Indication device

Abstract

To improve the visibility of a virtual image in a display device that allows one of two different images to be perceived as a virtual image. [Solution] The display device 1 includes a light source device 10 that emits a first emitted light SL1 including a first linearly polarized light PL1 and a second linearly polarized light PL2 along a first direction W1; a first liquid crystal panel 20 that includes a reflective polarizing plate 25 that transmits the first linearly polarized light PL1 and reflects the second linearly polarized light PL2 along a second direction W2, modulates the first linearly polarized light PL1 and emits it toward the light-transmitting body 2 as a second emitted light SL2 corresponding to the first image G1; and an optical element 30 that receives the reflected second linearly polarized light PL2 along a second direction W2 and emits a third emitted light SL3 with a phase difference applied to the second linearly polarized light PL2 toward the reflective polarizing plate 25 along a second direction W2. The first liquid crystal panel 20 modulates the third emitted light SL3 transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate 25 to display the second image G2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a display device.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a display device, Patent Document 1 discloses an information display device having a display capable of displaying two pieces of information on one screen. In the display device of Patent Document 1, one piece of information is obtained by directly viewing the display, and the other piece of information is obtained through a projection surface located above the display surface of the display.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the display device of Patent Document 1, the information obtained through the projection surface is visually recognized as a virtual image. The virtual image is difficult to be visually recognized, for example, when the surroundings are bright such as during the day.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to improve the visibility of a virtual image in a display device capable of visually recognizing one of two different images as a virtual image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The display device of this disclosure includes a light source device that emits first emitted light including a first linearly polarized light and a second linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is orthogonal to the first linearly polarized light along a first direction; a reflective polarizing plate that is incident on the plate surface of the first emitted light, transmits the first linearly polarized light, and reflects the second linearly polarized light from the plate surface along a second direction different from the first direction; a first liquid crystal panel that modulates the first linearly polarized light transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate and emits it toward a light-transmitting body along a first direction as second emitted light corresponding to a first image; and the second linearly polarized light reflected from the plate surface. The first liquid crystal panel includes an optical element that receives light along the second direction, imparts a phase difference to the incident second linearly polarized light, and emits it toward the plate surface as a third emitted light along the second direction, wherein the first liquid crystal panel modulates the third emitted light transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate to display a second image on the display surface, and the optical element includes a second liquid crystal panel that receives the second linearly polarized light reflected from the plate surface along the second direction and imparts a phase difference to the transmitted light, and a reflector that reflects the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal panel toward the second liquid crystal panel along the second direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the light source device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the light source device along the line III-III shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of the first liquid crystal panel shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the first liquid crystal panel shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the arrangement of the first and second subpixels as shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the circuit configuration of the first liquid crystal panel shown in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first liquid crystal panel shown in Figure 5. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a plan view of the parallax barrier shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second liquid crystal panel. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view of the second liquid crystal panel. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the reflector. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows the luminance distribution of the second and third emitted light. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a block diagram of a display device according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows the arrangement of the first subpixel and the second subpixel in the first liquid crystal panel of a display device according to a third modified embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a plan view of the parallax barrier in the first liquid crystal panel of a display device according to a third modified embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the components described below include those that are readily conceivable to those skilled in the art, and those that are substantially the same. In addition, the components described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0009] Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and for those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art for appropriate modifications while maintaining the gist of the present disclosure, they are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure. Also, 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 it is merely an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Further, in this specification and each drawing, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same elements as those described above for the previously presented drawings, and detailed descriptions may be appropriately omitted.

[0010] The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in the drawings are the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the display device 1. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. In the X direction, the side indicated by the arrow is the +X side, and the opposite side is the -X side. In the Y direction, the side indicated by the arrow is the +Y side, and the opposite side is the -Y side. In the Z direction, the side indicated by the arrow is the +Z side (upper side), and the opposite side is the -Z side (lower side). Note that the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these directions.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] The display device 1 projects a first image onto the light-transmitting body 2 to allow the observer M to visually recognize a virtual image VG corresponding to the first image. The light-transmitting body 2 is plate-shaped and has light-transmitting properties. The light-transmitting body 2 is, for example, the front glass and combiner of a vehicle, but it is needless to say that it is not limited to the front glass and combiner, as long as it is a configuration onto which the image output by the display device 1 is projected.

[0013] Also, the display device 1 displays a second image on the display surface 20a of the first liquid crystal panel 20 described later. The observer M can visually recognize the second image by looking at the display surface 20a.

[0014] The display device 1 includes a light source device 10, a first liquid crystal panel 20, and an optical element 30.

[0015] The light source device 10 is positioned on the -Z side of the first liquid crystal panel 20. The light source device 10 emits a first emitted light SL1. The optical axis of the first emitted light SL1 is along the first direction W1. In this embodiment, the first direction W1 is parallel to the Z direction. The first direction W1 may be inclined with respect to the Z direction. The first emitted light SL1 includes a first linearly polarized light PL1 and a second linearly polarized light PL2. The first polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the second polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light PL2 are orthogonal to each other.

[0016] Figure 2 is a plan view of the light source device 10. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the light source device 10 along the line III-III shown in Figure 2.

[0017] The light source device 10 comprises a housing 11, a plurality of light-emitting elements 12, a first lens 13, and a plate-shaped second lens 14 (corresponding to "lens").

[0018] Multiple light-emitting elements 12 are arranged on a substrate 15 located at the bottom of the housing 11. The multiple light-emitting elements 12 are arranged in a row along a direction perpendicular to the first direction W1 (the Y direction in this embodiment). The light-emitting elements 12 are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The light-emitting elements 12 emit light L toward the first lens 13.

[0019] Multiple first lenses 13 are housed in the housing 11. The number of first lenses 13 is equal to the number of light emitters 12. The first lenses 13 are arranged so as to overlap with the light emitters 12 in the Z direction. The first lenses 13 are diffusion lenses. The first lenses 13 diffuse the light L emitted from the light emitters 12 in the X and Y directions, respectively, and emit it towards the second lens 14. In the first lens 13, the degree of diffusion of light L in the X direction is greater than the degree of diffusion of light L in the Y direction. This makes it possible to equalize the distribution of light L incident on the second lens 14.

