Reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus

• US 20020180908A1
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Inventors: Umemoto, Seiji, Abe, Hideo, Ariyoshi, Toshihiko
• Granted Patent: US 6,956,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/113
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133616 Front illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/34 reflector

Abstract

A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus has a light source; and a liquid-crystal display device including a lower substrate provided with a reflection plate, an upper substrate provided with a transparent film on which a light reflection element is provided for reflecting transmitted light toward the lower substrate side, and liquid crystal held between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, the light source being disposed at an end surface of the upper substrate, the liquid-crystal display device being configured so that light incident onto a surface of the upper substrate opposite to a contact surface of the upper substrate with the liquid crystal is reflected by the reflection plate of the lower substrate so as to exit from the surface of the upper substrate opposite to the contact surface of the upper substrate with the liquid crystal, wherein at least one of end surfaces except the end surface on which the light source is disposed is coated with a reflection layer.

Claims

1. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus comprising:

a light source; and

a liquid-crystal display device including a lower substrate provided with a reflection plate, an upper substrate provided with a transparent film on which a light-reflecting element is provided for reflecting transmitted light toward the lower substrate side, and liquid crystal held between said lower substrate and said upper substrate, said light source being disposed at an end surface of said upper substrate, said liquid-crystal display device being configured so that light incident onto a surface of said upper substrate opposite to a contact surface of said upper substrate with said liquid crystal is reflected by said reflection plate of said lower substrate so as to exit from said surface of said upper substrate opposite to said contact surface of said upper substrate with said liquid crystal,

wherein at least one of end surfaces except the end surface on which said light source is disposed is coated with a reflection layer.

2. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflection layer is constituted by a selected one of a reflection film, a reflection sheet and a reflection plate stuck onto said end surface.

3. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of said upper substrate is protruded more than a corresponding end portion of said lower substrate so that said light source is disposed on said protruded end surface of said upper substrate.

4. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflection layer is provided on an inner surface of a frame so that at least one end surface of said liquid-crystal display device is disposed closely on said frame.

5. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a selected one of a reflection film, a reflection sheet and a reflection plate is stuck onto said inner surface of said frame.

6. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said inner surface of said frame is made of a metal plate having a light-reflecting function.

7. A reflection type liquid-crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a polarizer is disposed on said surface of said upper substrate opposite to said contact surface of said upper substrate with said liquid crystal.