JPH09146104A - Liquid crystal optical element and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen the unequal display within a surface, to obtain a uniform display characteristic and to improve reliability by specifying the inter-display surface spacing from a peripheral seal to the parts where first electrodes and second electrodes face each other. SOLUTION: The connecting electrodes 12a to 12d to external circuits are disposed on a TFT substrate 11 side. A substrate 21 disposed to face the TFT substrate 11 is a common electrode substrate having an ITO, etc., as a common electrode. A display region 23 exists on the inner side of a dummy region 22. Further, the peripheral seal 31 and a seal aperture 32 are disposed. In such a case the distance (inter-display surface spacing) L between the peripheral seal 31 and the display region, i.e., the inter-display surface spacing L from the peripheral seal to the parts where the first electrodes and the second electrodes face each other, is set at 3 to 10mm. Known substrates consisting of glass, plastic, etc., are usable for the substrate of the liquid crystal optical element. The electrodes are formed on the inside surface thereof.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a liquid crystal / resin composite layer containing a liquid crystal and a resin as an electro-optical functional layer, and is suitable for high density display in which high speed multi-gradation display is performed by active matrix driving. The present invention relates to an optical element and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Liquid crystal displays have low power consumption.
It is widely used because of its features such as low voltage drive. For example, a twisted nematic liquid crystal optical element (TN
-LCD), super twist nematic liquid crystal optical element (STN-LCD), etc. have been put to practical use. These liquid crystal optical elements sandwich a liquid crystal material in the space of a pair of substrates (cells) whose periphery is sealed.

Compared with these conventional LCDs mainly used as display elements, there is a tendency to increase the display information on the liquid crystal panel or to enlarge the display area in order to improve the visibility. However, increasing the screen size also increases the shape and weight of the entire liquid crystal panel. Therefore, the distance from the display area on the substrate surface to the peripheral seal (hereinafter referred to as the display surface gap L) is generally set as narrow as possible.

On the other hand, a new liquid crystal optical element in which a liquid crystal / resin composite (liquid crystal / polymer composite, hereinafter abbreviated as LC / PC) is formed in a cell as an electro-optical functional layer has been proposed. For example, it has already been put to practical use as liquid crystal light control glass. The liquid crystal optical element equipped with this LC / PC (hereinafter abbreviated as LC / PC-LCD) is L
The light transmission-light scattering state of C / PC can be directly controlled by voltage. Therefore, the polarizing plate, which is an indispensable constituent element of the conventional LCD, becomes unnecessary. In addition, it has excellent electro-optical characteristics that cannot be obtained with conventional LCDs.

In this LC / PC-LCD as well, similar to the conventional LCD and the like, there is still a problem regarding the display surface gap L. Furthermore, in the case of this LC / PC-LCD, a new problem has arisen in connection with its manufacturing method. For example, when heat or light is applied to form the LC / PC by phase separation, a structural change due to shrinkage occurs near the peripheral seal in the cell. In other words, the existence of mechanical deformation force at the time of curing the curable material has been a problem.

Among LC / PC-LCDs, the liquid crystal light control glass has a display surface gap L of about 0 mm. This is because a solid transparent electrode having a large area is provided and it is not necessary to provide a dummy region around the electrode surface for use as a partition plate or the like. In addition, for the purpose of high-density image display, M
LC / PC-AM-using IM and TFT as drive elements and adopting active matrix drive system (AM)
In the case of an LCD, it was within about 2 mm due to the size limitation of the liquid crystal panel.

[0007]

In the LC / PC-LCD, the influence of the stress caused by the shrinkage in forming the LC / PC in the cell, especially the shrinkage at the time of polymerization and curing, cannot be ignored. That is, there has been a problem that stress is generated in the cell and is different depending on each place in the cell surface. It was finally found that this causes display unevenness of the LC / PC-LCD.

In particular, an LC / LCD which has an active element such as a TFT or MIM for each pixel and which performs high-speed, high-density and multi-gradation display
In the case of PC-AM-LCD, this display unevenness became remarkable.

