DISPLAY APPARATUS AND DISPLAY PANEL HAVING LIQUID CRYSTAL CAPSULE LAYER

A display apparatus and display panel having liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules are distributed; and an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2016-0008670, field on Jan. 25, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display panel and a display apparatus having the same, more particularly, to a display apparatus having a liquid crystal capsule layer.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display apparatus is a kind of output apparatus configured to convert information in the form of electrical signal into visual information to display the visual information.

For example, the display apparatus may be used in a personal computer, a server computer, a portable computer, a navigation system, a television, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a mobile device, a large display apparatus for industry/education/exhibition.

The display apparatus may display a stationary image or a moving image to a user by using a variety of display means. The display means may include Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), Light Emitting Diode (LED), Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), Active-Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode, Liquid Crystal, or electronic paper. Among those, the most popular display means is Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a display apparatus capable of compensating a variation of optical properties of a liquid crystal capsule layer caused by a deformation of a plurality of liquid crystal capsules distributed in the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules is distributed; and an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In the display apparatus, wherein the anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer is caused by a deformation of the plurality of liquid crystal capsules.

In the display apparatus, wherein the deformation of the plurality of liquid crystal capsules is being deformed into an ellipsoid.

In the display apparatus, wherein the optical compensator is configured to have anisotropic optical properties to compensate the liquid crystal capsule layer so that a refractive index of the liquid crystal capsule layer in the horizontal direction is identical to a refractive index of the liquid crystal capsule layer in the vertical direction.

In the display apparatus, wherein when the refractive index in the horizontal direction is larger than the refractive index in the vertical direction with respect to an area of the liquid crystal capsule layer, a refractive index in a horizontal direction is smaller than a refractive index in a vertical direction with respect to an area of the optical compensator, and when the refractive index in the horizontal direction is smaller than the refractive index in the vertical direction with respect to the area of the liquid crystal capsule layer, the refractive index in the horizontal direction is larger than a refractive index in the vertical direction with respect to the area of the optical compensator.

The display apparatus may further include a first polarization unit and a protection unit disposed in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer, wherein the optical compensator is provided as a separate object between the first polarization unit and the protection unit.

The display apparatus may further include a first polarization unit and a protection unit disposed in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer, wherein the optical compensator is integrally formed with any one of the first polarization unit and the protection unit.

In the display apparatus, wherein the optical compensator is provided in any type of a film, a liquid crystal layer, or a thin film.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules is distributed; a first polarization unit provided in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer; an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction caused by a deformation of the plurality of liquid crystal capsules in the liquid crystal capsule layer; a protection unit provided in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer to protect the liquid crystal capsule layer; and a second polarization unit provided in a rear side of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In the display apparatus, wherein the deformation of the plurality of liquid crystal capsules is being deformed into an ellipsoid.

In the display apparatus, wherein the optical compensator is configured to have anisotropic optical properties to compensate the liquid crystal capsule layer so that a refractive index of the liquid crystal capsule layer in the horizontal direction is identical to a refractive index of the liquid crystal capsule layer in the vertical direction.

In the display apparatus, wherein when the refractive index in the horizontal direction is larger than the refractive index in the vertical direction with respect to an area of the liquid crystal capsule layer, a refractive index in a horizontal direction is smaller than a refractive index in a vertical direction with respect to an area of the optical compensator, and when the refractive index in the horizontal direction is smaller than the refractive index in the vertical direction with respect to the area of the liquid crystal capsule layer, the refractive index in the horizontal direction is larger than a refractive index in the vertical direction with respect to the area of the optical compensator.

In the display apparatus, wherein the optical compensator is provided as a separate object between the first polarization unit and the protection unit.

The display apparatus may further include a first polarization unit and a protection unit disposed in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer, wherein the optical compensator is integrally formed with any one of the first polarization unit and the protection unit.

In the display apparatus, wherein the optical compensator is provided in any type of a film, a liquid crystal layer, or a thin film.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a display panel comprising: a liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules is distributed; and an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a display panel comprising: a liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules is distributed; a first polarization unit provided in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer; an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction caused by a deformation of the plurality of liquid crystal capsules in the liquid crystal capsule layer; a protection unit provided in a front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer; and a second polarization unit provided in a rear side of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules is distributed; and a first polarization unit integrally formed with an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal capsule layer on which a plurality of liquid crystal capsules is distributed; and a protection unit integrally formed with an optical compensator configured to compensate an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure a display apparatus, comprising: a light source polarization layer receiving light from a light source and having a first polarization; a substrate over the source polarization layer; a color converter over the substrate; a liquid crystal capsule layer over the color converter with the capsule layer causing an anisotropic refraction due to a ellipsoidal deformation of liquid crystal capsules and having a first refractive index; a liquid crystal capsule protection layer over the liquid crystal capsule layer; a viewing angle compensation film over the protection layer compensating for the anisotropic refraction and having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and a projection polarization film over the compensation film emitting light to a user and having a second polarization different from the first polarization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a view illustrating an exterior of a display apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a display apparatus10may include an exterior housing10a,an image display unit17, a support18and a leg19.

