JP3879417B2 - Liquid crystal device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device that performs display by controlling the orientation of liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates. The present invention also relates to an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a portable electronic terminal configured using the liquid crystal device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An electronic device such as a mobile phone has, for example, a liquid crystal device that displays various types of information as a visible image such as characters and numbers, and a case that surrounds the liquid crystal device. The case generally surrounds the liquid crystal device by combining an upper case and a lower case.
[0003]
Liquid crystal devices include reflective display type liquid crystal devices that display using external light such as sunlight and room light, and transmissive display type liquid crystal that uses a built-in lighting device. And a transflective liquid crystal device having a function of both a reflection type and a transmission type.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-292533 discloses a technique in which a reflective layer is provided on the end face of a light guide constituting the liquid crystal device, and a light shielding layer is further provided on the surface of the reflective layer.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In an electronic device using a transmissive liquid crystal device and a transflective liquid crystal device, a light emitting source is disposed inside the electronic device. In an electronic device having this structure, conventionally, light emitted from the light source of the liquid crystal device leaks from the side surface portion of the liquid crystal device, and the leaked light is externally passed through a minute gap between the upper case and the lower case of the electronic device. There was a leak. With respect to such an electronic device, there is a problem that when it is used in a dark place, light leakage from the electronic device is recognized from the outside and the product value is lowered.
[0006]
Some liquid crystal devices have a structure in which light from a light source is guided by a light guide and supplied to a liquid crystal panel in a planar manner. A liquid crystal device having a structure in which a light guide and a liquid crystal panel are assembled using a frame is also known. Furthermore, a liquid crystal device having a structure in which a light guide and a frame are integrally formed in advance and the light guide and the liquid crystal panel are assembled to each other by supporting the liquid crystal panel with the frame is also known. In the structure in which the light guide and the frame are integrally formed in this way, the light of the light guide is easily transmitted to the outside of the frame, so that the electronic apparatus incorporating the liquid crystal device using this structure In particular, light leakage was significant.
[0007]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-292533 discloses a technique of providing a light-shielding layer on the end face of the light guide. However, in this technique, the light guide and the liquid crystal panel are combined with each other. There is a problem that light leakage from the boundary between the two cannot be prevented, and when the electronic device is used in a dark place, the light leakage from the electronic device is recognized from the outside and the product value is lowered. .
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid crystal device and an electronic apparatus that can prevent light leakage to the outside.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A liquid crystal panel including the liquid crystal layer of the present invention, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel, the frame including the light guide and It is integrally formed and provided corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a light shielding layer is provided on the entire surface or part of the frame. The circuit board further includes a circuit board disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel with the light guide interposed therebetween, and the frame supports the circuit board.
[0010]
According to the liquid crystal device of this configuration, since the light shielding layer is provided on the frame that supports both the light guide and the liquid crystal panel from their side surfaces, the side surfaces of the light guide, the side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel, and the light guide and the liquid crystal panel Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent light leakage from all of the side surfaces of the overlapping portion, and hence light leakage from the liquid crystal device, and hence light leakage from the electronic device using the liquid crystal device.
[0011]
Further, according to the liquid crystal device having the above configuration, since the light guide and the frame are integrally formed, many effects such as a reduction in the number of parts, an improvement in the assembly of the liquid crystal device, and a reduction in the size of the liquid crystal device can be obtained. However, light tends to leak outside through a frame formed integrally with the light guide. However, if a light shielding layer is provided on the frame as in the present invention, light leakage can be reliably prevented.
[0012]
Next, in the liquid crystal device having the above configuration, the light shielding layer can be formed by applying black ink or dark ink. Thereby, the light shielding layer can be uniformly formed on the surface of the frame.
[0013]
Next, in the liquid crystal device having the above configuration, it is desirable that the light shielding layer has a height higher than a height obtained by superimposing the light guide and the liquid crystal panel. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent various lights such as light leaking from the side surface of the light guide, light leaking from between the light guide and the liquid crystal panel, and light leaking from the side surface of the liquid crystal panel from leaking to the outside. .
