Liquid crystal panel

Abstract

To provide a liquid crystal panel that can more surely form a potential gradient due to a potential difference between an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side in an electrode.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal panel comprises: a second electrode 331b, a second electrode 332b, and a second electrode 333b which are provided in a translucent area AA, and of which an outer peripheral rim is circular; and a first potential line 361 and a second potential line 362 to which a different potential is given. At least a second contact of a first contact such as a contact 351 connecting an inner peripheral side of the second electrode 331b, second electrode 332b and second electrode 333b and the first potential line 361, and the second contact such as contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d connecting an outer peripheral side of the second electrode 331b, second electrode 332b and second electrode 333b and the second potential line 362 is plurally provided in each of the second electrode 331b, second electrode 332b and second electrode 333b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal panel.

Background Art

[0002] A liquid crystal panel capable of controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules so as to produce an optical effect such as that of a lens is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When attempting to make a liquid crystal panel function as a lens, it is necessary to form a potential gradient by making the potential different between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of a circular or annular electrode provided in the light-transmitting region of the liquid crystal panel. Here, the circumferential length is longer on the outer peripheral side of the electrode. Therefore, when a potential is applied from a point on the circumference on the outer peripheral side of the electrode, the potential is less likely to be transmitted to a position farther from that point in the circumferential direction, and there has been a case where a potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side cannot be formed well.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid crystal panel capable of more reliably forming a potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of an electrode.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A liquid crystal panel according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes two substrates and liquid crystal sandwiched between the two substrates. One of the two substrates, a first substrate, includes a potential gradient forming portion provided in a light-transmitting region and having a circular outer peripheral edge, a first electrode provided on the inner peripheral side of the potential gradient forming portion, a second electrode provided on the outer peripheral side of the potential gradient forming portion and having an annular shape, a first transmission portion to which one of two different potentials is applied, a second transmission portion to which the other of the two different potentials is applied, a first contact connecting the first electrode and the first transmission portion, and a second contact connecting the second electrode and the second transmission portion. The potential gradient forming portion is made of a conductor having a higher electrical resistance than the first electrode and the second electrode, and a plurality of the second contacts are provided for one of the second electrodes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[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 for those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art with appropriate modifications while maintaining the gist of the invention, they are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, for the purpose of making the description clearer, the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual aspect, but this is merely an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Also, in this specification and each figure, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same elements as those described above with respect to the already shown figures, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical device 1 according to an embodiment. The optical device 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 10 and a flexible substrate 11. The liquid crystal panel 10 is a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal 40 (see FIG. 3) is sealed. The flexible substrate 11 has a plurality of wirings that connect the liquid crystal panel 10 and an external control device.

[0010] When described as the first direction Dx in the description of the embodiment, it refers to one direction along the plate surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. When described as the second direction Dy, it refers to one direction along the plate surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and perpendicular to the first direction Dx. When described as the third direction Dz, it refers to one direction perpendicular to the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 10 includes a light-transmitting region AA and a peripheral region FA. The light-transmitting region AA is, for example, a region within the edge having a circular edge in a plan view. The peripheral region FA is a region surrounding the outside of the light-transmitting region AA in a plan view. Note that the plan view is a viewpoint for viewing the plate surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 from the front. The light-transmitting region AA is a region controlled to transmit light from one side to the other side of the liquid crystal panel 10 during the operation of the optical device 1. The peripheral region FA is provided so as not to transmit light.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure within the light-transmitting region AA in a plan view. In the light-transmitting region AA, a plurality of concentric regions are provided with reference to the center of the circle of the light-transmitting region AA. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 are provided as three concentric regions, but this is merely an example. The number of concentric regions may be two, or may be four or more (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Note that the plurality of concentric regions include a first region A1 that is a circular region located at the center, and one or more annular regions (for example, the second region A2, the third region A3, etc.) that surround the circular region on the outer side in the radial direction of the circle of the light-transmitting region AA with respect to the circular region. Hereinafter, when simply described as the radial direction, unless otherwise noted, it refers to the radial direction of the circle of the light-transmitting region AA. Also, when simply described as a concentric region, it refers to either the circular region or the annular region.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal panel 10 has a first substrate 37 and a second substrate 43 that face each other in the third direction Dz with the liquid crystal 40 interposed therebetween. The first substrate 37 and the second substrate 43 are light-transmissive substrates such as glass substrates.

[0014] On the liquid crystal 40 side of the second substrate 43, an alignment film 41 and a common electrode 42 are laminated in this order from the liquid crystal 40 side toward the second substrate 43 side. The alignment film 41 is an insulating layer having grooves for defining the initial alignment of liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 formed on the surface on the liquid crystal 40 side. The common electrode 42 is an electrode that covers the entire light-transmitting region AA.

[0015] On the liquid crystal 40 side of the first substrate 37, an alignment film 31, a high-resistance film layer 32, an electrode layer 33, and a transmission portion layer 36 are laminated in this order from the liquid crystal 40 side toward the first substrate 37 side. The alignment film 31 is an insulating layer having grooves for defining the initial alignment of liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 formed on the surface on the liquid crystal 40 side. The high-resistance film layer 32 is a film-like layer (high-resistance film) that exhibits a relatively high electrical resistance compared to the common electrode 42 and the electrode layer 33 but functions as a conductor. Specifically, the high-resistance film layer 32 is formed of ITO / SiO2. As a specific example of the electrical resistance value of the high-resistance film layer 32, it is from 10 6 ohm-meter (Ω / m 2 ) or more to 10 8 Ω / m 2 and the electrical resistance value defined within the following range can be mentioned.

[0016] The high-resistance film layer 32 is individually provided in the plurality of concentric regions described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the high-resistance film layer 32 includes a first high-resistance film 321 provided in the first region A1, a second high-resistance film 322 provided in the second region A2, and a third high-resistance film 323 provided in the third region A3. The first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 have a common center CE of the arcs of the outer peripheral edges. That is, the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 are a plurality of concentric regions sharing the center of the outer peripheral circle. As shown in FIG. 2, the first high-resistance film 321 has a circular shape in plan view. The second high-resistance film 322 has an annular shape surrounding the first high-resistance film 321. The third high-resistance film 323 has an annular shape surrounding the second high-resistance film 322.

[0017] Among a plurality of concentric circular regions, a gap is provided between adjacent concentric circular regions in the radial direction. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the gap D1 between the first region A1 and the second region A2 and the gap D2 between the second region A2 and the third region A3 are illustrated. The number of such gaps is the number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of concentric circular regions. Note that such gaps are applied to the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 and are not applied to other configurations.

[0018] In the embodiment, among the plurality of concentric circular regions, the outermost concentric circular region has a smaller radial width. According to the radial width of such concentric circular regions, the radial width of the high-resistance film layer 32 is also smaller for the concentric circular region located more outward.

