 50 ... illumination device, 100, 200, 300 ... Display device, 110, 310 ... Liquid crystal panel as display device, 301R, 301G, 301B ... display unit.

Claims (11)

A light guide unit having a polygonal cross-sectional shape and two-dimensionally arranged light guides having one end face and the other end face facing each other with a gap;
And a light source unit including at least one light-emitting element disposed to face the one end face of each light guide at an interval.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein an area of the other end surface is the same as an area of the one end surface.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein an area of the other end surface is larger than an area of the one end surface.   The light guide support part disposed at least between the light guides in the vicinity of each of the one end face and the other end face is provided. Lighting equipment.   The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the light guide support part has light absorption or light reflection. The light source unit has a support substrate on which a plurality of the light emitting elements are arranged,
The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the light guide support portion positioned on the one end face side is disposed on the support substrate.   In the light source unit, when the angle at which the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting element is at least half of the normal direction of the light emitting element is θ, the light emitted at the angle θ is 7. The light guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the light guide unit is disposed so as to be incident from the one end face and reflected by an inner wall of the light guide intersecting the one end face. The illumination device according to any one of the above.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is an organic electroluminescence element.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is a light emitting diode. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
And a light-receiving display device disposed opposite to the other end face of the light guide unit of the illumination device. A plurality of display units including the lighting device and the display device;
The display device according to claim 10, wherein display is performed by combining display lights of the plurality of display units.

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