WO2022244661A1 - 照明装置および光学素子 - Google Patents
照明装置および光学素子 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022244661A1 WO2022244661A1 PCT/JP2022/019928 JP2022019928W WO2022244661A1 WO 2022244661 A1 WO2022244661 A1 WO 2022244661A1 JP 2022019928 W JP2022019928 W JP 2022019928W WO 2022244661 A1 WO2022244661 A1 WO 2022244661A1
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- liquid crystal
- crystal cell
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Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/0009—Materials therefor
- G02F1/0045—Liquid crystals characterised by their physical properties
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S2/00—Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V7/00—Reflectors for light sources
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V9/00—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters
- F21V9/40—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters with provision for controlling spectral properties, e.g. colour, or intensity
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/0102—Constructional details, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
- G02F1/0105—Illuminating devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/03—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect
- G02F1/0305—Constructional arrangements
- G02F1/0316—Electrodes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/03—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect
- G02F1/0327—Operation of the cell; Circuit arrangements
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1347—Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2105/00—Planar light sources
- F21Y2105/10—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
Definitions
- One of the embodiments of the present invention relates to a lighting device and its driving method.
- one embodiment of the present invention relates to a lighting device capable of arbitrarily controlling an irradiation area and a driving method thereof.
- the lighting devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 include a liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal layer and electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, and a light source overlapping the liquid crystal cell.
- the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is controlled by the electric field between the electrodes so that the liquid crystal cell functions as a lens, thereby controlling the light distribution.
- An object of one of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a lighting device capable of variously changing the irradiation range of the light source and a driving method thereof.
- the illumination device comprises a light source, a first liquid crystal cell over the light source, and a second liquid crystal cell over the first liquid crystal cell.
- the light source has a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns.
- Each of the first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell includes a first substrate, a plurality of first electrode groups arranged on the first substrate, a plurality of first electrode groups arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns, a plurality of It has a liquid crystal layer over the first group of electrodes and a second substrate over the liquid crystal layer.
- each of the plurality of first electrode groups has a plurality of first electrodes extending in the row direction, and in the j-th row and k-th column The positioned light-emitting element overlaps the first electrode group positioned at the k-th column in the j-th row.
- the longitudinal direction of the plurality of first electrodes of the first liquid crystal cell is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of first electrodes of the second liquid crystal cell.
- n and m are natural numbers greater than 1
- j is a variable selected from natural numbers from 1 to n inclusive
- k is a variable selected from natural numbers from 1 to m inclusive.
- the optical element has a first substrate, a plurality of first electrodes, a liquid crystal layer over the plurality of first electrodes, and a second substrate over the liquid crystal layer.
- the plurality of first electrode groups are located on the first substrate and arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns. Each of the plurality of first electrode groups has a plurality of first electrodes extending in the row direction. In the plurality of first electrode groups arranged in the k-th column, the odd-numbered first electrodes counted in the column direction are connected to the first wiring, and the corner-numbered first electrodes are connected to the second wiring. connected to wiring.
- n and m are natural numbers greater than 1, and k is a variable selected from natural numbers greater than or equal to 1 and less than n.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a schematic end view of a light source of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of a light source of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of a liquid crystal cell of the illumination device according to the embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 1 is a schematic end view of a portion of a liquid crystal cell of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a portion of a liquid crystal cell of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a portion of a liquid crystal cell of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a portion of a liquid crystal cell of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a portion of a liquid crystal cell of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view explaining the operating principle of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view explaining the operating principle of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- Schematic top view of a light source of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an area irradiated with light from the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an irradiation area); 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 1A and 1B are a schematic top view of a light source and a schematic plan view of an irradiation area of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention
- 1A and 1B are a schematic top view of a light source and a schematic plan view of an irradiation area of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 1A and 1B are a schematic top view of a light source and a schematic plan view of an irradiation area of an illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of part of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of a liquid crystal cell of the illumination device according to the embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of a liquid crystal cell of the illumination device according to the embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the light source of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the irradiation area of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal cell of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- 4 is a timing chart of the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention
- the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment, but this is only an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. not something to do.
- elements having the same functions as those described with respect to the previous drawings may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.
- This code is used to collectively represent a plurality of identical or similar structures, and a hyphen and a natural number are added after the code to represent these individually.
- lowercase letters may be attached after the reference numerals.
- the term “above” means that the structure is in contact with the structure unless otherwise specified. , includes both the case of arranging another structure directly above and the case of arranging another structure above a certain structure via another structure.
- the expression "a structure is exposed from another structure” means that a part of a structure is not covered by another structure, and the other structure The portion that is not covered by the body also includes a mode covered by another structure.
- the aspect represented by this expression also includes an aspect in which a certain structure is not in contact with another structure.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a lighting device 100 .
- the illumination device 100 has, as a basic configuration, a light source 110 and two optical elements that overlap the light source 110 and are provided on the light source 110 .
- One optical element is the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 above the light source 110, and the other is the second liquid crystal cell that overlaps the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and is provided on the first liquid crystal cell 120-1. 120-2.
- the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 may be in direct contact or may be fixed to each other via the adhesive layer 102.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a lighting device 100 .
- the illumination device 100 has, as a basic configuration, a light source 110 and two optical elements that overlap the light source 110 and are provided on the light source 110 .
- One optical element is the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 above the light source 110, and the other is the second liquid crystal cell that overlaps the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and is provided on the first liquid crystal cell 120-1. 120
- the illumination device 100 further includes one or more liquid crystal cells 120 above or below the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, or between the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2. may have between The total number of liquid crystal cells 120 is not limited, and may be 2 or more and 10 or less, 2 or more and 6 or less, or 2 or more and 4 or less, or even an odd number.
- FIG. 2A shows a schematic top view of the light source 110
- FIG. 2B shows a schematic end view of the light source 110 along the dashed line AA' in FIG. 2A.
- the light source 110 has a reflector 112 and a plurality of light emitting elements 114 .
- One or more light emitting elements 114 are provided in each recess 112a.
- the reflector 112 has a function of imparting directivity to the light emitted from the light emitting element 114 and irradiating the liquid crystal cell 120 with the light.
- the reflector 112 includes a plurality of concave portions 112a arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns.
- m and n are natural numbers greater than 1, for example, m and n may be 6, 8, 12, 14, and 16 independently. m and n may be the same or different from each other.
- the x direction is the row direction and the y direction is the column direction.
- a direction perpendicular to both the x-direction and the y-direction is defined as the z-direction.
- the x-direction and the y-direction are directions parallel to sides of a first substrate 122 or a second substrate 124, which will be described later.
- the material of the reflector 112 can be selected arbitrarily. For example, it may be metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, polymer such as polyimide, polycarbonate, or acrylic resin, or inorganic oxide such as glass. However, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2B, the reflector 112 reflects the light from the light emitting element 114 inside the concave portion 112 a to collect the light and direct it to the liquid crystal cell 120 . Therefore, when the reflecting plate 112 is made of a material that transmits visible light, such as glass or a polymer, it is preferable that the surface of the concave portion 112a is made of a film having a high reflectance with respect to visible light.
- Such films include films containing metals such as aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, and stainless steel, thin films containing high refractive materials such as titanium oxide and tantalum oxide, and low refractive index materials such as silicon oxide and magnesium fluoride. Examples include a laminate of thin films containing The shape of the recess 112a is appropriately adjusted so that highly directional light can be obtained from the light emitting element 114 in the recess 112a.
- the shape of the reflector 112 in the xy plane may be a square, or may be a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon (not shown).
- the planar shape of the recess 112a (hereinafter simply referred to as the planar shape of the recess 112a) on the upper surface of the reflector 112 (the upper surface closer to the liquid crystal cell 120) is not limited, and may be a circle as shown in FIG. 2A, or a circle as shown in FIG. 3A. , it may be a polygon exemplified by a quadrangle.
- the reflector 112 having the concave portions 112a having a light-condensing function By using the reflector 112 having the concave portions 112a having a light-condensing function, the light from the light-emitting element 114 has high directivity, and the light rays in the beam from the concave portions 112a are collimated (also referred to as collimated light). ), or light with low diffusion (light with strong rectilinearity) can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to form an irradiation surface 116 having a shape that is the same as or close to the planar shape of the concave portion 112a on the liquid crystal cell 120 (FIG. 3B).
- each light-emitting element 114 selectively illuminates a portion of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 that overlaps with the recess 112a, and supplies light to the irradiation surface 116 that reflects the planar shape of the recess 112a. be able to.
- Each light-emitting element 114 is an element having a function of emitting light by supplying a current, and there is no restriction on its structure.
- a typical example is a light emitting diode (LED).
- a light-emitting diode has, as a basic structure, an electroluminescence element in which an inorganic light-emitting material such as gallium nitride or gallium nitride containing indium is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes, and a protective film that protects the electroluminescence element. Electroluminescence) to emit visible light.
- a single light emitting element 114 may be provided in each recess 112a, or a plurality of light emitting elements 114 may be provided.
- the emission color of each light emitting element 114 can also be arbitrarily selected.
- one or a plurality of light emitting elements 114 that emit white light may be provided in each recess 112a.
- each recess 112a may be provided with a light emitting element 114 for emitting red light, a light emitting element 114 for emitting green light, and a light emitting element 114 for emitting blue light, and the light source 110 may be configured so that light of various colors can be obtained from each recess 112a. .
- each occupied area is 1.0 ⁇ 10 4 ⁇ m 2 or more and 1.0 ⁇ 10 6 ⁇ m 2 or less, or 4.0 ⁇ 10 4 ⁇ m 2 or more and 5.0 ⁇ .
- a light-emitting diode with a size of 10 5 ⁇ m 2 or less, or 9.0 ⁇ 10 4 ⁇ m 2 or more and 2.5 ⁇ 10 5 ⁇ m 2 or less can be used.
- a so-called micro LED having a size of about 320 ⁇ m ⁇ 300 ⁇ m can be used as the light emitting element 114 .
- liquid crystal cell 120 As described above, in lighting device 100 , at least two liquid crystal cells 120 are arranged above light source 110 .
- the structure of the liquid crystal cell 120 may be the same or different. The structure of the liquid crystal cell 120 will be described below.
- FIG. 4A A schematic exploded perspective view of one liquid crystal cell 120 is shown in FIG. 4A, and a schematic view of an end face along the chain line BB' in FIG. 4A is shown in FIG. 4B.
- the liquid crystal cell 120 comprises a first substrate 122 and a second substrate 124 facing the first substrate 122, between which various elements (a plurality of elements) constituting a liquid crystal element are arranged.
- a first electrode 126, a plurality of second electrodes 128, a liquid crystal layer 136, a first alignment film 132, a second alignment film 134, etc. are arranged.
