JP2006330164A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a variable view angle type liquid crystal display device which facilitates alignment processing of a substrate internal surface of a view angle limiting element and is easy to manufacture. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display element 11 for image display with a wide view angle, a first view angle limiting element 12 which is opposed across a liquid crystal layer 24 having liquid crystal molecules aligned in an aligned state wherein a view angle is obtained in a direction tilted to the left about the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display and provided with electrodes 25 and 26 in a predetermined shape on internal surfaces of a pair of substrate 22 and 23 respectively, and a second view angle limiting element 13 which is opposed across a liquid crystal layer 30 having liquid crystal molecules aligned in an aligned state wherein a view angle is obtained in a direction tilted to the right about the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display and provided with electrodes 31 and 32 in a predetermined shape on internal surfaces of a pair of substrate 28 and 29 respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a variable viewing angle liquid crystal display device that can switch a viewing angle of a display image between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle.

  Conventionally, as a viewing angle limiting type liquid crystal display device capable of limiting the viewing angle, a wide viewing angle image display liquid crystal display element having a screen region in which a plurality of pixels for controlling light transmission are arranged in a matrix form, A device in which a viewing angle limiting element is arranged on one surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display is known.

  The viewing angle limiting element has different orientation processing directions for each of the divided areas obtained by dividing the area corresponding to the screen of the image display liquid crystal display element on the inner surfaces of a pair of substrates facing each other with a gap. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer sealed between the pair of substrates are tilted in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element for each of the divided regions. Aligned to an orientation state having a viewing angle in the opposite direction and an orientation state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in the opposite direction to the orientation direction, and corresponding to the partitioned regions on the inner surfaces facing each other of the pair of substrates Thus, an electrode having a predetermined shape is provided. Viewing angle (see Patent Document 1).

This viewing angle limited liquid crystal display device reduces the visibility of the display image viewing angle of the liquid crystal display element for image display from an oblique direction by applying a voltage between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element. When the voltage is not applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element, that is, when the viewing angle limiting element is in a non-display state, the liquid crystal display element for image display When a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element while the display image is seen with a wide viewing angle, the direction tilted in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display and vice versa When viewed from the direction tilted in the direction, the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display is displayed in each divided region having a viewing angle in the direction tilted in one direction of the viewing angle limiting element and in the opposite direction. In a tilted direction The display image of the image display liquid crystal display element is recognized from the one direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction because it is hidden by the display corresponding to the electrode of the predetermined shape in each segmented area having a field angle. The viewing angle of the display image is limited, and the viewing angle of the display image is narrowed.
JP 2000-133334 A

  However, the above-mentioned conventional viewing angle limiting type liquid crystal display device has the viewing angle for aligning the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer of the viewing angle limiting element in different viewing angle viewing angle alignment states for each of the divided regions. The inner surfaces of the pair of substrates of the angle limiting element must be subjected to a complicated alignment process (rubbing process of the alignment film) in which the direction is different for each of the divided regions, and thus there is a problem that the manufacture is difficult. .

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a variable viewing angle liquid crystal display device that can be easily manufactured by simplifying the alignment process of the substrate inner surface of the viewing angle limiting element.

  The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a wide viewing angle image display liquid crystal display element having a screen region in which a plurality of pixels for controlling light transmission are arranged in a matrix, and one surface of the image display liquid crystal display element An alignment state in which a liquid crystal molecule is arranged in a direction opposite to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display and has a viewing angle between a pair of substrates facing each other with a gap therebetween. A first viewing angle limiting element in which electrodes having a predetermined shape are provided on each of the mutually facing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, the liquid crystal display element for image display, A liquid crystal molecule is arranged between a pair of substrates disposed on one surface of a laminate with the first viewing angle limiting element and facing each other with a gap with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display. Viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element Is provided with a liquid crystal layer oriented in an orientation state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in the opposite direction, and a second field of view in which electrodes of a predetermined shape are provided on the mutually facing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, respectively. An angle limiting element is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display element having a wide viewing angle having a screen region in which a plurality of pixels for controlling light transmission are arranged in a matrix, and the liquid crystal display element for image display A viewing angle in a direction tilted in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display between a pair of substrates arranged on one side of the substrate and facing each other with a gap. And a liquid crystal layer that is aligned in an alignment state that colors transmitted light along a direction that is inclined in a direction opposite to the direction thereof is provided on each of the inner surfaces facing each other of the pair of substrates. And a viewing angle limiting element provided with a shaped electrode.

  In each of the liquid crystal display devices according to the present invention, the viewing angle limiting element is a single piece corresponding to the entire screen of the image display liquid crystal display element or a large area of the screen on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates. It is desirable to have a membrane electrode.

  In each liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the viewing angle limiting element is formed in advance on one inner surface of the pair of substrates and distributed in a region corresponding to the screen of the image display liquid crystal display element. It is desirable to have a plurality of pattern electrodes having different shapes, and to have an opposing electrode facing the plurality of pattern electrodes on the inner surface of the other substrate.

  The liquid crystal display device of the present invention is a liquid crystal display element for image display having a wide viewing angle and a direction in which liquid crystal molecules are inclined in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display between a pair of substrates. A first viewing angle limiting element in which a liquid crystal layer oriented in an orientation state having a viewing angle is provided, and electrodes having a predetermined shape are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, and the pair of substrates, A liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction tilted in a direction opposite to the viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display; And a second viewing angle limiting element provided with electrodes of a predetermined shape on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, so as to overlap each other, thereby displaying the field of view of the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display Limit the viewing angle to the first and second viewing angles By applying a voltage between the children of the electrodes is obtained by a switched to a narrow viewing angle from a wide viewing angle.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device, when no voltage is applied between the electrodes of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements, that is, when both the first and second viewing angle limiting elements are in the non-display state. The display image of the image display liquid crystal display element can be seen with a wide viewing angle.

