Colour image projection apparatus having liquid crystal light valves designed for reduced crosstalk between picture elements

Abstract: A projection apparatus which includes three liquid crystal panels (5a, 5b, 5c) for independently controlling respective color light components of red, green and blue for a color image to be reproduced, and means for subjecting the respective color light components to additive mixture so as to reproduce the color image. Each of the liquid crystal panels (5a, 5b, 5c) is constituted by a nematic type simple matrix liquid crystal panel having twist angle  of its liquid crystal molecule represented by 210° ≦  ≦ 300°.

Description: The present invention generally relates to a projection arrangement, and more particularly, to a projection apparatus arranged to independently control respective color light components of additive process three primary colors (red, green and blue) for a color image to be reproduced, by three liquid crystal panels, and to reproduce said color image by subjecting the respective color light components to additive mixture. In the conventional projection apparatus, it has been so arranged that, exclusive cathode ray tubes are employed for the respective three primary colors, and images produced by such cathode ray tubes are adapted to be projected onto a screen. Recently, in the field of such projection apparatuses, there has been developed an arrangement in which the cathode ray tubes are replaced by liquid crystal panels. The liquid crystal panel referred to above is generally so constructed as to include as constituting elements, a large number of picture element electrodes at least arranged in a dot matrix pattern, and a liquid crystal layer for modulating light according to voltages applied thereto, thereby to display arbitrary single color images including a half tone by applying image signals corresponding to respective picture elements. Many operating modes are available for liquid crystal panels such as twisted-nematic (TN), guest-host (GH), dynamic scattering mode (DSM), double refraction (DAP or ECB, etc.), phase transition, and the like. In order to separately control individual picture elements of the liquid crystal panel, any one of the following three systems is normally employed. (1) Simple matrix system In this system, line electrodes and row electrodes are provided in a stripe pattern on respective two substrates, which are applied to each other so that the line and row electrodes cross each other to constitute the panel. Line selecting signals are successively applied to the line electrodes, while image signals are impressed to the row electrodes in synchronization with the line selecting signals. The intersecting points between the line electrodes and row electrodes constitute the picture elements, and the liquid crystal held between the both electrodes varies in its optical characteristic in response to the potential difference thereof. It is to be noted, however, that, since the liquid crystal is an element responding to effective values, generation of cross-talk is brought into question in the general driving in which voltage averaging method is applied to the TN mode or GH mode, and thus, the number of scanning lines can not be set very large. (2) Addition of non-linear element This is a system in which a non-linear element such as a varistor, MIM (Metal/Insulator/Metal) or the like is added to each picture element for suppressing the cross-talk. (3) Addition of switching element In this system, a switching transistor is added to each picture element for individual driving. Driving voltage is applied during the selecting period so as to be charged into an accumulating capacitor for being maintained also during the non-selecting period. It should be noted here that, since the liquid crystal itself is a capacitive load, in the case where time constant thereof is sufficiently large as compared with he repeating period of driving, the accumulating capacitor may be abbreviated. For the switching transistor, a thin film transistor (TFT) or MOS-FET and the like formed on a silicone wafer may be employed. In a projection apparatus already developed and commercialized, the arrangement of the item (3) provided with the switching element is employed in the above three systems for the liquid crystal panel. However, the liquid crystal panel of the system in the above item (3) has a problem in that mass-production thereof is difficult, with a consequent increase in cost, similarly to the liquid crystal of the item (2). Meanwhile, although the liquid crystal panel of the simple matrix system in the item (1) can be readily manufactured on a large scale for cost reduction, generation of the cross-talk is brought into question in the general driving by the TN mode, GH mode, as referred to earlier, with such a drawback that the display contrast is undesirably lowered as the number of scanning lines is increased. The precharacterizing part of claim 1 refers to a projection apparatus as disclosed in EP-A-0 266 184. The known apparatus comprises three nematic liquid crystal panels for independently controlling respective color light components and means for subjecting said color light components to additive mixture so as to reproduce a color image. The value of Δn d/λ for the crystal panels of the known apparatus is substantially the same, wherein Δn is the refractive index anisotropy for the liquid crystal, d is the liquid crystal layer thickness and λ is the wavelength of incident light. The twist angle of the liquid crystal material is 210°. It is stated that a twist angle of 90° or more can be used. It is the object of the present invention to provide a projection apparatus which has a favourable contrast in the display and is stable in functioning at high reliability. The problem is solved, according to the invention, with the features of claim 1. