JP2014032324A - Light diffusion member, light diffusion member manufacturing method, and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a light diffusing member capable of improving the light use efficiency without complicating the manufacturing process.
A light-transmitting base material, a plurality of light-shielding portions that are scattered on one surface of the base material, and at least a part of a region substantially parallel to the base material of the plurality of light-shielding portions are covered. Thus, it is related with a light-diffusion member provided with the light-scattering layer formed in the one surface side of a base material, and the light-diffusion part formed in the one surface side of a base material so that at least one part of a light-scattering layer may be covered. The light diffusion part has a light emission end face corresponding to the non-formation region of the light shielding part on the base material side, and a light incident end face having an area larger than the area of the light emission end face on the side opposite to the base material side.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light diffusing member, a method for manufacturing the light diffusing member, and a display device.

  A liquid crystal display device is widely used as a display of a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or a television or a personal computer. However, in general, liquid crystal display devices are known to have excellent visibility from the front, but have a narrow viewing angle. Various devices have been devised for widening the viewing angle. As one of them, a configuration in which a member for diffusing light emitted from a display body such as a liquid crystal panel (hereinafter referred to as a light diffusing member) is provided on the viewing side of the display body can be considered.

  For example, the following Patent Document 1 includes a base material, a plurality of light diffusion portions formed on one surface of the base material, and a light shielding portion formed in a region other than the formation region of the light diffusion member on one surface of the base material. A light diffusing member is disclosed. In this light diffusing member, the light diffusing portion includes a light scattering layer in which a plurality of light scatterers are disposed on the substrate side.

International Publication No. 2012/081410

  However, the light diffusing member disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that light incident efficiency is reduced because light incident between the light diffusing parts is absorbed by the light shielding part and is not emitted to the outside. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a light diffusing member capable of improving the light use efficiency without complicating the manufacturing process and a method for manufacturing the same. Objective. It is another object of the present invention to provide a display device that includes the light diffusing member and has excellent display quality.

  In order to achieve the above object, a light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a light-transmitting base material, and a plurality of light-shielding portions formed scattered on one surface side of the base material. A light scattering layer formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover at least a part of a region substantially parallel to the base material of the plurality of light shielding portions, and so as to cover at least a part of the light scattering layer A light diffusing portion formed on one surface side of the base material, and the light diffusing portion has a light emission end face corresponding to a non-forming region of the light shielding portion on the base material side, and the base material side And a light incident end face having an area larger than the area of the light exit end face.

  Further, in the light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light scattering layer is incident from the surface opposite to the light diffusing portion of the layer and reflected or refracted by the light scatterer so that the traveling direction is The modified light is configured to be scattered forward.

  In the light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light shielding portions are arranged in a scattered manner when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material, and the light diffusing portions are the light shielding portions. It is characterized by being formed continuously in a region other than the formation region of the part.

  Moreover, in the light-diffusion member which concerns on the 1st aspect of this invention, these light-shielding parts are arrange | positioned aperiodically seeing from the normal line direction of the one surface of the said base material, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light shielding portions have the same shape as seen from the normal direction of one surface of the substrate.

  In the light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light shielding portions have at least one of a plurality of types and sizes different from each other when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material. It is characterized by being.

  In the light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hollow portion defined by the light diffusing portion forming region is formed in the light shielding portion forming region, and air exists in the hollow portion. It is characterized by.

  Further, in the light diffusing member according to the first aspect of the present invention, the planar shape of the light shielding portion viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the substrate is a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. And

  The light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a light-transmitting base material, a light shielding portion formed on one surface side of the base material, and at least a region of the light shielding portion that is substantially parallel to the base material. A light scattering layer formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover a part, a plurality of light diffusion portions formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover at least a part of the light scattering layer; The light diffusion part has a light emission end face corresponding to the non-formation region of the light shielding part on the base material side, and has an area larger than the area of the light emission end face on the side opposite to the base material side. It has a light incident end face.

  Further, in the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, the light scattering layer is incident from the surface opposite to the light diffusing portion of the layer and reflected or refracted by the light scatterer so that the traveling direction is The modified light is configured to be scattered forward.

Further, in the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light diffusing portions are arranged in a dotted manner when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material,
The light shielding portion is formed continuously in a region other than a region where the light diffusion portion is formed.

  Moreover, in the light-diffusion member which concerns on the 2nd aspect of this invention, these light-diffusion parts are arrange | positioned aperiodically seeing from the normal line direction of the one surface of the said base material, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light diffusing portions have the same shape as each other when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the substrate.

  In the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light diffusing portions have at least one of a plurality of different sizes and shapes as seen from the normal direction of the one surface of the base material. It is characterized by.

  In the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, air is present in the gaps between the plurality of light diffusing portions.

  In the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, the inclination angle of the side surface of at least one of the plurality of light diffusion portions is different from the inclination angle of the side surface of the other light diffusion portion. It is characterized by.

  In the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, an inclination angle of a side surface of at least one light diffusing portion among the plurality of light diffusing portions is different depending on a place.

  Further, in the light diffusing member according to the second aspect of the present invention, the planar shape of the light diffusing portion viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the substrate is a circle, an ellipse or a polygon. Features.

  Further, in the light diffusing member according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the antireflection layer, the antistatic layer, the antiglare layer, and the antifouling layer on the surface opposite to the one surface of the substrate. At least one of the above is provided.

  The method for producing a light diffusing member according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a step of forming a light shielding portion having an opening on one surface of a light-transmitting base material, and the light shielding portion on the one surface of the base material. A step of forming a light scattering layer so as to cover at least a part of a region substantially parallel to the base material; and a negative type having light permeability so as to cover the light shielding portion and the light scattering layer on one surface of the base material. A step of forming a photosensitive resin layer; and the negative photosensitive resin layer through an opening of the light shielding portion from a surface opposite to one surface of the base material on which the light shielding portion and the negative photosensitive resin layer are formed. And developing the negative photosensitive resin layer after the exposure, having a light emission end face on the substrate side and larger than the area of the light emission end face on the side opposite to the substrate side A plurality of light diffusing portions having a light incident end face with an area on one surface of the base material And having a step of forming a.

  Moreover, in the method for manufacturing a light diffusing member according to the third aspect of the present invention, the material of the light shielding part is any one of black resin, black ink, a single metal, or a multilayer film of a single metal and a metal oxide. It is characterized by using.

  The display device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is provided on the viewing side of the display body and the viewing side of the display body, and emits light in a state where the angular distribution of light incident from the display body is wider than before incidence. A viewing angle enlarging member, wherein the viewing angle enlarging member is configured by the light diffusing member according to the first or second aspect.

  Further, the display device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is provided with a display body and a viewing side of the display body, and the light is distributed in a state where the angular distribution of light incident from the display body is wider than that before incidence. A viewing angle enlarging member that emits light, and the viewing angle enlarging member is configured by the light diffusion member according to the second aspect, and the display body includes a plurality of pixels that form a display image. The maximum pitch between adjacent light diffusion portions among the plurality of light diffusion portions of the light diffusion member is smaller than the pitch between the pixels of the display body.

  The display device according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention is characterized in that an information input device is provided on the viewing side of the viewing angle widening member.

  In the display device according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the display body includes a light source and a light modulation element that modulates light from the light source, and the light source has directivity. It is characterized by injecting.

  In the display device according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the display body is a liquid crystal display element.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the light-diffusion member which can improve the utilization efficiency of light, and its manufacturing method can be provided, without making a manufacturing process complicated. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device that includes the light diffusing member and is excellent in display quality.

It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal panel in the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the reflection of the light in the shape of the light-shielding part of the light control film in the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment, and the side surface of a light-diffusion part. It is a perspective view which shows the manufacturing process of the light control film of 1st Embodiment later on. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating reflection of the light by the light control film which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the manufacturing process of the light control film which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment later on. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light control film which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light control film which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light control film which concerns on the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal display device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the manufacturing process of the light control film of 2nd Embodiment later on. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 1st modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 1st modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the form which varied the inclination angle of the side surface of a light-diffusion part continuously. It is sectional drawing which shows the form which used the side surface of the light-diffusion part as the broken line-shaped inclined surface. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal display device provided with the touch panel. It is a top view which shows the other example of the light-shielding part of a light control film.

Next, examples as specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and are necessary for the description for easy understanding. Illustrations other than the members are omitted as appropriate.

  In each of the illustrated embodiments, an example of a liquid crystal display device including a transmissive liquid crystal panel as a display body will be described.

(First embodiment)
(1) Schematic Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display Device (1.1) Overall Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display Device Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from above (viewing side). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display device 1 (display device) of the present embodiment includes a backlight 2 (light source), a liquid crystal panel 6 (display body, modulation element), and a light control film 7 (field of view). Corner expansion member, light diffusion member). The liquid crystal panel 6 includes a first polarizing plate 3, a first retardation plate 13, a pair of glass substrates 4, a second retardation plate 8, and a second polarizing plate 5. The pair of glass substrates 4 and 4 sandwich the liquid crystal layer 11 and the color filter substrate 10. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a pair of glass substrates 4 sandwiching a liquid crystal layer, a color filter, and the like are schematically illustrated in a single plate shape, but the detailed structure will be described later with reference to FIG. explain. An observer views the display from the upper side of the liquid crystal display device 1 in FIG. 2 where the light control film 7 is disposed. Therefore, in the following description, the side on which the light control film 7 is disposed is referred to as a viewing side, and the side on which the backlight 2 is disposed is referred to as a back side.

  In the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, the light emitted from the backlight 2 is modulated by the liquid crystal panel 6 and a predetermined image, character, or the like is displayed by the modulated light. Further, when the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 6 passes through the light control film 7, the angle distribution of the emitted light becomes wider than before entering the light control film 7, and the light is emitted from the light control film 7. The Thereby, the observer can visually recognize the display with a wide viewing angle.

