DISPLAY DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a display device. A display device includes a display panel including a display area and a non-display area, a polarization layer disposed on the display panel, and a light control layer. The polarization layer has a light transmission axis extending in a first direction. The light control layer includes a light-transmissive portion overlapping the display area of the display panel and a light-blocking portion overlapping the non-display area of the display panel. The light-blocking portion has a light transmission axis extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0185215 filed on Dec. 27, 2022 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a display device capable of reducing a difference between reflection color of a display area and reflection color of a non-display area.

Description of the Related Art

There are various types of display devices that display images, such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display device (OLED), an inorganic light-emitting diode display device (ILED), a quantum dot display device (QD), and an electrophoretic display device (EPD).

A polarization layer is provided on a display panel of a display device to reduce external light reflection. Further, in order to screen or shield various lines disposed in a non-display area of the display panel, a black matrix is disposed or coated on a cover window, or a separate decorative film having the black matrix disposed or coated thereon is disposed between the cover window and the display panel.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As newly recognized by the inventors of the present disclosure, when the black matrix is disposed or coated on the non-display area of the cover window or the separate decorative film having the black matrix disposed or coated thereon is disposed under the cover window, a difference between reflection color or black color of the non-display area and reflection color or black color of the display area of the display device occurs. As a result, a user may feel a sense of difference between the display area and the non-display area.

Therefore, the inventors of the present disclosure recognized the limitations mentioned above and other limitations associated with the related art, and conducted various experiments to implement a display device capable of reducing a difference between reflection color or black color of a display area and reflection color or black color of a non-display area.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of reducing a difference between reflection color or black color of a display area and reflection color or black color of a non-display area.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of controlling (for example, narrowing) viewing angles of the display device to provide privacy protection.

Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned aspect. Other features and aspects according to the present disclosure that are not mentioned may be understood based on following descriptions and in part will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts provided herein, and may be more clearly understood based on example embodiments according to the present disclosure. Further, it will be easily understood that the features and aspects according to the present disclosure may be realized using means shown in the claims or combinations thereof.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel including a display area and a non-display area; a light control layer disposed over the display panel; a polarization layer disposed between the display panel and the light control layer, wherein the polarization layer has a light transmission axis extending in a first direction, wherein the light control layer includes: a light-transmissive portion overlapping the display area of the display panel; and a light-blocking portion overlapping the non-display area of the display panel, wherein the light-blocking portion has a light transmission axis extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel including a display area and a non-display area; a light control layer disposed over the display panel; a polarization layer disposed between the display panel and the light control layer, wherein the light control layer includes reactive mesogen and dichroic dye, wherein the light control layer includes: a light-transmissive portion overlapping the display area of the display panel; and a light-blocking portion overlapping the non-display area of the display panel, wherein each of the light-transmissive portion and the light-blocking portion includes the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye, wherein an orientation of each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-blocking portion is different from an orientation of each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-transmissive portion.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed descriptions and drawings.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the light control layer disposed on the display panel includes the light-transmissive portion and the light-blocking portion including the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye with the same composition. Thus, the difference between the reflection color or black color of the display area of the display device and the reflection color or black color of the non-display area may be reduced.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the light control layer disposed on the display panel may include the light-transmissive portion including the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye oriented in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer. Thus, the viewing angle of the display device may be narrowed, such that the privacy thereof may be protected. When the display device is applied to a vehicle display device, reflection of the screen of the display device from the windshield of the vehicle may be prevented or reduced.

In addition to the above effects, specific effects of the present disclosure are described together while describing specific details for carrying out the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving the advantages and features will become apparent with reference to example embodiments described later in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments as disclosed later, but may be implemented in various different forms. Thus, these embodiments are set forth only to make the present disclosure sufficiently thorough and complete, and to completely inform the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs. Further, the protected scope of the present disclosure is defined by claims and their equivalents.

The shapes, sizes, dimensions (e.g., length, width, height, thickness, radius, diameter, area, etc.), ratios, angles, number of elements, and the like, which are illustrated in the drawings for describing various example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative and are merely given by way of example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements herein. Further, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted or may be briefly provided for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure. Any implementation described herein as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

A dimension including size and a thickness of each component illustrated in the drawing are illustrated for convenience of description, and the present disclosure is not limited to the size and the thickness of the component illustrated, but it is to be noted that the relative dimensions including the relative size, location, and thickness of the components illustrated in various drawings submitted herewith are part of the present disclosure.

