JP2001228804A - Display device and electronic device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a display device having a surface light source unit,
Provided is a display device which can reduce a space which is not used, can be reduced in size and thickness, and can reduce luminance unevenness. A liquid crystal panel includes a display area.
And a peripheral circuit region 123 formed along each of two opposing sides 126 of the display region 130, and a peripheral circuit region 1 formed along the other side 127 of the display region 130.
A peripheral circuit region 124 substantially orthogonal to 23 and a terminal portion 23 formed along the peripheral circuit region 124 are provided. The backlight unit 40 includes a light guide plate 44 and a fluorescent tube 50 arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate 44. The fluorescent tube 50 has a non-light emitting region 125 that emits little light at both ends, and is located at a position substantially orthogonal to the side 126 of the display region 130 and extending the peripheral circuit region 123 in the length direction in a plan view. The light emitting region 125 is located on the back side of the terminal portion 23 in a state where the light emitting region 125 is located.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a display device having a surface light source unit and an electronic apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In electronic devices, particularly portable electronic devices, there is a tendency to be further miniaturized and thinned. In many cases, electronic devices are integrally formed with a display device as a display unit. As such a display device, a display device formed by combining a display panel and a surface light source unit, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal display device is often used.

Incidentally, in a display device formed using a display panel and a surface light source unit, since they are not completely the same shape in plan view, an unused space is likely to be generated. Therefore, when a display device combining a display panel and a surface light source unit is used for an electronic device in which miniaturization and thinning are important, a specially designed design should be designed so that unused space is not generated as much as possible. There is a need to do.

[0004] One of the surface light source units generally used is one in which a light source is arranged along one end surface of a light guide plate. In such a surface light source unit, there is a problem that light emitted from a region of the light guide plate close to the light source often has remarkable luminance unevenness. Further, when a fluorescent tube is used as a light source in such a surface light source unit, the amount of light emitted from the position of the light guide plate corresponding to that region is accompanied by the fact that there is almost no light emitting region at both ends of the fluorescent tube. Is reduced, which causes uneven brightness.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device having at least one of the following effects and an electronic apparatus using the same. is there.

1) In a display device having a surface light source unit, the space which is not used and which is left unused is reduced, and the display device is compact and compact.
The thickness can be reduced.

2) In a display device having a surface light source unit, it is possible to reduce uneven brightness.

[0008]

(1) A display device according to the present invention is a display device including a display panel and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel Includes a terminal portion formed along one side of the display panel, the surface light source unit includes a light guide plate, and a light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate, and the light source includes: It is characterized by being arranged on the back side of the terminal part.

According to the present invention, since the light source of the surface light source unit is disposed on the back side of the terminal portion of the display panel, it is possible to use the space on the back side of the terminal portion which is often left as a space. . Therefore, in the display device provided with the surface light source unit, the space left unused and can be reduced, and the size and thickness can be reduced.

(2) A display device according to the present invention includes a display panel, and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel includes a display area, A peripheral circuit region formed along one side of the display region, wherein the surface light source unit includes a light guide plate, and a light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate. , Disposed on the back side of the peripheral circuit area.

According to the present invention, the light source of the surface light source unit is arranged by utilizing the space on the back side of the peripheral circuit area formed along one side of the display area of the display panel. Therefore, in the display device provided with the surface light source unit, the space left unused and can be reduced, and the size and thickness can be reduced.

(3) A display device according to the present invention includes a display panel, and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel includes a display area, A peripheral circuit region formed along one side of the display region, and a terminal portion formed along the peripheral circuit region, the surface light source unit includes a light guide plate,
And a light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate, wherein the light source is arranged on the back side of the terminal portion.

According to the present invention, since the light source of the surface light source unit is disposed on the back side of the terminal portion of the display panel, it is possible to use the space on the back side of the terminal portion which is often left as a space. . Therefore, in the display device provided with the surface light source unit, the space left unused and can be reduced, and the size and thickness can be reduced.

Light emitted from the light guide plate in a portion near the light source tends to have large luminance unevenness, but the peripheral circuit region of the display panel corresponds to the light guide plate region in the portion closest to the light source. Therefore, luminance unevenness can be reduced in the display area.

