Liquid crystal element

Abstract

To provide a liquid crystal element capable of easily adjusting the emission direction of light.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal element 1 comprises: a first substrate 10 on which element sets 40 each including an electric resistance film 41, and a first electrode 42 and a second electrode 43 that are electrically coupled to the electric resistance film 41, are disposed; a second substrate 20 on which third electrodes 61 and fourth electrodes 62 are disposed; a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The electric resistance film 41 extends in a first direction D1 in plan view. The first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43, in plan view, extend in the first direction D1 and overlap the electric resistance film 41 in a state of facing each other in a second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. The third electrode 61, in plan view, extends in the first direction D1 and overlaps the first electrode 42. The fourth electrode 62, in plan view, extends in the first direction D1 and overlaps the second electrode 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a headlight with controllable light distribution. The headlight in Patent Document 1 reflects light from a light source using a mirror, and then focuses the reflected light using a lens to irradiate it ahead of the vehicle. The direction of the light irradiation can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the mirror.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an illumination device including a lamp unit including a light source and an arm connected to the lamp unit. The arm includes a first arm and a second arm connected to be rotatable relative to each other. The lamp unit and the second arm are connected to be rotatable relative to each other. The angle between the first arm and the second arm and the angle between the lamp unit and the second arm are adjusted to adjust the direction in which light from the light source is emitted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-174551 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-63255 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In devices capable of adjusting the direction of light emission, such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the adjustment of the direction of light emission is performed by operating a movable part in a mechanism including multiple mechanical parts. There is a demand for such devices with a simple configuration.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid crystal element that can easily adjust the light emission direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The liquid crystal element of the present disclosure comprises an electrically resistive film, a first substrate on which a plurality of element groups each including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the electrically resistive film are arranged, a second substrate on which a plurality of third electrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes are arranged, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the electrically resistive film extends along a first direction in a planar view, the first electrode and the second electrode extend along the first direction in a planar view and overlap with the electrically resistive film while facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of element groups are arranged along the second direction in a planar view, the third electrode extends along the first direction in a planar view and overlaps with the first electrode, and the fourth electrode extends along the first direction in a planar view and overlaps with the second electrode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal element taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the electrical resistance film, the first electrode, and the second electrode. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the third electrode and the fourth electrode. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the degree of tilt of liquid crystal molecules when the liquid crystal element refracts emitted light along the fourth direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the phase difference of emitted light passing through the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal element shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal element of a comparative example. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the degree of tilt of liquid crystal molecules when the liquid crystal element of the comparative example refracts emitted light so as to be along the fourth direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal element according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal element according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components described below include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the components described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0010] It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive of while maintaining the gist of the present disclosure are naturally included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous drawings may be given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 shown in the drawings correspond to directions parallel to the plate surfaces of substrates included in the liquid crystal element 1, which will be described later. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 correspond to the sides of the liquid crystal element 1. In the first direction D1, the side indicated by the arrow is the +D1 side, and the side opposite the +D1 side is the -D1 side. In the second direction D2, the side indicated by the arrow is the +D2 side, and the side opposite the +D2 side is the -D2 side.

[0012] The third direction D3 corresponds to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal element 1. In the third direction D3, the side indicated by the arrow is the +D3 side, and the side opposite to the +D3 side is the -D3 side. The +D3 side of the third direction D3 corresponds to the front side of the liquid crystal element 1, and the -D3 side of the third direction D3 corresponds to the rear side of the liquid crystal element 1. In this specification, "planar view" means viewing the liquid crystal element 1 along the third direction D3. Note that the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these directions.

[0013] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a liquid crystal element 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid crystal element 1 is a refractive plate that refracts light. Light L emitted from a light source S is incident on the liquid crystal element 1. The light source S is, for example, a lighting device such as a vehicle headlight or spotlight.

[0014] When no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal element 1 transmits the emitted light L without changing the direction in which the emitted light L travels (emission direction), as indicated by the solid arrow. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal element 1 refracts the emitted light L so that it follows one of the two directions indicated by the dashed arrow (details will be described later).