In descriptions of temporal relationships, for example, temporal precedent relationships between two events such as “after,” “subsequent to,” “next,” “before,” etc., another event may occur therebetween unless “directly after,” “directly subsequent,” “directly next to” or “directly before” is indicated.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a function or an operation specified in a specific block may occur in a different order from an order specified in a flowchart. For example, two blocks in succession may be performed, in part or in full, concurrently, or the two blocks may be performed in a reverse order depending on a function or operation involved.

In describing elements of the present disclosure, the terms like “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” and “(b),” etc., may be used. These terms may be merely for differentiating one element from another element, and the essence, sequence, order, or number of the corresponding elements should not be limited by these terms. Also, when an element or layer is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “adhered” to another element or layer, the element or layer can not only be directly connected, or adhered to that other element or layer, but also be indirectly connected, or adhered to that other another element or layer with one or more intervening elements or layers “disposed” between the elements or layers, unless otherwise specified.

The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or entirely combined with each other, and may be technically associated with each other or operate with each other. The embodiments may be implemented independently or may be implemented together in association.

A numerical value is interpreted as including an error range unless there is separate explicit description thereof.

As used herein, “embodiments,” “examples,” “aspects, and the like should not be construed such that any aspect or design as described is superior to or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

The terms used in the description below have been selected as being general and universal in the related technical field. However, there may be other terms than the terms depending on the development and/or change of technology, convention, preference of technicians, etc. Therefore, the terms used in the description below should not be understood as limiting technical ideas, but should be understood as examples of the terms for describing embodiments.

Further, in a specific case, a term may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the detailed meaning thereof will be described in a corresponding description section. Therefore, the terms used in the description below should be understood based on not simply the name of the terms, but the meaning of the terms and the contents throughout the Detailed Description.

Hereinafter, display devices according to example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a plan view showing a display device100according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a cross-sectional view taken along line2-2ofFIG.1, showing the display device100according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the display device100according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display area AA and a non-display area NA. The display area AA may be an area where an image is displayed. The non-display area NA may be disposed adjacent to or around the display area AA and may be an area in which an image is not displayed. The non-display area NA may be a bezel area. The display area AA and the non-display area NA may be equally applied to each of components of the display device100. For example, a display panel130may have a display area AA and a non-display area NA.

The display device100according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support structure PS, the display panel130, a polarization layer140, a light control layer150, a base film160, and a cover window190.

The cover window190may protect the display panel130, the polarization layer140, the light control layer150, and the like from external impact, moisture, or heat.

The cover window190may be made of a tempered glass film or a plastic film having impact resistance and light transmission in order to protect the display panel130from external impact, moisture, or heat. To provide improved strength characteristics and folding characteristics in one embodiment, the cover window190may be formed to have a thickness of 30 to 200 μm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

When the cover window190is made of the plastic film, the plastic film may include polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene glycol (PPG), or polycarbonate (PC). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A hard coating layer may be formed on the cover window190. The hard coating layer may include a transparent organic-inorganic composite material.

When the cover window190is made of the tempered glass, the cover window190may be broken by external force or stress. In this regard, in order to prevent or reduce fragments of the cover window190from scattering, a protective film may be attached to an upper surface of the cover window190via an adhesive layer. The protective film may include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), colorless polyimide (CPI), or a laminate of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and colorless polyimide (CPI). Further, a hard coating layer may be formed on the protective film. The hard coating layer may include a transparent organic-inorganic composite material.

The polarization layer140may be disposed on the display panel130to prevent or reduce reflection of light introduced from outside to improve visibility of the display panel130. In this embodiment, the polarization layer140may have a light transmission axis TX1extending in a first direction (e.g., a Y-axis direction) parallel to an upper surface of the polarization layer140. A phase retardation layer may be further included between the polarization layer140and the display panel130.

The light control layer150may be disposed over the display panel130, for example, between the polarization layer140and the cover window190.

The light control layer150may be disposed on a lower surface of the base film160. The light control layer150may be directly formed or coated on the lower surface of the base film160.