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a projection apparatus which includes three liquid crystal panels for independently controlling respective color light components of red, green and blue for a color image to be reproduced, and means for subjecting the respective color light components to additive mixture so as to reproduce the color image. Each of the liquid crystal panels is constituted by a nematic type simple matrix liquid crystal panel having a twist angle  of its liquid crystal molecule represented by 210° < Φ ≦ 300° By the arrangement according to the present invention as referred to above, since the simple matrix liquid crystal panel of the super-twisted nematic type is employed for each of the three liquid crystal panels, the display contrast may be advantageously improved. These and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing construction of an optical system for a projection apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of a simple matrix liquid crystal panel employed in the arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relation between rubbing angle and twist angle of the liquid crystal molecule in the simple matrix liquid crystal panel of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a graph showing light transmittance characteristics of the simple matrix liquid crystal panel for controlling green light, and Figs. 5(1) to 5(3) are graphs showing light transmittance characteristics of the respective simple matrix liquid crystal panels under optimum conditions. Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1, a schematic diagram showing the construction of an optical system for a projection apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, light emitted from a light source 2 is converged by a condenser lens 1 into parallel rays, which are directed to a dichroic mirror 3a. For the light source 2, an incandescent lamp, halogen lamp, xenon lamp or the like may be employed, and the spectrum of the light source 2 is of bright line spectrum for red, green and blue emitted by a fluorescent lamp or discharge tube. The center wavelengths of the bright line spectrum are in the vicinity of 620 nm for the red light, 550 nm for the green light, and 450 nm for the blue light from the viewpoints of color reproducing range of the projection apparatus, and also of interchangeability with television signals of the NTSC system. The dichroic mirror 3a formed by laminating a plurality of thin films having different refraction indexes has a function to reflect only light rays of a particular wavelength region by an interference effect and to allow other light rays to pass therethrough. In the example of Fig. 1, the dichroic mirror 3a is adapted to selectively reflect the blue light in the light rays from the light source 2 projected through the condenser lens 1, and to permit other light rays to pass therethrough. The blue light reflected by the dichroic mirror 3a is again reflected by a mirror 4a, and in the course of a light path of the reflected light, a first simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5a is provided. The blue light transmitted through said liquid crystal panel 5a is reflected by a mirror 4b so as to be further reflected by another dichroic mirror 3b, which has the function to selectively reflect the blue light in a similar manner as in the dichroic mirror 3a described earlier. The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 3b is converged by a projection lens 6 so as to be projected onto a screen 7. Meanwhile, in the course of a light path of the light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 3a, there is provided another dichroic mirror 3c which has the function to selectively reflect the red light and to allow other light rays to pass therethrough, and the red light reflected by said dichroic mirror 3c is further reflected by mirrors 4c and 4d. In the course of a light path of the red light reflected by the mirror 4d, a second simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5b is provided, and the red light transmitted through this simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5b is reflected by another dichroic mirror 3d having the function to selectively reflect the red light in the similar manner as in the dichroic mirror 3c referred to earlier, and to permit other light rays to pass therethrough. The red light reflected by the dichroic mirror 3d, is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 3b and converged by a projection lens 6 so as to be projected onto the screen 7. Moreover, in the course of a light path of the green light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 3c, a third simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c is provided, and the green light transmitted through said liquid crystal panel 5c further passes through dichroic mirrors 3d and 3b so as to be converged by the projection lens 6 and projected onto the screen 7. Referring also to Fig. 2 schematically showing the construction of each of the simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c, on the confronting surfaces of one glass substrate 8 and the other glass substrate 9, transparent electrodes 10 and 11 are respectively formed in patterns, and these transparent electrodes 10 and 11 are arranged to cross each other. Over the surfaces of the respective transparent electrodes 10 and 11, aligning films 12 and 13 composed of coatings by polyimide group high polymer are respectively formed, and further, surfaces of the films 12 and 13 are subjected to rubbing treatment by cloth in one direction. Between these glass substrates 8 and 9, a liquid crystal layer 14 is disposed so as to be sealed therein by a sealing member (not