Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device in which the angle range of output light is easily limited to the range closer to the expected viewing angle range.SOLUTION: A display device includes a display panel 30 including a display region where a plurality of pixels are provided, a first optical member 60 provided on a display surface side of the display panel 30, a second optical member 70 provided on the opposite side of the first optical member 60 with the display panel 30 held therebetween, and a light source unit 90 emitting light of an optical path along a counter direction Z. The first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 include a plurality of convex lens parts arranged in a first direction X. The convex lens part has a curvature in the first direction X and does not have the curvature in an extending direction. The extending direction is a direction along an X-Y plane and intersects with the first direction X and a second direction Y. The extending direction of the convex lens part of the first optical member 60 and the extending direction of the convex lens part of the second optical member 70 are line symmetrical about the second direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Display devices having a so-called multi-view function capable of outputting different images for each of a plurality of viewpoints are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-204075 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a display device having a multi-view function, when the display device is viewed from a viewpoint angle outside the assumed viewing angle range, reverse viewing occurs, in which the left and right sides of the image are reversed. For this reason, there has been a demand to limit the angle range of light output from the display device to a range closer to the assumed viewing angle range in advance, so that it is impossible or difficult to view an image from a viewpoint angle outside the assumed viewing angle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a display device that makes it easier to limit the angular range of output light to a range that is closer to the expected viewing angle range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a display panel having a display area in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, a first optical member arranged on the display surface side of the display panel so as to cover the display area, a second optical member arranged on the opposite side of the first optical member across the display panel, and a light source unit arranged on the opposite side of the display panel across the second optical member and emitting light of an optical path along the opposing direction between the first optical member and the second optical member, wherein the first optical member and the second optical member have a plurality of convex lens portions arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction, the convex lens portions have a curvature in the first direction and have no curvature in an extension direction, the extension direction is perpendicular to the opposing direction and intersects both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the opposing direction and the first direction, and the extension direction of the convex lens portions of the first optical member and the extension direction of the convex lens portions of the second optical member are linearly symmetrical with respect to the second direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a display device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pixel arrangement of a display panel. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the convex lens portions and the sub-pixels. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the first optical member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the arrangement of sub-pixels in the display region and the inclination of the convex lens portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining optical actions produced by the display panel, the first optical member, and the second optical member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram seen from the front, illustrating the longitudinal direction of a convex lens portion in the first optical member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram seen from the front, illustrating the longitudinal direction of a convex lens portion in the second optical member. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the diffusion of light caused by a combination of the second optical member and the first optical member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the degree of diffusion of light when it passes through the second optical member and the first optical member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the degree of diffusion of light when it passes through the second optical member and the first optical member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the difference between the light distribution according to the reference example and the light distribution according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light source different from that in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and those who are skilled in the art can easily come up with appropriate modifications while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, in order to make the explanation clearer, the drawings may be schematic in terms of the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment, but they are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. In addition, in this specification and each figure, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous figures may be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a display device 100. The display device 100 includes a light source 10, a collimator 20, a display panel 30, a first optical member 60, and a second optical member .

[0010] 1, the display device 100 is configured such that a first optical member 60 and a second optical member 70 face each other with a display panel 30 sandwiched therebetween. A collimator 20 is disposed on the opposite side of the display panel 30 with the second optical member 70 sandwiched therebetween, and a light source 10 is disposed on the opposite side of the second optical member 70 with the collimator 20 sandwiched therebetween. The opposing direction between the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 is defined as an opposing direction Z. One of two directions perpendicular to the opposing direction Z is defined as a first direction X, and the other is defined as a second direction Y.

[0011] In the display device 100 of the embodiment, when viewed from a viewpoint of viewing the XY plane from the front, the display panel 30 and the first optical member 60 have almost the same shape and area. At least the first optical member 60 covers a display area OA (see FIG. 2) described later. Hereinafter, when described as a front viewpoint, it refers to a viewpoint of viewing the XY plane from the front, and a viewpoint of viewing the display device 100 from the first optical member 60 side. Note that the dimensions of each component in the first direction X and the opposing direction Z shown in FIG. 1 and the distance between each component do not strictly indicate the dimensions of the actual components and the distance between each component. FIG. 1 merely shows the relative positional relationship of each component included in the main components of the display device 100.

[0012] The light source 10 emits light. Specifically, the light source 10 is a light source that functions as a point light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The light source 10 of the embodiment is provided so as to emit scattered light toward the display panel 30.

[0013] The collimator 20 directs the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 10 more in the opposing direction Z so that the light reaches the second optical member 70. Specifically, the collimator 20 shown in FIG.

