JP5317804B2 - Liquid crystal display device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

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

  Currently, liquid crystal display devices are widely used in electronic devices such as mobile phones, portable information terminals, and computer displays. Such a liquid crystal display device requires a wide viewing angle characteristic when many people view the displayed image from various directions, and a narrow viewing angle characteristic when the user does not want to look at the displayed image.

  In order to meet such a demand, a liquid crystal display device capable of switching between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle has been proposed. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a liquid crystal display device in which a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel for switching a display image is additionally provided on the outer side (display side or rear side) of a main liquid crystal panel. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for electrically adjusting wide viewing angle display and narrow viewing angle display in a display area by providing an image driving area and a viewing angle adjustment area in the display area of a liquid crystal display device. . Further, in Patent Document 4, the image display in the display area is changed from the wide viewing angle display to the narrow viewing angle by switching the voltage application to the plurality of viewing angle control pixels constituting the display area of the liquid crystal display device between the off state and the on state. A technique for switching between viewing angle display is disclosed.

JP 2006-72239 A JP 2006-106439 A JP 2008-9359 A JP 2006-191645 A

  In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 4, it is considered that a display image from an oblique direction can be made difficult to see in a state where the viewing angle is narrowed, but there are also the following problems.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the viewing angle is controlled by using a plurality of liquid crystal panels and superimposing them in the panel plate thickness direction, the thickness of the obtained liquid crystal display device is increased. Further, in Patent Document 3, a black matrix layer is provided as a light shielding unit that shields pixels in the viewing angle adjustment region. However, since all of the shapes are the same, it is difficult to see a display image from an oblique direction. The effect is limited. Further, in Patent Document 4, since all viewing angle control pixels are switched on / off, there is a limit in reducing visibility from an oblique direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that can make a display image from an oblique direction difficult to see when the viewing angle is narrowed.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes an element substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other, a liquid crystal layer provided between the element substrate and the color filter substrate, the element substrate, A plurality of display pixels and a plurality of viewing angle control pixels constituting a display area of the color filter substrate; and shielding at least a part of at least a part of the viewing angle control pixels of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels. And a viewing angle control pattern is formed by viewing angle control pixels having different light shielding levels.

  According to this configuration, the light-shielding means that shields at least a part of at least some of the plurality of viewing-angle control pixels is provided, and the viewing-angle control pixels that have different degrees of light shielding by the light-shielding means. Since the viewing angle control pattern is formed, a display image from an oblique direction can be made much less visible. Specifically, the viewing angle control pixel in which a part of the area is shielded by the light shielding means in the viewing angle control pixel has a relatively low transmittance, and the pixel that is not shielded has a relatively high transmittance. Then, when the display area is viewed from an oblique direction, a predetermined image pattern (viewing angle control pattern) is visually recognized by a combination of relative high and low transmittances (for example, black display and white display) of a plurality of viewing angle control pixels. become. In this way, when the display area is viewed from a direction other than the front, another image (an image not related to the display) different from that displayed on the display is visually recognized, so that the display image from the oblique direction is remarkably different. It becomes difficult to see. The image pattern of the viewing angle control pattern is not particularly limited and may be any pattern, picture, symbol, character, or the like. Further, since a plurality of liquid crystal panels are not used as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the thickness of the obtained liquid crystal display device can be reduced.

In the liquid crystal display device, the aperture ratio of the light shielding unit may change stepwise.
According to this configuration, since gradation (gradation) can be given to the viewing angle control pattern, it becomes possible to make the display image from an oblique direction much less visible. Specifically, by changing the aperture ratio of the light shielding means in the viewing angle control pixel in a stepwise manner, a completely shielded pixel (for example, an aperture ratio of 0%) is displayed in black, and a partially shielded pixel (for example, an aperture) Ratio 50%) is displayed in gray, and pixels that are not shielded from light (for example, an aperture ratio of 100%) are displayed in white. Then, when the display area is viewed from an oblique direction, an image pattern (viewing angle control pattern) having a predetermined gradation is visually recognized by a combination of black display, gray display, and white display of a plurality of viewing angle control pixels. In this way, when the display area is viewed from a direction other than the front, another image different from that displayed on the display (an image not related to the display) is visually recognized with a gradation. The display image becomes much less visible.