(1.2) Configuration of Liquid Crystal Panel Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the liquid crystal panel 6 will be described.
Here, an active matrix transmissive liquid crystal panel is described as an example, but a liquid crystal panel applicable to the present invention is not limited to an active matrix transmissive liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel applicable to the present invention may be, for example, a transflective (transmissive / reflective) liquid crystal panel or a reflective liquid crystal panel. Furthermore, each pixel is a switching thin film transistor (Thin Film Transistor, hereinafter). A simple matrix type (passive matrix type) liquid crystal panel that does not include a TFT) may be used.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid crystal panel 6.
As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal panel 6 includes a TFT substrate 9 as a switching element substrate, a color filter substrate 10 disposed so as to face the TFT substrate 9, and the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10. And a sandwiched liquid crystal layer 11. The liquid crystal layer 11 is surrounded by a TFT substrate 9, a color filter substrate 10, and a frame-shaped seal member (not shown) that bonds the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 at a predetermined interval. It is enclosed in the space.

  The liquid crystal panel 6 of the present embodiment performs display in, for example, a VA (Vertical Alignment, vertical alignment) mode, and a vertical alignment liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy is used for the liquid crystal layer 11. A spherical spacer 12 is disposed between the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 to keep the distance between these substrates constant. The display mode is not limited to the VA mode described above, and a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, an STN (Super Twisted Nematic) mode, an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode, or the like can be used.

  On the TFT substrate 9, a plurality of pixels (not shown) as a minimum unit region for display are arranged in a matrix. A plurality of source bus lines (not shown) are formed on the TFT substrate 9 so as to extend in parallel with each other, and a plurality of gate bus lines (not shown) extend in parallel with each other, And it is formed so as to be orthogonal to a plurality of source bus lines. Therefore, on the TFT substrate 9, a plurality of source bus lines and a plurality of gate bus lines are formed in a lattice pattern, and a rectangular region partitioned by adjacent source bus lines and adjacent gate bus lines is one. One pixel. The source bus line is connected to the source electrode of the TFT described later, and the gate bus line is connected to the gate electrode of the TFT.

A TFT 19 having a semiconductor layer 15, a gate electrode 16, a source electrode 17, a drain electrode 18, and the like is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 14 constituting the TFT substrate 9 on the liquid crystal layer 11 side. As the transparent substrate 14, for example, a glass substrate can be used. On the transparent substrate 14, for example, from a semiconductor material such as CGS (Continuous Grain Silicon), LPS (Low-temperature Poly-Silicon), α-Si (Amorphous Silicon). A semiconductor layer 15 is formed. A gate insulating film 20 is formed on the transparent substrate 14 so as to cover the semiconductor layer 15. As a material of the gate insulating film 20, for example, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a laminated film thereof is used.
A gate electrode 16 is formed on the gate insulating film 20 so as to face the semiconductor layer 15. As the material of the gate electrode 16, for example, a laminated film of W (tungsten) / TaN (tantalum nitride), Mo (molybdenum), Ti (titanium), Al (aluminum), or the like is used.

  A first interlayer insulating film 21 is formed on the gate insulating film 20 so as to cover the gate electrode 16. As a material of the first interlayer insulating film 21, for example, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a laminated film thereof is used. A source electrode 17 and a drain electrode 18 are formed on the first interlayer insulating film 21. The source electrode 17 is connected to the source region of the semiconductor layer 15 through a contact hole 22 that penetrates the first interlayer insulating film 21 and the gate insulating film 20.

  Similarly, the drain electrode 18 is connected to the drain region of the semiconductor layer 15 through a contact hole 23 that penetrates the first interlayer insulating film 21 and the gate insulating film 20. As a material for the source electrode 17 and the drain electrode 18, the same conductive material as that for the gate electrode 16 is used. A second interlayer insulating film 24 is formed on the first interlayer insulating film 21 so as to cover the source electrode 17 and the drain electrode 18. As the material of the second interlayer insulating film 24, the same material as the first interlayer insulating film 21 described above or an organic insulating material is used.

  A pixel electrode 25 is formed on the second interlayer insulating film 24. The pixel electrode 25 is connected to the drain electrode 18 through a contact hole 26 that penetrates the second interlayer insulating film 24. Accordingly, the pixel electrode 25 is connected to the drain region of the semiconductor layer 15 using the drain electrode 18 as a relay electrode.

  As the material of the pixel electrode 25, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide) is used. With this configuration, when the scanning signal is supplied through the gate bus line and the TFT 19 is turned on, the image signal supplied to the source electrode 17 through the source bus line passes through the semiconductor layer 15 and the drain electrode 18 to form a pixel electrode. 25. An alignment film 27 is formed on the entire surface of the second interlayer insulating film 24 so as to cover the pixel electrode 25. This alignment film 27 has an alignment regulating force for vertically aligning liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 11. Note that the form of the TFT may be the bottom gate TFT shown in FIG. 3 or the top gate TFT.

  On the other hand, a black matrix 30, a color filter 31, a planarization layer 32, a counter electrode 33, and an alignment film 34 are sequentially formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 29 constituting the color filter substrate 10 on the liquid crystal layer 11 side. The black matrix 30 has a function of blocking the transmission of light in the inter-pixel region, and is a photo in which metal such as Cr (chromium) or Cr / Cr oxide multilayer film, or carbon particles is dispersed in a photosensitive resin. It is made of resist.

  The color filter 31 includes dyes of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and one pixel electrode 25 on the TFT substrate 9 is any one of R, G, and B. Two color filters 31 are arranged to face each other. The flattening layer 32 is made of an insulating film that covers the black matrix 30 and the color filter 31, and has a function of smoothing and flattening a step formed by the black matrix 30 and the color filter 31.

  A counter electrode 33 is formed on the planarization layer 32. As the material of the counter electrode 33, a transparent conductive material similar to that of the pixel electrode 25 is used. Further, an alignment film 34 having a vertical alignment regulating force is formed on the entire surface of the counter electrode 33. Note that the color filter 31 may have a multicolor configuration of three or more colors of R, G, and B.

(1.3) Configuration of Backlight As shown in FIG. 2, the backlight 2 includes a light source 36 such as a light emitting diode and a cold cathode tube, and a light guide plate 37 that guides light emitted from the light source 36 to the liquid crystal panel 6. . The light guide plate 37 has an emission surface that emits light toward the liquid crystal panel 6 and a back surface that faces the emission surface, and a plurality of prisms are formed on the back surface (not shown). The back prism has two inclined surfaces (not shown) inclined at predetermined angles different from each other with respect to the emission surface, and the light emitted from the backlight 2 has a high intensity in the normal direction of the display surface and is high. Has directivity.

The backlight 2 may be an edge light type in which the light source 36 is arranged on the end face of the light guide plate 37 as described above, or may be a direct type in which the light source is arranged directly under the light guide.
As the backlight 2 used in the present embodiment, it is desirable to use a backlight having a directivity by controlling the light emitting direction, that is, a so-called directional backlight. By using a directional backlight that allows collimated or substantially collimated light to enter the light diffusion portion of the light control film 7 to be described later, blurring can be reduced and the light utilization efficiency can be further increased. The luminance distribution of the directional backlight will be described later.

  A first polarizing plate 3 that functions as a polarizer is provided on the backlight 2 side of the pair of glass substrates 4. A second polarizing plate 5 that functions as an analyzer is provided between the pair of glass substrates 4 and the light control film 7. Between the first polarizing plate 3 and the pair of glass substrates 4 and between the second polarizing plate 5 and the pair of glass substrates 4, a first retardation plate 13 for compensating for the phase difference of light, a second A phase difference plate 8 is provided (see FIG. 2).

(2) Configuration of Light Control Film Hereinafter, the light control film 7 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light control film 7 includes a transparent base material 39, a plurality of light shielding portions 40 formed on one surface (surface opposite to the viewing side) of the transparent base material 39, and light shielding. A light scattering layer 45 formed on one surface side of the transparent substrate 39 so as to cover the entire portion 40, and a light diffusion layer formed on one surface side of the transparent substrate 39 in a state of being laminated on the light scattering layer 45 41 (light transmissive material layer). As shown in FIG. 2, the light control film 7 has a posture in which the side on which the light diffusion layer 41 is provided faces the second polarizing plate 5 and the transparent substrate 39 side faces the viewing side. 5 is fixed by an adhesive layer 42. In the present embodiment, the light scattering layer 45 is formed in a layer between the light shielding unit 40 and the light diffusion layer 41 so as to cover the entire light shielding unit 40, but the light scattering layer 45 will be described later. And at least a part of a region (surface 40a) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light shielding portion 40 may be covered.

The transparent substrate 39 is made of a transparent resin such as a triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polyethersulfone (PES) film. Is preferably used. The transparent base material 39 serves as a base when applying the material for the light-shielding portion 40 and the light diffusion layer 41 in the manufacturing process described later, and has heat resistance and mechanical strength in a heat treatment step during the manufacturing process. There is a need.
Therefore, as the transparent base material 39, a glass base material or the like may be used in addition to the resin base material. Further, the total light transmittance of the transparent substrate 39 is preferably 90% or more as defined in JIS K7361-1. When the total light transmittance is 90% or more, sufficient transparency can be obtained. In this embodiment, a transparent resin substrate having a thickness of 100 μm is used as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of light shielding portions 40 are formed so as to be scattered on one surface (surface opposite to the viewing side) of the transparent base material 39. Here, the X axis is a predetermined direction in a plane parallel to the screen of the liquid crystal panel 6, the Y axis is a direction perpendicular to the X axis in the plane, the Z axis is the thickness direction of the liquid crystal display device 1, and Define.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the shape of the light shielding part of the light control film and the reflection of light on the side surface of the light diffusion part in the liquid crystal display device.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, the planar shape of the light-shielding portion 40 when the light control film 7 is viewed from the Z-axis direction is asymmetrical vertically and horizontally as represented by an ellipse, for example. It is formed in a dot shape. That is, a dot shape in which the width of the light shielding portion in the direction of azimuth angle 0 ° to 180 ° indicated by the solid line in the drawing is wide and the width of the light shielding portion in the direction of azimuth angle 90 ° to 270 ° shown in the drawing in FIG. (See FIG. 4 (a)).

  Therefore, when the light control film 7 is viewed in the cross-sectional direction, the side area of the light diffusing portion is smaller than the side area of the light diffusing portion in the azimuth angle direction of 90 degrees to 270 degrees. It has become. Therefore, according to the light control film 7 of the present embodiment, the amount of light emitted by diffusing in the direction of azimuth angle 0 degrees to 180 degrees is small, and the amount of light emitted by diffusing in the direction of 90 degrees to 270 degrees azimuth. Will increase. That is, asymmetric light diffusion is realized depending on the orientation.