[0014] The convex lens 21 is provided closer to the light source 10 than the Fresnel lens 22. The convex lens 21 is, for example, a convex lens whose light source 10 side is along the XY plane and whose Fresnel lens 22 side is spherical. The convex lens 21 converges the light emitted from the light source 10 to a certain extent and directs it toward the Fresnel lens 22. The light L1 that enters the convex lens 21 and reaches the Fresnel lens 22 takes an optical path that diffuses so as to expand when viewed from the XY plane.

[0015] The Fresnel lens 22 is provided between the convex lens 21 and the second optical member 70. The Fresnel lens 22 is a Fresnel lens that refracts light so that the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 10 and passing through the convex lens 21 is aligned with the opposing direction Z. Most of the light L2 that passes through the Fresnel lens 22 and reaches the second optical member 70 takes an optical path along the opposing direction Z. Note that the Fresnel lens 22 is not limited to a Fresnel lens, and may be another optical member (for example, a collimator lens) that similarly refracts an optical path.

[0016] In the embodiment, the light source 10 and the collimator 20 constitute a light source unit 90. The light source unit 90 functions as a light source unit that emits light of an optical path along the opposing direction (opposing direction Z) between the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70. Note that the convex lens 21 is not essential to the collimator 20, and the collimator 20 can function as the light source unit 90 as long as there is a match between the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 10 and reaching the Fresnel lens 22 and the degree of refraction of the light by the Fresnel lens 22.

[0017] Next, the display panel 30 and the first optical member 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. When viewed from the display panel 30, the first optical member 60 side is the display surface side.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pixel arrangement of the display panel 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pixel 48 has, for example, a first subpixel 49R, a second subpixel 49G, and a third subpixel 49B. The first subpixel 49R displays a first primary color (e.g., red). The second subpixel 49G displays a second primary color (e.g., green). The third subpixel 49B displays a third primary color (e.g., blue). In this manner, the pixels 48 arranged in a matrix on the display panel 30 include the first subpixel 49R that displays a first color, the second subpixel 49G that displays a second color, and the third subpixel 49B that displays a third color. The first color, the second color, and the third color are not limited to the first primary color, the second primary color, and the third primary color, and may be different colors such as complementary colors. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first subpixel 49R, the second subpixel 49G, and the third subpixel 49B, they are referred to as subpixels 49.

[0019] A plurality of sub-pixels 49 are arranged along the XY plane. Hereinafter, the region in which the plurality of sub-pixels 49 are arranged will be referred to as a display region OA.

[0020] The pixel 48 may have a subpixel 49 in addition to the first subpixel 49R, the second subpixel 49G, and the third subpixel 49B. For example, the pixel 48 may have a fourth subpixel that displays a fourth color. The fourth subpixel displays the fourth color (for example, white). When illuminated with the same light source illumination amount, the fourth subpixel is preferably brighter than the first subpixel 49R that displays the first color, the second subpixel 49G that displays the second color, and the third subpixel 49B that displays the third color.

[0021] More specifically, the display device 100 is a transmissive color liquid crystal display device. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the display panel 30 is a color liquid crystal display panel, in which a first color filter that passes a first primary color is arranged between the first subpixel 49R and the image observer, a second color filter that passes a second primary color is arranged between the second subpixel 49G and the image observer, and a third color filter that passes a third primary color is arranged between the third subpixel 49B and the image observer.

[0022] When the fourth subpixel is provided, no color filter is disposed between the fourth subpixel and the image observer. In this case, a large step is generated in the fourth subpixel. For this reason, the fourth subpixel may be provided with a transparent resin layer instead of a color filter. This can prevent a large step from being generated in the fourth subpixel.

[0023] The signal output circuit 41 is electrically connected to the display panel 30 by a signal line DTL. The display panel drive unit 40 uses a scanning circuit 42 to select a sub-pixel 49 in the display panel 30 and control the on / off state of a switching element (e.g., a thin film transistor (TFT)) for controlling the operation (light transmittance) of the sub-pixel 49. The scanning circuit 42 is electrically connected to the display panel 30 by a scanning line SCL.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the signal lines DTL are arranged in a first direction X. Each signal line DTL extends in a second direction Y. The scanning lines SCL are arranged in the second direction Y. Each scanning line SCL extends in the first direction X. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the pixels 48 are driven in units of pixel columns (lines) including the pixels 48 arranged in the first direction X so as to share the scanning line SCL in response to a driving signal output from the scanning circuit 42. The direction along the extension direction of each scanning line SCL is referred to as the horizontal scanning direction. Also, the arrangement direction of the scanning lines SCL is referred to as the vertical scanning direction. In the first embodiment, the first direction X corresponds to the horizontal scanning direction, and the second direction Y corresponds to the vertical scanning direction.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 6, which will be described later, the display panel 30 has a first substrate GP1 and a second substrate GP2. The first substrate GP1 and the second substrate GP2 are substrates having light transmissivity, such as glass substrates. The first substrate GP1 is provided with switching elements for controlling the operation (light transmittance) of the sub-pixels 49, pixel electrodes 490 (see Fig. 2) connected to the switching elements and provided for each sub-pixel 49, a signal output circuit 41, a scanning circuit 42, a signal line DTL, a scanning line SCL, and the like. The second substrate GP2 is provided with a color filter layer including a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter, and the like.