[0019] The electrode layer 33 is a film-like layer that functions as a conductor. Specifically, the electrode layer 33 and the common electrode 42 are formed of a thin-film translucent conductive film such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), but may be formed of a non-translucent material with extremely high conductivity such as copper or aluminum.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and FIG. 5 to be described later, the electrode layer 33 includes a first electrode 331a, a second electrode 331b, a first electrode 332a, a second electrode 332b, a first electrode 333a, and a second electrode 333b. The first electrode 331a is provided so as to overlap the center CE (see FIG. 5) of the first high-resistance film 321. The shape of the first electrode 331a in plan view is, for example, circular, but may be dot-shaped or polygonal.

[0021] The second electrode 331b is provided within a range overlapping with the first high-resistance film 321 along the outer peripheral edge of the first high-resistance film 321. The first electrode 332a is provided within a range overlapping with the second high-resistance film 322 along the inner peripheral edge of the second high-resistance film 322. The second electrode 332b is provided within a range overlapping with the second high-resistance film 322 along the outer peripheral edge of the second high-resistance film 322. The first electrode 333a is provided within a range overlapping with the third high-resistance film 323 along the inner peripheral edge of the third high-resistance film 323. The second electrode 333b is provided within a range overlapping with the third high-resistance film 323 along the outer peripheral edge of the third high-resistance film 323. As shown in FIG. 5, the shapes of the second electrode 331b, the first electrode 332a, the second electrode 332b, the first electrode 333a, and the second electrode 333b in a plan view are all circular rings over the entire circumference.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first electrode 331a and the second electrode 331b are separated from each other in the radial direction. Also, the first electrode 332a and the second electrode 332b are separated from each other in the radial direction. Also, the first electrode 333a and the second electrode 333b are separated from each other in the radial direction.

[0023] The high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 are connected via a contact formed at a position where the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 overlap. In FIG. 3, a contact 380 connecting the third high-resistance film 323 and the second electrode 333b is illustrated. The contact 380 is formed in the connection portion layer 38. The connection portion layer 38 is a part of the high-resistance film layer 32 and is the portion of the high-resistance film layer 32 on the side of the electrode layer 33.

[0024] In the embodiment, among the contacts formed at the positions where the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 overlap, only the contact connecting the first high-resistance film 321 and the first electrode 331a is dot-shaped, and the other contacts are circular rings over the entire circumference.

[0025] The transmission portion layer 36 is a conductive layer that overlaps a part of the electrode layer 33 in a plan view. The transmission portion layer 36 is formed of a material with extremely high conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[0026] The transmission layer 36 includes a first potential line 361 and a second potential line 362. The first potential line 361 overlaps with a part of the structure provided on the inner peripheral side of a plurality of concentric regions in the electrode layer 33. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the first potential line 361 overlaps with the first electrode 331a, the first electrode 332a, and the first electrode 333a. The second potential line 362 overlaps with a part of the structure provided on the outer peripheral side of a plurality of concentric regions in the electrode layer 33. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second potential line 362 overlaps with the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, and the second electrode 333b. Although not shown, the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 are connected to power supply points having different potentials on the other end side, respectively.

[0027] The electrode layer 33 and the transmission layer 36 are connected via a contact formed at a position where the electrode layer 33 and the transmission layer 36 overlap. In FIG. 3, a contact 35 connecting the second electrode 333b and the second potential line 362 is illustrated. The contact 35 is formed in the connection sub-layer 39. The connection sub-layer 39 is a part of the electrode layer 33 and is the part of the electrode layer 33 on the transmission layer 36 side.

[0028] Among the connection combinations of the structures included in the electrode layer 33 and the structures included in the transmission layer 36, combinations other than the combination of the second electrode 333b and the second potential line 362 are also connected via contacts. Specifically, the first potential line 361 is connected to the first electrode 331a, the first electrode 332a, and the first electrode 333a. The second potential line 362 is connected to the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, and the second electrode 333b.

[0029] Even if the electrode layer 33 and the transmission layer 36 overlap in a plan view, if no contact is provided at the overlapping position, there is no connection at the overlapping position.

[0030] Due to the laminated structure and connection relationship described with reference to FIG. 3, a potential difference occurs between the inner and outer sides in the radial direction of the high-resistance film layer 32. Specifically, the potential difference between the potential applied to the first potential line 361 and the potential applied to the second potential line 362 creates a potential gradient between the inner and outer sides in the radial direction of the high-resistance film layer 32. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 becomes an orientation corresponding to the potential gradient of each of the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3, as shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, such an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is realized in relation to such a potential gradient and the fixed potential applied to the common electrode 42.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance from the optical centers of the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 and the refractive index difference of the light generated by the liquid crystal 40 in the state shown in FIG. 3 in the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3. The refractive index difference referred to here means the magnitude of the change in the traveling direction of the light incident along the third direction Dz from the first substrate 37 of the liquid crystal panel 10. The greater the degree of change in the traveling direction, which changes in the direction from the intersection angle with respect to the third direction Dz toward the inside in the radial direction toward the focal point, before passing to the second substrate 43 side of the liquid crystal panel 10, the greater the refractive index difference is considered to be.

[0032] As shown by the graphs G1 and G2 in FIG. 4, in a specific example, in each of the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3, the smaller the refractive index difference is at positions with a shorter radial distance, and the larger the refractive index difference is at positions with a longer radial distance. Also, in a specific example, within one concentric circular region, the refractive index difference increases from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, but when moving from one concentric circular region to a different concentric circular region, the refractive index difference is controlled so that the refractive index difference is reset to 0 at the innermost circumference of the different concentric circular region. Note that the refractive index difference in the embodiment is closer to that shown by the graph G2.

[0033] By controlling the potential difference between the potential applied to the first potential line 361 and the potential applied to the second potential line 362 so that the refractive index difference described with reference to FIG. 4 is established, each concentric region of the liquid crystal panel 10 produces an optical effect similar to that of a lens that directs the light entering from the lower side along the third direction Dz towards the focal point at positions closer to the outer side in the radial direction. If this optical effect is exemplified by the optical effect of a lens, it is the same as the optical effect of a lens with a flat lower side and a convex lens-shaped upper side. In FIG. 3, for the purpose of schematically showing this optical effect, the broken lines L1, L2, and L3 are illustrated. The broken line L1 shows the optical effect generated by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 in the first region A1. The broken line L2 shows the optical effect generated by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 in the second region A2. The broken line L3 shows the optical effect generated by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 in the third region A3. The optical effect by the plurality of concentric regions schematically shown by the broken lines L1, L2, and L3 is substantially the same as the optical effect produced by a Fresnel lens. That is, the liquid crystal panel 10 including the plurality of concentric regions operates to produce an optical effect similar to that of a Fresnel lens.

