Liquid crystal display device

Abstract

A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of liquid crystal display panels arranged side by side and a backlight emitting light toward the plurality of liquid crystal display panels. Each of the plurality of liquid crystal display panels includes a light shielding film on a side surface opposite to a side surface of a liquid crystal display panel adjacent thereto, the light shielding film blocking light from the backlight.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-090744, filed on June 1, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application generally relates to liquid crystal display devices. Background Art

[0004] In the related art, a liquid crystal display device in which a plurality of liquid crystal display panels are arranged to configure one screen is known. For example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-009770 describes a liquid crystal display device including a first light shielding cover covering a frame area on the front surface side of a joining portion of adjacent liquid crystal display panels, and a light shielding plate arranged in a gap formed between adjacent liquid crystal display panels.

[0005] In the liquid crystal display device of Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-009770, light leakage is suppressed by a first light shield covering the frame area and a light shielding plate arranged in the gap. In the liquid crystal display device of Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-009770, since the light shielding plate is arranged between the liquid crystal display panels, the interval between the liquid crystal display panels is not narrow enough. In addition, the liquid crystal display panel and the light shielding plate must be bonded to each other using an adhesive.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which an interval of a liquid crystal display panel is narrow and light leakage is suppressed. Summary of the invention

[0007] The liquid crystal display device disclosed in the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises:

[0008] A plurality of juxtaposed liquid crystal display panels; and

[0009] a backlight that emits light toward the plurality of liquid crystal display panels, wherein

[0010] Each of the plurality of liquid crystal display panels includes a light shielding film on a side surface opposite to a side surface of a liquid crystal display panel adjacent thereto, the light shielding film blocking light from the backlight.

[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the disclosure.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, each liquid crystal display panel includes a light shielding film that blocks light from a backlight on a side surface opposite to a side surface of an adjacent liquid crystal display panel, thereby narrowing the interval between liquid crystal display panels and suppressing light leakage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present application can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 1;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device shown is taken along line AA;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a liquid crystal display panel according to Example 1;

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a side surface of a liquid crystal display panel according to Embodiment 1;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining light blocked by a light-shielding film according to Example 1;

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for forming a light-shielding film according to Example 1;

[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a liquid crystal display device according to Example 2;

[0021] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a liquid crystal display panel and a joint filler according to Example 2;

[0022] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a liquid crystal display panel and a joint filler according to Example 3;

[0023] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel according to a modified example; and

[0024] Fig.11 : is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a liquid crystal display panel and a bonding portion filler according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display device according to various embodiments is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The liquid crystal display device 10 according to the present embodiment is described. In one example, the liquid crystal display device 10 is mounted on a vehicle. In the present embodiment and the following embodiments, a description is given taking the liquid crystal display device 10 mounted on a vehicle as an example. A passenger of the vehicle corresponds to a user (observer).

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the liquid crystal display device 10 is arranged on an opening 510 of an instrument panel 500 of a vehicle. In one example, the instrument panel 500 is formed of resin. Note that in this specification, the following description is given for ease of understanding: Figure 1 In the figure, the longitudinal direction (rightward direction on the paper) of the liquid crystal display device 10 is referred to as the "+X direction", the lateral direction (upward direction on the paper) is referred to as the "+Y direction", and the direction perpendicular to the +X direction and the +Y direction (front direction on the paper, passenger side) is referred to as the "+Z direction". Figure 2 The hatching of the housing 230 is omitted.

[0029] The liquid crystal display device 10 includes a display 100 and a protective member 300 . The display 100 displays text, images, etc. The protective member 300 protects liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B (described later) of the display 100 .

[0030] The display 100 of the liquid crystal display device 10 includes two liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B, a backlight 200, and a housing 230. The liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B display text, images, etc. The backlight 200 is a light source for the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. The housing 230 accommodates the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B and the backlight 200.

[0031] The liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B of the display 100 are juxtaposed in the XY plane. In one example, the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B are implemented as known transmissive lateral electric field liquid crystal display panels. The liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B are active matrices driven by thin film transistors (TFTs). The liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B modulate the light from the backlight 200 to display text, images, etc. In one example, the liquid crystal display panel 110A is used as a center information display (CID). In one example, the liquid crystal display panel 110B is used as a dashboard display. In addition, it is also possible to use the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B as a CID or a dashboard display configuration.

[0032] The liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B include a display area 111 and a periphery 112. The display area 111 is an area where pixels are arranged in a matrix form. The display area 111 can display text, images, etc. The periphery 112 is an area where wiring, a drive circuit, etc. are arranged.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, each of the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B includes a TFT substrate 122, a counter substrate 124, liquid crystal LC, an incident side polarizing plate 126, and an outgoing side polarizing plate 128. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, each of the liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B includes a light shielding film 150 .

