JPH1152069A - Timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable digital display variable in design by making the light absorption axis of a dichroic dye perpendicular to the transmission easiness axis of a polarization sheet provided with an absorption plate disposed under a guest host type liquid crystal layer oriented in one direction to a substrate. SOLUTION: A polarization sheet 14 downward disposed through a guest host type liquid crystal layer 12 is disposed so that the light absorption axis of a dichroic dye 12b and the transmission easiness axis direction of the sheet 14 are orthogonal. Since the light absorption axis of the dye 12b of a liquid crystal layer 12 is orthogonal to the easiness axis direction of the sheet 14 by the sheet reflecting linear polarization having an oscillation face orthogonal to the easiness axis, light having the oscillation face parallel with the light absorption axis of the dye 12b out of light incident on the liquid crystal layer 12 is absorbed. Light having the oscillation face orthogonal to the light absorption axis of the dye 12b transmits, the easiness axis of the sheet 14 is transmitted to be absorbed from an absorption plate. When voltage is impressed on substrates 11a, 11b, light incident on the layer 12 transmits, and light incident on the sheet 14 reflect the linear polarization to be displayed digitally.

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 for displaying time information such as hour, minute, second, etc .;
The present invention relates to a clock that digitally displays calendar information such as month and year, or a clock that analogously displays hands of the hour hand, minute hand and second hand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art of a clock using a liquid crystal display to digitally display time information such as hours, minutes, and seconds and calendar information such as date, day, month, and year, see, for example, There is one described in JP-A-153066.

When digitally displaying time information and calendar information using a liquid crystal, as described in the above-mentioned publication, an upper polarizing plate and a lower polarizing plate are arranged above and below a liquid crystal cell, respectively. The predetermined display is performed by utilizing the property of the liquid crystal, whose optical characteristics change when an electric field is applied.

[0004]

In a clock using a liquid crystal display in the prior art, in a general normally white mode, time information and calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background.

However, such a display means for digitally displaying time information and calendar information in black on a white background has no change in design, lacks an interesting taste, and is tired by consumers. Clock consumption on the display is declining. Therefore, a digital display timepiece having a design change is demanded.

[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the structure of the timepiece according to the present invention employs the following means.

The timepiece according to the present invention has a structure in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with an absorbing plate and a polarizing sheet. The polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis.

The timepiece according to the present invention has a structure in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates has a polarizing sheet and a backlight. The polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis.

The timepiece according to the present invention has a structure in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet and a color filter. The polarizing sheet is characterized in that it is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission.

The timepiece according to the present invention has a structure in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet and is provided above or below the polarizing sheet. A timepiece equipped with a polarizing plate, the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission, and the light transmission axis direction of the polarizing plate is equal to the transmission of the polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. It is characterized by being substantially the same as the easy axis direction.

In the timepiece according to the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet and scattered on or below the polarizing sheet. A timepiece provided with a sheet, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis.

In a timepiece according to the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and a polarizing sheet is provided on at least one of the substrates.
A timepiece provided with a color filter and a backlight above or below a polarizing sheet, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to an axis of easy transmission.

The timepiece according to the present invention has a structure in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet, and is provided above or below the polarizing sheet. A watch having a polarizing plate and a backlight, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis, and the light transmission axis direction of the polarizing plate is a polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. Is substantially the same as the easy transmission axis direction.

In a timepiece according to the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and a polarizing sheet is provided on at least one of the substrates.
A timepiece provided with a scattering sheet and a backlight above or below the polarizing sheet, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the easy transmission axis.

In the timepiece according to the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye are oriented substantially horizontally in one direction with respect to the substrate. A timepiece having a polarizing sheet and an absorbing plate on at least one of the two substrates, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. And

In the timepiece according to the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye are oriented substantially horizontally with respect to the substrate.
A timepiece having a structure twisted between 0 ° and 120 ° between two substrates, and provided with a polarizing sheet and an absorbing plate on at least one of the two substrates, wherein the polarizing sheet is orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. The linearly polarized light having a vibrating surface that changes is a sheet that reflects light.