That is, in the vicinity of the peripheral seal, the volume contraction of the LC / PC is prevented by the presence of the peripheral seal, as compared with the central portion of the cell. This is LC / sandwiched between substrates
Affects the structure in the PC layer. When evaluated by the optical characteristics of the completed display element, there is a problem that the light transmittance (linearly transmitted light) becomes higher when the light is shielded (a state in which light is scattered) in the vicinity of the peripheral seal in the plane of the liquid crystal panel. It was

Next, the problems caused by injecting the polymerization curable material into the cell and sealing the cell will be described. In the LC / PC-LCD using the polymerization phase separation method, a liquid mixture, which is a mixture of liquid crystal and a polymerization curable material and is substantially uniformly compatibilized, is vacuumed into the cell through the opening of the peripheral seal. inject.

To that end, cells having a first opening for injection and a second opening for substantially depressurization are usually used. In this case, if the length of the extension of the seal that connects the inside of the cell and the opening is short, foreign matter is likely to enter through the opening, and there is a problem that contamination occurs in the cell. .

Since such a manufacturing method is used, how to seal the cell becomes a problem. This is because the ultraviolet light or the like used for sealing the opening causes polymerization in the vicinity of the opening to cause a minute structural change and a difference in electrical characteristics between the opening and the area other than the opening. is there.

On the other hand, in the conventional TN-LCD and the like, the specific resistance of the liquid crystal is slightly decreased at most, even if there is leakage of ultraviolet rays applied to the photo-cured product for sealing the opening. . Further, since the liquid crystal itself has fluidity, the decrease in the specific resistance was not localized in the opening portion.

The LC / PC-LCD of the present invention is premised on that a mixture containing a curable material and liquid crystal is subjected to phase separation by photopolymerization by irradiating ultraviolet rays, thermal polymerization or the like.
For example, in photopolymerization, chain or addition polymerization is performed by an ionic species or radical species generated by light irradiation, and even a slight amount of light will affect a curable monomer or a curable oligomer. And LC / PC
Influences the structure of, and causes a local change of in-plane electro-optical characteristics.

That is, in order to obtain a uniform electro-optical function layer, it is necessary to prevent light such as ultraviolet rays when the opening is sealed from entering the display area. Further, there is a problem that the liquid crystal optical element provided with the LC / PC formed by the phase separation method has its element characteristics easily changed by an external factor. For example, under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, moisture that permeates and enters the peripheral seal is likely to cause a decrease in specific resistance in the vicinity of the peripheral seal. In particular, it is likely to occur remarkably near the opening of the peripheral seal.

An object of the present invention is to solve these problems, and to provide a liquid crystal optical element which reduces in-plane display unevenness and has uniform display characteristics. Further, the reliability as an electronic element can be improved.

[0017]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention of claim 1 includes a first substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode. In a liquid crystal optical element provided with an active element, a peripheral seal is provided in the periphery between two substrates facing each other, and a LC / PC is arranged in a cell inside the peripheral seal.
The liquid crystal optical element is characterized in that the display surface gap L from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other is 3 to 10 mm.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the first substrate having the first electrode and the second substrate having the second electrode are opposed to each other, and a peripheral seal is provided around the two substrates. In the liquid crystal optical element in which the LC / PC is disposed in the cell inside the peripheral seal and the active element is provided, from the end of the first substrate or the second substrate to the inner surface of the peripheral seal in contact with the LC / PC. The liquid crystal optical element has a distance M ′ of 2 to 6 mm. The distance M'is a dimensional value when the manufacturing of the liquid crystal optical element is completed. Specifically, it refers to the distance from the end face of the substrate to the position where the LC / PC is located, including the width of the peripheral seal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first substrate having the first electrode and the second substrate having the second electrode are opposed to each other, and a peripheral seal is provided around the two substrates. In the liquid crystal optical element in which the LC / PC is disposed in the cell inside the peripheral seal and the active element is provided, the area S _D (mm ² ) of the region where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other. When,
The area S _X (mm ² ) of the region from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other is S _X / S _D ≧
A liquid crystal optical element characterized by satisfying the relationship of 12.5 / (S _D ) ^0.5 .

