WO2015064493A1 - Light control film, roll of light control film, and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A light control film (6) in one mode of this invention comprises the following: a light-transmitting substrate (39); a light-diffusing section (41) provided in a first region of one surface of said light-transmitting substrate (39); a light-blocking layer (40) provided in a second region of said surface, said second region being the non-first-region part of said surface; and a hollow section adjacent to the light-diffusing section (41). The light-diffusing section (41), which forms a structure that has anisotropic light-scattering characteristics, has the following: a light-output end face that contacts the abovementioned surface of the light-transmitting substrate (39); a light-input end face that faces and has a larger surface area than said light-output end face; and a reflective surface that contacts the light-output end face and the light-input end face and reflects light inputted via the light-input end face. A mark (50) that indicates the direction of the anisotropy of the light-scattering characteristics of the light-diffusing section (41) is provided.

Description

Light control film, film roll of light control film, display device

The present invention relates to a light control film, a roll of light control film, and a display device.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-223369 filed in Japan on October 28, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Liquid crystal display devices are widely used as displays for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, televisions, personal computers, and the like. In general, a liquid crystal display device is excellent in visibility from the front, but has a narrow viewing angle. Therefore, various devices have been made to widen the viewing angle. As one of them, a configuration has been proposed in which a member for controlling the diffusion angle of light emitted from a display body such as a liquid crystal panel (hereinafter referred to as a light diffusion member) is provided on the viewing side of the display body.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a light control film in which a light diffusion layer is provided with a groove having a V-shaped cross section, and a light absorption layer is provided in a part of the groove. In the light control film, a transparent sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like is disposed on the light incident side and light emission side of the light diffusion layer. A part of the light incident perpendicular to the light diffusion layer is totally reflected on the wall surface of the groove and then emitted. Thereby, the light emitted from the light control film is diffused.

JP 2000-352608 A

However, when the light control film is arranged on the light emission side of the display device, the display device has a relatively narrow azimuth angle direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a viewing angle improvement direction) and light. If the azimuth angle direction in which the control film has a relatively strong diffusivity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a strong diffusion direction) does not generally match, the effect of improving the viewing angle characteristics by the light control film will be weakened. .

One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is a light control film that can sufficiently exhibit the effect of improving viewing angle characteristics when combined with a display device. One object of the present invention is to provide an original roll of a control film and a display device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means.
The light control film according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light-transmitting base material, a light diffusion portion provided in a first region on one surface of the base material, and the first region of the one surface excluding the first region. A light shielding layer provided in two regions, and a hollow portion adjacent to the light diffusing portion, the light diffusing portion facing the one surface of the substrate, and the light emitting end surface. A light incident end surface having an area larger than an area of the light emitting end surface, a reflecting surface in contact with the light emitting end surface and the light incident end surface, and reflecting light incident from the light incident end surface, A structure having anisotropy in light scattering characteristics is provided, and an index indicating the direction of anisotropy of the light scattering characteristics by the light diffusion portion is provided.

In the light control film, the planar shape of the light diffusion part or the light shielding layer viewed from the normal direction of the one surface of the base material may have a biaxial symmetry.

In the light control film, the index may be configured by unevenness provided on the base material.

In the light control film, the indicator is constituted by a convex portion provided at the first end portion of the base material and a concave portion provided at the second end portion opposite to the first end portion, The second end portion may be formed with a recess having a shape obtained by inverting the shape of the first end portion.

In the light control film, the index may be provided at two corners that are diagonal to the base material forming a rectangle.

The light control film may be configured such that a protective film is provided on the one surface side of the base material via the light diffusion portion, and the indicator is provided on the protective film.

An original fabric roll of a light control film which is one embodiment of the present invention is an original fabric roll of a light control film formed by winding a long light control film, and the light control film is a base having light permeability. A material, a light diffusing portion provided in a first region on one surface of the base material, a light shielding layer provided in a second region of the one surface excluding the first region, and the light diffusing portion adjacent to each other A light emitting end surface that is in contact with the one surface of the substrate, and a light incident end surface that is opposed to the light emitting end surface and has an area larger than the area of the light emitting end surface; A reflection surface that is in contact with the light emission end surface and the light incident end surface and reflects light incident from the light incident end surface, and has a configuration having anisotropy in the light scattering characteristics, and the light diffusion An indicator indicating the direction of anisotropy of the light scattering characteristics by the part is provided. To have.

A display device according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with a display body, a light control member that is provided on a viewing side of the display body, scatters and emits light incident from the display body, and the light control member includes: It consists of said light control film, The parameter | index which shows the direction of the anisotropy of the light scattering characteristic of the said light control film is provided in areas other than the display area in the said display body.

The display device may have a configuration in which an azimuth angle direction in which the luminance viewing angle of the display body is relatively narrow and an azimuth angle direction in which the light control film has a relatively strong diffusivity substantially coincide.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a light control film, an original roll of light control film, and a display device that can sufficiently exhibit the effect of improving viewing angle characteristics when combined with a display device. It is.