In the configuration of the timepiece according to the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye are at 0 ° or more with respect to the normal direction of the substrate. A timepiece that is oriented in one direction with an inclination of 15 ° or less and has a polarizing sheet and an absorbing plate on at least one of the two substrates, wherein the polarizing sheet has a linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. Characterized in that it is a sheet that reflects light.

The structure of the timepiece according to the present invention is such that a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and an electroluminescent or light emitting diode or a cold emitting diode disposed under this liquid crystal layer is provided. It is a display means comprising a cathode ray tube or a hot-cold cathode ray tube.

[Operation] In the timepiece of the present invention, a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates has a polarizing sheet provided with an easy transmission axis. Linearly polarized light having orthogonal vibration planes is a reflecting sheet. By arranging the polarizing sheet provided with an absorbing plate disposed under the guest-host type liquid crystal layer oriented in one direction with respect to the substrate, the transmission easy axis is perpendicular to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye. , Half of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer is absorbed by the dichroic dye, and the other half is absorbed by the absorbing plate, so the background for digital display of time information, calendar information and hands is black. Become.

Further, when a voltage is applied to the electrode, light reaching the guest-host type liquid crystal layer is transmitted, and all linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis of the deflection sheet is reflected. Therefore, the digital display of the time information, the calendar information, and the pointer has a metal tone.

For this reason, the timepiece of the present invention has a design change and an interesting taste compared to the prior art in which time information and calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background. As described above, the present invention can provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a timepiece utilizing a liquid crystal display of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment will be described.

[First Embodiment: FIG. 1] As shown in FIG. 1, a timepiece according to a first embodiment is a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 (hereinafter referred to as a guest liquid crystal layer 12) having a dichroic dye 12b added to a host liquid crystal 12a. A first polarizing sheet 14 provided below the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12.
And Further, an absorption plate 16 is provided below the first polarizing sheet 14.

The guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is composed of two first substrates 1 having patterned electrodes (not shown).
0.5% by weight between the first substrate 11a and the second substrate 11b.
The guest-host type liquid crystal to which the dichroic dye 12b is added at a ratio of 1.5 w% is sealed so as to be confined, and the guest-host type liquid crystal is configured to be substantially horizontally oriented in one direction with respect to the substrate. . In the above configuration, by applying a voltage to the electrodes, the state of alignment of the liquid crystal between the electrodes is changed, and time information and calendar information are digitally displayed.

The first polarizing sheet 14 disposed below with the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 interposed therebetween is made of a dichroic dye 12
The first polarizing sheet 14 is arranged such that the light absorption axis of b and the direction of the easy transmission axis of the first polarizing sheet 14 are perpendicular to each other.

Further, the first polarizing sheet 14 is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the easy transmission axis, and is a dichroic dye 12b of the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12.
Is perpendicular to the direction of the easy axis of transmission of the polarizing sheet 14, and therefore, of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, the light having a vibration plane parallel to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b. Is absorbed, light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b is transmitted, transmitted through the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet 14, and absorbed by the absorbing plate disposed below the polarizing sheet 14. . Therefore, in the background where the time information, calendar information and hands are digitally displayed, a black display is obtained as a result of absorbing all the light. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the first substrate 11a and the second substrate 11b having patterned electrodes (not shown), all light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is transmitted, and 1
All the light reaches the deflection sheet of the first polarization sheet 1
The light incident on 4 reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet 14, and digitally displays time information, calendar information, and hands.

The first polarizing sheet 14 is an optical film DBEF (trade name) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited.
Use

For this reason, in the timepiece of the present invention, the portion that digitally displays the time information, calendar information, and hands reflects light incident on the timepiece, and has a metallic tone. The background for digitally displaying time information, calendar information, and hands is displayed in black by the guest-host type liquid crystal and the absorbing plate.

For this reason, the timepiece of the present invention has a change in design and an interesting taste compared to the prior art in which time information and calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background. As described above, the present invention can provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

Here, digital display of time information and calendar information is performed by light transmitted through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 and the first polarizing sheet 14.

[Second Embodiment: FIG. 2] Next, the configuration of a timepiece according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the timepiece of the second embodiment has a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 and a first polarizing sheet 14 provided below the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12.

Further, a backlight 20 is provided below the second polarizing sheet 14. This backlight 20
Applies an electroluminescence (EL) element, a light emitting diode (LED) element, or a cold cathode tube or a hot cathode tube.

The guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is formed between the first substrate 11a having the patterned electrodes (not shown) and the second substrate 11b by 0.5 w% to 1.5 w%.
Is sealed so as to confine the guest-host type liquid crystal to which the dichroic dye 12b is added, and the guest-host type liquid crystal is configured to be oriented substantially horizontally in one direction with respect to the substrate. Then, in the above configuration, by applying a voltage to the electrodes, the orientation of the liquid crystal between the electrodes is changed,
Digital display of time information and calendar information.

The first polarizing sheet 14 disposed below with the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 interposed therebetween is such that the absorption axis of the guest-host type liquid crystal is perpendicular to the direction of the easy transmission axis of the first polarizing sheet 14. Deploy.

Further, the first polarizing sheet 14 is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the axis of easy transmission, and the dichroic dye 12 b of the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12.
Is perpendicular to the direction of the easy axis of transmission of the polarizing sheet 14, and therefore, of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, the light having a vibration plane parallel to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b. Is absorbed, and therefore, is displayed in black on a background in which time information, calendar information, and hands are digitally displayed. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the first substrate 11a and the second substrate 11b having patterned electrodes (not shown), all light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is transmitted, and All the light enters the first polarizing sheet, and the light that enters the first polarizing sheet 14 is
4 reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis, and digitally displays time information, calendar information, and hands.

The first polarizing sheet 14 is an optical film DBEF (trade name) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited.
Use

For this reason, in the timepiece of the present invention, the portion for digitally displaying the time information, calendar information and hands reflects light incident on the timepiece and has a metallic tone. The background for digitally displaying time information, calendar information, and hands is displayed in black by the guest-host type liquid crystal.

For this reason, the timepiece of the present invention has a design change and has an interesting taste, as compared with the prior art in which time information and calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background. As described above, the present invention can provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

Here, digital display of time information and calendar information is performed by light transmitted through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 and the first polarizing sheet 14 and light from the backlight 20.

[Third Embodiment: FIG. 3] Next, the configuration of a timepiece according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the timepiece according to the third embodiment has a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, a first polarizing sheet 14 provided below the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, and a first timepiece.
And a polarizing plate 22 provided below the polarizing sheet 14. The light transmission axis direction of the polarizing plate 22 is configured to be substantially orthogonal to the easy transmission axis direction of the polarizing sheet 14.

The guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is provided between the first substrate 11a having the patterned electrodes (not shown) and the second substrate 11b in a range of 0.5 w% to 1.5 w%.
Is sealed so as to confine the guest-host type liquid crystal to which the dichroic dye 12b is added, and the guest-host type liquid crystal is configured to be oriented substantially horizontally in one direction with respect to the substrate. Then, in the above configuration, by applying a voltage to the electrodes, the orientation of the liquid crystal between the electrodes is changed,
Digital display of time information and calendar information.

The first polarizing sheet 14 arranged below with the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 interposed therebetween is such that the absorption axis of the guest-host type liquid crystal and the direction of the easy transmission axis of the first polarizing sheet 14 are perpendicular to each other. The polarizing plate 22 to be arranged and arranged below the first deflecting sheet 14 is arranged such that the easy transmission axis direction of the first polarizing sheet 14 and the easy transmission axis direction of the polarizing plate 22 are perpendicular to each other.

Further, the first polarizing sheet 14 is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission, and the dichroic dye 12 b of the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12.
Is perpendicular to the direction of the easy axis of transmission of the polarizing sheet 14, and therefore, of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, the light having a vibration plane parallel to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b. Is absorbed, and light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b passes through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, passes through the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet 14, and is disposed below the polarizing sheet 14. Is absorbed by the polarizing plate 22. Therefore, in the background where the time information, calendar information, and hands are digitally displayed, they are displayed in color. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the first substrate 11a and the second substrate 11b having patterned electrodes (not shown), all light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is transmitted, and All the light reaches the first polarizing sheet and the first polarizing sheet 14
Incident on the polarizing sheet 14 reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission of the polarizing sheet 14, and digitally displays time information, calendar information, and hands.

