JPH1144786A - Watch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the contrast of the external light and an auxiliary light source by forming a point of intersection of a signal electrode and a counter electrode into a picture element part, and providing an auxiliary light source in a board of a liquid crystal display panel at a surface, which is not formed with the counter electrode, with a space. SOLUTION: A counter electrode 2 of an ITO film or the like is provided on a first board 1, and an electrode, which is divided into seven, is provided as a signal electrode 4 on a second board 6 facing to the counter electrode 2 with the predetermined space so as to perform the display with numerical value. A liquid crystal layer 5, which is obtained by including the high molecular monomer in the liquid crystal, is sealed between the boards 1, 6 by a seal part 25 and a sealing material, and irradiated with the ultraviolet rays. An electroluminescent light as an auxiliary light source 37 is mounted on a circuit board 34 for driving a liquid crystal display panel, and the circuit board 34 is connected to the liquid crystal display panel by a zebra rubber 36. The liquid crystal display panel is changed from the scattering characteristic to the transmitting characteristic by the applying voltage of the liquid crystal layer 5. In the case where the scattering characteristic is stronger, an external light source is scattered so as to perform the bright display, and in the case where the transmitting characteristic is stronger, dark display is performed by the light shading effect of the scattering part of the periphery of the transmitting part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel and a wristwatch device having a function of displaying time or information using the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal layer enclosed between the two substrates facilitates irradiation of the mixed material of the photoreactive polymer monomer and the liquid crystal with light, and further enhances the decorativeness of the liquid crystal display panel when used as a wristwatch device. And a structure that enables display with an auxiliary light source in a dark environment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a liquid crystal display panel uses a mixed material of a polymer and a liquid crystal for a liquid crystal layer.
Projection liquid crystal display devices and reflective liquid crystal display devices are being developed, but for applications to wristwatch devices, a liquid crystal display panel is placed on the windshield side, and the observer gives an instruction from the input terminal for the setting terminal By doing so, only the display is performed.

Further, the display is to display the time and the like in white on a transparent portion, and no color display, display using an auxiliary light source, and the like are performed.

[0004] Therefore, it is difficult to display with good contrast by using a scattering type liquid crystal layer and using an auxiliary light source and a liquid crystal display panel regardless of whether the auxiliary light source is turned on or not.

[0005]

As described above, in a liquid crystal display panel for performing display by controlling the degree of scattering based on the difference in refractive index between a liquid crystal and a polymer, and using external light, When using the auxiliary light source, it is difficult to obtain a good contrast ratio between the scattering state and the transmission state.

Further, it is more difficult to obtain a good contrast ratio with a simple structure, and a polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer having an auxiliary light source is not easily used in a wristwatch device. Therefore, it is desired that a simple structure can be achieved, and a good contrast ratio can be achieved when using external light and when using an auxiliary light source.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid crystal display panel of the present invention and a wristwatch device using the liquid crystal display panel adopt the following configuration.

The wristwatch device of the present invention comprises a signal electrode provided on a first substrate, a counter electrode provided on a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A liquid crystal display panel containing a liquid crystal and a polymer, and a counter electrode of a first substrate forming the liquid crystal display panel. An auxiliary light source is placed on the surface that has not been set.

A wristwatch device according to the present invention comprises a signal electrode provided on a first substrate, a counter electrode provided on a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A liquid crystal display panel containing a liquid crystal and a polymer, and a counter electrode of a first substrate forming the liquid crystal display panel. An auxiliary light source is arranged on the surface not provided with a gap from the first substrate.

A wristwatch device according to the present invention comprises a signal electrode provided on a first substrate, a counter electrode provided on a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A liquid crystal display panel containing a liquid crystal and a polymer, and a counter electrode of a first substrate forming the liquid crystal display panel. The auxiliary light source is arranged on the surface not provided with a gap between the first substrate and the first substrate, and between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source,
It has a color film, a scattering film, or an antireflection film.

The wristwatch device of the present invention comprises a signal electrode provided on a first substrate, a counter electrode provided on a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A liquid crystal display panel containing a liquid crystal and a polymer, and a counter electrode of a first substrate forming the liquid crystal display panel. An auxiliary light source is arranged on the surface not provided with a gap with the first substrate, the non-display portion shows a scattering state due to a difference in refractive index between the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer and the polymer, and the display portion shows It shows transmission characteristics due to a decrease in the refractive index difference between the liquid crystal and the polymer, and performs display by the difference between the scattering characteristics and the transmission characteristics and the difference between the reflection characteristics from the auxiliary light source.