The exterior housing10amay form an exterior of the display apparatus10. A variety of components configured to allow the display apparatus10to display an image may be placed in the inside of the exterior housing10a.The exterior housing10amay be formed by combining with a front housing11(refer toFIG. 3) and a rear housing12(refer toFIG. 3). In addition to the exterior housing10a,a middle housing13(refer to3) may be further provided.

The image display unit17may be installed in a front direction of the exterior housing10ato display a variety of images. The image display unit17may display at least one of a stationary image or a moving image. The image display unit17may be implemented using a display panel100, but is not limited thereto. According to embodiments, a touch screen panel may be additionally provided in the front of the display panel100.

The support18may support the exterior housing10awhile connecting the exterior housing10ato the leg19. The support18may be formed in various shapes. In addition, the support18may be omitted, or the support18may have a shape to be attached or detached to or from the exterior housing10a.

The leg19may be connected to the support18, and allow the display apparatus10to be stably stand on the ground. The leg19may be coupled to or separated from the support18. The leg19may be directly connected to the exterior housing10a.In addition, the leg19may be omitted.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the display apparatus ofFIG. 1. As illustrated inFIG. 2, according to one embodiment, the display apparatus10may include a controller129; a power supply13; a display panel100; and a back light unit (BLU)200.

The display panel100may generate an image by transmitting or blocking an incident light (L) and display the image. One surface of the display panel100may receive a light (L) provided from the backlight unit200, and after a plurality of pixels of the display panel100performs a light conversion to generate an image, the display panel100may output the light (L) to the outside through the other surface, wherein the other surface corresponds to a rear surface of the one surface in which a light (L) is received. The display panel100may be formed by a plurality of pixels, and the plurality of pixels may be formed with a pre-determined number of sub-pixels. For example, three sub-pixels configured to display red (R), green (G), and blue (B) may form a single pixel. That is, “Pixel” is a basic unit for the function of the display apparatus, and “Sub-pixel” is a smaller unit to form each pixel. A light in a certain color may be displayed on a single pixel of the display panel such that light (L) corresponding to each of sub-pixel is mixed to each other. Further, the display panel may generate an image by combining the light emitted from each pixel, and display the image.

The backlight unit200may generate and diffuse the light (L) to emit the light (L) to the display panel100so that the light (L) is incident to an entire region of one surface of the display panel100. The backlight unit200may generate a white color light or a blue color light and allow the white color light or the blue color light to be incident to one surface of the display panel100. The display panel100may convert a color using a color converter116(refer toFIG. 3) e.g. a color filter, and then emit the light having converted color. The backlight unit200may be formed in a direct-lit manner and an edge-lit manner.

The controller129may allow the display panel100to perform a required operation by controlling an entire operation of the display apparatus10. For example, the controller129may allow the display apparatus10to display a certain stationary image or moving image by controlling the power supply13or the display panel100. The controller129may include at least one processor, wherein the processor may be implemented using one or more semiconductor chip and a variety of component for the operation of the semiconductor chip. Meanwhile, the display apparatus10may further include a storage (not shown) to store a variety of data to support an operation of the processor. The storage may be implemented by a semiconductor storage device, e.g. ROM/RAM or a solid state drive (SSD), or a magnetic disk storage device, e.g. hard disk drive (HDD).

The power supply13may supply the power to the display panel100to the backlight unit200for the output of the image. The power supply13may be connected to a commercial power source14. The power supply13may convert AC power supplied from the commercial power source14into DC power needed for the operation of the display apparatus10, or into AC power having a different frequency/phase. The power supply13may include a battery to store the electric power. The battery may be rechargeable.

The display apparatus10may include a variety of devices configured to display a stationary image or a moving image, e.g. a television receiver, a variety of audio/video system, a home theater system, a desktop computer, a computer monitor, a camera, a moving image capture device, an electronic advertising board, or a portable terminal, wherein the portable terminal may include a notebook computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, an electronic book terminal, a PDA, a navigation terminal, or a portable game player. However, the display apparatus10is not limited thereto, and thus a variety of devices configured to display a stationary image or a moving image and used in the indoor and the industrial field, may be employed as the display apparatus.

Hereinafter a television will be described as an example of the display apparatus10. But the display apparatus10is not limited to the television, and as mentioned above, the display apparatus10may be implemented by a variety of devices.