The perspective view which looked at the liquid crystal display device of an embodiment from the slanting upper part (viewing side). Sectional drawing of a liquid crystal display device. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel. The perspective view which looked at the light control member (light control film) from the visual recognition side. The schematic diagram of a light control member (light control film). The top view which shows typically schematic structure of a light control film. The 1st figure which shows other embodiment of the position of a mark, and a shape. The 2nd figure which shows other embodiment of the position of a mark, and a shape. The 3rd figure which shows other embodiment of the position of a mark, and a shape. The 4th figure which shows other embodiment of the position of a mark, and a shape. The 5th figure which shows other embodiment of the position of a mark, and a shape. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the liquid crystal panel, and showing a state when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel (between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode shown in FIG. 3) (when no voltage is applied). It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a liquid crystal panel, Comprising: The figure which shows a state when a fixed voltage is applied to a liquid crystal panel (at the time of voltage application). The figure for demonstrating the definition of a polar angle and an azimuth. The front view of a liquid crystal display device. In the front view of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment, the light control film has a relatively strong diffusivity in the azimuth direction Vs, the transmission axis of the polarizing plate (the transmission axis P1 of the first polarizing plate, the transmission of the second polarizing plate). The figure which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship with the axis | shaft P2). The graph which shows the luminance distribution in the polar angle direction of a liquid crystal display device. The top view which shows schematic structure of the light control film in 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the case where the light control film is arrange | positioned at the visual recognition side of a liquid crystal panel in 2nd Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows an example of the manufacturing apparatus used for manufacture of the light control film in 2nd Embodiment. The 1st figure which shows the process of cut | disconnecting a raw fabric roll and obtaining a some light control film. The 2nd figure which shows the process of cut | disconnecting an original fabric roll and obtaining a some light control film. The perspective view in the case of utilizing a some light control film for a large sized liquid crystal panel. The figure which shows other embodiment of the light control film in 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the light control film in 3rd Embodiment. The 1st figure which shows schematic structure of the protective film which has a mark. The 2nd figure which shows schematic structure of the protective film which has a mark. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the light-diffusion film in 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the original fabric roll provided with the protective film in 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the formation area of the light-diffusion film in an original fabric roll. The perspective view which shows the light control film cut out from the original fabric roll. The figure which shows other embodiment of the mark attached | subjected to an original fabric roll.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, an example of a liquid crystal display device including a transmissive liquid crystal panel (display body) will be described as a display device.
In all of the following drawings, in order to make each component easy to see, the scale of the size may be changed depending on the component.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from above (viewing side). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a liquid crystal display device (display device) 1 of the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal panel (display body) 2, a light control member 3 (light control film 6), and a backlight 4 (illumination). Device). The liquid crystal panel 2 includes a liquid crystal cell 13, a first polarizing plate 5, a second polarizing plate 7, a first retardation film 8A, and a second retardation film 8B. The light control member 3 of the present embodiment is composed of a light control film 6 described later.
In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 2 is schematically illustrated as a single plate, but the detailed structure thereof will be described later.

The observer sees the display from the upper side of the liquid crystal display device 1 in FIG. 1 where the light control member 3 is arranged. In the following description, the side on which the light control member 3 is disposed is referred to as a viewing side, and the side on which the backlight 4 is disposed is referred to as a back side. In the following description, the x axis is defined as the horizontal direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1, the y axis is defined as the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1, and the z axis is defined as the thickness direction of the liquid crystal display device 1.

In the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, the light emitted from the backlight 4 is modulated by the liquid crystal panel 2, and a predetermined image, character, or the like is displayed by the modulated light. Further, when the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 2 passes through the light control member 3, the emitted light enters a scattering state. Thereby, the observer can visually recognize the display with a wide viewing angle.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the liquid crystal panel 2 will be described.
Here, an active matrix transmissive liquid crystal panel will be described as an example. However, a liquid crystal panel applicable to the present invention is not limited to an active matrix transmissive liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel applicable to the present invention may be, for example, a transflective type (transmission / reflection type) liquid crystal panel. Further, a simple matrix type liquid crystal panel in which each pixel does not include a switching thin film transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as TFT) may be used.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal cell 13 includes a TFT substrate 9, a color filter substrate 10, and a liquid crystal layer 11. The TFT substrate 9 functions as a switching element substrate.
The color filter substrate 10 is disposed to face the TFT substrate 9. The liquid crystal layer 11 is sandwiched between the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10.

The liquid crystal layer 11 is enclosed in a space surrounded by the TFT substrate 9, the color filter substrate 10, and a frame-shaped seal member (not shown). The sealing member bonds the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 at a predetermined interval.

The liquid crystal panel 2 of the present embodiment performs display in, for example, a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode.
A liquid crystal having a positive dielectric anisotropy is used for the liquid crystal layer 11. A spacer 12 is disposed between the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10. The spacer 12 is spherical or columnar. The spacer 12 keeps the distance between the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 constant.

The display mode of the liquid crystal panel 2 of the present invention is not limited to the above TN mode. For example, a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, an STN (Super Twisted Nematic) mode, an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode, an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode, or the like may be used.

Although not shown, a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix on the TFT substrate 9. A pixel is a minimum unit area of display. A plurality of source bus lines are formed on the TFT substrate 9 so as to extend in parallel to each other. A plurality of gate bus lines are formed on the TFT substrate 9 so as to extend in parallel to each other. The plurality of gate bus lines are orthogonal to the plurality of source bus lines. On the TFT substrate 9, a plurality of source bus lines and a plurality of gate bus lines are formed in a lattice pattern. A rectangular area defined by adjacent source bus lines and adjacent gate bus lines is one pixel. The source bus line is connected to the source electrode 17 of the TFT 19. The gate bus line is connected to the gate electrode 16 of the TFT 19.

A TFT 19 having a semiconductor layer 15, a gate electrode 16, a source electrode 17, a drain electrode 18, etc. is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 14 constituting the TFT substrate 9 on the liquid crystal layer 11 side.
As the transparent substrate 14, for example, a glass substrate can be used.

A semiconductor layer 15 is formed on the transparent substrate 14. Examples of the material of the semiconductor layer 15 include semiconductors such as CGS (Continuous Grain Silicon), LPS (Low-temperature Poly-Silicon), α-Si (Amorphous Silicon). Material is used.

A gate insulating film 20 is formed on the transparent substrate 14 so as to cover the semiconductor layer 15.
As a material of the gate insulating film 20, for example, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a laminated film thereof is used.

A gate electrode 16 is formed on the gate insulating film 20 so as to face the semiconductor layer 15. As the material of the gate electrode 16, for example, a laminated film of W (tungsten) / TaN (tantalum nitride), Mo (molybdenum), Ti (titanium), Al (aluminum), or the like is used.

A first interlayer insulating film 21 is formed on the gate insulating film 20 so as to cover the gate electrode 16. As a material of the first interlayer insulating film 21, for example, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a laminated film thereof is used.

A source electrode 17 and a drain electrode 18 are formed on the first interlayer insulating film 21. A contact hole 22 and a contact hole 23 are formed in the first interlayer insulating film 21 and the gate insulating film 20 so as to penetrate the first interlayer insulating film 21 and the gate insulating film 20.
The source electrode 17 is connected to the source region of the semiconductor layer 15 through the contact hole 22. The drain electrode 18 is connected to the drain region of the semiconductor layer 15 through the contact hole 23. As a material for the source electrode 17 and the drain electrode 18, the same conductive material as that for the gate electrode 16 is used.

A second interlayer insulating film 24 is formed on the first interlayer insulating film 21 so as to cover the source electrode 17 and the drain electrode 18. As the material of the second interlayer insulating film 24, the same material as the first interlayer insulating film 21 described above or an organic insulating material is used.