shown). Moreover, over the surfaces of the glass substrates 8 and 9 directed opposite to each other, polarizing plates 15 and 16 are respectively provided. In each of these simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c, picture elements are formed at respective portions of the liquid crystal layer 14 where the transparent electrodes 10 and 11 cross each other. Reference is also made to Fig. 3 showing the relation between the rubbing angle and the twist angle of the liquid crystal molecule in the simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5a, 5b or 5c. In Fig. 3, the twist angle of the liquid crystal molecule may be represented by an angle  formed by the rubbing direction 17 of the one glass substrate 8 (i.e. the long-axis or parallel direction of the liquid crystal molecule on the glass substrate 8) and the rubbing direction 18 of the other glass substrate 9, and the direction of a polarizing axis of the polarizing plate 15 is deviated by an angle β with respect to the rubbing direction 17 of the one glass substrate 8, while that of the polarizing plate 16 with respect to the rubbing direction 18 of the other glass substrate 9 is deviated by an angle γ. In the above embodiment, the twist angle  of the liquid crystal molecule is set to be 270°. In other words, each of the simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c in this case is of a super twisted nematic type (referred to as STN hereinafter), and an optical substance S-811 (name used in trade and manufactured by Merck Co.,) is added to the liquid crystal by 1.27 weight % so that the twist angle  thereof becomes 270°. Meanwhile, the layer thickness d of the liquid crystal layer 14 in this case is set at 6.7 µm, with coatings of polyimide group high polymer being employed as the aligning films 12 and 13. Table 1 below shows compositions of the PCH group liquid crystal employed for the present embodiment. Now, when a spiral pitch of the liquid crystal molecule in this case is represented by p, d/p becomes approximately 0.65. Since refractive index anisotropy Δn of the nematic liquid crystal shown in Table 1 becomes 0.12 with respect to light having a wavelength λ of 550 nm, in the present embodiment in which the thickness d of the liquid crystal layer 14 is set to be d=6.7 µm, the relation will be represented as Δn·d=0.80µm. It is to be noted here that the setting angles β and γ of the polarizing axes for the one polarizing plate 15 and the other polarizing plate 16 are respectively set as β=45° and γ=45° By applying the above setting conditions, for example, to the simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c which allows the green light to pass therethrough, the light transmittance characteristics of the liquid crystal panel 5c will be as shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 , a curve A represents the transmittance characteristic when a non-selected voltage waveform is applied across the two transparent electrodes 10 and 11, while a curve B shows the transmittance characteristic in the case where a selected voltage is applied across the transparent electrodes 10 and 11. As is seen from Fig. 4, this simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c is to have a sufficient photo-switch function particularly for the green light. It is to be noted here that, with respect to the value of Δn·d, if the lower limit thereof becomes excessively small, light can no longer be propagated along the twisting direction of the liquid crystal molecule, with a consequent deterioration in the function as a photo-shutter element, while when the value of Δn·d becomes too large, unnecessary spectrum tends to appear in the visible light passing through the simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c. Accordingly, for obtaining a favorable color display characteristic, the range of Δn·d for practical application should preferably be set as represented by 0.3µm ≦ Δn·d ≦ 1.6µm Similar results may be obtained thereby even when liquid crystals other than the PCH group liquid crystal are employed. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of improving the display contrast of the color image to be reproduced by the projection apparatus of the present invention as described so far, setting angles β and γ of the polarizing axes for the two polarizing plates 15 and 16 should preferably be determined in the ranges as follows for practical applications. β=50°±20° and γ=45°±20° Meanwhile, in order to improve the display contrast, the twist angle  of the liquid crystal molecule should desirably be set as large as possible, but excessive increase of said angle may result in generation of a domain due to disturbing in the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, thus lowering the contrast ratio through scattering of light. Therefore, the range of the twist angle  for the practical application should be set as 210° ≦  ≦ 300° Similar results may be obtained even when liquid crystals other than the PCH group liquid crystal are employed. Moreover, with respect to the wavelength dependency of the transmittance characteristic also, it has been confirmed through experiments by the present inventors that, when the values for β and γ are set within the above range, there will be no problem in the practical applications. It is to be noted here that, in the foregoing embodiment, although the setting conditions have been described with reference to the simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c, with respect to the other two simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a and 5b also, the value Δn·d may be set with the range of the formula (1) according to the wavelengths of light allowed to pass therethrough, with other conditions being set in the similar manner as in the liquid crystal panel 