[0015] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a liquid crystal element 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal element 1 taken along line III-III shown in Fig. 2. The cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal element 1 shown in Fig. 3 shows the cross-sectional shape of the liquid crystal element 1 cut along a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0016] The liquid crystal element 1 includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 20, and a liquid crystal layer 30.

[0017] The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 face each other. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are light-transmitting. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are, for example, glass substrates, resin substrates, or resin films.

[0018] A plurality of element groups 40, a first insulating layer IL1, and a first alignment film AL1 are arranged on the first substrate 10. Each element group 40 includes an electrically resistive film 41, a first electrode 42, and a second electrode 43.

[0019] 2, the multiple electrical resistance films 41 are arranged in a matrix along each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 in a plan view. The electrical resistance films 41 extend along the first direction D1 in a plan view. Specifically, the electrical resistance films 41 have a rectangular shape in a plan view whose length in the first direction D1 is longer than its length in the second direction D2. In a plan view, the multiple electrical resistance films 41 overlap with a refraction region RA that refracts the emitted light L.

[0020] The electrical resistance value of the electrical resistance film 41 is greater than the electrical resistance values ​​of the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43. The material of the electrical resistance film 41 is a conductive material having light transmission, such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), zinc oxide (ZnO), and IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 are disposed on the rear surface side of the electrical resistance film 41.

[0022] 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the electrically resistive film 41, the first electrode 42, and the second electrode 43. The liquid crystal element 1 further includes a plurality of first stem electrodes 51 and a plurality of second stem electrodes 52 arranged on the first substrate 10.

[0023] The first stem electrode 51 extends along the second direction D2. The first stem electrode 51 is located between two adjacent electrical resistance films 41 in the first direction D1. The first stem electrode 51 is spaced apart from the electrical resistance films 41 in a plan view.

[0024] A plurality of first electrodes 42 are electrically connected to the first trunk electrode 51. The first trunk electrode 51 is integral with the plurality of first electrodes 42. The plurality of first electrodes 42 are electrically connected to the first trunk electrode 51 so as to protrude from the first trunk electrode 51 on both sides in the first direction D1. The first electrodes 42 extend along the first direction D1. The first electrodes 42 are electrically connected to two electrically resistive films 41 adjacent to each other across the first trunk electrode 51 in the first direction D1.

[0025] 3 and 4, the first electrodes 42 are arranged in the second direction D2 and overlap with and electrically connect to the end of the electrically resistive film 41 on the -D2 side in the second direction D2 in a plan view. The first electrodes 42 are in contact with the electrically resistive film 41.

[0026] The second stem electrode 52 extends along the second direction D2. The second stem electrode 52 is located between two adjacent electrical resistance films 41 in the first direction D1. The second stem electrode 52 is spaced apart from the electrical resistance films 41 in a plan view.

[0027] The first stem electrodes 51 and the second stem electrodes 52 are located on opposite sides of the plurality of electrically resistive films 41 in the first direction D1 across the electrically resistive film 41. In other words, the first stem electrodes 51 and the second stem electrodes 52 are arranged alternately in the first direction D1.

[0028] A plurality of second electrodes 43 are electrically connected to the second stem electrode 52. The second stem electrode 52 is integral with the plurality of second electrodes 43. The plurality of second electrodes 43 are electrically connected to the second stem electrode 52 so as to protrude from the second stem electrode 52 on both sides in the first direction D1. The second electrode 43 extends along the first direction D1. The second electrode 43 is electrically connected to two electrically resistive films 41 that are adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, sandwiching the second stem electrode 52 therebetween.

[0029] 3 and 4, a plurality of second electrodes 43 are arranged along the second direction D2, and overlap with and are electrically connected to the end of the electrical resistance film 41 on the +D2 side in the second direction D2 in a plan view. The second electrodes 43 are in contact with the electrical resistance film 41. In each of the plurality of element groups 40, the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 are electrically connected to the electrical resistance film 41 while facing each other in the second direction D2.