[0014]
In addition, the height of the light shielding layer can also be set to substantially the same height as the height in which the light guide and the liquid crystal panel are overlapped. Even in this case, leakage of light to the outside of the liquid crystal device can be prevented. Here, “substantially the same height” means not only the case where the height is exactly the same, but also the case where the height is slightly different due to part manufacturing errors, parts assembly errors, etc. .
[0015]
Next, in the liquid crystal device having the above-described configuration, a circuit board can be disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel with the light guide interposed therebetween, and the frame can also support the circuit board. . According to this configuration, the structure of the liquid crystal device can be further reduced in size, and the assemblability of the liquid crystal device is further improved.
[0016]
Next, in the liquid crystal device having the above configuration in which the circuit board is also supported by the frame, the light shielding layer has a height higher than a height in which the light guide, the liquid crystal panel, and the circuit board are overlapped. It is desirable to have. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent light leakage from the liquid crystal device more reliably.
[0017]
Note that the height of the light shielding layer in the case of the configuration including the circuit board can be substantially the same as the height in which the light guide, the liquid crystal panel, and the circuit board are overlapped. Even in this case, leakage of light to the outside of the liquid crystal device can be prevented. Here, the meaning of “substantially the same height” is as described above.
[0018]
(2) Next, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer, and a light-shielding case surrounding the liquid crystal device, and the case has a gap corresponding to a side surface of the liquid crystal device. The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel. And formed integrally with the light guide and corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel, and further on the entire surface or part of the frame. Is characterized in that a light shielding layer is provided.
[0019]
According to the electronic apparatus having this configuration, since the light shielding layer is provided on the frame that supports both the light guide and the liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal device from their side surfaces, the side surfaces of the light guide, the side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel, and the light guide are provided. Light leakage from all of the side surfaces of the overlapping portion of the light body and the liquid crystal panel can be reliably prevented, and therefore light leakage from the liquid crystal device can be prevented. As a result, light leakage from an electronic device using the liquid crystal device can be reliably prevented. In particular, even in an electronic apparatus having a structure using a liquid crystal device in which light is easily leaked by integrally forming a light guide and a frame, light leakage can be reliably prevented.
[0020]
Next, in the electronic apparatus having the configuration described in the above item (2), it is desirable that the liquid crystal device is constituted by liquid crystal devices having various configurations described in the above item (1).
(3) Next, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer, and a pair of light-shielding cases that surround the liquid crystal device in a state of being combined with each other. The liquid crystal device has a combination boundary corresponding to the side surface of the liquid crystal device. The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, the light guide, and the liquid crystal panel. The frame is formed integrally with the light guide and corresponds to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel. Further, a light shielding layer is provided on the entire surface or a part of the frame.
[0021]
According to the electronic apparatus having this configuration, since the light shielding layer is provided on the frame that supports both the light guide and the liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal device from their side surfaces, the side surfaces of the light guide, the side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel, and the light guide are provided. Light leakage from all of the side surfaces of the overlapping portion of the light body and the liquid crystal panel can be reliably prevented, and therefore light leakage from the liquid crystal device can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent light from leaking from the boundary of the combination of the pair of cases with respect to the electronic device having a structure in which the liquid crystal device is accommodated by combining the pair of cases. In particular, even in an electronic apparatus having a structure using a liquid crystal device in which light is easily leaked by integrally forming a light guide and a frame, light leakage can be reliably prevented.
[0022]
Next, in the electronic apparatus having the configuration described in the above item (3), it is desirable that the liquid crystal device is constituted by liquid crystal devices having various configurations described in the above item (1).
(4) Next, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer, and a light-shielding case surrounding the liquid crystal device, and the case corresponds to a side surface of the liquid crystal device. The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel. The frame is formed integrally with the light guide and is provided corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel. Alternatively, a light shielding layer is provided in part.
[0023]
In the electronic device having the configuration described in the above item (4), the electronic component may be an electronic component having a structure including an opening and allowing the inside and the outside of the case to communicate with each other through the opening. As such an electronic component, a switch, a pin jack, etc. can be considered, for example.