The base film160may be attached to a lower surface of the cover window190via an adhesive layer165. The light control layer150may be attached to an upper surface of the polarization layer140via an adhesive layer145. The polarization layer140may be attached to an upper surface of the display panel130via an adhesive layer135. Each of the adhesive layers135,145and165may be an adhesive member including an optical clear adhesive, an optical clear resin, or the like. The base film160may include a transparent material.

In an example embodiment, the light control layer150may be disposed on an upper surface of the base film160.

The light control layer150may include a light-transmissive portion150aoverlapping the display area AA of the display panel130and a light-blocking portion150noverlapping the non-display area NA of the display panel130. The light-blocking portion150nmay prevent or alleviate various lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130from being viewed to the user.

The light control layer150may include reactive mesogen and dichroic dye. The reactive mesogen in a polymerized form may be included in the light control layer150.

In an embodiment, the reactive mesogen may be preferably a smectic reactive mesogen. When the smectic reactive mesogen is used, the reactive mesogen may be easily oriented in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer140without a separate alignment layer.

The dichroic dye may absorb at least a portion or an entirety of a wavelength range of the visible light. For example, the dichroic dye may include a first dye having a maximum absorption wavelength of 300 to 450 nm, a second dye having a maximum absorption wavelength of 450 to 600 nm, and a third dye having a maximum absorption wavelength of 600 to 750 nm. The dichroic dye may include a combination of dyes of various maximum absorption wavelengths to render a black color. The dichroic dye may include at least one selected from azo-based dye, anthraquinone-based dye, phthalocyanine-based dye, and porphyrin azo dye.

As described below with reference toFIG.4, the light-transmissive portion150aand the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may be formed for example by coating and curing one composition on one surface of the base film160. Thus, the light-transmissive portion150aand the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may have the same components. The light-transmissive portion150aand the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may include the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye at the same composition. Accordingly, the display area AA and the non-display area NA of the display device100may exhibit the same reflection color or black color.

However, the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may have the reactive mesogen oriented in a direction different from a direction in which the reactive mesogen of the light-transmissive portion150aof the light control layer150is oriented. Accordingly, the dichroic dye in the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may also be oriented in a direction different from a direction in which the dichroic dye in the light-transmissive portion150aof the light control layer150is oriented.

In an embodiment, the light-transmissive portion150aof the light control layer150may include the reactive mesogen oriented in a third direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) perpendicular to an upper surface of the polarization layer140. The light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may include the reactive mesogen oriented in the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140. Accordingly, the light-transmissive portion150aof the light control layer150may include the dichroic dye oriented in the third direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer140, while the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may include the dichroic dye oriented in the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140.

In an embodiment, the light-transmissive portion150aof the light control layer150includes the dichroic dye oriented in the third direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer140such that light emitted from the display panel130and transmitting through the polarization layer140may transmit through the light-transmissive portion150aso as to be directed in the third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). Therefore, due to the light-transmissive portion150aof the light control layer150according to the present embodiment, the light emitted from the display panel130can be recognized by a user in front of the display panel, while the light emitted from the display panel130is not viewed at a left and right viewing angle, for example, at a viewing angle inclined, for example, in the X-axis direction. For example, the light emitted from the display panel130may be maximally or increasingly screened at a viewing angle inclined by 45 degrees in the X-axis direction. This embodiment may be applied to a display device of, for example, a mobile phone or a laptop computer to provide a privacy protection function.

The light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150includes the dichroic dye oriented in the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140, such that the light-blocking portion150nmay absorb a polarization component parallel to the orientation direction of the dichroic dye, for example, the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction), and may transmit through a polarization component perpendicular to the orientation direction of the dichroic dye, for example, the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). Therefore, the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may have a light transmission axis TX2extending in a second direction (e.g., X-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140, and may have a light absorption axis extending in the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140. The light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150has the light transmission axis TX2perpendicular to the light transmission axis TX1of the polarization layer140, such that the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may block light reflected from the lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130and then transmitting through the polarization layer140.