[0030] Furthermore, the length in the first direction D1 of the portion of the first electrode 42 that is electrically connected to the end of the electrical resistance film 41 is equal to the length in the first direction D1 of the portion of the second electrode 43 that is electrically connected to the electrical resistance film 41. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shapes of the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 are the same. Therefore, the length in the second direction D2 of the first electrode 42 and the length in the second direction D2 of the second electrode 43 are equal to each other.

[0031] By arranging the electrical resistance film 41, the first electrode 42, and the second electrode 43 in this manner, the plurality of element groups 40 are arranged in a matrix along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0032] The materials of the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the first stem electrode 51, and the second stem electrode 52 are conductive materials such as molybdenum tungsten alloy (MoW) and TAT (Ti / Al / Ti), which is a laminate of titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al).

[0033] The first stem electrode 51 and the second stem electrode 52 are electrically connected to a control circuit (not shown). The control circuit applies a voltage to the first electrode 42 via the first stem electrode 51. The control circuit applies a voltage to the second electrode 43 via the second stem electrode 52.

[0034] 3 and 4, in the electrically resistive film 41, a portion that overlaps with the first electrode 42 in a planar view is referred to as a first overlapping portion 41a, a portion that overlaps with the second electrode 43 in a planar view is referred to as a second overlapping portion 41b, and a portion between the first overlapping portion 41a and the second overlapping portion 41b is referred to as an intermediate portion 41c. In the second direction D2, the length of the intermediate portion 41c is longer than the combined length of the first overlapping portion 41a and the second overlapping portion 41b.

[0035] In this embodiment, in the second direction D2, the -D2 side end of the first electrode 42 is closer to the -D2 side in the second direction D2 than the -D2 side end of the electrical resistance film 41, and the +D2 side end of the second electrode 43 is closer to the +D2 side than the +D2 side end of the electrical resistance film 41. Note that, in the second direction D2, the -D2 side end of the first electrode 42 and the -D2 side end of the electrical resistance film 41 may coincide, or the +D2 side end of the second electrode 43 and the +D2 side end of the electrical resistance film 41 may coincide.

[0036] 3 provides electrical insulation between the electrically resistive film 41, the first stem electrode 51, and the second stem electrode 52. The first insulating layer IL1 also provides electrical insulation between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43.

[0037] The first alignment film AL1 is disposed on the front side of the electrical resistance film 41.

[0038] On the second substrate 20, a plurality of third electrodes 61, a plurality of fourth electrodes 62, a second insulating layer IL2, a plurality of light-shielding films 70, and a second alignment film AL2 are arranged.

[0039] 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the third electrodes 61 and the fourth electrodes 62. The liquid crystal element 1 further includes a plurality of third stem electrodes 81 and a plurality of fourth stem electrodes 82 arranged on the second substrate 20.

[0040] The third stem electrode 81 extends along the second direction D2. The third stem electrode 81 overlaps with the first stem electrode 51 in plan view. That is, the third stem electrode 81 is located between two adjacent electrical resistance films 41 in the first direction D1. The third stem electrode 81 is spaced apart from the electrical resistance films 41 in plan view.

[0041] A plurality of third electrodes 61 are electrically connected to the third stem electrode 81. The third stem electrode 81 is integral with the plurality of third electrodes 61. The plurality of third electrodes 61 are electrically connected to the third stem electrode 81 so as to protrude from the third stem electrode 81 on both sides in the first direction D1. The third electrode 61 extends along the first direction D1. As shown in FIG. 3 , the third electrode 61 overlaps with the first electrode 42 in a planar view. Note that a portion of the third electrode 61 may overlap with the first electrode 42 in a planar view.

[0042] 5, the fourth trunk electrode 82 extends along the second direction D2. The fourth trunk electrode 82 overlaps with the second trunk electrode 52 in a plan view. That is, the fourth trunk electrode 82 is located between two adjacent electrical resistance films 41 in the first direction D1. The fourth trunk electrode 82 is spaced apart from the electrical resistance films 41 in a plan view. The third trunk electrodes 81 and the fourth trunk electrodes 82 are arranged alternately in the first direction D1.

