Liquid crystal display device with edge lit lightguide reflecting light to back reflector by total internal reflection

Abstract

A reflective type liquid crystal display device excelling in uniformity and capable of making a bright display is presented. At the front side of the liquid crystal display element, that is, at the observer side, a light guide plate is disposed, and a pair of lamps are disposed at the outer side of the confronting side surfaces of the light guide plate. Collimators for limiting the incident angle .theta. to the upper surface of the light from the lamps are disposed between the light guide plate and lamps. That is, by the collimators, the incident angle .theta. to the upper surface is defined so that the incident light may be totally reflected, and that the reflected light may not be totally reflected by the lower surface 61b. As a result, the light from the lamps will not reach the observer directly, and a uniform illumination of the liquid crystal display element may be realized. Besides, at the observer side of the liquid crystal display element, a light guide plate forming protrusions is disposed, and a pair of lamps are disposed at the outer side of the confronting side surfaces of the light guide plate. Furthermore, between the light guide plate and lamps, collimators for limiting the incident angle .theta. of the light from the lamps into the upper surface are disposed. Accordingly, the light from the lamps does not reach the observer directly, and the light entering the protrusions formed on the light guide plate is emitted to the liquid crystal display element side. Thus, a uniform illumination into the liquid crystal display element is realized.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.