Further, in the invention of claim 4, the first substrate having the first electrode and the second substrate having the second electrode are arranged to face each other, and a peripheral seal is provided between the two substrates. In a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element in which an LC / PC is provided in a cell provided inside a peripheral seal and an active element is provided for each pixel, at least a part of the end portions of the first substrate and the second substrate is substantially formed. Liquid crystal characterized in that they are provided so as to overlap with each other, and an opening communicating with the inside of the cell is provided at an end provided so as to overlap with each other, and a distance M from the inner surface side of the cell of the peripheral seal to the opening is 2 to 6 mm. It is a manufacturing method of an optical element.

Specifically, the distance M refers to the distance from the main portion of the peripheral seal formed in a frame shape so as to surround the display surface to the portion where the seal extends from the opening. It corresponds to the length of the extended portion of the seal from the peripheral seal provided in the substantially rectangular shape to the outer edge of the substrate (the length from the inside of the cell in the vertical direction of the outer edge of the substrate). When the end portion of the substrate including the extended portion of the seal is cut in the latter half of the manufacturing process, it means a dimensional value in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal optical element.

In the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode mean electrodes for displaying light by actually passing or reflecting light. Usually, it refers to an electrode forming a pixel, for example, a pixel electrode using a transparent electrode such as ITO and a common counter electrode. Then, the pixel electrode is driven by the correspondingly provided active element. As the active element, a non-linear element such as a 2-terminal MIM or a 3-terminal thin film transistor (TFT) can be used.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, after forming the LC / PC, either end of the first substrate or the second substrate is cut outside the peripheral seal. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, characterized in that

The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 4 or 5
In the invention, the display surface gap L from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other is 3 to 10 mm.
And a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 4, 5 or 6, the area S _D (mm ² ) of the region where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other and the peripheral seal First
The area S _X (mm ² ) of the region up to the portion where the second electrode and the second electrode face each other is S _X / S _D ≧ 12.5 / (S _D ).
^A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, characterized in that the relationship of ^0.5 is satisfied.

In the present invention, when the polymerization curable material is cured, even if shrinkage occurs, a portion where the opening is sealed has a phase separation condition different from that of other portions, or time-dependent Even if the specific resistance is deteriorated from around the seal, a uniform display area can be obtained. Therefore, in the present invention, a predetermined distance is provided between the seal and the display area.

Further, the ratio of the area of the display area to the area of the peripheral dummy area without electrodes is set to a predetermined relationship. Specifically, a frame-shaped peripheral dummy area having a predetermined size is provided so as to surround the display area. Further, the opening portion of the seal is arranged apart from the display area.

The problem to be solved by the present invention, that is, the region affected by the peripheral seal in the LC / PC-LCD formed by using the polymerization phase separation method is the type of the polymerization-curable material, the gap between the substrates, and the substrate gap. It also depends on the material, cell size, etc. Therefore, by applying light or heat, LC / P
When C was phase-separated and formed, a display nonuniformity generation region due to a structural change caused by contraction in the vicinity of a peripheral seal in the cell was examined.

Specifically, the area S _D (mm ² ) where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other and the total area S in the peripheral seal S
_P (mm ²⁾ from ^{_{S D (mm 2) S X}} (mm 2) Sample is formed detailed analysis of various screen sizes, screen aspect ratio of the relationship between the area near the dummy area for the display area obtained by subtracting the I went. As a result, it has been empirically found that it is preferable to satisfy the relational expression of S _X / S _D ≧ 12.5 / (S _D ) ^0.5 as a parameter for display characteristics. Note that S _P = S _X + S _D.

By setting the display surface gap L to a predetermined size so as to satisfy this relational expression, it becomes possible to substantially overcome the problem of display unevenness. It was also found that there are sharp structural change points when the display surface gap L is 2.5 to 3 mm. Further, it was found that if the display surface gap L is 3 mm or more, the structural nonuniformity becomes almost negligible. The display unevenness means an optical change due to a minute structural change of the LC / PC-LCD.

On the other hand, as described above, an increase in screen size leads to an increase in the shape and weight of the liquid crystal panel and the liquid crystal display system as a whole. Therefore, the distance between the display area and the peripheral seal is set as narrow as possible. Therefore, it is preferable to set the display surface gap L = 3 to 10 mm. Furthermore, in order to form a liquid crystal optical element having a high-performance optical function without deteriorating the effective utilization rate (effective display area / cell area) related to the size of the liquid crystal panel surface, the display surface gap L
= 3 to 5 mm is preferable.