[0043] The fourth stem electrode 82 is electrically connected to the plurality of fourth electrodes 62. The fourth stem electrode 82 is integral with the plurality of fourth electrodes 62. The plurality of fourth electrodes 62 are electrically connected to the fourth stem electrode 82 so as to protrude from the fourth stem electrode 82 on both sides in the first direction D1. The fourth electrode 62 extends along the first direction D1. As shown in FIG. 3 , the fourth electrode 62 overlaps with the second electrode 43 in a planar view. Note that a portion of the fourth electrode 62 may overlap with the second electrode 43 in a planar view.

[0044] The third electrode 61, the fourth electrode 62, the third stem electrode 81, and the fourth stem electrode 82 are made of a conductive material having light transmission properties, such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), IGO (Indium Gallium Oxide), and IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide).The third electrode 61, the fourth electrode 62, the third stem electrode 81, and the fourth stem electrode 82 may also be made of a conductive material, such as molybdenum tungsten alloy (MoW) and TAT (Ti / Al / Ti), which is a laminate of titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al).

[0045] The third stem electrode 81 and the fourth stem electrode 82 are electrically connected to a control circuit (not shown). The control circuit applies a voltage to the third electrode 61 via the third stem electrode 81. The control circuit applies a voltage to the fourth electrode 62 via the fourth stem electrode 82.

[0046] 3 electrically insulates the third stem electrode 81 from the fourth stem electrode 82. The second insulating layer IL2 also electrically insulates the third electrode 61 from the fourth electrode 62.

[0047] The second alignment film AL2 is disposed on the rear surface side of the third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62.

[0048] The light-shielding film 70 blocks the transmission of light. The light-shielding film 70 is conductive. The material of the light-shielding film 70 is a molybdenum-tungsten alloy (MoW) or the like. The light-shielding film 70 is disposed on the second substrate 20. The light-shielding film 70 is located between the second substrate 20 and the second insulating layer IL2. The light-shielding film 70 overlaps with the gap G between two element groups 40 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 in plan view. The light-shielding film 70 may also be disposed on the first substrate 10.

[0049] 5, the light-shielding film 70 is indicated by a dashed line. The light-shielding film 70 is strip-shaped and extends along the first direction D1. As shown in FIG. 3, the length of the element group 40 in the second direction D2 is greater than the length of the gap G.

[0050] The liquid crystal layer 30 shown in FIG. 3 is located between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The liquid crystal layer 30 is sandwiched between a first alignment film AL1 and a second alignment film AL2. The first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2 determine the alignment (initial alignment) of the liquid crystal molecules LM contained in the liquid crystal layer 30 when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal element 1. The initial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules LM is a direction in which the long axis Ax of the liquid crystal molecules LM is perpendicular to the third direction D3 (horizontal alignment). The alignment direction of the first alignment film AL1 and the alignment direction of the second alignment film AL2 are parallel to each other in a planar view.

[0051] The liquid crystal element 1 is an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) liquid crystal element, although it goes without saying that the liquid crystal element 1 is not limited to an ECB liquid crystal element.

[0052] Next, the operation of the liquid crystal element 1 when refracting the light L emitted from the light source S will be described. The control circuit applies voltages to the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the third electrode 61, and the fourth electrode 62, thereby refracting the light L. The light L enters the liquid crystal element 1 from the rear surface of the first substrate 10 along the third direction D3. The symbol in parentheses attached to the light L indicates the direction in which the light L travels. In addition, in FIG. 3, the light L emitted from the liquid crystal element 1 is shown on the +D3 side of the liquid crystal element 1.

