Liquid crystal lens component and driving method therefor, and display device

Disclosed are a liquid crystal lens component and a driving method therefor, and a display device. The method includes: applying a common voltage signal to a second electrode; and applying a driving signal to a first electrode, which includes: in two image frames that are adjacent to each other, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first electrode in one liquid crystal lens unit; in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the plurality of first sub-electrodes in a same first electrode group, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the plurality of first sub-electrodes in a same second electrode group, applying positive voltage driving signals to partial first sub-electrodes of all first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component, and applying negative voltage driving signal to the remaining first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CN2021/133924, filed Nov. 29, 2021.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, in particular to a liquid crystal lens component, a driving method therefor, and a display device.

BACKGROUND

3D display technology can provide stereoscopic display images for human eyes. Liquid crystal lens has excellent performance, can be electrically focused, and is widely used in focusing equipment and human eye magnification equipment, especially plays a prominent role in 3D display. The application of liquid crystal lens can get rid of the shackles of 3D glasses on human eyes, achieve naked-eye 3D display, and can realize arbitrary switching between 2D/3D display modes, which has a huge application prospect in the future.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for driving a liquid crystal lens component. The liquid crystal lens component includes: a plurality of liquid crystal lens units arranged in an array;each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens units includes: a first electrode and a second electrode disposed oppositely, and a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the second electrode;the first electrode includes: a plurality of first sub-electrodes arranged along a first direction and extending along a second direction, where the first direction intersects the second direction;the plurality of first sub-electrodes are divided into: a first electrode group and a second electrode group respectively on both sides of a center of the liquid crystal lens unit;where the method includes:applying a common voltage signal to the second electrode, and applying a driving signal to the first electrode to control liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer to be deflected to form a liquid crystal lens; wherewhere the applying the driving signal to the first electrode, includes:in two image frames that are adjacent to each other, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first electrode in one liquid crystal lens unit;in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the plurality of first sub-electrodes in a same first electrode group, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the plurality of first sub-electrodes in a same second electrode group, applying positive voltage driving signals to partial first sub-electrodes of all first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component, and applying negative voltage driving signal to the remaining first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component.

In some embodiments, the applying the driving signal to the first electrode, further including:in one image frame, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first electrode group and the second electrode group in each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens units.

In some embodiments, in the first direction, two liquid crystal lens units that are adjacent to each other share first sub-electrodes at a position at which the two liquid crystal lens units are adjacent; and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes: in one image frame and in the first direction, applying driving signals with the same polarity to a first electrode group and a second electrode group that are in different liquid crystal lens units and adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit columns extending along the second direction and arranged along the first direction; and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first electrode groups in a same liquid crystal lens unit column, and applying driving signals with the same polarity to second electrode groups in a same liquid crystal lens unit column.

In some embodiments, first electrodes in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are independent of each other, and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit columns extending along the second direction and arranged along the first direction; and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to first electrode groups that are adjacent to each other in a same liquid crystal lens unit column; and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to second electrode groups that are adjacent to each other in a same liquid crystal lens unit column.

In some embodiments, first electrodes in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are independent of each other, and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit columns extending along the second direction and arranged along the first direction; the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are further divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit groups arranged along the second direction, and each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens unit groups includes a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit rows extending along the first direction; and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first electrode groups in a same liquid crystal lens unit group in one liquid crystal lens unit column, applying driving signals with the same polarity to second electrode groups in a same liquid crystal lens unit group in one liquid crystal lens unit column; applying driving signals with the opposite polarities to first electrode groups in liquid crystal lens unit groups that are adjacent to each other in one liquid crystal lens unit column, and applying driving signals with the opposite polarities to second electrode groups in liquid crystal lens unit groups that are adjacent to each other in one liquid crystal lens unit column.