A pixel electrode 25 is formed on the second interlayer insulating film 24. A contact hole 26 is formed through the second interlayer insulating film 24 in the second interlayer insulating film 24. The pixel electrode 25 is connected to the drain electrode 18 through the contact hole 26. The pixel electrode 25 is connected to the drain region of the semiconductor layer 15 using the drain electrode 18 as a relay electrode.
As the material of the pixel electrode 25, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide) is used.

With this configuration, when the scanning signal is supplied through the gate bus line and the TFT 19 is turned on, the image signal supplied to the source electrode 17 through the source bus line passes through the semiconductor layer 15 and the drain electrode 18 to form a pixel electrode. 25. An alignment film 27 is formed on the entire surface of the second interlayer insulating film 24 so as to cover the pixel electrode 25. The alignment film 27 has an alignment regulating force that horizontally aligns the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 11. The form of the TFT 19 may be the top gate type TFT shown in FIG. 3 or the bottom gate type TFT.

On the other hand, a black matrix 30, a color filter 31, a planarizing layer 32, a counter electrode 33, and an alignment film 34 are sequentially formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 29 constituting the color filter substrate 10 on the liquid crystal layer 11 side.

The black matrix 30 has a function of blocking light transmission in the inter-pixel region. The black matrix 30 is formed of, for example, a metal such as Cr (chromium) or a Cr / Cr oxide multilayer film, or a photoresist in which carbon particles are dispersed in a photosensitive resin.

The color filter 31 contains pigments of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. One color filter 31 of R, G, or B is arranged to face one pixel electrode 25 on the TFT substrate 9. Note that the color filter 31 may have a multicolor configuration of three or more colors of R, G, and B.

The planarization layer 32 is composed of an insulating film that covers the black matrix 30 and the color filter 31. The planarizing layer 32 has a function of smoothing and leveling a step formed by the black matrix 30 and the color filter 31.

A counter electrode 33 is formed on the planarization layer 32. As the material of the counter electrode 33, a transparent conductive material similar to that of the pixel electrode 25 is used.

An alignment film 34 is formed on the entire surface of the counter electrode 33. The alignment film 34 has an alignment regulating force that horizontally aligns the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 11.

Returning to FIG. 1, the orientation control direction of the orientation film 27 of the TFT substrate 9 is indicated by an arrow H1 (hereinafter referred to as orientation control direction H1). On the other hand, an alignment control direction of the alignment film 34 of the color filter substrate 10 is indicated by an arrow H2 (hereinafter referred to as an alignment control direction H2).

The alignment film 27 is subjected to an alignment process such as rubbing so that the alignment control direction H1 is a 135 ° -315 ° direction. On the other hand, the alignment film 34 is subjected to an alignment process such as rubbing so that the alignment control direction H2 is 45 ° to 225 °.

The backlight 4 includes a light source 36 such as a light emitting diode or a cold cathode tube, and a light guide plate 37 that guides light emitted from the light source 36 to the liquid crystal panel 2. The light guide plate 37 has an emission surface that emits light toward the liquid crystal panel 2 and a back surface that faces the emission surface, and a plurality of prisms are formed on the back surface (not shown). The back prism has two inclined surfaces (not shown) inclined at predetermined angles different from each other with respect to the emission surface, and the light emitted from the backlight 4 has a high intensity in the normal direction of the display surface and is high. Has directivity.

The backlight 4 may be an edge light type in which the light source 36 is disposed on the end face of the light guide plate 37 as described above, or may be a direct type in which the light source is disposed directly under the light guide.
As the backlight 4 used in the present embodiment, it is desirable to use a backlight having a directivity by controlling the light emitting direction, that is, a so-called directional backlight. By using a directional backlight that allows collimated or substantially collimated light to enter the light diffusing portion 41 of the light control film 6, blurring can be reduced and the light utilization efficiency can be further increased.

A first polarizing plate 5 is provided between the backlight 4 and the liquid crystal cell 13. The first polarizing plate 5 functions as a polarizer. Here, the angle is represented counterclockwise with reference to the positive direction of the x-axis direction. Then, the transmission axis P1 of the first polarizing plate 5 is set in the 135 ° -315 ° direction.

A second polarizing plate 7 is provided on the liquid crystal cell 13 side of the light control member 3, that is, between the liquid crystal cell 13 and the light control film 6. The second polarizing plate 7 functions as a polarizer. The transmission axis P2 of the second polarizing plate 7 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the transmission axis P1 of the first polarizing plate 5. The transmission axis P2 of the second polarizing plate 7 is set in the 45 ° -225 ° direction. The transmission axis P1 of the first polarizing plate 5 and the transmission axis P2 of the second polarizing plate 7 are arranged in crossed Nicols.

A first retardation film 8 </ b> A is provided between the first polarizing plate 5 and the liquid crystal cell 13.
The slow axis K1 of the first retardation film 8A is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the transmission axis P1 of the first polarizing plate 5. The slow axis K1 of the first retardation film 8A is set in the 45 ° -225 ° direction.

A second retardation film 8 </ b> B is provided between the second polarizing plate 7 and the liquid crystal cell 13.
The slow axis K2 of the second retardation film 8B is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the transmission axis P2 of the second polarizing plate 7. The slow axis K2 of the second retardation film 8B is set in the 135 ° -315 ° direction.

Next, the light control film 6 constituting the light control member 3 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the light control film 6 as viewed from the viewing side.

The light control film 6 includes a base material 39, a plurality of light shielding layers 40, and a light diffusion portion 41, as shown in FIG. The light diffusion portion 41 and the plurality of light shielding layers 40 are formed on the first surface (one surface) 39 a of the base material 39. The light diffusion portion 41 is formed in a region (first region) other than the region (second region) where the light shielding layer 40 is formed in the first surface 39a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light control film 6 is placed on the second polarizing plate 7 in such a posture that the side where the light diffusing portion 41 is provided faces the second polarizing plate 7 and the base 39 side faces the viewing side. Is arranged. The light control film 6 is fixed to the second polarizing plate 7 through the adhesive layer 43.

Examples of the base material 39 include transparent resin base materials such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polyethersulfone (PES) film. Preferably used. The base material 39 becomes a base when the material for the light shielding layer 40 and the light diffusion portion 41 is applied later in the manufacturing process. The base material 39 needs to have heat resistance and mechanical strength in a heat treatment step during the manufacturing process. Therefore, as the base material 39, a glass base material or the like may be used in addition to the resin base material. However, it is preferable that the thickness of the base material 39 is as thin as possible without impairing heat resistance and mechanical strength. The reason is that as the thickness of the base material 39 is increased, there is a possibility that display blur may occur. Further, the total light transmittance of the base material 39 is preferably 90% or more as defined in JIS K7361-1. When the total light transmittance is 90% or more, sufficient transparency can be obtained.
In this embodiment, a transparent resin substrate having a thickness of 100 μm is used as an example.