[0020] The second lens 14 refracts the light L emitted from the first lens 13, converting it into parallel light along the first direction W1 (Z direction). The second lens 14 is, for example, a Fresnel lens composed of multiple convex lenses. The parallel light emitted from the second lens 14 corresponds to the first emitted light SL1 of the light source device 10. In other words, the second lens 14 refracts the light L emitted from the light source 12 so that it aligns with the first direction W1, and emits it as the first emitted light SL1. The first emitted light SL1 travels along the first direction W1.

[0021] In this way, when the light source device 10 is equipped with a second lens 14, the degree of diffusion of the first emitted light SL1 can be reduced compared to when the light source device 10 is not equipped with a second lens 14, and the brightness of the first emitted light SL1 along the first direction W1 can be increased. Note that the light source device 10 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a first lens 13.

[0022] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of the first liquid crystal panel 20 shown in Figure 1. In the display area DA of the first liquid crystal panel 20, the first image G1 and the second image G2 are simultaneously displayed across the entire display area DA with different viewing angles.

[0023] Figure 5 is a plan view of the first liquid crystal panel 20 shown in Figure 1. The first panel direction D1, second panel direction D2, and third panel direction D3 (corresponding to "orthogonal directions") shown in the drawing are orthogonal to each other and correspond to the width direction, depth direction, and vertical direction of the first liquid crystal panel 20, respectively. In the first panel direction D1, the side indicated by the arrow corresponds to the +D1 side of the first liquid crystal panel 20, and the opposite side corresponds to the -D1 side of the first liquid crystal panel 20. In the second panel direction D2, the side indicated by the arrow corresponds to the +D2 side of the first liquid crystal panel 20, and the opposite side corresponds to the -D2 side of the first liquid crystal panel 20. In the third panel direction D3, the side indicated by the arrow corresponds to the +D3 side (upper side) of the first liquid crystal panel 20, and the opposite side corresponds to the -D3 side (lower side) of the first liquid crystal panel 20. Note that the first panel direction D1, the second panel direction D2, and the third panel direction D3 are examples, and this disclosure is not limited to these directions.

[0024] The first liquid crystal panel 20 displays an image based on an image signal output from an external device (e.g., a car navigation system) that is electrically connected via a flexible wiring board (not shown).

[0025] The first liquid crystal panel 20 is positioned such that the second panel direction D2 is parallel to the Y direction, and the third panel direction D3 is tilted to the first direction W1. Specifically, the tilt angle θt (see Figure 1) between the third panel direction D3 and the first direction W1 is 30°±5°. When the tilt angle θt is 30°±5°, the observer M can properly view the virtual image VG and the second image G2. Note that the tilt angle θt may be greater than 35° or less than 25°.

[0026] The first liquid crystal panel 20 is a transmissive liquid crystal display. The first liquid crystal panel 20 may also be, for example, an organic EL display or an inorganic EL display. As shown in Figure 5, the first liquid crystal panel 20 has a display area DA on its display surface 20a where an image is displayed. The display surface 20a is flat and planar. The display surface 20a is perpendicular to the third panel direction D3.

[0027] The first liquid crystal panel 20 has a plurality of pixels P arranged in a matrix in a planar view. The row direction is parallel to the first panel direction D1. The column direction is parallel to the second panel direction D2. In a planar view of the first liquid crystal panel 20, the plurality of pixels P overlap with the display area DA. Each pixel P includes a plurality of first pixels P1 and a plurality of second pixels P2.

[0028] The first pixel P1 is the pixel corresponding to the first image G1. The first pixel P1 has a first sub-pixel SP1a, a second first sub-pixel SP1b, and a third first sub-pixel SP1c. The first first sub-pixel SP1a is a red sub-pixel. The second first sub-pixel SP1b is a green sub-pixel. The third first sub-pixel SP1c is a blue sub-pixel. Hereafter, when describing the first first sub-pixel SP1a, the second first sub-pixel SP1b, and the third first sub-pixel SP1c without distinction, they will simply be referred to as "first sub-pixel SP1".

[0029] The second pixel P2 is the pixel corresponding to the second image G2. The second pixel P2 has a first second sub-pixel SP2a, a second second sub-pixel SP2b, and a third second sub-pixel SP2c. The first second sub-pixel SP2a is a red sub-pixel. The second second sub-pixel SP2b is a green sub-pixel. The third second sub-pixel SP2c is a blue sub-pixel. Hereafter, when describing the first second sub-pixel SP2a, the second second sub-pixel SP2b, and the third second sub-pixel SP2c without distinction, they will simply be referred to as "second sub-pixel SP2".

[0030] Thus, the first pixel P1 has three first subpixels SP1, and the second pixel P2 has three second subpixels SP2. Needless to say, the number and color of the first subpixels SP1, and the number and color of the second subpixels SP2, are not limited to the above.

[0031] Figure 6 shows the arrangement of the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 as shown in Figure 5. In Figure 6, the first subpixel SP1 is marked with a rectangular shape indicated by a dashed line, and the second subpixel SP2 is marked with a rectangular shape indicated by a dotted line.

[0032] The first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 are arranged along the row direction (first panel direction D1), respectively. Furthermore, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the column direction (second panel direction D2), respectively.

[0033] In the row direction, focusing on the first pixel P1, the first sub-pixel SP1a, the third sub-pixel SP1c, and the second sub-pixel SP1b are repeatedly arranged in this order. Also, in the row direction, focusing on the second pixel P2, the second sub-pixel SP2b, the first sub-pixel SP2a, and the third sub-pixel SP2c are repeatedly arranged in this order.

[0034] Furthermore, the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 are arranged alternately along the row direction. That is, in the row direction, the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 are adjacent to each other. Specifically, in the row direction, the first first subpixel SP1a is adjacent to at least one of the second second subpixel SP2b and the third second subpixel SP2c. Also, in the row direction, the second first subpixel SP1b is adjacent to at least one of the third second subpixel SP2c and the first second subpixel SP2a. Furthermore, in the row direction, the third first subpixel SP1c is adjacent to at least one of the first second subpixel SP2a and the second second subpixel SP2b.

[0035] Furthermore, in the row direction, the first second subpixel SP2a is adjacent to at least one of the second first subpixel SP1b and the third first subpixel SP1c. Also, in the row direction, the second second subpixel SP2b is adjacent to at least one of the third first subpixel SP1c and the first first subpixel SP1a. Moreover, in the row direction, the third second subpixel SP2c is adjacent to at least one of the first first subpixel SP1a and the second first subpixel SP1b.