In the liquid crystal display device, the light shielding unit may be a black matrix layer provided on the color filter substrate.
According to this configuration, the light shielding means in the plurality of viewing angle control pixels can be formed in the same process as the process of forming the black matrix layer on the color filter substrate. For this reason, it is not necessary to newly provide a process for forming the light shielding means, and the production efficiency is excellent.

Further, in the liquid crystal display device, the light shielding unit may be a light shielding film formed of the same material as the wiring provided on the element substrate.
According to this configuration, the light shielding means in the plurality of viewing angle control pixels can be formed in the same process as the process of forming the wiring on the element substrate. For this reason, it is not necessary to newly provide a process for forming the light shielding means, and the production efficiency is excellent.

In the liquid crystal display device, it is preferable that a color filter coloring layer is not provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of viewing angle control pixels.
According to this configuration, by providing no color layer in the viewing angle control pixel, it is possible to visually recognize a bright display that is not displayed in color when the display area is viewed from an oblique direction. For this reason, the contrast of the display image viewed from the oblique direction during the narrow viewing angle display is remarkably lowered, so that the display image from the oblique direction can be made much less visible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising the above-described liquid crystal display device.
According to this configuration, since the liquid crystal display device is provided, it is possible to provide a high-performance electronic apparatus that makes it difficult to see a display image from an oblique direction.

It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is a top view which shows the display pixel vicinity of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the viewing angle display pattern of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the light-shielding means of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the viewing angle display pattern of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the light-shielding means of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the mobile telephone which is an example of an electronic device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Moreover, in the following drawings, in order to make each structure easy to understand, an actual structure and a scale, a number, and the like in each structure are different.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present invention. The liquid crystal display device 1 includes a liquid crystal display panel 2 and an illumination device 3. The illumination device 3 functions as a backlight for the liquid crystal display panel 2. The illuminating device 3 is arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal display panel 2 (the side opposite to the observation side (arrow A side)). The illumination device 3 includes a light source 4 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light guide 5 made of a translucent resin. Light from the light source 4 is taken into the light guide 5 from the light incident surface 5a of the light guide 5, and is supplied to the liquid crystal display panel 2 as planar light from the light exit surface 5b. In the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) method, which is one of the transverse electric field methods, is adopted.

  The liquid crystal display panel 2 includes an element substrate 8 and a color filter substrate 9 that are bonded to each other by a rectangular annular sealing material 7 in plan view (as viewed from the direction of arrow A). A nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy is injected between the pair of substrates 8 and 9 to form a liquid crystal layer 14. In the following description, the liquid crystal layer 14 side of each constituent member of the liquid crystal display panel 2 is referred to as the inner side, and the opposite side is referred to as the outer side. In addition, the surface on the liquid crystal layer 14 side in each component of the liquid crystal display panel 2 is referred to as an inner surface, and the opposite surface is referred to as an outer surface.

  The element substrate 8 includes a rectangular first transparent substrate 15 formed of a transparent material such as glass or quartz. The first transparent substrate 15 is a substrate on which a switching element (TFT) is formed. The color filter substrate 9 has a rectangular second transparent substrate 17 formed of a transparent material such as glass or plastic. The second transparent substrate 17 is a substrate on which a color filter is formed. The sealing material 7 is formed of a thermosetting or ultraviolet curable resin such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. The sealing material 7 is formed in a desired annular shape by, for example, screen printing.

  Polarizers 16 and 18 are disposed on the outer surfaces of the pair of substrates 15 and 17. A first polarizing plate 16 is disposed on the outer surface of the first transparent substrate 15, and a second polarizing plate 18 is disposed on the outer surface of the second transparent substrate 17. One end of the first transparent substrate 15 is an overhanging region that overhangs from the second transparent substrate 17. A drive circuit 44 that is a semiconductor device such as an IC chip is provided along one side of the first transparent substrate 15 in the overhang region.