In the wristwatch device of the present invention, a signal electrode provided on the first substrate, a counter electrode provided on the second substrate,
A liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a pixel portion is formed by intersections of signal electrodes and counter electrodes; and the liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal display containing liquid crystal and a polymer. A panel and an auxiliary light source are arranged on the surface of the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel on which the counter electrode is not formed, with a gap provided between the first substrate and the liquid crystal display panel. The watch case has a windshield provided on the liquid crystal display panel, and has an opening of the windshield, an area of each pixel portion of the display unit of the liquid crystal display panel, and a gap between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source. The order of the size becomes smaller in the order of the opening, the distance to the auxiliary light source, and the area of each pixel portion.

(Operation) The wristwatch device of the present invention utilizes the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer as the liquid crystal layer.
With respect to the polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer which performs display by controlling the degree of scattering and transmittance by the applied voltage, a good structure can be obtained with a simple structure when using external light and when using an auxiliary light source. To this end, an auxiliary light source is arranged on the surface of the first substrate of the liquid crystal display panel opposite to the surface on which the counter electrode is provided. Increase the difference in reflectance from the back cover side of the first substrate depending on whether or not the auxiliary light source is turned on, or
By increasing the brightness, a good contrast ratio can be obtained.

Further, by providing a gap between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source, both the forward scattering and the backward scattering characteristics of the polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer can be used, and the scattering degree is improved. Further, by providing the gap, the background between the display portion and the non-display portion can be made uniform, the display becomes clear, and this is an important effect for a wristwatch device.

Further, by disposing a color film between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source, the color of the auxiliary light source can be changed. Further, it is possible to display a multi-colored color film on the same liquid crystal display panel in accordance with the display content. Further, by disposing a scattering film or an antireflection film, it is possible to prevent reflection from the auxiliary light source, and to improve the contrast ratio when the auxiliary light source is not lit.

Further, by limiting the size (opening) of the windshield of the wristwatch case, the distance between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source, and the order of the pitch of each pixel, external light is transmitted to the polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer. It is very difficult for the light incident on the transmission part to pass through the same transmission part, so that the light on the transmission part is incident again from the back surface side of the first substrate, but the scattering of the non-display part Since the light is incident on the characteristic portion, the contrast ratio is improved.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A liquid crystal display panel and a wristwatch using the liquid crystal display panel in the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a basic structure of a liquid crystal display panel used in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line AA shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a wristwatch device using the liquid crystal display panel of the liquid crystal display panel shown in FIG. 1 that can display a plurality of characters. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 alternately.

The liquid crystal display panel has a first
And a second substrate 4 provided on the upper surface of the drawing. On a first substrate 1, a counter electrode 2 made of an indium oxide tin oxide (ITO) film is provided as a transparent conductive film. First
A signal electrode 4 is provided on a second substrate 6 facing the substrate 1 with a predetermined gap as a signal electrode 4.
3, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are provided. 7-part electrode 1
Numerals and the like can be displayed by 1 to 17.

Further, on the second substrate 3, there are provided connection electrodes 22 for electrically rearranging the counter electrode 2 on the second substrate 3. The shape of the counter electrode 2 on the first substrate 1 is provided in a region covering the signal electrode provided on the second substrate 3. Further, the counter electrode 2 is connected to the connection electrode 22 on the second substrate 3 at a connection portion 23 connected to the counter electrode 2 by an adhesive and conductive particles 24.

In addition, after injecting a liquid crystal layer 5 containing a polymer monomer into the liquid crystal between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 3, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the second substrate 3 side, and Polymer. The liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed by a first substrate 1, a second substrate 3, a sealing portion 25, and a sealing material (not shown). On the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, an alignment film for regularly arranging liquid crystals is not provided.
According to the experiments, the alignment film is used when the polymer monomer in the liquid crystal undergoes a cross-linking reaction of the polymer with ultraviolet rays, or
In the standing reliability test, the alignment film was peeled off from the substrate, causing unevenness in display. Therefore, in this embodiment, the alignment film was not used.