[0053] When no voltage is applied to the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the third electrode 61, and the fourth electrode 62, the alignment state of all the liquid crystal molecules LM contained in the liquid crystal layer 30 is the initial alignment (horizontal alignment), and the tilt degrees of all the liquid crystal molecules LM are equal to one another. Therefore, the phase change amount of the output light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 is equal at all parts of the liquid crystal layer 30, and no phase difference occurs in the output light L. Therefore, the liquid crystal element 1 outputs the output light L without refracting it. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal element 1 outputs the output light L incident along the third direction D3 along the third direction D3 without refracting it.

[0054] When the liquid crystal element 1 refracts light L emitted from the light source S, voltages are applied to the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the third electrode 61, and the fourth electrode 62 so that the magnitude of a first potential difference between the potential of the first electrode 42 and the potential of the third electrode 61 is different from the magnitude of a second potential difference between the potential of the second electrode 43 and the potential of the fourth electrode 62. Hereinafter, when the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the third electrode 61, and the fourth electrode 62 are described without distinction, they will be simply referred to as electrodes.

[0055] Specifically, when the liquid crystal element 1 refracts the emitted light L so that it travels along a fourth direction D4 that is inclined toward the -D2 side relative to the third direction D3, a voltage is applied to the electrodes so that the magnitude of the second potential difference is greater than the magnitude of the first potential difference.

[0056] In this case, the potential of the electrical resistance film 41 changes from the potential of the first electrode 42 to the potential of the second electrode 43 from the first electrode 42 side to the second electrode 43 side in the second direction D2.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the degree of tilt of the liquid crystal molecules LM when the liquid crystal element 1 refracts the emitted light L along the fourth direction D4. In FIG. 6, the liquid crystal molecules LM are shown only by the long axes Ax of the liquid crystal molecules LM. FIG. 6 also shows the equipotential lines Lv of the electric field generated in the liquid crystal layer 30. As described above, the initial orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LM is horizontal. Therefore, when no voltage is applied to the electrodes, the long axes Ax of the liquid crystal molecules LM are aligned along the second direction D2.

[0058] When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, an electric field acts on the liquid crystal layer 30, causing the liquid crystal molecules LM to tilt. The greater the magnitude of the potential difference in the liquid crystal layer 30 in the third direction D3, the greater the degree of tilt of the liquid crystal molecules LM (i.e., the greater the angle between the long axis Ax of the liquid crystal molecule LM and the second direction D2).

[0059] Furthermore, the greater the tilt degree of the liquid crystal molecules LM, the more advanced the phase of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30. That is, the greater the magnitude of the potential difference in the liquid crystal layer 30 in the third direction D3, the more advanced the phase of the emitted light L becomes.

[0060] In FIG. 6, a state is shown in which a voltage is applied to the electrodes such that the magnitude (ED2) of the second potential difference between the second electrode 43 and the fourth electrode 62 is greater than the magnitude (ED1) of the first potential difference between the first electrode 42 and the third electrode 61 (ED1 < ED2). Therefore, in FIG. 6, the degree of inclination of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the second electrode 43 and the fourth electrode 62 is greater than the degree of inclination of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the first electrode 42 and the third electrode 61. Further, the magnitude of the potential difference and the degree of inclination of the liquid crystal molecules LM in the third direction D3 increase as going from the first electrode 42 toward the second electrode 43 in the second direction D2.

[0061] Also, a voltage is applied to the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the third electrode 61, and the fourth electrode 62 such that the potential of the first electrode 42 is different from the potential of the second electrode 43, and the potential of the third electrode 61 is different from the potential of the fourth electrode 62. That is, a potential difference occurs between the potential of the first electrode 42 and the potential of the second electrode 43. Also, a potential difference occurs between the potential of the third electrode 61 and the potential of the fourth electrode 62.

[0062] In FIG. 6, a state is shown in which a voltage is applied to the electrodes such that the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 is greater than the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 (E1 < E2), and the potential (E3) of the third electrode 61 is greater than the potential (E4) of the fourth electrode 62 (E4 < E3).