  A plurality of scanning lines 11 and a plurality of signal lines 12 are provided in a region partitioned by the sealing material 7 inside the liquid crystal display panel 2. The plurality of scanning lines 11 are arranged to be parallel to each other and extend in the X direction. The plurality of signal lines 12 are arranged in parallel to each other and extend in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the plurality of scanning lines 11. A plurality of dot-like regions surrounded by the plurality of scanning lines 11 and the plurality of signal lines 12 are provided in a matrix. In each region, subpixels P are provided, and the display region V is formed by arranging the subpixels P in a matrix. Note that the X direction and the Y direction are directions that become the horizontal direction and the vertical direction when the observer views the image display on the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The sub-pixel P is an area serving as a switching unit for bright display (white display) and dark display (black display). A plurality of sub-pixels P are gathered to form a display pixel that is a display unit. For example, sub-pixels P are formed corresponding to each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), and three sub-pixels P corresponding to R, G, and B are individually included. Collectively, display pixels are formed.

  In the present embodiment, a desired image is displayed by a display pixel composed of a collection of sub-pixels P corresponding to each color of R, G, and B, and another sub-pixel P is added to the display pixel. The viewing angle is controlled by the subpixel P to be added. Hereinafter, the three sub-pixels P constituting the display pixel are individually referred to as “sub-display pixels Pa”, and the additional sub-pixel P for performing the viewing angle control is referred to as “viewing angle control pixel Pb”. Here, viewing angle control realizes a wide viewing angle (a wide viewing angle state) when the liquid crystal display panel 2 is viewed from the front, and a narrow viewing angle (the viewing angle is small when the liquid crystal display panel 2 is viewed from an oblique direction. This is control for realizing a narrow state.

  Next, the internal structure of the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the planar structure in the vicinity of the display pixel on the element substrate 8 of FIG. 1 is viewed from the direction of arrow A. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional structure along the X direction of one display pixel and one viewing angle control pixel) along the line ZZ in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the element substrate 8 is provided with a plurality of gate lines 20, a plurality of common lines 21, and a plurality of source lines 24. The plurality of gate lines 20 are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and extend in the X direction. The plurality of common lines 21 are arranged in parallel to each other, and extend in parallel (X direction) with the plurality of gate lines 20. The plurality of source lines 24 are arranged in parallel to each other, and extend in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the plurality of gate lines 20 and the plurality of common lines 21. Note that the gate line 20 functions as the scanning line 11 and the source line 24 functions as the signal line 12.

  In a region surrounded by the plurality of gate lines 20 and the plurality of source lines 24, rectangular common electrodes 22 and 42 are provided. The common electrode 22 is provided in each sub display pixel Pa, and the common electrode 42 is provided in each viewing angle control pixel Pb. The common electrodes 22 and 42 partially overlap the common line 21, and the common electrodes 22 and 42 and the common line 21 are electrically connected. The common electrode 22 in the sub display pixel Pa and the common electrode 42 in the viewing angle control pixel Pb are formed in the same material and in the same process. Note that the common electrode 22 in the sub display pixel Pa and the common electrode 42 in the viewing angle control pixel Pb may be formed in different sizes (areas) as necessary.

  The sub display pixel Pa is a unit pixel corresponding to each color, and a display pixel as a display unit is determined by a group of three sub display pixels Pa corresponding to three colors R, G, and B arranged in the X direction. Composed. In FIG. 2, symbols (R), (G), and (B) indicate that the red sub-display pixel Pa, the green sub-display pixel Pa, and the blue sub-display pixel Pa are arranged in a line in the X direction. ing. A TFT (Thin Film Transistor) 26 that functions as a switching element is provided in the vicinity of the intersection of the gate line 20 and the source line 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a predetermined gap, so-called cell gap, is formed between the element substrate 8 and the color filter substrate 9. This cell gap is maintained by a gap material included in the sealing material 7 shown in FIG. 1 and a spacer (not shown) disposed between the pair of substrates. Liquid crystal is injected into the cell gap to form a liquid crystal layer 14.