[0026] The first substrate GP1 and the second substrate GP2 are disposed to face each other with a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are controlled to an alignment state according to the relationship between the potential of the pixel electrode 490 and the potential of the common electrode. The light transmittance of each sub-pixel 49 depends on the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules located on the pixel electrode 490 provided in each sub-pixel 49.

[0027] The common electrode is provided on, for example, the first substrate GP1, but may be provided on the second substrate GP2. The common electrode and the pixel electrodes 490 are light-transmitting electrodes, and are formed of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) or the like. A predetermined potential is applied to the common electrode. The potential of the pixel electrodes 490 corresponds to a pixel signal transmitted via the signal line DTL and the switching element. The pixel signal corresponds to image data input from outside to the display device 100. In this way, the display device 100 realizes a display output of an image by operating each sub-pixel 49 in accordance with the image data.

[0028] Although not shown, polarizing layers are provided on the first optical member 60 side of the display panel 30 and on the second optical member 70 side of the display panel 30. These polarizing layers transmit polarized light components in predetermined directions and block polarized light components in other directions. The directions of the polarized light components transmitted by these polarizing layers are determined in advance according to the initial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer LC.

[0029] The first optical member 60 is a translucent optical member having a convex lens portion 61 formed on one side. The convex lens portion 61 functions as a convex lens for realizing a multi-view function. The multi-view function refers to a function for simultaneously outputting images for multiple viewpoints.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the convex lens portion 61 and the sub-pixels 49. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of sub-pixels 49 are arranged side by side within a range of width W61. The width W61 is the width of one convex lens portion 61 in the first direction X. The traveling direction of light that is irradiated from the opposite side of the first optical member 60 across the sub-pixels 49 and passes through each sub-pixel 49 in the opposing direction Z is affected by refraction by the convex lens portion 61. Specifically, the traveling direction of light that passes through a position other than the center position in the first direction X of the arc-shaped emission surface formed on one surface 60A side of the convex lens portion 61 changes from the opposing direction Z to a direction intersecting the opposing direction Z. As a result, the light that passes through each sub-pixel 49 in the opposing direction Z reaches a viewpoint at a different position. In the embodiment, the convex lens portion 61 allows the light that has passed through different sub-pixels 49 to reach each of a plurality of viewpoints, thereby establishing a multi-view.

[0031] 3, a plurality of convex lens portions 61 are provided. The plurality of convex lens portions 61 are aligned in a first direction X. The longitudinal direction of each convex lens portion 61 is inclined with respect to the first direction X and the second direction Y. Hereinafter, the inclination of the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 61 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the first optical member 60. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the arrangement of the sub-pixels 49 in the display area OA and the inclination of the convex lens portion 61. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the sub-pixels 49 are arranged in a matrix in the first direction X and the second direction Y, for example. Specifically, in the display area OA, a pixel row in which the first sub-pixels 49R are arranged in the second direction Y, a pixel row in which the second sub-pixels 49G are arranged in the second direction Y, and a pixel row in which the third sub-pixels 49B are arranged in the second direction Y are alternately arranged in the first direction X. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the long side of the convex lens portion 61 is aligned along the first extension direction V1, which is a direction intersecting the first direction X and the second direction Y, in the XY plane perpendicular to the facing direction Z. That is, the longitudinal direction of each convex lens portion 61 is aligned along the first extension direction V1. In the embodiment, the angle between the first extension direction V1 and the second direction Y (angle φ shown in FIG. 7) is smaller than the angle between the first extension direction V1 and the first direction X. The long sides of the convex lens portion 61 are two sides that are located at the ends in the first direction X of the arc (see FIG. 3) formed by the convex lens portion 61, which is a convex lens, and border the ends in the first direction X of the width W61. In FIG. 4, the long side LS of the convex lens portion 610, which is one of the multiple convex lens portions 61, is indicated with a symbol.

[0033] The convex lens portion 61 does not have a curvature in the first extension direction V1. The radius of curvature that gives the convex lens portion 61 the optical characteristics of a convex lens is set in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction (opposing direction Z) between the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the convex lens portion 61 has a structure that shows at least a small amount of curvature in directions other than the first extension direction V1 in the XY plane. Therefore, the convex lens portion 61 has a curvature in the first direction X. In addition, the first extension direction V1, which is the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 61, can be said to be the extension direction of the cylindrical convex lens portion 61.