- the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 function as base materials for supporting the plurality of first electrodes 126 and the plurality of second electrodes 128, respectively. It also provides a space in which the liquid crystal layer 136 is sealed. Since the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 transmit light from the light source 110 to exhibit an illumination function, it is preferable that the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 contain a material that exhibits high transmittance with respect to the light from the light emitting element 114 . Therefore, it is preferable to configure the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 so as to include, for example, glass, quartz, or a polymeric material such as polyimide, polycarbonate, polyester, acrylic resin, or the like.
- a plurality of first electrodes 126 are provided on the first substrate 122 so as to be in contact with the first substrate 122 or through an undercoat (not shown) that is an arbitrary configuration. (Fig. 4B).
- the plurality of first electrodes 126 are arranged parallel to one side of the first substrate 122 .
- the undercoat can be formed by one or more films comprising silicon-containing inorganic compounds such as silicon nitride and silicon oxide.
- ITO indium-tin oxide
- IZO indium-zinc oxide
- It is preferably formed of a conductive oxide exhibiting transmittance.
- a plurality of first electrodes 126 form one first electrode group 125, and the plurality of first electrode groups 125 are arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns (FIG. 5A). ). Therefore, each first electrode group 125 overlaps with at least one light emitting element 114, and the number of the plurality of first electrode groups 125 is the same as the number of the plurality of recesses 112a.
- a part of the plurality of first electrodes 126 is shown in the schematic top view of FIG. In this figure, four first electrode groups 125 arranged in two rows and two columns are shown. All of the plurality of first electrodes 126 extend in the column direction or row direction. That is, all longitudinal directions of the plurality of first electrodes 126 are parallel to each other. In the following description, for convenience, a configuration in which the plurality of first electrodes 126 extend in the row direction (x direction) will be described. In each first electrode group 125, a plurality of first electrodes 126 are arranged in stripes. Each first electrode group 125 overlaps one of the plurality of recesses 112a, and thus overlaps the irradiation surface 116 of light output from the corresponding recess 112a.
- the recess 112a located at the k-th column in the j-th row which is arbitrarily selected from the plurality of recesses 112a, overlaps the first electrode group 125 located at the k-th column in the j-th row.
- the light from the arranged light-emitting element 114 selectively irradiates the first electrode group 125 located at the k-th column in the j-th row.
- the irradiation surface 116 located at the k-th column in the j-th row overlaps the first electrode group 125 located at the k-th column in the j-th row.
- one first electrode group 125 is configured by a plurality of first electrodes 126 overlapping one irradiation surface 116 .
- j is a variable selected from natural numbers from 1 to n inclusive
- k is a variable selected from natural numbers from 1 to m inclusive.
- the plurality of first electrodes 126 extend in the row direction (x direction) in a stripe shape. It is also possible to have a slightly curved configuration at one or more points. The extending direction of the first electrode 126 may also have an angle of about 1 to 10° with respect to the x direction.
- each column a plurality of alternately selected first electrodes 126 (for example, odd-numbered first electrodes in the column direction) are connected to wiring 138-1 and are electrically connected to each other.
- the remaining first electrodes 126 in each column (for example, the even-numbered first electrodes in the column direction) are also connected to another wiring 138-2 and are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, in each column, every other first electrode 126 can be supplied with a different voltage.
- the wiring 138 is arranged so as not to overlap with the recess 112a. That is, each wiring 138 extends between adjacent concave portions 112a and between adjacent irradiation surfaces 116.
- two wirings 138-1 and 138-2 connected to the first electrodes 126 in adjacent columns extend between adjacent concave portions 112a and between adjacent irradiation surfaces 116, respectively.
- two wirings 138-1 and 138-2, which are respectively connected to the first electrodes 126 of the adjacent columns, extend between the adjacent columns.
- the wiring 138 may be made of metal such as aluminum, copper, molybdenum, tantalum, or tungsten, and may contain the same material as the first electrode 126 .
- the length of the first electrodes 126 (the length in the x direction, which is the longitudinal direction) is greater than the length of the recesses 112a in the x-direction in the xy plane, so each first electrode 126 straddles the recesses 112a.
- the width of the first electrodes 126 (the length in the y-direction intersecting the x-direction) is selected, for example, from a range of 2 ⁇ m or more and 10 ⁇ m or less, and the distance between the first electrodes 126 adjacent in the column direction is also, for example, 2 ⁇ m or more and 10 ⁇ m. It can be selected from the following range.
- the width and the pitch in the column direction of the first electrodes 126 can be 5 ⁇ m and 10 ⁇ m, respectively.
- the first electrodes 126 selected alternately in the column direction are selected.
- the first electrodes 126) are connected to one of the wirings 138-1 and 138-2, and the remaining first electrodes 126 (for example, even-numbered first electrodes 126 in the column direction) are connected to the wirings 138-1 and 138-2. 1 and the other of wiring 138-2.
- these wirings 138 are connected to the drive circuit 130, which will be described later.
- the first electrode group 125 can be independently driven in units of columns according to the potential supplied from the drive circuit 130 .
- it is possible to simultaneously drive the first electrode groups 125 of a plurality of columns or all columns by connecting the wirings 138 to each other or applying the same potential in each column. The connection of these wirings and the method of applying potentials will be described later.
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 also have the same configuration as the first electrodes 126, but differ in the extending direction. Specifically, the plurality of second electrodes 128 are provided on the second substrate 124 so as to be in contact with the second substrate 124 or via an undercoat (not shown) having an arbitrary configuration (see FIG. 4B). A plurality of second electrodes 128 are also arranged parallel to one side of the second substrate 124 . A first electrode 126 and a second electrode 128 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 .
- each liquid crystal cell 120 a plurality of second electrodes 128 form one second electrode group 127, and the plurality of second electrode groups 127 are arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns (Fig. 5B). Therefore, each second electrode group 127 overlaps with at least one light emitting element 114, and the number of the plurality of second electrode groups and the number of the plurality of recesses 112a are the same.
- a part of the plurality of second electrodes 128 is shown in the schematic top view of FIG.
- four second electrode groups 127 are shown arranged in two rows and two columns.
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 all extend in the column direction (y direction). That is, all longitudinal directions of the plurality of second electrodes 128 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the longitudinal directions of the plurality of first electrodes 126 .
- a plurality of second electrodes 128 are arranged in stripes.
- Each second electrode group 127 overlaps one of the plurality of recesses 112 a and thus overlaps the corresponding illuminated surface 116 .
- the recess 112a located at the k-th column in the j-th row which is arbitrarily selected from the plurality of recesses 112a, overlaps the second electrode group 127 located at the k-th column in the j-th row.
- the light emitted from the arranged light emitting element 114 is selectively irradiated to the second electrode group 127 located at the kth column in the jth row through the first electrode 126 and the liquid crystal layer 136 .
- the irradiation surface 116 located at the k-th column in the j-th row overlaps the second electrode group 127 located at the k-th column in the j-th row. Therefore, it can be said that one second electrode group 127 is configured by a plurality of second electrodes 128 overlapping one irradiation surface 116 .
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 extend in a stripe shape in the column direction (y direction). It is also possible to have a slightly curved configuration at one or more points.
- the extension direction of the second electrode 128 may also have an angle of about 1 to 10° with respect to the y direction.
- each row a plurality of alternately selected second electrodes 128 (for example, odd-numbered second electrodes in the row direction) are connected to wiring 140-1 and are electrically connected to each other.
- the remaining second electrodes 128 in each row (for example, even-numbered second electrodes in the row direction) are also connected to another wiring 140-2 and are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, in each row, alternate voltages can be supplied to the plurality of second electrodes 128 .
- the wiring 140 is also arranged so as not to overlap with the recess 112a. That is, each wiring 140 extends between adjacent concave portions 112 a and between adjacent irradiation surfaces 116 .
- two wirings 140-1 and 140-2 connected to the second electrodes 128 in adjacent columns extend between adjacent concave portions 112a and between adjacent irradiation surfaces 116, respectively.
- two wirings 140-1 and 140-2, which are respectively connected to the second electrodes 128 of the adjacent rows, extend between the adjacent rows.
- the length of the second electrodes 128 (the length in the y direction, which is the longitudinal direction) is also greater than the length of the recesses 112a in the y direction on the xy plane, so each second electrode 128 also straddles the recesses 112a.
- the width of the second electrode 128 (the length in the x direction intersecting the y direction) is also selected from a range of, for example, 2 ⁇ m or more and 10 ⁇ m or less, and the distance between the second electrodes 128 adjacent in the row direction is also, for example, 2 ⁇ m or more and 10 ⁇ m or less. can be selected from the range of As a typical example, the width and the pitch in the x-direction of the second electrodes 128 can be 5 ⁇ m and 10 ⁇ m, respectively.
- the second electrodes 128 selected alternately in the row direction (for example, odd-numbered electrodes in the row direction).
- 2 electrodes 128) are connected to one of the wiring 140-1 and the wiring 140-2, and the remaining second electrodes 128 (for example, even-numbered second electrodes 128 in the row direction) are connected to the wiring 140-1. and the other of the wiring 140-2.
- these wirings 140 are connected to drive circuits 130, which will be described later.
- the second electrode group 127 can be independently driven in row units according to the potential supplied from the driver circuit 130 .
- it is possible to simultaneously drive the second electrode groups 127 in a plurality of rows or all rows by connecting the wirings 140 in each row or applying the same potential. The connection of these wirings and the method of applying potentials will be described later.
- the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 includes the first electrode group 125 in a matrix of m rows and n columns on the first substrate 122 side, and the second electrode group 125 on the second substrate 124 side.
- the electrode group 127 is provided in a matrix of m rows and n columns.
- the second electrode group 127 can be driven independently in row units. These individual drives will be described later.
- the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of the first electrodes 126 are parallel to each other.
- the longitudinal direction of the second electrode 128 is also parallel to each other, and the direction in which the first alignment film 132 aligns the liquid crystal molecules ( orientation directions) are also parallel to each other.
- a configuration in which the first electrodes 126 overlap each other can also be adopted.
- the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 may be arranged such that the longitudinal directions of the first electrodes 126 are perpendicular to each other.
- the longitudinal directions of the second electrodes 128 are also perpendicular to each other, and the alignment directions of the first alignment films 132 are also perpendicular to each other. Become.
- a first alignment film 132 is provided on the plurality of first electrodes 126, and a plurality of second electrodes 128 (see FIG. 4B).
- a second alignment film 134 is provided below the second electrode 128 .
- the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 are attached and fixed by the sealing material 118 .
- a space formed by the first substrate 122 , the second substrate 124 , and the sealing material 118 is filled with a liquid crystal layer 136 .