Hereinafter for convenience of description, as for the display apparatus10, a direction in which an image is displayed may be defined as a front direction, and a direction opposite to the front direction with respect to the display apparatus10may be defined as a rear direction. A direction in which the support18(refer toFIG. 1) of the display apparatus10is formed may be defined as a lower direction, and a direction opposite to the lower direction may be defined as an upper direction. When the front direction is a 12 o'clock direction with respect to the upper direction, a right direction may be a 3 o'clock direction and a left direction may be a 9 o'clock direction. Therefore, the upper direction ofFIG. 3may be the front direction of the display apparatus10, and the lower direction ofFIG. 3may be the rear direction of the display apparatus10. The definition will be applied to other drawings. The definition of the direction is merely for convenience of the description, and the direction may be differently defined by the designer.

FIG. 3is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the display apparatus ofFIG. 1, andFIG. 4is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the display apparatus ofFIG. 1. A configuration of the display apparatus10will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the display apparatus10may include a housing11and12forming an exterior of the display apparatus10, the display panel100generating an image, and the backlight unit200supplying a light to the panel.

The housing11and12may include a front housing11installed in a front direction and a rear housing12installed in a rear direction. The front housing11and the rear housing12may be integrally formed or may be separately formed and then coupled to each other.

The front housing11may be placed in the most front direction of the display apparatus10, and may form a front surface and/or a part of side surface of the display apparatus10. The front housing11may be coupled to the rear housing12so that a variety of components of the display apparatus10may be embedded in the display apparatus10. The front housing11may stably fix the various components embedded in the display apparatus10, e.g. the display panel100, while protecting the various components from an impact directly delivered from the outside.

In the front surface of the front housing11, an opening11cmay be formed. The opening11cmay expose the display panel100to the outside to allow an image generated by the display panel100to be displayed so that a user may watch the image. An image, which is formed of a light passing through a first polarization unit111, may be exposed to the outside via the opening11c.

The rear housing12may be placed in the most rear direction of the display apparatus10and form a rear surface and/or a part of a side surface of the display apparatus10. The rear housing12may be coupled to the front housing11so that a variety of components of the display apparatus10may be embedded in the display apparatus10. On an internal wall of the rear housing12, a reflection plate230and a light emitter240of the backlight unit200may be installed.

FIG. 5is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the display panel of the display apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Although a reference numeral is given to some components inFIGS. 3 and 4, some components have not been described and thus a description thereof will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the display panel100of the display apparatus10may include a first polarization unit111; a viewing angle compensation film150; a liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112; a liquid crystal capsule layer120; an electrode layer113; a color converter116; a substrate117and a second polarization unit118. The viewing angle compensation film150may correspond to an optical compensator to reverse or compensate an isotropic refraction by compensating an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may correspond to a protector to protect the liquid crystal capsule layer120.

The first polarization unit111may be installed in the most front surface of the display panel100to polarize an incident light so as to emit the polarized light. One surface of the first polarization unit111may be exposed to the outside via the opening11c,and the other surface of the first polarization unit111may make contact with the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112or the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The first polarization unit111may be implemented in a film type.

A light passing through the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112or a light penetrating the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be incident to the other surface of the first polarization unit111. The light delivered by passing through the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112or the light penetrating the liquid crystal capsule layer120may penetrate the second polarization unit118described later, and then polarized in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. As mentioned above, the light polarized in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction via the second polarization unit118may be emitted to the outside by passing through the first polarization unit111in a vibration direction or blocked by the first polarization unit111.

The first polarization unit111may include a vertical polarization filter in which a polarization axis is the vertical direction and a horizontal polarization filter in which a polarization axis is the horizontal direction. The polarization axis of the first polarization unit111may be different from the polarization axis of the second polarization unit118. Particularly, the polarization axis of the first polarization unit111may be perpendicular to the polarization axis of the second polarization unit118. Therefore, when the second polarization unit118is the vertical polarization filter, the first polarization unit111may be the horizontal polarization filter, and when the second polarization unit118is the horizontal polarization filter, the first polarization unit111may be the vertical polarization filter.

One surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the front direction may face the first polarization unit111. A plurality of liquid crystal capsules122may be provided in the liquid crystal capsule layer120and thus when a light is incident from a rear direction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may induce the incident light to be double refracted according to an electric field applied to the liquid crystal capsules122.

According to one embodiment, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may include a polymer matrix121and a plurality of liquid crystal capsules122distributed in the polymer matrix121. “Polymer matrix” may represent an organization made of a polymer that is a molecule having a relatively very large molecular weight. The Polymer matrix121may be implemented using a transparent material, e.g. a synthetic resin. In addition, the polymer matrix121may be formed of epoxy, polyurethane, methacrylate, dicyclopentadiene epoxy, polydicyclopentadiene or polyimide. The plurality of the liquid crystal capsules122may be randomly distributed in the polymer matrix121.

The liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may be provided between the first polarization unit111and the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may provide a function of protecting the liquid crystal capsule layer120. Particularly, when the liquid crystal capsule layer120makes contact with outside air, the life cycle of the material of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be reduced due to the characteristics of organic material. Therefore, in order to prevent the reduction of the life cycle thereof, the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may be installed one surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the front direction to block a connection between the outside air and the liquid crystal capsule layer120. In addition, the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may play a role of maintaining an initiative status or shape of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. For example, the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may maintain an initiative status of a coating layer formed in an external surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may be implemented using a certain protection film.