  On the other hand, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements, when viewed from a direction inclined in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element, When the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element is hidden by the display of the first viewing angle limiting element having a viewing angle in the direction inclined in the one direction, and viewed from the direction inclined in the opposite direction Further, since the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display is hidden by the display of the second viewing angle limiting element having a viewing angle in the direction inclined in the opposite direction, the display image is inclined in the one direction and the opposite direction. From this direction, the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element cannot be recognized, and the viewing angle range of the display image becomes narrow.

  Therefore, according to this liquid crystal display device, the viewing angle of the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element can be switched between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer of the first viewing angle limiting element have a viewing angle in a direction inclined in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display. What is the viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display? Since alignment is performed in an alignment state having a viewing angle in the direction inclined in the opposite direction, the alignment treatment of the substrate inner surfaces of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements may be simple unidirectional rubbing, and therefore easy to manufacture. can do.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements have shapes corresponding to the entire screen of the image display liquid crystal display element or a large area of the screen on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates. It is desirable to have a single film-like electrode, and by doing so, all or large of the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display from the one direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction. A narrow viewing angle display in which a portion cannot be recognized can be performed.

  In the liquid crystal display device, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements are formed on one inner surface of the pair of substrates and distributed in a region corresponding to a screen of the image display liquid crystal display element. It is desirable to have a plurality of pattern electrodes of a predetermined shape and to have an opposing electrode facing the plurality of pattern electrodes on the inner surface of the other substrate. A narrow viewing angle display in which the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display can be recognized only partially from the direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction can be performed.

  According to another liquid crystal display device of the present invention, a liquid crystal molecule is tilted in one direction with respect to a normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display between a liquid crystal display element for image display with a wide viewing angle and a pair of substrates. A liquid crystal layer that is aligned in an alignment state that colors transmitted light along a direction inclined in a direction opposite to the viewing angle in a direction opposite to the direction, and the inner surfaces facing each other of the pair of substrates In addition, the viewing angle limiting element provided with the electrode having a predetermined shape is arranged so as to overlap each other, whereby the viewing angle of the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display is set between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element. By switching the voltage, a wide viewing angle is switched to a narrow viewing angle.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device, when no voltage is applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element, that is, when the viewing angle limiting element is in a non-display state, the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display is a wide field of view. It looks in the corner.

  On the other hand, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element, the liquid crystal display element for image display is viewed from a direction inclined in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display. Is hidden by the display of the viewing angle limiting element having a viewing angle in the direction inclined in the one direction, and when viewed from the direction inclined in the opposite direction, the liquid crystal display element for image display Since the display image is hidden by the light colored by passing through the viewing angle limiting element in the same manner as when the color filter of the color is viewed in a superimposed manner, the display image is not inclined from the one direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction. The display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display cannot be recognized, and the range of the viewing angle of the display image is narrowed.

  Therefore, according to this liquid crystal display device, the viewing angle of the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element can be switched between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer of the viewing angle limiting element are in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display. Because of the orientation, the orientation treatment of the substrate inner surface of the viewing angle limiting element may be simple one-way rubbing, and can be easily manufactured.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the viewing angle limiting element is formed as a single film on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, corresponding to the entire screen of the liquid crystal display element for image display or a large area of the screen. It is desirable to have electrodes, and in this way, a narrow field of view in which all or most of the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display cannot be recognized from the one direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction. Corner display can be performed.

  Further, in this liquid crystal display device, the viewing angle limiting element has a predetermined shape formed on one inner surface of the pair of substrates distributed in a region corresponding to the screen of the image display liquid crystal display element. It is desirable to have a plurality of pattern electrodes, and to have an opposing electrode facing the plurality of pattern electrodes on the inner surface of the other substrate, and in this way, it is inclined in the one direction and the opposite direction. From this direction, a narrow viewing angle display in which the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element can be recognized only partially can be performed.

(First embodiment)
1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display device.

  The electronic device shown in FIG. 1 includes a telephone main body 1, an open state in which a base end is pivotally supported by a distal end of the telephone main body 1, and projects outward from the telephone main body 1 as shown in the figure. And a lid 2 that opens and closes to a closed state, and is provided with a keyboard 3 and a microphone 4 on the front surface of the telephone body 1 (the overlapping surface of the lid 2). A foldable mobile phone in which a display unit 5 and a speaker unit 6 are provided on the front surface of the body 2 (the surface facing the front surface of the telephone body 1 when folded), and is opposed to the display unit 5 in the lid 2. The liquid crystal display device 10 is disposed, and a surface light source (not shown) is disposed on the rear side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device 10 has a wide viewing angle liquid crystal display element 11 having a wide viewing angle having a screen region in which a plurality of pixels that control light transmission are arranged in a matrix, and the image display. One surface of the laminate of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 and the image viewing liquid crystal display element 11 and the first viewing angle limiting element 12 arranged so as to overlap with one surface of the liquid crystal display element 11 for display. And a second viewing angle limiting element 13 arranged so as to overlap with each other.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment, the first viewing angle limiting element 12 is arranged on the rear side (opposite to the observation side) of the image display liquid crystal display element 11, and this first viewing angle limiting element is arranged. The second viewing angle limiting element 13 is disposed on the rear side of the element 12, and the image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the first viewing angle limiting element disposed on the rear side of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 are arranged. The liquid crystal cell 21, the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 disposed on the rear side of the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21, and the front side (observation side) of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 are disposed. The first polarizing plate 33, the second polarizing plate 34 disposed between the image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21, and the first viewing angle limiting Third polarizing plate disposed between the liquid crystal cell 21 for use and the second liquid crystal cell 27 for limiting the viewing angle 5, is made from the fourth polarizing plate 36. which is arranged on the rear side of the second viewing angle restricting liquid crystal cell 27.

  The image display liquid crystal display element 11 includes the image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the first and second polarizing plates 33 and 34 disposed on the front side and the rear side thereof. The viewing angle limiting element 12 includes the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 and the second and third polarizing plates 34 and 35 disposed on the front and rear sides thereof. The viewing angle limiting element 13 includes the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 and the third and fourth polarizing plates 35 and 36 disposed on the front and rear sides thereof.