  On the first transparent substrate 15 constituting the element substrate 8, a gate line 20, a common line 21, and common electrodes 22 and 42 are provided, and a gate insulating film 23 is formed so as to cover them. A source line 24 is provided on the gate insulating film 23, and a planarizing film 30 is formed so as to cover the source line 24. On the planarization film 30, pixel electrodes 31 and 51 are provided at positions corresponding to the common electrodes 22 and 42. The common electrodes 22 and 42 and the pixel electrodes 31 and 51 are made of a light-transmitting metal oxide such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The gate insulating film 23 and the planarizing film 30 function as an interlayer insulating film between the common electrodes 22 and 42 and the pixel electrodes 31 and 51. The gate insulating film 23 and the planarizing film 30 are made of, for example, acrylic resin, silicon nitride, or silicon oxide.

  The pixel electrode 31 is formed on the planarizing film 30 in the sub display pixel Pa, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The pixel electrode 31 has a plurality of slits 35 at the overlapping portion with the common electrode 22, and a band-shaped electrode portion 31 a is formed between the adjacent slits 35. The slits 35 are formed at equal intervals, and the extending direction of the slits 35 (extending direction of the electrode portion 31a) is a predetermined angle (0 ° to ± 45 °) with respect to the Y direction (source line). (Within range). The liquid crystal molecules 14 a can be driven by an electric field applied between the common electrode 22 and the pixel electrode 31 through the slit 35.

  The pixel electrode 51 is formed on the planarization film 30 in the viewing angle control pixel Pb and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The pixel electrode 51 has a plurality of slits 45 at the overlapping portion with the common electrode 42, and a band-shaped electrode portion 51 a is formed between the adjacent slits 45. The slits 45 are formed at equal intervals, and the extending direction of the slits 45 (extending direction of the electrode portion 51a) is substantially orthogonal to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 14a aligned in the Y direction (source line). doing. The liquid crystal molecules 14 a can be driven by an electric field applied between the common electrode 42 and the pixel electrode 51 through the slit 45.

  An alignment film 32 is provided on the planarizing film 30 so as to cover the pixel electrodes 31 and 51. That is, the alignment film 32 is provided on the surface that is in contact with the liquid crystal layer 14 at the uppermost layer of the element substrate 8. The alignment film 32 is made of, for example, polyimide.

  On the other hand, on the inner surface of the second transparent substrate 17 constituting the color filter substrate 9, the colored layers 36 (red colored layer 36R, green colored layer 36G, blue colored layer 36B) constituting the color filter are provided on each sub display pixel Pa. Correspondingly formed. Each of the colored layers 36 is set to an optical characteristic that allows one of red light, blue light, and green light to pass therethrough. The colored layer 36 is formed, for example, by mixing a pigment or a dye with a photosensitive resin material. Note that the colored layer 36 is not provided in a region corresponding to the viewing angle control pixel Pb.

  A black matrix layer 37 is formed around the colored layer 36 in order to prevent light leakage of the sub-pixels P. The black matrix layer 37 is formed of a metal such as chromium (Cr). In this figure, the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer (light shielding means) 37a formed in the region corresponding to the viewing angle control pixel Pb is the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer 37 formed in the region corresponding to each sub display pixel Pa. It is almost the same as the rate. However, the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer as the light shielding means formed in the region corresponding to the other viewing angle control pixel Pb has a predetermined aperture ratio (aperture ratio 0 to 100%). The aperture ratio of this black matrix layer (light shielding means) will be described later.

  An overcoat layer 38 is formed so as to cover the colored layer 36 and the black matrix layer 37 formed on the inner surface of the second transparent substrate 17. The overcoat layer 38 functions as a layer that protects the color filter and flattens the step caused by the colored layer 36 and the black matrix layer 37. On the overcoat layer 38, an alignment film 39 similar to that on the element substrate 8 side is provided. That is, the alignment film 39 is provided on the surface of the color filter substrate 9 that is in contact with the liquid crystal layer 14. The alignment film 39 is made of, for example, polyimide.