[0034] Next, with respect to the more specific planar view shapes of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362, and the planar view arrangement of the contacts included in the contact layer 35, reference will be made to FIGS. 5 to 12 for description.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shapes of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 and the arrangement of the contacts included in the contact layer 35 in a planar view. Note that the contacts 351, 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r are included in the contact layer 35 shown in FIG. 3, and each of these functions as a contact.

[0036] The first potential line 361 has a base portion that extends radially from the center of a plurality of concentric regions to the outside of the plurality of concentric regions. In FIG. 5, among the base portions, the radially outer end portion is shown as an end portion 3611. Also, in FIG. 5, the base portion extends along the second direction Dy. Hereinafter, in the description of the first potential line 361, each part will be described with reference to the extending direction (second direction Dy) of the base portion. The first potential line 361 is connected to the first electrode 331a within the light-transmitting region AA via a contact 351 at an end portion on the opposite side of one end outside the light-transmitting region AA. Therefore, the first potential line 361 is connected to the first electrode 331a via one location (contact 351).

[0037] The first potential line 361 shown in FIG. 5 has an extending portion 361b, an extending portion 361c, an extending portion 361d, an arc-shaped extending portion 361e, an arc-shaped extending portion 361f, an arc-shaped extending portion 361g, and an arc-shaped extending portion 361h.

[0038] Contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, and 352d are provided as contacts provided in the contact layer 35 for the first electrode 332a. Among these, the contact 352b corresponds to the contact 352 in the embodiment, overlaps the first potential line 361 in a plan view, and connects the first electrode 332a and the first potential line 361. The contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, and 352d are arranged such that the arc drawn by the first electrode 332a is approximately divided into four equal parts. Specifically, the contacts 352a and 352c are arranged to face each other substantially in the first direction Dx with the first electrode 331a interposed therebetween in a plan view. The contacts 352b and 352d are arranged to face each other substantially in the second direction Dy with the first electrode 331a interposed therebetween in a plan view.

[0039] The extending portion 361b has a structure in which one end is at the position of the contact 352a in a plan view, and the other end extends to a position overlapping the first electrode 333a along the first direction Dx. The extending portion 361c has a structure in which one end is at the position of the contact 352c in a plan view, and the other end extends to a position overlapping the first electrode 333a along the first direction Dx. The extending portion 361d has a structure in which one end is at the position of the contact 352d in a plan view, and the other end extends to a position overlapping the first electrode 333a along the second direction Dy.

[0040] The arc-shaped extending portion 361e has a structure that extends from the other end of the extending portion 361b along the first electrode 333a in a clockwise direction to draw an arc of about 1 / 8 of the circumference. The arc-shaped extending portion 361f has a structure that extends from the position overlapping the first electrode 333a among the first potential lines 361 along the first electrode 333a in a clockwise direction to draw an arc of about 1 / 8 of the circumference. The arc-shaped extending portion 361g has a structure that extends from the other end of the extending portion 361c along the first electrode 333a in a clockwise direction to draw an arc of about 1 / 8 of the circumference. The arc-shaped extending portion 361h has a structure that extends from the other end of the extending portion 361d along the first electrode 333a in a clockwise direction to draw an arc of about 1 / 8 of the circumference.

[0041] Contact 353a connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the other end of the extension 361b in a plan view. Contact 353b connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the extension end of the arc-shaped extension 361e in a plan view. Contact 353c connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position where the first potential line 361 overlaps the first electrode 333a. Contact 353d connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the extension end of the arc-shaped extension 361f in a plan view. Contact 353e connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the other end of the arc-shaped extension 361g in a plan view. Contact 353f connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the extension end of the arc-shaped extension 361g in a plan view. Contact 353g connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the other end of the arc-shaped extension 361h in a plan view. Contact 353h connects the first potential line 361 and the first electrode 333a at a position overlapping the extension end of the arc-shaped extension 361h in a plan view. Therefore, the first potential line 361 is connected to the first electrode 333a via eight locations (contacts 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h).

[0042] The second potential line 362 shown in FIG. 5 has an octagonal base surrounding the outside of the light-transmitting region AA. One side of the octagon is divided into two, and the first potential line 361 is interposed between the two. One of the two ends, end 3621, is one of the two ends extending in the first direction Dx. The end 3621 of the two is continuous with an extension 362b extending in the second direction Dy. Note that the shape of the base of the second potential line 362 may be any shape that can surround the light-transmitting region AA from the outside, for example, an arc shape. However, in the following description, the description will be made on the premise that the second potential line 362 in Modification 2 is octagonal.

[0043] The second potential line 362 shown in FIG. 5 has extensions 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d, 362e, 362f, 362g, 362h.

[0044] The extending portions 362a, 362b, 362c, and 362d extend from one side of the octagonal shape of the second potential line 362 to the position overlapping with the second electrode 331b in a plan view. The extending portions 362a and 362c extend along the first direction Dx. The extending portions 362b and 362d extend along the second direction Dy. One side of the first potential line 361 from which the extending portion 362a extends and one side of the first potential line 361 from which the extending portion 362c extends face each other with the light-transmitting region AA therebetween. One side of the first potential line 361 from which the extending portion 362b extends and one side of the first potential line 361 from which the extending portion 362d extends face each other with the light-transmitting region AA therebetween.

[0045] The extending portion 362a is connected to the second electrode 331b via the contact 351a at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 331b at the extending end. Also, the extending portion 362a is connected to the second electrode 332b via the contact 352e at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 332b. Also, the extending portion 362a is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353i at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 333b.

[0046] The extending portion 362b is connected to the second electrode 331b via the contact 351b at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 331b at the extending end. Also, the extending portion 362b is connected to the second electrode 332b via the contact 352f at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 332b. Also, the extending portion 362b is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353k at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 333b.

[0047] The extending portion 362c is connected to the second electrode 331b via the contact 351c at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 331b at the extending end. Also, the extending portion 362c is connected to the second electrode 332b via the contact 352g at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 332b. Also, the extending portion 362c is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353n at the position where it overlaps with the second electrode 333b.

[0048] The extending portion 362d is connected to the second electrode 331b via the contact 351d at a position overlapping with the second electrode 331b at the extending end. Further, the extending portion 362d is connected to the second electrode 332b via the contact 352h at a position overlapping with the second electrode 332b. Also, the extending portion 362d is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353q at a position overlapping with the second electrode 333b.

[0049] Starting from the contact 352a, in the order of contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, these are arranged on a concentric circumference in the clockwise direction. Starting from the contact 353a, in the order of contacts 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, these are arranged on a concentric circumference in the clockwise direction.

[0050] Note that in the example shown in FIG. 5, the extending portion 362b has an extending portion 362y that extends further outside the first potential line 361.