  The liquid crystal cell 14 for image display has a liquid crystal layer 17 in a region surrounded by the sealing material between a pair of transparent substrates 15 and 16 facing each other with a gap joined via a frame-shaped sealing material (not shown). And is provided with transparent electrodes 18 and 19 for forming a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix by mutually facing regions on the mutually facing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 15 and 16, respectively. ing.

  The image display liquid crystal cell 14 is provided with a plurality of pixel electrodes 18 arranged in a matrix in the row direction and the column direction on the inner surface of one substrate, for example, the front substrate 15 which is a display observation side. This is an active matrix liquid crystal cell in which a single-film counter electrode 19 facing the arrangement region of the plurality of pixel electrodes 18 is provided on the inner surface of this substrate, that is, the rear substrate 16, and is omitted in FIG. However, on the inner surface of the front substrate 15, active elements made of TFTs (thin film transistors) respectively connected to the plurality of pixel electrodes 18, a plurality of gate wirings for supplying gate signals to the TFTs in each row, and each column A plurality of data lines for supplying data signals to the TFTs are provided.

  Further, the image display liquid crystal cell 14 includes three color filters 20R and 20G of red, green, and blue respectively corresponding to a plurality of pixels including regions in which the plurality of pixel electrodes 18 and the counter electrode 19 face each other. 20B, and these color filters 20R, 20G, and 20B are formed on the substrate surface of the rear substrate 16, for example, and the counter electrode 19 is formed thereon.

  The image display liquid crystal display element 11 is, for example, a TN (twisted nematic) liquid crystal display element, and the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 15 and 16 of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 are provided so as to cover the electrodes 18 and 19. Each of the horizontal alignment films (not shown) is rubbed in one direction in directions substantially perpendicular to each other, and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 17 are aligned in the vicinity of the pair of substrates 15 and 16. Is defined by the orientation processing direction of the inner surface of each substrate, and the two substrates 15 and 16 are twist-oriented with a twist angle of substantially 90 °.

  The first and second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21 and 27 are respectively disposed between a pair of transparent substrates 22 and 23 facing each other with a gap joined via a frame-shaped sealing material (not shown), and Liquid crystal layers 24 and 30 are provided in a region surrounded by the sealing material between 28 and 29, and a transparent electrode 25 having a predetermined shape is formed on each of the inner surfaces facing each other of the pair of substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29. , 26 and 31, 32, and in this embodiment, the electrodes 25, 26 on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22, 23 of the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21, and the first The electrodes 31 and 32 on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 28 and 29 of the two viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 27 are formed in a single film shape corresponding to the entire screen of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. ing.

  In this liquid display element device, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 24 of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 are inclined in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 30 of the second viewing angle limiting element 13 are aligned in an alignment state having a viewing angle, and the first viewing angle limitation is performed with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. The element 12 is oriented in an orientation state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in a direction opposite to the viewing angle of the element 12.

  Each of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 is, for example, a TN type liquid crystal display element, and a pair of substrates 22 and 23 of the first and second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21 and 27 and The inner surfaces of 28 and 29 are aligned by rubbing horizontal alignment films (not shown) provided so as to cover the electrodes 25, 26 and 31 and 32 in directions substantially perpendicular to each other, The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layers 24 and 30 have the alignment direction in the vicinity of the pair of substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29 defined by the alignment treatment direction of the inner surface of each substrate, and between the substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29. The twist orientation is substantially at a twist angle of 90 °.

  FIG. 3 shows the alignment processing direction (rubbing direction of the alignment film) on the substrate inner surface of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 and the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13, and the first to fourth polarizations. It is a figure which shows the direction of the absorption axis of board 33,34,35,36, 15a and 16a are the alignment process directions of the front substrate 15 and the back substrate 16 of the said liquid crystal cell 14 for image displays, 22a and 23a are the said 1st. The orientation processing directions of the front substrate 22 and the rear substrate 23 of the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21, and 28 a and 29 a are the alignment processing of the front substrate 28 and the rear substrate 29 of the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27. The directions 33a, 34a, 35a, and 36a indicate the absorption axes of the polarizing plates 33, 34, 35, and 36, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front substrate 15 of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 is positioned in the upper right direction of the screen when viewed from the front with respect to the horizontal axis (not shown) of the screen of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. Oriented in a direction shifted by approximately 45 °, the rear substrate 16 is aligned in a direction shifted by approximately 45 ° in the lower right direction of the screen when viewed from the front side with respect to the horizontal axis of the screen. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 17 of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 have a twist angle of substantially 90 ° from the lower right direction to the lower left direction of the screen, as indicated by an arc arrow in the figure. Twist orientation.

  The image display liquid crystal display element 11 has a wide viewing angle in a range of angles inclined at substantially the same angle in the horizontal direction of the screen about the front direction of the screen (normal direction of the screen).

  On the other hand, the front substrate 22 of the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 is displaced by about 45 ° in the lower right direction of the screen when viewed from the front side with respect to the horizontal axis of the screen (image display liquid crystal cell). 14, the rear substrate 23 is substantially 45 ° in the lower left direction of the screen when viewed from the front side with respect to the horizontal axis of the screen. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 24 of the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 are aligned in a shifted direction, and the twist direction of the liquid crystal molecules from the lower left direction of the screen as indicated by an arc arrow in the figure. The twist orientation is substantially 90 ° in the upper left direction.

  Therefore, the first viewing angle limiting element 12 has a viewing angle in the front direction of the screen, that is, in the direction inclined leftward when viewed from the front side with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. is doing.