  With such a structure, the light emitted from the illumination device 3 is converted into linearly polarized light by the first polarizing plate 16 and enters the liquid crystal layer 14.

  In the non-driving state where no voltage is applied between the common electrode 22 and the pixel electrode 31 in the sub display pixel Pa, the liquid crystal molecules 14 a are aligned along the alignment direction of the alignment films 32 and 39. At this time, almost no refractive index anisotropy occurs in the liquid crystal molecules 14a. The light (linearly polarized light) transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 14 is absorbed by the second polarizing plate 18 on the observation side. Therefore, in the sub display pixel Pa, black display is performed when not driven. The sub display pixel Pa displays black when the display region V is viewed from the front (polar angle = 0 ° or the vicinity thereof) or from an oblique direction (a direction where the polar angle is large).

  Further, an electric field is generated with respect to the liquid crystal layer 14 during driving in which a voltage is applied between the common electrode 22 and the pixel electrode 31 in the sub display pixel Pa. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules 14a are tilted and aligned in a predetermined direction (a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the slit 35 of the pixel electrode 31). At this time, refractive index anisotropy occurs in the liquid crystal molecules 14a. The light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 14 passes through the second polarizing plate 18 on the observation side. Therefore, in the sub display pixel Pa, white display is performed during driving.

  As described above, by controlling the black display and the white display in each of the plurality of sub display pixels Pa constituting the display pixels in the display region V, an image is displayed in the display region V. At this time, a desired full-color image can be displayed by appropriately controlling the transmitted light intensity of each color (R, G, B) sub-display pixel Pa in the display pixel.

  On the other hand, in the non-driving state where no voltage is applied between the common electrode 42 and the pixel electrode 51 in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, black display is performed in the viewing angle control pixel Pb as described above. The viewing angle control pixel Pb is displayed in black both when the display region V is viewed from the front and when viewed from an oblique direction. In this state, if the image display based on the lateral electric field control is performed in the sub display pixel Pa, the display can be seen both in the front and oblique directions, that is, in the wide-angle region.

  Further, in the case of driving in which a voltage is applied between the common electrode 42 and the pixel electrode 51 in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, the liquid crystal molecules 14a are arranged in a predetermined direction (the extending direction of the slit 45 of the pixel electrode 51) as described above. (Orthogonal direction with respect to). That is, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 14a changes in the vertical alignment direction in the vertical direction between the substrates.

  Here, in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, black display is performed when the display region V is viewed from the front, but white display is performed when viewed from an oblique direction (predetermined polar angle).

  Therefore, when the viewing angle control pixel Pb is not driven, an image formed in the display area V by appropriately non-driving and driving each sub-display pixel Pa is viewed from an oblique direction even when the display area V is viewed from the front. It is also visible when viewed. In addition, when the viewing angle control pixel Pb is driven, an image formed in the display region V by appropriately non-driving and driving each sub display pixel Pa is visually recognized when the display region V is viewed from the front. When viewed from the direction, the contrast is lowered and the image is not visually recognized.