The liquid crystal capsule layer120may have the intensity and flexibility to independent exist, and thus an additional substrate may be not needed in the front direction that is a direction in which the first polarization unit111is placed. Accordingly, the manufacture process may be simple and a curved display panel or a flexible display panel may be realized.

On one surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the rear direction, the electrode layer113forming an electric field on the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be provided. According to one embodiment, in the electrode layer113, an electrode115aand115bmay be structured in a Fringe-Field Switching (FFS) method. The electrode arrangement structure according to the Fringe-Field Switching (FFS) method may include an electrode arrangement structure according to a Plane-to-Line Switching (PLS) method or an electrode arrangement structure according to an Advanced Super Dimension Switching (ADS) method.

The electrode layer113may include an insulation substrate114; a pixel electrode115a;and a common electrode115b.

The insulation substrate114may be provided such that the pixel electrode115ais installed on one surface thereof in a direction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120and the common electrode115bis installed on one surface thereof in the rear direction. In this case, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be attached or evaporated to one surface of the insulation substrate114so that the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be formed on the insulation substrate114. The insulation substrate114may provide a function of preventing a current from directly flowing between the pixel electrode115aand the common electrode115b.The insulation substrate114may be implemented using a transparency material so that a light passing through the second polarization unit118is penetrated. For example the insulation substrate114may be implemented using synthetic resins, e.g. acryl, or glass. The insulation substrate114may include a rigid substrate, a flexible substrate, or a rigid flexible substrate. “Rigid flexible substrate” may represent a multilayer substrate in which a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate are attached to each other.

The pixel electrode115amay be opposite to the common electrode115bwith respect to the insulation substrate114, and together with the common electrode115b,the pixel electrode115amay apply the current to the liquid crystal capsule layer120. One surface of the pixel electrode115ain the front direction may make contact with the liquid crystal capsule layer120or close to the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The pixel electrode115amay be cathode (−) or anode (+). The pixel electrode115amay be implemented using Thin Film Transistor (TFT). The pixel electrode115amay be supplied with the power by being connected to the external power source.

A plurality of pixel electrodes115a,115c,and115dmay be installed on the insulation substrate114. According to one embodiment, the pixel electrodes115a,115c,and115dmay be arranged on the insulation substrate114in a certain pattern, and the arrangement pattern of the pixel electrodes115a,115c,and115dmay correspond to each pixel of the display panel100. The arrangement pattern of the pixel electrodes115a,115c,and115dmay be determined according to a designer and thus may have a various patterns.

The plurality of pixel electrodes115cand115dmay be apart from each other with a certain length w1. In this case, a width w2 and w3 of the each pixel electrode115cand115dmay be larger than the distance w1 between the plurality of pixel electrodes115cand115d.The width w2 and w3 of the each pixel electrode115cand115dmay represent a distance between a left side end and a right side end of the pixel electrode115cand115d,or a distance between an upper side end and a lower side end of the pixel electrode115cand115d.In other words, the size of the plurality of pixel electrodes115cand115dmay be larger than the distance in which each of the pixel electrodes115cand115dare apart from each other.

Together with the pixel electrode115a,the common electrode115bmay apply the current to the liquid crystal capsule layer120so that a liquid crystal molecule123inside of the liquid crystal capsule122in the liquid crystal capsule layer120is oriented. The common electrode115bmay have a polarity opposite to a polarity of the pixel electrode115a.For example, when the pixel electrode115ais cathode, the common electrode115bmay be anode, and when the pixel electrode115ais anode, the common electrode115bmay be cathode. One surface of the common electrode115bin the front direction may make contact with one surface of the insulation substrate114in the rear direction. According to one embodiment, one surface of the common electrode115bin the rear direction may make contact with the color converter116or may be close to the color converter116.

The viewing angle compensation film150may reveal or fix isotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120by compensating anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The viewing angle compensation film150may be disposed between the liquid crystal capsule layer120and the first polarization unit111. Particularly, the viewing angle compensation film150may be disposed between a front surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112disposed between the liquid crystal capsule layer120and the first polarization unit111, and a rear surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. When the optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120produce the anisotropic refraction, the viewing angle compensation film150may have optical properties of anisotropic refraction that is opposite to the anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. Accordingly, the anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be compensated by the anisotropic refraction of the viewing angle compensation film150that is opposite to that of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, and thus optical properties of isotropic refraction may be compensated.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating a liquid crystal capsule of the display panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 6Ais a view of a structure of the liquid crystal capsule122, andFIG. 6Bis a view of a state in which an electric field is formed in the liquid crystal capsule122.