  In addition, the front substrate 28 of the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 is displaced by approximately 45 ° in the upper left direction of the screen when viewed from the front side with respect to the horizontal axis of the screen (first viewing angle). And the rear substrate 29 is viewed from the front side with respect to the horizontal axis of the screen. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 30 of the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 are aligned in a direction deviated by about 45 °, and the twist direction of the liquid crystal molecules shown in FIG. The twist orientation is substantially 90 degrees from the upper right direction to the lower right direction of the screen.

  Therefore, the second viewing angle limiting element 13 is opposite to the viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 with respect to the normal direction (front direction of the screen) of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. The viewing angle is in the direction, that is, the direction inclined to the right as viewed from the front side.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment, the image display liquid crystal display element 11 and the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are respectively in a normally white mode, and the image display is performed. The first polarizing plate 33 on the front side of the liquid crystal cell 14 has an absorption axis 33a substantially parallel or orthogonal to the alignment processing direction 15a of the front substrate 15 of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 (parallel in FIG. 3). The second polarizing plate 34 disposed between the image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 has an absorption axis 34a on the front side of the first polarizing plate. The third polarized light is arranged between the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 and the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 and is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the absorption axis 33a of 33. The plate 35 has its absorption shaft 35a on the front side The fourth polarizing plate 36 disposed substantially perpendicular to the absorption axis 34a of the second polarizing plate 34 and disposed on the rear side of the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 has its absorption. The shaft 36 a is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the absorption axis 35 a of the front third polarizing plate 35.

  The product Δnd of the birefringence anisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 and the liquid crystal layer thickness d is set to, for example, 440 to 500 nm, preferably 476 nm. The liquid crystal display element 11 applies a plurality of gradation voltages in a range of substantially 0 V to about 5 V according to image data between the electrodes 18 and 19 of each pixel of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 by a drive circuit (not shown). To display the image.

  On the other hand, the values of Δnd of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are larger than Δnd of the image display liquid crystal display element 11, for example, Δnd of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. It is set to about 1.1 to 4 times. The value of Δnd of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 is 500 to 2000 nm, preferably about 1000 nm.

  The first and second viewing angle restricting elements 12 and 13 are front faces when a voltage of about 2 V is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 and 31 and 32 of the viewing angle restricting liquid crystal cells 21 and 27, respectively. The display viewed from the direction turns black.

  The first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13 are displayed between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21, 27 by a viewing angle switching drive circuit (not shown). Is driven by applying a voltage having a constant value set to about 1/2 of the voltage (about 2V) at which substantially becomes black, that is, about 1V.

  The viewing angle switching drive circuit is, for example, when the wide viewing angle is selected by the viewing angle selection key 7 provided on the lid 2 or the telephone body 1 of the mobile phone shown in FIG. When a narrow viewing angle is selected without applying a voltage between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21, 27, the first and second viewing angles are selected. The constant value voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the corner limiting liquid crystal cells 21, 27.

  That is, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 apply liquid crystal molecules to the surfaces of the substrates 22 and 23 by applying the constant voltage of about 1 V between the electrodes 25 and 26 and 31 and 32. In addition, the display is viewed from the front direction at the time of driving with a predetermined angle with respect to the 28th and 29th planes, and the display viewed from the front direction is almost white. The display of the liquid crystal molecules viewed from the direction along the average molecular long axis direction is black.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment, liquid crystal molecules are arranged between the image display liquid crystal display element 11 having a wide viewing angle and a pair of substrates 22 and 23 with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. The liquid crystal layer 24 is aligned in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in one direction, and electrodes 25 and 26 having predetermined shapes are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22 and 23, respectively. Between the first viewing angle limiting element 12 and the pair of substrates 28, 29, liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. Is provided with a liquid crystal layer 30 aligned in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in the opposite direction, and electrodes 31 and 32 having predetermined shapes are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 28 and 29, respectively. Two viewing angle limiting elements 13 and By arranging them in an overlapping manner, the range of the viewing angle of the display image of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display is set between the electrodes 25 and 26 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 and between 31 and 32. Is switched from a wide viewing angle to a narrow viewing angle by applying a constant voltage of about 1 V to the above.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device 10, when no voltage is applied between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13, that is, the first and second viewing fields. When both the angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are in the non-display state (when the liquid crystal molecules are in the initial twist alignment state), the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are the visual field of the liquid crystal display device 10. Therefore, the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 can be seen with a wide viewing angle.

  On the other hand, when the constant voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13, respectively, the method of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display is applied. The first viewing angle limiting element in which the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 has a viewing angle in the direction inclined in the left direction when viewed from the direction inclined in the left direction with respect to the line direction. The display of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display is hidden by the black display 12 and viewed from the opposite direction, that is, the direction inclined to the right with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. Since the image is hidden by the black display of the second viewing angle limiting element 13 having the viewing angle in the direction inclined to the right direction, the liquid crystal display for image display is displayed from the direction inclined to the left direction and the right direction. Recognize display image of element 11 The viewing angle range of the display image is in the vicinity of the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display, that is, the display of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 appears almost white. A narrow angle range near the front direction.

  Therefore, according to the liquid crystal display device 10, the range of the viewing angle of the display image of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display can be switched between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle.

  4 shows a front direction when no voltage is applied between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13 of the liquid crystal display device 10 (liquid crystal display element for image display). 11 is a display example diagram viewed from the direction inclined to the left and right with respect to the front direction, and FIG. 5 is a view of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13. It is a display example diagram seen from the direction inclined to the left direction and the right direction with respect to the front direction and the front direction when the constant voltage of about 1V is applied between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32, Here, an example in which an electronic mail is displayed on the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when no voltage is applied between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13, the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is displayed. Can be recognized from both the front direction and the direction inclined to the left and right with respect to the front direction, and therefore the display image can be displayed with a wide viewing angle so that it can be viewed by a plurality of people. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29 of the liquid crystal cells 21, 27, respectively. Since the single film-like electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 corresponding to the entire screen of the display element 11 are provided, the electrodes 25 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13 are provided. When the constant voltage of about 1V is applied between 26 and 31 and 32, the entire screen is seen when viewed from the left and right directions with respect to the front direction as shown in FIG. Therefore, the display image can be displayed with a narrow viewing angle so as not to be seen by others.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 24 of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 are aligned in one direction (in this embodiment, with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display). The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 30 of the second viewing angle limiting element 13 are aligned with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. Thus, the first and second fields of view are oriented in an orientation state having a field angle in a direction inclined in a direction opposite to the viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element (right direction in this embodiment). The orientation processing of the substrate inner surfaces of the angle limiting elements 12 and 13 may be simple unidirectional rubbing, and thus can be easily manufactured.