  By the way, by reducing the contrast when the display region V is viewed from the oblique direction as described above, the visibility of the display image when the display surface region V is viewed from the oblique direction in a state where the viewing angle is narrowed is decreased. However, there is a demand for a technique for further reducing the visibility of a display image when the display region V is viewed from an oblique direction with a narrow viewing angle.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a light shielding means (in this embodiment, a black matrix layer) that shields at least a part of at least some of the viewing angle control pixels Pb among the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb is provided. By forming the viewing angle control pattern PT1 in the display area V by the viewing angle control pixels Pb having different light shielding levels, the visibility of the display image when the display area V is viewed from an oblique direction is further reduced. Hereinafter, the viewing angle control pattern PT1 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the viewing angle control pattern PT1 formed in the display region V by the viewing angle control pixels Pb having different light shielding levels depending on the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c as the light shielding means. FIG. 5 shows black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c having a predetermined aperture ratio provided so as to shield at least a part of a part of the viewing angle control pixels Pb among the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb. FIG. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a black matrix layer 37a having substantially the same aperture ratio (for example, an aperture ratio of 100%) as the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer 37 in the sub display pixel Pa in the viewing angle control pixel Pb. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the black matrix layer 37b in the viewing angle control pixel Pb that is completely shielded so as not to leak light (for example, an aperture ratio of 0%). FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view showing the black matrix layer 37c that shields a part of the region (for example, an aperture ratio of 50%) in the viewing angle control pixel Pb.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the viewing angle control pattern PT1 of the present embodiment is an image pattern in which a white background portion Va is mixed with a donut-shaped black ring portion Vb and a gray ring portion Vc having a predetermined size. Yes. The image pattern of the viewing angle control pattern PT1 is not particularly limited and may be any pattern, picture, symbol, character, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the white background portion Va corresponds to a region surrounded by the black matrix layer 37a having an aperture ratio of 100% in the viewing angle control pixel Pb. That is, the light transmitted from the opening of the black matrix layer 37a having an aperture ratio of 100% can be seen as white display.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the black ring portion Vb is a region corresponding to the black matrix layer 37b having an aperture ratio of 0% in the viewing angle control pixel Pb. In other words, light is absorbed by the black matrix layer 37b having an aperture ratio of 0% so that the black display can be seen.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the gray ring portion Vc is a region corresponding to the black matrix layer 37c having an aperture ratio of 50% in the viewing angle control pixel Pb. That is, the light transmitted from the opening of the black matrix layer 37c having an aperture ratio of 50% can be seen as a gray display.

  As described above, by changing the aperture ratio of the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c in the viewing angle control pixel Pb in a stepwise manner, a completely shielded pixel (for example, an aperture ratio of 0%) is displayed in black, and a part thereof is shielded. The displayed pixels (for example, aperture ratio 50%) are displayed in gray, and the pixels that are not shielded from light (aperture ratio 100%) are displayed in white. Then, when the display region V is viewed from an oblique direction, an image pattern with a predetermined gradation (viewing angle control pattern PT1) is visually recognized by a combination of black display, gray display, and white display of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb. become. In this way, when the display region V is viewed from a direction other than the front, another image (an image not related to display) different from that displayed on the display is visually recognized with gradation. .

  Further, in the viewing angle control pixel Pb of the present embodiment, since the colored layer 36 is not provided, a bright display that is not displayed in color can be visually recognized when the display region V is viewed from an oblique direction. For this reason, the contrast of the display image viewed from an oblique direction during narrow viewing angle display is significantly reduced.

  According to the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c that shield light from at least a part of at least some of the viewing angle control pixels Pb among the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb are provided. Since the viewing angle control pattern PT1 is formed by the viewing angle control pixels Pb having different light shielding levels by the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c, it is possible to make the display image from an oblique direction extremely difficult to see. Specifically, the viewing angle control pixel Pb in which a part of the region is shielded by the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c in the viewing angle control pixel Pb has a relatively low transmittance, and a pixel that is not shielded from has a relative transmittance. To be high. Then, when the display area is viewed from an oblique direction, a predetermined image pattern (viewing angle control pattern PT1) is visually recognized by a combination of relative high and low transmittances (for example, black display and white display) of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb. Become so. In this way, when the display region V is viewed from a direction other than the front, another image (an image not related to display) different from that displayed on the display is visually recognized, so that the display image from the oblique direction is displayed. It becomes much harder to see. Further, since a plurality of liquid crystal panels are not used as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the thickness of the obtained liquid crystal display device can be reduced.

