Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a light route control member according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> discloses a backlight assembly, which includes a light source that emits light and an optical unit. The optical unit is disposed between the light source and the display panel. The optical unit controls the traveling direction of the light output from the light source to the display panel side. Generally, a light-shielding film shields transmitting of light from a light source, and is attached to a front surface of a display panel which is a display device used for a mobile phone, a notebook, a tablet PC, a vehicle navigation device, a vehicle touch, etc., so that the light-shielding film adjusts a viewing angle of light according to an incident angle of light to express a clear image quality at a viewing angle needed by a user when the display transmits a screen.

In addition, the light-shielding film may be used for the window of a vehicle, building or the like to shield outside light partially to prevent glare, or to prevent the inside from being visible from the outside.

That is, the light-shielding film may be a light route control member that controls a movement path of light, block light in a specific direction, and transmit light in a specific direction. Accordingly, by controlling the light transmission angle by the light-shielding film, it is possible to control the viewing angle of the user.

Meanwhile, such a light-shielding film may be a light-shielding film that can always control the viewing angle regardless of the surrounding environment or the user's environment, and switchable light-shielding film that allows the user to turn on/off the viewing angle control according to the surrounding environment or the user's environment may be distinguished.

Such a switchable light-shielding film may be implemented by adding electrically moving particles to the pattern part and changing the pattern part into a light transmitting part and a light blocking part by dispersion and aggregation of the particles.

At this time, a dispersion for dispersing a charged particles and the charged particles moving according to the application of voltage may be disposed inside the receiving part.

Such a receiving part may be formed by immersing the base material having the receiving part in a jig containing the dispersion in which the charged particles are dispersed, and injecting the dispersion into the receiving part through a capillary phenomenon.

However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to inject the same amount of the dispersion at the same speed in each of the receiving parts, and the process time increases as the size of the receiving part increases.

Accordingly, there is a need for a light route control member having improved front luminance while solving the above problems.

An embodiment relates to a light route control member that can be easily manufactured and has improved front luminance and side shielding effect, and a display device including the same.

The light route control member and the method for manufacturing the same according to the embodiment form a receiving part having a predetermined size and having an intaglio shape in a resin layer, the dispersion can be easily filled in the receiving part by a method such as squeezing or screen printing.

That is, by forming a separation part in the receiving part and controlling the size of the receiving part to the size of a certain unit, the filling properties of the dispersion can be satisfied even by squeezing or screen printing.

In addition, by forming a plurality of separation parts in the receiving part, the frontal luminance of the light route control member may be improved by the separation parts.

In addition, by arbitrarily controlling the angles of the inner surfaces connected to each other of the receiving part, the process efficiency can be improved by omitting the process of arbitrarily tilting the filling direction when the dispersion is filled.

In addition, by controlling the arrangement of the separation part of each receiving part or the separation part between the plurality of receiving parts in the receiving part including a plurality of receiving parts, visibility can be improved while easily controlling side shielding and front luminance according to the environment to be used.

In addition, in the light route control member according to the embodiment, the dispersion disposed inside the receiving part may be disposed to be lower than the height of the receiving part. Accordingly, when the light conversion part and the substrate are adhered through the adhesive layer, it is possible to prevent the adhesive material from coming into contact with the dispersion of the light conversion part. Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment may prevent the adhesive properties of the adhesive layer from being reduced due to the contact between the adhesive material and the dispersion. Thereby, it is possible to have improved reliability.

In addition, when disposing the adhesive layer, it is possible to prevent the dispersion from overflowing to the outside, that is, to the partition wall part due to the pressure caused by the bonding process. Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment may prevent staining due to overflow of the dispersion, and thus may have improved visibility.

In addition, when the light route control member according to the embodiment is used by being attached to the display panel, it is possible to prevent a moire phenomenon formed by overlapping with a pixel pattern included in the display panel. That is, by randomly forming the size and spacing of the receiving parts of the light route control member, or randomly forming an arrangement, it is possible to minimize a moire phenomenon that may occur when the pattern of the receiving parts and the pixel pattern overlap. Accordingly, the visibility of the light route control member may be improved by minimizing the moire phenomenon.