[0034] By inclining the longitudinal direction of each convex lens portion 61 to the first direction X and the second direction Y, crosstalk can be more easily suppressed compared to a case in which the longitudinal direction is along the second direction Y. The crosstalk referred to here refers to a phenomenon in which light from a sub-pixel 49 that does not correspond to a certain viewpoint unintentionally reaches the certain viewpoint in a correspondence relationship between the multiple sub-pixels 49 and the viewpoints.

[0035] In addition, the numbers attached to each sub-pixel 49 in FIG. 5 indicate the corresponding viewpoints. That is, sub-pixels 49 with different numbers correspond to different viewpoints. In addition, in FIG. 5, rectangular sub-pixels 49 whose length WY in the second direction Y is longer than their width WX in the first direction X are arranged in a matrix in the display area OA, but the shape and arrangement of the sub-pixels 49 are not limited to this, and the shape and arrangement of the sub-pixels 49 may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the relationship between the number of sub-pixels 49 arranged in the first direction X and the pitch p of the convex lens portion 61 in the first direction X is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the number of viewpoints intended in the design of the multi-view. In addition, there is no relationship between the integer values ​​of "-4", "-3", "-2", "-1", "0", "1", "2", "3", and "4" attached to FIG. 6 described later and the numbers attached to FIG. 5.

[0036] 3, 4, and 5, as well as FIG. 6 described later, the side of the first optical member 60 on which the convex lens portion 61 is formed is referred to as one surface 60A. The side of the first optical member 60 opposite to the one surface 60A is referred to as the other surface 60B. The other surface 60B is flat along the XY plane.

[0037] In the embodiment, the other surface 60B and the surface of the display panel 30 on the first optical member 60 side may be bonded via an adhesive layer with the polarizing layer sandwiched therebetween. The adhesive layer is, for example, a film-like double-sided tape having translucency, such as OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive).

[0038] Next, the second optical member 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining optical actions produced by the display panel 30, the first optical member 60, and the second optical member 70. The second optical member 70 is a light-transmitting optical member having a surface 70B on the display panel 30 side that is planar along the XY plane and a convex lens portion 71 formed on one surface 70A on the collimator 20 side (see FIG. 1). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the second optical member 70 acts to converge the optical path of the light L2 along the facing direction Z.

[0040] The light that passes through the second optical member 70 converges within a focal length d21 from the second optical member 70 to the focal point Fo, and takes an optical path that diverges toward the display panel 30 side from the focal point Fo. As shown in FIG. 6, a second distance d2 between the convex lens portion 71 and the reference line BL is significantly greater than the focal length d21. The reference line BL indicates the position in the facing direction Z at which the pixel electrode 490 (see FIG. 2) of each sub-pixel 49 is provided in the display panel 30. Therefore, light that takes a diverging optical path enters the sub-pixel 49.

[0041] 6, in order to easily understand the relationship between the optical path of light passing through the subpixels 49 of the display panel 30 and the optical path of light after passing through the first optical member 60, the first subpixel 49R, the second subpixel 49G, the third subpixel 49B, and the light after passing through the first optical member 60 are assigned integer numbers ranging from -4 to 4. Specifically, the subpixels 49 arranged in the order of the first subpixel 49R, the second subpixel 49G, the third subpixel 49B, the first subpixel 49R, the second subpixel 49G, the third subpixel 49B, the first subpixel 49R, the second subpixel 49G, and the third subpixel 49B in the first direction X from one side to the other side in the first direction X in FIG. 6 are assigned "-4", "-3", "-2", "-1", "0", "1", "2", "3", and "4" in that order. The light passing through the second subpixel 49G assigned "0" is along the opposing direction Z. Light labeled with a negative integer ("-4", "-3", "-2", "-1") is inclined to one side of the first direction X with respect to the counter direction Z. Light labeled with a positive integer ("1", "2", "3", "4") is inclined to the other side of the first direction X with respect to the counter direction Z. In FIG. 6, light labeled with a certain integer is light that has passed through a sub-pixel 49 labeled with the same integer.

[0042] In FIG. 6, the viewing angle range θ lens is a desirable angle range (suitable viewing range) for the visible range of the display output from the display device 100. In this case, it is desirable for the emitted light labeled "-3", "-2", "-1", "0", "1", "2", and "3" to be emitted from the first optical member 60, and it is undesirable for the emitted light labeled "-4" and "4" to be emitted from the first optical member 60. In other words, the viewing angle range θ, which is the suitable viewing range, lens is the angle range between "-3" and "3".