Referring toFIG.3, when the display panel130is embodied as, for example, an organic light-emitting diode display panel, the display panel130may include a thin-film transistor TFT disposed in each sub-pixel and on a flexible substrate SUB, an organic light-emitting element OLED disposed in each sub-pixel and connected to the thin-film transistor, and an encapsulation layer ENC that covers the organic light-emitting elements OLED so as to prevent or at least reduce the penetration of moisture and oxygen from the outside into the organic light-emitting elements OLED. In one example, each of the organic light-emitting elements OLED may be configured to emit each of red light, green light, and blue light in each sub-pixel, or may be configured to emit white light in each sub-pixel. But embodiments are not limited thereto. As an example, the organic light-emitting elements OLED may be configured to emit other colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, etc., or a combination thereof. Each of the organic light-emitting elements OLED may include an anode electrode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode electrode. The organic light-emitting elements OLED may be spaced apart from each other by a bank BB. The bank BB may cover a portion of a side end of the anode electrode. The bank BB may be embodied as a black bank containing black pigments or dyes. Further, the display panel130may further include a touch electrode array TA formed on the encapsulation layer ENC. When the organic light-emitting element OLED emits the white light, color filters R, G, and B may be formed on the touch electrode array TA, and a black matrix BM may be disposed between adjacent color filters. The black matrix BM may be disposed to overlap the bank BB and may have a width equal to or larger than that of the bank BB. However, the specific structure or arrangement of the display panel130is not limited to what shown inFIG.3and may be variously changed when desired. For example, the touch electrode array TA may be omitted.

The support structure PS may be disposed under the display panel130to support the display panel130and may dissipate heat generated from the display panel130to the outside.

The support structure PS may include a back plate120and a support plate110. Further, the support structure PS may include an adhesive layer115disposed between the back plate120and the support plate110, and an adhesive layer125disposed on the back plate120.

The back plate120may be disposed below the display panel130and support the display panel130. The display panel130applied to the foldable display device100may be very thin and flexible. The back plate120may prevent or reduce a foreign material from being attached to a lower surface of the display panel130and may reinforce rigidity of the display panel130and may absorb an impact applied from outside. The back plate120may be embodied as a polymer film. The polymer film which the back plate120may be embodied as may be made of, for example, polyimide, (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethersulfone (PES), polyarylate (PAR), polysulfone (PSF), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), triacetylcellulose (TAC) film, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, or polystyrene (PS), etc. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The adhesive layer125may be disposed between the back plate120and the display panel130. The back plate120may be attached to the lower surface of the display panel130via the adhesive layer125. The adhesive layer125may be transparent and may be made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) including an optical clear adhesive (OCA), or an optically clear resin (OCR) or a heat-sealing adhesive (e.g., a heat-active type or a thermosetting type), but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The support plate110may facilitate folding and unfolding of the display panel130. The support plate110may dissipate the heat generated from the display panel130to the outside. The support plate110may be attached to the lower surface of the back plate120via the adhesive layer115. The adhesive layer115may be transparent and may be made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) including an optical clear adhesive (OCA), or an optically clear resin (OCR) or a heat-sealing adhesive (e.g., a heat-active type or a thermosetting type), but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The support plate110may include at least one support plate and at least one adhesive layer. The support plate110may include a first support plate and a second support plate. The support plate110may further include an adhesive layer disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate. The first support plate may act as a lower support plate, and the second support plate may act as an upper support plate. The support plate110may also include a pattern of holes that may facilitate folding and unfolding of the display panel130.

It is to be noted that the support structure PS shown inFIG.2is provided for illustrate purposed only, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the support structure PS may be a single support film or be omitted from the display device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the specific structure of the display device shown inFIG.2is also provided by way of example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, one or more layers shown inFIG.2, such as the adhesive layers135,145and165, the base film160, the cover window190, or the support structure PS may be changed in position, omitted, or replaced by other elements, when appropriate.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the steps showing a method of forming a light control layer according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to (a) inFIG.4, a preliminary light control layer150pmay be formed by coating a composition including the smectic reactive mesogen, the dichroic dye, and photoinitiator on an entirety of one surface of the base film160.

Referring to (b) inFIG.4, solvent in the preliminary light control layer150pmay be dried.

Referring to (c) inFIG.4, the dried preliminary light control layer150pmay be cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays thereto. At this time, using a mask PM having a polarization area in an outer area, unpolarized ultraviolet rays may be irradiated to an inner area of the preliminary light control layer150pin which the light-transmissive portion150ais to be formed, while linearly polarized ultraviolet light may be irradiated to an outer area of the preliminary light control layer150pin which the light-blocking portion150nis to be formed. In order to form the light control layer150as shown inFIGS.1and2, ultraviolet rays linearly polarized, for example, in the X-axis direction, may be irradiated to the outer area of the preliminary light control layer150pin which the light-blocking portion150nis to be formed.