[0036] Furthermore, the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 are arranged alternately along the column direction. That is, the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 are adjacent to each other in the column direction. Specifically, the first first subpixel SP1a and the first second subpixel SP2a are arranged alternately along the column direction. The second first subpixel SP1b and the second second subpixel SP2b are arranged alternately along the column direction. The third first subpixel SP1c and the third second subpixel SP2c are arranged alternately along the column direction.

[0037] Figure 7 shows the circuit configuration of the first liquid crystal panel 20 shown in Figure 5. The first liquid crystal panel 20 includes a first drive circuit 21, and switching elements SW, sub-pixel electrodes PE, common electrodes CE, liquid crystal capacitance LC, and retaining capacitance CS, which are present in the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2, respectively. The first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 are configured similarly.

[0038] The first drive circuit 21 drives the first liquid crystal panel 20. The first drive circuit 21 includes a signal processing circuit 21a, a signal output circuit 21b, and a scanning circuit 21c.

[0039] The signal processing circuit 21a outputs a first sub-pixel signal indicating the gradation of the first sub-pixel SP1 and a second sub-pixel signal indicating the gradation of the second sub-pixel SP2 to the signal output circuit 21b based on the image signal transmitted from an external device. The signal processing circuit 21a also outputs a clock signal to the signal output circuit 21b and the scanning circuit 21c to synchronize the operation of the signal output circuit 21b and the scanning circuit 21c.

[0040] The signal output circuit 21b outputs the first sub-pixel signal to the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel signal to the second sub-pixel SP2. The signal output circuit 21b and the first sub-pixel SP1 and second sub-pixel SP2 are electrically connected via a plurality of signal lines Lb extending along the second panel direction D2.

[0041] The scanning circuit 21c scans the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 in synchronization with the output of the first sub-pixel signal and the second sub-pixel signal by the signal output circuit 21b. The scanning circuit 21c and the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 are electrically connected via a plurality of scan lines Lc extending along the first panel direction D1.

[0042] In a plan view of the display surface 20a, the region demarcated by two adjacent signal lines Lb in the first panel direction D1 and two adjacent scan lines Lc in the second panel direction D2 corresponds to either the first sub-pixel SP1 or the second sub-pixel SP2.

[0043] A switching element SW is composed of, for example, a thin-film transistor (TFT). In a switching element SW, the source electrode and the signal line Lb are electrically connected, and the gate electrode and the scan line Lc are electrically connected.

[0044] The sub-pixel electrode PE is connected to the drain electrode of the switching element SW. Multiple common electrodes CE are arranged to correspond to multiple scan lines Lc. Both the sub-pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE are translucent.

[0045] The liquid crystal capacitance LC is the capacitive component of the liquid crystal material in the first liquid crystal layer 23, which will be described later, located between the sub-pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE. The retained capacitance CS is located between the electrode at the same potential as the common electrode CE and the electrode at the same potential as the sub-pixel electrode PE.

[0046] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first liquid crystal panel 20 shown in Figure 5. The first liquid crystal panel 20 further comprises a first substrate 22, a first liquid crystal layer 23, and a second substrate 24. The first substrate 22, the first liquid crystal layer 23, and the second substrate 24 are all translucent and are arranged in this order from the -D3 side to the +D3 side along the third panel direction D3. The first substrate 22 and the second substrate 24 are rectangular in plan view. However, the plan view shapes of the first substrate 22 and the second substrate 24 may be other shapes such as circles or trapezoids.

[0047] A common electrode CE is placed on the main surface 22a of the first substrate 22 on the +D3 side. An insulating layer IL is placed on the +D3 side of the common electrode CE, and furthermore, a sub-pixel electrode PE and a first alignment film AL1 are placed thereon.

[0048] The sub-pixel electrode PE is positioned between the insulating layer IL and the first alignment film AL1. Thus, the common electrode CE and the sub-pixel electrode PE are positioned on the first substrate 22. In other words, the first liquid crystal panel 20 is a transverse electric field type liquid crystal display.

[0049] The second substrate 24 is located on the +D3 side of the first substrate 22. On the lower surface 24b side of the second substrate 24, the overcoat layer OC, the first color filter CF1, the second color filter CF2, the light-shielding film SM, and the second alignment film AL2 are arranged. The light-shielding film SM, the first color filter CF1, the second color filter CF2, and the overcoat layer OC are arranged between the second substrate 24 and the second alignment film AL2.

[0050] The overcoat layer OC is formed from a translucent material.

[0051] The first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2 are placed between the second substrate 24 and the first liquid crystal layer 23. The first color filter CF1 is a color filter included in the first sub-pixel SP1. The second color filter CF2 is a color filter included in the second sub-pixel SP2.

[0052] The first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2 are rectangular in plan view. The first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2 are light-transmitting, and the peaks of the spectrum of the light they transmit are predetermined. These spectral peaks correspond to the colors of the first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2. In other words, the light transmitted through the first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2 is colored. Note that the plan view shapes of the first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2 may be changed to match the shapes of the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2.

[0053] The color of the first color filter CF1 is the same as the color of the first sub-pixel SP1. The color of the second color filter CF2 is the same as the color of the second sub-pixel SP2. In other words, the first red sub-pixel SP1a has a red first color filter CF1, the second green sub-pixel SP1b has a green first color filter CF1, and the third blue sub-pixel SP1c has a blue first color filter CF1. Also, the first red sub-pixel SP2a has a red second color filter CF2, the second green sub-pixel SP2b has a green second color filter CF2, and the third blue sub-pixel SP2c has a blue second color filter CF2.

[0054] The light-shielding film SM has light-shielding properties and, in a plan view of the display surface 20a, it overlaps with the boundaries of the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 that are adjacent to each other in the first panel direction D1 and the second panel direction D2. In other words, the light-shielding film SM overlaps with the signal line Lb and the scan line Lc in a plan view of the display surface 20a. Note that the signal line Lb and the scan line Lc are not shown in Figure 8. The signal line Lb and the scan line Lc are located on the main surface 22a of the first substrate 22. Also, in Figure 6, the solid lines that demarcate the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 correspond to the light-shielding film SM. Furthermore, the periphery of the first color filter CF1 and the periphery of the second color filter CF2 overlap with the light-shielding film SM in a plan view of the display surface 20a.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, the first liquid crystal layer 23 is located between the first substrate 22 and the second substrate 24. The first liquid crystal layer 23 contains a plurality of first liquid crystal molecules LM1. The first liquid crystal layer 23 overlaps with the display area DA in a plan view of the display surface 20a. Specifically, the first liquid crystal layer 23 is located between the first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2, which are opposite to each other. The initial orientation of the first liquid crystal molecules LM1 is determined by the first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2, which are opposite to each other.