  In addition, as a planar shape of the light-shielding part 40, if the shape is substantially orthogonal to a certain direction, for example, an azimuth angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees, the peripheral shape may be uneven. The asymmetric dot diameter is not particularly limited to a fixed size, and dot sizes having various sizes may be mixed. Further, the arrangement is not limited to a regular arrangement, and is not limited to a periodic arrangement. Further, the dots of the respective light shielding portions 40 may be formed overlapping each other.

  As an example, the light-shielding portion 40 is composed of a layer made of a black pigment, dye, resin, or the like having light absorption and photosensitivity, such as a black resist containing carbon black. When a resin containing carbon black or the like is used, the film constituting the light-shielding portion 40 can be formed in the printing process, so that advantages such as a small amount of material used and a high throughput can be obtained. In addition, a metal film such as Cr (chromium) or a Cr / Cr oxide multilayer film may be used. When this type of metal film or multilayer film is used, the optical density of these films is high, so that there is an advantage that light is sufficiently absorbed by the thin film.

  In the light scattering layer 45, a large number of light scattering bodies 45a such as acrylic beads are dispersed in a binder resin such as an acrylic resin. The thickness of the light scattering layer 45 is, for example, about 20 μm, and the spherical diameter of the spherical light scatterer 45 a is, for example, about 0.5-20 μm. The light scattering layer 45 is incident from the surface of the light scattering layer 45 on the light diffusion layer 41 side, and is reflected at the interface between the base material such as a binder resin and the light scattering body 45a or refracted by the light scattering body 45a. The light whose direction has been changed is configured to scatter forward. Such scattering conditions can be satisfied, for example, by appropriately changing the size of the particles of the light scattering body 45a included in the light scattering layer 45.

  Thus, in the case of this embodiment, since the light-scattering layer 45 is provided in the light control film 7, it is possible to prevent the light diffusion angles from being concentrated on one. As a result, the light diffusion characteristics of the light control film 7 can be made smoother, and a bright display can be obtained with a wide viewing angle.

  The light scatterer 45a is not limited to the above, and may be an acrylic polymer, an olefin polymer, a vinyl polymer, a cellulose polymer, an amide polymer, a fluorine polymer, a urethane polymer, a silicone polymer, an imide polymer, or the like. It may be composed of an appropriate transparent substance such as a resin piece or glass beads. In addition to these transparent substances, scatterers and reflectors that do not absorb light can be used. Or you may make it comprise the light-scattering body 45a from the bubble diffused in the light-scattering layer 45. FIG. The shape of each light scattering body 45a can be formed in various shapes such as a spherical shape, an elliptical spherical shape, a flat plate shape, and a polygonal cube. The size of the light scatterer 45a may be formed so as to be uniform or non-uniform.

The light diffusing layer 41 is made of an organic material having optical transparency and photosensitivity such as acrylic resin or epoxy resin.
Further, the total light transmittance of the light diffusion layer 41 is preferably 90% or more in accordance with JIS K7361-1. When the total light transmittance is 90% or more, sufficient transparency can be obtained. The layer thickness of the light diffusion layer 41 is set to be sufficiently larger than the thickness of the light shielding portion 40. In the case of this embodiment, the layer thickness of the light diffusion layer 41 is about 25 μm as an example, and the layer thickness of the light shielding unit 40 is about 150 nm as an example.

The light diffusion layer 41 includes a hollow portion 43 and a light diffusion portion 44.
The light diffusing layer 41 has a large cross-sectional area on the light shielding part 40 side at a position corresponding to a region where the light shielding part 40 is formed and is cut in a plane parallel to one surface of the transparent base material 39, and gradually increases as the distance from the light shielding part 40 increases. The hollow portion 43 having a smaller shape is formed. When viewed from the transparent base material 39 side, the hollow portion 43 has a so-called forward tapered elliptic frustum shape, and is disposed in a region overlapping the light shielding portion 40 in a plane.

  The plurality of light shielding portions 40 are scattered on the transparent base material 39 and randomly (non-periodically) arranged. Accordingly, a plurality of hollow portions 43 formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of light shielding portions 40 are also randomly arranged on the transparent substrate 39.

  The inside of the hollow portion 43 is an air layer. The light diffusion portion 44 is configured by a portion other than the hollow portion 43 of the light diffusion layer 41. The light diffusing portion 44 is configured by the presence of a continuous transparent resin and contributes to the transmission of light. Thereby, the light incident on the light diffusing portion 44 is totally reflected at the interface between the light diffusing portion 44 and the hollow portion 43, and is guided in a state of being substantially confined in the light diffusing portion 44. 45 and the transparent substrate 39.

  It is desirable that the transparent base material 39, the light scattering layer 45, and the light diffusion layer 41 have substantially the same refractive index. If these refractive indexes are greatly different, for example, when light incident from the light incident end face 40 b is about to exit from the light diffusion portion 44, unnecessary light refraction is generated at the interface between the light diffusion portion 44 and the light scattering layer 45. When the light enters the transparent base material 39 from the light scattering layer 45, unnecessary light refraction or reflection occurs at the interface between the light scattering layer 45 and the transparent base material 39. That is, there may be a problem that a desired light diffusion angle cannot be obtained, or the amount of emitted light is reduced, but the occurrence of the above problem is prevented by making the refractive indexes substantially equal as described above. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light control film 7 is disposed so that the transparent base material 39 faces the viewer side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Of these, the surface with the smaller area (the surface on the side in contact with the light scattering layer 45) is the light emitting end surface 44a, and the surface with the larger area (the surface opposite to the transparent substrate 39) is the light incident end surface 44b. . The inclination angle θ (the angle formed between the light emitting end surface 44a and the side surface 44c) of the side surface 44c (interface between the light diffusion portion 44 and the hollow portion 43) of the light diffusion portion 44 is preferably about 60 ° to 90 °. However, the inclination angle of the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 is not particularly limited as long as the loss of incident light is not so great and the incident light can be sufficiently diffused.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the angle θ formed between the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 and the light emitting end surface 44a is light diffusion so that the light incident in parallel or substantially parallel to the optical axis OA is totally reflected. The angle θ ′ (unit is degrees) exceeding the critical angle with respect to the normal line CL of the side surface 44c of the portion 44 is set. The angle θ between the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 and the light emitting end surface 44a orthogonal to the optical axis OA is a point P at the point where the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 intersects the light emitting end surface 44a and the optical axis OA. If the incident point of the parallel incident light VR on the side surface 44c is a point Q and the intersection of the perpendicular passing through the point Q and the light emitting end surface 44a out of the perpendiculars to the light emitting end surface 44a is a point R, it can be expressed by an angle QPR. it can. At this time, since the value of the angle PQR is (90−θ) degrees, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 44c of the light diffusion portion 44 is the same as the incident angle θ ′ of the incident light VR at the point Q. Therefore, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 44c of the light diffusion portion 44 is formed at an angle exceeding the critical angle.

  In the case of this embodiment, since air exists in the hollow portion 43, if the light diffusion portion 44 is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin, the side surface 44c of the light diffusion portion 44 is an interface between the transparent acrylic resin and air. It becomes. Here, the difference in refractive index at the interface between the inside and the outside of the light diffusing portion 44 is that when the hollow portion 43 is filled with air, the periphery of the light diffusing portion 44 is made of another general low refractive index material. Larger than configured.

Therefore, according to Snell's law, the incident angle range in which light is totally reflected by the side surface 44c of the light diffusion portion 44 is wide. As a result, light loss is further suppressed, and high luminance can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the presence of a low refractive index material indicates that the periphery of the light diffusion portion 44 is in a low refractive index state so that light can be totally reflected. For this reason, the hollow portion 43 includes a state in which an inert gas such as nitrogen is filled instead of air. Alternatively, the inside of the hollow portion 43 may be in a vacuum state or a reduced pressure state than the atmosphere.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the incident light L2 incident at an angle exceeding the critical angle is totally reflected by the side surface 44c, passes through the light diffusion portion 44, and enters the light scattering layer 45. The light that has entered the light scattering layer 45 is scattered by the light scatterer 45 a and is emitted to the viewer side through the transparent substrate 39. Further, the light L1 incident on the light diffusing unit 44 in parallel or substantially parallel to the optical axis OA and transmitted through the light diffusing unit 44 without being reflected by the side surface 44c is scattered by the light scatterer 45a of the light scattering layer 45. The light is emitted to the observer side through the transparent base material 39.

On the other hand, light that is incident at an angle less than the critical angle, that is, light that is obliquely incident on the light control film 7 is light that is transmitted obliquely through the liquid crystal panel 6. Such incident light is different from the desired retardation, and is a factor that reduces display blur and contrast.
In the present embodiment, the incident light L3 incident at an angle less than the critical angle as described above is transmitted through the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 without being totally reflected, as shown in FIG. 43 is incident. Since the light shielding part 40 is provided in the hollow part 43 that is a region other than the light diffusion part 44, the light transmitted through the side surface 44 c of the light diffusion part 44 is absorbed by the light shielding part 40. Therefore, there is no possibility that display blur may occur due to the above-described stray light or the contrast may be lowered. However, when the amount of light transmitted through the side surface 44c of the light diffusing unit 44 increases, the amount of light emitted to the viewing side decreases, and an image with high luminance cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, a backlight that emits light at an angle that does not enter the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 below the critical angle, that is, the so-called backlight 2 having directivity as described above. Is used.

By the way, in the conventional light control film which does not have the light-scattering layer which covers a part of surface of the light shielding part, the light incident between the plurality of light diffusion parts (hollow part) is absorbed by the light shielding part, and the liquid crystal There is a possibility that the light incident through the panel cannot be used sufficiently efficiently.
On the other hand, in the case of the light control film 7 of the present embodiment, since the light scattering layer 45 is provided between the light diffusion layer 41 and the light shielding portion 40, the hollow portion 43 as shown in FIG. The light L4 incident on the light scatters forward by the light scatterer 45a of the light scattering layer 45. At this time, a part of the light scattered forward by the light scatterer 45a is guided to a region where the light shielding portion 40 is not formed. Therefore, a part of the light L4 incident on the hollow portion 43 is emitted at various angles through the transparent base material 39 without being absorbed by the light shielding portion 40.