[0024]
Moreover, in the electronic device having the configuration described in the above item (4), it is desirable that the liquid crystal device is constituted by liquid crystal devices having various configurations described in the above item (1).
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a liquid crystal device according to the present invention will be described by exemplifying an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the liquid crystal device, which is a simple matrix transflective liquid crystal device. The liquid crystal device 1 shown here includes a liquid crystal panel 2, a light guide 3, a frame 4 that supports the liquid crystal panel 2 and the light guide 3, an LED substrate 6, and a control board 7 including a control circuit 7a. Have The light guide 3 and the frame 4 are integrally formed of resin.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional structure in which the above elements are combined. The image displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal device 1 is recognized from above indicated by the arrow A (that is, from the side opposite to the side where the light guide 3 is disposed with respect to the liquid crystal panel 2). As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal panel 2 is disposed so as to face the light emitting surface of the light guide 3 (ie, the upper surface in the figure), and the LED substrate 6 faces the side surface of the light guide 3, ie, the light capturing surface. And the control board 7 is arrange | positioned facing the non-light-projection surface (namely, lower surface of a figure) of the light guide 3. FIG. A reflective sheet 8 can be provided on the non-light emitting surface of the light guide 3.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 2 has a pair of substrates 9a and 9b facing each other, and the periphery of these substrates is bonded by a ring-shaped sealing material 11. A liquid crystal injection port 11 a is formed at an appropriate position of the sealing material 11. The liquid crystal injection port 11a is sealed with resin or the like after injecting liquid crystal into the liquid crystal panel 2 surrounded by the sealing material 11.
[0028]
In FIG. 2, a first substrate 9a has a base material 12a, and a plurality of liquid crystal side surfaces of the base material 12a, that is, surfaces facing the second substrate 9b, act as either scanning electrodes or data electrodes. The first electrode 13a is formed in a predetermined pattern, for example, a stripe shape, an overcoat layer 14a is formed thereon, and an alignment film 16a is further formed thereon. Further, a polarizing plate 17a as an optical element is mounted on the outer surface of the base material 12a, for example, by adhesion.
[0029]
The second substrate 9b facing the first substrate 9a has a base material 12b. The liquid crystal side surface of the base material 12b, that is, the surface facing the first substrate 9a, acts as the other of the scanning electrode or the data electrode. A plurality of second electrodes 13b are formed in a predetermined pattern, for example, a stripe shape, an overcoat layer 14b is formed thereon, and an alignment film 16b is further formed thereon. In addition, a transflective plate 21 as an optical element is provided on the outer surface of the substrate 12b, and a polarizing plate 17b is mounted thereon, for example, by adhesion.
[0030]
Other elements other than the polarizing plate described above, such as a light diffusing plate and a retardation plate, may be provided on both or one of the outer surfaces of the first substrate 9a and the second substrate 9b, if necessary. In addition, an optical element other than the above-described alignment film, for example, a color filter can be provided on one inner surface of the substrate 12a or 12b as necessary. In the case of a reflective layer-incorporated transflective liquid crystal device, a transflective layer is formed on the inner surface of the base material 12b on the liquid crystal layer side instead of the transflective plate 21 provided outside the base material 12b. Can be provided.
[0031]
The base materials 12a and 12b are formed in a predetermined planar shape, for example, a rectangular shape or a square shape, using, for example, a hard light-transmitting material such as glass, or a light-transmitting material having flexibility such as plastic. The first electrode 13a and the second electrode 13b are formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), for example, and the overcoat layers 14a and 14b are, for example, silicon oxide, titanium oxide, or a mixture thereof. The alignment films 16a and 16b are formed of, for example, a polyimide resin.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, the first electrode 13 a is formed in a so-called stripe shape by arranging a plurality of linear patterns in parallel with each other. On the other hand, the second electrode 13b is also formed in a stripe shape by arranging a plurality of linear patterns parallel to each other so as to intersect the first electrode 13a. A plurality of points where these electrodes 13a and 13b intersect in a dot matrix form a pixel for displaying an image. An area defined by the plurality of pixels is a display area for displaying an image such as a character.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of spacers 18 are dispersed on the liquid crystal side surface of one of the first substrate 9a and the second substrate 9b formed as described above. A sealing material 11 is provided on the liquid crystal side surface in a frame shape as shown in FIG. 1 by, for example, printing, and a liquid crystal injection port 11 a is formed in a part of the sealing material 11.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2, a gap having a uniform size, that is, a so-called cell gap is formed between the substrates 9a and 9b, and the cell gap is formed through the liquid crystal injection port 11a (see FIG. 1). Liquid crystal L is injected into the liquid crystal, and after the injection is completed, the liquid crystal injection port 11a is sealed with resin or the like.