[0056] Furthermore, the first liquid crystal panel 20 further includes a reflective polarizing plate 25, a polarizing plate 26, and a parallax barrier 27.

[0057] The reflective polarizer 25 is placed on the lower surface 22b of the first substrate 22. The reflective polarizer 25 receives the first emitted light SL1 incident on the first plate surface 25a (corresponding to the "plate surface"), transmits the first linearly polarized light PL1, and reflects the second linearly polarized light PL2 along a second direction W2 that is different from the first direction W1 (see Figure 1).

[0058] The first plate surface 25a is the -D3 side surface of the reflective polarizer 25. The first plate surface 25a corresponds to the -D3 side surface of the first liquid crystal panel 20 and is perpendicular to the third panel direction D3. As shown in Figure 1, the first plate surface 25a is oriented towards the light source device 10. The first emitted light SL1 is directly incident on the first plate surface 25a.

[0059] The reflective polarizer 25 has a transmission axis parallel to the first polarization direction and the third panel direction D3. In other words, the reflective polarizer 25 transmits the first linearly polarized light PL1.

[0060] Furthermore, the reflective polarizer 25 reflects the second linearly polarized light PL2, whose polarization direction is perpendicular to that of the first linearly polarized light PL1, at the first plate surface 25a. The second linearly polarized light PL2 reflected by the first plate surface 25a travels along the second direction W2. The inclination angle θt between the third panel direction D3 and the first direction W1 and the angle θa between the third panel direction D3 and the second direction W2 are equal to each other (θt = θa).

[0061] As shown in Figure 8, the polarizing plate 26 is positioned on the upper surface 24a of the second substrate 24. The polarizing plate 26 has a transmission axis perpendicular to the transmission axis of the reflective polarizing plate 25 and the third panel direction D3. The +D3 side of the polarizing plate 26 corresponds to the display surface 20a.

[0062] The parallax barrier 27 is positioned between the second substrate 24 and the polarizing plate 26. The parallax barrier 27 is plate-shaped. On the second substrate 24, the parallax barrier 27 is positioned on the side opposite to the surface (top surface 24a) facing the first color filter CF1 and the second color filter CF2 (bottom surface 24b). The parallax barrier 27 has a plurality of openings 27a and light-shielding portions 27b.

[0063] The aperture 27a allows light that has passed through the first color filter CF1 of the first sub-pixel SP1 to pass along the first direction W1. The first direction W1 is shown by a solid line in Figure 8. The light that passes through the aperture 27a and is emitted from the first liquid crystal panel 20 along the first direction W1 is called the second emitted light SL2 (see Figure 1: details will be described later). The aperture 27a also allows light that has passed through the second color filter CF2 of the second sub-pixel SP2 to pass along the second direction W2. The second direction W2 is shown by a dashed line in Figure 8.

[0064] Figure 9 is a plan view of the parallax barrier 27 shown in Figure 8. In Figure 9, the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 are shown by dashed lines. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the multiple apertures 27a overlap with the first color filter CF1 of the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second color filter CF2 of the second pixel P2, which are adjacent to each other in the row direction, in a plan view of the display surface 20a. In the plan view shown in Figure 9, the multiple apertures 27a overlap with the -D1 side of the first color filter CF1 and the +D1 side of the second color filter CF2, respectively.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the multiple openings 27a are arranged along the row direction in a plan view of the display surface 20a. In addition, the multiple openings 27a are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the column direction in a plan view.

[0066] The light-shielding portion 27b shown in Figures 8 and 9 is made of a material with high light absorption (for example, metallic chromium (Cr), chromium oxide (CrO2), resin, etc.). The light-shielding portion 27b blocks the light that travels along the second direction W2 from the light that has passed through the first color filter CF1 of the first sub-pixel SP1. In addition, the light-shielding portion 27b blocks the light that travels along the first direction W1 from the light that has passed through the second color filter CF2 of the second sub-pixel SP2.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the first substrate 22 has an exposed portion E that is exposed from the second substrate 24 in a plan view. The exposed portion E is located -D2 side of the second substrate 24 in a plan view. An IC chip Ti including the first drive circuit 21 is placed on the upper surface of the exposed portion E. The +D3 side surface of the exposed portion E is part of the main surface 22a of the first substrate 22.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, the optical element 30 is positioned so that the second linearly polarized light PL2 reflected by the first plate surface 25a is incident along the second direction W2. The optical element 30 is positioned on the -X side of the light source device 10. When the display device 1 is viewed along the first direction W1 (Z direction), the optical element 30 does not overlap with the light source device 10 and the first liquid crystal panel 20. Furthermore, the optical element 30 is plate-shaped and is positioned so that the Z direction is parallel to the second plate surface 40a, which will be described later.

[0069] The optical element 30 includes a second liquid crystal panel 40 and a reflector 50.

[0070] The second linearly polarized light PL2, reflected from the first surface 25a of the reflective polarizing plate 25, is incident on the second liquid crystal panel 40 from the second surface 40a along the second direction W2. The second surface 40a corresponds to the +X side surface of the optical element 30.

[0071] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second liquid crystal panel 40. The second liquid crystal panel 40 is a TN (Twisted Nematic) type liquid crystal panel.

[0072] The second liquid crystal panel 40 comprises a third substrate 41, a second liquid crystal layer 42, and a fourth substrate 43. The third substrate 41, the second liquid crystal layer 42, and the fourth substrate 43 are all translucent and are arranged in this order from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. The third substrate 41 and the fourth substrate 43 are rectangular in plan view. However, the plan view shape of the third substrate 41 and the fourth substrate 43 may be other shapes such as a circle or a trapezoid.

[0073] A third electrode 44 is placed on the -X side of the third substrate 41. A third alignment film 45 is placed on the -X side of the third electrode 44. The fourth substrate 43 is located on the -X side of the third substrate 41. A fourth electrode 46 is placed on the +X side of the fourth substrate 43. A fourth alignment film 47 is placed on the +X side of the fourth electrode 46.

[0074] The second liquid crystal layer 42 is located between the third substrate 41 and the fourth substrate 43. The second liquid crystal layer 42 contains a plurality of second liquid crystal molecules LM2. The second liquid crystal layer 42 is located between a third alignment film 45 and a fourth alignment film 47 that are opposite to each other. The initial orientation of the second liquid crystal molecules LM2 is determined by the third alignment film 45 and the fourth alignment film 47 that are opposite to each other. The second liquid crystal panel 40 also includes a second drive circuit 48 (see Figure 1) that drives the second liquid crystal panel 40.