  Further, as described above, in the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are disposed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22 and 23 and 28 and 29, respectively. Since the single-film electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 having a shape corresponding to the entire screen of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display are provided, the one direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction are the above. A narrow viewing angle display in which the entire display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 cannot be recognized can be performed.

  The electrodes 25, 26, 31, 32 on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22, 23, 28, 29 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13 are the screen of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. Not only the shape corresponding to the whole but also the shape corresponding to the majority of the area of the screen, for example, the shape corresponding to the area excluding the peripheral edge of the screen, From this direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction, a narrow viewing angle display in which most of the display image of the liquid crystal display element for image display 11 cannot be recognized can be performed.

  Further, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are provided on one inner surface of the pair of substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29 in a region corresponding to the screen of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. A plurality of pattern electrodes having a predetermined shape formed in a distributed manner may be provided, and an inner surface of the other substrate may be provided with a counter electrode opposed to the plurality of pattern electrodes. From the one direction and the direction inclined in the opposite direction, a narrow viewing angle display in which the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 can be recognized only partially can be performed.

  The plurality of pattern electrodes are commonly connected to each other by ultra fine pattern electrode connection lines, and the counter electrode is formed in a shape facing each of the plurality of pattern electrodes, and each of the electrodes is formed as an ultra fine counter electrode connection line. May be connected in common to each other, or may be formed in a single film shape facing the entire distribution region of the plurality of pattern electrodes. By doing so, the plurality of pattern electrodes and the counter electrodes A constant value voltage (a voltage of about 1 V) can be applied simultaneously.

  As described above, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are provided with a plurality of pattern electrodes on one inner surface of the pair of substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29, and the plurality of the plurality of pattern electrodes on the inner surface of the other substrate. When the counter electrode facing the pattern electrode is provided, the plurality of pattern electrodes of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 and the plurality of pattern electrodes of the second viewing angle limiting element 13 are substantially They may be formed in the same pattern or in different patterns.

  6 and 7 show a modification of the first embodiment, and the constant voltage of about 1 V between the electrodes 25, 26 and 31, 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13 is shown. It is the example of a display seen from the direction which inclined to the left direction and the right direction with respect to the front direction when the value voltage is applied, and the said front direction.

  6 is an example in which a plurality of pattern electrodes of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 and a plurality of pattern electrodes of the second viewing angle limiting element 13 are respectively formed in a checkered pattern. In this modification, the left and right directions with respect to the front direction when the constant value voltage is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 and 31 and 32 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13. The display viewed from the tilted direction is a display in which the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is partially hidden by the checkered black display b.

  Further, in the modification of FIG. 7, a plurality of pattern electrodes of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 having a viewing angle in the direction tilted to the left are formed in English letters, and the viewing angle in the direction tilted to the right A plurality of pattern electrodes of the second viewing angle limiting element 13 having a checkered pattern are formed. In this modification, the electrodes 25 and 26 of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are formed. The display viewed from the direction tilted to the left with respect to the front direction when the constant value voltage is applied between the electrodes 31 and 32 is a display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 having a plurality of letters. The display is partially hidden by the black display c, and the display viewed from the direction inclined rightward is the display in which the display image is partially hidden by the checkered black display b.

  In the first embodiment, the first viewing angle limiting element 12 having a viewing angle in the direction inclined leftward is disposed on the rear side of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display, and rightward on the rear side. A second viewing angle limiting element 13 having a viewing angle in a tilted direction is arranged. Any one of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 is the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. You may arrange | position adjacent to.

  Further, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 may be arranged on the front side of the image display liquid crystal display element 11, and the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 are arranged. One of the above may be arranged on the front side of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display, and the other may be arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display.

(Second Embodiment)
8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display device. FIG. 9 is a liquid crystal display element for image display and first and second viewing angle restrictions. It is a figure which shows the orientation processing direction of the board | substrate inner surface of an element, and the direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10a of this embodiment, the front side (observation side) of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 having a wide viewing angle is arranged in one direction (for example, left) with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. A viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element 12 with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. A second viewing angle limiting element 13 having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in the opposite direction (for example, the right direction) is arranged so as to overlap each other.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device 10a, one of the first and second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21 and 27, for example, the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 is disposed on the front side of the image display liquid crystal cell 14. The other viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell, that is, the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 is disposed on the front side of the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27, and the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 is disposed. The front side of the liquid crystal cell 21, between the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 and the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27, the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 and the image display liquid crystal. The first to fourth polarizing plates 33, 34, 35, and 36 are disposed between the cell 14 and the rear side of the image display liquid crystal cell 14, respectively, and the image display liquid crystal display element 11. Are arranged on the front and rear sides of the image display liquid crystal cell 14. The first viewing angle limiting element 12 is arranged on the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 and on the front and rear sides thereof. The second viewing angle limiting element 13 is arranged on the second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 27 and on the front side and the rear side thereof. The second and third polarizing plates 34 and 35 are formed.

  The image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the first and second viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21 and 27 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the first to fourth polarizing plates 33 are used. , 34, 35, 36, absorption axes 33 a, 34 a, 35 a,. 36a is arranged in the direction shown in FIG.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10a of this embodiment, the first and second viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13 are arranged on the front side of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
10 to 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display device. FIG. 11 is an orientation treatment of the inner surface of the substrate of the image display liquid crystal display element and the viewing angle limiting element. It is a figure which shows the direction and direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate.

