Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus using it

• US 6,184,955 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Okumura, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Parker, Kenneth
• Assistant Examiner(s): QI, ZHI QIANG
• Application Number:
  US09/142,964
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 349/96, 349/162, 349/113, 349/114, 349/61, 349/64, 349/105, 349/98, 349/194
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133536 Reflective polarizers G02F1/13362 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133545 Dielectric stack polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/09 transflective

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid crystal device comprising a liquid crystal panel, a polarizer 101, which is provided at one side of the liquid crystal panel, absorbing the light of polarized orientation and transmits light of predetermined polarized orientation which is different than the above polarized light component, and a reflective polarizer 109, which is provided on the opposite side of the polarizer relative to the liquid crystal panel, reflecting the predetermined and limited wavelength range of the visible light and transmitting the predetermined light which is different than the above light component, such that a reflective and a transflective liquid crystal device that can display bright and brilliant colors is realized.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising a pair of substrates between which a liquid crystal is inserted;

a first polarizer provided at one side of said liquid crystal panel, not transmitting light having first predetermined polarization components and transmitting light having polarization components being different than said first predetermined polarization components; and

a reflective polarizer provided on the opposite side to said first polarizer relative to said liquid crystal panel, wherein said reflective polarizer includes a plurality of layers having various optical path lengths adjusted to reflect linearly polarized light of different limited wavelength ranges within visible light, said wavelength ranges are recognized as specific colors by human eyes,

said reflective polarizer reflecting light having second predetermined polarization components at said limited wavelength ranges within visible light, and transmitting light having polarization components being different than said predetermined polarization components, and transmitting light having second predetermined polarization components to wavelength range outside of said limited wavelength ranges within said visible light.

2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a light absorption layer is provided on the opposite side of said liquid crystal panel relative to said reflective polarizer.

3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a light source is further provided on the opposite side of said liquid crystal panel relative to said reflective polarizer.

4. The liquid crystal device according to claim 3, wherein a second polarizer is provided between said reflective polarizer and said light source.

5. The liquid crystal device according to claim 4, wherein an absorption axis of said second polarizer is approximately aligned with a reflection axis of said reflective polarizer.

6. The liquid crystal device according to claim 2, wherein a film capable of absorbing the light at wavelength different from the wavelength range reflected by said reflective polarizer is provided between said reflective polarizer and said light source.

7. The liquid crystal device according to claim 2, wherein the light emitted from the light source is within a wavelength range capable of being reflected by said reflective polarizer.

8. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of films comprising a layer with an anisotropic refraction index and a layer without any anisotropic refraction index alternately laminated with each other.

9. The liquid crystal device according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of said films having their reflection axes aligned with each other.

10. An electronic device including a liquid crystal device as a display part, wherein said liquid crystal device comprises:

a liquid crystal panel comprising a pair of substrates between which a liquid crystal is inserted;

a first polarizer provided at one side of said liquid crystal panel, not transmitting light having first predetermined polarization components and transmitting light having polarization components being different than said first predetermined polarization components; and

a plurality of films laminated on one another with their reflection axes approximately aligned with each other defining a reflective polarizer for generating polarization ability of wavelength ranges of desired colors, each of said films reflecting light having different wavelength ranges wherein each of said wavelength ranges are recognized as specific colors to human eyes,

said reflective polarizer provided on the opposite side of said first polarizer relative of said liquid crystal panel for reflecting light having second predetermined polarization components at said limited wavelength range within visible light, and transmitting light having polarization components being different than said second predetermined polarization components, and transmitting light having said second predetermined polarization components at a wavelength range outside of said limited wavelength within said visible light,

wherein said liquid crystal device adapted for use in said electronic device allows reflective and transflective displays of light and brilliant colors.

11. A liquid crystal device comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate opposite said first substrate;

a liquid crystal disposed between said first and second substrates;

a first polarizer adjacent said first substrate, said first polarizer transmitting light having polarization components which are different from first predetermined polarization components and not transmitting light having said first predetermined polarization components; and

a plurality of films laminated on one another with their reflection axes approximately aligned with each other defining a second polarizer when laminated together wherein each of said films include a first layer with an anisotropic refraction index laminated on a second layer without an anisotropic refraction index for reflecting light having different wavelength ranges of specific colors as recognized by human eyes,

said second polarizer reflecting light having second predetermined polarization components of said given wavelength ranges within visible light and transmitting light having polarization components which are different from said second predetermined polarization components including light having said second predetermined polarization components in a wavelength range outside of said given wavelength ranges within visible light.

12. The liquid crystal device of claim 11 further comprising a light absorption layer disposed proximate said first substrate and opposite said second polarizer.

13. The liquid crystal device of claim 11 further comprising a light source disposed proximate said first substrate and opposite said second polarizer.

14. The liquid crystal device of claim 13 further comprising a third polarizer disposed between said second polarizer and said light source.

15. The liquid crystal device of claim 14 wherein an absorption axis of said third polarizer is approximately aligned with a reflection axis of said second polarizer.

16. The liquid crystal device of claim 12 further comprising a light absorbing film disposed between said second polarizer and said light source for absorbing light having wavelengths which are different from said given wavelength range.

17. The liquid crystal device of claim 12 wherein said light source emits light including said given wavelength range.