[0043] Due to the curved surface of the surface 60A formed by the convex lens portion 61, refraction occurs at the interface between the surface 60A and the air in contact with the surface 60A. Therefore, the angle range θ between "-3" and "3" at the time of incidence on the first optical member 60 is BL In comparison, the viewing angle range θ lens Here, if the light L2 is light along the facing direction Z, the angular range θ BL is equal to the maximum angle range of light diffusion caused by refraction caused by the second optical member 70.

[0044] Based on these, the display device 100 has a viewing angle range θ lens Specifically, the collimator 20 is provided so as to direct the light L2 in the facing direction Z. In addition, the emission angle range of the light passing through the second optical member 70 and the first optical member 60 is within the viewing angle range θ lens The degree of refraction of light caused by the convex lens portion 61 and the degree of refraction of light caused by the convex lens portion 71 (angle range θ BL ) is determined. These make it easier to make the visible range of the display output from the display device 100 more desirable.

[0045] More specifically, the viewing angle range θ lens is the incident orientation angle θ of light incident on the display panel 30 inand the exit orientation angle θ generated by the convex lens portion 61 when the light passes through the display panel 30, enters the first optical member 60, and exits from the first optical member 60. out It can be calculated by taking the square of and the root of the sum of (√(θ in 2 +θ out 2 In the embodiment, the incident orientation angle θ in and output orientation angle θ out Both are in the angular range θ BL Therefore, the angle range θ BL The squared value multiplied by two is the root of the viewing angle range θ lens In practice, it is preferable that the viewing angle range θ lens The above-mentioned pitch p is also taken into consideration when determining the angle range θ BL It is desirable to determine the following:

[0046] Here, the second distance d2, which is the distance between the reference line BL and the second optical member 70, is significantly larger than the first distance d1, which is the distance in the opposing direction Z between the reference line BL and the first optical member 60. In the embodiment, the second distance d2 is larger than twice the first distance d1 (d2>2d1). In other words, the first distance d1 is smaller than the second distance d2.

[0047] 6 form images that are viewed from different viewpoints on the opposite side of the display panel 30 across the first optical member 60. This establishes a multi-view. Also, the viewing angle range θ lens is the optimum viewing range, an image in which the intended display output content is inverted in the first direction X is viewed at "-4" and "4". That is, in the viewing angle range θ lens 6, the collimator 20 directs the light L2 in the facing direction Z, and the degree of refraction of the light caused by the convex lens portion 71 is set within an angular range θ BL By making it correspond to "-4" and "4", it is possible to suppress the occurrence of light at angles corresponding to "-4" and "4".

[0048] In the embodiment, the color of the light emitted from the light source 10 is light of a color (for example, white (W)) including a wavelength band capable of reproducing each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). In the embodiment, the light corresponding to the color of each sub-pixel 49 passes through the color filter layer and travels from the display panel 30 to the first optical member 60.

[0049] In the embodiment, as described above, the display panel 30 and the first optical member 60 have substantially the same shape and area when viewed from the front. In the embodiment, the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 are the same optical member, so the display panel 30 and the second optical member 70 have substantially the same shape and area when viewed from the front. However, technically, the shape and area of ​​the Fresnel lens 22 and the second optical member 70 when viewed from the front may be smaller than those of the display panel 30 and the first optical member 60. In short, it is sufficient that the light diffused by the second optical member 70 covers the display area OA (see FIG. 2) when it reaches the display panel 30.

[0050] Next, the relationship between the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 61 in the first optical member 60 as viewed from the front. As described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 61 is aligned with the first extension direction V1. Therefore, when viewed from the front, as shown in Fig. 7, the first optical member 60 has a configuration in which a plurality of convex lens portions 61 are arranged along the first extension direction V1. Here, as shown in Fig. 7, the angle between the second direction Y and the first extension direction V1 is defined as an angle φ.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 71 in the second optical member 70 from a front perspective. As shown in FIG. 8, when the second optical member 70 is viewed from a front perspective, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 71 is a direction intersecting the first direction X and the second direction Y. Specifically, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 71 is along the second extension direction V2 shown in FIG. 8. Here, the first extension direction V1 shown in FIG. 7 and the second extension direction V2 shown in FIG. 8 are in a line-symmetrical relationship with the second direction Y as an axis. In FIG. 8, the angle between the second direction Y and the second extension direction V2 is shown as angle -φ. The magnitude of the angle φ shown in FIG. 7 is equal to the magnitude of the angle -φ. Therefore, as shown in the relationship between FIG. 8 and FIG. 7, it can be said that the convex lens portion 71 of the second optical member 70 is inclined in the opposite direction to the convex lens portion 61 of the first optical member 60 with the second direction Y as an axis. The first extension direction V1 and the second extension direction V2 are aligned along the XY plane.