(4) A display device according to the present invention includes a display panel, and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel has a display area, A first peripheral circuit area formed along each of two opposite sides of the display area,
The surface light source unit includes a light guide plate and a line light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate, and the line light source includes:
A non-light-emitting region that hardly emits light is provided at both ends, and in a plan view, the non-light-emitting region intersects with the two sides of the display region and extends in the length direction of the first peripheral circuit region. Are arranged so as to be located.

According to the present invention, the first peripheral circuit region is formed along two opposing sides of the display region in the display panel, and the first peripheral circuit region is provided at a position extending in the length direction thereof. The line light source unit is arranged such that the non-light emitting area of the line light source of the surface light source unit is located. Therefore, in order to correspond to the non-light-emitting area of the linear light source, the area of the light guide plate that emits a small amount of light is an area that emits light to the first peripheral circuit area. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the light guide plate region corresponding to the display region is hardly affected by the presence of the non-light emitting region in the linear light source. As a result, a display device with less luminance unevenness can be formed.

(5) The display device according to the present invention provides (4)
, The display panel includes a second peripheral circuit area formed along another side of the display area and intersecting with the first peripheral circuit area, and the line light source includes the second peripheral circuit. It is characterized by being arranged on the back side of the region.

According to the present invention, the line light source of the surface light source unit is disposed using the space on the back side of the second peripheral circuit area formed along the other side of the display area of the display panel. . Therefore, in the display device provided with the surface light source unit, the space left unused and can be reduced, and the size and thickness can be reduced.

(6) The display device according to the present invention provides (4)
, The display panel includes a terminal portion formed along another side of the display region and intersecting the first peripheral circuit region, and the linear light source is disposed on a back side of the terminal portion. It is characterized by being.

According to the present invention, the line light source of the surface light source unit is disposed on the back side of the terminal portion of the display panel.
It is possible to use the space on the back side of the terminal portion, which tends to be left as a space. Therefore, in the display device provided with the surface light source unit, the space left unused and can be reduced, and the size and thickness can be reduced.

(7) The display device according to the present invention provides (4)
, The display panel is formed along another side of the display area, and formed along a second peripheral circuit area substantially orthogonal to the first peripheral circuit area, and along the second peripheral circuit area. And the line light source is disposed on the back side of the terminal portion.

According to the present invention, since the line light source of the surface light source unit is disposed on the back side of the terminal portion of the display panel,
It is possible to use the space on the back side of the terminal portion, which tends to be left as a space. Therefore, in the display device provided with the surface light source unit, the space left unused and can be reduced, and the size and thickness can be reduced.

The light radiated from the light guide plate near the line light source tends to have large luminance unevenness, but the peripheral circuit region of the display panel corresponds to the light guide plate region closest to the line light source. Therefore, luminance unevenness can be suppressed in the display area.

(8) An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above display devices as a display unit.

According to the present invention, a small and thin electronic device can be obtained by effectively utilizing a space.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below more specifically with reference to the drawings.

1. First Embodiment 1.1 Display Device FIG. 1 shows a liquid crystal display device 1 as a display device of the present embodiment.
FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device 10 of the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal panel 14 as a display panel and a backlight unit 4 as a surface light source unit disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 14.
0.

Further, the liquid crystal display device 10 includes a panel fixing frame 12 disposed on the front side of the liquid crystal panel 14 as a frame member for protecting the above-described parts and maintaining a predetermined positional relationship.
The spacer 30 disposed between the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight unit 40 (surface light source unit) and the backlight fixing frame 56 disposed on the back side of the light guide plate 44 which is a part of the backlight unit 40 Have. A reflector 66 that covers the fluorescent tube 50 as a light source of the backlight unit 40 is provided in the backlight fixing frame 56.
Are integrally formed.

The liquid crystal panel 14 is disposed between the panel fixing frame 12 and the spacer 30 as shown in FIG. In the liquid crystal panel 14, liquid crystal is sealed between the active matrix substrate 15 and the counter substrate 24, and the substrates 15, 2
A polarizing plate 33 (the polarizing plate 32 on the back side is not shown in FIG. 1) is attached to the outer surface side of 4. The liquid crystal panel 14 has a terminal 23 along one side thereof, and a wiring board 34 (see FIG. 2), for example, a flexible wiring board (FPC) is connected to the terminal 23.

FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight 40, and FIG. 2B is a plan view taken along a line LM shown in FIG. 2A. It is sectional drawing. As shown in FIG. 2A, the liquid crystal panel 14
It is formed to include a display area 130 and a peripheral circuit area 170 formed around the display area 130. In the peripheral circuit area 170, for example, the active matrix substrate 1
At least one of a driving circuit for driving each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 14, a signal circuit for generating image information to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14, and an inspection circuit is formed in the polysilicon layer formed on the liquid crystal panel 14. .

The backlight unit 40 as a surface light source unit is disposed between the spacer 30 and the backlight fixing frame 56 as shown in FIG. The backlight unit 40 includes a fluorescent tube 50 as a light source, a light guide plate 44,
The lens sheet 42, the backlight fixing frame 56, and the reflector 66 are provided. The output of an inverter (not shown) is connected to the fluorescent tube 50 via a connection section 51 for connecting a power supply of a predetermined voltage. Light guide plate 44
A fluorescent tube 50 as a light source is arranged in a state of being substantially in contact with the end surface 45 and guides light from the fluorescent tube 50 toward the entire display area of the liquid crystal panel 14. FIG. 2 (A)
In the figure, for the sake of clarity of illustration, the light guide plate 44 is conveniently shown.
Are drawn as being somewhat separated from the fluorescent tube 50. The light guide plate 44 has a planar shape substantially corresponding to the planar shape of the liquid crystal panel excluding the terminal portion 23. The light guide plate 44 is formed in a thick wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape on the fluorescent tube 50 side, for example. When the light guide plate 44 has such a shape, the light guide plate 44
The amount of light emitted toward the fluorescent tube 50 and the fluorescent tube 5
It is made uniform at positions away from zero. Lens sheet 42
Are arranged on the front side of the light guide plate 44 to improve light use efficiency. The reflector 66 covers the periphery of the fluorescent tube 50 except for the side of the light guide plate 44, and reflects light from the fluorescent tube 50 toward the light guide plate 44. The inverter is arranged on the back side of the backlight fixing frame 56 and supplies power to the fluorescent tubes 50 of the backlight unit 40. The inverter converts, for example, the input 5 V DC voltage to 250 V, 1
It is output as an alternating voltage of 00 kHz and supplied to the fluorescent tube 50.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fluorescent tube 50 as a light source is disposed on the back side of the terminal 23 of the liquid crystal panel 14. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device 10, the back side of the terminal portion 23 does not remain as an unused space. As a result, it is possible to reduce the space that is not used and to reduce the size and thickness. Furthermore, if the fluorescent tubes 50 are arranged without protruding from the display panel 14 in a plan view, the fluorescent tubes 5
A space around 0 does not remain as an unused space.

In the liquid crystal panel 14, a peripheral circuit area 170 is formed between the display area 130 and the terminal section 23. The light guide plate 44 is connected to the display area 130.
And the entire area including the peripheral circuit area 170 on the back side. That is, the light guide plate 44 in the region closest to the fluorescent tube 50 is located on the back side of the peripheral circuit region 170. Therefore, light having a large luminance unevenness, which is emitted from the light guide plate 44 in a region near the fluorescent tube 50, is emitted to the peripheral circuit region 170 and is not emitted to the display region 130. As a result, uneven brightness in the display area 130 can be suppressed.

The panel fixing frame 12 has a frame portion 12a and a display window 13 having a size corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal panel 14, and the liquid crystal panel 14 is fixed from the front side and physically protected.

The spacer 30 has a frame portion 30a, is disposed between the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight unit 40, fixes the liquid crystal panel 14 from the back side, and fixes the backlight unit 40 from the front side. I have. As described above, by disposing the spacer 30 between the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight unit 40, a predetermined gap is formed between the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight unit 40, and the occurrence of interference fringes is prevented. And the liquid crystal panel 14
Pixel and the lens sheet 42 of the backlight unit 40
This prevents the occurrence of moire caused by the optical interference of the stripes. Further, by disposing the spacer 30 between the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight unit 40, a gap is formed between the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight unit 40, and the liquid crystal panel 14 and the lens sheet 42 are in contact with each other. Without doing so, it is possible to prevent the lens sheet 42 from being damaged or damaged.