  The liquid crystal display device 10b of this embodiment has a wide viewing angle between the pair of transparent substrates 22 and 23 facing each other with a gap on the rear side (the side opposite to the observation side) of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. The liquid crystal molecules have a viewing angle in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display, for example, the direction inclined to the left direction, and along the direction inclined in the opposite direction. The viewing angle limiting element 12a is provided with a liquid crystal layer 24 that is aligned in an alignment state that colors transmitted light, and transparent electrodes 25 and 26 having a predetermined shape are provided on the mutually facing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates, respectively. Are arranged in layers.

  That is, the liquid crystal display device 10b includes an image display liquid crystal cell 14 having the same configuration as the first and second embodiments, and a viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell in which the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 24 are aligned in the alignment state. 21a, a first polarizing plate 33 disposed in front of the image display liquid crystal cell 14, and a second polarization disposed between the image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a. A plate 34 and a third polarizing plate 35 disposed on the rear side of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a. The image display liquid crystal display element 11 includes the image display liquid crystal cell 14, The viewing angle limiting element 12a includes the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a, the front side thereof, and the first and second polarizing plates 33 and 34 disposed on the front side and the rear side. The second and third polarizations arranged on the rear side It is constituted by a 34, 35.

  The viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a has substantially the same configuration as the first viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21 of the first and second embodiments.

  That is, in the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a, as shown in FIG. 11, the alignment processing directions 22a and 23a of the pair of substrates 22 and 23, the inner surface of the front substrate 22 is disposed on the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. A direction shifted substantially 45 ° in the lower right direction of the screen when viewed from the front side with respect to the horizontal axis (not shown) of the screen (substantially the alignment processing direction 16a of the rear substrate 16 of the image display liquid crystal cell 14). In the same direction), and the inner surface of the rear substrate 23 is oriented in a direction shifted by about 45 ° in the lower left direction of the screen when viewed from the observation side with respect to the horizontal axis of the screen. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 24 of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a have a twist angle of substantially 90 ° from the lower left direction to the upper left direction of the screen, as indicated by an arc arrow in FIG. Twist orientation.

  Therefore, the viewing angle limiting element 12a has a viewing angle in the front direction of the screen, that is, in the direction inclined to the left as viewed from the observation side with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. Yes.

  Further, the value of Δnd of the viewing angle limiting element 12a is larger than Δnd of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 in the same manner as the viewing angle limiting elements 12 and 13 of the first and second embodiments. For example, the value is set to about 1.1 to 4 times Δnd of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display, that is, 500 to 2000 nm, preferably about 1000 nm.

  In the viewing angle limiting element 12a, when a voltage of about 2 V is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a, the display viewed from the front becomes black (very dark blue).

  The viewing angle limiting element 12a is used for switching a viewing angle (not shown) when a wide viewing angle is selected by, for example, a viewing angle selection key 7 provided on the lid 2 or the telephone body 1 of the cellular phone shown in FIG. A constant voltage which is set to about 1/2 of the voltage (about 2V) for displaying black between the electrodes 25 and 26 of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cells 21 and 27 by the driving circuit, ie, about 1V, when viewed from the front. A constant voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26, and liquid crystal molecules are determined in advance for the substrates 22, 23 and 28, 29. Display viewed from the front when tilted and tilted at an angle is almost white, and viewed from the viewing angle direction, that is, the direction along the average molecular major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules tilted and aligned Is black and in the front direction The display viewed from the direction inclined in the direction opposite to the viewing angle direction is, for example, orange (dark blue) in which transmitted light along the direction is colored by the wavelength dependence of Δnd of the viewing angle limiting element 12a. Complementary color) display.

  In this embodiment, the viewing angle limiting element 12a is disposed on one of the pair of substrates 22 and 23 of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a, for example, on the inner surface of the front substrate 22, with the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. A plurality of pattern electrodes 25a having a predetermined shape formed distributed in a region corresponding to the screen are provided, and a counter electrode 26a facing the plurality of pattern electrodes 25a is provided on the inner surface of the other substrate, that is, the rear substrate 23. It is set as the structure which provided.

  The plurality of pattern electrodes 25a provided on the inner surface of one substrate 22 of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a are commonly connected to each other by a fine pattern electrode connection line (not shown). The counter electrode 26a provided on the inner surface is formed in a shape facing each of the plurality of pattern electrodes 25a, and the electrodes are commonly connected to each other by a fine counter electrode connection line, or the plurality of pattern electrodes It is formed in a single film shape facing the entire distribution region 25a.

  The first to third polarizing plates 33, 34, and 35 have absorption axes 33a, 34a, and 35a, respectively, in order to set the image display liquid crystal display element 11 and the viewing angle limiting element 12a to the normally white mode. 35a is arranged in the direction shown in FIG.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10b of this embodiment, liquid crystal molecules are arranged between the image display liquid crystal display element 11 having a wide viewing angle and the pair of substrates 22 and 23 with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. The pair of substrates is provided with a liquid crystal layer 24 having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in one direction and oriented in an alignment state for coloring transmitted light along a direction inclined in a direction opposite to the direction. A display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is formed by arranging a viewing angle limiting element 12a provided with electrodes 25a and 26a having a predetermined shape on the inner surfaces facing each other of 22 and 23, respectively. The viewing angle is switched from a wide viewing angle to a narrow viewing angle by applying the constant voltage of about 1 V between the electrodes 25a and 26a of the viewing angle limiting element 12a.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device 10b, when no voltage is applied between the electrodes 25a and 26a of the viewing angle limiting element 12a, that is, the viewing angle limiting element 12a is in a non-display state (liquid crystal molecules are in an initial twist alignment state). The viewing angle limiting element 12a does not affect the viewing angle of the liquid crystal display device 10b, and therefore, similar to the display of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The displayed image is visible with a wide viewing angle.