In some embodiments, first electrodes in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are independent of each other, and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit rows extending along the first direction and arranged along the second direction; and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first sub-electrodes in a same liquid crystal lens unit row, and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to first sub-electrodes in liquid crystal lens unit rows that are adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, first electrodes in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are independent of each other, and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit groups arranged along the second direction, and each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens unit groups includes a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit rows extending along the first direction; and where the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first sub-electrodes in a same liquid crystal lens unit group, and applying driving signal with opposite polarities to first sub-electrodes in two liquid crystal lens unit groups that are adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, first electrodes in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are independent of each other, and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first sub-electrodes in a same liquid crystal lens unit, and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to first sub-electrodes in liquid crystal lens units that are adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, the first electrode further includes: a third electrode group between the first electrode group and the second electrode group; and the applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:applying the common voltage signal to the third electrode group.

In some embodiments, the third electrode group includes at least one second sub-electrode extending along the second direction; an orthographic projection of the center of the liquid crystal lens unit on the liquid crystal layer is located in an orthographic projection of one of the at least one second sub-electrode in the third electrode group on the liquid crystal layer; and the applying the common voltage signal to the third electrode group includes:applying the common voltage signal to the at least one second sub-electrode.

In some embodiments, the common voltage signal is a zero voltage signal.

In some embodiments, the first electrode group and the second electrode group comprise a same quantity of first sub-electrodes; from the center of the liquid crystal lens unit to two edges of the liquid crystal lens unit, absolute values of driving voltages applied to the first sub-electrodes are distributed with a preset gradient.

A liquid crystal lens component provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of liquid crystal lens units arranged in an array;where each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens units includes: a first electrode and a second electrode disposed oppositely, a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the second electrode;the first electrode includes: a plurality of first sub-electrodes arranged along a first direction and extending along a second direction, where the first direction intersects the second direction; andthe plurality of first sub-electrodes are divided into: a first electrode group and a second electrode group respectively on both sides of a center of the liquid crystal lens unit;where the liquid crystal lens component is driven by the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure.

A display device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a display panel, and a liquid crystal lens component provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure on a display side of the display panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are some of embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. And in the case of no conflict, embodiments in the present disclosure and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort fall within the claimed scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure shall have the usual meanings understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. “First”, “second” and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. “Comprising” or “containing” and similar words mean that the elements or items appearing before the word include the elements or items and their equivalents listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or items. Words such as “connected” or “coupled” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

It should be noted that the size and shape of each figure in the drawings do not reflect the true scale, but are only intended to illustrate the present disclosure. And the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout.

The design for the liquid crystal lens component in the related art needs to drive, through the pixel electrode and the common electrode, the liquid crystal to be deflected to form a lens morphology. In order to avoid the liquid crystal polarization phenomenon, the positive and negative voltages of the driving signal need to be inverted, but a capacitor is formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode in the process of the driving signal being inverted. When the voltage of the pixel electrode changes rapidly, the voltage of the common electrode will change instantaneously to maintain the voltage difference of the capacitor. Since the common electrode has a power input, the voltage of the common electrode changes slowly and finally equals the voltage signal of the power supply, that is, in the process of the driving signal being inverted, there is the problem of common electrode signal disturbance, which may easily cause the deviation in the liquid crystal lens morphology and generate the crosstalk to 3D display.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for driving a liquid crystal lens component. As shown inFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3, the liquid crystal lens component includes: a plurality of liquid crystal lens units1arranged in an array; each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1includes: a first electrode2and a second electrode3disposed oppositely, and a liquid crystal layer4between the first electrode2and the second electrode3; the first electrode2includes: a plurality of first sub-electrodes5along a first direction X and extending along a second direction Y, where the first direction X intersects the second direction Y; and the plurality of first sub-electrodes5are divided into: a first electrode group6and a second electrode group7respectively on both sides of a center of the liquid crystal lens unit1. As shown inFIG.4, the driving method includes:

S101, applying a common voltage signal to the second electrode and applying a driving signal to the first electrode to control liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer to be deflected to form a liquid crystal lens; where,the applying a driving signal to the first electrode, includes:in two image frames that are adjacent to each other, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first electrode in one liquid crystal lens unit;in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the plurality of first sub-electrodes in a same first electrode group, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the plurality of first sub-electrodes in a same second electrode group, applying positive voltage driving signals to partial first sub-electrodes of all first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component, and applying negative voltage driving signal to the remaining first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component.