The light shielding layer 40 is randomly arranged as viewed from the normal direction of the main surface of the base material 39. As an example, the light shielding layer 40 is made of an organic material having light absorption and photosensitivity such as black resist and black ink. In addition, a metal film such as Cr (chromium) or a Cr / Cr oxide multilayer film may be used. Moreover, the organic material which comprises the light shielding layer 40 may contain the ultraviolet absorber which absorbs an ultraviolet-ray.

The light diffusing section 41 is made of an organic material having optical transparency and photosensitivity such as acrylic resin and epoxy resin. Further, the total light transmittance of the light diffusing portion 41 is preferably 90% or more in accordance with JIS K7361-1. When the total light transmittance is 90% or more, sufficient transparency can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light diffusing section 41 has a light exit end face 41a, a light incident end face 41b, and a reflecting face 41c. The light emission end surface 41 a is a surface in contact with the base material 39. The light incident end surface 41b is a surface facing the light emitting end surface 41a. The reflection surface 41 c is a tapered side surface of the light diffusion portion 41. The reflection surface 41c is a surface that reflects light incident from the light incident end surface 41b. The area of the light incident end face 41b is larger than the area of the light exit end face 41a.

The light diffusion part 41 is a part that contributes to the transmission of light in the light control film 6. That is, the light incident on the light diffusing unit 41 is totally reflected by the reflection surface 41 c of the light diffusing unit 41, and is guided and emitted while being substantially confined inside the light diffusing unit 41.

The light control film 6 is arranged so that the base material 39 faces the viewing side. Therefore, of the two opposing surfaces of the light diffusing portion 41, the surface with the smaller area becomes the light emission end surface 41a. On the other hand, the surface with the larger area becomes the light incident end surface 41b.

The inclination angle of the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41 (the angle formed between the light incident end surface 41b and the reflection surface 41c) is preferably 75 ° or more and 85 ° or less. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41 is 75 °. However, the inclination angle of the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41 is not particularly limited as long as it is an angle capable of sufficiently diffusing incident light when light is emitted from the light control film 6. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusing unit 41 is constant.

The height from the light incident end surface 41 b to the light emitting end surface 41 a of the light diffusion portion 41 is set to be larger than the layer thickness of the light shielding layer 40. In the case of this embodiment, the layer thickness of the light shielding layer 40 is about 150 nm as an example. As an example, the height from the light incident end surface 41b of the light diffusion portion 41 to the light emitting end surface 41a is about 20 μm.

A portion surrounded by the reflection surface 41 c of the light diffusion portion 41 and the light shielding layer 40 is a hollow portion 42. In the present embodiment, air exists in the hollow portion 42 (outside the light diffusion portion 41). Therefore, if the light diffusion portion 41 is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin, the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41 becomes an interface between the transparent acrylic resin and air. Here, the hollow portion 42 may be filled with another low refractive index material. However, the difference in the refractive index at the interface between the inside and the outside of the light diffusing portion 41 is maximized when air is present rather than when any low refractive index material is present outside. Therefore, according to Snell's law, the critical angle is the smallest in the configuration of the present embodiment, and the incident angle range in which the light is totally reflected by the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41 is the widest. As a result, light loss is further suppressed, and high luminance can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the presence of a low refractive index material indicates that the periphery of the light diffusion portion 41 is in a low refractive index state so that light can be totally reflected. For this reason, the hollow portion 42 includes a state in which an inert gas such as nitrogen is filled instead of air. Alternatively, the inside of the hollow portion 42 may be in a vacuum state or a reduced pressure state than the atmosphere.

Further, it is desirable that the refractive index of the base material 39 and the refractive index of the light diffusion portion 41 are substantially equal. The reason is as follows. For example, consider a case where the refractive index of the base material 39 and the refractive index of the light diffusion portion 41 are greatly different. In this case, when light incident from the light incident end surface 41 b exits from the light diffusion portion 41, unnecessary light refraction or reflection may occur at the interface between the light diffusion portion 41 and the base material 39. In this case, there is a possibility that problems such as failure to obtain a desired viewing angle and a decrease in the amount of emitted light may occur.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the light control film 6. In FIG. 5, the upper left side is a plan view of the light control film 6. The lower left side is a cross-sectional view along the line AA in the plan view of the upper left side. The upper right stage is a cross-sectional view along the line BB in the plan view of the upper left stage.

In the light control film 6 of the present embodiment, as shown in the upper left part of FIG. 5, a plurality of light shielding layers 40 are provided scattered on the first surface 39 a of the base material 39. The planar shape of the light shielding layer 40 as viewed from the normal direction of the substrate 39 is an elongated ellipse. The light shielding layer 40 has a major axis and a minor axis. Here, the long axis is the longest axis in the planar shape of the light shielding layer 40 viewed from the normal direction of the substrate 39. The short axis is the shortest axis in the planar shape of the light shielding layer 40 as viewed from the normal direction of the substrate 39. In the light control film 6 of the present embodiment, the ratio of the length of the short axis to the length of the long axis in each light shielding layer 40 is approximately equal.

As shown in the lower left side and the upper right side of FIG. 5, the part corresponding to the lower part of the light shielding layer 40 is an elliptic frustum-shaped hollow part 42. The light control film 6 has a plurality of hollow portions 42. A light diffusing portion 41 is continuously provided in a portion other than the plurality of hollow portions 42.

In the light control film 6 of the present embodiment, the major axis direction of the ellipse forming the planar shape of each light shielding layer 40 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the major axis direction of the light shielding layer 40) is substantially aligned in the X direction.
The minor axis direction of the ellipse forming the planar shape of each light shielding layer 40 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the minor axis direction of the light shielding layer 40) is generally aligned in the Y direction. From this, when considering the direction of the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41, the ratio of the reflection surface 41c along the X direction out of the reflection surface 41c of the light diffusion portion 41 is the proportion of the reflection surface 41c along the Y direction. More than. Therefore, the light Ly reflected by the reflecting surface 41c along the X direction and diffused in the Y direction is larger than the light Lx reflected by the reflecting surface 41c along the Y direction and diffused in the X direction.

Therefore, the azimuth angle direction Vs with the strongest diffusibility of the light control film 6 is the Y direction which is the minor axis direction of the light shielding layer 40. The polar angle direction is arbitrary. The definition of polar angle and azimuth will be described later.