  Further, according to this configuration, since the aperture ratios of the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c change stepwise, gradation (gradation) can be imparted to the viewing angle control pattern PT1. Therefore, it becomes possible to make it difficult to see the display image from the oblique direction. Specifically, by changing the aperture ratio of the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c in the viewing angle control pixel Pb in a stepwise manner, a completely shielded pixel (for example, an aperture ratio of 0%) is displayed in black, and a part thereof Pixels that are shielded from light (for example, an aperture ratio of 50%) are displayed in gray, and pixels that are not shielded from light (for example, an aperture ratio of 100%) are displayed in white. Then, when the display region V is viewed from an oblique direction, an image pattern with a predetermined gradation (viewing angle control pattern PT1) is visually recognized by a combination of black display, gray display, and white display of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb. become. In this way, when the display region V is viewed from a direction other than the front, another image (an image not related to display) different from that displayed on the display is visually recognized with a gradation, so that the diagonal direction The display image from is difficult to see.

  According to this configuration, since the light shielding means is the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c provided on the color filter substrate 9, the light shielding means in the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb is provided on the color filter substrate 9 as a black matrix layer. It can be formed in the same step as the step of forming 37. For this reason, it is not necessary to newly provide a process for forming the light shielding means, and the production efficiency is excellent.

  In addition, according to this configuration, by not providing the colored layer 36 in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, it is possible to visually recognize a bright display that is not displayed in color when the display region V is viewed from an oblique direction. For this reason, the contrast of the display image viewed from the oblique direction during the narrow viewing angle display is remarkably lowered, so that the display image from the oblique direction can be made much less visible.

  In the present embodiment, examples of aperture ratios of 0%, 50%, and 100% are described as the aperture ratios of the black matrix layers 37a, 37b, and 37c that shield at least a part of the region of the viewing angle control pixel Pb. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer that shields at least a part of the region of the viewing angle control pixel Pb may be 20% or 80%. That is, it is only necessary to provide a black matrix layer that shields at least a part of the region in the viewing angle control pixel Pb.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the viewing angle control pattern PT2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a viewing angle control pattern PT2 in the second embodiment formed in the display region V corresponding to FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 5, and is a light-shielding film 54 having a predetermined aperture ratio provided so as to shield at least a part of at least a part of the plurality of viewing-angle control pixels Pb among the plurality of viewing-angle control pixels Pb. It is sectional drawing which showed. In FIG. 7A, in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, a black matrix layer 37d having an aperture ratio (for example, an aperture ratio of 100%) substantially the same as the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer 37 in the sub display pixel Pa is provided, and as a light shielding unit. It is the figure which showed the state which does not provide the light shielding film. In FIG. 7B, in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, a black matrix layer 37e having substantially the same aperture ratio (for example, 100% aperture ratio) as the aperture ratio of the black matrix layer 37 in the sub display pixel Pa is provided, and light does not leak. It is a diagram showing a state in which the light shielding film 54 is provided so as to have an aperture ratio that completely shields light (for example, an aperture ratio of 0%).

  The configuration of the viewing angle control pattern PT2 according to the present embodiment uses the light shielding film 54 made of the same material as the wiring provided on the element substrate 9 as the light shielding means, and thus the viewing angle described in the first embodiment. This is different from the configuration of the control pattern PT1. Since the other points are the same as in the first embodiment, the same elements as those in FIGS. 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the viewing angle control pattern PT2 of the present embodiment is a pattern in which a plurality of circular black circle portions Ve of a predetermined size are randomly arranged on a white background portion Vd.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the white background portion Vd corresponds to a region surrounded by the black matrix layer 37d having an aperture ratio of 100% in the viewing angle control pixel Pb. In other words, the light transmitted from the opening of the black matrix layer 37d can be seen as white display without providing the light shielding film 54 as a light shielding means so that the aperture ratio is 100%.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the black circle portion Ve corresponds to the black matrix layer 37e having an aperture ratio of 100% in the viewing angle control pixel Pb, and shields the aperture ratio (aperture ratio 0%) that completely shields light. The region corresponds to the film 54. In other words, the light is absorbed by the light shielding film 54 having an aperture ratio of 0% so that it appears as black display. The light shielding film 54 as a light shielding means is formed of the same material as the wiring such as the source line 24 provided on the element substrate 9.