(3) Manufacturing method of light control film Next, the manufacturing method is demonstrated focusing on the manufacturing process of the light control film 7 which comprises the liquid crystal display device 1 of the said structure.
The outline of the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal panel 6 will be described first. First, the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 are respectively produced. Thereafter, the surface of the TFT substrate 9 on which the TFT 19 is formed and the surface of the color filter substrate 10 on which the color filter 31 is formed are arranged to face each other, and the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 are sealed. Paste through. Thereafter, liquid crystal is injected into a space surrounded by the TFT substrate 9, the color filter substrate 10, and the seal member. Then, the first retardation plate 13, the first polarizing plate 3, the second retardation plate 8, and the second polarizing plate 5 are bonded to both surfaces of the liquid crystal panel thus formed using an optical adhesive or the like. (See FIG. 3). The liquid crystal panel 6 is completed through the above steps.
The manufacturing method of the TFT substrate 9 and the color filter substrate 10 may be a conventional method, and the description thereof is omitted.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, a 10-cm square triacetylcellulose transparent substrate 39 having a thickness of 100 μm is prepared, and a light-shielding portion is formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 39 using a spin coating method. A black negative resist containing carbon as a material is applied to form a coating film 50 having a thickness of 150 nm.
Subsequently, the transparent substrate 39 on which the coating film 50 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and the coating film 50 is pre-baked at a temperature of 90 ° C. Thereby, the solvent in the black negative resist is volatilized.

Subsequently, using an exposure apparatus, exposure is performed by irradiating the coating film 50 with light L through a photomask 47 in which a plurality of opening patterns 46 having an elliptical planar shape are formed. At this time, an exposure apparatus using a mixed line of i-line having a wavelength of 365 nm, h-line having a wavelength of 404 nm, and g-line having a wavelength of 436 nm is used. The exposure dose is 100 mJ / cm ² .

  After performing exposure using the photomask 47 described above, the coating film 50 made of a black negative resist is developed using a dedicated developer, dried at 100 ° C., as shown in FIG. A plurality of light shielding portions 40 whose planar shape is, for example, an ellipse are formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 39. In the present embodiment, each light shielding portion 40 is configured from an elliptical shape having the same size, but each light shielding portion 40 may be configured from an elliptical shape having a different size.

  In the case of the present embodiment, in the next step, the transparent negative resist is exposed using the light shielding portion 40 made of black negative resist as a mask to form the hollow portion 43. Therefore, the position of the opening pattern 46 of the photomask 47 corresponds to the position where the hollow portion 43 is formed. The interval (pitch) between the adjacent opening patterns 46 is neither regular nor periodic, but the interval (pitch) between the opening patterns 46 is the pixel interval (pitch, for example, 150 μm) of the liquid crystal panel 6. ) Is desirable. Thereby, since at least one light-shielding portion 40 is formed in the pixel, a wide viewing angle can be achieved when combined with a liquid crystal panel having a small pixel pitch, for example, used for a mobile device or the like.

  When designing the photomask 47 used when forming the light shielding portion 40, first, the opening patterns 46 are regularly arranged at a constant pitch, and then, for example, the opening pattern 46 is formed using a random function. A photomask 47 having a plurality of randomly arranged opening patterns 46 can be manufactured by giving fluctuations to the reference position data of each opening pattern 46 such as the center point and varying the positions of the opening patterns 46. it can.

  The method for forming the plurality of light shielding portions 40 may employ a gravure printing method or an ink jet method in addition to the method using the above-described exposure apparatus. According to this, the light shielding portions 40 having a desired shape are directly patterned. Can be formed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5C, the material for forming the light scattering layer 45 (for example, has thermosetting property) is applied to the entire surface of the transparent base material 39 so as to cover the plurality of light shielding portions 40. A coating film 51 having a thickness of about 20 μm, which is a light scattering body 45a dispersed in a binder resin such as an acrylic resin, is applied. Next, the transparent substrate 39 on which the coating film 145 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and the coating film 51 is pre-baked at a temperature of 95 ° C. Thereby, the solvent in the coating film 51 is volatilized and the light scattering layer 45 is formed. In addition, you may make it harden | cure by using an ultraviolet curable material for the coating film 51, and irradiating this coating film 51 with an ultraviolet-ray.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5D, a transparent negative resist made of an acrylic resin is applied to the upper surface of the light scattering layer 45 as a light diffusing portion material by using a spin coating method, and a coating film 48 having a film thickness of 25 μm. Form.
Subsequently, the transparent base material 39 on which the coating film 48 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and the coating film 48 is pre-baked at a temperature of 95 ° C. Thereby, the solvent in the transparent negative resist is volatilized.

Subsequently, the coating film 48 is irradiated with light F from the transparent base material 39 side using the light shielding portion 40 as a mask to perform exposure. At this time, an exposure apparatus using a mixed line of i-line having a wavelength of 365 nm, h-line having a wavelength of 404 nm, and g-line having a wavelength of 436 nm is used. The exposure amount is 500 mJ / cm ² .
Thereafter, the transparent substrate 39 on which the coating film 48 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and the coating film 48 is subjected to post-exposure baking (PEB) at a temperature of 95 ° C.

As the light F used here, parallel light, diffused light, or light whose intensity at a specific emission angle is different from that at another emission angle, that is, light having strength at a specific emission angle can be used. When parallel light is used, the inclination angle of the side surface 44c of the light diffusion portion 44 is a single inclination angle of, for example, about 60 ° to 90 °. When diffused light is used, the tilt angle changes continuously, and the cross-sectional shape becomes a curved inclined surface. When light having strength at a specific emission angle is used, an inclined surface having a slope angle corresponding to the strength is obtained. Thus, the inclination angle of the side surface 44c of the light diffusing portion 44 can be adjusted. Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust the light diffusibility of the light control film 7 so that the target visibility can be obtained.
As one of means for irradiating the transparent base material 39 with the parallel light emitted from the exposure apparatus as light F, for example, a diffusion plate having a haze of about 50 is arranged on the optical path of the light emitted from the exposure apparatus, and diffused. Light is irradiated through the plate.

  In this embodiment, since the light-scattering layer 45 having light transmittance is disposed between the light shielding part 40 and the coating film 48, the transparent negative resist constituting the coating film 48 is a non-formation region of the light shielding part 40. It is exposed by the light F that has passed through the light scattering layer 45 by spreading radially outward. Thereby, the forward taper-shaped hollow part 43 is formed in the coating film 48, and the light-diffusion part 44 becomes a reverse taper shape. In addition, the taper degree (inclination angle) in the hollow part 43 and the light diffusion part 44 can be controlled by the degree of diffusion of the diffused light.

  Subsequently, the coating film 48 made of a transparent negative resist is developed using a dedicated developer, post-baked at 100 ° C., and a light diffusion layer having a plurality of hollow portions 43 as shown in FIG. 41 is formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 39.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the light shielding portion 40 is formed by a photolithography method using a black negative resist has been described, but instead of this configuration, a photomask in which the opening pattern 46 and the light shielding pattern of the present embodiment are reversed is used. If used, a positive resist having a light absorption property can also be used. Or you may form the light-shielding part 40 directly using a vapor deposition method, a printing method, etc. FIG.

  As described above, the light control film 7 of this embodiment is completed through the steps of FIGS. The total light transmittance of the light control film 7 is preferably 90% or more. When the total light transmittance is 90% or more, sufficient transparency is obtained, and the optical performance required for the light control film 7 can be sufficiently exhibited. The total light transmittance is in accordance with JIS K7361-1. In this embodiment, an example in which a liquid resist is used has been described, but a film resist may be used instead of this configuration.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 2, the completed light control film 7 has the adhesive layer 42 with the transparent base material 39 facing the viewing side and the light diffusion portion 44 facing the second polarizing plate 5. To the liquid crystal panel 6.
Through the above steps, the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment is completed.

(4) Action / Effect of Light Control Film The viewing angle expansion effect of the light control film 7 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, the planar shape of the light-shielding portion 40 when the light control film 7 is viewed from the Z-axis direction is asymmetrical vertically and horizontally as represented by an ellipse, for example. The dot shape is formed. That is, a dot shape in which the width of the light shielding portion in the direction of azimuth angle 0 ° to 180 ° indicated by the solid line in the drawing is wide and the width of the light shielding portion in the direction of azimuth angle 90 ° to 270 ° shown in the drawing in FIG. It has become.

  The arrangement of the light-shielding portions 40 is not a regularity or periodicity, but is random. Therefore, when the light control film 7 is viewed in the cross-sectional direction, the side area of the light diffusing unit 44 in the azimuth angle of 0 to 180 degrees is larger than the side area of the light diffusing unit 44 in the azimuth angle of 90 to 270 degrees. Is also getting smaller. In addition, about the light-shielding part 40, it is not limited to a fixed magnitude | size, You may make it mix the shape of the dot diameter of various magnitude | sizes.

  Therefore, according to the light control film 7 according to the present embodiment, the amount of light that is diffused and emitted in the direction of the azimuth angle of 0 to 180 degrees is small, and the amount of light that is diffused and emitted in the direction of the azimuth angle of 90 to 270 degrees. Will increase. That is, asymmetric light diffusion is realized depending on the orientation.

Therefore, as the luminance distribution of the backlight 2 having directivity used in the present embodiment, the luminance increases in the polar angle direction from the outside toward the center, and the azimuth angle of 0 degrees to 180 shown by the solid line in the figure. When the amount of light emitted from the azimuth 90 ° to 270 ° azimuth indicated by the dotted line in the figure is smaller than the azimuth azimuth, the direction of the azimuth 90 ° to 270 ° passes through the liquid crystal panel 6 because the directionality is strong. After that, it is necessary to diffuse strongly.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, by combining the azimuth angle 90 degrees to 270 degrees azimuth with high backlight directivity and the azimuth angles 90 degrees to 270 degrees azimuth where the diffusion of the light control film is strong, The liquid crystal display device 1 having a large viewing angle expansion effect in the angle direction of 90 to 270 degrees is realized.