As illustrated inFIG. 6A, an inside of the liquid crystal capsule122may be filled with a liquid crystal so that the liquid crystal molecule123is embedded therein. The liquid crystal capsule122may be formed in a nano size. For example, the liquid crystal capsule122may be a sphere or an ellipsoidal with a diameter of approximately 10 nm to 300 nm.

The liquid crystal capsule122may be manufactured using interfacial polymerization, complex coacervation, membrane emulsification method or in-situ polymerization method.

Particularly, the liquid crystal capsule122may include the liquid crystal molecule123; a surfactant124; and a capsule outer wall125.

The liquid crystal molecule123may be distributed in the capsule outer wall125of the liquid crystal capsule122. As illustrated inFIG. 6A, when an additional electric field (E) is not formed in the liquid crystal capsule122, the liquid crystal molecule123may be randomly arranged inside of the capsule outer wall125. In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 6B, when an additional electric field (E) is formed in the liquid crystal capsule122, the liquid crystal molecule123may be arranged in a single direction along a direction of the electric field (E).

The liquid crystal molecule123may include a positive liquid crystal molecule or a negative liquid crystal molecule. The positive liquid crystal molecule is a liquid crystal molecule arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the direction of the electric field (E), and the negative liquid crystal molecule is a liquid crystal molecule arranged in a vertical direction with respect to the direction of the electric field (E). For example, in a state in which the liquid crystal molecule123is the positive liquid crystal molecule, when the electric field (E) is formed from the rear side to the front side, the liquid crystal molecule123may be arranged in a single direction along a direction of the electric field (E), as illustrated inFIG. 6B.

The surfactant124may be distributed inside of the capsule outer wall125of the liquid crystal capsule122. The surfactant124may allow the liquid crystal molecule123to be free to move or change a direction with a certain degree in the capsule outer wall125by changing an interaction force between the liquid crystal molecule123and the capsule outer wall125. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecule123inside of the liquid crystal capsule122may be relatively easily oriented. The surfactant124may be injected into the liquid crystal capsule122as additives. When the surfactant124is injected into the inside of the liquid crystal capsule122, the surfactant124may be mainly distributed on an internal surface of the capsule outer wall125, thereby changing the interaction force between the liquid crystal molecule123and the capsule outer wall125, as illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B. According to embodiments, the surfactant124may be omitted.

The capsule outer wall125may include the liquid crystal molecule123inside thereof, and according to embodiments, the capsule outer wall125may further include the surfactant124inside thereof. The capsule outer wall125may protect the plurality of the liquid crystal molecule123from the inside. In addition, the capsule outer wall125may separate the plurality of the liquid crystal molecule123from the polymer matrix121to prevent the plurality of the liquid crystal molecule123from being distracted in the liquid crystal capsule layer120due to the deformation of the polymer matrix121caused by an external pressure. The capsule outer wall125may be manufactured using high-molecular-mass compound, e.g., polymer. According to one embodiment, dielectric constant (ac) of the liquid crystal molecule123may be equal to or more than a value of 10.

Hereinafter, an electric field formed in the liquid crystal capsule layer120when the power is applied to both electrodes115aand115bof the display panel100, and an optical path according to the generated electric field will be described.

FIG. 7is a view illustrating an electric field formed on the liquid crystal capsule layer when the power is applied to the display panel of the display apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

When the power is applied to the pixel electrode115aand the common electrode115bof the electrode layer113, a fringe field (E1) may be formed between the pixel electrode115aand the common electrode115b,as illustrated inFIG. 7. The fringe field (E1) may represent an electric field moving from the outside to the inside of the liquid crystal capsule layer120on one surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, and then after changing a direction thereof inside of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, moving to the outside from the inside of the liquid crystal capsule layer120on the same surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. When an electric field is formed inside of the liquid crystal capsule layer120by the fringe field (E1), an electric field in a certain direction (e.g. a lateral direction) may be applied to the liquid crystal molecule123inside of the liquid crystal capsule122. As mentioned above, when the electric field in the certain direction is applied to the liquid crystal molecule123, the liquid crystal molecule123may be oriented in the certain direction, and according to the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecule123in the liquid crystal capsule layer120, a light incident via the other surface of the rear side of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be double refracted and then emitted to one surface of the front side of the liquid crystal capsule layer120.

FIG. 8is a view illustrating an optical path in the display panel of the display apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 8A, when the electric field (E1) is not formed in the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the liquid crystal molecule123inside of the liquid crystal capsule122may be basically arranged to have a random directivity. In this case, a double refraction is not generated in the liquid crystal capsule layer120, a light (L11) passing through the second polarization unit118and the liquid crystal capsule122may not pass through the first polarization unit111(L12). Therefore, the light may be not emitted to the outside via the first polarization unit111, and the display panel100may be displayed in black color. However, the structural limitation of the first polarization unit111and the second polarization unit118may cause a minor light leakage.