An embodiment in which the liquid crystal display panel having the above configuration is used in a wristwatch device will be described with reference to FIGS. In the wristwatch device, a watch case 31 has a windshield 32 and a back cover 33. The second substrate 3, the liquid crystal layer 5, the sealing material 25, and the first substrate 1 are arranged from the windshield 32 side. On the lower surface (back lid side) of the first substrate 1, an electroluminescent (EL) light is mounted as an auxiliary light source 37 on a circuit substrate 34 for driving a liquid crystal display panel. Is electrically connected by a zebra rubber 36 which repeatedly laminates conductive and non-conductive stripes.

Here, when the EL is disposed on the lower surface of the first substrate 1, in the liquid crystal display panel using a high-molecular polymer, since the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 5 changes from scattering to transmissive, When the display has a strong scattering property, an external light source is scattered, and a bright display is performed. Conversely, when transmission is strong, black (dark) display is performed using the light shielding effect (shadow effect) of the scattering portion around the transmission portion. Therefore, an anti-reflection sheet 38 is provided on the EL in order to prevent reflection from the EL as much as possible. Further, a gap is provided between the first substrate 1 and the antireflection sheet 38 in order to improve the shielding property of the scattering portion. As described above, in the liquid crystal display panel in which the scattering property and the transmittance property using the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer are changed by the voltage, the bright display by the scattering part and the dark display by the transmission part are possible.

Further, by turning on the EL which is the auxiliary light source 37, the observer of the auxiliary light source 37 (the windshield 32) is turned on.
The emission intensity of the light to the (side) is, of course, greater in the transmission part than in the scattering part. That is, there is a difference in light intensity between the scattering part and the transmission part, and characters can be recognized. In addition, the display is inverted by turning on and off the auxiliary light source 37, and a display with a design as a clock is possible. This display of the positive / negative inversion is performed on a general liquid crystal display panel, for example, a screen of a personal computer. It is not effective because the color and brightness are inverted. However, in the case of clocks, the time display is the center, and the recognition time of the liquid crystal display panel can be short.
Since the lighting time of 7 is short, the display of the positive negative contributes to the improvement of design.

A part of the circuit board 34 includes a circuit board 3
A battery 35 is mounted as an energy supply source for the battery 4. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The display of morning and afternoon and the display of hour and minute 33 can be performed. Also,
It has a setting terminal input section 34 for performing time adjustment and the like.

Further, on the side of the windshield 32 of the second substrate 3, light is prevented from entering the connection portion between the second substrate 3 and the circuit board 34 and the sealing material 25 or the outside light transmitting portion. For this purpose, a shielding plate 32 is provided. Furthermore, windshield 32
In order to prevent the liquid crystal from decomposing and deteriorating due to ultraviolet rays, an ultraviolet ray preventing sheet 39 is provided on the second substrate 3 side. By providing the ultraviolet protection sheet 39 on the windshield 32, the workability of the shielding plate 29 and the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 5 due to the adhesion of the ultraviolet protection sheet 39 are prevented.

As is clear from the above description, when external light is irradiated from the direction of the windshield 32 of the wristwatch device, the external light is applied to the windshield 32 of the wristwatch device → the second substrate 3 → the liquid crystal layer 5 Through the first substrate 1 → space → anti-reflection sheet 38, and there is almost no reflection at the transmitting portion. Conversely, the scattering portion is scattered by the second substrate 3 → the liquid crystal layer 5, and reaches the user of the wristwatch device from the liquid crystal layer 5 → the second substrate 3 → the windshield 32. As described above, the information from the circuit board 34 is supplied to the signal electrodes 11 to 17 on the second board 3 to perform a predetermined display, and to the observer of the wristwatch device by the optical difference between the scattering part and the transmitting part. Information can be provided.

Conversely, when the intensity of the external light is weak, the light from the EL light, which is the auxiliary light source 37 of the wristwatch device, passes through the first substrate 1 → the liquid crystal layer 5 → the second substrate 3 in the transmitting portion. → The light is emitted toward the observer via the windshield 32. In the scattering section, the light incident on the first substrate 1 → the liquid crystal layer 5 is scattered by the liquid crystal layer 5, and the light emitted to the second substrate 3 or the observer is very weak. It can be recognized by the transmission part and the scattering part. Further, by making the color of the EL light the primary color, the recognizability is improved. Further, by making the watch yellow, the watch is made gold and a sense of quality of the wristwatch device is obtained.