  Further, a directional backlight having a high light directivity in an azimuth angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees and an azimuth angle of 270 degrees, which is a clear viewing direction of a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal, and an azimuth angle of 90 degrees. By combining with the light control film 7 having a light diffusion characteristic having a strong light diffusion characteristic in the 270 degree direction, a light / dark reversal (tone reversal) phenomenon at the time of halftone display, which occurs in a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal display device, It is possible to improve the so-called black crushing phenomenon in which the screen is generated.

  Moreover, since the light control film 7 according to the present embodiment includes the light scattering layer 45 between the light diffusion layer 41 and the light shielding portion 40, the light scatterer 45 a of the light scattering layer 45 converts the light incident on the hollow portion 43. Can be scattered forward. As a result, a part of the light L4 incident on the hollow portion 43 is transparent without being absorbed by the light shielding portion 40 by being guided to the region where the light shielding portion 40 is not formed as shown in FIG. Injection at various angles through the substrate 39 is possible.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the conventional configuration that does not include the light scattering layer 45 that covers a part of the surface 40a of the light shielding part 40, the light shielding part among the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 6 to the light control film 7 side. The component that has been absorbed by the light scattering layer 45 can be taken out of the transparent base material 39. Therefore, the light control film 7 according to the present embodiment can obtain high light use efficiency.

  In addition, the light control film 7 according to the present embodiment is in a state where a part of the light scattering layer 45 is covered with the light-shielding portion 40 when viewed from the viewing side. A part of the light can be absorbed by the light shielding unit 40. Therefore, it is possible to reduce light scattered (backscattered) to the viewing side by the light scatterer 45a of the light scattering layer 45. Therefore, according to the liquid crystal display device 1 provided with the light control film 7, the contrast can be improved by suppressing the intensity of unnecessary reflected light, and the visibility in a bright environment can be improved.

  The light control film 7 of the present embodiment transmits the incident light L3 (see FIG. 4C) obliquely incident on the light control film 7, that is, the desired retardation by transmitting the liquid crystal panel 6 obliquely. Different light (light that causes a reduction in display contrast) can be cut by the light shielding unit 40. Therefore, the light control film 7 can increase the display contrast.

  In conventional light control films, individual light diffusion portions are isolated. For example, when the density of the light diffusion portion is increased to increase the degree of light diffusion and the light diffusion layer is made finer, the light diffusion portion and the base are separated. The contact area with the material is reduced. As a result, the adhesion between the light diffusing part and the base material is weakened, and defects such as peeling and falling of the light diffusing part are caused by external force or the like, and the desired light diffusing function cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, in the light control film 7 of the present embodiment, the plurality of hollow portions 43 provided in the light diffusion layer 41 are isolated, and the light transmissive material layer portion that becomes the light diffusion portion 44 is in-plane. It has a continuous shape. As a result, a sufficient contact area between the light diffusing portion 44 and the transparent base material 39 can be secured, so that the adhesion between the light diffusing portion 44 and the transparent base material 39 is strong, and defects of the light diffusing portion 44 due to external force or the like occur. It is difficult to perform a desired light diffusion function.

  In addition, if the light-shielding part 40 is not provided in the transparent base material 39, the external light which injects into the light control film 7 from the visual recognition side will repeat reflection in the hollow part 43 etc., and this will be observed as a scattered light on the visual recognition side. Such scattering by external light significantly reduces the visibility in a bright place. As a result, “black floating” in which black appears whitish at the time of black display occurs, and the contrast is lowered, so that a suitable image cannot be observed. On the other hand, in the light control film 7 of this embodiment, these problems can be solved by providing the transparent substrate 39 with the plurality of light shielding portions 40.

(First modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a first modification of the liquid crystal display device of the above-described embodiment, and is a perspective view seen obliquely from above (viewing side). 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the configuration of the light control film according to the first modification. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the light control film, and FIG. 7B is a plan view.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light scattering layer 45 is formed on the entire surface of the transparent base material 39 so as to cover the light shielding portion 40. In this modification, like the light control film 7 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the light scattering layer 45 is provided on one surface of the transparent substrate 39 (opposite to the viewing side) so as not to cover a part of the non-formation region of the light shielding portion 40. Side surface). In other words, in this modification, a part of the light diffusion layer 41 is formed in contact with the transparent base material 39. Further, the light scattering layer 45 is disposed so as to cover the light shielding portion 40 concentrically (see FIG. 7B).

  Also in the light control film 7 according to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 7A, the light scattering layer 45 is provided so as to cover at least a part of a region (surface 40 a) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light shielding unit 40. Is provided. That is, the light scattering layer 45 is provided between the hollow portion 43 and the light shielding portion 40. Thereby, a part L10 of the light incident on the hollow portion 43 enters the light scattering layer 45 and is scattered forward, thereby being guided to a region where the light shielding portion 40 is not formed. Therefore, the light control film 7 can absorb a part L10 of the incident light to the hollow portion 43 that has been absorbed by the light shielding portion 40 and cannot be taken out to the outside through the transparent base material 39 at various angles. Can be emitted, and high light utilization efficiency can be obtained. In addition, the light control film 7 can scatter a part of the light L11 incident on the light diffusing portion 44 in the light scattering layer 45 and emit it through the transparent substrate 39 at various angles.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the light control film 7 according to the first modification.
First, as in the above embodiment, a plurality of light shielding portions 40 are formed on the transparent base material 39. As a method for forming the light shielding portion 40, similarly to the above embodiment, exposure, development, and pattern formation using a photomask, gravure printing, and pattern formation by an inkjet method can be performed.

  Next, a coating film 51 having a thickness of about 20 μm, which is a material for forming the light scattering layer 45, is applied to the entire surface of the transparent base material 39 by using, for example, a spin coating method so as to cover the plurality of light shielding portions 40. As the coating film 51, a negative photosensitive resin material is used. Next, the transparent substrate 39 on which the coating film 51 is formed is placed on a hot plate, the coating film 51 is pre-baked, and the solvent in the coating film 51 is volatilized.

  Subsequently, using an exposure apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8A, the coating film 51 is applied to the coating film 51 through a photomask 147 in which a plurality of elliptical opening patterns 146 corresponding to the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 is formed. Light L is irradiated to perform exposure. After exposure using the photomask 147, the coating film 51 made of a negative photosensitive resin material is developed using a dedicated developer. As a result, a plurality of light scattering layers 45 whose planar shape is, for example, elliptical are formed on one surface of the transparent base material 39. The plurality of light scattering layers 45 are formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 39 so as to cover each of the plurality of light shielding portions 40.

  Note that a positive photosensitive resin may be used as the coating film 145. In this case, a photomask 147 in which the opening pattern 46 and the light shielding pattern are reversed may be used.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8B, a transparent negative resist made of an acrylic resin is applied to the upper surface of the light scattering layer 45 by using a spin coating method, and a coating film 48 having a film thickness of 25 μm is applied. Form. And the transparent base material 39 in which said coating film 48 was formed is mounted on a hotplate, and the coating film 148 is prebaked at the temperature of 95 degreeC. Thereby, the solvent in the transparent negative resist is volatilized.

  Subsequently, light F is applied to the coating film 148 from the transparent base material 39 side using the light shielding portion 40 as a mask to perform exposure. After the exposure, the coating 48 is developed and post-baked at 100 ° C., thereby forming a light diffusion layer 41 having a plurality of hollow portions 43 on one surface of the transparent substrate 39 as shown in FIG. To do.

  As described above, the light control film 7 of the present modification is completed through the steps of FIGS. Finally, with the completed light control film 7 as shown in FIG. 2 of the above embodiment, with the transparent base material 39 facing the viewing side and the light diffusion portion 44 facing the second polarizing plate 5, Affixed to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42. Through the above steps, the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this modification is completed.

(Second modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a second modification of the liquid crystal display device of the above-described embodiment, and is a perspective view seen obliquely from above (viewing side). FIG. 10 is a view showing a configuration of a light control film according to a first modification, FIG. 10 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the light control film, and FIG. 10 (b) is a plan view.

  In the first modified example, the light scattering layer 45 is formed on the transparent base material 39 so as to cover the light shielding portion 40. In this modification, as in the light control film 7 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the light scattering layer 45 covers one surface of the transparent base material 39 so as to partially expose the light shielding portion 40 (on the side opposite to the viewing side). On the surface). That is, in the present modification, in a state viewed from above (a state viewed from the viewing side), a part of the light shielding portion 40 protrudes from the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 (see FIG. 10B). ).

  Also in the light control film 7 according to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, the light scattering layer 45 is provided so as to cover at least a part of a region (surface 40 a) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light shielding unit 40. Is provided. That is, the light scattering layer 45 is provided between the hollow portion 43 and the light shielding portion 40. As a result, a part of the light L12 incident on the hollow portion 43 enters the light scattering layer 45 and is forward scattered to be guided to a region where the light shielding portion 40 is not formed. Therefore, the light control film 7 can absorb a part of incident light to the hollow portion 43 that has been absorbed by the light-shielding portion 40 and cannot be extracted outside at various angles through the transparent base material 39. The light can be emitted and high light utilization efficiency can be obtained. In addition, the light control film 7 can scatter a part L13 of the light incident on the light diffusing portion 44 in the light scattering layer 45 and emit it through the transparent base material 39 at various angles.

  Then, although the manufacturing method of the light control film 7 which concerns on a 2nd modification is demonstrated, the manufacturing method of the light control film 7 which concerns on this modification is fundamentally the same as the method which concerns on the above-mentioned modification 1, Details are omitted.

  In the present modification, the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39 is different from that in the first modification. Therefore, if the photomask for exposing the coating 51 is formed with a plurality of elliptical opening patterns corresponding to the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 shown in FIGS. Good.

  After patterning the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39, the coating film 48 is formed as in the first modification. And the light control film 7 which concerns on this modification is manufactured by irradiating the coating film 48 with the light F by making the light shielding part 40 into a mask from the transparent base material 39 side, and performing exposure (FIG.8 (b), ( c)). Finally, the light control film 7 is stuck to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42 as described above, whereby the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this modification is completed.

(Third Modification of First Embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a third modification of the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment, and is a perspective view seen obliquely from above (viewing side). FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining light reflection by the light control film according to the third modification.