[0075] Figure 11 is a plan view of the second liquid crystal panel 40.

[0076] The third orientation direction 45a of the third orientation film 45 is parallel to the second polarization direction PW2 of the second linearly polarized light PL2. Also, in a plan view of the second liquid crystal panel 40, the angle θb between the third orientation direction 45a of the third orientation film 45 and the fourth orientation direction 47a of the fourth orientation film 47 is 45°. In other words, in the initial orientation of the second liquid crystal molecules LM2, the orientation of the major axes of the multiple second liquid crystal molecules LM2 gradually changes (rotates) from the third orientation direction 45a to the fourth orientation direction 47a, from the third orientation film 45 to the fourth orientation film 47.

[0077] Second linearly polarized light PL2 is incident on the second liquid crystal panel 40 along the second direction W2. When the second linearly polarized light PL2 passes through the second liquid crystal panel 40, the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light PL2 changes by 45° from the second polarization direction PW2, according to the change in the orientation of the major axes of the multiple second liquid crystal molecules LM2. In other words, the second liquid crystal panel 40 imparts a phase difference of 1 / 4 wavelength to the transmitted light.

[0078] Furthermore, the second drive circuit 48 applies a voltage such that there is a predetermined potential difference between the third electrode 44 and the fourth electrode 46. This generates an electric field in the second liquid crystal layer 42, causing the second liquid crystal molecules LM2 to tilt, thereby reducing the light transmittance of the second liquid crystal layer 42. In other words, the second liquid crystal panel 40 reduces the brightness of the light it transmits.

[0079] Figure 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the reflector 50. The reflector 50 is positioned on the opposite side 40b of the second liquid crystal panel 40, opposite to the second panel surface 40a.

[0080] The reflector 50 is a retroreflective plate. That is, the reflector 50 reflects incident light at an exit angle equal to the angle of incidence of the incident light. The reflector 50 comprises a base material 51, a plurality of translucent spheres 52, and an adhesive layer 53.

[0081] The base material 51 is a metal film having a relatively high reflectivity, such as aluminum and silver. The translucent spheres 52 are translucent spheres, such as glass. Multiple translucent spheres 52 are arranged on the surface of the base material 51. The adhesive layer 53 is formed in layers using a translucent adhesive. The multiple translucent spheres 52 are fixed to the base material 51 by the adhesive layer 53.

[0082] Light that passes through the second liquid crystal panel 40 and is incident along the second direction W2 is reflected at a single point at the bottom of the translucent sphere 52 due to the lens effect of the translucent sphere 52. The light reflected at the bottom of the translucent sphere 52 is then emitted along the second direction W2 due to the lens effect of the translucent sphere 52. In this way, the reflector 50 reflects light incident along the second direction W2 so that it is directed along the second direction W2. That is, the reflector 50 reflects light that has passed through the second liquid crystal panel 40 back towards the second liquid crystal panel 40 along the second direction W2.

[0083] The light reflected by the reflector 50 passes through the second liquid crystal panel 40 again, and as described above, a phase difference of 1 / 4 wavelength is further added. Therefore, the second linearly polarized light PL2 incident on the optical element 30 along the second direction W2 passes through the second liquid crystal panel 40 twice when reflected by the optical element 30, thereby adding a phase difference of 1 / 2 wavelength (= 2 × (1 / 4 wavelength)), and is emitted from the optical element 30 along the second direction W2. Hereinafter, the light emitted from the optical element 30 will be referred to as the third emitted light SL3.

[0084] The third emitted light SL3 has a phase difference of 1 / 2 wavelength relative to the second polarization direction PW2 of the second linearly polarized light PL2. Therefore, the polarization direction of the third emitted light SL3 is perpendicular to the second polarization direction PW2. In other words, the third emitted light SL3 is linearly polarized with a polarization direction parallel to the first polarization direction.

[0085] Furthermore, as described above, the second liquid crystal panel 40 reduces the brightness of the transmitted light. In other words, the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 is lower than the brightness of the second linearly polarized light PL2.

[0086] As shown in Figure 1, the third emitted light SL3 from the optical element 30 travels along the second direction W2 toward the first surface 25a of the reflective polarizer 25. In this way, the optical element 30 imparts a phase difference to the second linearly polarized light PL2 and emits it as the third emitted light SL3 toward the first surface 25a along the second direction W2.

[0087] Next, the operation of the display device 1 will be described.

[0088] As shown in Figure 1, the light source device 10 emits first emitted light SL1 toward the first liquid crystal panel 20 along the first direction W1. The first linearly polarized light PL1 contained in the first emitted light SL1 passes through the reflective polarizer 25 and through the first liquid crystal panel 20 along the first direction W1. As described above, the transmission axis of the reflective polarizer 25 is parallel to the first polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light PL1. Therefore, when the first linearly polarized light PL1 passes through the reflective polarizer 25, the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1 does not decrease.

[0089] Meanwhile, the second linearly polarized light PL2 contained in the first emitted light SL1 is reflected by the first plate surface 25a of the reflective polarizer 25 and incident on the optical element 30. As described above, the optical element 30 emits a third emitted light SL3, which has a phase difference added to the second linearly polarized light PL2, toward the reflective polarizer 25 along the second direction W2.

[0090] As described above, the polarization direction of the third emitted light SL3 is parallel to the first polarization direction. Therefore, the third emitted light SL3 passes through the reflective polarizer 25. Also, as described above, the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 is less than the brightness of the second linearly polarized light PL2. The brightness of the second linearly polarized light PL2 is equal to the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1. In other words, the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1 is higher than the brightness of the third emitted light SL3. The third emitted light SL3 that has passed through the reflective polarizer 25 passes through the first liquid crystal panel 20 along the second direction W2.

[0091] The first liquid crystal panel 20 shown in Figure 8, upon acquiring an image signal transmitted from an external device, displays the first image G1 and the second image G2 in the display area DA, as described below.

[0092] The image signal includes the gradation of the first sub-pixel SP1 corresponding to the first image G1, and the gradation of the second sub-pixel SP2 corresponding to the second image G2. As described above, the first sub-pixel signal indicating the gradation of the first sub-pixel SP1 is output to the first sub-pixel SP1, and the second sub-pixel signal indicating the gradation of the second sub-pixel SP2 is output to the second sub-pixel SP2.