- the first alignment film 132 and the second alignment film 134 contain polymers such as polyimide and polyester, and their surfaces are rubbed.
- the alignment direction of the first alignment film 132 is perpendicular to the direction in which the first electrode 126 extends (see the arrow in FIG. 6), and the alignment direction of the second alignment film 134 is aligned with that of the second electrode. 128 is perpendicular to the direction of stretching (see arrow in FIG. 7). Therefore, the alignment direction of the first alignment film 132 and the alignment direction of the second alignment film 134 are orthogonal.
- the alignment direction is the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules when the liquid crystal molecules are aligned under the influence of the alignment film.
- orientation directions of the first orientation film 132 and the second orientation film 134 may be formed by optical orientation instead of the rubbing treatment.
- Photo-alignment is a rubbing-less alignment treatment using light.
- an alignment film that has not undergone rubbing treatment is irradiated with polarized light in the ultraviolet region from a predetermined direction. This causes a photoreaction in the alignment film, introduces anisotropy to the surface of the alignment film, and imparts liquid crystal alignment controllability.
- the liquid crystal layer 136 contains liquid crystal molecules.
- the structure of liquid crystal molecules is not limited. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules may be nematic liquid crystals, smectic liquid crystals, cholesteric liquid crystals, or chiral smectic liquid crystals.
- the thickness d (see FIG. 4B) of the liquid crystal layer 136 is also arbitrary. is preferably larger than the pitch of
- the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 136 is set to 2 to 10 times, 2 to 5 times, or 2 to 3 times the pitch of the first electrode 126 or the second electrode 128. is preferred.
- a specific thickness of the liquid crystal layer 136 may be selected, for example, from a range of 20 ⁇ m to 60 ⁇ m or 20 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m.
- spacers may be provided in the liquid crystal layer 136 to maintain this thickness throughout the illumination device 100 . Note that when the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 136 described above is adopted in a liquid crystal display device, high responsiveness necessary for displaying moving images cannot be obtained, and it is difficult to exhibit functions as a liquid crystal display device. Become.
- a drive circuit 130 for generating illumination signals and supplying them to the first electrodes 126 and the second electrodes 128 is connected (FIGS. 4A, Figure 5A).
- the drive circuit 130 may be formed by appropriately combining various conductive films, semiconductor films, and conductive films patterned on the first substrate 122, or may be an IC chip provided with an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate. may be formed by mounting on the first substrate 122 .
- the driving circuit 130 is not provided on the first substrate 122, and the IC is mounted on a connector such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connected to wirings 138 and 140 extending from the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128.
- a chip may be provided as the driver circuit 130 .
- the light emitted from the light emitting element 114 provided in each concave portion 112 a of the reflector 112 selectively irradiates one of the first electrode groups 125 , and this light passes through the liquid crystal layer 136 . Then, one second electrode group 127 is irradiated.
- Each first electrode group 125 and each second electrode group 127 are provided with a plurality of first electrodes 126 and a plurality of second electrodes 128 arranged in stripes, respectively. Therefore, by controlling voltages applied to a plurality of first electrodes 126 and second electrodes 128 included in each first electrode group 125 and each second electrode group 127, the liquid crystal layer 136 is It functions as a kind of liquid crystal lens.
- the spread of the light output from each recess 112a can be individually controlled, so that the irradiation area of the light extracted from the light source 110 via the two liquid crystal cells 120 can be variously and arbitrarily controlled. be able to.
- the operating principle and driving method of the illumination device 100 will be described below.
- the “irradiation region” refers to a region where the object is irradiated with light when the illumination device 100 is driven.
- the irradiation area changes depending on the direction of travel of the light, the angle of the surface on the object, and the distance between the illumination device 100 and the object. Therefore, the “irradiation region” is defined as a region where a plane perpendicular to the normal to the main surface of the second substrate 124 of the liquid crystal cell 120 is irradiated with the light from the illumination device 100 .
- FIGS. 8A and 8B show schematic diagrams of the end face of the liquid crystal cell 120 when not driven.
- FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram viewed from the row direction (x direction)
- FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram viewed from the column direction (y direction).
- liquid crystal molecules are schematically drawn as ellipses.
- the orientation directions of the first orientation film 132 and the second orientation film 134 are orthogonal to the directions in which the plurality of first electrodes 126 and the plurality of second electrodes 128 extend, respectively. Therefore, when the liquid crystal cell 120 is not driven, that is, when no voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes 126 and the plurality of second electrodes 128, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is not affected by the electric field. Determined by direction. As a result, in the vicinity of the first electrode 126, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented along the direction (y direction) perpendicular to the direction (x direction) in which the first electrode 126 extends.
- the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented along the direction (x direction) perpendicular to the direction (y direction) in which the second electrode 128 extends. Therefore, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules rotates around the z-direction as it approaches the second substrate 124 from the first substrate 122 and is twisted by 90°.
- the gap between the adjacent first electrodes 126 A pulsed AC voltage (AC rectangular wave) is applied so that the phase is inverted at .
- the phase difference between the adjacent second electrodes 128 A pulsed AC voltage (AC rectangular wave) is applied so that Within each liquid crystal cell 120, the frequencies of these alternating voltages are the same.
- the AC voltage may be selected, for example, from the range of 5V to 50V or 5V to 30V.
- an AC voltage generates an electric field (transverse electric field) between adjacent first electrodes 126 and between adjacent second electrodes 128 as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 9A and 9B, respectively.
- an electric field (vertical electric field) is also generated between the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128. is large compared to the distance between the electrodes 128 of . Therefore, the vertical electric field is significantly smaller than the horizontal electric field, and each liquid crystal molecule is aligned according to the horizontal electric field.
- the liquid crystal molecules positioned substantially midway between the adjacent first electrodes 126 on the first substrate 122 side will have the direction of the horizontal electric field substantially the same as that of the first substrate 122 . Since they are parallel, they retain their initial orientation. However, since the direction of the electric field tilts in the z-direction as it approaches the first electrode 126, the liquid crystal molecules also tilt in the z-direction and the angle (tilt angle) increases. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer on the side of the first substrate 122 are oriented in an upward convex arc (FIG. 9A).
- the liquid crystal molecules located approximately in the middle between the adjacent second electrodes 128 are in the initial orientation because the direction of the lateral electric field is approximately parallel to the second substrate 124 . keep state.
- the liquid crystal molecules since the direction of the electric field tilts in the z-direction as it approaches the second electrode 128, the liquid crystal molecules also tilt in the z-direction and the angle (tilt angle) increases.
- the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer on the side of the second substrate 124 are aligned in a downwardly convex circular arc shape (FIG. 9B).
- FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the behavior of light passing through two liquid crystal cells 120.
- the directions in which the first electrodes 126 extend are parallel to each other, and the directions in which the second electrodes 128 extend are also parallel to each other.
- pulsed AC voltages are applied to the plurality of first electrodes 126 so that the phases of the adjacent first electrodes 126 are mutually inverted, and to the plurality of second electrodes 128,
- a pulsed AC voltage is applied between the adjacent second electrodes 128 so that the phases are mutually inverted, as shown in FIG.
- An electric field is generated.
- the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned convexly between the first electrodes 126 adjacent on the first substrate 122 side, and align between the second electrodes 128 adjacent on the second substrate 124 side. It is oriented convex downward. Also, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is twisted by 90° from the first electrode 126 toward the second electrode 128 .
- the light emitted from the light source 110 first enters the first liquid crystal cell 120-1.
- This light has a y-direction polarization component 150 (straight arrow in the figure) and an x-direction polarization component 152 (a circle with a cross in the figure).
- the y-polarized component and the x-polarized component of the light before entering the liquid crystal cell 120 will be referred to as the S component and the P component, respectively, and these names will be used regardless of the change in the polarization axis.
- the liquid crystal layer 136 Since the liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the y direction on the first electrode 126 side, the liquid crystal layer 136 has a refractive index distribution in the y direction. Therefore, the S component 150 incident on the liquid crystal layer 136 is diffused in the y direction by the refractive index distribution in the y direction on the first electrode 126 side. When this light passes through the liquid crystal layer 136, it is optically rotated by twisting the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, and the polarization axis is in the x direction. Then, since the liquid crystal layer 136 has a refractive index distribution in the x direction on the second electrode 128 side, this light is further diffused in the x direction. As a result, when the S component 150 passes through the liquid crystal layer 136 of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1, it becomes an S component 152 diffused in the x and y directions.
- the P component 156 incident on the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 has a refractive index distribution in the y direction on the first electrode 126 side, it is not affected by the refractive index distribution and does not diffuse. Optical rotation occurs due to twisting of the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, and the polarization axis becomes the y direction. Also, since the refractive index distribution on the second electrode 128 side exists in the x direction, the P component 156 whose polarization axis has changed in the y direction is not affected by the refractive index distribution. As a result, when the P component 156 passes through the liquid crystal layer 136 of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1, it becomes the P component 158 that is optically rotated without being diffused.
- the longitudinal directions of the first electrodes 126 are parallel to each other between the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, and the longitudinal directions of the second electrodes 128 are parallel to each other. The directions are also parallel to each other. Therefore, in the liquid crystal layer 136 of the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 as well, there is a refractive index component in the y direction on the first electrode 126 side, and a refractive index distribution in the x direction on the second electrode 128 side. exists.
- the S component 150 becomes the S component 152 diffused in the x and y directions after passing through the first liquid crystal cell 120-1.
- the S component 152 does not diffuse on the first electrode 126 side of the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 because its polarization axis is perpendicular to the direction of the refractive index distribution. While the S component 152 passes through the liquid crystal layer 136, it is optically rotated according to the twist of the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, and the polarization axis changes in the y direction.
- the refractive index distribution on the second electrode 128 side is in the x direction, it is not affected by the refractive index distribution.
- the S component 152 is optically rotated by the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, it becomes the S component 154 without being diffused.
- the S component 150 emitted from the light source 110 is diffused in the x and y directions by the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and at the same time optically rotated to become the S component 152, and is not diffused by the second liquid crystal cell 120-2. , and finally becomes an S component 154 diffused in the x and y directions.
- the P component 158 incident on the liquid crystal layer 136 of the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 diffuses in the y direction due to the refractive index distribution in the y direction on the first electrode 126 side.
- this light passes through the liquid crystal layer 136, it is optically rotated by twisting the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, and the polarization axis is in the x direction.
- the liquid crystal layer 136 has a refractive index distribution in the x direction on the second electrode 128 side, this light is diffused in the x direction.
- the P component 158 passes through the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, it becomes a P component 160 that is diffused in the x and y directions while undergoing optical rotation.