  In the first and second modified examples, the light scattering layer 45 is formed only in a region overlapping the formation region of the light shielding portion 40 on the transparent base material 39 in a state in plan view (viewed from the viewing side). . In this modification, the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent base material 39 is also disposed in a region that does not overlap with the formation region of the light shielding portion 40, as in the light control film 7 shown in FIGS. Specifically, in the present modification, the light scattering layer 45 is scattered in the first light scattering layer 45 a covering the surface 40 a of the light shielding unit 40 and the non-formation region of the light shielding unit 40 on the transparent base material 39. And a second light scattering layer 45b disposed (see FIG. 12B).

Also in the light control film 7 according to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 12A, the light scattering layer 45 (so as to cover at least a part of a region (surface 40a) substantially parallel to the transparent substrate 39 of the light shielding portion 40). A first light scattering layer 45a) is provided. That is, the light scattering layer 45 is provided between the hollow portion 43 and the light shielding portion 40. Thereby, a part L14 of the light incident on the hollow portion 43 enters the light scattering layer 45 and is forward scattered to be guided to a region where the light shielding portion 40 is not formed. Therefore, the light control film 7 emits a part of the incident light to the hollow portion 43 that could not be taken out to the outside through the transparent base material 39 at various angles as in the above-described embodiments and modifications. Light utilization efficiency can be improved.
In the light control film 7, the light scattering layer 45 (second light scattering layer 45 b) is arranged in a scattered manner in the non-formation region of the light shielding portion 40 on the transparent base material 39. A part of the incident light enters the second light scattering layer 45 b and is scattered and can be emitted through the transparent substrate 39 at various angles. In addition, the light control film 7 can scatter a part of the light L15 incident on the light diffusing portion 44 in the light scattering layer 45 and emit it through the transparent base material 39 at various angles.

  In the present modification, the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39 is different from the first and second modifications. Therefore, as the photomask for exposing the coating film 51, one having a plurality of elliptical opening patterns 146 corresponding to the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12B is used. That's fine.

  After patterning the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39, the coating film 48 is formed as in the first and second modifications. And the light control film 7 which concerns on this modification is manufactured by irradiating the coating film 48 with the light F by making the light shielding part 40 into a mask from the transparent base material 39 side, and performing exposure (FIG.8 (b), ( c)). Finally, the light control film 7 is stuck to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42 as described above, whereby the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this modification is completed.

(Fourth modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a fourth modification of the liquid crystal display device of the above-described embodiment, and is a perspective view seen obliquely from above (viewing side). FIG. 14 is a view for explaining light reflection by the light control film according to the fourth modification.

  This modification is a combination of the second modification and the third modification. 13 and 14, the light control film 7 according to this modification is disposed in an area where the light scattering layer 45 covers the light shielding part 40 so as to partially expose the light shielding part 40 and does not overlap with the formation area of the light shielding part 40. ing. Specifically, in this modification, the light scattering layer 45 includes a first light scattering layer 45 a that covers a part of the surface 40 a of the light shielding unit 40 exposed, and a non-light shielding unit 40 on the transparent substrate 39. And second light scattering layers 45b arranged to be scattered in the formation region.

Also in the light control film 7 according to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 14A, the light scattering layer 45 (so as to cover at least a part of a region (surface 40a) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light shielding unit 40). A first light scattering layer 45a) is provided. That is, the light scattering layer 45 is provided between the hollow portion 43 and the light shielding portion 40. Thereby, a part of the light incident on the hollow portion 43 enters the light scattering layer 45 and is forward scattered, thereby being guided to a region where the light shielding portion 40 is not formed.
Therefore, the light control film 7 can improve the light use efficiency as in the above-described embodiments and modifications.
Further, since the light control film 7 is arranged such that the light scattering layer 45 (second light scattering layer 45 b) is scattered in the non-formation region of the light shielding part 40 on the transparent base material 39, Similarly, part of the light incident on the light diffusion portion 44 is scattered in the second light scattering layer 45 b and can be emitted through the transparent substrate 39 at various angles.

  In the present modification, the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39 is different from those in the first to third modifications. Therefore, as the photomask 147 when the coating film 51 is exposed, a photomask having a plurality of elliptical opening patterns 146 corresponding to the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 shown in FIGS. Use it.

  After patterning the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39, the coating film 48 is formed as in the first to third modifications. And the light control film 7 which concerns on this modification is manufactured by irradiating the coating film 48 with the light F by making the light shielding part 40 into a mask from the transparent base material 39 side, and performing exposure (FIG.8 (b), ( c)). Finally, the light control film 7 is stuck to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42 as described above, whereby the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this modification is completed.

  In addition, in the said 1st Embodiment, although the magnitude | size of the elliptical shape of each light shielding part 40 of the light control film 7 was respectively different, you may make it make the elliptical size of each light shielding part 40 correspond. . Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the shape of each light shielding part 40 of the light control film 7 was made into elliptical shape, the shape of the light shielding part 40 may be circular and a polygon. Moreover, in the said embodiment, the planar shape of each light-shielding part 40 is varied, respectively, and different types of sizes and shapes having isotropic circular shapes and various anisotropic orientations (ellipses, polygons, etc.). You may make it mix things.

(Second Embodiment)
The liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment will be described below.
The basic configuration of the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the configurations of the light diffusion layer and the light shielding portion of the light control film are different from those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, description of the basic composition of a liquid crystal display device is abbreviate | omitted, and only a light control film is demonstrated.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from the lower side (opposite to the viewing side). FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment. Further, in FIGS. 15 and 16 and the drawings used in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those used in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, a plurality of light shielding portions 40 formed on one surface of the transparent base material 39 and a light diffusion layer 41 (light diffusion layer) formed in a region other than the region where the light shielding portion 40 is formed on one surface of the transparent base material 39. A plurality of light-shielding portions 40 are arranged in a dotted manner when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the transparent base material 39, and the light diffusion layer 41 is continuous with a region other than the region where the light-shielding portions 40 are formed. Was formed.

  On the other hand, the light control film 107 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of light diffusion portions 144 formed on one surface of the transparent base material 39, and a region other than the formation region of the light diffusion portions 144 on one surface of the transparent base material 39. And a light-shielding portion 140 formed on the surface. The plurality of light diffusion portions 144 are arranged in a scattered manner when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the transparent substrate 39. The light shielding unit 140 is continuously formed in a region other than the region where the light diffusion unit 144 is formed. The plurality of light diffusion portions 144 are arranged randomly (non-periodically) when viewed from the normal direction of the main surface of the transparent substrate 39. Therefore, although the pitch between the adjacent light diffusion portions 144 is not constant, the average pitch obtained by averaging the pitches between the adjacent light diffusion portions 144 is set to 25 μm.

  It is desirable that the average interval of the light shielding portions 140 is smaller than the interval (pitch) of the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 6. Thereby, since at least one light diffusing portion 144 is formed in the pixel, a wide viewing angle can be achieved when combined with, for example, a liquid crystal panel having a small pixel pitch used for a mobile device or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of openings 140 a are formed randomly (non-periodically) on the transparent base material 39 in the light shielding portion 140. In the present embodiment, the light scattering layer 45 is formed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate 39 so as to cover the light shielding portion 140.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of light diffusion portions 144 are provided corresponding to the positions where the openings 140a of the light shielding portion 140 are formed. The light diffusing unit 144 has an elliptical cone shape in which a cross-sectional area (elliptical shape) when cut along a plane parallel to one surface of the transparent base material 39 is large on the light shielding unit 140 side and gradually decreases as the distance from the light shielding unit 140 increases. doing.

As shown in FIG. 16, of the two opposing surfaces of the light diffusion portion 144, the surface with the smaller area (the surface on the side in contact with the light scattering layer 45) becomes the light emission end surface 144a, and the surface with the larger area ( The surface opposite to the transparent substrate 39) is the light incident end surface 144b.
In the present embodiment, the light scattering layer 45 is formed between the light shielding unit 140 and the light diffusion unit 144 in a state of covering the entire light shielding unit 140, but the light scattering layer 45 is at least as described later. What is necessary is just to be formed so that at least one part of the area | region (surface 140b) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light-shielding part 140 may be covered.

  In the case of the present embodiment, since air is interposed between the adjacent light diffusion portions 144, if the light diffusion portion 44 is formed of, for example, acrylic resin, the side surface 144c of the light diffusion portion 144 is formed of acrylic resin and air. It becomes the interface.

Therefore, according to Snell's law, the incident angle range in which the light is totally reflected by the side surface 144c of the light diffusion portion 144 is wide. As a result, light loss is further suppressed, and high luminance can be obtained.
In this embodiment, in order to allow total reflection of light, the periphery of the light diffusing unit 144 may be in a low refractive index state, or may be in a state filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen instead of air. good. Alternatively, the space between the light diffusing portions 144 may be in a vacuum state or in a reduced pressure state rather than the atmosphere.

  In the present embodiment, the taper-shaped angles formed by the side surfaces 144c of the light diffusing portions 144 may be made different between the plurality of light diffusing portions 144, or may be the same.

Next, the manufacturing method of the light control film 107 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing the light control film 107 of this embodiment.
First, as shown in FIG. 17A, a 10-cm square triacetylcellulose transparent substrate 39 having a thickness of 100 μm is prepared, and a light-shielding portion is formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 39 using a spin coating method. A black negative resist containing carbon as a material is applied to form a coating film 50 having a thickness of 150 nm.
Subsequently, the transparent substrate 39 on which the coating film 50 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and the coating film 50 is pre-baked at a temperature of 90 ° C. Thereby, the solvent in the black negative resist is volatilized.

Subsequently, using an exposure apparatus, as shown in FIG. 17B, the coating film 50 is irradiated with light E through a photomask 110 provided with a plurality of light shielding patterns 111 to perform exposure. At this time, an exposure apparatus using a mixed line of i-line having a wavelength of 365 nm, h-line having a wavelength of 404 nm, and g-line having a wavelength of 436 nm is used. The exposure dose is 100 mJ / cm ² . In the case of this embodiment, in the next step, the transparent negative resist is exposed using the light shielding portion 140 as a mask to form the light diffusing portion 144. Correspond. The plurality of light shielding patterns 111 are all elliptical patterns and are randomly arranged. Therefore, although the interval (pitch) between the adjacent light shielding patterns 111 is not constant, the average interval obtained by averaging the intervals between the plurality of light shielding patterns 111 is 25 μm.