5c. It should also be noted that the simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c have only to control transmittance of the blue, red and green lights respectively, and it is not necessarily required to have color filters incorporated within the respective liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c themselves or to have color pigments or the like contained in the liquid crystal. Subsequently, general functioning of the projection apparatus of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 and including the three simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c set under conditions as described so far, will be explained. The light emitted from the light source 2 is converged by the condenser lens 1 so as to be formed into parallel rays, and is directed to the dichroic mirror 3a. Of the light rays, the blue light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 3a, while other light rays are transmitted through said dichroic mirror 3a. The blue light reflected by the mirror 3a is further reflected by the mirror 4a so as to be projected onto the first simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5a. In this simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5a, a voltage corresponding to the blue light component of the color image to be reproduced is applied to the respective picture elements composed of the liquid crystal layer 14 through the transparent electrodes 10 and 11 shown in Fig. 2, whereby light transmittance of each picture element portion is varied. The blue light passing through the simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5a is reflected by the mirror 4b and the dichroic mirror 3b, and is converged by the projection lens 6 so as to be projected onto the screen 7. In other words, the blue light component transmitted through the first simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5a forms on the screen 7, the image for the blue light component of the color image to be produced. On the other hand, of the light rays passing through the dichroic mirror 3a, the red light component is reflected by the next dichroic mirror 3c, and further, by the mirrors 4c and 4d so as to be projected onto the second simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5b. In this liquid crystal panel 5b, in synchronization with the liquid crystal panel 5a referred to above, a voltage corresponding to the red light component of the color image to be reproduced, is impressed to the respective picture elements through its transparent electrodes 10 and 11, whereby light transmittance of the respective picture elements is altered. The red light component which has passed through the simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5b is transmitted through the subsequent dichroic mirror 3b, and converged by the projection lens 6 so as to be projected onto the screen 7. In other words, the red light which has passed through the second simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5b forms on the screen 7, the image for the red light component of the color image to be reproduced. Furthermore, the green light component passing through the dichroic mirror 3c is projected onto the third simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c. In this liquid crystal panel 5c, in synchronization with the liquid crystal panels 5a and 5b referred to earlier, a voltage corresponding to the green light component of the color image to be reproduced, is impressed to the respective picture elements through its transparent electrodes 10 and 11, whereby the light transmittance of the respective picture elements is altered. The green light component which has passed through the simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c is transmitted through the next dichroic mirrors 3d and 3b, and converged by the projection lens 6 so as to be projected onto the screen 7. In other words, the green light component which has passed through the third simple matrix liquid crystal panel 5c forms on the screen 7, the image for the green light component of the color image to be reproduced. In the manner as described so far, on the screen 7, the images for the red, blue and green are overlapped one upon another for the additive mixture for the reproduction of the desired color image. In the projection apparatus according to the present invention as described so far, since the light rays of the respective wavelengths of the single light source 2 can be effectively utilized, utilizing efficiency of light may be improved as compared with that of the system in which only the light of the necessary wavelength region is transmitted by absorbing filters. Moreover, as compared with the conventional projection apparatuses employing cathode ray tubes, the apparatus of the present invention has a larger degree of freedom for selecting installing places, and thus, it becomes possible to project onto a ceiling or to project onto a wall by suspending the apparatus from the ceiling. Similarly, the size of the projected image may be altered as desired by varying the projecting distance or by replacing the projection lens. It has been confirmed through experiments by the present inventors that, in order to effectively utilize the light source from the light of which the color components for the projected image are derived, and also to satisfy the interchangeability thereof with respect to television signals of NTSC system, the wavelength regions of the respective light rays for the red, blue and green to be controlled by the simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c should be set as follows for the optimum results, in which λR denotes the peak wavelength for the red, λG represents the peak wavelength for the green, and λB shows the peak wavelength for the blue. Red: 600 nm ≦ λR ≦ 650 nm, with a half width being less than 50nm. Green: 520 nm ≦ λG ≦ 570 nm, with a half width being less than 50 nm. Blue: 420 nm ≦ λB ≦ 470 nm, with a half width being less than 50 nm. Meanwhile, in the foregoing embodiment, if the display contrast at each of the simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c is set at the maximum, display characteristics such as color reproducibility, color purity, display contrast, etc. can be improved by that extent also with respect to the projection apparatus. For the above purpose, the refractive index anisotropy ΔnR (for the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal panel 5b), Δn G (for the liquid crystal in the crystal panel 5c), and Δn B (for the liquid crystal in the crystal panel 5a), and the liquid crystal layer thicknesses d R (for the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal panel 5b), d G (for the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal panel 5c), and d B (for the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal panel 5a) of the respective liquid crystals should be optimized as follows. More specifically, as disclosed by the present inventors in another opportunity [i.e. in the 3 series F12, collection of preliminary drafts for the lectures at the 12th liquid crystal forum (1986)], since the display contrast of a liquid crystal panel depends on Δn·d/λ (wherein λ represents the wavelength of light to be controlled), it may be set as whereby the display contrast is made maximum by adjusting the value for C. As a result of experiments carried out by the present inventors with respect to the embodiment as described so far, the maximum contrast has been obtained when the value C equals 1.4. From this fact, the refractive index anisotropy Δn R , Δn G and Δn B or liquid crystal thicknesses d R , d G and d B of the respective simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c may be so adjusted as to achieve the relation C=1.4. Figs. 5(1), 5(2) and 5(3) show light transmittance characteristics of the respective simple matrix liquid crystal panels 5a, 5b and 5c under the conditions as described above. More specifically, Fig. 5(1) represents in dotted lines the light transmittance characteristic of the liquid crystal panel 5b for controlling the red light (as shown in solid line, its peak wavelength λ R is 620 nm, and the half width being less than 50 nm), Fig. 5 (2) represents in dotted lines the light transmittance characteristic of the liquid crystal panel 5c for controlling the green light (as shown in solid line, its peak wavelength λ G is 550 nm, and the half width being less than 50 nm), and Fig. 5 (3) represents in dotted lines the light transmittance characteristic of the liquid crystal panel 5a for controlling the blue light (as shown in solid lines, its peak wavelength λ B is 450 nm, and the half width being less than 50 nm). It is to be noted here that in Figs. 5 (1) to 5 (3), the dotted lines A1 to A3 respectively relate to the light transmittance characteristics when non-selective voltage waveforms are applied, while the dotted lines B1 to B3 respectively denote the light transmittance characteristics when selective voltage waveforms are impressed. As is clear from the foregoing description, according to the projection apparatus according to the present invention, since each of the three liquid crystal panels is constituted by the simple matrix liquid crystal panel of super-twisted nematic type, such liquid crystal panels may be produced on a large scale, with a simultaneous reduction in cost, and thus, color images superior in the display contrast may be advantageously presented. Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims: A projection apparatus which comprises three nematic type simple matrix liquid crystal panels (5a,5b,5c) for independently controlling respective color light components of red, green and blue for a color image to be reproduced, and means for subjecting said respective color light components to additive mixture so as to reproduce the color image, the display contrast for each of said simple matrix liquid crystal panels (5a,5b,5c) being set to be maximum by adjusting a value C as represented by wherein Δn R is the refractive index anisotropy for the liquid crystal in the first liquid crystal panel (5b), Δn G is that for the liquid crystal in the second crystal panel (5c), and Δn B is that for the liquid crystal in the third crystal panel (5a), and d R is the liquid crystal layer thickness for the first liquid crystal in the liquid crystal panel (5b), d G is that for the liquid crystal in the second liquid crystal panel (5c), and d B is that for the liquid crystal in the third liquid crystal panel (5a) of the respective liquid crystals and λ R is a peak wavelength for the red, λ G is a peak wavelength for the green and λ B is a peak wavelength for the blue light component, characterized in that said value C is set to be about 1,4, that each of said simple matrix liquid crystal panels (5a,5b,5c) has a twist angle Φ of its liquid crystal molecule represented by 210°< Φ ≦ 300°, and that the apparatus comprises a light source (2) from the light of which the respective color light components for the projected image are derived, the wavelength regions of the components for the red, green and blue controlled by the respective simple matrix liquid crystal panels (5a,5b,5c) being represented as for red: 600 nm ≦ λ R ≦ 650 nm, with a half width being less than 50 nm, for green: 520 nm ≦ λ G ≦ 570 nm, with a half width being less than 50 nm, and for blue: 420 nm ≦ λ B ≦ 470 nm, with a half width being less than 50 nm.

Inventors: FUNADA FUMIAKI, KOZAKI SHYUICHI, FUNADA, FUMIAKI, KOZAKI, SHYUICHI
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H04N9
IPC codes: H04N5, H04N9, G02F1, G09F9