- the P component 156 emitted from the light source 110 is optically rotated without diffusion by the first liquid crystal cell 120-1, optically rotated by the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 and simultaneously diffused in the x and y directions, and finally P component 160 diffused in the x and y directions.
- the degree of orientation of the liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by voltages applied to the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128, respectively, the degree of light diffusion is also controlled by the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128. It can be controlled by the applied voltage. Therefore, according to the mechanism described above, the degree of diffusion of the light irradiated to each of the first electrode group 125 and the second electrode group 127 can be independently controlled by the voltage applied to the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128. can be controlled to
- the diffusion of light is controlled by the lateral electric field generated between adjacent first electrodes 126 and between adjacent second electrodes 128 . Therefore, for diffusion of light, a potential difference should be provided between adjacent first electrodes 126 and/or between adjacent second electrodes 128 in each liquid crystal cell. Therefore, the plurality of first electrodes 126 may be applied with a constant voltage that is different from the adjacent first electrodes 126, or alternatively, alternately selected first electrodes 126 may be applied. An alternating voltage may be applied to the first electrode 126 and a constant voltage may be applied to the remaining first electrodes 126 . The same is true for the second electrode 128 as well.
- the alternating voltage V1 is applied to the alternately selected first electrodes 126 and the remaining first electrodes 126 are applied.
- an AC voltage V2 is applied to one electrode 126 .
- the alternating voltage V3 is applied to the alternately selected second electrodes 128, and the alternating voltage V3 is applied to the remaining first electrodes 126. 4 is applied.
- alternating voltage V 5 is applied to alternately selected first electrodes 126 and alternating voltage V 6 is applied to the remaining first electrodes 126 . shall be applied.
- alternating voltage V7 is applied to the alternately selected second electrodes 128, and alternating voltage V7 is applied to the remaining first electrodes 126. 8 is applied. Also in this model, between two liquid crystal cells 120, the first electrodes 126 are parallel to each other and the second electrodes 128 are also parallel to each other.
- the S components 150 and P152 are optically rotated by each liquid crystal cell 120 but are not affected by the diffusion effect. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13A, for example, when all the light emitting elements 114 provided in the plurality of recesses 112a are turned on, the light does not spread greatly even if it passes through the two liquid crystal cells 120, and is output from each recess 112a. It remains to reflect the diffusion of light.
- the irradiation area A0 of the light source 110 has a similar relationship to the shape of the light source 110 on the xy plane (FIG. 13B).
- the S component 150 of the light from the light source 110 diffuses in the y direction in the first liquid crystal cell 120-1, and the liquid crystal layer 136 changes the polarization axis in the x direction. Since no electric field exists between the second electrodes 128, this light is emitted from the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 without diffusing on the second electrode 128 side, and diffuses in the y direction with the S component 152. Become.
- the S component 152 enters the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 because the refractive index distribution caused by the lateral electric field generated between the first electrodes 126 of the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 is in the y direction. are not affected by the refractive index. Also, since no electric field exists between the second electrodes 128, the S component 152 rotates without diffusing. In summary, the S component 150 passes through the two liquid crystal cells 120 to become the S component 154 diffused in the y direction.
- the P component 156 of the light from the light source 110 is not affected by the refractive index distribution because the lateral electric field on the first electrode 126 side of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 is in the y direction. Also, since no electric field exists between the second electrodes 128, no refractive index distribution exists on the second electrode 128 side. Therefore, the P component 156 is optically rotated according to the twisted orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 136 without diffusing, and becomes the P component 158 .
- this P component 158 enters the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, it is diffused in the y direction by the refractive index distribution in the y direction on the first electrode 126 side, and the polarization axis is changed in the x direction by the liquid crystal layer 136. . Since no electric field exists between the second electrodes 128, this light is emitted from the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 without diffusing on the second electrode 128 side.
- the P component 156 passes through the two liquid crystal cells 120 to become the P component 160 diffused in the y-direction.
- the illumination device 100 provides an illuminated area A1 diffused in the y-direction compared to the illuminated area A0 formed when the two liquid crystal cells 120 are not driven (FIG. 14B).
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 In order to obtain an irradiation region selectively diffused in the x direction, in each of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell, the plurality of second electrodes 128 on the other hand, an AC voltage is applied so that the phases are inverted between the adjacent second electrodes 128, and the liquid crystal cell 120 is driven such that a constant voltage is applied or no voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes 126. Just do it. (FIGS. 15A, 15B).
- the S component 150 of the light from the light source 110 is reflected in the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 in the y direction toward the first electrode 126. is diffused in the y direction due to the refractive index distribution of , and optically rotated by the liquid crystal layer 136 to become the S component 152 .
- the S component 152 enters the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, since there is no refractive index distribution on the side of the first electrode 126, the S component 152 is optically rotated by the liquid crystal layer 136, and the polarization axis is in the y direction. . However, since the refractive index distribution on the second substrate 124 side is in the x direction, it does not diffuse.
- the S component 150 passes through the two liquid crystal cells 120 and becomes an S component 154 diffused only in the y direction.
- the P component 156 of the light from the light source 110 is not affected by the refractive index distribution because the lateral electric field on the first electrode 126 side of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 is in the y direction. Also, since no electric field exists between the second electrodes 128, no refractive index distribution exists on the second electrode 128 side. Therefore, the P component 156 is optically rotated according to the twisted alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 136 without diffusing, and becomes the P component 158 whose polarization axis is in the y direction.
- the S component 150 and P component 156 from the light source 110 are selectively diffused in the y and x directions, respectively. Therefore, the illumination device 100 provides a cross-shaped illuminated area A1 , unlike the illuminated area A0 formed when the two liquid crystal cells 120 are not driven (FIG. 16B).
- the liquid crystal cell 120 When the liquid crystal cell 120 is operated in this way, as can be seen from FIG. It diffuses in the y-direction due to the y-direction refractive index distribution on the second electrode 128 side, and also diffuses in the x-direction due to the x-direction refractive index distribution on the second electrode 128 side. However, since the voltage applied to the first electrode 126 is greater than the voltage applied to the second electrode 128, the S component 152 diffuses more in the y direction. This S component 152 is optically rotated without being diffused in the second liquid crystal cell 120-2. Taken together, the S component 150 results in an S component 154 that is more diffuse in the y direction than in the x direction.
- the P component 156 of the light from the light source 110 is optically rotated without being diffused by the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 to become the P component 158.
- this P component 158 enters the second liquid crystal cell 120-2, it optically rotates, and at the same time it diffuses in the y direction due to the refractive index distribution on the first electrode 126 side, and the refractive index on the second electrode 128 side It also diffuses in the x-direction due to its distribution.
- the voltage applied to the first electrode 126 is greater than the voltage applied to the second electrode 128, resulting in a more diffuse P component 160 in the y-direction.
- the P component 156 is also a P component 160 that is more diffuse in the y direction than in the x direction.
- the illumination device 100 provides an illuminated area A1 that is greatly expanded in the y-direction compared to the illuminated area A0 formed when the two liquid crystal cells 120 are not driven (FIG. 17B).
- some of the plurality of light emitting elements 114 are driven (local dimming). As a result, it is possible to change the irradiation area into various shapes and to reduce the power consumption.
- the light emitting element 114 provided in the recess 112a located in the fourth row (L 4 ) is lit.
- the illumination area A0 of the light source 110 is substantially similar to the shape of the light source 110 on the xy plane. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18B, the irradiation area A0 becomes linear.
- the liquid crystal cell 120 is operated so as to selectively diffuse in the x direction. Specifically, by operating the liquid crystal cell 120 according to the timing chart shown in FIG. 15A, the light emitted from the light source 110 is selectively diffused in the x direction, that is, in the row direction. As a result, an illuminated area A1 enlarged in the x - direction compared to the illuminated area A0 can be provided (FIG. 18C). Although not shown, by appropriately operating the liquid crystal cell 120, the light can also be diffused in the y-direction, and the light from the light source 110 can be used to provide an irradiation area having an arbitrary shape.
- ⁇ Third Embodiment> a driving method different from the driving method of the lighting device 100 described in the first and second embodiments will be described. Descriptions of configurations that are the same as or similar to those described in the first and second embodiments may be omitted.
- local dimming is performed as in the second embodiment.
- the liquid crystal cell 120 is partially driven. That is, some of the plurality of first electrode groups 125 and second electrode groups 127 provided in the liquid crystal cell 120 are selectively driven, thereby enabling further reduction of power consumption and More diverse light distribution control becomes possible.
- FIG. 19A As an example, consider a model in which the light emitting element 114 provided in the recess 112a located in the fifth column R5 among the recesses 112a arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 8 columns is lit as shown in FIG. 19A.
- 19B and 20 are schematic enlarged views of the plurality of first electrode groups 125 and second electrode groups 127 in the area surrounded by dotted lines in FIG. 19A.
- a plurality of first electrodes 126 overlapping the irradiation surface 116 provided by the light emitting element 114 provided in one recess 112a constitutes one first electrode group 125 (see FIG. 6).
- FIG. 6 Similarly, in FIG.
- a plurality of second electrodes 128 overlapping the irradiation surface 116 provided by the light emitting element 114 provided in one recess 112a constitutes one second electrode group 127 (see FIG. 6).
- the light emitting elements 114 are lit only on the three illuminated surfaces 116-2 in the hatched second row. , 116-5 and 116-8.
- the two liquid crystal cells 120 are driven using the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128 overlapping the irradiation surface 116 provided by one of the concave portions 112a provided with the lit light emitting element 114.
- the irradiation surface 116-5 is selected, and the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128 overlapping this irradiation surface 116-5 are driven according to the timing chart shown in FIG. 15A.
- the adjacent second electrodes 140-3 and 140-4 of the wirings 140-1 to 140-6 are provided between the wirings 140-3 and 140-4.
- An AC voltage is applied so that the phases of the two electrodes 128 are mutually inverted, and a constant voltage of 0 V is applied to the other second electrode 128 .
- a constant voltage of 0 V is also applied to the first electrodes 126 of the two liquid crystal cells 120 .
- the irradiation area A0 formed linearly in the y direction when the liquid crystal cell 120 is not driven extends partly in the x direction, A cross-shaped illuminated area A1 is obtained. Since such deformation of the irradiation region can be achieved by driving only a part of the second electrodes 128, the power consumption of the liquid crystal cell 120 can also be suppressed.
- the irradiation area can be changed into various shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 22A, all the light emitting elements 114 arranged in the recesses 112a of the fifth column R5 are turned on, and the second electrodes 128 overlapping the recesses 112a of the first row L1 to the third row L3 are turned on. Drive according to the timing chart of FIG. 15A. At this time, by increasing the voltage applied to the second electrode 128 in order from the first row L1 to the third row L3, as shown in FIG. 0 can be transformed into an arrow - shaped illumination area A1.