In the method for driving the liquid crystal lens component provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, in two image frames that are adjacent to each other, driving signals with opposite polarities are applied to the first electrodes in one liquid crystal lens unit, so that the liquid crystal polarization phenomenon can be avoided. In addition, in one image frame, positive voltage driving signals are applied to partial first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component, and negative voltage driving signals are applied to the remaining first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component. Since the polarity of interference signal caused by the positive pressure signal on the common voltage signal and the polarity of interference signal caused by the negative voltage signal on the common voltage signal are opposite, the recovery time of the driving signal for the second electrode is relatively short, which results the superimposition effect that approximately non-interference, thereby avoiding changes in the morphology of the liquid crystal lens, and avoiding affecting the display effect when the liquid crystal lens component is applied to display products.

It should be noted that, inFIG.1andFIG.2, only one column of liquid crystal lens units1is shown, and the first direction X is perpendicular to the second direction Y. In some embodiments, the first sub-electrode is a strip electrode extending along the second direction Y. As shown inFIG.3, it is a cross-sectional view along AA′ inFIG.1orFIG.2, and the dotted line8is a connecting line of the centers of the liquid crystal lens units.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, each strip-shaped first sub-electrode5corresponds to a column of liquid crystal lens units1in the second direction Y, that is, a column of liquid crystal lens units1along the second direction Y corresponds to the same first electrode group(s)6and the same second electrode group(s)7. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.2, the first electrodes2in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other, that is, the first sub-electrodes5in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other.

In some embodiments, when the liquid crystal lens component is applied to display products, in the 3D display mode, the common voltage signal is applied to the second electrode and the driving signal is applied to the first electrode to control liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer to be deflected to form a liquid crystal lens.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3, the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7include the same quantity of first sub-electrodes5; and from the center of the liquid crystal lens unit to the two edges of the liquid crystal lens unit, absolute values of the driving voltages applied to the first sub-electrodes are distributed with a preset gradient.

In some embodiments, by applying voltages of different absolute values to the first sub-electrodes at different positions, different electric field strengths can be generated at the different positions, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the different positions are deflected to different degrees, and thus, the liquid crystal layer acts as a lens. InFIG.3, the dotted line9represents a liquid crystal lens formed by liquid crystal deflection.

In some embodiments, when the liquid crystal molecules are positive liquid crystal molecules, the absolute values of the voltages of the driving signal applied to the first sub-electrodes gradually increases from the center to the two edges of the liquid crystal lens unit; and when the liquid crystal molecules are negative liquid crystal molecules, the absolute values of the voltages of the driving signal applied to the first sub-electrodes decreases gradually from the center to the two edges of the liquid crystal lens unit.

In some embodiments, by applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode in the liquid crystal lens, an electric field is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and under the action of the electric field, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer changes, so that the focal length of the liquid crystal lens unit can be adjusted.

In some embodiments, the center of the liquid crystal lens unit coincides with the center of the liquid crystal lens formed by the liquid crystal deflection. The half of the aperture of the liquid crystal lens is the center of the liquid crystal lens.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3, when the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7include the same quantity of first sub-electrodes5, the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the center9of the liquid crystal lens unit, and the absolute values of the voltages of the driving signals applied to the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group and the absolute values of the voltages of the driving signals applied to the first sub-electrodes in the second electrode group are symmetrical on both sides of the center of the liquid crystal lens unit, which ensures that the morphology of the liquid crystal lens is symmetrical.

That is, from the center to the edges of the liquid crystal lens unit, the first electrode group includes the 1stfirst sub-electrode to the nthfirst sub-electrode in sequence, and the second electrode group includes the 1stfirst sub-electrode to the nthfirst sub-electrode in sequence, wherein n is an integer greater than 1. The it first sub-electrode in the first electrode group is symmetrical to the ithfirst sub-electrode in the second electrode group with respect to the center of the liquid crystal lens unit; and the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal applied to the ithfirst sub-electrode in the first electrode group is equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal applied to the ithfirst sub-electrode in the second electrode group, wherein 1≤i≤n. Taking the liquid crystal lens component shown inFIG.3as an example, the serial numbers of the first sub-electrodes5in the first electrode group6are respectively a to f, and the serial numbers of the first sub-electrodes5in the second electrode group7are respectively a′ to f′, In one image frame, the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered a is equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered a′, the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered b is equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered b′, the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered c is equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered c′, the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered d is equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered d′, the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered e is equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered e′, and the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered fis equal to the absolute value of the voltage of the driving signal of the first sub-electrode numbered f′.