The backlight fixing frame 56 has a bottom portion 57 and fixes the backlight unit 40 from the back side. Further, the backlight fixing frame 56 includes a plurality of positioning portions 58 erected from the bottom surface portion 57. The plurality of positioning portions 58 are provided at corresponding end surfaces 46 and 47 of the light guide plate 44.
And is formed so as to abut the end faces 47 and 46 of the light guide plate 44, thereby positioning the light guide plate 44 at a predetermined position in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom surface portion 57. Therefore, the light guide plate 44 and the backlight fixing frame 56 can be positioned with high accuracy with a short man-hour. In addition, since the positioning of the light guide plate 44 and the backlight fixing frame 56 can be performed without using a double-sided tape, the frame area which cannot be used as a light emitting surface due to the application of the double-sided tape or the like, and the outer shape increases. The weight and thickness do not increase due to the double-sided tape or the like.

The plurality of positioning portions 58 are provided on the light guide plate 4.
Of the end faces 4 where the fluorescent tube 50 is not disposed
7 and 46 are formed in a planar shape that covers almost in close contact with each other. Further, the positioning portion 58 and the bottom portion 57
Since the side facing the light guide plate 44 is formed with sufficient light reflectance, the light from the fluorescent tube 50 can be used with high efficiency.

1.2 Display Panel FIG. 3 shows a liquid crystal panel 1 as a display panel of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing details in the vicinity of the end of the liquid crystal panel 14 (position along the line HI shown in FIG. 3).

As shown in these figures, the liquid crystal panel 14
An active matrix substrate 15 in which pixel electrodes 17 made of an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film are formed in a matrix on the surface of a substrate 16 made of quartz glass or heat-resistant glass, and also made of quartz glass or heat-resistant glass It comprises a counter substrate 24 in which a counter electrode 26 is formed on the surface of the formed substrate 25, and a liquid crystal 35 sealed and sandwiched between these substrates. here,
In the active matrix substrate 15, a light-shielding film 19 is formed in advance on the surface of the substrate 16 below a region where a TFT 18 for pixel switching is formed. And
After the protective film 20 is formed on the surface, the TFT 18 and the pixel electrode 17 are formed, and the surfaces of the TFT 18 and the pixel electrode 17 are aligned.
It is a configuration covered with. This liquid crystal panel 1
In the case where color display is performed using the pixel 4, a color filter is formed in a region of the counter substrate 24 facing each pixel.

The active matrix substrate 15 and the opposing substrate 24 are maintained at a predetermined interval by a gap material (not shown) dispersedly disposed therebetween, and a sealing material disposed along the outer peripheral edge of the opposing substrate 24. 36. In this way, the liquid crystal 35 as an electro-optical material is sealed in the region defined by the active matrix substrate 15, the counter substrate 24, and the seal member 36. Here, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a liquid crystal injection port 37 which is partially interrupted. For this reason, after the opposing substrate 24 and the active matrix substrate 15 are bonded to each other, the inside area of the sealing material 36 is brought into a reduced pressure state, whereby the liquid crystal 35 can be injected under reduced pressure from the liquid crystal injection port 37. After the liquid crystal 35 is injected, the liquid crystal injection port 37 is sealed by a sealing portion 38 made of resin.

In the active matrix substrate 15, a region located around the display region is defined as a peripheral circuit region. In this region, a driving circuit TFT (not shown) formed simultaneously with the pixel switching TFT 18 is provided. Scanning line driving circuit 171 and data line driving circuit 1
74 are formed. The terminal portion 23 formed at the end of the active matrix substrate 15 is
It is located in the area outside the area.

On the opposite substrate 24, a light-shielding film 27 that shields a region inside the formation region of the sealing material 36 but is not a display region, and a region corresponding to a boundary region between the pixel electrodes 17 of the active matrix substrate 15 is shielded. Light shielding film 28
Are formed. Then, these light shielding films 27, 28
A counter electrode 26 is formed on the surface side of the substrate, and an alignment film 29 is formed to cover the counter electrode 26. In addition, the liquid crystal panel 1
4 is an active matrix substrate 15 and a counter substrate 2
4, a polarizing plate (polarizing sheet) formed using a plastic sheet on the surface on the light incident side and on the light emitting side according to the normally white mode / normally black mode
32 and 33 are arranged in a predetermined direction.