At this time, the display surface gap L from the peripheral seal
Are preferably provided in the same manner around the display surface. For example, when the display surface is an ordinary rectangle, it is preferable to provide frame-shaped peripheral dummy areas having substantially the same width on the four sides. That is, it is preferable to satisfy the condition of 3 mm ≦ L _i (i = 1, 2, 3 or 4) ≦ 10 mm. An example of this is schematically shown in FIG.

Further, specifically, it is preferable that the dimensions of the periphery of the display surface are substantially equal. That is, in the case of a quadrangle, L ₁ ≈L ₂ ≈L ₃ ≈L ₄ . It is important to provide the display surface gaps L substantially equal around the display surface in order to reduce the display unevenness while suppressing the overall size of the liquid crystal panel. Even if it is a polygon or a shape other than a rectangle having a part of a curved line, it is sufficient to provide substantially the same dummy areas in the periphery.

Next, the LC / PC will be described. The LC / PC-LCD of the present invention is usually a polymerization curable material such as a nematic liquid crystal and a photo-curable compound or a thermosetting compound (specifically, a material whose curing reaction is easily controlled is preferable).
The liquid mixture of the above is used and injected into the cell, and then the polymerization curable material is cured to form a two-phase structure of the nematic liquid crystal and the cured product.

A photocurable acrylic compound is suitable as the polymerization curable material. A nematic liquid crystal is mixed with a photocurable acrylic compound such as a monomer or an oligomer to form a substantially uniform solution state, which is injected into a cell and then irradiated with light such as ultraviolet rays to remove the photocurable acrylic compound. Let it harden. Then, the nematic liquid crystal and the resin are phase-separated to form LC / PC. For example, a photocurable acrylic compound has a polymerization shrinkage of about 2 to 12%.

Further, in the present invention, the opening portion of the cell is arranged at a predetermined position, and after the compatible mixture of the liquid crystal and the photocurable compound is injected as described above, the gap of the cell is properly adjusted, and then the opening portion is opened. By irradiating the vicinity with light, the compatible liquid substance near the opening is first photopolymerized. After that, the entire cell is irradiated with light to form LC / PC, and an electro-optical functional layer having desired performance is obtained. Further, it is preferable to provide a second sealing material such as an epoxy resin on the outside of the previously sealed opening to further enhance the hermeticity.

The substrate of the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention is glass,
A known substrate such as plastic can be used, and an electrode is formed on the inner surface thereof. In addition, a TFT, MI
An active element such as M and a diode is provided. Furthermore, a light shielding film, a color filter, etc. may be provided.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 11 is a TFT substrate.
Reference numerals 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d denote connection electrodes to the external circuit, which are provided on the TFT substrate 11 side. Code 21
Is a substrate provided to face the TFT substrate 11,
A common electrode substrate having ITO or the like as a common electrode.

Reference numeral 22 is a peripheral dummy area, and 23 is a display area, which is located inside the dummy area 22. Reference numeral 31 is a peripheral seal, and reference numeral 32 is a seal opening. Illustration of the TFT, the light shielding film, and the like in the display area 23 is omitted. A distance between the peripheral seal 31 and the display area, that is, a display surface gap is indicated by a symbol L in the drawing. The gap between the cell substrates is several μm
It is set to about 20 μm. In a transmissive liquid crystal optical element, the lower limit of the gap is about 5 μm.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of another preferable liquid crystal optical element of the present invention. The structure is almost the same as that of FIG. 1, but the common electrode substrate 21 is longer in one direction than that of FIG. Further, the shape of the peripheral seal 31 is different, and the seal opening 32 is provided at the end position of the TFT substrate 11. As mentioned above, the LC / PC near the cell opening is polymerized to seal the cell prior to the display area.