In some embodiments, the applying a driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7in each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens unit1.

It should be noted that, for example,FIG.5andFIG.6respectively correspond to the mthframe and the (m+1)thimage frame, and m is a positive integer.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, for a certain image frame, for one of the liquid crystal lens units1, positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the first electrode group6, and negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the second electrode group7, and alternatively, negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the first electrode group6, and positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the second electrode group7. In some embodiments, for one of the liquid crystal lens units1, as shown inFIG.5, when in the current image frame, the positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the first electrode group6and the negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the second electrode group7, then in the next image frame, as shown inFIG.6, the negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the first electrode group6, the positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes5in the second electrode group7.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, in the first direction X, two liquid crystal lens units1that are adjacent to each other share first sub-electrodes5at a position at which the two liquid crystal lens units are adjacent. The applying the driving signal to the first electrode includes:in one image frame, and in the first direction X, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7that are in different liquid crystal lens units1and adjacent to each other.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, two liquid crystal lens units that are adjacent to each other share the first sub-electrode at the position at which the two liquid crystal lens units are adjacent, so that the quantity of first sub-electrodes and the quantity of signal lines connected to the first sub-electrodes can be reduced, and the space of the liquid crystal lens component can be effectively utilized.

In the driving method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure, in one image frame, the driving signals applied to the first electrode group and the second electrode group in one liquid crystal lens unit have opposite polarities, and the driving signals applied to the first electrode group and the second electrode group that are in different liquid crystal lens units and adjacent to each other have the same polarity, so as to avoid the liquid crystal polarization and the interference with the common voltage signal, and facilitate the inversion driving for the shared first sub-electrode at the position at which the two liquid crystal lens units are adjacent.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7andFIG.8, the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit columns13extending along the second direction Y and arranged along the first direction X. The applying the driving signal to the first electrode further include:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first electrode groups6in a same liquid crystal lens unit column13, and applying driving signals with the same polarity to second electrode groups7in a same liquid crystal lens unit column13.

That is, the method for driving the liquid crystal lens component provided by embodiments of the present disclosure is column inversion driving. In the driving method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure, the liquid crystal lens component is driven by the column inversion, which can reduce power consumption while avoiding the liquid crystal polarization and the interference with the common voltage signal.