  On the other hand, when the constant voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes 25a and 26a of the viewing angle limiting element 12a, the viewing angle is viewed from the direction inclined to the left with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. Sometimes, the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element is hidden by the black display of the viewing angle limiting element 12a having a viewing angle in the direction tilted leftward, and tilted in the opposite direction, that is, rightward. When viewed from the direction, when the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is viewed by overlapping the color filter of the color with the light that is transmitted through the viewing angle limiting element 12a and colored in the orange color. Therefore, the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 cannot be recognized from the directions inclined to the left and right, and the viewing angle of the display image is set to the image display. It becomes narrow angular range around the normal direction of the liquid crystal display device 11.

  FIG. 12 shows that the constant voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes 25a and 26a of the viewing angle limiting element 12a in the liquid crystal display device 10b in which a plurality of pattern electrodes 25a of the viewing angle limiting element 12a are formed in English letters. It is the example of a display seen from the front direction and the direction inclined to the left direction and the right direction with respect to the said front direction, and here, the example which displayed the e-mail on the said liquid crystal display element 11 for image display Show.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the liquid crystal display device 10b has a display viewed from a direction inclined leftward with respect to the front direction when the constant voltage is applied between the electrodes 25a and 26a of the viewing angle limiting element 12a. However, the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is partially hidden by a plurality of English-character black displays e, and the display image viewed from the direction inclined rightward is the display image The display is partially hidden by the plurality of English colored display f, and therefore the display image can be displayed with a narrow viewing angle so as not to be seen by others.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10b, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 24 of the viewing angle limiting element 12a are aligned in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 (left direction in this embodiment). Since the alignment is performed in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined to the surface, the alignment treatment of the substrate inner surface of the viewing angle limiting element 12a may be simple one-way rubbing, and can be easily manufactured.

  In the third embodiment, the viewing angle limiting element 12a is formed on the inner surface of one substrate (front substrate) 22 and distributed in a region corresponding to the screen of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. A plurality of pattern electrodes 25a having a predetermined shape are provided, and a counter electrode 26a facing the plurality of pattern electrodes 25a is provided on the inner surface of the other substrate (rear substrate) 23. The limiting element 12a is provided with a single-film electrode having a shape corresponding to the entire screen of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 or a large area of the screen on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22 and 23. A narrow viewing angle table in which all or most of the display image of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display cannot be recognized from the directions inclined to the left and right directions. It can be carried out.

  FIG. 13 shows a modification of the third embodiment with respect to the front direction and the front direction when the constant value voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 of the viewing angle limiting element 12a. It is the example of a display seen from the direction inclined in the left direction and the right direction.

  In this modification, a single-film electrode having a shape corresponding to the entire screen of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates 22 and 23 of the viewing angle limiting element 12a. According to this modification, the display viewed from the direction tilted to the left with respect to the front direction when the constant value voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element 12a covers the entire screen. The display viewed from the direction inclined rightward with respect to the front direction as the black display g can be a display in which the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is hidden by the colored display h over the entire screen. .

  The liquid crystal display device 10b according to the third embodiment has a viewing angle limiting element 12a having a viewing angle in the front direction, that is, in the direction inclined to the left with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display. The viewing angle limiting element disposed so as to overlap the image display liquid crystal display element 11 is a viewing angle limiting element having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in the opposite direction, that is, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. Transmitted light having a viewing angle in a direction inclined rightward with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for image display and along a direction inclined in the opposite direction (leftward) to that direction May be provided with a viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell that is aligned in an alignment state for coloring, in which case, when the constant value voltage of about 1 V is applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element, the image In the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element 11 for display Thus, the display viewed from the direction inclined rightward is a display in which the display image of the image display liquid crystal display element is hidden by the black display of the viewing angle limiting element, and is inclined in the opposite direction, that is, leftward. The display viewed from the right direction becomes a display in which the display image is hidden by the colored light transmitted through the viewing angle limiting element.

  In the third embodiment, the viewing angle limiting element 12a is disposed on the rear side of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. However, the viewing angle limiting element 12a is not limited to the liquid crystal display for image display. You may overlap and arrange on the front side of the element 11.

(Fourth embodiment)
14 and 15 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a part of the liquid crystal display device. FIG. 15 is an orientation of the inner surface of the substrate of the liquid crystal display element for image display and the viewing angle limiting element. It is a figure which shows the process direction and the direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate.

  The liquid crystal display device 10c of this embodiment is tilted in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 on the front side (observation side) of the image display liquid crystal display element 11 having a wide viewing angle. A viewing angle limiting element 12a having a viewing angle in the direction is overlaid.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device 10c, on the front side of the image display liquid crystal cell 14, between one pair of substrates 22 and 23, liquid crystal molecules are placed in one direction with respect to the normal direction of the image display liquid crystal display element 11. For example, the pair of substrates is provided with a liquid crystal layer 24 that has a viewing angle in a direction inclined to the left direction and is aligned in an alignment state that colors transmitted light along a direction inclined in the opposite direction. A viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a provided with a transparent electrode having a predetermined shape is disposed on each of the mutually opposing inner surfaces, and the front side of the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a and the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a are arranged. And the image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the rear side of the image display liquid crystal cell 14 are disposed with first to third polarizing plates 33, 34, and 35, respectively. The liquid crystal display element 11 is The image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the second and third polarizing plates 34 and 35 disposed on the front and rear sides thereof, and the viewing angle limiting element 12a is the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell. 21a, and the first and second polarizing plates 33 and 34 disposed on the front and rear sides thereof.

  The image display liquid crystal cell 14 and the viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell 21a are the same as those in the third embodiment, and the first to third polarizing plates 33, 34, and 35 In order to set the display liquid crystal display element 11 and the viewing angle limiting element 12a to the normally white mode, the absorption axes 33a, 34a, and 35a are arranged in the direction shown in FIG.