[0063] In FIG. 6, the potential (E3) of the third electrode 61 is greater than the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 (E1 < E3), the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 is greater than the potential (E4) of the fourth electrode 62 (E4 < E1), and the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 is equal to the potential (E3) of the third electrode 61 (E2 = E3). That is, the relationship of the potentials of the electrodes in FIG. 6 is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0064] E4 < E1 < E2 = E3 ···(1)

[0065] Furthermore, in FIG. 6, as represented by Equation (2), the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 and the potential (E4) of the fourth electrode 62 are equal in magnitude but opposite in polarity.

[0066] E2 = (-1) × E4 ···(2)

[0067] When the relationship between the electrode potentials satisfies the relationships of Equations (1) and (2), it becomes possible to control the electrode potentials by means of a column inversion driving method in which the polarities of the electrode potentials are periodically inverted. Needless to say, the relationship between the electrode potentials is not limited to the relationships of Equations (1) and (2).

[0068] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the phase difference of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 of the liquid crystal element 1 shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the relationship between the electrode potentials is as shown in Equations (1) and (2), and the case where a voltage is applied to the electrodes such that the magnitude of the second potential difference (ED2 (=|E4 - E2|)) is approximately twice the magnitude of the first potential difference (ED1 (=|E3 - E1|)) is shown. The vertical axis of FIG. 7 indicates the phase difference of the emitted light L. The horizontal axis of FIG. 7 indicates the position in the second direction D2 of the liquid crystal layer 30. In FIG. 7, the range of “(42)” indicates the range of the first electrode in the second direction D2, and the range of “(43)” indicates the range of the second electrode in the second direction D2. In FIG. 7, the phase difference of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30, with the phase of the emitted light L passing between the first electrode and the third electrode as a reference (zero), is shown by a solid line.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, since the magnitude of the second potential difference is larger than the magnitude of the first potential difference (ED1 < ED2), the phase difference of the emitted light L increases as it moves toward the +D2 side between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43. That is, the phase of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 advances as it moves toward the +D2 side between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43. As a result, the emitted light L is refracted so as to be emitted along the fourth direction D4.

[0070] On the other hand, when the emitted light L is refracted so as to travel along the fifth direction D5 in which the liquid crystal element 1 is inclined toward the +D2 side with respect to the third direction D3, a voltage is applied to the electrodes so that the magnitude of the first potential difference becomes larger than the magnitude of the second potential difference (ED2 < ED1). Also, in this case, voltages are applied to the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the third electrode 61, and the fourth electrode 62 such that the potential of the first electrode 42 and the potential of the second electrode 43 are different from each other, and the potential of the third electrode 61 and the potential of the fourth electrode 62 are different from each other. In this case, the relationship between the potentials of the electrodes may be the relationship expressed by the following formulas (3) and (4).

[0071] E3 < E2 < E1 = E4 ···(3)

[0072] E1 = (-1)×E3 ···(4)

[0073] When the relationship between the potentials of the electrodes satisfies the relationships of formulas (3) and (4), it becomes possible to control the potentials of the electrodes by a column inversion driving method in which the polarities of the potentials of the electrodes are periodically inverted. Needless to say, the relationship between the potentials of the electrodes is not limited to the relationships of formulas (3) and (4).

[0074] Since the magnitude of the first potential difference is larger than the magnitude of the second potential difference, the phase difference of the emitted light L increases as it goes from the second electrode 43 toward the -D2 side. That is, the phase of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 advances as it goes from the second electrode 43 toward the -D2 side. As a result, the emitted light L is refracted so as to be emitted along the fifth direction D5.

[0075] In this way, by controlling the voltage applied to the electrodes, the liquid crystal element 1 can easily adjust the emission direction of the emitted light L.

[0076] Next, the configuration of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example will be described. <​​​

[0078] The fifth electrode 180 is disposed between the second substrate 20 and the second alignment film AL2, and overlaps with the plurality of element groups 40 in plan view.

[0079] When the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example refracts light L emitted from the light source S, voltages are applied to the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, and the fifth electrode 180 so that the magnitude of the third potential difference between the potential of the first electrode 42 and the potential of the fifth electrode 180 is different from the magnitude of the fourth potential difference between the potential of the second electrode 43 and the potential of the fifth electrode 180. In other words, voltages are applied to the electrodes so that the potential of the first electrode 42 is different from the potential of the second electrode 43.