In some embodiments, for example, for one liquid crystal lens unit column, in the current image frame, the positive voltage driving signal is applied to the first electrode group in this liquid crystal lens unit column and the negative voltage driving signal is applied to the second electrode group in this liquid crystal lens unit column, and then in the next image frame, the negative voltage driving signal is applied to the first electrode group in this liquid crystal lens unit column and the positive voltage driving signal is applied to the second electrode group in this liquid crystal lens unit column. In some embodiments, the liquid crystal lens unit columns in the odd-numbered columns are of the same mode of applying driving signals, the liquid crystal lens unit columns in the even-numbered columns are of the same mode of applying driving signals, and the liquid crystal lens unit columns in the odd-numbered columns are of the mode of applying driving signals opposite to that of the liquid crystal lens unit columns in the even-numbered columns. That is, in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit columns, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups are the same, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups are the same; and in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit columns, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups are the same, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups are the same. The polarity of the driving signal applied to the first electrode group in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit column is opposite to the polarity of the driving signal applied to the first electrode group in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit column, and the polarity of the driving signal applied to the second electrode group in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit column is opposite to t the polarity of the driving signal applied to the second electrode group in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit column.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.9, the first electrodes2in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other, that is, the first sub-electrodes5in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other; the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit columns13extending along the second direction Y and arranged along the first direction X. The applying the driving signal to the first electrode further include:in one image frame, applying driving signals with opposite polarities to first electrode groups6that are adjacent to each other in a same liquid crystal lens unit column13, and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to second electrode groups7that are adjacent to each other in a same liquid crystal lens unit column13.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.9, in one image frame, driving signals with opposite polarities are applied to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7in each liquid crystal lens unit1, and in the first direction X, driving signals with the same polarity are applied to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7that are adjacent to each other and in different liquid crystal lens units1. As shown inFIG.9, in one liquid crystal lens unit column13, the liquid crystal lens units1in odd-numbered rows are of the same mode of applying driving signals, the liquid crystal lens units1in even-numbered rows are of the same mode of applying driving signals, and the liquid crystal lens units1in the odd-numbered rows are of the mode of applying driving signals opposite to that of the liquid crystal lens units1in even-numbered rows. That is, in the liquid crystal lens units1in the odd-numbered rows, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6are the same, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7are the same; and in the liquid crystal lens units1in the even-numbered rows, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6are the same, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7are the same. The polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6in the liquid crystal lens units1in the odd-numbered rows are opposite to the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6in the liquid crystal lens units1in the even-numbered rows, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7in the liquid crystal lens units1in the odd-numbered rows are opposite to the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7in the liquid crystal lens units1in the even-numbered rows.

In the driving method shown inFIG.9provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, the modes of applying the driving signals to the first sub-electrodes in any adjacent liquid crystal lens units are different, which can further shorten the recovery time of the driving signal, avoid the interference with the common voltage signal, and can further improve the display effect.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.10, the first electrodes2in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other, that is, the first sub-electrodes5in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other; the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit columns13extending along the second direction Y and arranged along the first direction X; and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are further divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit groups14arranged along the second direction Y, and each liquid crystal lens unit group14includes a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit rows15extending along the first direction X. The applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first electrode groups6in a same liquid crystal lens unit group14in one liquid crystal lens unit column13, applying driving signals with the same polarity to second electrode groups7in a same liquid crystal lens unit group14in one liquid crystal lens unit column13, applying driving signals with the opposite polarities to the first electrode groups6in liquid crystal lens unit groups14that are adjacent to each other in one liquid crystal lens unit column13, and applying driving signals with the opposite polarities to the second electrode groups8in liquid crystal lens unit groups14that are adjacent to each other in one liquid crystal lens unit column13.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.10, in one image frame, driving signals with opposite polarities are applied to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7in each liquid crystal lens unit1, and in the first direction X, driving signals with the same polarity are applied to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7that are adjacent to each other and in different liquid crystal lens units1. As shown inFIG.10, in one liquid crystal lens unit column13, the liquid crystal lens units1in odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14are of the same mode of applying driving signals, the liquid crystal lens units1in even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14are of the same mode of applying driving signals, and the liquid crystal lens units1in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14are of the same mode of applying driving signals opposite to that of the liquid crystal lens units1in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14. That is, in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6are the same, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7are the same; and in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6are the same, and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7are the same, the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14are opposite to the polarities of the driving signals applied to the first electrode groups6in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14; and the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14are opposite to the polarities of the driving signals applied to the second electrode groups7in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups14.

It should be noted that inFIG.10, each liquid crystal lens unit group14includes two liquid crystal lens unit rows15as an example for illustration. In some embodiments, each liquid crystal lens unit group may include more liquid crystal lens unit rows.

In the driving method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the modes of applying the driving signals to the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens units in any two adjacent liquid crystal lens unit groups are different, and the modes of applying the driving signals to the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens units in one liquid crystal lens unit group are the same way, which can avoid increasing power consumption while shortening the recovery time of the driving signal.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.11, the first electrodes2in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other, that is, the first sub-electrodes5in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other; and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit rows15extending along the first direction X and arranged along the second direction Y. The applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to first sub-electrodes5in a same liquid crystal lens unit row15, and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to first sub-electrodes5in the liquid crystal lens unit rows15that are adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, in the current image frame, positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit rows, and negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit rows; and in the next image frame, negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit rows, and positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit rows.