Next, a liquid crystal display panel and a wristwatch device using the liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, a liquid crystal display panel including a liquid crystal layer 5 having a high molecular weight polymer is arranged on the back cover side of hands (hour hand and minute hand). In order to provide the pointer, the arrangement of the ultraviolet ray prevention sheet 51 of the liquid crystal display panel and the arrangement of the auxiliary light source 37 were considered. In addition, in order to enable display of the liquid crystal display panel on the entire surface of the time display section of the wristwatch device, the second embodiment has M signal electrodes 7 and N counter electrodes 5,
It is an example of a xN matrix type liquid crystal display panel. In a matrix-type liquid crystal display panel, the intersection of each signal electrode (not shown) and a counter electrode (not shown) becomes each pixel portion.
An active matrix type having a switching element in each pixel portion and a passive matrix type having no switching element are provided. This embodiment is effective for both,
Description will be made using a passive matrix type. By using the passive matrix type, it is possible to perform high-quality display as compared with the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a combination wristwatch device having both a digital display using a liquid crystal display panel and an analog type having a minute hand and an hour hand. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 alternately.

The liquid crystal display panel has a first
And a second substrate 3 provided on the upper surface of the drawing. On the first substrate 1, a counter electrode composed of N stripe electrodes is provided, and on the second substrate 3 which faces the first substrate 1 with a predetermined gap, a signal electrode is provided by M. It is provided as a stripe electrode of a book.

In the case of a wristwatch device, the circuit board 34
Since the mounting volume for electrically connecting the liquid crystal display panel to the counter electrode is very limited, the stripe-shaped counter electrode on the first substrate 1 is mixed with conductive particles (not shown) in the sealing material 25 to form a conductive material (not shown). The arrangement is electrically performed on the second substrate 3 by the grains and the stripe-shaped connection electrodes provided on the second substrate 3. By adopting this structure, the circuit board 34
Since it is only necessary to mount the liquid crystal display panel on a single surface, the mounting volume can be extremely reduced.

In the gap between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 3, a seal portion 25 is provided on the outer periphery of the first substrate 1, and a liquid crystal layer 5 having a liquid crystal and a polymer monomer in the above space. After the injection, the injection port is sealed with a sealing material.

An embodiment in which the liquid crystal display panel having the above configuration is used for a wristwatch device will be described with reference to FIGS. In the wristwatch device, the watch case 31 has a windshield 3
2 and a back cover 33. The second from the windshield 32 side
The substrate 6, the liquid crystal layer 8, the sealing material 25, and the first substrate 1 are arranged. In the center of the liquid crystal display panel, a shaft 63 for driving a minute hand 61 and an hour hand 62 of an analog timepiece penetrates, and on the lower surface of the first substrate 1, an EL as an auxiliary light source 37 is provided.
And EL also has a through hole. The periphery of the through hole of the EL was sealed with a seal, and the mechanical strength was also reinforced. The light is turned on by the control signal from the EL lamp light button 42. EL is connected to the circuit board 34 by an EL connection line (not shown).

On the lower surface of the EL, there are a circuit board 34 having a power supply circuit of a mechanical drive section for driving an analog clock section and a digital circuit section for driving a liquid crystal display panel, and a battery 35.

On the second substrate 6 of the liquid crystal display panel, a time plate 71 having a numeral 67 indicating the time of an analog clock is provided at the same time as restricting the incidence of ultraviolet rays on the liquid crystal layer 8 and limiting the reflected light. . The use of the ultraviolet shielding film for the hour plate 7 and the liquid crystal layer 8 is an effective means for a device having a very limited thickness, such as a wristwatch device.

Further, the electrical connection between the circuit board 34 and the liquid crystal display panel is made by a zebra rubber 36 in which a conductive material and a non-conductive material on the stripe are repeatedly laminated.

As shown in FIG. 5, a mode switch button 41 for changing the mode of the year display 48, the month display 49 and the day display 50, and an input for a setting terminal for adjusting the time are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. It has a part 40.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the side of the windshield 32 of the second substrate 3, irradiation of the liquid crystal layer 5 with ultraviolet rays is prevented, and when the auxiliary light source 37 is not turned on, the light is transmitted to the transmission part of the liquid crystal display panel. In order to reduce the direct incident light from the windshield 32, an ultraviolet protection sheet 51 for mixing beads with resin is provided. Further, on the ultraviolet ray prevention sheet 51, a time character 47 for an analog clock and a processed end face of the liquid crystal display panel are provided.
A shielding plate (not shown) is provided to shield the sealing material 25.