[0053] Thus, the first extension direction V1, which is the extension direction of the convex lens portion 61, and the second extension direction V2, which is the extension direction of the convex lens portion 71, are directions that are perpendicular to the opposing direction (opposing direction Z) between the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70, and intersect with both the first direction (first direction X) in which the convex lens portion 61 and the second optical member 70 are aligned, and the second direction (second direction Y) that is perpendicular to the opposing direction and the first direction. Moreover, the first extension direction V1 and the second extension direction V2 are axisymmetric with respect to the second direction.

[0054] Such a second optical member 70 can be provided by inverting the front and back of a lenticular lens having the same shape as the first optical member 60. In the embodiment, two lenticular lenses having the shape of the first optical member 60 described with reference to Figs. 3 to 7 are prepared, and one of the two is provided as the first optical member 60 in the display device 100. The other of the two is provided as the second optical member 70 so that the relationship of the front and back with respect to the front viewpoint is reversed from that of the other of the two (the first optical member 60). This is synonymous with the first optical member and the second optical member being provided with their backs facing the display panel (display panel 30) side, assuming that the side having the curvature in the lenticular lens is the front side and the flat side opposite to the front side is the back side. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the first optical member 60 has the other surface 60B facing the display panel 30 side. The second optical member 70 has the other surface 70B facing the display panel 30 side. This allows the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 to be provided in the display device 100 using two optical members having the same shape. lens and the angle range θ BL It is desirable to determine the radius of curvature, focal length, etc. of the optical member so that the following relationship is satisfied.

[0055] Next, the diffusion of light caused by the combination of the second optical member 70 and the first optical member 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the diffusion of light caused by the combination of the second optical member 70 and the first optical member 60. As described above, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 71 of the second optical member 70 is the second extension direction V2. This indicates that the focal axis of the convex lens formed by the convex lens portion 71 of the second optical member 70 is along the second extension direction V2. For example, assume that parallelogram-shaped light whose longitudinal direction is along the second extension direction V2 and overlaps with one convex lens portion 71 from the front viewpoint enters from the one surface 70A side along the facing direction Z. In this case, the parallelogram-shaped light converges into a single beam of light along the second extension direction V2 at the position of the focal point Fo (see FIG. 6), and then diffuses toward the display panel 30. Here, the radius of curvature of the convex lens formed by the convex lens portion 71 is along the XY plane and perpendicular to the second extension direction V2. Therefore, the direction in which the convergence and diffusion of light by the convex lens portion 71 is maximized is along the XY plane and perpendicular to the second extension direction V2. Due to such a relationship between the second extension direction V2 and the radius of curvature of the convex lens portion 71, a difference occurs between the distribution of light L2 before entering the convex lens portion 71 and the distribution of light that is scattered after being converged by passing through the convex lens portion 71.

[0057] As an example, assume that the light distribution of the light L2 before entering the convex lens portion 71 is a rectangular light band LB shown in the "Second Optical Member" column of FIG. 9. Of the two sets of two sides of the rectangular light band LB that are parallel and opposite to each other, one set is along the first direction X, and the other set is along the second direction Y. The longitudinal direction of the light band LB is the first direction X. When such a light band LB enters the convex lens portion 71, the light after passing through the convex lens portion 71 becomes a light band LB1 shown in the "Second Optical Member" column of FIG. 9. Of the two sets of two sides of the rectangular light band LB1 that are parallel and opposite to each other, one set is along the second extension direction V2, and the other set is along a direction along the XY plane that is perpendicular to the second extension direction V2.

[0058] As described above, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens portion 61 of the first optical member 60 is the first extension direction V1. This means that the focal axis of the convex lens of the convex lens portion 61 of the first optical member 60 is along the first extension direction V1. Here, the radius of curvature of the convex lens of the convex lens portion 61 is along the direction along the XY plane and perpendicular to the first extension direction V1. Therefore, the direction in which the convergence and diffusion of light by the convex lens portion 61 is maximized is along the direction along the XY plane and perpendicular to the first extension direction V1. Due to such a relationship between the first extension direction V1 and the radius of curvature of the convex lens portion 61, a difference occurs between the distribution of light before entering the convex lens portion 61 and the distribution of light that has passed through the convex lens portion 61.

[0059] As an example, assume that the distribution of light before entering the convex lens portion 61 is a rectangular light band LB shown in the "First optical member" column of Fig. 9. When such a light band LB enters the convex lens portion 61, the light after passing through the convex lens portion 61 becomes a light band LB2 shown in the "First optical member" column of Fig. 9. Of the two pairs of parallel opposing sides of the rectangular light band LB1, one pair is aligned along the first extension direction V1, and the other pair is aligned along a direction along the XY plane and perpendicular to the first extension direction V1.