[0034] In one example, the TFT substrate 122 is implemented as a glass substrate. The TFT substrate 122 is located at the -Z side. A TFT for selecting pixels, a common electrode, a pixel electrode, a drive circuit, an alignment film for aligning the liquid crystal LC, etc. are provided on the main surface 122a on the liquid crystal LC side of the TFT substrate 122 (all not shown in the drawings). An incident side polarizing plate 126 is provided on a main surface 122b on the side opposite to the main surface 122a of the TFT substrate 122.

[0035] The counter substrate 124 is located at the +Z side and is opposite to the TFT substrate 122. The counter substrate 124 is attached to the TFT substrate 122 through a sealing material 132. In one example, the counter substrate 124 is implemented as a glass substrate. A color filter (not shown in the drawings), a black matrix BM, an alignment film for aligning the liquid crystal LC, etc. are provided on the main surface 124a on the liquid crystal LC side of the counter substrate 124. An exit-side polarizing plate 128 is provided on the main surface 124b on the side opposite to the main surface 124a of the counter substrate 124.

[0036] The liquid crystal LC is sandwiched between the TFT substrate 122 and the counter substrate 124. In one example, the liquid crystal LC is implemented as a positive nematic liquid crystal. The liquid crystal LC is initially aligned in a direction parallel to the main surface 122a of the TFT substrate 122 by an alignment film. In addition, by applying a voltage, the liquid crystal LC rotates in a plane parallel to the main surface 122a of the TFT substrate 122.

[0037] The incident-side polarizing plate 126 is disposed on the main surface 122b of the TFT substrate 122. The exit-side polarizing plate 128 is disposed on the main surface 124b of the counter substrate 124. One of the transmission axes of the incident-side polarizing plate 126 and the exit-side polarizing plate 128 is arranged parallel to the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal LC. The transmission axis of the incident-side polarizing plate 126 and the transmission axis of the exit-side polarizing plate 128 are orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the main surface 128a on the +Z side of the exit-side polarizing plate 128 corresponds to the display surface 113 of the liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B.

[0038] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the light shielding film 150 is provided on each of the side surfaces 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B that are opposite to each other. In the present embodiment, the side surface 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A is the side surface of the entire liquid crystal display panel 110A. Figure 4 As shown, the side surface 135 includes not only the side surface 122c of the TFT substrate 122, the side surface 124c of the counter substrate 124, the side surface 126c of the incident side polarizer 126, the side surface 128c of the emitting side polarizer 128, the side surface 132c of the sealing material 132, and the side surface BMc of the black matrix BM, but also includes the main surfaces 122a, 122b of the TFT substrate 122 and the main surfaces 124a, 124b of the counter substrate 124 exposed at the side of the liquid crystal display panel 110A. The side surface 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110B is the same as the side surface 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A. In the present embodiment, the light shielding film 150 covers the entire side surface 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B.

[0039] Note that for ease of understanding, Figure 4 The light shielding film 150 is omitted. In addition, no member is arranged between the light shielding film 150 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the light shielding film 150 of the liquid crystal display panel 110B. A gap 152 is provided between the light shielding film 150 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the light shielding film 150 of the liquid crystal display panel 110B.

[0040] The light shielding film 150 blocks the light from the backlight 200. In one example, the light shielding film 150 absorbs the light from the backlight 200. Specifically, Figure 5As shown, the light shielding film 150 blocks light L1 from the backlight 200, which enters the liquid crystal display panel 110A (liquid crystal display panel 110B), is reflected at the interface between the side surface of the counter substrate 124 (TFT substrate 122) and the gap 152 (air layer), and is emitted to the observer side. In addition, the light shielding film 150 blocks light L2 from the backlight 200, which is emitted from the TFT substrate 122 of the liquid crystal display panel 110B (liquid crystal display panel 110A), is reflected at the side surface of the TFT substrate 122 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A (liquid crystal display panel 110B), enters the liquid crystal display panel 110B (liquid crystal display panel 110A) again, and is emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 110B (liquid crystal display panel 110A) to the observer side. In addition, the light shielding film 150 blocks the light L3 from the backlight 200, which is reflected at the side surface of the counter substrate 124 (TFT substrate 122) in the gap 152 and emitted to the observer side without entering the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B. As a result, the light shielding film 150 can suppress the leakage of light from the liquid crystal display device 10. In addition, the light shielding film 150 is provided on each of the side surfaces 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B that are opposite to each other, thereby making it possible to make the gap S1 ( Figure 3 ) is very narrow.