  The average interval between the light shielding patterns 111 is preferably smaller than the interval (pitch) of the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 6. Thereby, since at least one light diffusing portion 144 is formed in the pixel, a wide viewing angle can be achieved when combined with, for example, a liquid crystal panel having a small pixel pitch used for a mobile device or the like.

  After exposure using the photomask 110 described above, the coating film 50 made of a black negative resist is developed using a dedicated developer, dried at 100 ° C., as shown in FIG. A light shielding portion 140 having a plurality of elliptical openings 140 a is formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 39. The opening 140a corresponds to the formation region of the light diffusion portion 144 in the next process.

  In addition to the method using the exposure apparatus described above, a gravure printing method or an ink jet method may be adopted as a method for forming the light shielding portion 140. According to this, the light shielding portion 140 having a desired shape is directly formed in a pattern. be able to.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17D, a material for forming the light scattering layer 45 (for example, an acrylic resin having thermosetting properties) is applied to the entire surface of the transparent base material 39 so as to cover the light shielding portion 140. The coating film 51 having a thickness of about 20 μm, which is obtained by dispersing the light scatterer 45a in a binder resin such as the above, is applied. Next, the transparent base material 39 on which the coating film 51 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and the coating film 48 is pre-baked at a temperature of 95 ° C. Thereby, the solvent in the coating film 51 is volatilized and the light scattering layer 45 is formed. Note that an ultraviolet curable material may be used as the coating film 48 and the coating film 51 may be cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17E, a transparent negative resist made of an acrylic resin is applied to the upper surface of the light scattering layer 45 as a light diffusing portion material by using a spin coating method, and a coating film 48 having a film thickness of 25 μm. Form. And the transparent base material 39 in which said coating film 48 was formed is mounted on a hotplate, and the coating film 48 is prebaked at the temperature of 95 degreeC. Thereby, the solvent in the transparent negative resist is volatilized.

Subsequently, the coating film 48 is irradiated with light F from the transparent base material 39 side using the light shielding portion 140 as a mask to perform exposure. At this time, an exposure apparatus using a mixed line of i-line having a wavelength of 365 nm, h-line having a wavelength of 404 nm, and g-line having a wavelength of 436 nm is used. The exposure amount is 500 mJ / cm ² .
Thereafter, the transparent base material 39 on which the coating film 48 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and post-exposure baking (PEB) of the coating film 148 is performed at a temperature of 95 ° C. In the exposure process, parallel light or diffused light is used. By performing exposure with diffused light, the coating film 48 is exposed radially so as to spread outward from the non-formation region (opening 140a) of the light shielding portion 140. Since the light scattering layer 45 covering the light shielding portion 140 has light transmittance, an inversely tapered side surface 144c of the light diffusing portion 144 is formed by the diffused light through the opening 140a.
Thereafter, the transparent base material 39 on which the coating film 148 is formed is placed on a hot plate, and post-exposure baking (PEB) of the coating film 48 is performed at a temperature of 95 ° C.

  Subsequently, the coating film 148 made of a transparent negative resist is developed using a dedicated developer, post-baked at 100 ° C., and as shown in FIG. 39 on one side.

Finally, the completed light control film 7 is attached to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42 with the transparent base material 39 facing the viewing side and the light diffusion portion 144 facing the second polarizing plate 5. .
The liquid crystal display device 101 of this embodiment is completed through the above steps.

  Also in the liquid crystal display device 101 of the present embodiment, the light control film 107 includes the light scattering layer 45 between the light diffusion layer 41 and the light shielding unit 140 as shown in FIG. Can be scattered forward by the light scatterer 45 a of the light scattering layer 45. As a result, a part of the light incident between the light diffusion portions 144 is guided to the region where the light shielding portion 140 is not formed, and is not absorbed by the light shielding portion 140 through various angles through the transparent base material 39. Can be injected with.

  Also in this embodiment, in the conventional configuration that does not include the light scattering layer 45 that covers at least the surface 140b of the light shielding unit 140, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 6 to the light control film 7 side is absorbed by the light shielding unit 140. The light scattering layer 45 can take out the components from the transparent substrate 39. Therefore, high light utilization efficiency can also be obtained in this embodiment.

(First Modification of Second Embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a first modification of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment, and is a perspective view seen obliquely from below (the side opposite to the viewing side). FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to this modification.
In the said 2nd Embodiment, the light-scattering layer 45 was formed in the whole surface of the transparent base material 39 in the state which covered the light shielding part 140. FIG. In the present modification, as in the light control film 7 shown in FIG. 18, the light scattering layer 45 is provided on one surface of the transparent substrate 39 (on the side opposite to the viewing side) so as not to cover a part of the non-formation region of the light shielding portion 140. Surface). That is, in this modification, it has the structure formed in the state which a part of light-diffusion layer 41 contact | abutted to the transparent base material 39 (refer FIG. 19).

  Also in the light control film 7 according to this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the light scattering layer 45 is provided so as to cover at least a part of a region (surface 40 a) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light shielding unit 140. It has been. As a result, a part of the light incident between the light diffusion portions 144 enters the light scattering layer 45 and is forward scattered to be guided to the opening 140a where the light shielding portion 140 is not formed. Therefore, the light control film 7 can emit a part of the light incident between the light diffusion portions 144 that could not be taken out to the outside at various angles through the transparent base material 39, and is high. Light utilization efficiency can be obtained.

  Then, the manufacturing method of the light control film 7 which concerns on a 1st modification is demonstrated. The manufacturing method of the light control film 7 according to this modification is basically the same as the method according to the second embodiment described above, and the details are omitted.

  In this modification, the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39 is different from that in the above embodiment. Therefore, a mask in which a plurality of elliptical light shielding patterns 111 corresponding to the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 is formed in the photomask 110 shown in FIG.

  After patterning the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39, the coating film 48 is formed as in the second embodiment (see FIG. 17E). And the light control film 7 which concerns on this modification is manufactured by irradiating the coating film 48 with the light F from the transparent base material 39 side as a mask, and performing exposure. Finally, the light control film 7 is stuck to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42 as described above, whereby the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this modification is completed.

(Second Modification of Second Embodiment)
FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a second modification of the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment, and is a perspective view seen from obliquely above (viewing side). FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the liquid crystal display device of the present modification.
In the first modified example, the light scattering layer 45 is formed on the transparent base material 39 so as to cover the light shielding portion 140. In this modification, like the light control film 7 shown in FIG. 20, the light scattering layer 45 covers one surface of the transparent substrate 39 (the surface on the side opposite to the viewing side) in a state of covering the light shielding portion 140 in a partly exposed manner. ). That is, in the present modification, a part of the light shielding portion 140 protrudes from the region where the light scattering layer 45 is formed in a plan view (viewed from the viewing side) (see FIG. 21).

  Also in the light control film 7 according to this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the light scattering layer 45 is provided so as to cover at least a part of a region (surface 140 b) substantially parallel to the transparent base material 39 of the light shielding unit 140. It has been. As a result, a part of the light incident between the light diffusion portions 144 enters the light scattering layer 45 and is forward scattered to be guided to the opening 140a where the light shielding portion 140 is not formed. Therefore, the light control film 7 can emit a part of the light incident between the light diffusion portions 144 that could not be taken out to the outside at various angles through the transparent base material 39, and is high. Light utilization efficiency can be obtained.

  Then, the manufacturing method of the light control film 7 which concerns on a 2nd modification is demonstrated. The manufacturing method of the light control film 7 according to this modification is basically the same as the method according to the above-described modification 1, and the details are omitted.

  In the present modification, the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39 is different from that in the first modification. Therefore, when the coating film 145 is exposed, the photomask 110 shown in FIG. 17 may be used in which a plurality of elliptical light shielding patterns 111 corresponding to the formation region of the light scattering layer 45 are formed.

  After patterning the light scattering layer 45 on the transparent substrate 39, the coating film 48 is formed as in the first modification. And the light control film 7 which concerns on this modification is manufactured by irradiating the coating film 48 with the light F from the transparent base material 39 side as a mask, and performing exposure. Finally, the light control film 7 is stuck to the liquid crystal panel 6 via the adhesive layer 42 as described above, whereby the liquid crystal display device 1 according to this modification is completed.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention.
For example, in the first and second embodiments, the inclination angles of the side surfaces 44c and 144c of the light diffusion portions 44 and 144 are constant. However, the inclination angles of the side surfaces 44c and 144c of the light diffusion portions 44 and 144 are different depending on the location. May be. For example, in the light control films 70 and 71 shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the side surfaces 44c and 144c of the light diffusion portions 44 and 144 may have a shape in which the inclination angle continuously changes. The light control film 70 shown in FIG. 22A has a shape in which the side surfaces 44c and 144c are curved outward and the hollow portion 43 in the first embodiment is concave. The light control film 71 shown in FIG. 22B has a shape in which the side surfaces 44c and 144c are curved inward, and the hollow portion 43 in the first embodiment is convex. With these configurations, light diffusibility can be enhanced.

  Alternatively, in the light control films 80 and 81 shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the side surfaces 44c and 144c of the light diffusion portions 44 and 144 are at a plurality of different inclination angles (inclined surfaces having a polygonal cross section). There may be. The light control film 80 shown in FIG. 23A has a shape in which the side surfaces 44c and 144c have three inclined surfaces with different inclination angles, and are concave on the outside. The light control film 81 shown in FIG. 23 (b) has a shape in which the side surfaces 44c and 144c have three inclined surfaces with different inclination angles and are convex inward. With these configurations, light diffusibility can be enhanced.

  Further, at least one of an antireflection layer, a polarizing filter layer, an antistatic layer, an antiglare treatment layer, and an antifouling treatment layer is provided on the viewing side of the transparent substrate 39 of the light control film 7 in the above embodiment. It is good also as a structure. According to this configuration, it is possible to add a function to reduce external light reflection, a function to prevent the adhesion of dust and dirt, a function to prevent scratches, and the like according to the type of layer provided on the viewing side of the substrate. Further, it is possible to prevent deterioration of viewing angle characteristics with time.