In this embodiment, light is incident from the active matrix substrate 15 and is emitted from the counter substrate 24. On the contrary, light is incident from the counter substrate 24. May be incident and emitted from the active matrix substrate 15.

In the liquid crystal panel 14 configured as described above, on the active matrix substrate 15, the image signal applied to the pixel electrode 17 via the data line (not shown) and the TFT 18 causes the pixel electrode 17 and the counter electrode 26 to be in contact with each other. During this time, the alignment state of the liquid crystal 35 is controlled for each pixel, and a predetermined image corresponding to the image signal is displayed. For example, when the liquid crystal panel 14 is configured in the TN mode, when the rubbing process is performed on the alignment films 21 and 29 formed between the pair of substrates (the active matrix substrate 15 and the counter substrate 24), the rubbing direction is changed. If the directions are set to be orthogonal to each other, the liquid crystal 35 is twisted and oriented at an angle of 90 ° between the substrates. Such a twisted orientation causes the liquid crystal 3 between the substrates.
5 is released by applying an electric field. Therefore, depending on whether an external electric field is applied between the substrates,
The alignment state of the liquid crystal 35 can be controlled for each region (pixel) where the pixel electrode 17 is formed. Therefore, in the case of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 14, the light from the light source, that is, the light from the backlight unit 40 is adjusted to a predetermined linearly polarized light by the polarizing plate 32 on the incident side, and then is incident on the layer of the liquid crystal 35, so that an The linearly polarized light that passes through is output while being rotated and the polarization plane is twisted, while the linearly polarized light that has passed through other regions is emitted without being rotated and the polarization plane is not twisted. Therefore, if the incident side polarizing plate 32 and the emitting side polarizing plate 33 are arranged so that their transmission axes are orthogonal to each other (normally white), the polarizing plate 33 arranged on the emitting side of the liquid crystal panel 14 can be obtained. Passes only the linearly polarized light whose polarization plane is twisted by the liquid crystal 35. On the other hand, if the exit-side polarizing plate 33 is arranged so that the transmission axis is parallel to the entrance-side polarizing plate 32 (normally black), the polarizing plate arranged on the exit side of the liquid crystal panel 14 can be used. 33
Only linearly polarized light whose polarization plane is not twisted by the liquid crystal 35. Therefore, the liquid crystal 35
By controlling the alignment state of each pixel, arbitrary information can be displayed.

Therefore, the active matrix substrate 1
5. TFT for data line and pixel switching
It is necessary to supply an image signal to the pixel electrode 17 via 18 and to apply a predetermined potential to the counter electrode 26. Therefore, in the liquid crystal panel 14, a portion of the surface of the active matrix substrate 15 facing each corner of the counter substrate 24 is formed of an aluminum film (light-shielding material) using a process of forming data lines or the like. A first conduction electrode 22 for conduction is formed. On the other hand, at each corner of the counter substrate 24, a second conductive electrode 30 for vertical conduction made of an ITO film (light transmitting material) is formed with the help of the process of forming the counter electrode 26. Further, the first conductive electrode 22 and the second conductive electrode 3
0 is electrically conducted by the conducting material 39 in which conductive particles such as silver powder and gold-plated fiber are mixed with an epoxy resin adhesive component. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 14
Now, the active matrix substrate 15 and the counter substrate 2
A predetermined signal can be input to both the active matrix substrate 15 and the opposing substrate 24 only by connecting the wiring substrate 34 to only the active matrix substrate 15 without connecting a wiring substrate or the like to each of the components 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the liquid crystal panel 14 having the above-described structure. As shown in this figure, the liquid crystal panel 14 is provided with a display area 130 and a peripheral circuit area 170.

The display area 130 has data lines 131 and scanning lines 132 and data lines 131 and scanning lines 132.
And a liquid crystal cell 135 to which an image signal is input from the data line 131 via the TFT 18. Further, each pixel formed including the TFT 18 and the liquid crystal cell 135 includes a capacitor 136 between the capacitor line 133 and the capacitor 136.
36 has a function of improving the charge retention characteristics of the liquid crystal cell 135.