In addition, unless expressly otherwise defined and described, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention (including technical and scientific terms) may be construed the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, and the terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art.

In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular forms may also include the plural forms unless specifically stated in the phrase, and may include at least one of all combinations that may be combined in A, B, and C when described in "at least one (or more) of A (and), B, and C".

Further, in describing the elements of the embodiments of the present invention, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the elements from other elements, and the terms are not limited to the essence, order, or order of the elements.

In addition, when an element is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another element, it may include not only when the element is directly "connected" to, "coupled" to, or "connected" to other elements, but also when the element is "connected", "coupled", or "connected" by another element between the element and other elements.

Further, when described as being formed or disposed "on (over)" or "under (below)" of each element, the "on (over)" or "under (below)" may include not only when two elements are directly connected to each other, but also when one or more other elements are formed or disposed between two elements.

Furthermore, when expressed as "on (over)" or "under (below)", it may include not only the upper direction but also the lower direction based on one element.

Hereinafter, a light route control member according to an embodiment will be described with reference to drawings. The light route control member described below relates to a switchable light route control member that drives in various modes according to the movement of electrophoretic particles application of a voltage.

Referring to <FIG>, a light route control member according to an embodiment may include a first substrate <NUM>, a second substrate <NUM>, a first electrode <NUM>, a second electrode <NUM>, and a light conversion part <NUM>.

The first substrate <NUM> may support the first electrode <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be rigid or flexible.

In addition, the first substrate <NUM> may be transparent. For example, the first substrate <NUM> may include a transparent substrate capable of transmitting light.

The first substrate <NUM> may include glass, plastic, or a flexible polymer film. For example, the flexible polymer film may be made of any one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether sulfone (PES), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), triacetylcellulose (TAC) film, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, polyimide (PI) film, and polystyrene (PS), which is only an example, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In addition, the first substrate <NUM> may be a flexible substrate having flexible characteristics.

Further, the first substrate <NUM> may be a curved or bended substrate. That is, the light route control member including the first substrate <NUM> may also be formed to have flexible, curved, or bent characteristics. Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be changed to various designs.

The first substrate <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the first substrate <NUM>. In detail, the first electrode <NUM> may be disposed on an upper surface of the first substrate <NUM>. That is, the first electrode <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> may contain a transparent conductive material. For example, the first electrode <NUM> may contain a metal oxide such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, etc..

The first electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM> in a film shape. In detail, light transmittance of the first electrode <NUM> may be about <NUM>% or more.

The first electrode <NUM> may have a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Alternatively, the first electrode <NUM> may contain various metals to realize low resistance. For example, the first electrode <NUM> may contain at least one metal of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo). gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof.

The first electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the entire surface of one surface of the first substrate <NUM>. In detail, the first electrode <NUM> may be disposed as a surface electrode on one surface of the first substrate <NUM>. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first electrode <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of pattern electrodes having a predetermined pattern.

For example, the first electrode <NUM> may include a plurality of conductive patterns. In detail, the first electrode <NUM> may include a plurality of mesh lines intersecting each other and a plurality of mesh openings formed by the mesh lines.

Accordingly, even though the first electrode <NUM> contains a metal, visibility may be improved because the first electrode is not visible from the outside. In addition, the light transmittance is increased by the openings, so that the brightness of the light route control member according to the embodiment may be improved.

The second substrate <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM>. In detail, the second substrate <NUM> may be disposed on the first electrode <NUM> on the first substrate <NUM>.

The second substrate <NUM> may contain a material capable of transmitting light. The second substrate <NUM> may contain a transparent material. The second substrate <NUM> may contain a material the same as or similar to that of the first substrate <NUM> described above.

For example, the second substrate <NUM> may include glass, plastic, or a flexible polymer film. For example, the flexible polymer film may be made of any one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether sulfone (PES), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), triacetylcellulose (TAC) film, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, polyimide (PI) film, and polystyrene (PS), which is only an example, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In addition, the second substrate <NUM> may be a flexible substrate having flexible characteristics.

Further, the second substrate <NUM> may be a curved or bended substrate. That is, the light route control member including the second substrate <NUM> may also be formed to have flexible, curved, or bent characteristics. Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be changed to various designs.