[0035]
In FIG. 1, the first substrate 9a has a substrate overhanging portion 9c projecting outside the second substrate 9b, and the first electrode 13a on the first substrate 9a directly extends to the substrate overhanging portion 9c. The second substrate 9b has a substrate overhanging portion 9d that protrudes outside the first substrate 9a, and the second electrode 13b on the second substrate 9b extends directly to the substrate overhanging portion 9d.
[0036]
In FIG. 1, in order to show the structures of the electrodes 13a and 13b in an easy-to-understand manner, their intervals are schematically drawn with a wider interval than actual, but in reality, the electrodes 13a and 13b have a very narrow interval. A large number, for example, about 120 × 160 is formed. In addition, the electrodes 13a and 13b formed in the region where the liquid crystal is sealed are not limited to being formed in a straight line, and may be formed as a pattern such as an appropriate character or figure.
[0037]
In FIG. 1, TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) substrates 22a and 22b as conductive connecting members are respectively provided on the substrate overhang portions 9c and 9d. ) 23.
[0038]
As is well known, the ACF 23 is a conductive polymer film that is used to electrically connect a pair of terminals with anisotropy and is electrically connected. For example, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it is formed by including a large number of conductive particles 26 in a dispersed state in the thermosetting resin film 24.
[0039]
In FIG. 1, TAB substrates 22a and 22b are IC structures formed by using TAB technology. For example, liquid crystal driving ICs 29a and 29b are respectively provided on an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 28 on which wiring 27 is formed. It is formed by bonding, for example, gang bonding. Reference numerals 30 a and 30 b indicate terminals for electrical connection with the internal region terminals 34 a and 34 b on the control board 7.
[0040]
The TAB substrate 22a is bonded to the substrate overhanging portion 9c by thermocompression bonding, that is, pressurizing under heating, with the ACF 23 sandwiched between the TAB substrate 22a and the TAB substrate 22a. A connection having conductivity in one direction is realized with the wiring portion 13a. Further, similar adhesion and conductive connection are realized between the substrate overhanging portion 9d and the TAB substrate 22b.
[0041]
With respect to the liquid crystal panel 2 configured as described above, a scanning signal voltage is applied to each of the first electrode 13a and the second electrode 13b for each row by the liquid crystal driving IC 29a or 29b, and further, By applying a data signal voltage based on the display image to the other electrode, a difference voltage between the two voltages is applied to the liquid crystal layer at each pixel position. When the light passes through the liquid crystal layer, the light is modulated in each pixel portion to which the above-described differential voltage is applied, and as a result of the light passing through the polarizing plate on the light emitting side, the outside of the substrate 9a or 9b, this embodiment In this case, an image such as letters and numbers is displayed outside the substrate 9a.
[0042]
The LED substrate 6 provided on the light receiving surface side of the light guide 3 is formed by a skirt 6a on both sides having a low height and a beam 6b having a high height spanned between the skirts 6a. Then, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 31 that are light emitting elements are mounted at appropriate intervals along the longitudinal direction of the beam portion 6b. The bottom of the beam portion 6 b is notched with a predetermined interval, that is, a recess 37 is provided, and the plurality of LEDs 31 are provided in a positional relationship with the recess 37 interposed therebetween. Terminals 32 are formed on the skirt 6a of the LED board 6, and the terminals 32, LEDs 31 and other electronic components (not shown) provided as needed are connected to the inside or the surface of the LED board 6. Wiring (not shown) is formed.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 1, the LED substrate 6 is attached to the frame 4 or the light guide 3 from the non-light emitting surface side of the light guide 3. This mounting can be performed by using a special fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive. Instead, for example, an LED (not shown) formed between the light guide 3 and the frame 4 is connected to the LED. This can also be achieved by inserting and fitting the skirt 6a of the substrate 6.