- the irradiation region can be formed in various shapes. It can be arbitrarily modified.
- the driving row overlapping the concave portion 112a outputting the light to be diffused
- the driving row overlapping the concave portion 112a outputting the light to be diffused
- the non-driven adjacent rows are synchronized with the driven rows such that there is no potential difference between the first electrodes 126 of these driven rows and the first electrodes 126 of the non-driven adjacent rows.
- the second electrode 128 in the row (hereinafter referred to as the drive row in this embodiment) overlapping the recess 112a from which the light to be diffused is output, and the recess 112a adjacent to the drive row and provided with the light-emitting elements 114 that are not driven.
- the drive row overlapping the recess 112a from which the light to be diffused is output
- two wirings 140 arranged between columns hereinafter referred to as non-driving adjacent columns in this embodiment
- overlapping recesses 112a that output light that is not to be diffused or between the second electrodes 128 of these driving columns and non-diffusion electrodes 140
- the non-driven adjacent columns are synchronized with the driven columns such that no potential difference exists between the second electrodes 128 of the driven adjacent columns.
- the reflector 112 has recesses 112a arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns, the fourth row L4, the fourth row R4 and the fifth row R5, and the fifth row L It is assumed that light is emitted from the light emitting elements 114 of the recesses 112a of the fourth row R4 and the fifth row R5. At this time, consider selectively diffusing in the x direction only the light from the light emitting elements 114 of the two recesses 112a in the fourth row L4.
- FIG. 23B shows a schematic top view of the second electrode 128 in the region enclosed by the dotted line in FIG. 23A. According to the timing chart shown in FIG.
- the second electrode group 127 (FIG. 23B) of the fourth row L4, which is the driving row, of the second electrodes 128 of the two liquid crystal cells 120
- Alternating current voltages V 5 and V 6 having different phases are applied to the second electrode group 127 overlapping the irradiation surfaces 116-1 and 116-2, and a constant voltage or a voltage is applied to the first electrode 126. do not do.
- the light on the irradiation surfaces 116-1 and 116-2 is diffused in the x direction.
- the wiring 140 between the driving row and the non-driving adjacent row is synchronized with each other.
- the wiring 140-2 connected to the second electrode 128 of the fourth column L4, which is the driving row, and located between the driving row L4 and the non - driving adjacent row L5 is synchronized with each other.
- a potential difference is generated between the wiring 140-2 and the wiring 140-3 arranged between the driving row and the non-driving adjacent row and between the second electrode 128 of the driving row and the second electrode 128 of the non-driving adjacent row. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of refractive index distribution in the liquid crystal layer 136 between the driving row and the non-driving adjacent row.
- the second electrodes 128 of the non - driven adjacent row L5 are all synchronized with each other so that the non - driven adjacent row L5 does not diffuse the light. Therefore, the other wiring 140-4 connected to the second electrode 128 of the non-driven adjacent row L5 is also synchronized with the wiring 140-3.
- the occurrence of the refractive index distribution in the non-driven adjacent row is suppressed, and the wiring 140-2 or between the second electrode 128 of the driven row L4 and the second electrode 128 of the non - driven adjacent row L5
- the occurrence of refractive index distribution is suppressed, unintended diffusion of light is suppressed, and precise light distribution becomes possible.
- light is emitted from the light emitting elements 114 of the recesses 112a of the fourth column R4 of the fourth row L4 and the fourth column R4 of the fifth column L5. is diffused in the y direction.
- 25 and 26 respectively show the arrangement of the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128 in the area surrounded by the dotted rectangle in FIG. 24A.
- light from recess 112a presents illuminated surfaces 116-2 and 116-5.
- AC voltages V1 and V2 having the same voltage and phase as the AC voltage V3 are applied.
- AC voltages V5 and V6 having the same voltage and phase as the AC voltage V4 are applied. Since light is not diffused in the x direction, a constant voltage is applied or no voltage is applied to all the second electrodes 128 in each liquid crystal cell 120 . As a result, there is no potential difference between the wires 138 arranged between the fourth and third columns and between the wires 138 arranged between the fourth and fifth columns, so that the light is diffused in the x direction. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a refractive index distribution that As a result, unintended diffusion of light is prevented, and precise light distribution becomes possible.
- FIG. 24C As another example, as shown in FIG. 24C, light is emitted from the light emitting elements 114 of the recesses 112a of the fourth column R4 to the sixth column R6 of the fifth row L5 and diffused in the x direction. Describe the case.
- the arrangement of the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128 in the area enclosed by the dotted rectangle in FIG. 24C is also shown in FIGS. of light form illuminated surfaces 116-4 to 116-6.
- Modification 1 1-1 Configuration
- the plurality of first electrodes 126 in one column are not electrically connected to the first electrodes 126 in other columns (for example, adjacent columns). is independently controlled from the first electrode 126 of the (see FIG. 6).
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 in one row do not conduct with the second electrodes 128 in other rows (e.g., adjacent rows), and are independent of the second electrodes 128 in other rows. controlled (see FIG. 7).
- a plurality of first electrodes 126 are selected alternately in one column (for example, the fourth column R 4 ). are electrically connected to a plurality of first electrodes 126 selected alternately in an adjacent row (eg, the third row R 3 ) and conduct with each other.
- the other first electrodes 126 in this one row ie, fourth row R 4
- are alternately selected in the opposite adjacent row ie, fifth row R 5 ). may be electrically connected to the electrode 126 of
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 selected alternately in one row are arranged in adjacent rows. It is electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes 128 selected alternately in (for example, the fifth row L 5 ) and conducts with each other.
- the other second electrodes 128 in this one column i.e., fourth row L.sub.4
- the opposite adjacent row i.e., third row L.sub.3, not shown. It may be electrically connected to the second electrode 128 .
- the number of wirings 138 and 140 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in designing the liquid crystal cell 120 is improved.
- the space between adjacent rows and columns can be reduced, the size of the illumination device 100 can be reduced.
- FIG. 29A the reflector 112 has recesses 112a arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns, the fourth column R4 of the fourth row L4 and the fourth column R4 of the fifth column L5. It is assumed that light is emitted from the light emitting element 114 of the concave portion 112a and diffused in the y direction.
- FIG. 27 schematically shows the arrangement of the first electrode 126 and the wiring 138 connected thereto in the area surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 29A. Form. In order to diffuse the light in the y direction, according to the timing chart shown in FIG.
- all the first electrodes 126 of the third row R3, which is one of the non-driven adjacent rows, are alternately selected in the fourth row R4. It may be synchronized with the first electrode 126 .
- all of the first electrodes 126 in the other drive adjacent row, fifth row R5, are synchronized with the other plurality of alternately selected first electrodes 126 in fourth row R4. good too.
- the plurality of first electrodes 126 selected alternately in the fourth row R4 which is the driving row
- the plurality of electrodes 126 selected alternately in the third row R4 which is the non-driven adjacent row.
- the AC voltage V1 having the same voltage and phase as the AC voltage V2 may be applied to the remaining first electrodes 126 of the third row R3. .
- the remaining first electrodes 126 of the fourth row R4 and the alternately selected plurality of first electrodes 126 in the fifth row R5 of the non-driven adjacent row are conducting, so that the first electrodes 126 are conductive.
- An AC voltage V4 having the same voltage and phase as the AC voltage V3 may be applied to the remaining first electrodes 126 of the fifth row R5 (FIG. 29B).
- the reflector 112 is provided with recesses 112a arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns, and the recesses 112a in the 3rd column R3 of the 5th row L5 to the 5th column R5 Assume that light is emitted from the light emitting element 114 and diffused in the x direction.
- FIG. 28 schematically shows the arrangement of the second electrode 128 and the wiring 140 connected thereto in the region surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 29C. Form.
- different alternating voltages V 6 , V 7 are applied, and a constant voltage or no voltage is applied to the first electrode 126 (FIG. 29D).
- V 6 , V 7 In order to diffuse light in the x-direction, according to the timing chart shown in FIG. different alternating voltages V 6 , V 7 are applied, and a constant voltage or no voltage is applied to the first electrode 126 (FIG. 29D).
- V 6 , V 7 In order to diffuse light in the x-direction, according to the timing chart shown in
- the second electrodes 128 in the fourth row L4 of the non-driven adjacent rows are synchronized with the alternately selected second electrodes 128 in the fifth row L5.
- Modification 2 2-1 Configuration In the illumination device 100 of Modified Example 2, as shown in FIG. are all electrically connected to each other and conduct with each other. The remaining first electrodes 126 are independently controlled in each row. Further alternatively, as shown in FIG. 31, in at least one of the two liquid crystal cells 120, a plurality of second electrodes 128 selected alternately in each row are all electrically connected to each other via wiring 140. , conduct each other. The remaining second electrodes 128 are independently controlled for each row. By adopting such connections, the number of wirings 138 and 140 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in designing the liquid crystal cell 120 is improved, as in the first modification. In addition, since the space between adjacent rows and columns can be reduced, the size of the illumination device 100 can be reduced.
- FIG. 32A the reflector 112 has recesses 112a arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns, and the light emitting elements of the recesses 112a in the fourth row L4 and the fifth row L5 and the recesses 112a in the fourth row R4 Assume that light is emitted from 114 and diffuses in the y direction.
- FIG. 30 schematically shows the arrangement of the first electrode 126 and the wiring 138 connected thereto in the area surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 32A. Form.
- the first electrodes 126 of the third row R3 and the fifth row R5 of the non-driven adjacent rows are alternately selected in the fourth row R4.
- 1 electrode 126 may be synchronized.
- alternately selected first electrodes 126 in the non-driven adjacent columns are alternately selected in fourth column R4 , which is the driven column, and are applied with a constant voltage. Therefore, the constant voltage V2 or V4 , which is the same as the constant voltage V1, can be applied to the remaining first electrodes 126 in each non-driven adjacent column ( Figure 32B).
- the liquid crystal cell 120 is driven in this way, the contribution from the refractive index distribution between the first electrodes 126 of two adjacent columns is greatly reduced. As a result, unintended light diffusion can be suppressed.
- the reflector 112 has recesses 112a arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns, and the recesses 112a in the 3rd column R3 of the 5th row L5 to the 5th column R5 Assume that light is emitted from the light emitting element 114 and diffused in the x direction.
- FIG. 31 schematically shows the arrangement of the second electrode 128 and the wiring 140 connected thereto in the area surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 32C. Form.
- a constant A voltage V 5 is applied and an alternating voltage V 7 is applied to the remaining second electrode 128 .
- a constant voltage or no voltage is applied to the first electrode 126 (FIG. 32D).