In this embodiment, an MxN matrix type liquid crystal display panel is used to change the position of the display characters on the liquid crystal display panel, and further, the ratio of the transmitting portion to the scattering portion around the transmitting portion is changed by the transmitting portion. It is effective to use a matrix type liquid crystal display panel with a high density for the display unit in order to increase the number of scattering units to one or more. Further, on the liquid crystal display panel, in order to reduce the direct light from the windshield 32 to the transmission part of the liquid crystal display panel when the auxiliary light source 37 is not turned on, an ultraviolet ray preventing sheet 5 mixed with resin beads.
The provision of 1 makes it possible to increase the ratio of the scattering portion to the transmitting portion, that is, the contrast ratio, by assisting scattering and preventing reflection of the transmitting portion.

Further, in order to prevent reflection from the upper surface of the auxiliary light source 37, a gap is provided between the first substrate 1 and the auxiliary light source 37. In addition, when the auxiliary light source 37 is turned on, the light of the auxiliary light source 37 is emitted from the transmission part toward the observer, and strong light is emitted with respect to the light of the scattering part.
The display of the scattering part is dark, and the windshield 3
Even when the light is weakly incident from the two sides (external light),
The ultraviolet protection sheet 51 on the liquid crystal display panel suppresses reflection of external light and slightly scatters the auxiliary light source 37, thereby improving the visibility to the observer.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display panel and a wristwatch device using the liquid crystal display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a wristwatch device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 corresponds to a cross section taken along line BB shown in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment used for the wristwatch device.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The wristwatch device has a windshield 32 and a back cover 33 in a watch case 31. From the windshield 32 side, the ultraviolet ray prevention sheet 51 and the second substrate 3
, The liquid crystal layer 5, the sealing material 25, and the first substrate 1 are arranged. On the lower surface (back lid side) of the first substrate 1, a circuit board 34 for driving the liquid crystal display panel, and on the circuit board 34, an electroluminescent (EL) light as an auxiliary light source 37 are mounted. The electrical connection between the substrate 34 and the liquid crystal display panel is made by a zebra rubber 36 in which a conductive material and a non-conductive material on the stripe are repeatedly laminated.

Further, a color film 38 and an auxiliary light source 37 are arranged on the back cover (back surface) side of the first substrate 1. The color of the color film 38 and the color of the auxiliary light source 37 are the same color. For example, if the surface of the auxiliary light source is blue when the surface of the auxiliary light source is not lit (off), a blue film is provided. By making it the same color,
Bright display is possible when the auxiliary light source 37 is turned on (when turned on). Further, by providing the color film 37 on the lower surface of the first substrate 1, the display color when the auxiliary light source 37 is off is absorbed by the color film 37, thereby reducing the reflectance of the auxiliary light source 37 in the transmission part of the liquid crystal display panel. can do. Also,
By using a color film having poor visibility for the color film to be used, the reflection from the transmitting portion can be further reduced.

Further, on the back cover (back side) side of the windshield 32, an ultraviolet protection sheet 51 and on the ultraviolet protection sheet 51,
A shielding plate 29 is provided, and further, the windshield 32 and the shielding plate 2
By separating the liquid crystal display panel 9 from the light-transmitting part 9, it is possible to prevent light from entering the transmission part from around the transmission part due to the shadow of the shielding plate 29 and the scattering property of the liquid crystal display panel. improves.

The size of the opening of the windshield 32, or the opening of the shielding plate 29 provided between the windshield 32 and the second substrate 3 or on each component, and the area of the pixel portion constituting the transmission portion And the order of the size of the gap between the first substrate 1 and the auxiliary light source 37 is determined by the size of the opening of the shielding plate 29> the size of the gap between the first substrate 1 and the auxiliary light source 37> the area of the pixel portion The order of is optimal for the case where the scattering part is bright and the transmission part is dark with respect to the incidence of external light on the windshield 32 and the incidence and reflection of the transmission part and the time of the observer, or the character recognition angle. Becomes

Next, the principle of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the principle of the present invention.
The plane structure uses the structure shown in FIG. On a first substrate 1, a first electrode 2 is provided. On the second substrate 3, a signal electrode 4 overlapping the counter electrode 2 is provided. It has areas (pixel portions) 55 and 56 where the signal electrode 4 and the counter electrode 2 overlap, and a gap 56 between the signal electrode 4 and the signal electrode 4.