[0044]
In a state where the skirt portion 6a of the LED substrate 6 is mounted on the frame 4 or the light guide 3, the beam portion 6b of the LED substrate 6 is disposed at a position facing the side surface of the light guide 3, that is, the light capturing surface. Thus, the LED 31 mounted on the beam portion 6 b is disposed to face the light capturing surface of the light guide 3. This state can be clearly understood by looking at the cross-sectional structure of FIG.
[0045]
In FIG. 1, the control board 7 is formed of a non-flexible material such as glass epoxy resin, for example, and a control circuit 7a, internal area terminals 34a and 34b, and side edge terminals 36 are provided on the back side thereof. . These elements are electrically connected to each other through a wiring pattern (not shown). The control circuit 7a controls the operation of the liquid crystal driving ICs 29a and 29b of the liquid crystal panel 2, controls the lighting operation of the LED 31, or an electronic device in which the liquid crystal device 1 is used, such as a mobile phone or a mobile electronic terminal. Control the operation of the machine.
[0046]
The internal region terminal 34a is a terminal to which the terminal 30a of one TAB substrate 22a extending from the liquid crystal panel 2 is connected. The internal region terminal 34b is a terminal to which the terminal 30b of the other TAB substrate 22b extending from the liquid crystal panel 2 is connected. In addition, a plurality of convex portions 38 are formed on the side end portion of the control substrate 7 to which the LED substrate 6 is connected, and openings 39 are inevitably formed on both sides of the convex portions 38.
[0047]
The mounting of the control board 7 on the frame 4 can be performed using a special fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive as in the case of mounting the LED board 6 on the frame 4, or in place of the frame 4. It can also be achieved by stopping the control board 7 using a fixing protrusion (not shown).
[0048]
When the control board 7 is supported by the frame 4 as described above, the LED board 6 is in the thickness direction Z of the control board 7 in a state where the convex part 38 of the control board 7 is fitted in the concave part 37 of the LED board 6. The LED substrate 6 and the control substrate 7 are assembled to each other so as to project to −Z. At this time, each LED 31 is accommodated in an opening 39 inevitably formed on both sides of the convex portion 38 of the control board 7.
[0049]
When the LED board 6 and the control board 7 are assembled to each other, the terminals 32 of the LED board 6 and the side edge terminals 36 of the control board 7 are in contact with each other in a positional relationship that coincides with each other. The LED board 6 is electrically and mechanically connected to the control board 7 by conducting a conductive connection process, for example, a soldering process, on the contact portion between the terminal 32 and the terminal 36. A light source substrate is formed. In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 2 is mounted on the frame 4 with its image display surface facing outward. At this time, one TAB substrate 22b has a substantially rectangular space K formed at the tip between the frame 4 and the light guide 3, in other words, a notch K of the light guide 3 in the upper and lower directions in FIG. It is bent to pass in the direction. After the liquid crystal panel 2 is thus supported on the light emitting surface of the light guide 3, one TAB substrate 22a is bent to the back side of the control substrate 7 through a notch 42 provided in the frame 4, and as shown in FIG. The tip terminal 30a is connected to the internal region terminal 34a formed on the back surface of the control board 7 by a conductive connection process, for example, a soldering process.
[0050]
On the other hand, in FIG. 1, the other TAB substrate 22b is similarly bent through the light guide 3 and the frame 4 to the back side of the control substrate 7, and the tip terminal 30b is formed on the back surface of the control substrate 7. The internal region terminal 34b is connected by, for example, a soldering process.