- the light from the irradiation surfaces 116-4 to 116-6 is diffused in the x direction.
- the second electrodes 128 in the fourth row L4 of the non-driven adjacent rows are synchronized with the alternately selected second electrodes 128 in the fifth row L5.
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 selected alternately in the non-driven adjacent rows are selected alternately in the fifth row L5, which is the driven column, and the plurality of electrodes 128 to which a constant voltage is applied. Therefore, the constant voltage V6 , which is the same voltage as the constant voltage V5, can be applied to the remaining second electrodes 128 in the non-driven adjacent row (FIG. 32D).
- Modification 3 In the illumination device 100 according to Modification 3, as shown in FIG. 33A and the schematic diagram of the end surface along the dashed line CC′ (FIG. 33B), at least one of the liquid crystal cells 120 overlaps all the concave portions 112a. It differs from the illumination device 100 described in the first embodiment in that a single second electrode 128 is provided. A single second electrode 128 overlaps some or all of the first electrode groups 125 . In this case, since a refractive index distribution cannot be formed on the second electrode 128 side of each liquid crystal layer 136, light diffusion occurs only on the first electrode 126 side.
- the illumination device 100 is configured such that the extending directions of the first electrodes 126 are orthogonal to each other between the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2. is preferred.
- patterning of the second electrode 128 becomes unnecessary, so the manufacturing process is shortened, and the illumination device 100 can be provided at a lower cost.
- the illumination device 100 according to Modification 4 has the second electrode 128 in at least one of the liquid crystal cells 120. It is different from the lighting device 100 described in the first embodiment in that it is not provided. In this case also, since a refractive index distribution cannot be formed on the second electrode 128 side of each liquid crystal layer 136, light diffusion occurs only on the first electrode 126 side. Therefore, in Modification 3, the illumination device 100 is configured such that the extending directions of the first electrodes 126 are orthogonal to each other between the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2. is preferred.
- the manufacturing process of the second electrode 128 is not required, so the manufacturing process is shortened, and the lighting device 100 can be provided at a lower cost.
- absorption of light by the second electrode 128 is completely eliminated, power consumption of the lighting device 100 can be reduced.
- FIG. 35A is a schematic plan view of the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 of the illumination device 100 of Modification 5, and the first substrate of the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 is shown in FIG.
- a schematic plan view of substrate 122 and second substrate 124 is shown in FIG. 35B.
- the plurality of first electrodes 126 are inclined in the longitudinal direction from at least one side of the first substrate 122. are arranged as follows.
- An angle (first angle) between the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 126 and one side of the first substrate 122 (first angle) can be set arbitrarily. ° or less, typically 45°.
- the alignment direction of the first alignment film 132 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 126 (see white arrow).
- the plurality of second electrodes 128 are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are inclined from at least one side of the second substrate 124 .
- the angle (second angle) between the longitudinal direction of the second electrode 128 and one side of the second substrate 124 can also be arbitrarily set. ° or less, typically 45°.
- the alignment direction of the second alignment film 134 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second electrode 128 (see white arrow).
- the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128 are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are perpendicular to each other.
- the longitudinal directions of the first electrodes 126 are parallel or perpendicular to each other between the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 and the second liquid crystal cell 120-2.
- the longitudinal directions of the second electrodes 128 are parallel or perpendicular to each other. Therefore, when both the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 are square, it is preferable to set both the first angle and the second angle to 45° so that the projected area on the xy plane is minimized. .
- the plurality of first electrodes 126 and the plurality of second electrodes 128 are both in the recess.
- 112a is inclined from the row direction (x direction) and column direction (y direction). Therefore, the light from the light-emitting elements 114 arranged in the recesses 112a can be diffused in directions inclined from the row direction and the column direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 36A, when all the light emitting elements 114 arranged in each of the concave portions 112a arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 8 columns emit light, the matrix shape is reflected when the liquid crystal cell 120 is not driven.
- a rectangular illuminated area A0 is obtained.
- the light can be diffused in directions tilted from the x-direction and the y-direction (that is, in the first direction and/or the second direction).
- FIGS. 36C to 36F it is possible to form irradiation areas A1 of various shapes.
- FIG. 37A when light is output from the recesses 112a along the diagonal line among the recesses 112a arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 8 columns, the irradiation area A obtained when the liquid crystal cell 120 is not driven 0 (FIG. 36B), it is possible to obtain an irradiation area A 1 enlarged in directions tilted from the x and y directions (FIG. 37C).
- FIG. 38A is a schematic plan view of the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124 of the first liquid crystal cell 120-1 of the illumination device 100 of Modification 6, and FIG. A schematic plan view of substrate 122 and second substrate 124 is shown in FIG. 38B.
- the first substrate 122 in at least one liquid crystal cell 120, the first substrate 122 is divided into two regions, and one region (first region) has a second One electrode 126 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to at least one side of the first substrate 122, and in the other region (second region), as in Modification 5, the first The electrode 126 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is inclined from the relevant side.
- the second substrate 124 is also divided into two regions, and in one region (third region), the second electrode 128 has its longitudinal direction parallel to at least one side of the second substrate 124. , and in the other region (fourth region), as in Modified Example 5, the second electrode 128 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is inclined from the relevant side.
- each liquid crystal cell 120 the first region and the third region overlap each other, and the second region and the fourth region overlap each other.
- the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 126 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the second electrode 128 .
- the longitudinal directions of the first electrodes 126 are parallel or perpendicular to each other, and the longitudinal directions of the second electrodes 128 are also parallel or perpendicular to each other. is.
- the alignment direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 126 or the second electrode 128 in the first to fourth regions (see white arrows).
- a part of the lighting device that is, a portion where the first region and the third region overlap each other diffuses the light output from the concave portion 112a in the x direction and the y direction.
- diffusion can occur in directions tilted from the x-direction and the y-direction. For this reason, it is possible to form an irradiation region having a wider variety of shapes.
- the liquid crystal cell 120 having the structure described in the first embodiment and the pair of liquid crystal cells 120 according to Modification 5 or Modification 6 may be combined. Adjacent liquid crystal cells 120 may be in direct contact with each other, or may be fixed via an adhesive layer 102 .
- FIG. 39 shows a first liquid crystal cell 120-1 in which a plurality of first electrodes 126 and a plurality of second electrodes 128 extend parallel to the sides of the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124, respectively.
- Above the second liquid crystal cell 120-2 there is a third liquid crystal cell 120 in which a plurality of first electrodes 126 and a plurality of second electrodes 128 are tilted from the sides of the first substrate 122 and the second substrate 124, respectively.
- a fourth liquid crystal cell 120-4 are provided.
- a direction tilted from the x-direction and the y-direction (for example, a direction tilted by 45°) can also be obtained. Since the light can be diffused, the irradiation area can be changed in various ways.
- the arrangement of the first electrode 126 and the second electrode 128 of the lighting device 100 having the first electrode group 125 and the second electrode group 127 arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns is shown in FIGS. They are shown in FIG. 41 respectively.
- alternately alternating first electrodes 126 and other first electrodes 126 in each column are applied with AC voltages out of phase with each other.
- alternately selected second electrodes 128 and other second electrodes 128 are applied with AC voltages out of phase with each other.
- AC voltages are applied to the wirings 138 and 140 according to the timing chart shown in FIG. 42A.
- the phases of the two wirings 140 existing between matching rows are also opposite.
- the same voltage and same phase AC voltage are applied to the two wirings 138 arranged between the adjacent columns so as not to generate a potential difference between these wirings. is preferred.
- light can be diffused independently in the x and y directions.
- the first electrode 126 and the voltage of the second electrode 128 may be appropriately adjusted.
- Alternating alternating voltages may be applied to the wiring 138 such that alternately selected first electrodes 126 and other first electrodes 126 in non-driven adjacent columns are out of phase with each other.
- AC voltages out of phase may be applied to the wiring 140 so that the alternately selected second electrodes 128 and the other second electrodes 128 in the non-driven adjacent rows are out of phase with each other.