[0093] A voltage corresponding to the gradation indicated by the first sub-pixel signal is applied to the first liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the first sub-pixel SP1, causing the first liquid crystal molecule LM1 to tilt. The degree of tilt of the first liquid crystal molecule LM1 changes according to the gradation indicated by the first sub-pixel signal. The first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 transmitted through the first liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the first sub-pixel SP1 are modulated to the gradation indicated by the first sub-pixel signal. Furthermore, the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 transmitted through the first liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the first sub-pixel SP1 are colored by passing through the first color filter CF1. The first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 transmitted through the first liquid crystal panel 20 via the first color filter CF1 correspond to the first image G1.

[0094] Of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the first color filter CF1, the third emitted light SL3 travels along the second direction W2 and is blocked by the light-shielding portion 27b. Therefore, the third emitted light SL3 that has passed through the first color filter CF1 is not visible.

[0095] Meanwhile, of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the first color filter CF1, the first linearly polarized light PL1 travels along the first direction W1, passes through the opening 27a of the parallax barrier 27, and is emitted to the outside from the display surface 20a. The first linearly polarized light PL1 emitted from the display surface 20a corresponds to the second emitted light SL2 (see Figure 1).

[0096] The second emitted light SL2 corresponds to the first image G1. The second emitted light SL2 travels toward the light-transmitting body 2 along the first direction W1 (see Figure 1). In this way, the first liquid crystal panel 20 modulates the first linearly polarized light PL1 transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate 25 and emits it toward the light-transmitting body 2 along the first direction W1 as the second emitted light SL2 corresponding to the first image G1.

[0097] Furthermore, a voltage corresponding to the gradation indicated by the second sub-pixel signal is applied to the first liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the second sub-pixel SP2, causing the first liquid crystal molecule LM1 to tilt. The degree of tilt of the first liquid crystal molecule LM1 changes according to the gradation indicated by the second sub-pixel signal. The first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that pass through the first liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the second sub-pixel SP2 are modulated to the gradation indicated by the second sub-pixel signal. In addition, the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the first liquid crystal layer 23 corresponding to the second sub-pixel SP2 are colored by passing through the second color filter CF2. The first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the first liquid crystal panel 20 via the second color filter CF2 correspond to the second image G2.

[0098] Of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the second color filter CF2, the first linearly polarized light PL1 travels along the first direction W1 and is blocked by the light-shielding portion 27b. Therefore, of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the second color filter CF2, the first linearly polarized light PL1 traveling along the first direction W1 is not visible.

[0099] Meanwhile, of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the third emitted light SL3 that have passed through the second color filter CF2, the third emitted light SL3 travels along the second direction W2, passes through the opening 27a of the parallax barrier 27, and is emitted to the outside from the display surface 20a. In other words, the third emitted light SL3 is visible as the second image G2. That is, the first liquid crystal panel 20 modulates the third emitted light SL3 that has passed through the reflective polarizer 25 and displays the second image G2 on the display surface 20a.

[0100] Thus, the parallax barrier 27 allows the first linearly polarized light PL1 that passes through the first subpixel SP1 and the third emitted light SL3 that passes through the second subpixel SP2 to pass through, while blocking the third emitted light SL3 that passes through the first subpixel SP1 and the first linearly polarized light PL1 that passes through the second subpixel SP2. Due to the parallax barrier 27, the viewing angles of the first image G1 and the second image G2 are different from each other.

[0101] As shown in Figure 1, observer M directly views the second image G2 on the display surface 20a. However, observer M cannot directly view the first image G1 on the display surface 20a.

[0102] The second emitted light SL2, projected from the display surface 20a, travels along the first direction W1 toward the translucent material 2 and is projected by the translucent material 2. Observer M, directing their line of sight Lv toward the second emitted light SL2 projected onto the translucent material 2, perceives the first image G1 as a virtual image VG.

[0103] As described above, the first linearly polarized light PL1 is included in the first emitted light SL1 and is emitted from the light source device 10 along the first direction W1 and transmitted through the first liquid crystal panel 20. Therefore, the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the second emitted light SL2 can be increased. This improves the visibility of the virtual image VG. In this way, the visibility of the virtual image VG can be improved in a display device 1 that allows one of two different images to be viewed as a virtual image VG.

[0104] Furthermore, the second lens 14 of the light source device 10 can increase the brightness of the first emitted light SL1. Therefore, the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1, i.e., the second emitted light SL2, included in the first emitted light SL1 can be further increased. Consequently, the visibility of the virtual image VG in the display device 1 can be further improved.

[0105] Figure 13 shows the luminance distribution of the second emitted light SL2 and the third emitted light SL3. The vertical axis in Figure 13 represents luminance. The horizontal axis in Figure 13 represents the viewing angle in the first panel direction D1. A viewing angle of 0° means that the first liquid crystal panel 20 is viewed along the third panel direction D3, with respect to the display surface 20a.

[0106] The brightness of the second emitted light SL2 corresponds to the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and is higher than the brightness of the third emitted light SL3. Therefore, even when the brightness of the first emitted light SL1 is increased, the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 can be set to an appropriate level. In other words, observer M can view the second image G2 at an appropriate brightness. The brightness of the third emitted light SL3 can be adjusted by the voltage applied to the third electrode 44 and the fourth electrode 46 in the second liquid crystal panel 40. The larger the potential difference between the third electrode 44 and the fourth electrode 46, the lower the light transmittance of the second liquid crystal layer 42, and the lower the brightness of the third emitted light SL3.

[0107] Furthermore, as described above, the light source device 10 reduces the degree of diffusion of the first emitted light SL1, i.e., the first linearly polarized light PL1, compared to the case without the second lens 14. Moreover, the degree of diffusion of the third emitted light SL3 is approximately equal to the degree of diffusion of the first linearly polarized light PL1. Therefore, the field of view of the first image G1 corresponding to the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the field of view of the second image G2 corresponding to the third emitted light SL3 can be prevented from overlapping. This suppresses the overlapping of the first image G1 and the second image G2 (so-called crosstalk) when the observer M views the display surface 20a from between the first panel direction D1 and the second panel direction D2.

[0108] Furthermore, the fact that the reflector 50 is a retroreflective plate improves the degree of freedom in the orientation of the optical element 30. In this embodiment, the optical element 30 can be miniaturized by arranging the optical element 30 so that its plate surface (second plate surface 40a) and the Z direction are parallel to each other as described above. The optical element 30 may also be arranged so that its plate surface (second plate surface 40a) is inclined with respect to the Z direction.