[0051]
In the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment, a light shielding layer 19 is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface of the frame 4 in FIG. For example, the light shielding layer 19 is formed by applying black ink or dark ink. In the case of the present embodiment, the frame 4 is formed integrally with the light guide 3 and thus has a light-transmitting property like the light guide 3. When the LED 31 emits light, the light is taken into the light guide 3 and propagates inside the light guide 3, and further propagates inside the light-transmitting frame 4 and leaks outside the frame 4. . However, since the light shielding layer 19 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the frame 4, it is possible to prevent light from leaking outside from the side surface of the light guide 3 via the frame 4. The light shielding layer 19 leaks light from the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 2, light leaks from between the light guide 3 and the liquid crystal panel 2, and leaks from between the light guide 3 and the control substrate 7. It is possible to reliably prevent each light of light from leaking outside through the frame 4.
[0052]
The liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment selectively selects either a reflective display that displays using external light such as sunlight or room light, or a transmissive display that displays using light emitted from the LED 31. In other words, a transflective display can be performed.
[0053]
First, considering the reflective display, in FIG. 2, external light that enters the liquid crystal panel 2 from the observation side (that is, the upper side in the figure) passes through the liquid crystal L and reaches the transflective plate 21. The light is reflected by the transflective plate 21 and supplied to the liquid crystal L again. The orientation of the liquid crystal L is controlled for each pixel by a voltage applied between the first electrode 13a and the second electrode 13b, that is, a scanning signal and a data signal, so that the reflected light supplied to the liquid crystal L is Modulation is performed for each pixel, whereby an image such as a letter, a number, or the like is displayed on the viewing side.
[0054]
On the other hand, in the case of performing transmissive display, the LED 31 disposed outside the second substrate 9b emits light, and the light propagates through the light guide 3 and then from the light emitting surface facing the liquid crystal panel 2. The light is emitted uniformly in a plane and supplied to the liquid crystal panel 2. This light is supplied to the liquid crystal L after passing through the polarizing plate 17b, the transflective plate 21, the second substrate 12b, the second electrode 13b, and the alignment film 16b. Thereafter, display is performed in the same manner as in the reflective display.
[0055]
While the display as described above is performed, particularly, when the transmissive display is performed, the light shielding layer 19 provided in the frame 4 leaks light from the side surface of the light guide 3 to the outside via the frame 4. Light leaks from the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 2 to the outside, light leaks from between the light guide 3 and the liquid crystal panel 2, and light leaks from between the light guide 3 and the control board 7. All of this can be reliably prevented.
[0056]
In FIG. 2, the height H0 of the light shielding layer 19 provided in the frame 4 is desirably higher than the height H1 obtained by superimposing the light guide 3 and the liquid crystal panel 2. By so doing, light leakage from the range from the light guide 3 to the liquid crystal panel 2 can be effectively blocked. Further, the height H0 of the light shielding layer 19 is desirably higher than the height H2 in which the light guide 3, the liquid crystal panel 2, and the control substrate 7 are overlapped. By so doing, light leakage from the range from the control board 7 to the liquid crystal panel 2 can be effectively blocked.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment may be used in an electronic device 40 such as a mobile phone or a portable electronic terminal. The electronic device 40 may be used in a dark place such as at night or indoors. At this time, if light leaks from the liquid crystal device 1, the light may leak from the gap G of the case 41 of the electronic device 40 in which the liquid crystal device 1 is housed. It drops significantly. In addition, the case 41 of the electronic device 40 may be provided with a mounting portion for an electronic component such as an opening 43 for inserting a pin jack, and light may leak from the opening 43 or the like. Also in this case, the product value of the electronic device 40 is significantly reduced.
[0058]
On the other hand, in the liquid crystal device 1 of the present embodiment, since the light shielding layer 19 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the frame 4 that supports the light guide 3, the control substrate 7, and the liquid crystal panel 2, the light from the side surface of the liquid crystal device 1 Leakage of light from the case 41 of the electronic device 40 can be reliably prevented.