[0060] The light passing through the display panel 30 when the display device 100 outputs a display is affected by both the optical characteristics of the convex lens portion 71 described in the "Second Optical Member" section of FIG. 9 and the optical characteristics of the convex lens portion 61 described in the "First Optical Member" section of FIG. 9. Therefore, the light that was in the light band LB at the time of the light L2 shows a distribution like the light area LA shown in the "Output" section of FIG. 9 at the time of the display output by the display device 100. The light area LA is a rounded rectangle with the four corners of the rectangle SQ rounded off. Of the two sets of two sides of the rectangle SQ that are parallel and opposed to each other, one set is aligned along the first direction X, and the other set is aligned along the second direction Y. The longitudinal direction of the rectangle SQ is the second direction Y. The width of the rectangle SQ in the first direction X is significantly larger than the width of the light band LB.

[0061] 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams showing the degree of diffusion of light passing through the second optical member 70 and the first optical member 60. Fig. 10 is a diagram viewed from the front on a plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the second direction Y. Fig. 11 is a diagram viewed from the front on a plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0062] The angle θ shown in Fig. 10 V Such diffusion of light in the first direction X is generally achieved with either the first optical member 60 or the second optical member 70. Note that, in the embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the angle θ V However, within the viewing angle range θ lens With reference to FIG. 10, if the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 are so-called lenticular lenses, the diffusion of light in the first direction X can be sufficiently achieved within a viewing angle range θ lens This means that it is also possible to achieve the above.

[0063] On the other hand, the angle θ H1 Such diffusion of light in the second direction Y is achieved by the presence of both the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70. If only one of the first optical member 60 or the second optical member 70 is present, the angle θ H2 The light diffusion angle is about θ H2 is the angle θ H1 It is significantly narrower than.

[0064] 10 and 11, the presence of both the first optical member 60 and the second optical member 70 makes it possible to realize a multi-view for a plurality of viewpoints aligned in the first direction X and to increase the diffusion of light in the second direction Y. Therefore, according to the embodiment, in a display device having a multi-view function, the viewing angle in the second direction Y can be increased.

[0065] 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the difference between the light distribution according to the reference example and the light distribution according to the embodiment. The reference example is a display device in which the Fresnel lens 22 and the second optical member 70 are not provided in the configuration of the display device 100. In other words, the reference example is a display device in which diffused light from a light source is directly incident on the display panel 30, and the light that has passed through the display panel 30 is directed toward each of a plurality of viewpoints by the first optical member 60.

[0066] In the display device of the reference example, the first optical member 60 acts to change the light band LB to light band LB2 (see the "First Optical Member" column in FIG. 9), but the second optical member 70 does not act to change the light band LB to light band LB1 (see the "Second Optical Member" column in FIG. 9). For this reason, as shown in the "Reference Example" of FIG. 12, a significant inclination appears in the distribution of light. Specifically, dark areas DA near two of the four corners of the rectangular display area that are located on the same diagonal line are significantly darker than the other areas.

[0067] In contrast, according to the embodiment, as described with reference to Fig. 9, at the time of display output, a distribution like the light area LA shown in the "Output" column of Fig. 9 can be obtained. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of dark areas like the dark area DA in the reference example, as shown in the "Embodiment" column of Fig. 12, and to realize display output with a more even light distribution.

[0068] In addition, in FIG. 1, the light source used for the display output of the display device 100 is illustrated as if it were a single light source 10, but this is merely an example and the specific configuration of the light source is not limited to this.

[0069] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a light source unit 90A different from that in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 13, by arranging a plurality of light sources 10 and providing a collimator 20 for each light source 10, light from the plurality of light sources 10 can be converted into light L2.

[0070] As described above, according to the embodiment, the display panel (display panel 30) has a display area (display area OA) in which a plurality of pixels are provided, a first optical member (first optical member 60) provided on the display surface side of the display panel so as to cover the display area, a second optical member (second optical member 70) provided on the opposite side of the first optical member across the display panel, and a light source unit (light source unit 90 or light source unit 90A) that is provided on the opposite side of the display panel across the second optical member and emits light of an optical path along the opposing direction (opposing direction Z) between the first optical member and the second optical member. The first optical member has a plurality of convex lens units (convex lens units 61) arranged in a first direction (first direction X) perpendicular to the opposing direction. The second optical member has a plurality of convex lens units (convex lens units 71) arranged in the first direction (first direction X). The convex lens portions (convex lens portion 61, convex lens portion 71) have a curvature in the first direction, but have no curvature in the extension direction (first extension direction V1 or second extension direction V2). The extension direction is perpendicular to the facing direction (facing direction Z) and intersects both the first direction and a second direction (second direction Y) perpendicular to the facing direction and the first direction, and the extension direction (first extension direction V1) of the convex lens portions of the first optical member and the extension direction (second extension direction V2) of the convex lens portions of the second optical member are axisymmetric with respect to the second direction.