[0051] The extending portions 362e, 362f, 362g, 362h extend from one side of the octagonal shape of the second potential line 362 to a position overlapping with the second electrode 333b in a plan view.

[0052] One side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362a extends, one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362b extends, one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362c extends, one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362d extends, one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362e extends, one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362f extends, one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362g extends, and one side of the second potential line 362 from which the extending portion 362h extends are all different.

[0053] The extension part 362e is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353j at a position overlapping the second electrode 333b. The extension part 362f is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353m at a position overlapping the second electrode 333b. The extension part 362g is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353p at a position overlapping the second electrode 333b. The extension part 362h is connected to the second electrode 333b via the contact 353r at a position overlapping the second electrode 333b.

[0054] Starting from the contact 351a, in the order of contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, these are arranged on a concentric circumference in the clockwise direction. Starting from the contact 352e, in the order of contacts 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, these are arranged on a concentric circumference in the clockwise direction. Starting from the contact 353i, in the order of contacts 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r, these are arranged on a concentric circumference in the clockwise direction.

[0055] The first potential line 361 is connected to a first power supply part (not shown) at the end 3611 outside the light-transmitting region AA. At least one of the ends 3621 and 3622, which are divided into two at one side of the octagon at the base, is connected to a second power supply part (not shown) outside the light-transmitting region AA. The potential applied from the first power supply part to the first potential line 361 is different from the potential applied from the second power supply part to the second potential line 362. Thereby, the potential gradient described with reference to FIG. 4 is generated.

[0056] The potential difference corresponding to the broken line L1 shown in FIG. 3 is the difference between the potential of the first electrode 331a applied from the first potential line 361 via the contact 351 and the potential of the second electrode 331b applied from the second potential line 362 via the extension parts 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d and the contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d.

[0057] The potential difference corresponding to the broken line L2 shown in FIG. 3 is the difference between the potential of the first electrode 332a supplied from the first potential line 361 through the contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, and the potential of the second electrode 332b supplied from the second potential line 362 through the extending portions 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d and the contacts 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h.

[0058] The potential difference corresponding to the broken line L3 shown in FIG. 3 is the difference between the potential of the first electrode 333a supplied from the first potential line 361 through the extending portions 361b, 361c, 361d, the arc-shaped extending portions 361e, 361f, 361g, and 361h and the contacts 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, and the potential of the second electrode 333b supplied from the second potential line 362 through the extending portions 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d, the extending portions 362e, 362f, 362g, 362h and the contacts 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the broken line VI shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the broken line VII shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the broken line VIII shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the broken line IX shown in FIG. 5. Note that in FIGS. 6 to 9, only the layers on the side of the first substrate 37 from the high-resistance film layer 32 are shown, and illustrations of other laminated structures of the liquid crystal panel 10 are omitted.

[0060] The first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 are in the same layer but are electrically independent. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first potential line 361 and the extending portion 362b are separated in the first direction Dx. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, at other locations as well, the components included in the first potential line 361 and the components included in the second potential line 362 are provided separately.

[0061] Also, on the same circumference where a part of the first potential line 361 (for example, the arc-shaped extension 361b shown in FIG. 9) is connected to a part of the electrode layer 33 (for example, the first electrodes 331a, 332a, 333a shown in FIG. 9) via the contact layer 35 (for example, the contacts 351, 352a, 353a shown in FIG. 9), the second potential line 362 is not connected to a part of the electrode layer 33. Further, on the same circumference where a part of the second potential line 362 (for example, the extension 362a shown in FIG. 8) is connected to a part of the electrode layer 33 (for example, the second electrode 332b shown in FIG. 7) via the contact layer 35 (for example, the contact 352f shown in FIG. 8), the first potential line 361 (for example, the first potential line 361 shown in FIG. 7) is not connected to a part of the electrode layer 33 except for the connection between the first electrode 331a and the first potential line 361 via the contact 351 at the center in the radial direction. These events are not limited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the same applies to other locations within the light-transmitting region AA.

[0062] As described above, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, an example of the shapes of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 and the arrangement of the contacts included in the contact layer 35 has been described. However, the shapes of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 and the arrangement of the contacts included in the contact layer 35 are not limited thereto. For example, the branching structures of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 may be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the number of a plurality of concentric circular regions based on the center of the circle of the light-transmitting region AA. Hereinafter, an example of a structure in which the branching structures of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 are more numerous than in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first potential line 361 having more branch structures than in FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second potential line 362 having more branch structures than in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 10 and 11, for the purpose of making the illustration easier to understand, the first potential line 361 is illustrated in FIG. 10 and the second potential line 362 is illustrated in FIG. 11. Actually, the first potential line 361 in FIG. 10 and the second potential line 362 in FIG. 11 are provided on the same liquid crystal panel 10. Also, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the number of a plurality of concentric regions is four, and a fourth high resistance film 324 is provided further outside than the third high resistance film 323. The fourth high resistance film 324 is a part of the high resistance film layer 32. Along the inner peripheral edge of the fourth high resistance film 324, a first electrode 334a is provided. Along the outer peripheral edge of the fourth high resistance film 324, a second electrode 334b is provided. The first electrode 334a and the second electrode 334b are parts of the electrode layer 33 and are annular.

[0064] Hereinafter, in the description with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a description will be given with particular emphasis on the differences from the structure shown in FIG. 5. The plurality of contacts 354x shown in FIG. 10 and the plurality of contacts 354y shown in FIG. 11 are included in the contact layer 35 shown in FIG. 3, and these each function as a contact.

[0065] In FIG. 10, the base portion of the first potential line 361 extends to the outside of the fourth high resistance film 324. Also, taking the contact layer 35 (contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d) at the position overlapping with the first electrode 332a as one end side, the other end sides of the extending portions 361b, 361c, and 361d extending radially outward extend to the position overlapping with the first electrode 334a.

[0066] In addition, the first potential line 361 shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the configuration of the first potential line 361 shown in FIG. 5, further has a linear extension portion 361i, a linear extension portion 361j, a linear extension portion 361k, a linear extension portion 361m, and a plurality of arc-shaped extension portions 361x. The linear extension portion 361i extends linearly outward from the extension end of the arc-shaped extension portion 361e to a position overlapping the first electrode 334a outside the light-transmitting region AA. The linear extension portion 361j extends linearly outward from the extension end of the arc-shaped extension portion 361f to a position overlapping the first electrode 334a outside the light-transmitting region AA. The linear extension portion 361k extends linearly outward from the extension end of the arc-shaped extension portion 361g to a position overlapping the first electrode 334a outside the light-transmitting region AA. The linear extension portion 361m extends linearly outward from the extension end of the arc-shaped extension portion 361h to a position overlapping the first electrode 334a outside the light-transmitting region AA.