  In the liquid crystal display device 10c of this embodiment, the viewing angle limiting element 12a is disposed on the front side of the image display liquid crystal display device 11, but the basic configuration is the liquid crystal display device of the third embodiment. Therefore, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

(Other embodiments)
The liquid crystal display devices 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c of the first to fourth embodiments described above include the normally white mode image display liquid crystal display element 11, but the image display liquid crystal display. The element may be a normally black mode display element in which the absorption axes of the polarizing plates before and after the element are substantially parallel to each other.

  The liquid crystal display element for image display is not limited to the TN type, and other types of wide viewing angle liquid crystal display elements, for example, liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface, Vertical alignment type liquid crystal display elements that are tilted and aligned by applying a voltage between electrodes provided on the inner surface, and electrodes provided on the inner surfaces of a pair of substrates in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned homogeneously with their molecular long axes aligned in one direction A non-twisted homogeneous alignment type liquid crystal display element that rises and aligns by applying a voltage between them may be used. In this case, the value of Δnd of the liquid crystal display element for image display is λ / 2 (λ is the middle of the visible light band). Wavelength), for example, 245 to 305 nm, preferably 275 nm.

  Further, the liquid crystal display devices 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c of the first to fourth embodiments are provided with TN type viewing angle limiting elements 12, 13, and 12a. A liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in one direction with respect to a normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display, between a pair of opposing substrates. The liquid crystal display element is not limited to the TN type but may be a liquid crystal display element as long as an electrode having a predetermined shape is provided on each of the opposed inner surfaces of the pair of substrates.

  In addition, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1, and can be used for electronic devices having other display units.

The front view of the electronic device provided with the liquid crystal display device. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a liquid crystal display device showing a first embodiment of the present invention; The figure which shows the orientation processing direction of the board | substrate inner surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display in a 1st Example, and the 1st and 2nd viewing angle limiting element, and the direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate. The example of a display seen from the direction which inclined in the front direction, the left direction, and the right direction when a voltage is not applied between the electrodes of the 1st and 2nd viewing angle limiting element in a 1st Example. The example of a display seen from the direction inclined in the front direction, the left direction, and the right direction when a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements in the first embodiment. The example of a display seen from the direction which inclined to the front direction, the left direction, and the right direction when a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the 1st and 2nd viewing angle limiting element which shows the modification of a 1st Example. FIG. 7 is a display example diagram viewed from the front direction, the left direction, and the right direction when a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the first and second viewing angle limiting elements, showing another modification of the first embodiment. . Sectional drawing of the part of liquid crystal display device which shows 2nd Example of this invention. The figure which shows the orientation processing direction of the board | substrate inner surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display in a 2nd Example, and the 1st and 2nd viewing angle restriction | limiting element, and the direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate. Sectional drawing of the part of liquid crystal display device which shows 3rd Example of this invention. The figure which shows the orientation processing direction of the board | substrate inner surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display in a 3rd Example, and a viewing angle limiting element, and the direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate. The example of a display seen from the direction which inclined to the front direction when the voltage was applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element in a 3rd Example, and the left direction and the right direction. The example of a display seen from the direction which inclined to the front direction, the left direction, and the right direction when a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the viewing angle limiting element which shows the modification of a 3rd Example. Sectional drawing of the part of liquid crystal display device which shows 4th Example of this invention. The figure which shows the orientation processing direction of the board | substrate inner surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display in a 4th Example, and a viewing angle limiting element, and the direction of the absorption axis of each polarizing plate.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... Liquid crystal display device, 11 ... Liquid crystal display element for image display, 12, 13, 12a ... Viewing angle limiting element, 14 ... Liquid crystal cell for image display, 15, 16 ... Substrate, 15a, 16a ... Orientation treatment direction, 17 ... liquid crystal layer, 18, 19 ... electrode, 20R, 20G, 20B ... color filter, 21, 27, 21a ... viewing angle limiting liquid crystal cell, 22, 23, 28, 29 ... substrate, 22a, 23a , 28a, 29a ... orientation processing direction, 24, 30 ... liquid crystal layer, 25, 26, 31, 32 ... electrode, 33, 34, 35, 36 ... polarizing plate.

Claims (4)

A wide viewing angle image display liquid crystal display element having a screen region in which a plurality of pixels for controlling light transmission are arranged in a matrix, and
One direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display is arranged between a pair of substrates arranged on one surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display and facing each other with a gap. A first viewing angle limiting element provided with a liquid crystal layer oriented in an orientation state having a viewing angle in a tilted direction, and electrodes having a predetermined shape provided on each of mutually opposing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates When,
Liquid crystal molecules are disposed between a pair of substrates disposed on one surface of a laminate of the image display liquid crystal display element and the first viewing angle limiting element and facing each other with a gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer aligned in an alignment state having a viewing angle in a direction inclined in a direction opposite to the viewing angle of the first viewing angle limiting element with respect to a normal direction of the liquid crystal display element; A liquid crystal display device comprising: a second viewing angle limiting element provided with an electrode having a predetermined shape on each of inner surfaces facing each other. A wide viewing angle image display liquid crystal display element having a screen region in which a plurality of pixels for controlling light transmission are arranged in a matrix, and
One direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal display element for image display is arranged between a pair of substrates arranged on one surface of the liquid crystal display element for image display and facing each other with a gap. A liquid crystal layer having a viewing angle in a tilted direction and an alignment state in which transmitted light along a direction tilted in the opposite direction is colored is provided, and the pair of substrates are opposed to each other. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a viewing angle limiting element provided with an electrode having a predetermined shape on each inner surface.   The viewing angle limiting element has, on each inner surface of a pair of substrates, a single film-like electrode having a shape corresponding to the entire screen of the liquid crystal display element for image display or a large area of the screen. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 or 2.   The viewing angle limiting element has a plurality of pattern electrodes having a predetermined shape formed on one inner surface of a pair of substrates distributed in a region corresponding to the screen of the liquid crystal display element for image display, and the other substrate The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising a counter electrode facing the plurality of pattern electrodes on an inner surface of the liquid crystal display.

Images