The peripheral circuit area 170 includes the scanning line driving circuit 1
71 and a data line drive circuit 174. The scanning line driving circuit 171 is connected to the scanning line 132 and includes a shift register 172 and a level shifter 173. The data line driving circuit 174 is connected to the data line 131, and includes a shift register 175, a level shifter 17
6, a video line 177, and a switch 178.

1.3 Electronic Apparatus Equipped with Display Device FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show an electronic apparatus using the liquid crystal display device 10 as the display device of the present embodiment as a display unit. It is an external view showing an example. FIG. 6A shows a mobile phone 88 having a liquid crystal display device 10 at the upper front side thereof. FIG. 6B shows a wristwatch 92, in which a display unit using the liquid crystal display device 10 is provided at the center of the front of the main body. FIG. 6C illustrates a portable information device 96 including a display unit including the liquid crystal display device 10 and an input unit 98. These electronic devices include various circuits such as a display information output source, a display information processing circuit, a clock generation circuit, and a power supply circuit for supplying power to those circuits, which are not shown, in addition to the liquid crystal display device 10. And a display signal generator. For example, in the case of a portable information device, a display image is formed by supplying a display signal generated by a display signal generation unit based on information input from the input unit 98 to the display unit.

The electronic devices incorporating the liquid crystal display device 10 of the present embodiment are not limited to portable telephones, wristwatches, and portable information devices, but may be notebook computers, electronic notebooks, pagers, calculators, POS terminals, IC cards, and the like. And various electronic devices such as a mini-disc player.

2. Second Embodiment The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that there is no peripheral circuit area between the display area and the terminal section. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a schematic plan view showing the liquid crystal panel 110 and the backlight 40, and FIG. 7B is at a position along the line JK drawn in FIG. 7A. It is sectional drawing. As shown in FIG. 7A, the liquid crystal panel 110
Is formed to include a terminal portion 23 provided along one side thereof and a display region 130 adjacent to the terminal portion 23. Also in the present embodiment, the fluorescent tube 50 as a light source is used.
Are arranged on the back side of the terminal portion 23 of the liquid crystal panel 110 without protruding from the liquid crystal panel 110 in plan view. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device, the back surface of the terminal portion 23 does not remain as an unused space, and the vicinity of the fluorescent tube 50 does not remain as an unused space. As a result, it is possible to reduce the space that is not used and to reduce the size and thickness.

3. <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment is different from the liquid crystal panel in that a terminal portion is provided along a side different from a side along which a fluorescent tube extends, and the fluorescent tube is arranged on a back surface of a peripheral circuit region. This is different from the first embodiment. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a schematic plan view showing the liquid crystal panel 116 and the backlight 40, and FIG. 8B is a view at a position along the line RS shown in FIG. 8A. It is sectional drawing. As shown in FIG. 8A, the liquid crystal panel 116
Is formed to include a terminal portion 117 formed along one side thereof, a display region 130, and a peripheral circuit region 170 provided along each of three sides of the display region 130. In the present embodiment, the fluorescent tube 50 as a light source is used.
However, they are arranged on the back side of the peripheral circuit area 170 without protruding from the liquid crystal panel 116 in a plan view.
Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device, the peripheral circuit region 17
0 The space on the back side is used. Further, the vicinity of the fluorescent tube 50 does not remain as an unused space. as a result,
It is possible to reduce the space left unused and reduce the size and thickness.

4. <Fourth Embodiment> In a fourth embodiment, a non-light-emitting region of a fluorescent tube as a line light source is located in a region extending a peripheral circuit region formed along each of two opposite sides of a display region. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a fluorescent tube is arranged and a fluorescent tube and a terminal are arranged along a short side of a liquid crystal panel. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