[0080] For example, when the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example refracts the emitted light L so that it travels along the fourth direction D4, voltages are applied to the electrodes so that the magnitude of the fourth potential difference is greater than the magnitude of the third potential difference.

[0081] 9 is a diagram showing the degree of tilt of the liquid crystal molecules LM when the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example refracts the emitted light L along the fourth direction D4. In FIG. 9, the potential of the first electrode 42 is equal to the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 shown in FIG. 6, and the potential of the second electrode 43 is equal to the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 shown in FIG. 6. That is, in FIG. 9, the potential of the second electrode 43 is higher than the potential of the first electrode 42. Also, in FIG. 9, the potential of the fifth electrode 180 is equal to the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42. Therefore, the magnitude of the fourth potential difference (ED4 (=|E2-E1|)) is greater than the magnitude of the third potential difference (ED3 (=|E1-E1|)) (ED4>ED3).

[0082] Next, the liquid crystal element 1 shown in Fig. 6 will be compared with the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example shown in Fig. 9. The potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 and the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 of the liquid crystal element 1 described above are equal to the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 and the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example.

[0083] Furthermore, the magnitude of the second potential difference (ED2 (=|E4-E2|)) of the above liquid crystal element 1 is greater than the magnitude of the fourth potential difference (ED4 (=|E2-E1|)) of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example (ED2>ED4). As a result, the tilt degree (θ1: Figure 6) of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the second electrode 43 and the fourth electrode 62 in the above liquid crystal element 1 is greater than the tilt degree (θ2: Figure 9) of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the second electrode 43 and the fifth electrode 180 in the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example (θ1>θ2).

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described liquid crystal element 1, the potential (E3) of the third electrode 61 and the potential (E4) of the fourth electrode 62 are different from each other, so that a potential difference occurs in the second direction D2 between the adjacent third electrode 61 and fourth electrode 62. This potential difference acts on the liquid crystal molecules LM between the first electrode 42 and the third electrode 61 so as to reduce the tilt degree (θ3: FIG. 6) of the liquid crystal molecules LM.

[0085] On the other hand, the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example does not include the third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62 as described above, but includes the fifth electrode 180. Therefore, no potential difference occurs in the second direction D2 near the fifth electrode 180. Therefore, the tilt degree (θ3: FIG. 6) of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the first electrode 42 and the third electrode 61 in the above-described liquid crystal element 1 is smaller (θ3<θ4) than the tilt degree (θ4: FIG. 9) of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the first electrode 42 and the fifth electrode 180 in the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example.

[0086] In Fig. 7, the phase difference of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example shown in Fig. 9 is shown by a broken line. Specifically, in Fig. 7, the phase difference of the emitted light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example, with the phase of the emitted light L passing between the first electrode 42 and the fifth electrode 180 being taken as the reference (zero), is shown by a broken line. In Fig. 7, the portion where the broken line showing the phase difference of the emitted light L of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example overlaps with the solid line showing the phase difference of the emitted light L of the liquid crystal element 1 is shown by a solid line.

[0087] Since the tilt degrees of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the liquid crystal element 1 and the comparative liquid crystal element 2 have the above relationship (θ1>θ2, θ3<θ4), the difference in the tilt degrees of the liquid crystal molecules LM between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 in the liquid crystal element 1 (θ1-θ3) is larger than the difference in the tilt degrees (θ2-θ4) in the comparative liquid crystal element 2. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, the maximum value (PD1) of the phase difference of the emitted light L in the liquid crystal element 1 is larger than the maximum value (PD2) of the phase difference of the emitted light L in the comparative liquid crystal element 2.