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Abstract
Description
本実施形態では、本発明の実施形態の一つである光学素子、および光学素子を備える照明装置100とその駆動方法について説明する。
図1に照明装置100の模式的斜視図を示す。図1に示すように、照明装置100は、基本的な構成として、光源110、光源110と重なり、光源110上に設けられる二つの光学素子を有する。一方の光学素子は光源110上の第1の液晶セル120-1であり、他方は第1の液晶セル120-1と重なり、第1の液晶セル120-1上に設けられる第2の液晶セル120-2である。第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セル120-2は、直接接してもよく、あるいは接着層102を介して互いに固定されてもよい。図示しないが、照明装置100は、さらに一つまたは複数の液晶セル120を第2の液晶セル120-2の上、下、または第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セル120-2の間に有していてもよい。液晶セル120の合計数に制約はなく、2以上10以下、2以上6以下、または2以上4以下でもよく、奇数でもよい。
図2Aに光源110の模式的上面図を、図2Aの鎖線A-A´に沿った端面の模式図を図2Bに示す。光源110は、反射板112と複数の発光素子114を備える。各凹部112aには、一つまたは複数の発光素子114が設けられる。反射板112は、発光素子114から出射される光に指向性を付与して液晶セル120に照射させる機能を備える。具体的には、反射板112は、m行n列のマトリクス状に配置された複数の凹部112aを備える。ここで、mとnは1よりも大きい自然数であり、たとえばmとnは、独立に、6、8、12、14、16でもよい。mとnは同じでもよく、互いに異なってもよい。以下、図中x方向が行方向であり、y方向が列方向とする。x方向とy方向のいずれに対しても垂直な方向をz方向とする。例えばx方向とy方向は、後述する第1の基板122または第2の基板124の辺と平行な方向である。
反射板112を構成する材料は任意に選択することができ、例えばアルミニウムやステンレスなどの金属、ポリイミドやポリカーボネート、アクリル樹脂などの高分子、あるいはガラスなどの無機酸化物でもよい。ただし、図2Bの矢印で示すように、反射板112は、発光素子114からの光を凹部112a内で反射させて集光し、液晶セル120へ指向させる。このため、ガラスや高分子などの可視光を透過する材料を用いて反射板112を構成する場合には、凹部112aの表面を可視光に対する反射率が高い膜で構成することが好ましい。このような膜としては、アルミニウムや銀、金、クロム、ステンレスなどの金属を含む膜、酸化チタンや酸化タンタルなどの高屈折材料を含む薄膜と酸化ケイ素やフッ化マグネシウムなどの低屈折率材料を含む薄膜の積層体などが例示される。凹部112aの形状は、凹部112a内の発光素子114から指向性の高い光が得られるよう、適宜調整される。
各発光素子114は、電流を供給することで発光する機能を有する素子であり、その構造に制約はない。典型的な例として、発光ダイオード(LED)が挙げられる。発光ダイオードは、例えば窒化ガリウム、インジウムを含む窒化ガリウムなどの無機発光体を一対の電極で挟持した電界発光素子、および電解発光素子を保護する保護膜を基本的な構造として有し、電界発光(Electroluminescence)によって可視光を発光するように構成される。
上述したように、照明装置100では、少なくとも二つの液晶セル120が光源110上に配置される。液晶セル120の構造は同一でもよく、異なってもよい。以下、液晶セル120の構造について説明する。
第1の基板122と第2の基板124は、それぞれ複数の第1の電極126と複数の第2の電極128を支持するための基材として機能するとともに、液晶層136が封止される空間を提供する。第1の基板122と第2の基板124は、光源110からの光を透過させて照明機能を発現するため、発光素子114からの光に対して高い透過率を示す材料を含むことが好ましい。したがって、例えばガラスや石英、またはポリイミドやポリカルボナート、ポリエステル、アクリル樹脂などの高分子材料を含むように第1の基板122と第2の基板124を構成することが好ましい。
複数の第1の電極126は、第1の基板122と接するように、あるいは任意の構成であるアンダーコート(図示しない)を介して第1の基板122上に設けられる(図4B)。複数の第1の電極126は、第1の基板122の一つの辺と平行になるように配置される。アンダーコートは、窒化ケイ素や酸化ケイ素などのケイ素含有無機化合物を含む一つまたは複数の膜によって形成することができる。第1の電極126に含まれる材料としては、液晶セル120に高い透光性を付与するため、インジウム-スズ酸化物(ITO)やインジウム-亜鉛酸化物(IZO)などの可視光に対して高い透過率を示す導電性酸化物で形成することが好ましい。
複数の第2の電極128も、第1の電極126と同様の構成を有するが、その延伸方向が異なる。具体的には、複数の第2の電極128は、第2の基板124と接するように、あるいは任意の構成であるアンダーコート(図示しない)を介して第2の基板124上に設けられる(図4B)。複数の第2の電極128も第2の基板124の一つの辺と平行になるように配置される。第1の電極126と第2の電極128は、第1の基板122と第2の基板124に挟まれるように配置される。
複数の第1の電極126上には第1の配向膜132が設けられ、複数の第2の電極128上(図4Bでは第2の電極128の下)には第2の配向膜134が設けられる。第1の基板122と第2の基板124は封止材118によって貼り合わされ、固定される。第1の基板122、第2の基板124、および封止材118によって形成される空間には液晶層136が充填される。
第1の基板122上には、照明用の信号を生成して第1の電極126や第2の電極128に供給するための駆動回路130が接続される(図4A、図5A)。駆動回路130は、第1の基板122上でパターニングされた種々の導電膜、半導体膜、導電膜を適宜組み合わせることで形成してもよく、あるいは半導体基板上に形成される集積回路を備えるICチップを第1の基板122に搭載することで形成してもよい。あるいは、駆動回路130を第1の基板122上に設けず、第1の電極126と第2の電極128から延伸する配線138、140に接続されるフレキシブル印刷基板(FPC)などのコネクタ上にICチップを駆動回路130として設けてもよい。
上述したように、反射板112の各凹部112aに設けられる発光素子114から出射される光は、一つの第1の電極群125を選択的に照射し、この光は液晶層136を通過し、さらに一つの第2の電極群127を照射する。また、各第1の電極群125と各第2の電極群127には、ストライプ状に配置された複数の第1の電極126と第2の電極128がそれぞれ設けられる。このため、各第1の電極群125と各第2の電極群127にそれぞれ含まれる複数の第1の電極126と第2の電極128に印加される電圧を制御することにより、液晶層136がある種の液晶レンズとして機能する。その結果、各凹部112aから出力される光の拡がりを個別に制御させることができるため、光源110から二つの液晶セル120を介して取り出される光の照射領域を多様に、かつ、任意に制御することができる。以下、照明装置100の動作原理と駆動方法について説明する。ここで、「照射領域」とは、照明装置100を駆動した際に対象物上に光が照射される領域を指す。ただし、光の進行方向と対象物上の面の角度や照明装置100と対象物との距離により、照射領域は変化する。したがって、「照射領域」とは、液晶セル120の第2の基板124の主面の法線に対して垂直な平面に照明装置100からの光が照射される領域と定義される。
図8Aと図8Bに、非駆動時における液晶セル120の端面の模式図を示す。図8Aは行方向(x方向)から見た模式図であり、図8Bは列方向(y方向)から見た模式図である。図8Aと図8Bにおいて、液晶分子は楕円として模式的に描かれている。
駆動時には、第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セル120-2のいずれか一方のセルまたは両セルの複数の第1の電極126に対し、隣り合う第1の電極126間で位相が反転するようにパルス状の交流電圧(交流矩形波)が印加される。同様に、第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セル120-2のいずれか一方のセルまたは両セルの複数の第2の電極128に対し、隣り合う第2の電極128間で位相が反転するようにパルス状の交流電圧(交流矩形波)が印加される。それぞれの液晶セル120内で、これらの交流電圧の周波数は同一である。交流電圧は、例えば5V以上50V以下、または5V以上30V以下の範囲から選択すればよい。交流電圧の印加により、隣接する第1の電極126間および隣接する第2の電極128間には、それぞれ図9Aと図9Bの矢印に示すように電界(横電界)が発生する。一方、第1の電極126と第2の電極128間でも電界(縦電界)が発生するが、上述したように、液晶層136の厚さdは、隣接する第1の電極126間や第2の電極128間の距離の距離と比較して大きい。このため、縦電界は横電界に対して著しく小さく、各液晶分子は横電界に従って配向する。
上述したメカニズムを利用することにより、光源110からの照射領域を任意に制御することができる。このことを以下説明する。
液晶セル120が非駆動時の場合には、第1の電極126間や第2の電極間128の間には電界が発生しない。このため、液晶層136には屈折率分布が存在しないので、S成分150とP152は各液晶セル120によって旋光するもの拡散効果を受けない。したがって、例えば図13Aに示すように、複数の凹部112aに設けられる発光素子114の全てを点灯した場合、光が二つの液晶セル120を通過しても大きく広がらず、各凹部112aから出力される光の拡散を反映するに留まる。その結果、xy平面においては、光源110の照射領域A0は、ほぼ光源110のxy平面における形状と相似の関係となる(図13B)。
(1)y方向への選択的拡散
一例として、図14Aのタイミングチャートに示すように液晶セル120を駆動するケースを考える。ここでは、第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セルの各々において、複数の第1の電極126に対し、隣接する第1の電極126間で位相が反転するように交流電圧を与え、複数の第2の電極128に対して一定電圧を印加するまたは電圧を与えない。一定電圧は、0Vでもよく、上記交流電圧に対する中間電位でもよい。
他の例として、図16Aのタイミングチャートに示すように液晶セル120を駆動するケースを考える。ここでは、第1の液晶セル120-1において、複数の第1の電極126に対し、隣接する第1の電極126間で位相が反転するように交流電圧を与え、複数の第2の電極128に対して一定電圧を印加するまたは電圧を与えない。一方、第2の液晶セル120-2においては、複数の第1の電極126に対して一定電圧を印加するまたは電圧を与えず、隣接する第2の電極128間で位相が反転するように交流電圧を与える。一定電圧は、0Vでもよく、上記交流電圧に対する中間電位でもよい。
他の例として、図17Aのタイミングチャートに示すように液晶セル120を駆動するケースを考える。ここでは、二つの第1の液晶セル120-1において、複数の第1の電極126に対し、隣接する第1の電極126間で位相が反転するように交流電圧を与え、複数の第2の電極128に対し、隣接する第2の電極128間で位相が反転するように交流電圧を与える。ただし、複数の第1の電極126に与えられる電圧と複数の第2の電極128に与えられる電圧はその大きさが相違する。ここでは、前者が後者よりも大きい例を用いて説明する。
本実施形態では、第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100の駆動方法とは異なる駆動方法について説明する。第1実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
本実施形態では、第1、第2実施形態で述べた照明装置100の駆動方法とは異なる駆動方法について説明する。第1、第2実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
本実施形態では、第1から第3実施形態で述べた照明装置100の駆動方法とは異なる駆動方法について説明する。第1から第3実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
本実施形態では、第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100の二つの変形例1、2について説明する。第1から第4実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
1-1.構成
第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100では、一つの列の複数の第1の電極126は、他の列(例えば隣接する列)の第1の電極126とは導通せず、他の列の第1の電極126から独立して制御される(図6参照)。同様に、一つの行の複数の第2の電極128は、他の行(例えば隣接する行)の第2の電極128とは導通せず、他の行の第2の電極128から独立して制御される(図7参照)。
本変形例1での液晶セル120の駆動方法の一例を説明する。ここでは、図29Aに示すように、反射板112が8行8列に配置される凹部112aを備え、第4行L4の第4列R4と第5列L5の第4列R4の凹部112aの発光素子114から光を出射し、y方向に拡散する場合を想定する。図27は、図29Aの点線で囲まれた領域における第1の電極126とそれに接続される配線138の配置を模式的に示しており、発光素子114は照射面116-2と116-5を形成する。y方向へ光を拡散させるため、図14Aに示すタイミングチャートに従うと、二つの液晶セル120の第1の電極126うち、駆動列である第4列R4の第1の電極126に互いに位相が異なる交流電圧V2、V3が印加され、第2の電極128には一定電圧を与えるまたは電圧を印加しない(図29B)。これにより、照射面116-2と116-5の光をy方向に拡散させることができる。
2-1.構成