In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, when the electric field (E1) is formed in the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the liquid crystal molecule123may be oriented in the liquid crystal capsule122. In this case, a light (L21) passing through the second polarization unit118and then incident to the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be emitted to the outside via the first polarization unit111by the double refraction of the liquid crystal capsule122(L22). Accordingly, when the electric field (E1) is formed in the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the display panel100may output a light having a certain color (e.g. white/blue/green/red based light) to the outside and thus the display panel100may display a certain stationary image or a moving image in various colors.

FIG. 9is a view illustrating a deformation of the liquid crystal capsule in the display panel. Hereinafter a vertical direction and a horizontal direction may be defined as follows. Wth respect to the liquid crystal capsule layer120ofFIG. 9, “vertical direction” may represent a normal direction (the front direction ofFIG. 3) with respect to the surface (a wide surface) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, and “horizontal direction” may represent a parallel direction (the left-right direction ofFIG. 3) with respect to the surface (a wide surface) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120.

The manufacture process of the display panel100may include a drying and a hardening of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. As for the liquid crystal capsule structure of the display panel100, since the liquid crystal molecule123accommodated in each of the liquid crystal capsule122of the liquid crystal capsule layer120has a random directivity when the electric field is not applied, the liquid crystal molecule123may not transmit a light, but since the liquid crystal molecule123has a directivity to be arranged in the vertical direction when the electric field is applied, the liquid crystal molecule123may transmit a light. Therefore, when manufacturing the display panel100, an alignment layer may be formed on the surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120so that the liquid crystal molecule123accommodated in the liquid crystal capsule122has a random directivity although electric field is not applied. The formation of the alignment layer of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may include coating, drying, and hardening of an alignment liquid.

To coat the alignment liquid on the liquid crystal capsule layer120, as illustrated inFIG. 9A, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be disposed to allow the surface thereof to be perpendicular to a gravity direction (i.e. a wide surface faces an upper side). In a state in which the surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120is perpendicular to the gravity direction, when applying the alignment liquid on the surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, drying and hardening the applied alignment liquid, the formation of the alignment film of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be completed.

The liquid crystal capsule122may be compressed by the gravity applied to the liquid crystal capsule layer120during the formation of the alignment film, and thus the liquid crystal capsule122may be deformed from a sphere to an ellipsoid. If the liquid crystal capsule122is initially formed in an ellipsoid, the liquid crystal capsule122may be changed to a more deformed ellipsoid due to the gravity. As for the liquid crystal capsule122deformed into the ellipsoid by the gravity, a length in the vertical direction may be relatively shorter and a length in the horizontal direction may be relatively longer. The deformed liquid crystal capsule122may be an elongated ellipsoid or a flattened ellipsoid.

As the liquid crystal capsule122is deformed from the sphere to the ellipsoid, a refractive index of the liquid crystal capsule layer120that is one of the optical properties may be changed. When the liquid crystal capsule122has a sphere shape, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may have the isotropic optical properties such that a refractive index (ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the vertical direction is identical to a refractive index (nx) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the horizontal direction. However, when the liquid crystal capsule122is deformed from the sphere shape to the ellipsoid shape, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may have the anisotropic optical properties due to the deformation of the liquid crystal capsule122, such that the refractive index (nx) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the horizontal direction is larger than the refractive index (ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the vertical direction. Accordingly, when a user watches the display apparatus10, there may be brightness differences between viewing the display apparatus10from the front side and diagonally viewing the display apparatus10from the lateral side. For example, when the display panel100is displayed in black color since the electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal capsule layer120, a middle portion of the screen may be displayed in pure black color, but an edge portion of the screen may be displayed in relatively bright black since the light leakage caused by the anisotropic optical properties in the edge portion is relatively greater than in the middle portion. Those difficulties may lead to a difficulty in which a uniform color is not displayed although the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal capsule layer120, due to the light leakage difference in between the middle portion and the edge portion.

FIG. 10is a view illustrating a variation of optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer according to the deformation of the liquid crystal capsule.FIG. 10is illustrating that the viewing angle compensation film150according to one embodiment is not applied.

Since the liquid crystal molecule123of the liquid crystal capsule122has a random directivity when the electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal capsule layer120, a light incident to the liquid crystal capsule layer120may not pass there through and thus a screen may be displayed in black color. When the electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal capsule layer120, a light incident to the liquid crystal capsule layer120should be completely blocked. However, the light leakage may be unavoidable due to the structural limitation in the polarization unit of the conventional liquid crystal display panel. Even so, it may be needed to control the optical properties of the display panel100so that the light leakage is evenly distributed in all of viewing angle. The light leakage that is relatively greater in a certain viewing angle may limit a viewing angle of the display panel100and thus the color performance may be reduced.