However, due to the leakage of ultraviolet rays or the like at this time, display unevenness starting from the opening occurs. In the arrangement configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the seal opening portion to be superposed is separated from the display area 23 in advance. When the distance is shorter than 2 mm, display unevenness enters the display area. Further, if this distance is long, the size of the TFT substrate becomes large and the production efficiency is lowered. Therefore, the upper limit is preferably about 6 mm. As a result, display unevenness starting from the opening can be prevented.

Further, after the LC / PC in the cell is formed by superposition, the common electrode substrate 21 in that portion is exposed by cutting lines K1-K shown in FIG. 2 in order to expose the connection electrodes 12b and 12d.
Make sure to break it off at position 2 and K3-K4. After this, the opening becomes 32b, and a sealing material such as epoxy resin is provided in this portion.

[0043]

EXAMPLES Examples (Examples 1, 3 to 7, 9 to 12, and
13, 15, 17, 18) and comparative examples (Examples 2, 8, 1)
1, 14, 16, 19) will be described.

Example 1 An amorphous silicon TFT was provided for each pixel on a 100 mm square glass substrate, and a TFT substrate in which the periphery of the pixel was covered with a light-shielding film and a counter glass substrate were prepared. Then, the periphery of the TFT portion was sealed with a sealing material to form an empty cell. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of this example. Further, a seal extension portion was provided between the inner surface of the cell and the opening portion, and the length thereof (symbol M in the figure) was 5 mm.
That is, two locations of the rectangular cell inner space are formed so as to communicate with the outside through the tunnel-shaped extension.

The opening of the seal of this example was provided at the position indicated by reference numeral 32a. The distance between the seal and the display area 23 (area where the pixel electrode 41 is provided), that is, the display surface gap L
Was set to 5 mm. In the case of this example, the display surface gap L _{i on} each of the four sides, that is, the relationship of L ₁ = L ₂ = L ₃ = L ₄ is satisfied. The cell gap of this cell is 13 μm.
And

In this example, the area S _D (area of the display area 23) of the area where the first electrode (area of the pixel electrode of the TFT) and the second electrode (common electrode) face each other is 80 mm × 80.
mm = 6400 mm ² , and the area of the area from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other, that is, the area S _X of the above-mentioned peripheral dummy area 22 has a display surface gap L of 5 mm. It was set to 1700 mm ² . Then S
_X / S _D = 0.27> 12.5 / (S _D ) ^0.5 = 0.1
56, which satisfies the above relational expression.

In this empty cell, 19 parts by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 19 parts by weight of acrylic oligomer, 0.38 parts by weight of photo-curing initiator, and nematic liquid crystal 62 were added.
A mixture solution in which 1 part by weight was uniformly mixed and dissolved was injected. Next, the cell surface was pressed to adjust the cell gap, and the seal opening 32a was sealed. Then using photopolymerization LC /
A PC was formed.

In particular, since a black matrix for light shielding was formed in a frame shape on the common electrode substrate side, the peripheral dummy region was phase-separated only by the light irradiation from the TFT substrate side during the photopolymerization phase separation.

Next, the glass substrate was cut outside the seal to expose the electrodes of the TFT substrate. An epoxy-based curing agent was applied to the outside of the seal opening 32b.

The display unevenness of the projected image in the vicinity of the seal of the active matrix liquid crystal optical element manufactured in this manner was measured. As a result, there was almost no display unevenness within the range that can be visually recognized by humans. Further, as a result of a high temperature and high humidity reliability test (60 ° C / 90% RH-500 hours), the specific resistance value changed and became small in the vicinity of the seal (from approximately 90% of the initial value to 70%). Change), and no change affecting the display characteristics was observed in the pixel region.

(Example 2) As a comparative example, a liquid crystal optical element was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the display surface gap L between the peripheral seal and the display area was 2 mm. In this example 2, S _X = 656
mm ^2, has a value of ^{_{S D = 6400mm 2, S X}} / S D
= 0.10 <12.5 / (S _D ) ^0.5 = 0.156.

When the display unevenness in the vicinity of the seal of the liquid crystal optical element was examined, a region of a little less than 1 mm around the pixel area had a uniform high transmittance and was recognized as display unevenness. Further, as a result of the high temperature and high humidity reliability test, the peripheral portion of the pixel region was greatly deteriorated, which had an influence on the display characteristics.