However, when the planar shape of the light shielding layer 40 is circular, the ratio of the reflective surface along the X direction in the reflective surface 41c of the light diffusing portion 41 is equal to the ratio of the reflective surface along the Y direction. For this reason, the light reflected by the reflecting surface along the X direction and diffused in the Y direction is equal to the light reflected by the reflecting surface along the Y direction and diffused in the X direction. That is, when viewed from the normal direction of the base material 39, the light is reflected isotropically from the reflecting surface 41c. Therefore, there is no azimuthal direction in which the light diffusing portion 41 has the strongest diffusibility.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the light control film. In FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, the plurality of light shielding layers 40 are regularly arranged with the same size.
As shown in FIG. 6, the light control film 6 is provided with a mark (index) 50 indicating the azimuth angle direction Vs where the light control film 6 is relatively diffusive. The planar shape of the light control film 6 is a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction (horizontally long), and the marks 50 are respectively provided at two corners that are diagonal to the base material 39 that forms the rectangle. In the present embodiment, the direction along the short side of the base material 39 provided with the mark 50 is the azimuth angle direction Vs in which the light control film 6 has relatively strong diffusibility.

When the user handles the light control film 6 alone, when the user looks at the light control film 6 from the front, the light control film 6 is oriented so that the mark 50 comes to the lower left and upper right of the user. The vertical direction is the azimuth angle direction Vs that has relatively strong diffusibility in the light control film 6. Thus, by providing the light control film 6 with the mark 50 indicating the strong diffusion direction Vs, the strong diffusion direction Vs can be easily determined from the appearance.

In the present embodiment, the mark 50 is formed by intersecting two linear portions 51 and 52 having the same length, but the lengths of the linear portions 51 and 52 may be different. The mark 50 is made of the same material as the light shielding layer 40 and is patterned simultaneously in the same process as the light shielding layer 40. For example, you may form the length of the linear part along the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6 longer than the other linear part.

7A to 7E are diagrams showing other embodiments of mark positions and shapes.
The marks 50 are not limited to those described above, and dots, arrows, characters, etc. as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E may be used. Further, the positions to be arranged may be provided not only on the diagonal but also on all four corners, or on only one corner. In addition, marks 50 having different shapes may be mixed. Further, the mark 50 may be formed in a separate process from the light shielding layer 40 using a material different from that of the light shielding layer 40.

In addition, since the arrow itself indicates directionality, when using the arrow indicating the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6 as the mark 50, it is not always necessary to form a plurality on the base material 39. As shown in FIG. 7D, only one may be provided on the base material 39.

In addition, since the vertical direction of the character is defined by its specifications, when the character is used as the mark 50, it is described so that the vertical direction of the character is aligned with the direction along the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6. Thereby, by adjusting the direction of the light control film 6 so that the user can read the character that is the mark 50 in a normal state, the vertical direction thereof becomes the strong diffusion direction Vs. Therefore, even when characters are used as the marks 50, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of characters on the base material 39.

When aligning the light control film 6 with respect to the liquid crystal panel 2, the light control film 6 is oriented so that the mark 50 is located at the lower left or upper right of the liquid crystal panel 2. Thereby, the azimuth angle direction Vs with relatively strong diffusibility of the light control film 6 can be matched with the azimuth angle direction in which the luminance viewing angle of the liquid crystal panel 2 is relatively narrow.
In a state where the light control film 6 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, each of the marks 50 is positioned outside the display area 44 of the liquid crystal panel 2 and does not deteriorate the display quality.

In addition, the azimuth angle direction Vs where the diffusibility of the light control film 6 is relatively strong and the short side of the base material 39 are substantially parallel.

8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the liquid crystal panel 2.
8A is a diagram showing a state when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel 2 (between the pixel electrode 25 and the counter electrode 33 shown in FIG. 3) (when no voltage is applied). FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state when a certain voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel 2 (when a voltage is applied). In FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the symbol M is a liquid crystal molecule constituting the liquid crystal layer 11.

When no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules M are twisted by 90 ° between the alignment film 27 and the alignment film 34 as shown in FIG. 8A. At this time, the polarization plane of linearly polarized light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 5 having the transmission axis P1 in the 135 ° to 315 ° direction is rotated by 90 ° due to the optical rotation of the liquid crystal layer 11. Thereby, the linearly polarized light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 5 is transmitted through the second polarizing plate 7 having the transmission axis P2 in the 45 ° -225 ° direction. As a result, white display is obtained when no voltage is applied.

At the time of voltage application, as shown in FIG. 8B, the liquid crystal molecules M rise between the alignment film 27 and the alignment film 34 in the direction along the electric field. At this time, the polarization plane of the linearly polarized light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 5 having the transmission axis P1 in the 135 ° to 315 ° direction does not rotate. Therefore, the linearly polarized light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 5 does not pass through the second polarizing plate 7 having the transmission axis P2 in the 45 ° -225 ° direction. As a result, black is displayed when a voltage is applied.

As described above, by controlling application / non-application of voltage for each pixel, it is possible to switch between white display and black display and display an image.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the definition of the polar angle and the azimuth angle.
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the angle formed by the observer's line-of-sight direction F with reference to the normal direction E of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1 is defined as a polar angle θ. The angle formed by the direction of the line segment G when the line-of-sight direction F of the observer is projected on the screen with reference to the positive direction (0 ° direction) of the x-axis is defined as an azimuth angle φ.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the liquid crystal display device 1.
As shown in FIG. 10, on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1, the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) is the azimuth angle φ: 0 ° -180 ° direction. The direction of the azimuth angle φ: 0 ° -180 ° is the left-right direction. Specifically, the direction of azimuth φ: 0 ° -180 ° is a direction along an axis horizontal to the ground. The vertical direction (y-axis direction) is the azimuth angle φ: 90 ° -270 ° direction. The direction of the azimuth angle φ: 90 ° -270 ° is the vertical direction. Specifically, the direction of azimuth angle φ: 90 ° -270 ° is a direction along an axis perpendicular to the ground.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present embodiment, in which the light control film 6 has a relatively strong azimuthal direction Vs and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate (the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 5). It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship with P1, and the transmission axis P2 of the 2nd polarizing plate 7. In FIG. 11, for the sake of convenience, the plurality of light shielding layers 40 are regularly arranged with the same size. For convenience, the size of the second polarizing plate 7 is drawn larger than that of the light control film 6.