The unpolarized ultraviolet rays may be irradiated to the inner area of the composition150psuch that the smectic reactive mesogen may be polymerized while being oriented in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to one surface of the base film160, and thus, the light-transmissive portion150amay be formed. Depending on the orientation of the smectic reactive mesogen, the dichroic dye may also be oriented, for example, in the Z-axis direction.

The ultraviolet rays linearly polarized, for example, in the X-axis direction may be irradiated to the outer area of the composition150pin which the light-blocking portion150nis to be formed. Thus, the smectic reactive mesogen may be polymerized in a state in which the smectic reactive mesogen is oriented in the first direction (for example, Y-axis direction) parallel to one surface of the base film160, such that the light-blocking portion150nmay be formed. Depending on the orientation of the smectic reactive mesogen, the dichroic dye may also be oriented, for example, in the Y-axis direction. Accordingly, the light-blocking portion150nmay have, for example, the light transmission axis TX2extending in the X-axis direction and the light absorption axis extending in the Y-axis direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when ultraviolet rays linearly polarized, for example, in the Y-axis direction may be irradiated to the outer area of the composition150pin which the light-blocking portion150nis to be formed, the smectic reactive mesogen may be oriented in the second direction (for example, X-axis direction) parallel to one surface of the base film160, and thus the dichroic dye may also be oriented, for example, in the X-axis direction. In this case, the light transmission axis of the polarization layer140may also be accordingly changed to implement the light-blocking portion150n,which will be described hereinafter.

FIG.5is a plan view showing a display device100-1according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.6is a cross-sectional view taken along line6-6ofFIG.5, showing the display device100-1according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The display device100-1shown inFIGS.5and6is the same as the display device100shown inFIGS.1and2except for a polarization layer141and a light control layer151. Therefore, in describing the display device100-1as shown inFIGS.5and6, the same components thereof as those in the display device100shown inFIGS.1and2are briefly described or descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, the display device100-1according to an example embodiment in the present disclosure includes the support structure PS, the display panel130, the polarization layer141, the light control layer151, the base film160, and the cover window190.

The cover window190may protect the display panel130, the polarization layer141, the light control layer151, and the like from external impact, moisture, or heat.

The polarization layer141may be disposed on the display panel130to prevent or at least reduce reflection of light introduced from the outside to improve visibility of the display panel130. In this embodiment, the polarization layer141may have a light transmission axis TX1′ extending in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141. A phase retarder layer may be further included between the polarization layer141and the display panel130.

The light control layer151may be disposed between the polarization layer141and the cover window190.

The light control layer151may be disposed on the lower surface of the base film160. The light control layer151may be directly formed or coated on the lower surface of the base film160.

The base film160may be attached to the lower surface of the cover window190via the adhesive layer165. The light control layer151may be attached to an upper surface of the polarization layer141via the adhesive layer145. The polarization layer141may be attached to an upper surface of the display panel130via an adhesive layer135.

Unlike what is shown inFIG.6, in an example embodiment, the light control layer151may be disposed on the upper surface of the base film160.

The light control layer151may include a light-transmissive portion151aoverlapping the display area AA of the display panel130and a light-blocking portion151noverlapping the non-display area NA of the display panel130.

The light-blocking portion151nmay prevent or alleviate various lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130from being viewed to the user.

The light control layer151may include the reactive mesogen, and the dichroic dye. The reactive mesogen in a polymerized form may be included in the light control layer151.

In this embodiment, the reactive mesogen may be preferably the smectic reactive mesogen. When the smectic reactive mesogen is used, the reactive mesogen may be easily oriented in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer141without a separate alignment layer.

The light-transmissive portion151aand the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may be formed for example by coating and curing one composition on one surface of the base film160. Thus, the light-transmissive portion151aand the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may have the same components. The light-transmissive portion151aand the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer150may include the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye at the same composition. Accordingly, the display area AA and the non-display area NA of the display device100-1may exhibit the same reflection color or black color.