4.1 Liquid Crystal Display Device FIG. 9A is a schematic plan view showing the liquid crystal panel 14 and the backlight 40, and FIG. 9B is a line P- It is sectional drawing in the position along Q. FIG.
As shown in (A), the liquid crystal panel 122 has a terminal portion 11 formed along a short side 127 of the display area 130.
7, a display area 130, two peripheral circuit areas 123 provided substantially along the two sides 126 of the display area 130 substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal section 117, that is, a first peripheral circuit area, A peripheral circuit region 124 provided along the line 117, that is, a second peripheral circuit region is formed. The fluorescent tube 50 as a linear light source is
Are arranged without protruding from the liquid crystal panel 122 in a plan view. Therefore, the fluorescent tube 50
Is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the peripheral circuit region 123 in a plan view. Further, the fluorescent tube 50 has a non-light emitting area 125 at which both ends hardly emit light, and is arranged such that the non-light emitting area 125 is located at a position extending the peripheral circuit area 123 in the length direction. The light guide plate 44 is disposed so as to be substantially in contact with the fluorescent tube 50, and has a planar shape substantially corresponding to the planar shape of the liquid crystal panel 122 excluding the terminal portion 23.

According to the present embodiment, the peripheral circuit area 123 is formed along two opposing sides of the display area 130 in the liquid crystal panel 122, and the fluorescent light is located at a position where the peripheral circuit area 123 is extended in the longitudinal direction. No light emitting area 1 of tube 50
The fluorescent tube 50 is arranged so that 25 is located. Therefore, in order to correspond to the non-light-emitting area 125 of the fluorescent tube 50, the area of the light guide plate 44 that emits a small amount of light emits light to the peripheral circuit area 123 along two opposing sides of the display area 130. Area. Therefore, the display area 13
Light from the region of the light guide plate 44 corresponding to the fluorescent tube 50
Is almost unaffected by the non-light emitting region 125. As a result, the liquid crystal display device 10 with less luminance unevenness can be formed.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the fluorescent tube 50 as a linear light source is
Are arranged on the back side of the terminal section 23. Therefore,
In the liquid crystal display device 10, the back side of the terminal portion 23 does not remain as an unused space. As a result, it is possible to reduce the space that is not used and to reduce the size and thickness. Furthermore, the liquid crystal panel 1 in plan view
If the fluorescent tube 50 is arranged without protruding from the tube 22, the vicinity of the fluorescent tube 50 does not remain as an unused space.

Further, in the liquid crystal panel 122, the peripheral circuit area 124 is provided between the display area 130 and the terminal 23.
Are formed. The light guide plate 44 is connected to the display area 13.
0 and peripheral circuit regions 123 and 124 are arranged on the entire back side of the region. That is, the fluorescent tube 5
The light guide plate 44 in the area closest to 0 is located on the back side of the peripheral circuit area 124. Therefore, light having a tendency to have large luminance unevenness, which is emitted from the light guide plate 44 in an area close to the fluorescent tube 50, is emitted to the peripheral circuit area 124 and is not emitted to the display area 130. As a result, uneven brightness in the display area 130 can be suppressed.

4.2 Modification of Fourth Embodiment 4.2.1 In the above description, the liquid crystal panel has a peripheral circuit area 124 (a second peripheral circuit area) 124 substantially perpendicular to the peripheral circuit area 123 (the first peripheral circuit area). An example in which the terminal portion 23 is provided along the peripheral circuit region 124 is shown. However, the peripheral circuit area 124 (the second peripheral circuit area) is not provided, and the terminal section 23 is provided along the side of the display area 130 substantially orthogonal to the peripheral circuit area 123, and the fluorescent tube 50 is attached to the back of the terminal section 23. It may be provided on the side. Also in this case, light from the region of the light guide plate 44 corresponding to the display region 130 is hardly affected by the non-light emitting region 125 of the fluorescent tube 50. As a result, a liquid crystal display device with less luminance unevenness can be formed.

4.2.2 In the above description, the terminal portion 23 is provided at a position substantially orthogonal to the peripheral circuit region 123, that is, the first peripheral circuit region, and the fluorescent tube 50 is
3 is shown on the back side. However, the terminal portion 23 may be provided at a position along the peripheral circuit region 123, and the fluorescent tube 50 may be provided on the peripheral circuit region 124, that is, on the back side of the second peripheral circuit region. This also makes it possible to arrange the fluorescent tubes 50 without protruding from the liquid crystal panel 122 in a plan view. Therefore, in the display device provided with the backlight unit, the space that is left unused and can be reduced, and the display device can be reduced in size and thickness.

[0062] 5. <Other Modifications> Modifications applicable to the above-described embodiments will be described. In each of the following modifications, only points different from the above-described embodiments will be described and described.