That is, the method for driving the liquid crystal lens component provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is row inversion driving. In the driving method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the liquid crystal lens component is driven by the row inversion, which can reduce power consumption while avoiding the liquid crystal polarization and the interference with the common voltage signal.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.12, first electrodes2in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other, that is, the first sub-electrodes5in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other; and the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are divided into a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit groups14arranged along the second direction Y, and each liquid crystal lens unit group14includes a plurality of liquid crystal lens unit rows15extending along the first direction X;where the applying the driving signal to the first electrode includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the first sub-electrodes5in a same liquid crystal lens unit group14, and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first sub-electrodes5in two liquid crystal lens unit groups14that are adjacent to each other.

That is, the method for driving the liquid crystal lens component provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is point inversion driving. In the driving method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the liquid crystal lens component is driven by the point inversion, which can further shorten the recovery time of the driving signal, avoid the interference with the common voltage signal, and can further improve the display effect.

In some embodiments, in the current image frame,positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups, and negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups; and in the next image frame, negative voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in the odd-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups, and positive voltage driving signals are applied to the first sub-electrodes in the even-numbered liquid crystal lens unit groups.

It should be noted that inFIG.12, each liquid crystal lens unit group14includes two liquid crystal lens unit rows15as an example for illustration. In some embodiments, each liquid crystal lens unit group may include more liquid crystal lens unit rows.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.13, the first electrodes2in a plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other, that is, the first sub-electrodes5in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other. The applying the driving signal to the first electrode further includes:in one image frame, applying driving signals with the same polarity to the first sub-electrodes5in a same liquid crystal lens unit1, and applying driving signals with opposite polarities to the first sub-electrodes5in liquid crystal lens units1that are adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.13, for example, the liquid crystal lens units that are adjacent to each other along the first direction do not share the first sub-electrode at the position at which the liquid crystal lens units that are adjacent to each other.

It should be noted that,FIGS.1to13are illustrated by taking the first electrode in each liquid crystal lens unit to include only the first sub-electrodes as an example, that is, the first electrode in each liquid crystal lens unit includes an even number of strip-shaped sub-electrodes. Of course, in actual implementation, the first electrode in each liquid crystal lens unit may also include an odd number of strip-shaped sub-electrodes.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.14, the first electrode2further includes: a third electrode group16between the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7. The applying a driving signal to the first electrode further includes:applying the common voltage signal to the third electrode group.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.14, the third electrode group16includes at least one second sub-electrode17extending along the second direction Y; and an orthographic projection of the center9of the liquid crystal lens unit1on the liquid crystal layer1is located in an orthographic projection of one of the at least one second sub-electrode17in the third electrode group on the liquid crystal layer. The applying the common voltage signal to the third electrode group includes:applying the common voltage signal to the at least one second sub-electrodes.

It should be noted that inFIG.14, the third electrode group1includes one second sub-electrode17extending along the second direction Y as an example for illustration.

It should be noted that the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are formed with the same material and the same process. As shown inFIG.15, when each strip-shaped first sub-electrode5corresponds to a column of liquid crystal lens units in the second direction Y, and each strip-shaped second sub-electrode17also corresponds to a column of liquid crystal lens units in the second direction Y, each strip-shaped first sub-electrode5and each strip-shaped second sub-electrode17have the same length in the second direction Y. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.16, the second sub-electrodes17in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1are independent of each other.

It should be noted that no matter how the second sub-electrode is set, no matter which inversion driving method is adopted, the driving signal applied to the second sub-electrode is the common voltage signal, that is, the same driving signals are applied to the second sub-electrode and the second electrode.

It should be noted that inFIG.15andFIG.16, driving signals with opposite polarities are applied to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7in each liquid crystal lens unit1in one image frame as an example for illustration, and in the first direction X, driving signals with the same polarity are applied to the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7that are adjacent to each other and in different liquid crystal lens units1. In some embodiments, when the first electrode further includes the second sub-electrodes, the mode for driving the first sub-electrodes may adopt any of the modes shown inFIGS.7to13.