[0109] While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The content disclosed in the embodiments is merely an example, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Any modifications made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure will naturally fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0110] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a display device 1 according to a first modified example of the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0111] The display device 1 of this first modified example further includes a diffusion sheet 128 compared to the display device 1 of the above embodiment. The diffusion sheet 128 is placed between the light source device 10 and the first plate surface 25a, and between the optical element 30 and the first plate surface 25a. In this modified example, the diffusion sheet 128 is placed on the first plate surface 25a.

[0112] The first linearly polarized light PL1 contained in the first emitted light SL1 passes through the diffusion sheet 128 and the first liquid crystal panel 20 and travels toward the light-transmitting body 2 as the second emitted light SL2, and is perceived as a virtual image VG corresponding to the first image G1. In other words, the first linearly polarized light PL1 passes through the diffusion sheet 128 once before being perceived as a virtual image VG.

[0113] Meanwhile, the second linearly polarized light PL2 contained in the first emitted light SL1 passes through the diffusion sheet 128 and is reflected by the first plate surface 25a of the reflective polarizer 25. The second linearly polarized light PL2 reflected by the first plate surface 25a passes through the diffusion sheet 128 again and is incident on the optical element 30, and is emitted from the optical element 30 as the third emitted light SL3. Furthermore, the third emitted light SL3 passes through the diffusion sheet 128 and the first liquid crystal panel 20 and is perceived as the second image G2. In other words, the second linearly polarized light PL2 passes through the diffusion sheet 128 three times before being perceived as the second image G2.

[0114] Therefore, in this first modified example, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 13, the degree of diffusion of the third emitted light SL3 becomes greater than the degree of diffusion of the second emitted light SL2, and the field of view of the second image G2 becomes larger. Thus, the field of view of the second image G2 can be increased while suppressing so-called crosstalk.

[0115] Furthermore, the diffusion sheet 128 can make the brightness of the third emitted light SL3, i.e., the brightness of the second image G2, lower than the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1, i.e., the brightness of the first image G1. In other words, the diffusion sheet 128 can adjust the brightness difference between the first image G1 and the second image G2. In this case, it is not necessary to apply voltage to the third electrode 44 and the fourth electrode 46 in the second liquid crystal panel 40.

[0116] Figure 15 is a block diagram of a display device 1 according to a second modification of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this second modification, the display device 1 further includes an illuminance sensor 229 for detecting the degree of brightness outside the display device 1. The illuminance sensor 229 includes a phototransistor and a photodiode, etc. The detection result of the illuminance sensor 229 is transmitted to the light source device 10 and the second liquid crystal panel 40.

[0117] The light source device 10 may increase the brightness of the first emitted light SL1 as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229 increases (the brighter the outside is). In other words, the light source device 10 increases the brightness of the light emitter 12 as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229 increases.

[0118] This allows for, for example, increasing the brightness of the first linearly polarized light PL1 and the second emitted light SL2 during the daytime, thereby increasing the brightness of the virtual image VG and improving the visibility of the virtual image VG.

[0119] Furthermore, the second liquid crystal panel 40 may reduce the luminance of the transmitted light as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229 increases. In other words, the second drive circuit 48 of the second liquid crystal panel 40 applies voltage to the third electrode 44 and the fourth electrode 46 such that the potential difference between the third electrode 44 and the fourth electrode 46 increases as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229 increases. This reduces the light transmittance of the second liquid crystal layer 42.

[0120] Therefore, the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 decreases, and the degree of brightness of the second image G2 is suppressed. In other words, the greater the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229, the greater the difference between the brightness of the second emitted light SL2 and the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 transmitted through the first liquid crystal panel 20, and the greater the difference in the degree of brightness between the virtual image VG and the second image G2.

[0121] In this case, as described above, the increase in brightness of the light-emitting element 12 suppresses the increase in brightness of the second image G2, allowing observer M to view the second image G2 at an appropriate brightness.

[0122] The detection result of the illuminance sensor 229 may also be transmitted to the first liquid crystal panel 20. The first drive circuit 21 of the first liquid crystal panel 20 may reduce the gradation of the second sub-pixel SP2 in the second sub-pixel signal corresponding to the second image G2 as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229 increases.

[0123] As a result, the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 that passes through the first liquid crystal panel 20 decreases, and the degree of brightness of the second image G2 is suppressed. In other words, the greater the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 229, the greater the difference between the brightness of the second emitted light SL2 and the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 that passes through the first liquid crystal panel 20, and the greater the difference in the degree of brightness between the virtual image VG and the second image G2.

[0124] Even in this case, as described above, the increase in brightness of the light-emitting element 12 suppresses the increase in the brightness of the second image G2, allowing observer M to view the second image G2 at an appropriate brightness.

[0125] Figure 16 shows the arrangement of the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 in the first liquid crystal panel 20 of the display device 1 according to a third modified example of the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0126] In this third modified example, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 are arranged along the row direction (first panel direction D1) and the column direction (second panel direction D2), respectively. Focusing on the first pixel P1 in the row direction, the first sub-pixel SP1a, the third sub-pixel SP1c, and the second sub-pixel SP1b are repeatedly arranged in this order. Also, focusing on the second pixel P2 in the row direction, the second sub-pixel SP2b, the first sub-pixel SP2a, and the third sub-pixel SP2c are repeatedly arranged in this order.

[0127] Furthermore, the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 are arranged alternately along the row direction. That is, in the row direction, the first subpixel SP1 and the second subpixel SP2 are adjacent to each other. Specifically, in the row direction, the first first subpixel SP1a is adjacent to at least one of the second second subpixel SP2b and the third second subpixel SP2c. Also, in the row direction, the second first subpixel SP1b is adjacent to at least one of the third second subpixel SP2c and the first second subpixel SP2a. Furthermore, in the row direction, the third first subpixel SP1c is adjacent to at least one of the first second subpixel SP2a and the second second subpixel SP2b.

[0128] Furthermore, in the row direction, the first second subpixel SP2a is adjacent to at least one of the second first subpixel SP1b and the third first subpixel SP1c. Also, in the row direction, the second second subpixel SP2b is adjacent to at least one of the third first subpixel SP1c and the first first subpixel SP1a. Moreover, in the row direction, the third second subpixel SP2c is adjacent to at least one of the first first subpixel SP1a and the second first subpixel SP1b.

