Image display apparatus and variable lens array

• US 8,953,109 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2014
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Display West Incorporated (Japan Display Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Japan Display West Incorporated (Japan Display Incorporated)
• Inventors: Takama, Daisuke, Koito, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, RICHARD H
• Application Number:
  US14/184,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20140168547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 349/15
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/004 based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/005 arranged along a single direction only, e.g. lenticular sheets G02B3/0043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0087 with index gradient
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/28 involving active lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13394 spacers regularly patterned on the cell subtrate, e.g. walls, pillars G02F1/133377 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/292 by controlled diffraction or phased-array beam steering controlled diffraction for optical switching G02F1/31
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/294 Variable focal length devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/305 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/359 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes

Abstract

An image display apparatus including an image display section that displays a two-dimensional image; and a variable lens array that includes a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed by a voltage which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable lens array is disposed to be opposed to the image display section. Wall-shaped or columnar spacers are provided in a place, in which an orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is unchanged when the value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed, between the first substrate and the second substrate of the variable lens array.

Claims

1. An image display apparatus comprising:

an image display section that displays a two-dimensional image; and

a variable lens array that includes a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, in which a value of a refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed by a voltage which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode,

wherein,

the variable lens array is disposed to be opposed to the image display section,

the lens lines extend along a first direction,

wall-shaped or columnar spacers are disposed at boundary portions of the lens lines adjacent to each other and extend along the first direction,

the first electrodes extend along the first direction,

feeder wires are on the first substrate and extend in a second direction crossing the first direction, and

each of the feeder wires is electrically connected to a group of the first electrodes that are arranged the same distance from each of the adjacent wall-shaped or columnar spacers.

2. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

an outer peripheral portion of the first substrate and an outer peripheral portion of the second substrate are sealed by a sealing portion, and

a space is provided between an end portion of the wall-shaped or columnar spacers and the sealing portion.

3. A variable lens array comprising:

a first substrate having a first electrode;

a second substrate having a second electrode; and

a liquid crystal layer that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate,

wherein,

a value of a refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed by a voltage which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode,

wall-shaped or columnar spacers are disposed at boundary portions of the lens lines adjacent to each other and extend along a first direction,

the first electrodes extend along the first direction,

feeder wires are on the first substrate and extend in a second direction crossing the first direction, and

each of the feeder wires is electrically connected to a group of the first electrodes that are arranged the same distance from each of the adjacent wall-shaped or columnar spacers.

4. The variable lens array according to claim 3, wherein:

an outer peripheral portion of the first substrate and an outer peripheral portion of the second substrate are sealed by a sealing portion, and

a space is provided between an end portion of the wall-shaped or columnar spacers and the sealing portion.