[0088] As described above, the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 and the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 of the liquid crystal element 1 are equal to the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 and the potential (E2) of the second electrode 43 of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example. Furthermore, the magnitude (ED1) of the first potential difference between the potential (E1) of the first electrode 42 and the potential (E3) of the third electrode 61 of the liquid crystal element 1 is equal to the magnitude (ED4) of the fourth potential difference between the potential (E2 (=E3)) of the second electrode 43 and the potential (E1) of the fifth electrode 180 of the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example. This means that the liquid crystal element 1 can refract the emitted light L more efficiently than the liquid crystal element 2 of the comparative example.

[0089] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The contents disclosed in the embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Appropriate modifications made within the scope of the present disclosure also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0090] For example, a voltage may be applied to the electrodes so that the potential of the third electrode 61 and the potential of the fourth electrode 62 are equal.

[0091] Furthermore, the liquid crystal element 1 does not necessarily have to include the light-shielding film 70.

[0092] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal element 1 according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid crystal element 1 of this first modified example differs from the liquid crystal element 1 of the above embodiment in that the first electrode 142 and the second electrode 143 are electrically connected to the electrically resistive film 41 while being spaced apart from the electrically resistive film 41.

[0093] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal element 1 according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid crystal element 1 of the second modified example differs from the liquid crystal element 1 of the above embodiment in that it further includes a plurality of second electrically resistive films 241.

[0094] The second electrically resistive film 241 is disposed on the second substrate 20. The second electrically resistive film 241 has the same shape as the electrically resistive film 41. The electrical resistance value of the second electrically resistive film 241 is greater than the electrical resistance values ​​of the third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62. The material of the second electrically resistive film 241 is the same as that of the electrically resistive film 41. Like the electrically resistive film 41, the second electrically resistive film 241 is arranged in a matrix along each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 in a planar view.

[0095] The third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62 are electrically connected to the second electrically resistive film 241 in each of the multiple second electrically resistive films 241, facing each other in the second direction D2. The third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62 are in contact with the second electrically resistive film 241. In the second modified example, the third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62 are made of a conductive material such as molybdenum tungsten alloy (MoW) and TAT (Ti / Al / Ti) in which titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al) are stacked. The second alignment film AL2 is disposed on the -D3 side of the second electrically resistive film 241.

[0096] In this second modified example, the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 may be electrically connected to the electrical resistance film 41 while being separated from the electrical resistance film 41, and the third electrode 61 and the fourth electrode 62 may be electrically connected to the second electrical resistance film 241 while being separated from the second electrical resistance film 241.

[0097] Furthermore, other effects and advantages brought about by the aspects described in the above embodiments that are clear 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]

[0098] 1 Liquid crystal element 10 First board 20 Second board 30 Liquid crystal layer 40 element sets 41 Electrical resistance film 42 1st electrode 43 2nd electrode 61 3rd electrode 62 4th electrode 70 Light-shielding film 241 Second Electrical Resistive Film D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction G Gap

Claims

1. a first substrate on which a plurality of element groups are arranged, each element group including an electrically resistive film and a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the electrically resistive film; a second substrate on which a plurality of third electrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes are arranged; a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; the electrically resistive film extends along a first direction in a plan view, the first electrode and the second electrode extend along the first direction in a plan view, and overlap with the electrically resistive film while facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the plurality of element sets are arranged along the second direction in a plan view, the third electrode extends along the first direction in a plan view and overlaps with the first electrode; the fourth electrode extends along the first direction in a plan view and overlaps with the second electrode; Liquid crystal element.

2. the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with the electrically resistive film; The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 .

3. Voltages are applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode such that a first potential difference between a potential of the first electrode and a potential of the third electrode and a second potential difference between a potential of the second electrode and a potential of the fourth electrode are different from each other. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 .

4. voltages are applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode such that a potential of the first electrode and a potential of the second electrode are different from each other and a potential of the third electrode and a potential of the fourth electrode are different from each other; The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 .

5. a light-shielding film that overlaps a gap between two of the electrical resistance films that are adjacent to each other in the second direction in a plan view and blocks transmission of light; The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 .

6. a second electrically resistive film disposed on the second substrate and electrically connected to the third electrode and the fourth electrode; The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 .

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