The first polarizing sheet 14 is an optical film DBEF (trade name) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited.
Use

For this reason, in the timepiece of the present invention, the portion that digitally displays the time information, calendar information, and hands reflects light incident on the timepiece, and has a metallic tone. The background for digitally displaying time information, calendar information, and hands is displayed in black by the guest-host type liquid crystal and the absorbing plate.

For this reason, the timepiece of the present invention has a design change and has an interesting taste, as compared with the conventional technique of digitally displaying time information and calendar information in black display on a white background. As described above, the present invention can provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

Here, digital display of time information and calendar information is performed by light transmitted through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 and the first polarizing sheet 14. As the polarizing plate 22 in the third embodiment, a color polarizing plate may be applied.

[Fourth Embodiment: FIG. 4] Next, the configuration of a timepiece according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the timepiece according to the fourth embodiment has a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, a first polarizing sheet 14 provided below the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, and a first polarized light. It has an absorbing plate 16 provided below the sheet 14.

The guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is provided between the first substrate 11a having the patterned electrodes (not shown) and the second substrate 11b in a range of 0.5 w% to 1.5 w%.
And the guest-host type liquid crystal to which the dichroic dye 12b was added was sealed so as to confine it, and the guest-host type liquid crystal was oriented in one direction with an inclination of 0 ° or more and 15 ° or less with respect to the normal direction of the substrate. Configured in state. Then, in the above configuration, by applying a voltage to the electrode,
It changes the orientation of the liquid crystal between the electrodes and digitally displays time information and calendar information.

The first polarizing sheet 14 disposed below with the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 interposed therebetween is arranged such that the axis of easy transmission is orthogonal to the direction in which the light absorption axis of the guest-host type liquid crystal is projected onto the substrate. To place.

Further, the first polarizing sheet 14 is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission, and almost transmits the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12. All the light reaches the deflecting sheet, and the light incident on the first polarizing sheet 14 reflects all the linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet 14. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the first substrate 11a and the second substrate 11b having the patterned electrodes (not shown), the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b of the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 becomes Since the light becomes substantially horizontal with the substrate aligned in one direction and is orthogonal to the direction of the easy transmission axis of the first polarizing sheet 14, of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, the dichroic dye 12 b Light having a vibration plane parallel to the light absorption axis is absorbed, and light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b is transmitted through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, and the first polarizing sheet 14 The light passes through the easy transmission axis and is absorbed by the absorption plate 16 disposed below the first polarizing sheet 14.

The first polarizing sheet 14 is an optical film DBEF (trade name) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited.
Use

For this reason, in the timepiece of the present invention, the portion for digitally displaying the time information, calendar information and hands is displayed in black by the guest-host type liquid crystal and the absorbing plate. In addition, the background to digitally display time information, calendar information and pointers,
It reflects the light incident on the watch, giving it a metallic look.

For this reason, in contrast to the prior art in which the time information and the calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background, the timepiece of the present invention has a display with a change in design and has an interesting taste. Thus, in the present invention,
It is possible to provide a digital display clock having a design change.

Here, digital display of time information and calendar information is performed by light transmitted through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 and the first polarizing sheet 14.

[Fifth Embodiment: FIG. 5] Next, a configuration of a timepiece according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the timepiece according to the fifth embodiment has a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, a scattering sheet 24 provided below the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, and a scattering sheet 24 provided below the scattering sheet 24. It has a first polarizing sheet 14 and an absorbing plate 16 provided below the first polarizing sheet 14.

The guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 is provided between the first substrate 11a having the patterned electrodes (not shown) and the second substrate 11b in an amount of 0.5 w% to 1.5 w%.
And the guest-host type liquid crystal to which the dichroic dye 12b was added was sealed so as to confine it, and the guest-host type liquid crystal was oriented in one direction with an inclination of 0 ° or more and 15 ° or less with respect to the normal direction of the substrate. Configured in state. Then, in the above configuration, by applying a voltage to the electrode,
It changes the orientation of the liquid crystal between the electrodes and digitally displays time information and calendar information.

The first polarizing sheet 14 disposed below with the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 interposed therebetween makes the axis of easy transmission perpendicular to the direction in which the light absorption axis of the guest-host type liquid crystal is projected onto the substrate. To place.