As described above, if the arrangement relationship between the display area and the peripheral seal is improper, the polymer shrinkage during the formation of the LC / PC affects the structure of the LC / PC at the peripheral portion of the seal. . Then, the transmittance in the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal optical element may become high.

The specific resistance of the LC / PC is lowered by the moisture penetrating through the peripheral seal. These are more remarkable as the distance from the peripheral seal is shorter,
Image quality is poor. If the display surface gap L is shorter than 3 mm, the structural change region cannot be contained within the range. Then, in the display region as well, a change in the characteristics of the cell internal structure was observed as in the peripheral portion.

Example 3 The arrangement configuration of this example is the same as that of FIG. The display surface gap L between the peripheral seal 31 and the display area 23 is 3 mm, and the pixel area for display is 48 mm × 64 mm.
And A liquid crystal optical element was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this. In this example, S _X = 708 mm ² , S _D = 3072
mm ² and S _X / S _D = 0.23> 12.5 /
(S _D ) ^0.5 = 0.225.

The display unevenness in the vicinity of the seal of the liquid crystal optical element of this example manufactured in this way was measured. As a result, good results were obtained as in Example 1. In this example, the necessary pixel area could be efficiently provided without increasing the size of the entire cell structure.

(Example 4) In this example, the opening portion of the seal is provided at the positions indicated by reference numerals 32a and 32c in FIG. That is, the seal was extended to the ends of the two sides of the outer shape of the substrate and arranged so as to communicate with the inside of the cell. An empty cell was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. The lengths M of the two seal extension portions were both set to 5 mm.

Also in this example, since the opening is provided at the outer edge of the substrate and the seal extension having a constant length is provided between the inside of the cell and the opening, the material forming the LC / PC is formed. It was possible to easily and stably inject the mixed solution. Further, since the electrodes of the drive circuit of the amorphous silicon TFT are taken out from two sides of the rectangular substrate, it is not necessary to cut the substrate end portion during the manufacturing process, so that the yield is improved and the productivity is improved. Has been improved.

Example 5 A polysilicon TFT was provided for each pixel on a 42 × 52 mm square glass substrate, and a TFT substrate in which the periphery of the pixel was covered with a light-shielding film and a counter glass substrate were prepared. In this example, a polysilicon TFT is used, and part of the row-side and column-side drive circuits for driving the pixel TFT is also formed on the TFT substrate. Then, the periphery was sealed with a sealing material so as to surround the TFT portion of the pixel portion and the peripheral TFT drive circuit portion, thereby forming an empty cell. FIG. 6 shows its plan view.

The opening of this seal is designated by reference numeral 32d in FIG.
It was provided at the position indicated by 32e. The display surface gap L between the seal and the display area 23 (area where the pixel electrode 41 is provided) was set to 5 mm. The cell gap of this cell was 13 μm. The distance between the opening and the inner surface of the cell was the thickness of the peripheral seal 31, which was set to 1 mm.

In this example, the area S _D of the region where the first electrode (pixel electrode region of the TFT) and the second electrode (common electrode) face each other is 30 mm × 40 mm = 1200 mm ² ,
The area S _X of the region from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other was set to 800 mm ² by providing the display surface gap L of 5 mm. At this time, S _X / S _D = 0.67
> 12.5 / (S _D ) ^0.5 = 0.36, which satisfies the above relationship.

(Examples 6 to 14) Table 1 shows the data of Examples 6 to 14. This is the case where the aspect ratio of the display portion is 4: 3. S _X / S _D > 12.5 / even for small panel sizes
Good display is obtained when the relationship of (S _D ) ^0.5 is satisfied. The unit of the diagonal dimension is 2.54 cm.

[0063]

[Table 1]

(Examples 15 to 19) Table 2 shows the data of Examples 15 to 19. This is the case where the aspect ratio of the display unit is 16: 9.

[0065]

[Table 2]

[0066]

According to the LCPC-AM-LCD of the present invention, desired uniform display characteristics can be obtained even when shrinkage occurs due to curing of the curable material during the phase separation method. Further, by providing constant dummy regions around the four sides of the display region, a uniform LC / PC layer could be stably formed. It was also found that there is an effect of making the cell gap in the display area constant.