[0071] According to the embodiment, a multi-view function can be realized by a plurality of convex lens portions (convex lens portions 61) of the first optical member (first optical member 60). In addition, the extension direction (first extension direction V1) of the convex lens portions of the first optical member and the extension direction (second extension direction V2) of the convex lens portions of the second optical member (second optical member 70) are line-symmetrical, so that the two-dimensional spread of light from the light source unit (light source unit 90 or light source unit 90A) can be made more uniform (see, for example, FIG. 12). Furthermore, the light from the light source unit has an optical path along the opposing direction (opposing direction Z) between the first optical member and the second optical member, so that the design related to the degree of refraction of light by the first optical member and the second optical member can be made easier. Therefore, the angle range of the output light can be set within an assumed viewing angle range (viewing angle range θ lens) to make it easier to limit the range closer to

[0072] Furthermore, the first optical member (first optical member 60) and the second optical member (second optical member 70) are lenticular lenses having the same shape, and if the side of the lenticular lens having a curvature is the front side and the flat side opposite the front side is the back side, the first optical member and the second optical member are provided with their back sides facing the display panel (display panel 30). This allows the first optical member and the second optical member to have the same configuration, further improving productivity. Also, the expected viewing angle range (viewing angle range θ lens ) is adjusted based on the optical characteristics of the lenticular lens (e.g., the angular range θ BL Therefore, it is easy to limit the angle range of the output light to the assumed viewing angle range (viewing angle range θ lens ), it becomes easier to design to limit the range closer to

[0073] Furthermore, a first distance (first distance d1) that is a distance between a first optical member (first optical member 60) and a pixel electrode (pixel electrode 490) provided on a display panel (display panel 30) is smaller than a second distance (second distance d2) that is a distance between a second optical member (second optical member 70) and the pixel electrode. This makes it easier to achieve both the spread of light in the second direction (second direction Y) by the second optical member and the realization of a multi-view function by the first optical member. In particular, the second distance is greater than twice the first distance, which makes it possible to achieve such a compatibility more reliably.

[0074] The light source unit (light source unit 90 or light source unit 90A) has a light source (light source 10) that emits scattered light toward the second optical member (second optical member 70), and a third optical member (Fresnel lens 22) that guides the optical path of the light emitted from the light source in the facing direction (facing direction Z). This makes it easier to realize a light source unit that emits light with an optical path along the facing direction.

[0075] 2 to 4, among the detailed design items of the display panel 30, such as the arrangement of the pixels 48 provided in the display area OA of the display panel 30, the number of sub-pixels 49 provided in one pixel 48, and the arrangement of the sub-pixels 49, are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate. In addition, various items not included in the items limited by the invention-specifying items described in the claims are not limited to those exemplified in the description of the embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0076] Furthermore, other advantageous effects brought about by the aspects described in this embodiment that are obvious from the description in this specification or that can be appropriately thought of by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 30 Display Panel 48 pixels 60 First optical member 61,71 Convex lens part 70 Second optical member 90,90A light source section 100 display device 490 Pixel Electrode d1 First distance d2 2nd distance OA display area V1 1st extension direction V2 2nd extension direction X 1st direction Y Second direction Z Opposite Direction

Claims

1. a display panel having a display area in which a plurality of pixels are provided; a first optical member provided on a display surface side of the display panel so as to cover the display area; a second optical member provided on the opposite side of the first optical member with the display panel interposed therebetween; a light source unit that is provided on the opposite side of the display panel with the second optical member in between and emits light along an optical path along a direction in which the first optical member and the second optical member face each other; Equipped with the first optical member and the second optical member have a plurality of convex lens portions aligned in a first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction, The convex lens portion has a curvature in the first direction and has no curvature in an extension direction, The extension direction is a direction perpendicular to the facing direction and intersects both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the facing direction and the first direction, an extending direction of the convex lens portion of the first optical member and an extending direction of the convex lens portion of the second optical member are linearly symmetric with respect to the second direction; Display device.

2. the first optical member and the second optical member are lenticular lenses having the same shape, When a side of the lenticular lens having a curvature is defined as a front side and a flat side opposite to the front side is defined as a back side, the first optical member and the second optical member are provided with their back sides facing the display panel side. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. a first distance between the first optical member and a pixel electrode provided on the display panel is smaller than a second distance between the second optical member and the pixel electrode; The display device according to claim 1 .

4. The second distance is greater than twice the first distance. The display device according to claim 3 .

5. The light source unit includes: a light source that emits scattered light toward the second optical member; and a third optical member that guides an optical path of the light emitted from the light source in a direction along the facing direction. The display device according to claim 1 .

Images