[0059]
The light shielding layer 19 can be provided not only on the entire outer peripheral surface of the frame 4 but also on a part thereof in correspondence with only a portion where light leakage is desired to be prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding layer 19 can be provided not only on the outer peripheral surface of the frame 4 but also on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a mobile phone which is an embodiment of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. The cellular phone 50 shown here is configured by storing various components such as an antenna 51, a speaker 52, a liquid crystal device 60, a key switch 53, a microphone 54, and the like in an exterior case 56. The outer case 56 is formed by combining a first case 56a and a second case 56b, which are a pair of cases, and a control circuit board 57 is accommodated therein. The control circuit board 57 is mounted with a control circuit for controlling the operation of the various components such as the liquid crystal device 60 and the like.
[0060]
A combination boundary S is formed between the first case 56a and the second case 56b, and a minute gap is formed in the boundary S. Further, a switch 58 as an electronic component and an insertion port 59 for inserting a pin jack are provided at appropriate positions on the side surface of the outer case 56. In the present embodiment, the switch 58 and the like are provided at the case boundary S, but an electronic component may be provided at a location different from the boundary S.
[0061]
In the cellular phone 50, a signal input through the key switch 53 and the microphone 54, reception data received by the antenna 51, and the like are input to the control circuit of the control circuit board 57. Then, the control circuit displays an image such as a number, a character, and a graphic on the display surface of the liquid crystal device 60 based on various types of input data, and further transmits transmission data from the antenna 51. In the cellular phone 50, the liquid crystal device 60 can be configured using the liquid crystal device 1 shown in FIG.
[0062]
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an electric control system used in the mobile phone shown in FIG. 5 or other electronic devices. The electric control system shown here includes a display information output source 80, a display information processing circuit 81, a power supply circuit 82, a timing generator 83, and a liquid crystal device 84 as a display device. The liquid crystal device 84 includes a liquid crystal panel 85 and a drive circuit 86. The liquid crystal device 84 can be configured using, for example, the liquid crystal device 1 shown in FIG.
[0063]
The display information output source 80 includes a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage unit such as various disks, a tuning circuit that tunes and outputs a digital image signal, and the like, and is generated by a timing generator 83. Display information such as an image signal in a predetermined format is supplied to the display information processing circuit 81 based on the various clock signals.
[0064]
The display information processing circuit 81 includes various well-known circuits such as a serial-parallel conversion circuit, an amplification / inversion circuit, a rotation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a clamp circuit, etc. The signal is supplied to the drive circuit 86 together with the clock signal CLK. The drive circuit 86 includes a scanning line drive circuit, a data line drive circuit, an inspection circuit, and the like. The power supply circuit 82 supplies a predetermined voltage to each component.
[0065]
When the cellular phone 50 shown in FIG. 5 is observed as a cross-sectional structure along the line III-III, for example, it is as shown in FIG. In the figure, the liquid crystal device 60 is housed in the exterior case 56 with its side surface, that is, the side surface of the frame 4 corresponding to the boundary S between the first case 56a and the second case 56b.
[0066]
When the liquid crystal device 60 performs transmissive display, the light emitted from the LED 31 may leak outside through the boundary S of the outer case 56 or the insertion port 59. When such light leakage occurs, the product value as a mobile phone decreases. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the light shielding layer 19 is provided on the entire outer surface or a part of the outer peripheral surface of the frame 4 and in some cases both the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface, Leakage is blocked, and therefore light leakage from the boundary S of the outer case 56, the insertion port 59, and the like can be reliably prevented.
[0067]
(Other embodiments)
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.
[0068]
For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is applied to a simple matrix type liquid crystal device, but the present invention has a structure using a two-terminal switching element such as a TFD (Thin Film Diode) as an active element. The present invention can also be applied to an active matrix liquid crystal device, an active matrix liquid crystal device having a structure in which a three-terminal switching element such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is used as an active element, and the like.
[0069]
In the liquid crystal device of FIG. 1, a so-called external reflection type liquid crystal device having a structure in which a reflective film is disposed outside the liquid crystal panel is illustrated, but a so-called internal reflection having a structure in which a reflective film is disposed on the inner surface of the liquid crystal panel. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid crystal device of a type. Further, although the transflective liquid crystal device is illustrated in the liquid crystal device of FIG. 1, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a reflective liquid crystal device and a transmissive liquid crystal device.