However, the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may have the reactive mesogen oriented in a direction different from a direction in which the reactive mesogen of the light-transmissive portion151aof the light control layer151is oriented. Accordingly, the dichroic dye in the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may also be oriented in a direction different from a direction in which the dichroic dye in the light-transmissive portion151aof the light control layer151is oriented.

In an embodiment, the light-transmissive portion151aof the light control layer151may include the reactive mesogen oriented in the third direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer141, while the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may include the reactive mesogen oriented in the second direction (e.g., X-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141. Accordingly, the light-transmissive portion151aof the light control layer151may include the dichroic dye oriented in the third direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer141, while the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may include the dichroic dye oriented in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141.

In an embodiment, the light-transmissive portion151aof the light control layer151includes the dichroic dye oriented in the third direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the upper surface of the polarization layer141such that light emitted from the display panel130and transmitting through the polarization layer141may transmit through the light-transmissive portion151aso as to be directed in the third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). Therefore, due to the light-transmissive portion151aof the light control layer151according to the present embodiment, the light emitted from the display panel130can be recognized by a user in front of the display panel130, while the light emitted from the display panel130is not viewed at an upper and lower viewing angle, for example, at a viewing angle inclined, for example, in the Y-axis direction. For example, the light emitted from the display panel130may be increasingly screened at a viewing angle inclined by 45 degrees in the Y-axis direction. This embodiment may be applied to a vehicle display device such as a vehicle navigation device or other display devices utilized in the vehicle to prevent or at least reduce a screen of the vehicle display device from being reflected from a windshield of the vehicle.

The light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may include the dichroic dye oriented in the second direction (e.g., X-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141, such that the light-blocking portion151nmay absorb a polarization component parallel to the orientation direction of the dichroic dye, for example, the second direction (e.g., X-axis direction), and may transmit through a polarization component perpendicular to the orientation direction of the dichroic dye, for example, the second direction (e.g., X-axis direction). Therefore, the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may have a light transmission axis TX2′ extending in the first direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141, and may have a light absorption axis extending in the second direction (e.g., X-axis direction) parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140. The light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151has the light transmission axis TX2′ perpendicular to the light transmission axis TX1′ of the polarization layer141, such that the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may block light reflected from the lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130and then transmitting through the polarization layer141.

The display panel130may display an image. The display panel130may be flexible.

The support structure PS may be disposed under the display panel130to support the display panel130and may dissipate the heat generated from the display panel130to the outside.

The support structure PS may include the back plate120and the support plate110. Further, the support structure PS may include the adhesive layer115disposed between the back plate120and the support plate110, and the adhesive layer125disposed on the back plate120.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view showing a display device100-2according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.7, the light control layer150may be directly disposed on the lower surface of the cover window190while the base film160may be absent.

The light control layer150may be disposed between the polarization layer140and the cover window190. Thus, the display area AA and the non-display area NA of the display device100-2according to the present embodiment may exhibit the same reflection color or black color. In addition, the display device100-2according to the present disclosure may have a privacy protection function via control of the viewing angle. In particular, as shown inFIG.7, the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150has a light transmission axis (e.g., X-axis direction parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140) perpendicular to the light transmission axis (e.g., Y-axis direction parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer140) of the polarization layer140, such that the light-blocking portion150nof the light control layer150may block light reflected from the lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130and then transmitting through the polarization layer140.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view showing a display device100-3according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, in this embodiment, the light control layer151may be directly disposed on the lower surface of the cover window190while the base film160may be absent.

The light control layer151may be between the polarization layer141and the cover window190. Thus, the display area AA and the non-display area NA of the display device100-2according to the present embodiment may exhibit the same reflection color or black color. In addition, the display device100-2according to the present embodiment may be applied to the vehicle display device such as the vehicle navigation device or other display devices utilized in the vehicle to prevent or at least reduce the screen of the vehicle display device from being reflected from the windshield of the vehicle via the viewing angle control. In particular, as shown inFIG.8, the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151has the light transmission axis (e.g., Y-axis direction parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141) perpendicular to the light transmission axis (e.g., X-axis direction parallel to the upper surface of the polarization layer141) of the polarization layer141, such that the light-blocking portion151nof the light control layer151may block light reflected from the lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130and then transmitting through the polarization layer141.