本変形例2の照明装置100では、図30に示すように、二つの液晶セル120の少なくとも一方において、各列において一つ置きに選択される複数の第1の電極126が配線138を介して全て互いに電気的に接続され、互いに導通する。残りの第1の電極126は、各行で独立に制御される。さらに、あるいは、図31に示すように、二つの液晶セル120の少なくとも一方において、各行において一つ置きに選択される複数の第2の電極128が配線140を介して全て互いに電気的に接続され、互いに導通する。残りの第2の電極128は、各行で独立に制御される。このような接続を採用することで、変形例1と同様、配線138や140の数を低減することができ、液晶セル120の設計の自由度が向上する。また、隣接する行や列の間隔を低減することができるため、照明装置100の小型化が可能である。
本変形例2での液晶セル120の駆動方法の一例を説明する。ここでは、図32Aに示すように、反射板112が8行8列に配置される凹部112aを備え、第4行L4と第5行L5の第4列R4の凹部112aの発光素子114から光を出射し、y方向に拡散する場合を想定する。図30は、図32Aの点線で囲まれた領域における第1の電極126とそれに接続される配線138の配置を模式的に示しており、発光素子114は照射面116-2と116-5を形成する。y方向へ光を拡散させるため、二つの液晶セル120の第1の電極126のうち、駆動列である第4列R4において一つ置きに選択される複数の第1の電極126に対して一定電圧V1を印加し、残りの第1の電極126に対して交流電圧V3を印加する。第2の電極128には一定電圧を与えるまたは電圧を印加しない(図32B)。これにより、照射面116-2と116-5の光がy方向に拡散される。
本実施形態では、第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100の変形例3と4について説明する。第1から第5実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
変形例3に係る照明装置100は、図33Aとその鎖線C-C´に沿った端面の模式図(図33B)に示されるように、少なくとも一方の液晶セル120において、全ての凹部112aと重なる単一の第2の電極128が設けられる点で第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100と異なる。単一の第2の電極128は、複数または全ての第1の電極群125と重なる。この場合、各液晶層136の第2の電極128側では屈折率分布を形成できないため、光の拡散は第1の電極126側だけで生じる。したがって、この変形例3では、第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セル120-2の間で、第1の電極126の延伸方向が互いに直交するように照明装置100を構成することが好ましい。この変形例3を採用することで、第2の電極128のパターニングが不要となるため、製造工程が短くなり、より低コストで照明装置100を提供することができる。
変形例4に係る照明装置100は、図34Aとその鎖線D-D´に沿った端面の模式図(図34B)に示されるように、少なくとも一方の液晶セル120において、第2の電極128が設けられない点で第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100と異なる。この場合も各液晶層136の第2の電極128側では屈折率分布を形成できないため、光の拡散は第1の電極126側だけで生じる。したがって、この変形例3では、第1の液晶セル120-1と第2の液晶セル120-2の間で、第1の電極126の延伸方向が互いに直交するように照明装置100を構成することが好ましい。この変形例4を採用することで、第2の電極128の作製工程が不要となるため、製造工程が短くなり、より低コストで照明装置100を提供することができる。また、第2の電極128による光の吸収が完全に排除されるため、照明装置100の消費電力を低減することができる。
本実施形態では、第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100の変形例5、6について説明する。第1から第6実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
変形例5の照明装置100の第1の液晶セル120-1の第1の基板122と第2の基板124の模式的平面図を図35Aに、第2の液晶セル120-2の第1の基板122と第2の基板124の模式的平面図を図35Bに示す。これらの図に示すように、変形例5の照明装置100では、少なくとも一つの液晶セル120において、複数の第1の電極126は、その長手方向が第1の基板122の少なくとも一つの辺から傾くように配置される。第1の電極126の長手方向と第1の基板122の一つの辺との間の角度(第1の角度)は任意に設定することができ、例えば5°以上85°以下、30°以上60°以下であり、典型的には45°である。第1の実施形態で述べた照明装置100と同様、第1の配向膜132の配向方向は、第1の電極126の長手方向に対して垂直となる(白抜き矢印参照)。
変形例6の照明装置100の第1の液晶セル120-1の第1の基板122と第2の基板124の模式的平面図を図38Aに、第2の液晶セル120-2の第1の基板122と第2の基板124の模式的平面図を図38Bに示す。これらの図に示すように、変形例6の照明装置100では、少なくとも一つの液晶セル120において、第1の基板122が二つの領域に区分され、一方の領域(第1の領域)では、第1の電極126は、その長手方向が第1の基板122の少なくとも一つの辺と平行になるように配置され、他方の領域(第2の領域)では、変形例5のように、第1の電極126は、その長手方向が当該辺から傾くように配置される。
本実施形態では、第1実施形態で述べた照明装置100の駆動方法の変形例について述べる。第1から第7実施形態で述べた構成と同一または類似する構成については説明を割愛することがある。
Claims (19)
- m行n列のマトリクス状に配置された複数の発光素子を有する光源、
前記光源上の第1の液晶セル、および
前記第1の液晶セル上の第2の液晶セルを備え、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々は、
第1の基板、
前記第1の基板上に位置し、m行n列のマトリクス状に配置される複数の第1の電極群、
前記複数の第1の電極群上の液晶層、および
前記液晶層上の第2の基板を有し、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、
前記複数の第1の電極群の各々は、行方向に延伸する複数の第1の電極を有し、
第j行中第k列に位置する前記発光素子は、第j行中第k列に位置する前記第1の電極群と重なり、
前記第1の液晶セルの前記複数の第1の電極の長手方向は、前記第2の液晶セルの前記複数の第1の電極の長手方向と平行であり、
nとmは1よりも大きい自然数であり、jは1以上n以下の自然数から選択される変数であり、kは1以上m以下の自然数から選択される変数である、照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々は、前記液晶層と前記第2の基板の間に単一の第2の電極をさらに備え、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記第2の電極は前記複数の第1の電極群と重なる、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々は、前記液晶層と前記第2の基板の間にm行n列のマトリクス状に配置した複数の第2の電極群をさらに備え、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、
前記複数の第2の電極群の各々は、列方向に延伸する複数の第2の電極を有し、
前記第j行中前記第k列に位置する前記発光素子は、前記第j行中前記第k列に位置する前記第2の電極群と重なる、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 前記光源は、m行n列のマトリクス状に配置された複数の凹部を有する反射板を有し、
前記複数の発光素子は、対応する前記複数の凹部に配置され、
前記複数の凹部は、前記第j行中前記第k列に位置する前記凹部に設けられる前記発光素子からの光が、前記第1の液晶セル中の前記第j行中前記第k列に位置する前記第1の電極群に選択的に照射されるように構成される、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、
前記複数の第1の電極は、一定電圧または第1の交流電圧が印加されるように構成され、
前記第1の交流電圧が印加される場合、前記第1の交流電圧の位相は、同一の前記列内で隣接する前記第1の電極間で反転し、
前記一定電圧が印加される場合、前記一定電圧は、同一の前記列内で隣接する前記第1の電極間で異なる、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記複数の第2の電極は、一定電圧または第2の交流電圧が印加されるように構成され、
前記第2の交流電圧が印加される場合、前記第2の交流電圧の位相は、同一の前記行で隣接する前記第2の電極間で反転し、
前記一定電圧が印加される場合、前記一定電圧は、同一の前記行内で隣接する前記第2の電極間で異なる、請求項3に記載の照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記液晶層の厚さは20μm以上60μm以下である、請求項1に記載の照明装置。
- 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々は、
前記複数の第1の電極群と前記液晶層の間の第1の配向膜、および
前記液晶層と前記第2の基板の間に位置し、前記液晶層に接する第2の配向膜をさらに備え、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、
前記第1の配向膜の配向方向は、前記複数の第1の電極の前記長手方向に垂直であり、
前記第2の配向膜の配向方向は、前記第1の配向膜の前記配向方向に対して垂直である、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記第k列において一つ置きに選択される前記複数の第1の電極は、前記第k列に隣接する前記列において一つ置きに選択される前記複数の第1の電極と電気的に導通する、請求項1に記載の照明装置。
- 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記第j行において一つ置きに選択される前記複数の第2の電極は、前記第j行に隣接する前記行において一つ置きに選択される前記複数の第2の電極と電気的に導通する、請求項3に記載の照明装置。
- 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記各列において一つ置きに選択される前記複数の第1の電極は、互いに電気的に導通する、請求項1に記載の照明装置。
- 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、前記各行において一つ置きに選択される前記複数の第2の電極は、互いに電気的に導通する、請求項3に記載の照明装置。
- 前記光源は、前記複数の発光素子が互いに独立して制御されるように構成される、請求項1に記載の照明装置。
- 前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの各々において、
前記第1の基板は第1の領域と第2の領域を有し、
前記第2の基板は、前記第1の領域と前記第2の領域とそれぞれ重なる第3の領域と第4の領域を有し、
前記第1の領域の領域において、前記複数の第1の電極は前記第1の基板の辺に平行であり、
前記第2の領域の領域において、前記複数の第1の電極は前記第1の基板の前記辺から傾き、
前記第3の領域の領域において、前記複数の第2の電極は前記第2の基板の辺に平行であり、
前記第4の領域の領域において、前記複数の第1の電極は前記第2の基板の前記辺から傾く、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 前記第1の液晶セルと同一の構造を有する第3の液晶セルを前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの間に有し、
前記第2の液晶セルと同一の構造を有する第4の液晶セルを前記第2の液晶セル上に有し、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第3の液晶セルの間では、前記複数の第1の電極の前記長手方向は平行であり、
前記第2の液晶セルと前記第4の液晶セルの間では、前記複数の第1の電極の前記長手方向は平行であり、
前記第1の液晶セルと前記第2の液晶セルの間では、前記複数の第1の電極の前記長手方向は交差する、請求項1に記載の照明装置。 - 第1の基板、
前記第1の基板上に位置し、m行n列のマトリクス状に配置される複数の第1の電極群、
前記複数の第1の電極群上の液晶層、および
前記液晶層上の第2の基板を有し、
前記複数の第1の電極群の各々は、行方向に延伸する複数の第1の電極を有し、
第k列に配置された前記複数の第1電極群では、列方向に数えて奇数番目の前記第1の電極が第1の配線に接続されると共に、隅数番目の前記第1の電極は第2の配線に接続され、
第(k+1)列に配置された前記複数の第1電極群では、前記列方向に数えて奇数番目の前記第1の電極が第3の配線に接続されると共に、隅数番目の前記第1の電極は第4の配線に接続され、nとmは1よりも大きい自然数であり、kは1以上nよりも小さい自然数から選択される変数である、光学素子。 - 前記第1の配線から前記第4の配線に接続される駆動回路をさらに備え、
前記駆動回路は、前記第1の配線から前記第4の配線の各々に個別に電位を供給するように構成される、請求項16に記載の光学素子。 - 前記第2の基板下に位置し、m行n列のマトリクス状に配置される複数の第2の電極群をさらに備え、
前記複数の第2の電極群の各々は、列方向に延伸する複数の第2の電極を有し、
第j行に配置された前記複数の第2の電極群では、行方向に数えて奇数番目の前記第2の電極が第5の配線に接続されると共に、隅数番目の前記第2の電極は第6の配線に接続され、
第(j+1)列に配置された前記複数の第2の電極群では、前記列方向に数えて奇数番目の前記第2の電極が第7の配線に接続されると共に、隅数番目の前記第2の電極は第8の配線に接続され、
jは1以上mよりも小さい自然数から選択される変数である、請求項16に記載の光学素子。 - 前記第1の配線から前記第8の配線に接続される駆動回路をさらに備え、
前記駆動回路は、前記第1の配線から前記第8の配線の各々に個別に電位を供給するように構成される、請求項18に記載の光学素子。
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