Further, the first polarizing sheet 14 is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the easy transmission axis. , And all the light reaches the first polarizing sheet, and the light incident on the first polarizing sheet 14 reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet 14, The light reflected by 14 is scattered by the scattering sheet 24 and returns to the viewing side to provide white display. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the first substrate 11a and the second substrate 11b having the patterned electrodes (not shown), the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b of the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12 becomes Since the light becomes substantially horizontal with the substrate aligned in one direction and is orthogonal to the direction of the easy transmission axis of the first polarizing sheet 14, of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, the dichroic dye 12 b Light having a vibration plane parallel to the light absorption axis is absorbed, and light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye 12b passes through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, passes through the scattering sheet 24, The first polarizing sheet 1 is transmitted through the axis of easy transmission of the first polarizing sheet 14 and
4 is absorbed by the polarizing plate 22 disposed below the liquid crystal panel 4, and a black display is obtained in which most of the light is absorbed.

The first polarizing sheet 14 is an optical film DBEF (trade name) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited.
Use

For this reason, in the timepiece of the present invention, the portion for digitally displaying the time information, calendar information and hands is displayed in black by the guest-host type liquid crystal and the absorbing plate. In addition, the background to digitally display time information, calendar information and pointers,
Reflects the light incident on the watch and makes the paper completely white due to the scattering sheet.

For this reason, the timepiece of the present invention has a very bright white display and has an interesting taste as compared with the prior art in which time information and calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background. As described above, the present invention can provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

Here, digital display of time information and calendar information is performed by light transmitted through the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 12, the scattering sheet 24, and the first polarizing sheet 14.

[0069]

As described above, the timepiece according to the present invention comprises a polarizing sheet having a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added sandwiched between two substrates, and provided on at least one of the substrates. Is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. By arranging the polarizing sheet provided with an absorbing plate disposed under the guest-host type liquid crystal layer oriented in one direction with respect to the substrate, the transmission easy axis is perpendicular to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye. , Half of the light incident on the guest-host type liquid crystal layer is absorbed by the dichroic dye, and the other half is absorbed by the absorbing plate, so the background for digital display of time information, calendar information and hands is black. On the other hand, when an electric field is applied to the guest-host type liquid crystal layer, the guest host transmits all the light through the liquid crystal layer and reflects the light by the polarizing sheet.

For this reason, in the timepiece of the present invention, the background for digitally displaying time information, calendar information and hands has a metal tone.

For this reason, the timepiece of the present invention has a change in design and has an interesting taste as compared with the prior art in which time information and calendar information are digitally displayed in black on a white background. As described above, the present invention can provide a digital display timepiece having a design change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a configuration of a timepiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a configuration of a timepiece according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a configuration of a timepiece according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a configuration of a timepiece according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a timepiece according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11a first substrate 11b second substrate 12a host liquid crystal 12b dichroic dye 12 guest-host type liquid crystal layer 14 polarizing sheet 16 absorbing plate 20 backlight 22 polarizing plate 24 scattering sheet