The second substrate <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the second substrate <NUM>. In detail, the second electrode <NUM> may be disposed on a lower surface of the second substrate <NUM>. That is, the second electrode <NUM> may be disposed on a surface on which the second substrate <NUM> faces the first substrate <NUM>. That is, the second electrode <NUM> may be disposed facing the first electrode <NUM> on the first substrate <NUM>. That is, the second electrode <NUM> may be disposed between the first electrode <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> may contain a transparent conductive material. For example, the second electrode <NUM> may contain a metal oxide such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, etc..

The second electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM> in a film shape. In addition, the light transmittance of the second electrode <NUM> may be about <NUM>% or more.

The second electrode <NUM> may have a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Alternatively, the second electrode <NUM> may contain various metals to realize low resistance. For example, the second electrode <NUM> may contain at least one metal of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo). gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof.

The second electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the entire surface of one surface of the second substrate <NUM>. In detail, the second electrode <NUM> may be disposed as a surface electrode on one surface of the second substrate <NUM>. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the second electrode <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of pattern electrodes having a predetermined pattern.

For example, the second electrode <NUM> may include a plurality of conductive patterns. In detail, the second electrode <NUM> may include a plurality of mesh lines intersecting each other and a plurality of mesh openings formed by the mesh lines.

Accordingly, even though the second electrode <NUM> contains a metal, visibility may be improved because the second electrode <NUM> is not visible from the outside. In addition, the light transmittance is increased by the openings, so that the brightness of the light route control member according to the embodiment may be improved.

The light conversion part <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. In detail, the light conversion part <NUM> may be disposed between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

The light conversion part <NUM> may be bonded to the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. For example, a buffer layer for improving adhesion with the light conversion part <NUM> is disposed on the first electrode <NUM>, and the first electrode <NUM> and the light conversion part <NUM> may be formed through the buffer layer. In addition, an adhesive layer <NUM> for adhesion to the light conversion part <NUM> is disposed under the second electrode <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> and the light conversion part <NUM> may be adhered to each other through the adhesive layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the light conversion part <NUM> may include a partition wall part <NUM> and a receiving part <NUM>.

The partition wall part <NUM> is defined as a partition wall part region that partitions the receiving part. That is, the partition wall part <NUM> is a partition wall part region that partitions a plurality of receiving part. In addition, the receiving part <NUM> is defined as a region that changes into a light blocking part and a light transmitting part according to the application of a voltage.

The partition wall part <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM> are alternately disposed with each other. The partition wall part <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed to have different widths. For example, the width of the partition wall part <NUM> may be greater than the width of the receiving part <NUM>.

The partition wall part <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM> are alternately disposed. In detail, the partition wall part <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM> are alternately disposed. That is, each of the partition wall parts <NUM> are disposed between the receiving parts <NUM> adjacent to each other, and each of the receiving parts <NUM> are disposed between the partition wall parts <NUM> adjacent to each other.

The partition wall part <NUM> contains a transparent material. The partition wall part <NUM> may contain a material that may transmit light.

The partition wall part <NUM> may contain a resin material. For example, the partition wall part <NUM> may contain a photo-curable resin material. As an example, the partition wall part <NUM> may contain a UV resin or a transparent photoresist resin. Alternatively, the partition wall part <NUM> may contain urethane resin or acrylic resin.

The partition wall part <NUM> may transmit light incident on any one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> toward another substrate.

For example, in <FIG>, light may be emitted from a lower portion of the first substrate <NUM> and may be incident in a direction toward the second substrate <NUM>. The partition wall part <NUM> transmits the light, and the transmitted light may move to an upper portion of the second substrate <NUM>.

A sealing part <NUM> sealing the light route control member may be disposed on a side surface of the partition wall part. And a side surface of the light conversion part <NUM> may be sealed by the sealing part.

The receiving part <NUM> may include the dispersion 320a and the light conversion particles <NUM>. In detail, the receiving part <NUM> is filled with the dispersion 320a, and a plurality of the light conversion particles <NUM> may be dispersed in the dispersion 320a.