The deformation of the liquid crystal capsule122from the sphere to the ellipsoid, as illustrated inFIG. 9, may cause that the refractive index (nx) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the horizontal direction is larger than the refractive index (ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the vertical direction. As illustrated inFIG. 10A, when the liquid crystal capsule122has a perfect sphere shape, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may have isotropic optical properties (nx=ny) and thus the liquid crystal capsule layer120may evenly transmit each light incident to the liquid crystal capsule layer120in all of viewing angles. However, when the liquid crystal capsule122is deformed into the ellipsoid, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may have anisotropic optical properties (nx>ny) and thus the light leakage in the horizontal direction (or diagonal direction) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be greater than the light leakage in the vertical direction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120.

FIG. 11is a view illustrating an operation of the viewing angle compensation film of the display panel in accordance with one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the viewing angle compensation film150may have optical properties (nx<ny), in which the refractive index (ny) in the vertical direction is larger than the refractive index (nx) in the horizontal direction, so that the isotropic optical properties (nx=ny) is revealed or fixed by compensating the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120caused by the deformation of the liquid crystal capsule layer120to the ellipsoid. The anisotropic optical properties (nx<ny) of the viewing angle compensation film150may compensate the anisotropic optical properties (nx>ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120and thus the isotropic optical properties (nx=ny) may be revealed on the display panel100, as illustrated inFIG. 11.

The isotropic optical properties (nx=ny) may be revealed seen and fixed and thus the noticeable light leakage may be restrained in a certain viewing angle of the display panel100. Accordingly, the color of the light having a uniform brightness may be displayed on an entire image display area of the display panel100.

According to embodiments, the viewing angle compensation film150may be configured to compensate the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. Thus, it may be required to provide the viewing angle compensation film150having anisotropic optical properties that is opposite to anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120after acquiring information related to the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, so as to apply the proper viewing angle compensation film150to the display apparatus10.

The viewing angle compensation film150corresponding to the optical compensator may be implemented using a liquid crystal layer or a thin film coating as well as a film. When the optical compensator is implemented using other liquid crystal layer besides the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be compensated by controlling the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the optical compensator. When the optical compensator is implemented using the thin film coating, a thin film may be coated on a transparent substrate to have anisotropic optical properties.

FIG. 12is a view illustrating an operation of a viewing angle compensation film of a display apparatus in accordance with another embodiment. According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 12, a viewing angle compensation film151may be integrally formed with a first polarization unit1211.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, a display panel100of a display apparatus10may include a first polarization unit1211; a liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112; a liquid crystal capsule layer120; an electrode layer113; a color converter116; a substrate117and a second polarization unit118. The liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112may correspond to a protection unit to protect the liquid crystal capsule layer120.

The first polarization unit1211may be installed in the most front surface of the display panel100to polarize an incident light so as to emit the polarized light. One surface of the first polarization unit1211may be exposed to the outside via the opening11c(refer toFIG. 3), and the other surface of the first polarization unit1211may make contact with the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112or the liquid crystal capsule layer120. On the other surface of the first polarization unit1211, the viewing angle compensation film151according to another embodiment may be integrally formed with the first polarization unit1211. The viewing angle compensation film151may correspond to an optical compensator to reveal an isotropic refraction by compensating an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. For this, a manufacturing process of the first polarization unit1211may include forming the viewing angle compensation film151. As mentioned description ofFIG. 11, the viewing angle compensation film151may compensate the anisotropic optical properties (nx>ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120including the liquid crystal capsule122having the ellipsoid shape by using the anisotropic optical properties (nx<ny) that is opposite to the anisotropic optical properties (nx>ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, and thus the noticeable light leakage may be restrained in a certain viewing angle of the display panel100. Accordingly, the color of the light having a uniform brightness may be displayed on an entire image display area of the display panel100.

According to another embodiment, the viewing angle compensation film151may be configured to compensate the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. Thus, it may be required to provide the first polarization unit1211integrally formed with the viewing angle compensation film151having anisotropic optical properties that is opposite to anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, after acquiring information related to the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120so as to apply the first polarization unit1211to the display apparatus10.

A light passing through the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112or a light penetrating the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be incident to the other surface of the first polarization unit1211. The light delivered by passing through the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit112or the light penetrating the liquid crystal capsule layer120may penetrate the second polarization unit118described later, and then polarized in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. As mentioned above, the light polarized in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction via the second polarization unit118may be emitted to the outside by passing through the first polarization unit1211in a vibration direction or blocked by the first polarization unit1211.

The first polarization unit1211may include a vertical polarization filter in which a polarization axis is the vertical direction and a horizontal polarization filter in which a polarization axis is the horizontal direction. The polarization axis of the first polarization unit1211may be different from the polarization axis of the second polarization unit118. Particularly, the polarization axis of the first polarization unit1211may be perpendicular to the polarization axis of the second polarization unit118. Therefore, when the second polarization unit118is the vertical polarization filter, the first polarization unit1211may be the horizontal polarization filter, and when the second polarization unit118is the horizontal polarization filter, the first polarization unit1211may be the vertical polarization filter.

One surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the front direction may face the first polarization unit1211. A plurality of liquid crystal capsules122may be provided in the liquid crystal capsule layer120and thus when a light is incident from a rear direction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may induce the incident light to be double refracted according to an electric field applied to the liquid crystal capsules122.

According to one embodiment, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may include a polymer matrix121and a plurality of liquid crystal capsules122distributed in the polymer matrix121.

“Polymer matrix” may represent an organization made of a polymer that is a molecule having a relatively very large molecular weight. The polymer matrix121may be implemented using a transparent material, e.g. a synthetic resin. In addition, the polymer matrix121may be formed of epoxy, polyurethane, methacrylate, dicyclopentadiene epoxy, polydicyclopentadiene or polyimide.

FIG. 13is a view illustrating an operation of a viewing angle compensation film of a display apparatus in accordance with another embodiment. According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 13, a viewing angle compensation film152may be integrally formed with a liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, a display panel100of a display apparatus10may include a first polarization unit111; a liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312; a liquid crystal capsule layer120; an electrode layer113; a color converter116; a substrate117and a second polarization unit118.

The first polarization unit111may be installed in the most front surface of the display panel100to polarize an incident light so as to emit the polarized light. One surface of the first polarization unit111may be exposed to the outside via the opening11c(refer toFIG. 3), and the other surface of the first polarization unit111may make contact with the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312or the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The first polarization unit111may be implemented in a film type.

One surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312may face the liquid crystal capsule layer120and the other surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312, which is placed in an opposite side to the one surface thereof, may face the first polarization unit111. On the other surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312, the viewing angle compensation film152according to another embodiment may be integrally formed with the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312. The viewing angle compensation film152may correspond to an optical compensator to reveal an isotropic refraction by compensating an anisotropic refraction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. The liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312may correspond to a protector to protect the liquid crystal capsule layer120. For this, a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312may include forming the viewing angle compensation film152. As mentioned description ofFIG. 11, the viewing angle compensation film152may compensate the anisotropic optical properties (nx>ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120including the liquid crystal capsule122having the ellipsoid shape by using the anisotropic optical properties (nx<ny) that is opposite to the anisotropic optical properties (nx>ny) of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, and thus the noticeable light leakage may be restrained from a certain viewing angle of the display panel100. Accordingly, the color of the light having a uniform brightness may be displayed on an entire image display area of the display panel100.

According to another embodiment, the viewing angle compensation film152may be configured to compensate the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120. Thus, it may be required to provide the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312integrally formed with the viewing angle compensation film152having anisotropic optical properties that is opposite to anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, after acquiring information related to the anisotropic optical properties of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, so as to apply the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312to the display apparatus10.

A light passing through the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312or a light penetrating the liquid crystal capsule layer120may be incident to the other surface of the first polarization unit111. The light delivered by passing through the liquid crystal capsule layer protection unit1312or the light penetrating the liquid crystal capsule layer120may penetrate the second polarization unit118described later, and then polarized in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. As mentioned above, the light polarized in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction via the second polarization unit118may be emitted to the outside by passing through the first polarization unit111in a vibration direction or blocked by the first polarization unit111.

The first polarization unit111may include a vertical polarization filter in which a polarization axis is the vertical direction and a horizontal polarization filter in which a polarization axis is the horizontal direction. The polarization axis of the first polarization unit111may be different from the polarization axis of the second polarization unit118. Particularly, the polarization axis of the first polarization unit111may be perpendicular to the polarization axis of the second polarization unit118. Therefore, when the second polarization unit118is the vertical polarization filter, the first polarization unit111may be the horizontal polarization filter, and when the second polarization unit118is the horizontal polarization filter, the first polarization unit111may be the vertical polarization filter.

One surface of the liquid crystal capsule layer120in the front direction may face the first polarization unit111. A plurality of liquid crystal capsules122may be provided in the liquid crystal capsule layer120and thus when a light is incident from a rear direction of the liquid crystal capsule layer120, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may induce the incident light to be double refracted according to an electric field applied to the liquid crystal capsules122.

According to one embodiment, the liquid crystal capsule layer120may include a polymer matrix121and a plurality of liquid crystal capsules122distributed in the polymer matrix121.

“Polymer matrix” may represent an organization made of a polymer that is a molecule having a relatively very large molecular weight. The Polymer matrix121may be implemented using a transparent material, e. g, a synthetic resin. In addition, the polymer matrix121may be formed of epoxy, polyurethane, methacrylate, dicyclopentadiene epoxy, polydicyclopentadiene or polyimide.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the proposed display panel and display apparatus having the same, it may be possible to improve a viewing angle of the display apparatus by compensating the variation of the optical proprieties of the liquid crystal capsule layer caused by the deformation of the plurality of the liquid crystal capsules distributed on the liquid crystal capsule layer.