[0067] One of the plurality of arc-shaped extension portions 361x has a structure that extends from a position overlapping the first electrode 334a in the base portion of the first potential line 361 along the first electrode 334a in a clockwise direction to draw an arc of about 1 / 16 of the circumference. Those other than the one of the plurality of arc-shaped extension portions 361x specifically mentioned above have a structure that extends from the radially outer extension ends of each of the extension portion 361b, the extension portion 361c, the extension portion 361d, the linear extension portion 361i, the linear extension portion 361j, the linear extension portion 361k, and the linear extension portion 361m along the first electrode 334a in a clockwise direction to draw an arc of about 1 / 16 of the circumference.

[0068] The contact 354x connects the arc-shaped extension portion 361x and the first electrode 334a at positions overlapping both ends of each arc of the plurality of arc-shaped extension portions 361x. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the first potential line 361 has eight arc-shaped extension portions 361x and is connected to the first electrode 334a via 16 contacts 354x.

[0069] In addition, the second potential line 362 shown in FIG. 11 is hexagonal in a plan view. Thus, the shape of the base of the second potential line 362 located around the light-transmitting region AA in a plan view is not limited to an octagonal shape, and it may be within the peripheral region FA of the liquid crystal panel 10 and may be provided around the light-transmitting region AA.

[0070] The extending portions 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d shown in FIG. 11 each extend from one side of the hexagonal shape of the second potential line 362 to a position overlapping the second electrode 331b. Therefore, the extending portions 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d shown in FIG. 11 overlap not only the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, and the second electrode 333b but also the second electrode 334b in a plan view. The extending portions 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d shown in FIG. 11 are connected to the second electrode 334b through the contact 354y at the position overlapping the second electrode 334b.

[0071] In addition, in FIG. 11, the configuration connected to the second electrode 333b through the contacts 353j, 353m, 353p, 353r is replaced by the extending portions 362p, 362q, 362r, 362s from the extending portions 362e, 362f, 362g, 362h in FIG. 5. The extending portions 362p, 362q, 362r, 362s each extend from one side of the hexagonal shape of the second potential line 362 to a position overlapping the second electrode 333b. The extending portions 362p, 362q, 362r, 362s are connected to the second electrode 334b through the contact 354y at the position overlapping the second electrode 334b.

[0072] In addition to the configuration of the second potential line 362 shown in FIG. 11, the second potential line 362 shown in FIG. 5 further has 362t, 362u, 362v, 362w, 362x, 362y, 362z, 362j. The extending portions 362t, 362u, 362v, 362w, 362x, 362y, 362z, 362j each extend from one side of the hexagonal shape of the second potential line 362 to a position overlapping with the second electrode 334b. The extending portions 362t, 362u, 362v, 362w, 362x, 362y, 362z, 362j are connected to the second electrode 334b via the contacts 354y at the positions where they overlap with the second electrode 334b.

[0073] The configuration in which the hexagonal second potential line 362 shown in FIG. 11 extends into the light-transmitting region AA starts from the position of the extending portion 362a and, in the clockwise direction, the extending portions 362a, 362t, 362p, 362u, 362b, 362v, 362q, 362w, 362c, 362x, 362r, 362y, 362d, 362z, 362s, 362j are arranged in this order. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the second potential line 362 is connected to the second electrode 334b via 16 contacts 354y.

[0074] In FIG. 10, when a linear extending portion further extends outward from the arc-shaped extending portion in the light-transmitting region AA, the number of linear extending portions is one for each arc-shaped extending portion, but a plurality of linear extending portions may be provided for each arc-shaped extending portion.

[0075] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a structural example of a part of the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 when two linear extending portions are provided for each arc-shaped extending portion. The linear portion 361p in FIG. 12 corresponds to the extending portion 361b, the extending portion 361c, the extending portion 361d, or the base portion of the first potential line 361 in FIG. 10. Also, the arc-shaped extending portion 361y corresponds to the arc-shaped extending portion 361e, the arc-shaped extending portion 361f, the arc-shaped extending portion 361g, or the arc-shaped extending portion 361h in FIG. 10. Note that the contacts 35α, 35β, 35Γ, 35Δ, 35Ω, 35θ in FIG. 12 are included in the contact layer 35 shown in FIG. 3, and these each function as a contact.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, from the arcuate extension portion 361y, a linear extension portion 361r extends linearly further toward the outside of the arc, starting from the end portion on the opposite side of the linear portion 361p across the arcuate extension portion. Also, from the arcuate extension portion 361y, a linear extension portion 361q extends linearly further toward the outside of the arc, starting from a position approximately in the middle between the linear portion 361p and the linear extension portion 361r in the arcuate extension portion. That is, two linear extension portions (linear extension portions 361q and 361r) are provided on the arcuate extension portion 361y shown in FIG. 12. The number of linear extension portions provided for one arcuate extension portion may be three or more.

[0077] Also, arcuate extension portions 361z extend from the extension ends of the linear extension portion 361q, the linear extension portion 361r, and the linear portion 361p, respectively. Here, let o be a value indicating a position of a part of the high-resistance film layer 32 that overlaps with the arcuate extension portion 361y in a plan view (a value indicating a position when a plurality of concentric regions are numbered in order from the inside). For example, when a part of the electrode layer 33 that overlaps with the arcuate extension portion 361y is the first electrode 333a, a part of the high-resistance film layer 32 that overlaps with the first electrode 333a is the third high-resistance film 323, so o = 3. Also, a part of the electrode layer 33 that overlaps with the arcuate extension portion 361y can be expressed as the first electrode 33oa. Also, the arcuate extension portion 361z overlaps with the first electrode 33(o + 1)a.

[0078] In FIG. 12, the linear portion 361p is connected to the first electrode 33(o - 1)a via the contact 35α, connected to the first electrode 33oa via the contact 35Γ, and connected to the first electrode 33(o + 1)a via the contact 35Ω. Also, the arcuate extension portion 361y is connected to the first electrode 33oa via the contact 35Γ at the starting position of the linear extension portion 361q and the starting position of the linear extension portion 361r. Also, the arcuate extension portion 361z is connected to the first electrode 33(o + 1)a via the contact 35Ω at both end positions of the arc.

[0079] Also, in FIG. 12, the base 362m corresponds to the base of the second potential line 362 in FIG. 10. That is, the base of the second potential line 362 may not be polygonal but circular. Note that the base 362m illustrated in FIG. 12 is assumed to be a part corresponding to a part of the first potential line 361 illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0080] From the base 362m, an extension 362k extends to the position of the second electrode 33(o - 1)b such that a part thereof is arranged substantially parallel to a part of the linear part 361p. Also, from the base 362m, an extension 362α extends to the position of the second electrode 33ob such that a part thereof is arranged substantially parallel to a part of the linear extension 361q. Also, from the base 362m, an extension 362β extends to the position of the second electrode 33ob such that a part thereof is arranged substantially parallel to a part of the linear extension 361r. Also, from a position substantially radially opposed to the extension end of the arc-shaped extension 361z of the base 362m, extensions 362Γ, 362Δ, 362Ω extend to the position of the second electrode 33(o + 1)b.