The dispersion 320a may be a material for dispersing the light conversion particles <NUM>. The dispersion 320a may contain a transparent material. The dispersion 320a may contain a non-polar solvent. In addition, the dispersion 320a may contain a material capable of transmitting light. For example, the dispersion 320a may include at least one of a halocarbon-based oil, a paraffin-based oil, and isopropyl alcohol.

The light conversion particles <NUM> may be disposed to be dispersed in the dispersion 320a. In detail, the plurality of light conversion particles <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the dispersion 320a.

The light conversion particles <NUM> may be a charged particle. The light conversion particles may have a color. For example, the light conversion particles <NUM> may include black charged carbon black particles.

The light transmittance of the receiving part <NUM> may be changed by the light conversion particles <NUM>. In detail, the receiving part <NUM> may be changed into the light blocking part and the light transmitting part by changing the light transmittance due to the light conversion particles <NUM>. That is, the receiving part <NUM> may change the transmittance of the light passing through the receiving part <NUM> by dispersion and aggregation of the light conversion particles <NUM> disposed therein in the dispersion 320a.

For example, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be changed from a first mode to a second mode or from the second mode to the first mode by a voltage applied to the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

In detail, in the light route control member according to the embodiment, the receiving part <NUM> becomes the light blocking part in the first mode, and light of a specific angle is blocked by the receiving part <NUM>. That is, a viewing angle of the user viewing from the outside is narrowed.

In addition, in the light route control member according to the embodiment, the receiving part <NUM> becomes the light transmitting part in the second mode, and in the light route control member according to the embodiment, light is transmitted through both the partition wall part <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM>. That is, the viewing angle of the user viewing from the outside may be widened.

Switching from the first mode to the second mode, that is, the conversion of the receiving part <NUM> from the light blocking part to the light transmitting part may be realized by movement of the light conversion particles <NUM> of the receiving part <NUM>. Thai is, the light absorbing particle <NUM> has a charge on the surface, and may be moved in the direction of the first electrode or the second electrode by the application of a voltage according to the characteristics of the charge. That is, the light absorbing particle <NUM> may be an electrophoretic particle.

In detail, the receiving part <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

In this case, when a voltage is not applied to the light route control member from the outside, the light conversion particles <NUM> of the receiving part <NUM> are uniformly dispersed in the dispersion 320a, and light may be blocked by the light conversion particles in the receiving part <NUM>. Accordingly, in the first mode, the receiving part <NUM> may be driven as the light blocking part.

Alternatively, when a voltage is applied to the light route control member from the outside, the light conversion particles <NUM> may move. For example, the light conversion particles <NUM> may move toward one end or the other end of the receiving part <NUM> by a voltage transmitted through the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. That is, the light conversion particles <NUM> may move from the receiving part <NUM> toward the first electrode or the second electrode.

In detail, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode <NUM> and/or the second electrode <NUM>, an electric field is formed between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, and the charged light conversion particles may be moved toward a positive electrode of the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> using the dispersion 320a as a medium.

That is, when the voltage is applied to the first electrode <NUM> and/or the second electrode <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the light conversion particles <NUM> may be moved toward the first electrode <NUM> in the dispersion 320a. That is, the light conversion particles <NUM> are moved in one direction, and the receiving part <NUM> may be driven as the light transmitting part.

In addition, when the voltage is not applied to the first electrode <NUM> and/or the second electrode <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the light conversion particles <NUM> may be uniformly dispersed in the dispersion 320a to drive the receiving part <NUM> as the light blocking part.

Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be driven in two modes according to a user's surrounding environment. That is, when the user requires light transmission only at a specific viewing angle, the receiving part is driven as the light blocking part, or in an environment in which the user requires high brightness, a voltage may be applied to drive the receiving part as the light transmitting part.

Therefore, since the light route control member according to the embodiment may be implemented in two modes according to the user's requirement, the light route control member may be applied regardless of the user's environment.

<FIG> are views showing another cross-sectional view of a light route control member according to embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in the light ROUTE control member according to the embodiment, the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed in contact with the electrode differently from <FIG>.

For example, the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed in direct or indirect contact with the first electrode <NUM>.

Accordingly, since the first electrode <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM> are disposed in direct contact with each other without being spaced apart, the voltage applied from the first electrode <NUM> may be easily transferred to the receiving part <NUM>.