As shown in FIG. 11, the front shape of the liquid crystal display device 1 is a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction (horizontally long). The short side direction is the vertical direction of the liquid crystal display device 1. In the present embodiment, the azimuth angle φ: 90 ° -270 ° direction of the screen substantially coincides with the azimuth angle direction Vs where the light control film 6 disposed on the liquid crystal panel has a relatively strong diffusivity.

The light control film 6 is attached to the second polarizing plate 7 of the liquid crystal panel 2 through the adhesive layer 43. Positioning of the light control film 6 with respect to the liquid crystal panel 2 (second polarizing plate 7) is performed based on the mark 50. The light control film 6 is positioned so that the pair of marks 50 are positioned substantially at the lower left or upper right corner of the liquid crystal panel 2, and the light control film 6 has a relatively strong azimuthal direction Vs and a liquid crystal panel. The two short sides (any one side) are bonded in a substantially parallel state (matched). Note that the azimuth angle direction Vs, in which the light control film 6 has a relatively strong diffusivity, and the short side of the liquid crystal panel 2 do not need to be completely coincident (become parallel), but may be substantially parallel. .

The azimuth angle direction Vs in which the light control film 6 is relatively diffusive and the transmission axis P2 of the second polarizing plate 7 form an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Further, the azimuth angle direction Vs where the light control film 6 is relatively diffusive and the transmission axis P1 of the first polarizing plate 5 form an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Thereby, the diffusion strength in the vertical direction is increased in the liquid crystal display device 1, and the visibility in the vertical direction is further improved.

As described above, the liquid crystal panel 2 of the present embodiment is in the TN mode, and when the viewer visually recognizes the director direction of the liquid crystal molecules during driving, the luminance is decreased and the gradation is inverted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the light control film 6 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2 with the azimuth angle direction (the vertical direction in the liquid crystal display device 1) having a relatively narrow luminance viewing angle as the viewing angle improving direction in the liquid crystal panel 2. Based on the mark 50, the light control film 6 is provided so that the azimuth angle direction Vs having relatively strong diffusibility matches the viewing angle improvement direction. Thereby, the viewing angle characteristic of the liquid crystal display device 1 can be improved efficiently.

In this embodiment, the light control film 6 is provided with a mark 50 indicating the azimuth angle direction Vs having relatively strong diffusibility. Thus, by providing the mark 50 indicating the strong diffusion direction Vs on the light control film 6 itself, the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6 can be easily determined from the appearance.

When the light control film 6 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, if the light control film 6 and the liquid crystal panel 2 are aligned based on the mark 50 formed simultaneously with the light shielding layer 40, the direction of strong diffusion of the light control film 6 Vs and the viewing angle improvement direction of the liquid crystal panel 2 can be easily matched approximately. Thereby, the viewing angle characteristic of the liquid crystal display device 1 can be improved efficiently. *

The marks 50 are provided on the diagonals of the light control film 6, respectively. For this reason, even if the direction of the light control film 6 is rotated in a plane at the time of manufacture, if the alignment with the second polarizing plate 7 is performed based on the mark 50, the strong diffusion direction of the light control film 6 and the liquid crystal The viewing angle improvement direction of the panel 2 can be matched.

Next, the viewing angle improvement effect of the light control film 6 will be described.
In the following description, making the viewing angle improvement direction of the liquid crystal panel 2 substantially coincide with the strong diffusion direction of the light control film 6 may be simply referred to as making the azimuth directions coincide.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the luminance distribution in the polar angle direction of the liquid crystal display device. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis represents the polar angle θ [°] indicating the angle of line of sight when the liquid crystal display device is viewed from the front (normal direction) as “0 °”. (Normal direction) is “0 °”, the upper side is represented by plus and the lower side is represented by minus. The vertical axis is a direction along an axis perpendicular to the ground (azimuth angle φ: 90 ° -270 ° direction), and is a normalized luminance in which the display luminance in the front direction is expressed as “1”.

Here, the luminance distribution when the light control film is installed with the azimuth direction matched on the viewing side of the liquid crystal panel, the luminance distribution when the light control film is installed without matching the azimuth direction on the viewing side of the liquid crystal panel, The luminance distribution when the light control film is not installed on the liquid crystal panel is shown.

According to FIG. 12, when the light control film is installed with the azimuth direction coincided with the viewing side of the liquid crystal panel, the polar angle θ in the viewing angle improvement direction in which the gradation inversion is confirmed on the liquid crystal panel is equal to or less than −30 °. It can be seen that the brightness is improved by the light control film. In particular, the increase in luminance appears remarkably in the vicinity of the polar angle θ = −45 °.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the viewing angle improvement direction of the liquid crystal panel does not match the strong diffusion direction of the light control film, the normalized luminance value at the polar angle θ = −45 ° in the viewing angle improvement direction is 0.08. It is. On the other hand, when the viewing angle improvement direction of the liquid crystal panel and the strong diffusion direction of the light control film are matched, the normalized luminance value at the polar angle θ = −45 ° in the viewing angle improvement direction is 0.17. It has improved.

Thus, when the light control film 6 is combined with the liquid crystal panel 2, the effect of improving the viewing angle characteristics can be sufficiently exhibited. That is, since the normalized luminance value increases by matching the strong diffusion direction of the light control film with the viewing angle improvement direction of the liquid crystal panel, the viewer's viewpoint is tilted so that the polar angle becomes large (liquid crystal Visibility in the case of viewing the display device from below can be improved efficiently. *

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In addition, in this embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component which is common in 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the present embodiment, description of the basic configuration of the liquid crystal display device is omitted, and the light control film constituting the light control member will be mainly described.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the light control film in the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 13, the light control film 80 of the present embodiment has a mark 81 configured by the uneven shape of the base material 39. The mark 81 includes a convex portion 82 provided at the first end portion 39A of the base material 39 and a concave portion 83 provided at the second end portion 39B opposite to the first end portion 39A. The concave portion 83 has a shape obtained by inverting the shape of the convex portion 82 provided in the first end portion 39A. The lengths of the end side 82a of the convex portion 82 and the end side 83a of the concave portion 83 are equal to each other, and the lengths of the end side 82b of the convex portion 82 and the end side 83b of the concave portion 83 are also equal to each other.

The short axes of the plurality of light shielding layers 40 formed on the base 39 are substantially parallel to the short sides (first end 39A and second end 39B) of the base 39. That is, the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 80 is along the first end 39 </ b> A and the second end 39 </ b> B of the base material 39.