[0041] The light shielding film 150 is implemented as a blackened film formed of metal oxide, a black coating film formed of black paint, etc. In one example, the light shielding film 150 is formed of metal oxide by sputtering. Figure 6 As shown, the light shielding film 150 can be formed by clamping a plurality of liquid crystal display panels 610 in a jig 620 in a state where a protective film 129 is attached to the incident side polarizing plate 126 and the exit side polarizing plate 128, and forming a blackened film on the side surface 135. In one example, the thickness of the light shielding film 150 is from 35nm to 50nm. Note that, Figure 6 The sealing material 132 and the like are omitted. In addition, the protective film 129 is removed after the light shielding film 150 is formed.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the backlight 200 of the display 100 is arranged on the back side (-Z side) of the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. The backlight 200 is the light source of the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. The backlight 200 emits white light toward the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. The backlight 200 includes a white light emitting diode (LED) element, a reflective sheet, a diffuser, a lighting circuit, etc. (all not shown in the drawings).

[0043] The housing 230 of the display 100 accommodates the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B and the backlight 200. The housing 230 includes a bottom frame 232 and a frame 236.

[0044] The chassis 232 has a box-like shape. The chassis 232 is formed of resin or metal. The chassis 232 accommodates the liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B and the backlight 200 therein.

[0045] The frame 236 has a box-like shape and includes an opening in its bottom 237. In one example, the frame 236 is formed of metal. The frame 236 makes the bottom 237 face the +Z side and covers the chassis 232. The liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B are exposed through the opening. In the present embodiment, the side plate 239 of the frame 236 is bonded to the inner wall 510a of the opening 510 of the instrument panel 500 by an adhesive not shown. As a result, the liquid crystal display device 10 is fixed to the opening 510 of the instrument panel 500.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the protective member 300 of the liquid crystal display device 10 is disposed on the display surface (+Z side surface) 113 of the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. The protective member 300 protects the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. In one example, the protective member 300 is formed into a rectangular shape by a light-transmitting resin. The protective member 300 is attached to the display surface 113 of the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B by an adhesive 320. In one example, the adhesive 320 is implemented as an optically clear adhesive (OCA).

[0047] When viewed from above, the protective member 300 includes a light shield 302 that covers the gap 152 between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B. In one example, the light shield 302 is formed of black ink. The light shield 302 blocks light that is emitted to the observer side through the gap 152 between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 10 can further suppress light leakage.

[0048] As described above, a light shielding film 150 that blocks light from the backlight 200 is provided on each of the side surfaces 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B that face each other, thereby enabling the liquid crystal display device 10 to suppress light leakage. In addition, the interval between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B can be made very narrow, and the display of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the display of the liquid crystal display panel 110B can have a sense of unity. In addition, the light shielding cover 302 of the protective member 300 covers the gap 152 between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B, thereby enabling the liquid crystal display device 10 to further suppress light leakage.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] In Embodiment 1, the gap 152 is formed between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B. In addition, the protective member 300 includes a light shielding cover 302 covering the gap 152. A configuration may be adopted in which a part of the gap 152 is filled with a joint filling member. A configuration may also be adopted in which the protective member 300 does not include the light shielding cover 302.

[0051] Similar to the liquid crystal display device 10 of the first embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 10 of the present embodiment includes a display 100 and a protective member 300. In addition, the display 100 includes two liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B, a backlight 200 and a housing 230. In the present embodiment, Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the display 100 further includes a joint filler 350 .

[0052] In this embodiment, the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 10 (liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B, backlight 200, etc.) is the same as that of Embodiment 1, except that the protective member 300 does not include the light shielding cover 302 and the display 100 includes the joint filler 350. Therefore, the joint filler 350 of the display 100 will be described next.

[0053] The joint filler 350 is filled in a portion of the gap 152 between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B. In the present embodiment, the joint filler 350 is filled in a portion of the gap 152 on the viewer side.

[0054] The joint filler 350 has a light-shielding property. The joint filler 350 having a light-shielding property is filled in a part of the gap 152, so that the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment can block the light emitted to the observer side through the gap 152 without providing a light shielding cover 302 on the protective member 300. In addition, the protective member 300 does not include the light shielding cover 302, so that the display of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the display of the liquid crystal display panel 110B can have a unified sense.

[0055] In one example, the joint filler 350 is formed of an acrylic adhesive containing carbon black. In one example, the joint filler 350 is formed by pouring the acrylic adhesive containing carbon black into the gap 152 and then curing the acrylic adhesive containing carbon black.