Accordingly, since the moving speed of the light conversion particle <NUM> inside the receiving part <NUM> can be improved, the driving characteristics of the light route control member can be improved.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, in the light route control member according to the embodiment, unlike <FIG>, the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed while having a constant inclination angle θ.

In detail, referring to <FIG>, the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed while having an inclination angle θ of greater than <NUM>° to less than <NUM>° with respect to the first electrode <NUM>. In detail, the receiving part <NUM> may extend upwardly while having an inclination angle θ of greater than <NUM>° to less than <NUM>° with respect to one surface of the first electrode <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the light route member is used together with the display panel, by preventing moire caused by overlapping of the pattern of the display panel and the receiving part <NUM> of the light route control member, the user's visibility may be improved.

As described above, the light conversion part <NUM> may include a receiving part formed in a plurality of pattern shapes to control the viewing angle of light.

Accordingly, visibility of a user viewing a display or the like through the light route control member by the receiving part may be reduced. That is, the frontal luminance is reduced due to a decrease in the amount of light transmitted in the direction of the user by the receiving part, and thus the visibility of the user may be reduced.

In addition, as the width of the pattern shape of the receiving part extending in one direction increases, there is a problem in that the process efficiency is reduced when the dispersion containing the electrophoretic particles is filled in the receiving part.

Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment forms a plurality of separation part in the receiving part, the front luminance of the light route control member may be improved, and process efficiency may be improved.

Hereinafter, the light conversion part of the light route control member according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the light conversion part, and <FIG> is a top view of the light conversion part.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the light conversion part <NUM> includes a resin layer <NUM> constituting the light conversion part <NUM>, and the partition wall part <NUM> and the receiving part <NUM> may be formed in the resin layer <NUM>.

The light conversion part <NUM> may be defined in a first direction 1A and a second direction 2A. For example, the first direction 1A may be defined as a long side direction of the light conversion part, and the second direction 2A may be defined as a short side direction of the light conversion part.

In addition, the first direction 1A and the second direction 2A may correspond to the filling direction of the dispersion filled in the receiving part <NUM> and including the light conversion particles. That is, the dispersion may be filled in any one of the first direction 1A and the second direction 2A through a squeezing or screen-printing process.

The receiving part <NUM> may be formed in the resin layer <NUM>. In detail, the receiving part <NUM> is formed in the shape of an intaglio formed in the resin layer <NUM>, the intaglio portion may be formed to extend in the second direction.

That is, the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed to extend in the second direction. In addition, the receiving part <NUM> may include a plurality of receiving parts spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and partition wall parts <NUM> may be disposed between the plurality of receiving parts.

For example, the receiving part <NUM> may include a first receiving part P1 and a second receiving part P2 spaced apart from each other.

At least one of the first receiving part P1 and the second receiving part P2 may include a plurality of separation parts SA. That is, at least one receiving part of the first receiving part P1 and the second receiving part P2 may include a plurality of separation parts dividing the receiving part into a plurality of cells SP.

Accordingly, at least one of the first receiving part P1 and the second receiving part P2 extending in the second direction may include a plurality of cells defined by the separation part SA.

As the cell SP is formed in an intaglio shape on the resin layer <NUM>, the cell SP may include a bottom surface BS and inner surfaces. In addition, the inner surfaces may include a first inner surface IS1 and a second inner surface IS2 connected to each other.

In this case, at least one of the first inner surface IS1 and the second inner surface IS2 may extend in a direction different from the first direction and the second direction.

For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first inner surface IS1 may extend in a direction different from the first direction, and the second inner surface IS2 may extend in a direction corresponding to the second direction.

Accordingly, the first inner surface IS1 and the second inner surface IS2 may be connected at an angle of an acute angle θ1 or an obtuse angle θ2. In detail, the first inner surface IS1 and the second inner surface IS2 may be connected at an acute angle of <NUM>° to <NUM>° or at an obtuse angle of <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

That is, the lower and upper surfaces of the cell may be formed in a trapezoidal shape as a whole as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Accordingly, the dispersion can be easily filled in a plurality of cells. In detail, the dispersion may be filled in each of the plurality of cells in any one of the first direction 1A and the second direction 2A through a squeezing or screen-printing process.