The convex portion 82 and the concave portion 83 constituting the mark 81 are formed on the first end portion 39A and the second end portion 39B, respectively, along the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 80. The direction along the first end portion 39A and the second end portion 39B in the uneven shape is the azimuth angle direction Vs where the diffusibility of the light control film 80 is relatively strong. Therefore, the mark 81 functions as indicating the azimuth angle direction Vs where the light control film 80 has relatively strong diffusibility.

That is, when the user handles the light control film 80 alone, the light control film 80 is oriented so that the convex portion 82 is on the left side and the concave portion 83 is on the right side when the light control film 80 is viewed from the front. The vertical direction is the strong diffusion direction Vs. As described above, the strong diffusion direction Vs can be easily determined from the appearance by the mark 81 using the outer shape of the light control film 80.

Therefore, when the light control film 80 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, the azimuth angle direction Vs where the light control film 80 has a relatively strong diffusivity and the viewing angle improvement direction of the liquid crystal panel 2 are reliably matched. And the effect of improving the viewing angle characteristics can be sufficiently exhibited.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a case where a light control film is arranged on the viewing side of the liquid crystal panel.
As shown in FIG. 14, the mark 81 is positioned outside the display area 44 of the liquid crystal panel 2 in a state where the light control film 80 is bonded to the second polarizing plate 7. Thereby, the mark 81 does not deteriorate the display quality. Since the mark 81 is hidden by the exterior (not shown) of the liquid crystal display device, it is not visually recognized by the viewer.

(Light control film manufacturing equipment)
FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing the light control film 80. FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are diagrams illustrating a process of obtaining a plurality of light control films by cutting an original roll. In FIG. 16B, illustration of the light shielding layer and the light diffusion portion is omitted.

The manufacturing apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 15 conveys the long base material 59 by roll-to-roll, and performs various processes in the meantime. The manufacturing apparatus 60 uses a printing method for forming the light shielding layer 40.

As shown in FIG. 15, the manufacturing apparatus 60 is provided with a feed roller 61 for feeding the substrate 59 at one end, and a winding roller 62 for winding the substrate 59 at the other end.
The base material 59 is configured to move from the delivery roller 61 side toward the take-up roller 62 side. Above the substrate 59, a negative photosensitive resin layer forming device 66 composed of a printing device 63, a bar coating device 64 and a first drying device 65, from the delivery roller 61 side toward the take-up roller 62 side, development A device 67 and a second drying device 68 are sequentially arranged. Below the base material 59, an exposure device 69 is arranged between the negative photosensitive resin layer forming device 66 and the developing device 67 arranged in the transport direction of the base material 59.

The printing device 63 is for printing a plurality of light shielding layers 40 made of black resin on the substrate 59.
When the light diffusing portion (FIG. 2: light diffusing portion 41) is formed using the light-sensitive negative photosensitive resin 57, the bar coater 64 has a light-transmissive negative type. This is for applying the photosensitive resin 57.
When forming the light diffusion part (FIG. 2: light diffusion part 41) using the negative photosensitive resin 57 having light transmittance, the first drying device 65 dries the negative photosensitive resin 57 after application. The coating film 58 is used.

The exposure device 69 is for exposing the coating film 58 of the negative photosensitive resin 57 from the base material 59 side. The exposure device 69 includes a light source 70 as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the negative photosensitive resin layer forming device 66 is exemplified by the bar coating device 64 and the first drying device 65, but is not limited to this.
In the present embodiment, when the light diffusing portion is formed using a dry film resist, a laminating apparatus for laminating the dry film resist on the substrate 59 is used as the negative photosensitive resin layer forming apparatus 66.

When manufacturing the light control film 80, first, using the manufacturing apparatus 60 described above, an original fabric roll 77 having a plurality of light shielding layers 40 and light diffusion portions 41 on a base material 59 is manufactured.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the raw fabric roll 77 is cut by a cutter 78 at a portion indicated by an arrow in the drawing to form a light control film 80. The cutter 78 has a bent shape near the center. By cutting the raw roll 77 with the cutter 78, the light control film 80 having the convex portion 82 or the concave portion 83 on each of the first end portion 39A and the second end portion 39B of the base material 39 is formed. In this way, the plurality of light control films 80 are obtained by separating the long original fabric rolls 77 into individual pieces.

Since the light control film 80 of the present embodiment is produced by the above-described method, when a plurality of light control films 80 are arranged, the portion of the mark 81 complements the adjacent light control film 80. By making the shape of the mark 81 in the light control film 80 coincide with the end portion of the adjacent light control film 80, the number of times the raw roll 77 is cut is reduced. Moreover, the raw fabric roll 77 can be used without waste.

According to the present embodiment, a plurality of light control films 80 can be combined and used as a large light control film.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view when a plurality of light control films are used in a large liquid crystal panel.
For example, as shown in FIG. 17, by arranging two light control films 80 side by side on a large liquid crystal panel 2, it can be used as a large light control film.

The mark 81 represented by the outer shape of the light control film 80 is not limited to that described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a mark 81 is formed by a triangular notch 84 formed in the first end 39A of the base 39 and a triangular protrusion 85 formed in the second end 39B. May be configured. The notch portion 84 and the protruding portion 85 have shapes that are inverted from each other.
In addition, you may form the mark 81 not only at the short side direction one end side of the base material 39 but at both ends.

In the present embodiment, since the base 39 of the light control film 80 is made of a transparent resin base, the shape thereof can be partially changed to be the mark 81. On the other hand, since the base material which comprises the 2nd polarizing plate 7 is a glass base material, it is difficult to change a part of external shape. Therefore, it is easier to provide the mark 81 on the light control film 80 side.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In addition, in this embodiment, about the component which is common in the said embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the light control film in the third embodiment.
20A and 20B are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of a protective film having a mark.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a protective film 86 for protecting the light diffusion portion 41 is provided on the light control film 6. The protective film 86 is temporarily used until the light control film 6 is bonded onto the liquid crystal panel 2. When the light control film 6 having the protective film 86 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, the protective film 86 is peeled off from the light control film 6 (light diffusion portion 41), and then the light diffusion portion 41 is attached to the liquid crystal panel 2. Bonding is performed so as to be in contact with the second polarizing plate 7.

The protective film 86 is bonded to the light control film 6 through an adhesive layer (not shown), but the adhesive layer is also peeled off from the light diffusion portion 41 simultaneously with the peeling of the protective film 86. The light control film 6 is bonded via the adhesive layer 43 (FIG. 2) formed on the outer surface of the second polarizing plate 7 after the protective film 86 is peeled off.