[0081] Also, in FIG. 12, the extension 362k is connected to the second electrode 33(o - 1)b via the contact 35β, connected to the second electrode 33ob via the contact 35Δ, and connected to the second electrode 33(o + 1)b via the contact 35θ. Also, the extension 362α and the extension 362β are connected to the second electrode 33ob via the contact 35Δ and connected to the second electrode 33(o + 1)b via the contact 35θ. Also, the extensions 362Γ, 362Δ, 362Ω are each connected to the second electrode 33(o + 1)b via the contact 35θ.

[0082] In FIG. 12, there is no linear extension extending further from the arcuate extension 361z. However, one or more linear extensions may extend outward from the arcuate extension 361z. That is, with respect to a certain arcuate extension (for example, the arcuate extension 361y), one or more linear extensions may extend outward through the linear extension and be connected to an arcuate extension (for example, the arcuate extension 361z) located on the outer side in the radial direction, and an arcuate extension may extend from each of the one or more linear extensions. The second potential line 362 has extensions (for example, extensions 362k, 362α, 362β, 362Γ, 362Δ, 362Ω) that extend toward the inside of the light-transmitting region AA so as to be substantially parallel to a part of the linear extension at a position where it does not intersect the arcuate extension, corresponding to the branching structure of the first potential line 361.

[0083] By a part of the contact layer 35 provided at a plurality of positions described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, each part (for example, the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, the second electrode 333b, etc.) of the electrode layer 33 provided in a plurality of concentric regions is connected to the second potential line 362 at a plurality of locations, and those (for example, the first electrode 332a, the first electrode 333a, etc.) excluding the innermost one (the first electrode 331a) of the parts of the electrode layer 33 provided in a plurality of concentric regions are connected to the first potential line 361 at a plurality of locations, whereby the refractive index difference described with reference to FIG. 4 can be more reliably generated. Hereinafter, the mechanism and concept will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0084] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a configuration in which different potentials are applied to one contact each on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of a circumferential high-resistance film 329 provided with a first electrode 339a on the inner peripheral side and a second electrode 339b on the outer peripheral side. The high-resistance film 329 is considered to have the same configuration as the high-resistance film layer 32. The first electrode 339a and the second electrode 339b are considered to have the same configuration as the electrode layer 33. The potential of the second potential line 368 and the potential of the first potential line 369 are different. The potential of the second potential line 368 is applied to the second electrode 339b via the contact 358. The potential of the first potential line 369 is applied to the first electrode 339a via the contact 359.

[0085] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the configuration shown in FIG. 13 is cut at the cutting position CP to make the high-resistance film 329 linear. In FIG. 14, the width of the high-resistance film 329 along the facing direction between the contact 358 and the contact 359 is defined as width La, and the length of the high-resistance film 329 orthogonal to the width La, that is, the circumferential length of the high-resistance film 329 in FIG. 13 is defined as length Lb.

[0086] In FIG. 14, it can be understood that the length from the contacts 358 and 359 to the position of the high-resistance film 329 farthest from them is substantially half of the length Lb. The farther the position is from a certain contact (contact 358 or contact 359), the more likely the influence of the potential provided by the certain contact is to weaken. Therefore, the potential difference between the potentials applied from the second potential line 368 and the first potential line 369 via the contacts 358 and 359 is lowest in the vicinity of the cutting position CP. The longer the length Lb is, the longer the lengths L31, 32, 33, 34 are, and the potential difference in the direction of the width La in the vicinity of the cutting position CP is lower than the potential difference in the vicinity of a position where the relative distance to the contacts 358 and 359 is closer.

[0087] Assume a case where, in each of the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of a plurality of concentric regions in the light-transmitting region AA of the liquid crystal panel 10, there is only one contact by the contact layer 35 on the circumference like the contacts 358 and 359 in FIG. 13. In this case, for concentric regions located more outside among the plurality of concentric regions in the light-transmitting region AA of the liquid crystal panel 10, the resistance value due to the circumferential length of the configuration (for example, the first electrode 339a, the second electrode 339b) included in the electrode layer 33 becomes larger. Therefore, in this case, it becomes difficult to generate a voltage gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the high-resistance film layer 32 for concentric regions located more outside. As a result, it becomes difficult to generate the refractive index difference described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0088] In the liquid crystal panel 10 described with reference to FIG. 3, the potential difference between the potentials applied from the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 is brought about in the liquid crystal 40 through the contact layer 35, the electrode layer 33, and the high-resistance film layer 32.

[0089] As described above, the high-resistance film layer 32 exhibits a relatively high electrical resistance compared to the electrode layer 33. Due to such a relatively high electrical resistance, the larger the radial width of the concentric region, the easier it is to establish a voltage gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side. However, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the more outwardly located the concentric region, the narrower the radial width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side. Therefore, for the more outwardly located concentric regions, it becomes impossible to rely on the voltage gradient established by the radial width of the high-resistance film layer 32.

[0090] Thus, in terms of both the length Lc to the cutting position CP and the radial width of the high-resistance film layer 32, for the more outwardly located concentric regions, the technical difficulty of generating a voltage gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side and the refractive index difference due to the voltage gradient increases. Therefore, in the present disclosure, a part of the contact layer 35 provided at a plurality of positions causes each part of the electrode layer 33 provided in the plurality of concentric regions (for example, the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, the second electrode 333b, etc.) to be connected to the second potential line 362 at a plurality of locations, and those of the part of the electrode layer 33 provided in the plurality of concentric regions excluding the innermost one (the first electrode 331a) (for example, the first electrode 332a, the first electrode 333a, etc.) are connected to the first potential line 361 at a plurality of locations.

[0091] Specifically, the second electrode 331b is connected to the second potential line 362 at four locations (the positions of contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, and 351d). Also, the second electrode 332b is connected to the second potential line 362 at four locations (the positions of contacts 352e, 351f, 352g, and 352h). Further, the second electrode 333b is connected to the second potential line 362 at eight locations (the positions of contacts 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, and 353r). Thus, contacts for transmitting the potential of the second potential line 362 to each of the second electrodes 331b and 332b can be arranged so as to divide the circumferences on the outer peripheral sides of the second electrodes 331b and 332b into four parts each. Therefore, when viewed from each contact, the length to the farthest potential reaching point along the circumferential length on the outer peripheral side can be regarded as the length obtained by dividing the outer peripheral side into eight parts. Also, contacts for transmitting the potential of the second potential line 362 to the second electrode 333b can be arranged so as to divide the circumferences on the outer peripheral sides of the second electrodes 333b into eight parts each. Therefore, when viewed from each contact, the length to the farthest potential reaching point along the circumferential length on the outer peripheral side can be regarded as the length obtained by dividing the outer peripheral side into sixteen parts.