At this time, since at least one of the first inner surface IS1 and the second inner surface IS2 extends in a direction different from the first and second directions, the dispersion may be filled in the cell in any one of the first direction 1A and the second direction 2A.

That is, conventionally, the first inner surface IS1 and the second inner surface IS2 extend in directions corresponding to the first and second directions, respectively. Accordingly, when filling the dispersion, there is a problem in that process efficiency is reduced as the filling direction is intentionally tilted to fill.

On the other hand, in the light route control member according to the embodiment, as at least one inner surface of the inner surfaces of the cell filled with the filling liquid is inclined in a direction different from the first and second directions, when filling the dispersion, since it can be filled in the same direction as the first and second directions, process efficiency can be improved.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG>, each cell SP may be formed to have a constant length. Here, the length of the cell SP may be defined as the maximum length of the cell SP.

In detail, the cell SP may have a length L of about <NUM> to <NUM>.

The lengths of the plurality of cells SP may be the same or different from each other. That is, the plurality of cells SP may have the same length or may have different lengths within the above range.

The length of the cell SP may be related to the filling characteristics of the dispersion filled into the cell SP. In detail, when the length L of the cell SP is formed to be less than <NUM>, an area of the separation part SA formed in each receiving part is increased, so that the side shielding effect may be reduced.

In addition, when the length (L) of the cell (SP) is formed to exceed <NUM>µm, as the length of the cell SP increases, the filling characteristics of the dispersion filled into the cell SP may be reduced, and a filling uniformity of the dispersion to be filled into each cell may be reduced.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the receiving parts may include a plurality of separation parts SA.

The plurality of cells included in each receiving part may be partitioned from each other by the separation parts SA.

The separation part SA may be an area integrally formed with the partition wall part <NUM>. That is, the separation part SA may be a region through which light is transmitted regardless of the application of voltage to the receiving parts.

A length l of the separation part SA may be smaller than a width w of the cell SP. Here, the length l of the separation part SA may be defined as the maximum length l of the separation part SA.

In addition, the length l of the separation SA may be smaller than the length of the cell SP. Also, a length l of the separation part SA may be smaller than a pitch p of the receiving parts. In detail, the length l of the separation part SA may be smaller than the pitch p of the first receiving part P1 and the second receiving part P2.

For example, the length l of the separation part SA may be equal to or less than <NUM> times the width w of the cell SP. When the length l of the separation part SA exceeds <NUM> times the width w of the cell SP, since the area of the separation part SA is increased, the side shielding effect of the light route control member may be reduced.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the light route control member according to the embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the separation parts formed in the receiving parts <NUM> of the light conversion part <NUM> may be formed in different sizes in each receiving part.

In detail, the receiving part <NUM> includes a first receiving part (P1) and a plurality of receiving parts spaced apart from the first receiving part (P1), each of the receiving part may include a first separation part SA1 and a second separation part SA2.

In this case, the first separation SA1 and the second separation SA2 may be formed to have different sizes. That is, the first separation SA1 and the second separation SA2 may be formed to have different lengths.

In detail, the length l1 of the first separation SA1 and the length l2 of the second separation SA2 may be formed to have different sizes. For example, the length <NUM> of the first separation part SA1 may be greater than the length l2 of the second separation part SA2.

Accordingly, by differently controlling the length of the separation in each receiving part, depending on the environment to be used, it is possible to easily control the front luminance and the side shielding effect.

Referring to <FIG>, the separation parts formed in each of the receiving parts <NUM> of the light converting part <NUM> may be formed in different sizes.

In detail, the receiving part <NUM> includes a first receiving part P1 and a second receiving part P2 spaced apart from the first receiving part P1 through the partition wall part <NUM>, and the first receiving part P1 may include a first separation part SA1, and the second receiving part P2 may include a second separation part SA2.

In this case, the first separation part SA1 and the second separation part SA2 may be formed to have different sizes. That is, the first separation part SA1 and the second separation part SA2 may be formed to have different lengths.

In detail, the length l1 of the first separation part SA1 and the length l2 of the second separation part SA2 may be formed to have different sizes. For example, the length <NUM> of the first separation part SA1 may be smaller than the length l2 of the second separation part SA2.