  According to the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment, since the light shielding means is the light shielding film 54 formed of the same material as the wiring provided on the element substrate 9, the light shielding means in the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb is used as the element substrate 9. The source line 24 and the like can be formed in the same process as the process for forming the wiring. For this reason, it is not necessary to newly provide a process for forming the light shielding means, and the production efficiency is excellent.

  In the present embodiment, the aperture ratio of the light shielding film 54 that shields at least a part of the region of the viewing angle control pixel Pb has been described as an example of aperture ratios of 0% and 100%, but is not limited thereto. For example, the aperture ratio of the light shielding film that shields at least a part of the area in the viewing angle control pixel Pb may be 20% or 80%. That is, it is only necessary to provide a light shielding film that shields at least a part of the region in the viewing angle control pixel Pb.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the viewing angle control pattern using the black matrix layer as the light shielding unit is formed, the case where the viewing angle control pattern using the light shielding film as the light shielding unit is formed, and the respective cases are shown. Not limited to this. For example, the viewing angle control pattern can be formed by combining both a black matrix layer and a light shielding film as the light shielding means. Thereby, the opening ratio of the light shielding means can be changed in a stepwise manner, and a complicated gradation (gradation) can be given to the viewing angle control pattern. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the display image from the oblique direction more difficult to see.

(Electronics)
The liquid crystal display device 1 having the above configuration is applied as a display unit 101 of a mobile phone (electronic device) 100 as shown in FIG. The cellular phone 100 includes a main body unit 105 having a plurality of operation buttons 102 that can switch viewing angle control by the viewing angle control pixel Pb, an earpiece 103, a mouthpiece 104, and the display unit 101. The image displayed on the display unit 101 is viewed from the front direction and the oblique direction when the viewing angle control pixel Pb is not driven, and is viewed from the front direction when the viewing angle control pixel Pb is driven and the oblique direction having a large polar angle. No longer visible.

  As described above, according to the liquid crystal display device 1 and the mobile phone 100 in the present embodiment, the light shielding unit that shields at least a part of the regions of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels Pb in the viewing angle control pixels Pb. Since the viewing angle control patterns PT1 and PT2 are formed by the viewing angle control pixels Pb that are provided and differ in the degree of light shielding by the light shielding means, it is possible to make the display image from an oblique direction much less visible.

  In this embodiment, the pixel electrode and the common electrode have an FFS type electrode structure, but other electrode structures using a so-called lateral electric field method such as an IPS (In-Plane Switching) method are adopted. Also good. In addition, other electrode structures using a so-called vertical electric field method such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method or a VA (Virtual Alignment) method may be employed.

Further, the liquid crystal display device is a color liquid crystal display device in which the display pixel region has three sub-display pixels, but is not limited to the color liquid crystal display device.
And if an electronic device is equipped with a liquid crystal display device as a display part, it will not be restricted to the above-mentioned cellular phone, but an electronic book, a personal computer, a digital still camera, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, Image display means such as a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, and a POS terminal may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display device, 8 ... Element board | substrate, 9 ... Color filter board | substrate, 14 ... Liquid crystal layer, 24 ... Source line (wiring), 36 ... Colored layer, 37a, 37b, 37c ... Black matrix layer (light-shielding means), 54 ... light-shielding film (light-shielding means), Pa ... sub-display pixel, Pb ... viewing angle control pixel, PT1, PT2 ... viewing angle control pattern, V ... display area

Claims (6)

An element substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other;
A liquid crystal layer provided between the element substrate and the color filter substrate;
A plurality of display pixels constituting a display region of the element substrate and the color filter substrate and a plurality of viewing angle control pixels;
A set of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels having different aperture ratios is provided by providing a light shielding unit that shields at least a part of at least some of the plurality of viewing angle control pixels . A liquid crystal display device, wherein a viewing angle control pattern is formed by alignment .

  The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein an aperture ratio of the light shielding unit changes stepwise.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding unit is a black matrix layer provided on the color filter substrate.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding unit is a light shielding film formed of the same material as that of the wiring provided on the element substrate.   5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a color filter coloring layer is not provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of viewing angle control pixels.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.

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