In the above-described embodiments, the example in which each of the light transmission axes TX1and TX1′ of the polarization layers140and141is oriented in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, while each of the light transmission axes TX2and TX2′ of the light-blocking portions of the light control layers150and151is oriented in the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction in a manner perpendicular to each of the light transmission axes TX1and TX1′ of the polarization layers140and141has been descried above. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, in another embodiment, each of the light transmission axes TX1and TX1′ of the polarization layers140and141may be oriented in a direction of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction, while each of the light transmission axes TX2and TX2′ of the light-blocking portions of the light control layers150and151may be oriented in a direction of 135 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction.

In still another embodiment, each of the light transmission axes TX1and TX1′ of the polarization layers140and141may be oriented in a direction of 135 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction, while each of the light transmission axes TX2and TX2′ of the light-blocking portions of the light control layers150and151may be oriented in a direction of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the each of the light transmission axes TX1and TX1′ of the polarization layers140and141may be oriented in a direction different from each of the light transmission axes TX2and TX2′ of the light-blocking portions of the light control layers150and151. For example, there may be an angle formed between each of the light transmission axes TX1and TX1′ of the polarization layers140and141and each of the light transmission axes TX2and TX2′ of the light-blocking portions of the light control layers150and151, and when this angle is larger than a predetermined value (for example, 60 degrees) and equal to or less than 90 degrees, light reflected from the lines disposed in the non-display area NA of the display panel130and then transmitting through the polarization layer may be substantially blocked or shielded by the light-blocking portion.

A display device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure may be described as follows.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a display device comprising: a display panel including a display area and a non-display area; a light control layer disposed over the display panel; and a polarization layer disposed between the display panel and the light control layer, wherein the polarization layer has a light transmission axis extending in a first direction, wherein the light control layer includes: a light-transmissive portion overlapping the display area of the display panel; and a light-blocking portion overlapping the non-display area of the display panel, wherein the light-blocking portion has a light transmission axis extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, both the first direction and the second direction are parallel to an upper surface of the polarization layer

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the light control layer includes reactive mesogen and dichroic dye.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, each of the light-transmissive portion and the light-blocking portion includes the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye, wherein a composition of the light-transmissive portion and a composition of the light-blocking portion are identical with each other.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, each of the light-transmissive portion and the light-blocking portion includes the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye, wherein an orientation of each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-blocking portion is different from an orientation of each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-transmissive portion.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-blocking portion is oriented in the first direction.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-transmissive portion is oriented in a third direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the polarization layer.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the reactive mesogen includes smectic reactive mesogen.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the dichroic dye includes a first dye having a maximum absorption wavelength of 300 to 450 nm, a second dye having a maximum absorption wavelength of 450 to 600 nm, and a third dye having a maximum absorption wavelength of 600 to 750 nm.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the display device further comprises a cover window disposed on the light control layer.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the display device further comprises a base film disposed between the polarization layer and the cover window, wherein the light control layer is directly disposed on one surface of the base film.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the light control layer is directly disposed on a lower surface of the cover window.

In some implementations of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the display device further comprises a support structure disposed under the display panel.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a display device comprising: a display panel including a display area and a non-display area; a light control layer disposed over the display panel; and a polarization layer disposed between the display panel and the light control layer, wherein the light control layer includes reactive mesogen and dichroic dye, wherein the light control layer includes: a light-transmissive portion overlapping the display area of the display panel; and a light-blocking portion overlapping the non-display area of the display panel, wherein each of the light-transmissive portion and the light-blocking portion includes the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye, wherein an orientation of each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-blocking portion is different from an orientation of each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-transmissive portion.

In some implementations of the second aspect of the present disclosure, each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-blocking portion is oriented in a direction parallel to a light transmission axis of the polarization layer.

In some implementations of the second aspect of the present disclosure, each of the reactive mesogen and the dichroic dye of the light-transmissive portion is oriented in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the polarization layer.

In some implementations of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the reactive mesogen includes smectic reactive mesogen.

In some implementations of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the display device further comprises a cover window disposed on the light control layer.

In some implementations of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the display device further comprises a base film disposed between the polarization layer and the cover window, wherein the light control layer is directly disposed on one surface of the base film.

In some implementations of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the light control layer is directly disposed on a lower surface of the cover window.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and may be modified in a various manner within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments as disclosed in the present disclosure are intended to describe rather than limit the technical idea of the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are not restrictive but illustrative in all respects.