[0092] Also, the first electrode 332a is connected to the first potential line 361 at four locations (the positions of contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, and 352d). Therefore, when viewed from each contact, the length to the farthest potential reaching point along the circumferential length on the inner peripheral side can be regarded as the length obtained by dividing the inner peripheral side into eight parts. Also, the first electrode 333a is connected to the first potential line 361 at eight locations (the positions of contacts 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, and 353h). Therefore, when viewed from each contact, the length to the farthest potential reaching point along the circumferential length on the inner peripheral side can be regarded as the length obtained by dividing the inner peripheral side into sixteen parts. Note that the first electrode 331a is connected to the first potential line 361 at one location (the position of contact 351). Since the first electrode 331a is circular, only one location for potential transmission from the center, i.e., on the inner peripheral side, is sufficient.

[0093] When the effective value of the difference in electrical resistance between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the circular or annular high-resistance film layer 32 in one concentric region is defined as the resistance ratio, the resistance ratio depends not only on the electrical resistance (first resistance) between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the high-resistance film layer 32 caused by the width of the high-resistance film layer 32 in the radial direction (the width corresponding to the width La shown in FIG. 13), but also on the electrical resistance (second resistance) of the electrode layer 33 corresponding to the circumferential length of the concentric region in which the high-resistance film layer 32 is provided (the length corresponding to the length Lb shown in FIG. 13). Specifically, the resistance ratio corresponds to the value obtained by dividing the first resistance by the second resistance. The resistance ratio needs to exceed 100, and it is preferably on the order of 1000. In order to achieve such a resistance ratio, there is a tendency that the first resistance is larger and the second resistance is smaller. However, since the width of the high-resistance film layer 32 in the radial direction becomes smaller in the more outer concentric regions, it becomes more difficult to ensure the first resistance in the more outer concentric regions. Therefore, in the embodiment, by using a plurality of contacts for transmitting the potentials from the first potential line 361 and the second potential line 362 to divide the circumferential length of the concentric region, the second resistance is made smaller, thereby ensuring the resistance ratio.

[0094] Note that if the resistance ratio significantly exceeds 1000, conversely, the voltage gradient will be flattened, making it difficult to generate the refractive index difference described with reference to FIG. 4. Therefore, it is preferably on the order of 1000.

[0095] As described above, according to the embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 10 includes two substrates (the first substrate 37 and the second substrate 43) and liquid crystal 40 sandwiched between the two substrates. One of the two substrates, the first substrate (the first substrate 37), is provided with a potential gradient forming portion (for example, the first high-resistance film 321, the second high-resistance film 322, the third high-resistance film 323, the fourth high-resistance film 324, etc.) provided in the light-transmitting region AA and having a circular outer peripheral edge, a first electrode (for example, the first electrode 331a, the first electrode 332a, the first electrode 333a, the first electrode 334a, etc.) provided on the inner peripheral side of the potential gradient forming portion, a second electrode (for example, the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, the second electrode 333b, the second electrode 334b, etc.) provided on the outer peripheral side of the potential gradient forming portion and having an annular shape, a first transmission portion (the first potential line 361) to which one of two different potentials is applied, a second transmission portion (the second potential line 362) to which the other of the two different potentials is applied, a first contact (for example, one or more of contacts 351, 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, 354x, 35α, 35Γ, 35Ω) connecting the first electrode and the first transmission portion, and a second contact (for example, two or more of contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r, 354y, 35β, 35Δ, 35θ) connecting the second electrode and the second transmission portion. The potential gradient forming portion is made of a conductor having a higher electrical resistance than the first electrode and the second electrode. A plurality of the second contacts are provided for one of the electrodes.

[0096] As a result, the potential of the second transmission part (second potential line 362) is applied to the outer peripheral side of the potential gradient forming part (for example, the first high-resistance film 321, the second high-resistance film 322, the third high-resistance film 323, the fourth high-resistance film 324, etc.) through a plurality of second contacts (for example, two or more of contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r, 354y, 35β, 35Δ, 35θ). Therefore, compared with the case where the potential of the second transmission part is applied to the potential gradient forming part through one such second contact, a potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side in the potential gradient forming part can be formed more reliably.

[0097] The second contacts (for example, two or more of contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r, 354y, 35β, 35Δ, 35θ) are arranged so as to divide the ring of the second electrode (for example, the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, the second electrode 333b, the second electrode 334b, etc.) into n parts. The n is a natural number of 2 or more. As a result, as seen from the second contacts, the length to the farthest potential reach point along the circumferential length of the ring formed by the second electrode can be made the length obtained by dividing the circumferential length into 2n parts. That is, compared with the case where the potential of the second transmission part (second potential line 362) is applied to the second electrode through one such second contact, the length to the farthest potential reach point along the circumferential length of the second electrode can be made shorter, so that the potential can be applied more reliably to the farthest potential reach point. Therefore, a potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side in the potential gradient forming part (for example, the first high-resistance film 321, the second high-resistance film 322, the third high-resistance film 323, the fourth high-resistance film 324, etc.) can be formed more reliably.

[0098] Further, the first electrode includes an annular electrode (e.g., the first electrode 332a, the first electrode 333a, the first electrode 334a, etc.) that is annular. A plurality of first contacts (e.g., two or more of the contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, 354x, 35α, 35Γ, 35Ω) are provided. Thereby, the potential of the first transmission part (the first potential line 361) is applied to the annular electrode via the plurality of first contacts. Therefore, compared with the case where the potential of the first transmission part is applied to the annular electrode via one of the first contacts, the potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side in the potential gradient forming part (e.g., the first high resistance film 321, the second high resistance film 322, the third high resistance film 323, the fourth high resistance film 324, etc.) can be formed more reliably.

[0099] Also, the first contacts (e.g., two or more of the contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, 354x, 35α, 35Γ, 35Ω) are arranged so as to divide the ring of the annular electrode (e.g., the first electrode 332a, the first electrode 333a, the first electrode 334a, etc.) into m parts. The m is a natural number of 2 or more. Thereby, as seen from the first contact, the length to the farthest potential reaching point along the circumferential length of the ring formed by the annular electrode can be made the length obtained by dividing the circumferential length into 2m parts. That is, compared with the case where the potential of the first transmission part (the first potential line 361) is applied to the annular electrode via one of the first contacts, the length to the farthest potential reaching point along the circumferential length of the annular electrode can be made shorter, so that the potential can be applied more reliably to the farthest potential reaching point. Therefore, the potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side in the potential gradient forming part (e.g., the first high resistance film 321, the second high resistance film 322, the third high resistance film 323, the fourth high resistance film 324, etc.) can be formed more reliably.