An electroluminescent (EL) light 37 is provided below the first substrate 1 as an auxiliary light source 37. Further, between the auxiliary light source 37 and the first substrate 1,
It has a non-reflective film 38 having diffusivity. The non-reflective film 38 having diffusivity is a film in which beads having different refractive indices are mixed into a polymer film to form irregularities on the surface.

The first incident light 58 enters from the side of the windshield (not shown) of the second substrate 3. The first incident light 58 is incident on the pixel portion 55 where the counter electrode 2 and the signal electrode 4 overlap, and the liquid crystal layer 5 has substantially the same refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer, and exhibits strong transmittance. The first incident light 58 passes through the liquid crystal layer 5 and enters the scattering non-reflective film 38 provided on the auxiliary light source 37. Light incident on the antireflection film 38 having a scattering property is
Part of the light is transmitted to the auxiliary light source 37, partly absorbed, and the other is scattered and reflected by the scattering non-reflective film 38 to become the first reflected light 59 and the second reflected light 60. The first reflected light 59 enters the gap 56 of the signal electrode 4 and is scattered due to the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer, and becomes the first scattered light 61 and the second scattered light 62. Also, the first reflected light 5
Part of the light 9 reaches the second substrate 3 but has low intensity.
Therefore, the light that is obliquely incident on the first substrate 1 and that is transmitted to the liquid crystal layer 5 that is transparent to the pixel unit 55 has low intensity to the observer (the windshield side).

The second incident light 63 enters from the side of the windshield (not shown) of the second substrate 3. The second incident light 63 enters the gap 56 of the signal electrode 4 and
Shows scattering properties due to the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer, so that the second incident light 63 is scattered by the liquid crystal layer 5 to become third scattered light 64. The third scattered light 64 is scattered to the windshield side, reaches the observer, and is recognized as bright.

Next, third incident light 65 is incident on the second substrate 3 substantially perpendicularly from the side of the windshield (not shown) of the second substrate 3. The third incident light 65 is incident on the pixel portion 57 where the counter electrode 2 and the signal electrode 4 overlap, and the liquid crystal layer 5 has substantially the same refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer, and exhibits strong transmittance. The third incident light 57 passes through the liquid crystal layer 5 and enters the scattering non-reflective film 38 provided on the auxiliary light source 37. In the antireflection film 38 having a scattering property, a part of the light is transmitted to the auxiliary light source 37,
Anti-reflection film 38 that partially absorbs and others
The third reflected light 6 and the fourth reflected light 67
And the fifth reflected light 68. The third reflected light 66 reaches the observer, but is weak in intensity due to a specular reflection component on the scattering non-reflective film 68. A part of the fourth reflected light 67 and a part of the fifth reflected light 68 reach the observer due to scattering of the liquid crystal layer 5, but are very weak in intensity.

Since the observer recognizes information based on the intensity of light to the observer between the pixel portions 55 and 57 having a high transmittance and the gap portion 56 having a high scattering property, the information is apparent from the above. In addition, the gap portions 56 exhibiting scattering properties are bright, and the pixel portions 55 and 57 having strong transmittance are dark. Further, the area of the gap 56 showing the scattering property and the area of the pixel sections 55 and 57 showing the transmissivity are such that the gap section 56 showing the scattering property is large and the pixel sections 55 and 57 having the strong transparency are small. It is valid.

Further, it is desirable to increase the gap between the first substrate 1 and the antireflection film 38 having a scattering property, but it is determined in consideration of the thickness of the wristwatch device.

When the auxiliary light source 37 is turned on, the light is scattered by the non-reflective film 38 having a scattering property.
By making the scattering of the incident light from the windshield side of the anti-reflection film 38 having a scattering property and the scattering property of the incident light from the auxiliary light source 37 side anisotropic, the scattering of the incident light from the auxiliary light source 37 side. Properties can be reduced.

That is, the gap 56 having strong transparency for displaying characters and the like is reduced, and the first substrate 1 and the auxiliary light source 3
7. First substrate 1 and anti-reflection film 38 having scattering properties
Is made larger than that of the gap 56. further,
It is important that the shielding plate provided on the second substrate 3 is close to the display unit.

[0055]

According to the wristwatch device of the present invention, as the liquid crystal layer,
When using external light with a simple structure for the polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer, which uses the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer to display by controlling the scattering and transmittance with the applied voltage. In order to obtain a good contrast ratio when using the liquid crystal display panel and the auxiliary light source,
The auxiliary light source is arranged on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the counter electrode is provided. A good contrast ratio can be obtained by increasing the difference in reflectance depending on whether the auxiliary light source is turned on or off, or by increasing the contrast.