In the protective film 86 of this embodiment, a mark (index) 87 indicating the azimuth angle direction Vs having the strongest diffusibility of the light control film 6 is printed on the outer surface 86b opposite to the light control film 6. As the mark 87, an arrow or a character such as an item having directivity is used, and an arrow or a character is marked along the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6. Therefore, the strong diffusion direction Vs can be easily determined from the appearance.

As the mark 87 attached to the protective film 86, a figure or the like may be used in addition to an arrow or a character. The number and size of the marks 87 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, but may be any that can be easily recognized from the appearance.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the light control film 6 is protected by the protective film 86 until it is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2 during the manufacturing process, dust and scratches on the surface of the light diffusion portion 41 are prevented. be able to. Thereby, bonding of the light control film 6 and the liquid crystal panel 2 can be performed satisfactorily. Further, by forming the mark 87 indicating the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6 on the protective film 86 side, the light control film 6 itself can be manufactured by an existing manufacturing method. When the light control film 6 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, the strong diffusion direction Vs can be easily determined from the mark 87 of the protective film 86.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light diffusion film in the fourth embodiment.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a protective film 86 is provided on the light control film 6 via an adhesive layer 88. When the light control film 6 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, the protective film 86 is peeled off from the light control film 6 and then bonded so that the adhesive layer 88 is in contact with the second polarizing plate 7 of the liquid crystal panel 2. At this time, only the protective film 86 is peeled off, and the adhesive layer 88 remains on the light diffusion portion 41 of the light control film 6.

According to this configuration, the protective film 86 may be peeled off immediately before the light control film 6 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel 2, so that the adhesive layer 43 need not be formed on the second polarizing plate 7 side of the liquid crystal panel 2. In the manufacturing process, the light control film 6 and the liquid crystal panel 2 can be easily handled.

[Fifth Embodiment]
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 22 is a view showing an original fabric roll provided with a protective film.
As shown in FIG. 22, an original fabric roll 89 in the present embodiment is provided with a long protective film 90 on a base material 59 via a light diffusion portion and a plurality of light shielding layers (all not shown). Yes.
A plurality of marks 87 indicating the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light diffusion part are formed on the protective film 90. The plurality of marks 87 are provided at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the original fabric roll 89 and are continuously present on the entire surface of the protective film 90.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a light diffusion film forming region in the raw fabric roll.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the light control film cut out from the raw roll.
According to the original fabric roll 89 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, even if the light control film 6 is cut out in an arbitrary size according to the size of the liquid crystal panel 2, it is provided on the protective film 86. The strong diffusion direction Vs in the light diffusion portion 41 can be confirmed by the mark 87.

In addition, as the mark 87 of the protective film 90 provided in the fabric roll 89, not only the arrow shown in FIG. 22, but characters as shown in FIG. 25 may be used. A character has directionality and has a vertical direction. Therefore, by making the vertical direction of the character coincide with the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6, the strong diffusion direction Vs of the light control film 6 can be determined when the character is read from any direction. Can do.

The preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

One embodiment of the present invention can be used for a light control film, a roll of light control film, and a display device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display device (display apparatus), 2 ... Liquid crystal panel (display body), 3 ... Light control member, 6,80 ... Light control film, E ... Normal direction, 39 ... Base material of light control film, 59 ... Raw material roll base material, 39a ... first surface (one surface), 39A ... first end, 39B ... second end, 40 ... light shielding layer, 41 ... light diffusion portion, 41a ... light emission end surface, 41b ... light Incident end face, 41c ... reflective surface, 42 ... hollow part, 44 ... display area, 50, 87 ... mark (index), 77, 89 ... raw roll, 82 ... convex part, 83 ... concave part, 86, 90 ... protective film , Vs ... Azimuth direction

Claims (9)

1. A substrate having optical transparency;
   A light diffusion portion provided in a first region on one surface of the substrate;
   A light shielding layer provided in a second region of the one surface excluding the first region;
   A hollow part adjacent to the light diffusion part,
   The light diffusing portion has a light emitting end face that is in contact with the one surface of the base material, a light incident end face that is opposed to the light emitting end face and has an area larger than the area of the light emitting end face, the light emitting end face, and the light A reflection surface that is in contact with the incident end face and reflects light incident from the light incident end face, and has a configuration having anisotropy in the light scattering characteristics;
   The light control film in which the parameter | index which shows the direction of the anisotropy of the said light scattering characteristic by the said light-diffusion part is provided.
2. 2. The light control film according to claim 1, wherein a planar shape of the light diffusion portion or the light shielding layer viewed from the normal direction of the one surface of the base material has biaxial symmetry.
3. The light control film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the index is constituted by unevenness provided on the base material.
4. The indicator is constituted by a convex portion provided at a first end portion of the base material and a concave portion provided at a second end portion opposite to the first end portion,
   The light control film according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a concave portion having a shape obtained by inverting the shape of the first end portion is formed at the second end portion.
5. The light control film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the index is provided at each of two corner portions that are diagonal to the base material forming a rectangle.
6. A protective film is provided on the one surface side of the base material via the light diffusion portion,
   The light control film according to claim 1, wherein the index is provided on the protective film.
7. A roll of light control film formed by winding a long light control film,
   The light control film includes a base material having light permeability,
   A light diffusion portion provided in a first region on one surface of the substrate;
   A light shielding layer provided in a second region of the one surface excluding the first region;
   A hollow part adjacent to the light diffusion part,
   The light diffusing portion has a light emitting end face that is in contact with the one surface of the base material, a light incident end face that is opposed to the light emitting end face and has an area larger than the area of the light emitting end face, the light emitting end face, and the light A reflection surface that is in contact with the incident end face and reflects light incident from the light incident end face, and has a configuration having anisotropy in the light scattering characteristics;
   An original fabric roll of a light control film provided with an index indicating the direction of anisotropy of the light scattering property by the light diffusion portion.
8. A display,
   A light control member that is provided on the viewing side of the display body and scatters and emits light incident from the display body;
   The light control member is composed of the light control film according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   The display apparatus in which the parameter | index which shows the direction of anisotropy of the light scattering characteristic of the said light control film is provided in areas other than the display area in the said display body.
9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein an azimuth angle direction in which the luminance viewing angle of the display body is relatively narrow and an azimuth angle direction in which the light control film has a relatively strong diffusivity substantially coincide with each other.

Images