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. A timepiece in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with an absorbing plate and a polarizing sheet. A timepiece characterized in that the sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy axis. 2. A watch according to claim 1, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 3. A timepiece in which a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet and a backlight. A timepiece characterized in that the sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy axis. 4. The timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the backlight is electroluminescence. 5. The timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the backlight is a light emitting diode. 6. A timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the backlight is a cold cathode tube or a hot cold cathode tube. 7. A timepiece wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer according to claim 2 performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 8. A timepiece comprising a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added sandwiched between two substrates, at least one of which is provided with a polarizing sheet and a color filter above or below the polarizing sheet. The polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis, and the direction of the light transmission axis of the polarizing plate is almost the same as the direction of the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. A watch characterized by the following. 9. A watch according to claim 8, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 10. A timepiece comprising a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added, sandwiched between two substrates, at least one of which is provided with a polarizing sheet, and a polarizing plate above or below the polarizing sheet. The polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis, and the direction of the light transmission axis of the polarizing plate is substantially the same as the direction of the easy transmission axis of the polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. A clock characterized by the following. 11. A timepiece, wherein the polarizing plate according to claim 10 is a color polarizing plate. 12. A watch according to claim 10, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 13. A timepiece comprising a guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added, sandwiched between two substrates, at least one of which is provided with a polarizing sheet and a scattering sheet above or below the polarizing sheet. A timepiece characterized in that the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. 14. A timepiece according to claim 13, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 15. A guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet, and a color filter and a backlight are provided above or below the polarizing sheet. The watch has a polarizing sheet, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission, and the direction of the light transmission axis of the polarizing plate is the direction of the axis of easy transmission of the polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. A watch characterized by being approximately the same. 16. A timepiece according to claim 15, wherein the backlight is electroluminescence. 17. The timepiece according to claim 15, wherein the backlight is a light emitting diode. 18. The timepiece according to claim 15, wherein the backlight is a cold cathode tube or a hot cold cathode tube. 19. A timepiece wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer according to claim 15 performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 20. A guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet, and a polarizing plate and a backlight are provided above or below the polarizing sheet. The watch has a polarizing sheet, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission, and the direction of the light transmission axis of the polarizing plate is the direction of the axis of easy transmission of the polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. A watch characterized by being approximately the same. 21. A timepiece according to claim 20, wherein the backlight is of electroluminescence. 22. A timepiece according to claim 20, wherein the backlight is a light emitting diode. 23. A timepiece according to claim 20, wherein the backlight is a cold cathode tube or a hot cold cathode tube. 24. A timepiece according to claim 20, wherein the polarizing plate is a color polarizing plate. 25. A timepiece according to claim 20, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 26. A guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, at least one of the substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet, and a scattering sheet and a backlight are provided above or below the polarizing sheet. The watch has a polarizing sheet, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission, and the direction of the light transmission axis of the polarizing plate is the direction of the axis of easy transmission of the polarizing sheet below the polarizing plate. A watch characterized by being approximately the same. 27. A timepiece according to claim 26, wherein the backlight is electroluminescence. 28. A timepiece according to claim 26, wherein the backlight is a light emitting diode. 29. A timepiece according to claim 26, wherein the backlight is a cold cathode tube or a hot cold cathode tube. 30. A watch according to claim 26, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 31. A guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye are oriented substantially horizontally in one direction with respect to the substrates, and A timepiece having a polarizing sheet and an absorbing plate on at least one substrate, wherein the polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. 32. The timepiece according to claim 31, wherein the axis of easy transmission is arranged parallel to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye oriented in one direction. 33. The timepiece according to claim 31, wherein the axis of easy transmission is orthogonal to the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye oriented in one direction. 34. A timepiece according to claim 31, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 35. A guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye are oriented substantially horizontally with respect to the substrates. A timepiece having a twisted structure of at least 120 ° and not more than 120 °, wherein at least one of the two substrates is provided with a polarizing sheet and an absorbing plate, and the polarizing sheet has a linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the axis of easy transmission. Is a reflective timepiece. 36. The polarizing sheet according to claim 35, wherein an axis of easy transmission with respect to a light absorption axis of a liquid crystal molecule or a dichroic dye molecule at a substrate interface of one of the two substrates. Are arranged in parallel. A clock characterized by the following. 37. The polarizing sheet according to claim 35, wherein an axis of easy transmission with respect to a light absorption axis of a liquid crystal molecule at a substrate interface of one of the two substrates or a dichroic dye molecule at a substrate interface. Are arranged orthogonally. A clock characterized by the following. 38. A watch according to claim 35, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light. 39. A guest-host type liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye is added is sandwiched between two substrates, and the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye are tilted from 0 ° to 15 ° with respect to the normal direction of the substrate. A timepiece that is oriented in one direction and has a polarizing sheet and an absorbing plate on at least one of the two substrates. The polarizing sheet is a sheet that reflects linearly polarized light having a vibration plane orthogonal to the easy transmission axis. A watch characterized by the following. 40. The polarizing sheet according to claim 39, wherein the axis of easy transmission is arranged parallel to the direction in which the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye oriented in one direction is projected onto the substrate. A watch that features. 41. The polarizing sheet according to claim 39, wherein the axis of easy transmission is orthogonal to the direction in which the light absorption axis of the dichroic dye oriented in one direction is projected onto the substrate. A watch that features. 42. A watch according to claim 39, wherein the guest-host type liquid crystal layer performs at least phase or intensity modulation of incident light.