Referring to <FIG>, the separation parts formed in the receiving part <NUM> of the light conversion part <NUM> may be formed so that adjacent receiving parts do not overlap each other.

In detail, the receiving part <NUM> includes a first receiving part P1 and a second receiving part P2 spaced apart from the first receiving part P1 through the partition wall part <NUM>, and the first receiving part P1 includes a first separation part SA1, and the second receiving part P2 may include a second separation part SA2.

In this case, the first separation SA1 and the second separation part SA2 may be disposed so as not to overlap each other.

In detail, the first separation part SA1 and the second separation part SA2 may be respectively disposed at positions that do not overlap each other in the first direction 1A.

Accordingly, it is prevented that the separation part is concentrated in one region of the light route control member. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the separation part from being recognized, and it is possible to prevent the side shielding effect from being reduced in one area.

In the method for manufacturing the light route control member according to the embodiment, since the receiving part having a predetermined size and an intaglio shape is formed in the resin layer, the dispersion can be easily filled in the receiving part by a method such as squeezing or screen-printing.

That is, since a separation part is formed in the receiving part and the size of the receiving part is controlled to a certain unit size, it can be filled while satisfying the filling properties of the dispersion even by squeezing or screen-printing.

In addition, since a plurality of separation parts are formed in the receiving part, the front luminance of the light route control member can be improved by the separation part.

In addition, since the angle of the inner surfaces connected to each other of the receiving part is arbitrarily controlled, process efficiency can be improved by omitting the process of arbitrarily tilting the filling direction when the dispersion is filled.

In addition, in the receiving part including a plurality of receiving parts, since the arrangement of the separation part of each receiving part or the separation part between the plurality of receiving parts is controlled, visibility can be improved while easily controlling side shielding and front luminance according to the environment to be used.

Hereinafter, a light route control member according to another embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. In the description of the light route control member according to another embodiment, descriptions that are the same as and similar to those of the light route control member according to the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same components.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a top view of the light conversion part <NUM> of the light route control member according to another embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the light conversion part <NUM> may include a plurality of receiving parts <NUM> and a partition wall part <NUM> between the receiving units <NUM>.

The receiving part <NUM> may include a plurality of receiving parts spaced apart from each other. The plurality of receiving parts may be formed to extend in one direction. The partition wall part <NUM> may be disposed in the spaced region of the receiving parts.

That is, the receiving part <NUM> includes a plurality of receiving parts. In detail, the receiving part <NUM> includes a plurality of unit receiving cells. In more detail, the receiving part <NUM> includes a plurality of unit receiving cells spaced apart from each other.

The receiving part disposed in each column may be disposed to be shifted from each other. That is, each receiving part disposed in each column may include an overlapping area OA and a non-overlapping area NOA.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>, and <FIG> are a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of <FIG>.

The adhesive layer <NUM> may be disposed in at least one of the area between the light conversion part <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM> or the area between the light conversion part <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>, the first substrate <NUM>, the second substrate <NUM>, and the light conversion part <NUM> may be adhered to each other by the adhesive layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the dispersion 320a may be partially disposed inside the receiving part <NUM>. In detail, the height of the dispersion 320a may be smaller than the height of the receiving part <NUM>. That is, the dispersion 320a and the air layer 320b region in which the dispersion 320a is not disposed may be formed in the receiving part <NUM>.

That is, the air layer 320b may be disposed between the dispersion and the adhesive layer in the plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part and the plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part to be described below.

The adhesive layer <NUM> adhering the light conversion part <NUM> may be adhered to the partition wall part <NUM>. In detail, the adhesive layer <NUM> may adhere only to the partition wall part <NUM> without contacting the dispersion 320a. That is, since the dispersion 320a is disposed without completely filling the inside of the receiving part <NUM>, the adhesive layer <NUM> may adhere only to the partition wall part <NUM> and not to the dispersion 320a.