Further, by providing a gap between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source, both the forward scattering and the backward scattering characteristics of the polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer can be used, and the scattering degree is improved. Further, by providing the gap, the background between the display portion and the non-display portion can be made uniform, the display becomes clear, and this is an important effect for a wristwatch device.

Further, by disposing a color film between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source, the color of the auxiliary light source can be changed. Further, it is possible to display a multi-colored color film on the same liquid crystal display panel in accordance with the display content.
Alternatively, a non-reflective film or a non-reflective film having a scattering property is used.

Further, by limiting the size of the windshield (opening) of the watch case, the distance between the first substrate and the auxiliary light source, and the order of the pitch of each pixel, external light can be transmitted to the polymer scattering type liquid crystal layer. It is very difficult for the light incident on the transmission part to pass through the same transmission part, and therefore the light in the transmission part is incident again from the back side of the first substrate, Since the light is incident on the scattering portion, the contrast ratio is improved.

In the embodiment described above, the case where an electroluminescent (EL) light is used as an auxiliary light source has been described. However, a light-emitting diode (LED), a miniature bulb, and a fluorescent tube are used. Naturally, it is possible to obtain the same effect. However, in consideration of the design of the wristwatch device, an explanation was given using an EL light, which is effective for thinning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a wristwatch device using the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view schematically showing a wristwatch device using the liquid crystal display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a wristwatch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view schematically showing a wristwatch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view schematically showing a wristwatch device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view schematically showing a part of a wristwatch device for illustrating the principle of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 first substrate 2 counter electrode light shielding film 3 second substrate 4 signal electrode 5 liquid crystal layer 29 shielding plate 31 watch case 32 windshield 33 back cover 34 circuit board 35 battery 37 auxiliary light source 38 film 58 first incident light 59 First reflected light 61 First scattered light

Claims (7)

[Claims] A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by an intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. A wristwatch device comprising: a liquid crystal display panel including liquid crystal and a polymer; and an auxiliary light source disposed on a surface of the first substrate of the liquid crystal display panel on which the counter electrode is not formed. 2. A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by an intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. A liquid crystal display panel containing a liquid crystal and a polymer and a first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel, on which a counter electrode is not formed, are provided with a gap between the first substrate and an auxiliary light source. A watch device characterized by the following. 3. A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by the intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. And a liquid crystal display panel including a polymer and a polymer, and an auxiliary light source disposed on a surface of the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel on which a counter electrode is not formed, with a gap provided between the first substrate and the first substrate.
A wristwatch device having a color film between the substrate and the auxiliary light source. 4. A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by the intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. And a liquid crystal display panel containing a polymer and a polymer, and an auxiliary light source disposed on a surface of the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel on which the counter electrode is not formed, with a gap provided between the first substrate and
A wristwatch device having a scattering film between the substrate and the auxiliary light source. 5. A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by the intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. And a liquid crystal display panel including a polymer and a polymer, and an auxiliary light source disposed on a surface of the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel on which a counter electrode is not formed, with a gap provided between the first substrate and the first substrate.
A wristwatch device having an antireflection film between the substrate and the auxiliary light source. 6. A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by the intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. A liquid crystal display panel containing a liquid crystal display panel and a polymer, and an auxiliary light source disposed on a surface of the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel on which the counter electrode is not formed, with a gap provided between the first substrate and the liquid crystal display panel. The part shows the scattering state due to the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer in the liquid crystal layer, and the display part shows the transmission characteristics due to the decrease in the difference in the refractive index between the liquid crystal and the polymer. A wristwatch device for performing display based on a difference in reflection characteristics from an auxiliary light source. 7. A signal electrode provided on a first substrate;
And a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A pixel portion is formed by the intersection of the signal electrode and the counter electrode. And a liquid crystal display panel containing a high-molecular polymer, and an auxiliary light source arranged on a surface of the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel on which the counter electrode is not formed, with a gap provided with the first substrate. A liquid crystal display panel is arranged in a watch case, the watch case has a windshield provided on the liquid crystal display panel, and an opening of the windshield and an area of each pixel portion of a display section of the liquid crystal display panel are provided. A wristwatch device characterized in that the order of the size of the gap between the substrate and the auxiliary light source decreases in the order of the opening, the distance from the auxiliary light source, and the area of each pixel portion.