  As shown in FIG. 24, a touch panel (information input device) 90 may be arranged on the viewing side of the transparent base 39 of the liquid crystal display device in the above-described embodiment (for example, the first embodiment). The touch panel 90 is affixed via an adhesive 93 such as a double-sided tape at the peripheral edge of the transparent substrate 39. The touch panel 90 includes a base material 91 and a position detection electrode 92. In the following description, the base material 91 constituting the touch panel 90 is referred to as a “touch panel base material”. A position detection electrode 92 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or ATO (Antimony-doped Tin Oxide) is formed on one surface of a touch panel base material 91 made of glass or the like. The position detection electrode 92 is formed by sputtering such as ITO or ATO, and has a uniform sheet resistance of about several hundred to 2 kΩ / □.

  In the present embodiment, a capacitive touch panel 90 is used. In the capacitive touch panel 90, for example, minute voltages are applied to four corners of the position detection electrode 92 when the touch panel 85 is viewed in plan. When a finger touches an arbitrary position above the position detection electrode 92, the point touched by the finger is grounded via the capacitance of the human body. As a result, the voltage at each corner changes according to the resistance value between the ground point and the four corners. The position detection circuit measures this voltage change as a current change, and detects the ground point, that is, the position touched by the finger from the measured value. In addition, as a touch panel applicable to this embodiment, arbitrary touch panels, such as a resistive film system, an ultrasonic system, and an optical system other than the above-mentioned capacitance system, are applicable. According to this configuration, since the light control film 7 is provided, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device having excellent viewing angle characteristics and further having an information input function. For example, when the user touches the touch panel 90 with a finger or a pen while viewing an image with a wide viewing angle, information can be input to the information processing apparatus or the like in an interactive manner.

Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment, although the magnitude | size of the several light-shielding part 40 of the light control film 7 was each made equivalent, you may make it mutually make the magnitude | size of each light-shielding part 40 mutually different.
In the first embodiment, the shape of the light shielding unit 40 is an ellipse, but the shape of the light shielding unit 40 is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIG. 25A, a light shielding portion 40F having a circular planar shape may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25B, a light shielding part 40G having a square planar shape may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (c), a light shielding part 40H whose planar shape is a regular octagon may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25D, a light shielding part 40I having a shape in which two opposite sides of a square are curved outward may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25E, a light shielding part 40J having a shape in which two rectangles intersect in two orthogonal directions may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (f), an elongated oval light-shielding portion 40K may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (g), an elongated rectangular light shielding portion 40L may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (h), an elongated octagonal light shielding portion 40M may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (i), a light shielding part 40N having a shape in which two opposing sides of a long and narrow rectangle are curved outward may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (j), a light shielding portion 40P having a shape in which two rectangles having different aspect ratios intersect each other in two orthogonal directions may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (k), a regular triangular light shielding portion 40Q may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (l), an isosceles triangular light shielding portion 40R may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 (m), a diamond-shaped light shielding portion 40S may be used. Furthermore, the shapes of FIGS. 25A to 25M may be rotated in a predetermined direction.
Further, the planar shapes of the respective light-shielding portions 40 are different from each other, and are provided with a plurality of different sizes and shapes having an isotropic circular shape and various anisotropic orientations (see FIGS. 25A to 25M). You may make it mix things.

  In the second embodiment, the size of the opening 140a in the light shielding portion 140 of the light control film 7 and the size of the light diffusion portion 144 formed corresponding to the opening 140a are the same. You may make it make the magnitude | size of the part 140 mutually differ. In the embodiment, the shape of each opening 140a of the light control film 7 and the planar shape of the light diffusion portion 144 formed corresponding to the opening 140a are circular as shown in FIGS. , Square, regular octagon, shape where two opposite sides of the square are curved outward, shape where two rectangles intersect in two orthogonal directions, elongated ellipse shape, elongated rectangular shape, elongated octagonal shape, elongated rectangle, vertical and horizontal A shape obtained by intersecting two rectangles having different ratios in two orthogonal directions, an equilateral triangle, an isosceles triangle, a rhombus, or a shape obtained by rotating these shapes in a predetermined direction may be used. In the second embodiment, the planar shapes of the openings 140a and the light diffusing portions 144 are different from each other, and the plurality of different sizes having the isotropic circular shape and various anisotropic orientations as described above, You may make it mix the thing of a shape.

  The present invention is applicable to various display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic electroluminescence display device, a plasma display, an LED display, and a MEMS display.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Liquid crystal display device (display device), 2 ... Backlight (light source), 6 ... Liquid crystal panel (display body, modulation element), 7, 107 ... Light control film (light diffusion member, viewing angle expansion member), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 ... Transparent base material, 40 ... Light-shielding part, 40a, 140b ... Surface, ... 41 ... Light-diffusion layer (light transmissive material layer), 43 ... Hollow part, 44, 144 ... Light-diffusion part, 44a, 144a ... Light emission End face, 44b, 144b ... light incident end face, 45 ... light scattering layer, 45a ... light scatterer

Claims (26)

A substrate having optical transparency;
A plurality of light shielding portions formed to be scattered on one side of the base material;
A light scattering layer formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover at least a part of a region substantially parallel to the base material of the plurality of light shielding parts,
A light diffusion part formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover at least a part of the light scattering layer,
The light diffusion part has a light emission end face corresponding to the non-formation region of the light shielding part on the substrate side, and a light incident end face having an area larger than the area of the light emission end face on the opposite side to the substrate side A light diffusing member comprising:   The light scattering layer is configured such that light incident from a surface opposite to the light diffusion portion of the layer and reflected or refracted by the light scatterer to change the traveling direction is forward scattered. The light diffusing member according to claim 1.   The plurality of light shielding portions are arranged in a scattered manner when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material, and the light diffusing portion is continuously formed in a region other than the region where the light shielding portion is formed. The light diffusing member according to claim 1 or 2.   The light diffusing member according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light shielding portions are aperiodically arranged when viewed from a normal direction of one surface of the base material.   5. The light diffusing member according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light shielding portions have the same shape when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material.   5. The light diffusion according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light-shielding portions have at least one of a plurality of types and sizes different from each other when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material. Element. In the formation region of the light shielding portion, a hollow portion partitioned by the formation region of the light diffusion portion is formed,
The light diffusing member according to claim 1, wherein air exists in the hollow portion.   The light according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a planar shape of the light shielding portion viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material is a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. Diffusion member. A substrate having optical transparency;
A light shielding portion formed on one surface side of the substrate;
A light scattering layer formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover at least a part of a region substantially parallel to the base material of the light shielding part,
A plurality of light diffusion parts formed on one surface side of the base material so as to cover at least a part of the light scattering layer,
The light diffusion part has a light emission end face corresponding to the non-formation region of the light shielding part on the substrate side, and a light incident end face having an area larger than the area of the light emission end face on the opposite side to the substrate side A light diffusing member comprising:   The light scattering layer is configured such that light incident from a surface opposite to the light diffusion portion of the layer and reflected or refracted by the light scatterer to change the traveling direction is forward scattered. The light diffusing member according to claim 9. The plurality of light diffusion portions are arranged in a scattered manner when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material,
11. The light diffusing member according to claim 8, wherein the light shielding portion is continuously formed in a region other than a region where the light diffusing portion is formed.   The light diffusing member according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of light diffusing portions are aperiodically arranged when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the base material.   The light diffusing member according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the plurality of light diffusing portions have the same shape as seen from the normal direction of one surface of the base material.   13. The light according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of light diffusion portions have at least one of a plurality of types and sizes different from each other when viewed from a normal direction of one surface of the base material. Diffusion member.   The light diffusing member according to claim 9, wherein air exists in a gap between the plurality of light diffusing portions.   16. The tilt angle of the side surface of at least one light diffusion portion among the plurality of light diffusion portions is different from the tilt angle of the side surface of another light diffusion portion. Light diffusing member.   The light diffusion member according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein an inclination angle of a side surface of at least one light diffusion portion among the plurality of light diffusion portions varies depending on a place.   The planar shape of the light diffusing portion viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the substrate is a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon, according to any one of claims 9 to 17. Light diffusing member.   The surface of the substrate opposite to the one surface is provided with at least one of an antireflection layer, an antistatic layer, an antiglare treatment layer, and an antifouling treatment layer. The light diffusing member according to claim 1. Forming a light-shielding portion having an opening on one surface of a light-transmitting substrate;
Forming a light scattering layer on one surface of the base material so as to cover at least a part of a region substantially parallel to the base material of the light shielding portion;
Forming a light-sensitive negative photosensitive resin layer on one surface of the substrate so as to cover the light shielding portion and the light scattering layer;
Exposing the negative photosensitive resin layer through an opening of the light shielding portion from a surface opposite to one surface of the base material on which the light shielding portion and the negative photosensitive resin layer are formed;
The negative photosensitive resin layer after the exposure is developed, and a light incident end surface having a light emission end surface on the substrate side and an area larger than the area of the light emission end surface on the side opposite to the substrate side is provided. Forming a plurality of light diffusion portions on one side of the substrate;
A method for producing a light diffusing member, comprising:   21. The method of manufacturing a light diffusing member according to claim 20, wherein any one of black resin, black ink, a single metal, or a multilayer film of a single metal and a metal oxide is used as a material for the light shielding portion. . A display body, provided on the viewing side of the display body, and a viewing angle widening member that emits light in a state where the angular distribution of light incident from the display body is wider than before incidence, and
The display device, wherein the viewing angle widening member is configured by the light diffusing member according to any one of claims 1 to 19. A display body, provided on the viewing side of the display body, and a viewing angle widening member that emits light in a state where the angular distribution of light incident from the display body is wider than before incidence, and
The viewing angle widening member is composed of the light diffusing member according to any one of claims 9 to 19,
The display body has a plurality of pixels forming a display image,
The display device, wherein a maximum pitch between adjacent light diffusion portions among the plurality of light diffusion portions of the light diffusion member is smaller than a pitch between the pixels of the display body.   The display device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein an information input device is provided on a viewing side of the viewing angle widening member. The display body includes a light source and a light modulation element that modulates light from the light source,
25. The display device according to claim 22, wherein the light source emits light having directivity.   The display device according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the display body is a liquid crystal display element.

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