Further, by providing a certain distance between the inner surface of the cell and the opening, the influence of the sealing of the opening can be reduced.

Further, an LCPC- which exhibits desired uniform display characteristics without being affected by polymerization and curing at the time of sealing the seal opening portion.
An AM-LCD could be obtained.

In particular, when a black matrix for light shielding is formed in a frame shape on the common electrode substrate side and polymerized phase separation is performed only by light irradiation from the TFT substrate side, a peripheral dummy region is surrounded so as to surround the display region. By providing, LC
/ It has become possible to reliably absorb changes in the internal structure during the formation of PC.

Further, even if foreign matter invades from the periphery of the seal portion with the passage of time and the specific resistance changes due to the occurrence of contamination, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from reaching the display area.

LC / PC-A having a complicated structure
Even with the M-LCD, the yield in the production process and the reliability of the product can be significantly improved.

In particular, when the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention is combined with a light source that emits a high-intensity light beam to form a projection type liquid crystal display device, a bright and high-contrast projected image can be obtained. In addition, it has become possible to improve the stability and reliability of the product.

Further, the present invention can be applied to other uses as long as the effect is not impaired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a basic configuration of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of the cell of Example 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of Example 1 (K1-K2 cut surface).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of Example 1 (cut plane K3-K4).

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cell of Example 4.

6 is a plan view of the cell of Example 5. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: TFT substrate 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d: connection electrode 21: common electrode substrate 22: peripheral dummy region 23: display region 31: peripheral seal 32: opening 41: pixel electrode L: display surface gap

Front page continuation (72) Yutaka Kumai, 1160 Matsubara, Hazawa-machi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref.A.G.Technology Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroki Nakamura 8 Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Stock company Toshiba Yokohama office

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first substrate having a first electrode and a second substrate having a second electrode are opposed to each other, and a peripheral seal is provided around the two substrates. In a liquid crystal optical element in which a liquid crystal / resin composite is arranged in a cell and an active element is provided, a display surface gap L from a peripheral seal to a portion where a first electrode and a second electrode face each other is 3 to 10 mm. A liquid crystal optical element characterized in that 2. A first substrate having a first electrode and a second substrate having a second electrode are opposed to each other, and a peripheral seal is provided around the two substrates. In a liquid crystal optical element in which a liquid crystal / resin composite is arranged in a cell and an active element is provided, a distance M from an end of the first substrate or the second substrate to an inner surface of a peripheral seal in contact with the liquid crystal / resin composite. 'Is set to 2 to 6 mm, which is a liquid crystal optical element. 3. A first substrate having a first electrode and a second substrate having a second electrode are opposed to each other, and a peripheral seal is provided in the periphery between the two substrates. In a liquid crystal optical element in which a liquid crystal / resin composite is arranged in a cell and an active element is provided, an area S _{D of} a region where a first electrode and a second electrode face each other
(Mm ² ) and the area S _X (mm ² ) of the region from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other, S _X / S _D ≧ 12.5 / (S _D ) A liquid crystal optical element characterized by satisfying the relationship of ^0.5 . 4. A first substrate having a first electrode and a second substrate having a second electrode are arranged so as to face each other, and a peripheral seal is provided between the two substrates. In a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element in which a liquid crystal / resin composite is formed in a cell and an active element is arranged for each pixel, at least a part of an end portion of a first substrate is provided so as to substantially overlap with each other. An opening communicating with the inside of the cell is provided at the overlapping end, and the distance M from the inner surface side of the cell of the peripheral seal to the opening is 2
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, characterized in that the length is ˜6 mm. 5. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element according to claim 4, wherein after forming the liquid crystal / resin composite, the end portion of the first substrate or the second substrate is cut outside the peripheral seal. . 6. The manufacturing of a liquid crystal optical element according to claim 4, wherein a display surface gap L from the peripheral seal to a portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other is 3 to 10 mm. Method. 7. The area S _D (mm ² ) of the region where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other, and the region from the peripheral seal to the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other. Area S _X (m
m ²⁾ and _{is, S X / S D ≧ 12.5} / (S D) method for producing a liquid crystal optical element according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized by satisfying ^0.5 relationship.