[0056] In this embodiment, a light-shielding joint filler 350 is filled in a portion of the gap 152 between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B, so that the light emitted to the observer side through the gap 152 can be blocked. In addition, the light emitted to the observer side through the gap 152 can be blocked without providing a light shield 302 on the protective member 300, thereby making it possible to make the display of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the display of the liquid crystal display panel 110B have a sense of unity. In addition, as in Example 1, a light-shielding film 150 that blocks light from the backlight 200 is provided on each of the side surfaces 135 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B that are opposite to each other, thereby making it possible for the liquid crystal display device 10 to suppress light leakage and to make the interval between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B very narrow.

[0057] Example 3

[0058] In Embodiment 2, the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B each include the exit-side polarizing plate 128. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B share the exit-side polarizing plate 128.

[0059] In this embodiment, if Fig. 9 As shown, the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B share a common output-side polarizing plate 128. In addition, the joint filler 350 is provided on the gap 152 on the side (-Z side) of the output-side polarizing plate 128 opposite to the observer (for example, between the opposing substrate 124 of the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the opposing substrate 124 of the liquid crystal display panel 110B). The other configurations of the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0060] In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B share one exit-side polarizing plate 128, and the joint filler 350 is located on the side (-Z side) opposite to the observer of the exit-side polarizing plate 128. As a result, the reflectivity of the liquid crystal display device 10 to external light becomes uniform. As a result, for the liquid crystal display device 10 of this embodiment, the joint filler 350 (gap 152) can be made inconspicuous.

[0061] As described above, the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B share one exit-side polarizing plate 128, and the joint filler 350 is located on the side (-Z side) opposite to the observer of the exit-side polarizing plate 128. Thus, the joint filler 350 can be made inconspicuous. In addition, as in Embodiment 1, the liquid crystal display device 10 can suppress light leakage and can make the interval between the liquid crystal display panel 110A and the liquid crystal display panel 110B very narrow.

[0062] Modification example

[0063] The embodiments have been described, but various modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the display 100 of the liquid crystal display device 10 includes a plurality of backlights 200 .

[0065] A configuration may be adopted in which the light shielding film 150 extends to the display surface 113 of the liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which the light shielding film 150 is formed by spraying black paint. When the light shielding film 150 is formed, exposed terminals, wirings, etc. of the liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B can be covered.

[0066] In Embodiments 1 to 3, the light shielding film 150 covers the entire side surface 135 of the liquid crystal display panels 110A and 110B. However, it is sufficient for the light shielding film 150 to cover at least a portion of the side surface 135. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the light shielding film 150 does not cover all or a portion of the main surfaces 122a, 122b of the TFT substrate 122, the main surfaces 124a, 124b of the counter substrate 124, the side surface 132c of the sealing material 132, and the side surface BMc of the black matrix BM exposed at the side of the liquid crystal display panel 110A. Preferably, the light shielding film 150 covers the side surface 122c of the TFT substrate 122 and the side surface 124c of the counter substrate 124.

[0067] In Embodiments 1 to 3, the liquid crystal display device 10 includes two liquid crystal display panels 110A, 110B. However, it is sufficient that the liquid crystal display device 10 includes a plurality of liquid crystal display panels. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the liquid crystal display device 10 includes four liquid crystal display panels 110A to 110D. In this case, as Fig.10 As shown, a configuration may be adopted in which each of the liquid crystal display panels 110A to 110D includes the light shielding film 150 on both side surfaces 135 opposite to the side surfaces 135 of the adjacent liquid crystal display panels 110A to 110D.

[0068] In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which at least two adjacent liquid crystal display panels 110A to 110D share one exit-side polarizing plate 128 .

[0069] In Embodiments 2 and 3, the joint filler 350 is filled in the portion on the viewer side of the gap 152. Fig.11 As shown, a configuration may be adopted in which the joint filler 350 is filled in a portion of the gap 152 on the backlight 200 side.

[0070] Some example embodiments have been described above for purposes of illustration. Although the above discussion has given specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Therefore, this detailed description is not limiting, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the included claims and the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: A plurality of juxtaposed liquid crystal display panels; as well as a backlight that emits light toward the plurality of liquid crystal display panels, wherein: Each of the plurality of liquid crystal display panels includes a light shielding film on a side surface opposite to a side surface of a liquid crystal display panel adjacent thereto, the light shielding film blocking light from the backlight.

2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a protective member arranged on the display surface side of the plurality of liquid crystal display panels, wherein The protection member includes a light shield that covers a gap between one of the plurality of liquid crystal display panels and a liquid crystal display panel adjacent to the one liquid crystal display panel.

3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A joint filler has a light shielding property and is filled in a part of a gap between one of the plurality of liquid crystal display panels and a liquid crystal display panel adjacent to the one liquid crystal display panel. 4 . The liquid crystal display device according to claim 3 , wherein at least two adjacent liquid crystal display panels share a light-emitting-side polarizing plate.

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