In some embodiments, the common voltage signal is a zero voltage signal.

Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a liquid crystal lens component, as shown inFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3, the liquid crystal lens component includes: a plurality of liquid crystal lens units1arranged in an array; each of the plurality of liquid crystal lens units1includes: a first electrode2and a second electrode3disposed oppositely, and a liquid crystal layer4between the first electrode2and the second electrode3; the first electrode2includes: a plurality of first sub-electrodes5along a first direction X and extending along a second direction Y, the first direction X intersects the second direction Y; and the plurality of first sub-electrodes5are divided into: a first electrode group6and a second electrode group7respectively on both sides of a center of the liquid crystal lens unit1. The liquid crystal lens component is driven by the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3, the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7include the same quantity of first sub-electrodes5; and the first electrode group6and the second electrode group7are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the center9of the liquid crystal lens unit.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1,FIG.2andFIG.3, the widths of the first sub-electrodes5in the first direction X are all equal, and the distance between the first sub-electrodes5in the first electrode group6is equal, the distance between the first sub-electrodes5in the second electrode group7is equal. Of course, in actual implementation, the widths of the first sub-electrodes may not be completely equal, and the distances between adjacent first sub-electrodes may also be unequal.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.2, in the second direction, the lengths of the first sub-electrodes5are equal, and the distances between adjacent first sub-electrodes5are equal.

Of course, in actual implementation, in the second direction, the lengths of the first sub-electrodes may also be unequal, and the distances between adjacent first sub-electrodes may also be unequal.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.14to16, the first electrode2further includes the second sub-electrode(s)17.

In some embodiments, the width of the first sub-electrode is equal to the width of the second sub-electrode. Alternatively, the width of the first sub-electrode may not be equal to the width of the second sub-electrode.

In some embodiments, the second electrodes in the plurality of liquid crystal lens units are integrally connected. That is, the second electrode is a planar electrode.

In some embodiments, both the first electrode and the second electrode are transparent electrodes. The material of the transparent electrode includes, e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO).

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3, the liquid crystal lens component further includes: a first base substrate10, a second base substrate11, and a protective layer12.

In some embodiments, the first base substrate, the first electrode and the protective layer form the lower substrate, that is, the first electrode and the protective layer are sequentially disposed on the first base substrate, and the second base substrate and the second electrode form the upper substrate, that is, the second electrode is disposed on the second substrate. In some embodiments, the liquid crystals are injected between the upper substrate and the lower substrate by using a box aligning process to obtain a liquid crystal lens component. In some embodiments, alignment layers may be disposed on the side of the liquid crystal layer facing the lower substrate and the side of the liquid crystal layer facing the upper substrate, respectively.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal lens component further includes a signal line electrically connected to the first electrode.

In some embodiments, for the case where one strip-shaped first sub-electrode corresponds to a column of liquid crystal lens units, the signal line may be electrically connected to the first sub-electrode at any end of the strip-shaped first sub-electrode in the direction along which the strip-shaped first sub-electrode extend. In the case where the first electrodes corresponding to a plurality of liquid crystal lens units are independent of each other, for example, each row of liquid crystal lens units is electrically connected to a group of signal lines, and the group of signal lines can be arranged, e.g., between liquid crystal lens unit rows that are adjacent to each other. For example, the quantity of signal lines in each group of signal lines may be the same as the quantity of first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group.