5.1 In each of the embodiments described above,
Although an example in which a fluorescent tube such as a cold cathode lamp is used as a light source has been described, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like may be used as a light source in the first to third embodiments.

5.2 In each of the embodiments described above,
As the liquid crystal panel, an active matrix type liquid crystal panel using a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) which is a three-terminal switching element is shown. However, the liquid crystal panel is not limited to this, and in terms of the driving method, a simple matrix type liquid crystal panel or a static drive type liquid crystal panel which does not use a switching element in the panel itself,
An active matrix type liquid crystal panel using another three-terminal switching element or two-terminal switching element, for example, TFD (Thin Film Diode) or MIM (Metal-Insulator-Metal).
Various types of liquid crystal panels such as a TN type, an STN type, a guest host type, a phase transition type, and a ferroelectric type can be used.

5.3 The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but falls within the scope of the present invention or within the equivalent scope of the claims. Further, various modifications can be made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view illustrating a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit in the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment. (B) is a schematic sectional view at a position along a line LM drawn in (A).

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal panel of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view at a position along a line HI shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the liquid crystal panel according to the first embodiment.

6A and 6B are external views illustrating an electronic device using the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 6A is a mobile phone,
(B) is a wristwatch, and (C) is a portable information device.

FIG. 7A is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device according to a second embodiment. (B) is a schematic sectional view at a position along line JK drawn in (A).

FIG. 8A is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device according to a third embodiment. (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view at a position along the line RS drawn in (A).

FIG. 9A is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment. (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view at a position along line PQ drawn in (A).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 liquid crystal display device 14, 110, 116, 122 liquid crystal panel 23, 117 terminal unit 40 backlight unit 44 light guide plate 50 fluorescent tube (light source) 88 mobile phone (electronic device) 92 wristwatch (electronic device) 96 portable information device (electronic) Equipment) 123 Peripheral circuit area (first peripheral circuit area) 124 Peripheral circuit area (second peripheral circuit area) 125 No light emitting area 126 Side (two sides) 127 Side (other side) 130 Display area 170 Peripheral circuit area

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display device comprising: a display panel; and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel has a terminal portion formed along one side of the display panel. The surface light source unit comprises: a light guide plate; and a light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate, wherein the light source is arranged on the back side of the terminal portion. Display device. 2. A display device comprising: a display panel; and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel is formed along a display area and one side of the display area. The surface light source unit includes a light guide plate, and a light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate, and the light source is on a back side of the peripheral circuit region. A display device, which is disposed. 3. A display device comprising: a display panel; and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel is formed along a display area and one side of the display area. A peripheral circuit region, and a terminal portion formed along the peripheral circuit region, wherein the surface light source unit includes a light guide plate, and a light source arranged along one end surface of the light guide plate. The display device, wherein the light source is disposed on a back side of the terminal portion. 4. A display device, comprising: a display panel; and a surface light source unit that emits light toward the display panel, wherein the display panel has a display area and two opposite sides of the display area. A first peripheral circuit region formed along each of the first and second light source plates, wherein the surface light source unit comprises: a light guide plate; and a line light source disposed along one end surface of the light guide plate. Has a non-light emitting region that emits almost no light at both ends, and in a plan view, intersects with the two sides of the display region and extends the first peripheral circuit region in a length direction in the length direction. A display device, wherein the display device is arranged so that a light emitting region is located. 5. The display panel according to claim 4, wherein the display panel includes a second peripheral circuit area formed along another side of the display area and substantially orthogonal to the first peripheral circuit area. A display device, wherein the light source is disposed on the back side of the second peripheral circuit area. 6. The display panel according to claim 4, wherein the display panel includes a terminal portion formed along another side of the display region and intersecting with the first peripheral circuit region. A display device, wherein the display device is disposed on a back side of the unit. 7. The display panel according to claim 4, wherein the display panel is formed along another side of the display area, and a second peripheral circuit area substantially orthogonal to the first peripheral circuit area; A terminal portion formed along the peripheral circuit region of
The display device, comprising: a line light source disposed on a back side of the terminal unit. 8. An electronic apparatus comprising the display device according to claim 1 as display means.