[0129] Furthermore, multiple first subpixels SP1 are arranged along the column direction. Specifically, multiple first subpixels SP1a are arranged adjacent to each other along the column direction. Multiple second subpixels SP1b are arranged adjacent to each other along the column direction. Multiple third subpixels SP1c are arranged adjacent to each other along the column direction.

[0130] Furthermore, multiple second subpixels SP2 are arranged along the column direction. Specifically, multiple first second subpixels SP2a are arranged adjacent to each other along the column direction. Multiple second second subpixels SP2b are arranged adjacent to each other along the column direction. Multiple third second subpixels SP2c are arranged adjacent to each other along the column direction.

[0131] Figure 17 is a plan view of the parallax barrier 327 in the first liquid crystal panel 20 of the display device 1 according to a third modified embodiment of the present disclosure. The parallax barrier 327 in this modified embodiment corresponds to the arrangement of the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 shown in Figure 16. The parallax barrier 327 has an opening 327a and a light-shielding portion 327b.

[0132] In Figure 17, the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 are shown by dashed lines. In this modified example, each of the multiple apertures 327a overlaps in plan view with one first color filter CF1 and one second color filter CF2 that are adjacent to each other in the row direction. In the plan view shown in Figure 17, similar to the embodiment described above, each of the multiple apertures 327a overlaps with the -D1 side of the first color filter CF1 and the +D1 side of the second color filter CF2, respectively.

[0133] The aperture 327a has a shape that extends along the column direction (second panel direction D2). Each of the multiple apertures 327a overlaps, in a plan view, with a plurality of first subpixels SP1 and a plurality of second subpixels SP2 arranged along the column direction. Multiple apertures 327a are arranged along the row direction (first panel direction D1).

[0134] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the arrangement of the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the aperture 327a results in different viewing angles for the first image G1 and the second image G2, similar to the embodiment described above. In this modified example, the first sub-pixel SP1 and the second sub-pixel SP2 are also arranged across the entire display area DA. Therefore, the first image G1 and the second image G2 are displayed simultaneously across the entire display area DA.

[0135] In the parallax barrier 27 shown in Figure 17, the aperture 327a may be formed so as to overlap with one first subpixel SP1 and one second subpixel SP2 in a plan view in the column direction. In this case, multiple apertures 327a are arranged along both the row direction (first panel direction D1) and the column direction (second panel direction D2).

[0136] In addition, in the display device 1 according to the above embodiment and the display device 1 according to each modified example, the angle θb between the third orientation direction 45a and the fourth orientation direction 47a in a plan view of the second liquid crystal panel 40 may be an angle other than 45°. In this case, depending on the polarization direction of the third emitted light SL3, the brightness of the third emitted light SL3 transmitted through the reflective polarizer 25 will change.

[0137] Furthermore, the reflector 50 may not be a retroreflective plate, but rather a mirror having a mirror surface that reflects light transmitted through the second liquid crystal panel 40. In this case, the optical element 30 is positioned such that the mirror surface is perpendicular to the second direction W2.

[0138] Furthermore, any other effects and advantages brought about by the embodiments described herein that are obvious from the description herein or that can be appropriately conceived by a person skilled in the art are naturally provided for by this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0139] 1 Display device 2 Translucent body 10 Light source device 12 Light-emitting elements 14. Second lens (lens) 20. First LCD panel 20a Display surface 25 Reflective polarizer 25a 1st board surface (board surface) 27 Parallax Barrier 30 Optical elements 40. Second LCD panel 50 Reflector 229 Illuminance Sensor D1 First Panel Direction D2 Second Panel Direction D3 Third panel direction (orthogonal direction) G1 Image 1 G2 Image 2 PL1 1st linear polarization PL2 2nd linear polarization SL1 First emitted light SL2 2nd output light SL3 Third emitted light SP1 First subpixel SP2 2nd subpixel VG (Virtual Image) W1 1st direction W2 Second Direction θt Tilt angle

Claims

1. A light source device that emits first emitted light along a first direction, which includes a first linearly polarized light and a second linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is perpendicular to that of the first linearly polarized light, A first liquid crystal panel includes a reflective polarizing plate upon which the first emitted light is incident and which transmits the first linearly polarized light and reflects the second linearly polarized light from the plate surface along a second direction different from the first direction, and modulates the first linearly polarized light transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate and emits it toward a light-transmitting body toward a light-transmitting body toward a second emitted light corresponding to the first image along the first direction, The optical element comprises: the second linearly polarized light reflected from the plate surface is incident along the second direction, and a phase difference is applied to the incident second linearly polarized light to emit it as a third emitted light toward the plate surface along the second direction, The first liquid crystal panel modulates the third emitted light transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate to display a second image on the display surface. The aforementioned optical element is A second liquid crystal panel that imparts a phase difference to light that is incident along the second direction and transmitted by the second linearly polarized light reflected from the surface of the plate, The device comprises a reflector that reflects light transmitted through the second liquid crystal panel toward the second liquid crystal panel along the second direction, Display device.

2. The aforementioned light source device is Multiple light-emitting elements, The light emitter includes a lens that refracts the light emitted along a first direction and emits it as the first emitted light, The display device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned reflector is a retroreflective plate. The display device according to claim 1.

4. The inclination angle between the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the plate surface and the first direction is 30° ± 5°. The display device according to claim 1.

5. The second liquid crystal panel imparts a phase difference of 1 / 4 wavelength to the transmitted light. The display device according to claim 1.

6. The second liquid crystal panel reduces the brightness of the transmitted light. The display device according to claim 1.

7. The first liquid crystal panel is, In a planar view, they are arranged in a matrix, and include a plurality of first subpixels corresponding to the first image and a plurality of second subpixels corresponding to the second image, The present invention further comprises a parallax barrier that allows the first linearly polarized light that passes through the first sub-pixel to pass through, and the third emitted light that passes through the second sub-pixel to pass through, while blocking the third emitted light that passes through the first sub-pixel and the first linearly polarized light that passes through the second sub-pixel. The display device according to claim 1.

8. It is further equipped with an illuminance sensor that detects the degree of external brightness, The light source device increases the brightness of the first emitted light as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor increases. The display device according to claim 1.

9. It is further equipped with an illuminance sensor that detects the degree of external brightness, The second liquid crystal panel reduces the brightness of the transmitted light as the degree of brightness detected by the illuminance sensor increases. The display device according to claim 1.

Images