It should be noted that in actual implementation, different parameters of the liquid crystal lens component and changes in the voltages of the driving signals can be designed according to different 3D design schemes. Next, the structural parameters and driving signals of different liquid crystal lens components are introduced with examples. The structural parameters of different liquid crystal lens components are shown in Table 1, and the absolute values of the voltages of the driving signals of the first electrode in the liquid crystal lens units in different liquid crystal lens components are shown in Tables 2 to 5. Among them, the quantity of sub-electrodes in Table 1 refers to the sum of the quantity of first sub-electrodes and the quantity of second sub-electrodes included in each first electrode; when the quantity of sub-electrodes is an even number, the first electrode only includes the first sub-electrodes, and when the quantity of sub-electrodes is an odd number, the first electrode includes one second sub-electrode, and the rest included in the first electrode are first sub-electrodes. Tables 2 to 5 respectively correspond to Case 1 to Case 4 in Table 1. In Table 2 and Table 4, electrodes corresponding to electrode serial numbers 1 to 11 are the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group, electrodes corresponding to electrode serial numbers 13 to 23 are the first sub-electrodes in the second electrode group, an electrode corresponding to an electrode serial number 12 is the second sub-electrode, the electrodes with electrode serial numbers 11 and 13 are the first sub-electrodes closest to the center of the liquid crystal lens unit, electrodes with electrode serial numbers 1 and 23 are the first sub-electrodes at the edges of the liquid crystal lens unit. In Table 3 and Table 5, electrodes corresponding to electrode serial numbers 1-6 are the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group, electrodes corresponding to electrode serial numbers 7-12 are the first sub-electrodes in the second electrode group, electrodes corresponding to the electrode serial numbers 6 and 7 are the first sub-electrodes closest to the center of the liquid crystal lens unit, and electrodes with the electrode serial numbers 1 and 12 are the first sub-electrodes at the edges of the liquid crystal lens unit.

Taking the liquid crystal lens component shown inFIG.3as an example, if the driving frequency is 60 hertz (Hz), the polarity of the voltage of the driving signal is inverted every 16.7 milliseconds (ms). In the liquid crystal lens component shown inFIG.3, the timing diagram of driving signals of the first electrode group is shown inFIG.17. It should be noted that the serial numbers of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group inFIG.3are respectively a to f, the serial numbers of the first sub-electrodes in the second electrode group are respectively a′ to f′, and the absolute values of the voltages of the first sub-electrodes a′ to f′ are respectively equal to the absolute values of the voltages of the first sub-electrodes a to f.

A display device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG.18, includes: a display panel18, and the liquid crystal lens component19provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure on the display side of the display panel18.

In some embodiments, the display device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can realize switching between the 2D display mode and the 3D display mode. The 2D display mode can control the normal light transmission of the liquid crystal lens component. In the 3D display mode, the method for driving the liquid crystal lens component provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to drive the liquid crystal lens unit array in the liquid crystal lens component to form the liquid crystal lens.

In some embodiments, the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel. When the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, the display device may further include a backlight component on a side of the display panel away from the liquid crystal lens component.

In some embodiments, the display panel is an electroluminescent display panel, e.g., an organic light emitting diode display panel or a quantum dot light emitting diode display panel, etc.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.18, the display device further includes: the bonding glue20between the display panel18and the liquid crystal lens component19. That is, the display panel and the liquid crystal lens component are bonded by the bonding glue.

In some embodiments, the display panel includes a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array, and each liquid crystal lens unit corresponds to at least one pixel unit.

The display device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is any product or component with a display function such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a monitor, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, and a navigator. Other essential components of the display device should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and will not be repeated here, nor should they be used as limitations on the present disclosure. For the implementation of the display device, reference may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments of the display panel, and repeated descriptions will not be repeated.

To sum up, in the liquid crystal lens component and its driving method and display device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, in two image frames that are adjacent to each other, driving signals with opposite polarities are applied to the first electrodes in one liquid crystal lens unit, so that the liquid crystal polarization phenomenon can be avoided. In addition, in one image frame, positive voltage driving signals are applied to partial first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component, and negative voltage driving signals are applied to the remaining first sub-electrodes of all the first sub-electrodes in the liquid crystal lens component. Since the polarity of interference signal caused by the positive pressure signal on the common voltage signal and the polarity of interference signal caused by the negative voltage signal on the common voltage signal are opposite, the recovery time of the driving signal for the second electrode is relatively short, which results the superimposition effect that approximately non-interference, thereby avoiding changes in the morphology of the liquid crystal lens, and avoiding affecting the display effect when the liquid crystal lens component is applied to display products.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, additional changes and modifications to these embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art once the basic inventive concept is appreciated. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to cover the preferred embodiment as well as all changes and modifications which fall within the scope of the invention.

Apparently, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention. In this way, if the modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and equivalent technologies, the present invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.