[0070]
In addition, the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone shown in FIG. 5, and may be any other electronic device such as a mobile electronic terminal, a digital camera, or the like.
[0071]
Further, the light shielding layer provided on the frame is not limited to being formed by applying black ink, and may be formed by attaching a light shielding sheet or using a desired film forming method.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, since the light shielding layer is provided on the frame that supports both the light guide and the liquid crystal panel from their side surfaces, the side surfaces of the light guide and the side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel Furthermore, it is possible to reliably prevent light leakage from all the side surfaces of the overlapping portion of the light guide and the liquid crystal panel, and hence light leakage from the liquid crystal device, and thus from the electronic equipment using the liquid crystal device. Light leakage can be reliably prevented.
[0073]
Further, according to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-quality electronic device in which light does not leak from the outer case even when used in a dark place.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a liquid crystal device according to the present invention in an exploded state.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal device according to the line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-sectional structure of an electronic device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of another embodiment of the liquid crystal device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a mobile phone as an example of an electronic apparatus according to the invention.
6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electric control system used in the mobile phone of FIG. 5 or other electronic devices.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Liquid crystal device
2 LCD panel
3 Light guide
4 frames
6 LED board
7 Control board
8 Reflective sheet
9a, 9b substrate
9c, 9d Board overhang
12a, 12b base material
13a, 13b electrode
17a, 17b Polarizing plate
19 Shading layer
21 transflective plate
40 Electronic equipment
50 Mobile phone (electronic equipment)
56 exterior case
56a, 56b case
58 switches (electronic components)
59 Socket (electronic parts)
60 Liquid crystal device
G gap
H0 Shading layer height
H1 Combined height of light guide and liquid crystal panel
H2 Combined height of control board, light guide and liquid crystal panel
K space (notch)
L liquid crystal
S Case border

Claims (13)

A liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel,
The frame is formed integrally with the light guide and is provided corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel. Some are provided with a light shielding layer,
The liquid crystal device further comprising a circuit board disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel with the light guide interposed therebetween, and the frame supports the circuit board. 2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding layer is formed by applying black ink or dark ink. 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding layer has a height higher than a height in which the light guide and the liquid crystal panel are overlapped. 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding layer has a height that is substantially the same as a height in which the light guide and the liquid crystal panel are overlapped. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding layer has a height higher than a height in which the light guide, the liquid crystal panel, and the circuit board are overlapped. 2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding layer has a height that is substantially the same as a height in which the light guide, the liquid crystal panel, and the circuit board are overlapped. A liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer and a light-shielding case surrounding the liquid crystal device, the case having a gap corresponding to a side surface of the liquid crystal device;
The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel.
The frame is formed integrally with the light guide and is provided corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel. Some are provided with a light shielding layer,
The electronic apparatus further comprising a circuit board disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel with the light guide interposed therebetween, and the frame supports the circuit board. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal device includes the liquid crystal device according to at least one of claims 2 to 6. A liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer; and a pair of light-shielding cases surrounding the liquid crystal device in a combined state, the pair of cases having a combination boundary corresponding to the side surface of the liquid crystal device. And
The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel.
The frame is formed integrally with the light guide and is provided corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel. An electronic device characterized in that a light shielding layer is provided in part. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the liquid crystal device includes the liquid crystal device according to at least one of claims 2 to 6. A liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer, and a light-shielding case surrounding the liquid crystal device, wherein the case is provided with an electronic component mounting portion corresponding to a side surface of the liquid crystal device;
The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer, a light guide that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a frame that supports the light guide and the liquid crystal panel.
The frame is formed integrally with the light guide and is provided corresponding to all or part of the side surface of the light guide and all or part of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel. An electronic device characterized in that a light shielding layer is provided in part. The electronic component according to claim 11, wherein the electronic component includes an opening,
An electronic apparatus characterized in that the inside and outside of the case communicate with each other through the opening. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the liquid crystal device includes the liquid crystal device according to at least one of claims 2 to 6.

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