[0100] Further, the first transmission part (first potential line 361) has an arc-shaped part (for example, any one or more of arc-shaped extension parts 361e, 361f, 361g, 361h, 361x, 361y, 361z) along the annular electrode (for example, first electrodes 332a, 333a, 334a, etc.). Two or more of the first contacts (contacts 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f, 353g, 353h, 354x, 35α, 35Γ, 35Ω) connect the arc-shaped part and the annular electrode. Thereby, while making the area occupied by the first transmission part in the light-transmitting region AA smaller, a connection part between the arc-shaped part and the annular electrode by the plurality of first contacts can be ensured.

[0101] Also, a plurality of annular electrodes (for example, first electrodes 332a, 333a, 334a, etc.) are provided with different diameters. The first transmission part (first potential line 361) has a linear extension part (for example, extension parts 361b, 361c, 361d) that linearly extends from a position overlapping with one annular electrode (for example, first electrode 332a) located relatively on the inner peripheral side among the plurality of annular electrodes toward the outer peripheral side, and an arc-shaped extension part (for example, arc-shaped extension parts 361e, 361g, 361h) that extends from the linear extension part along another annular electrode (for example, first electrode 333a) located on the outer peripheral side of the one annular electrode. The first contact connects the arc-shaped extension part and the other annular electrode. Thereby, while making the area occupied by the first transmission part in the light-transmitting region AA smaller, a connection part between the arc-shaped extension part and the other annular electrode by the plurality of first contacts can be ensured.

[0102] Further, the second transmission part (second potential line 362) includes a base part surrounding the outside of the light-transmitting region AA, and extending parts (for example, extending parts 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d, 362e, 362f, 362g, 362h, 362p, 362q, 362r, 362s, 362t, 362u, 362v, 362w, 362x, 362y, 362z, 362j, 362α, 362β, 362Γ, 362Δ, 362Ω) extending from the base part into the light-transmitting region AA. Two or more of the second contacts (for example, two or more of contacts 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, 353i, 353j, 353k, 353m, 353n, 353p, 353q, 353r, 354y, 35β, 35Δ, 35θ) connect the extending parts and the second electrodes (for example, second electrode 331b, second electrode 332b, second electrode 333b, second electrode 334b, etc.). Thereby, while making the area occupied by the first transmission part in the light-transmitting region AA smaller, connection parts between the extending parts and the second electrodes by the plurality of second contacts can be ensured.

[0103] Also, a circular electrode (first electrode 331a) is provided in the light-transmitting region AA. Thereby, the innermost circumference of the light-transmitting region AA that can function as a circular Fresnel lens can be well covered.

[0104] Also, the second substrate (second substrate 43), which is the other of the two substrates, is provided to cover the light-transmitting region AA and includes a common electrode 42 facing a potential gradient forming part (for example, first high-resistance film 321, second high-resistance film 322, third high-resistance film 323, fourth high-resistance film 324, etc.) with the liquid crystal 40 interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal 40 is controlled such that the refractive index of the light in the light-transmitting region AA with respect to the light entering the light-transmitting region AA along the facing direction (third direction Dz) of the two substrates becomes different refractive indices on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the potential gradient forming part according to the potential gradient generated in the potential gradient forming part by the potential difference between the potential from the first transmission part (first potential line 361) and the potential from the second transmission part (second potential line 362). Thereby, the light-transmitting region AA can be made to function like a lens.

[0105] Note that the liquid crystal panel 10 of the embodiment is an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) liquid crystal panel. Therefore, the direction of the initial alignment determined by the alignment film 41 and the direction of the initial alignment determined by the alignment film 31 are parallel and in an anti-parallel relationship in a plan view. However, the specific aspects of the liquid crystal panel 10 such as the characteristics of the alignment films 31 and 41 mentioned here are merely examples, and the form of the liquid crystal panel according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Within the scope described in the claims, the specific form of the liquid crystal panel can be appropriately changed.

[0106] Also, for other operational effects brought about by the aspects described in the present embodiment that are obvious from the description herein or can be appropriately conceived by those skilled in the art, they are naturally understood to be brought about by the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0107] 10 Liquid crystal panel 32 High-resistance film layer 33 Electrode layer 35 Contact layer 36 Transmission layer 37 First substrate 42 Common electrode 43 Second substrate 361 First potential line 362 Second potential line AA Light-transmitting region

Claims

1. Two substrates; A liquid crystal sandwiched between the two substrates, The first substrate, which is one of the two substrates, a potential gradient generating section provided in the light transmitting region and having a circular outer periphery; A first electrode provided on an inner circumferential side of the potential gradient generating portion; a second electrode provided on an outer periphery of the potential gradient generating portion and having an annular shape; a first transmission section to which one of two different potentials is applied; a second transmission section to which the other of the two different potentials is applied; a first contact connecting the first electrode and the first transmission portion; a second contact connecting the second electrode and the second transmission portion; the potential gradient generating unit is made of a conductor having a higher electrical resistance than the first electrode and the second electrode, A plurality of the second contacts are provided on one of the second electrodes. LCD panel.

2. The second contacts are arranged to divide one ring of the second electrode into n portions, n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

3. the first electrode includes an annular electrode, A plurality of the first contacts are provided on one of the annular electrodes. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 2 .

4. the first contacts are arranged to divide one of the annular electrodes into m rings; m is a natural number equal to or greater than 2. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 3 .

5. the first transmission portion has an arc-shaped portion that is aligned with the annular electrode, the first contact connects the arc-shaped portion and the annular electrode; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4.

6. The annular electrodes are provided in plurality with different diameters, The first transmission unit is a linear extension portion that extends linearly from a position overlapping one of the plurality of annular electrodes that is located relatively on the inner periphery side toward the outer periphery side; an arc-shaped extension portion extending from the linear extension portion along another annular electrode that is located on an outer circumferential side of the one annular electrode among the plurality of annular electrodes, The first contact connects the arcuate extension and the other annular electrode. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 5 .

7. The second transmission unit is A base portion surrounding the outside of the light-transmitting region; an extension portion extending from the base portion into the light-transmitting region; The second contact connects the extension portion and the second electrode. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

8. The light-transmitting region is provided with a circular electrode that is the first electrode. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

9. a second substrate, which is the other of the two substrates, includes a common electrode that is provided to cover the light-transmitting region and faces the potential gradient generating unit across the liquid crystal; the liquid crystal is controlled in accordance with a potential gradient generated in the potential gradient forming portion by a potential difference between the two different potentials so that a refractive index of the light in the light-transmitting region for light entering the light-transmitting region along a direction in which the two substrates face each other becomes different between an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side of the potential gradient forming portion. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

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