Accordingly, adhesion between the light conversion part and the first and second substrates may be improved. That is, it is possible to prevent the adhesive layer that bonds the light conversion part and the first and second substrates from adhering to the dispersion before curing. That is, when the adhesive layer is in contact with the dispersion before curing, a reaction between the adhesive material and the dispersion prior to curing may occur or the adhesive material may be dissolved in the dispersion. Thereby, the adhesive properties of the adhesive layer after curing may be reduced. Since the light route control member according to the embodiment prevents contact between the adhesive layer and the dispersion, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer due to the contact between the adhesive material and the dispersion before curing.

In addition, the light route control member according to the embodiment may prevent the dispersion from overflowing to the outside in the process of disposing the adhesive layer. That is, it is possible to prevent the dispersion inside the receiving part from overflowing to the outside of the receiving part, that is, the partition wall part by the pressure generated when the adhesive layer is formed. That is, since the height of the dispersion is lower than the height of the receiving part, it is possible to prevent the dispersion overflowing due to the formation of the adhesive layer, thereby preventing the partition wall part from being visually recognized by the user as a stain.

Accordingly, the light route controlling member according to the embodiment may improve the adhesive properties of the adhesive layer, thereby improving the reliability of the light route controlling member. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility due to stains by preventing overflow characteristics of the dispersion.

The ratio of the dispersion 320a and the air layer 320b in the receiving part <NUM> may be controlled within a certain range. In detail, the height h1 of the dispersion 320a and the height h2 of the air layer 320b may be different from each other. In more detail, the height h1 of the dispersion 320a may be greater than the height h2 of the air layer 320b.

For example, the height h2 of the air layer 320b may be formed to be <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the height H of the receiving part <NUM>. When the height h2 of the air layer 320b is less than <NUM>%, that is, when the height h1 of the dispersion 320a is <NUM>% or more, when the adhesive layer is disposed on the light conversion part, the adhesive material and the dispersion are contacted by pressure, thereby reducing adhesive properties of the adhesive layer. In addition, when the height h2 of the air layer 320b exceeds <NUM>%, that is, when the height h1 of the dispersion 320a is <NUM>% or less, when the light route control member is attached to the display device and used upright, due to an increase in the height of the air layer, a stain may be recognized by a user and visibility may be reduced, and frontal luminance may be reduced due to a change in refractive index in the air layer.

In addition, the size of the receiving part <NUM> may be controlled within a certain range. In detail, the first width w1, the second width w2, and the height H of the receiving part <NUM> may be controlled within a predetermined range.

The first width w1 of the receiving part may be defined as a short width of the receiving part. The first width w1 may be <NUM> or more. In detail, the first width w1 may be <NUM> to <NUM>. When the first width w1 is less than <NUM>, when the receiving part acts as a light shield, the viewing angle is widened, so it is difficult to realize a desired viewing angle. In addition, when the first width w1 exceeds <NUM>, the pattern of the receiving part may be visually recognized by a user, and thus visibility may be reduced.

The second width w2 of the receiving part may be defined as a long width of the receiving part. The second width w2 may be greater than the first width w1. The second width w2 may have a size of <NUM> to <NUM> times the size of the first width w1. For example, the second width w2 may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

When the second width w2 is less than three times the size of the first width w1, when the receiving part acts as a light shield, the viewing angle is narrowed, so that it is difficult to realize a desired viewing angle. In addition, when the second width w2 exceeds the size of the first width w1 by <NUM> times, when the light route control member is attached to the display device and used in an upright manner, the height of the air layer is increased, so that the user perceives it as a stain, thereby reducing visibility.

The height H of the receiving part may be <NUM> to <NUM>. When the height (H) of the receiving part is less than <NUM>µm, since the viewing angle is narrow, it is difficult to realize a desired viewing angle. In addition, when the height (H) of the receiving part exceeds <NUM>µm, the moving speed of the light absorbing particles may decrease due to an increase in the distance of the moving particles in the dispersion, and accordingly, the driving characteristics of the light route controlling member may be reduced.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, a sealing layer may be disposed on the receiving part <NUM>. In detail, a sealing layer for sealing the dispersion from the outside may be disposed on the receiving part <NUM>. When the sealing layer is further disposed, the sealing layer may be disposed between the air layer and the dispersion.

As described above, in the light route control member according to another embodiment, the dispersion disposed inside the receiving part may be disposed to be lower than the height of the receiving part. Accordingly, when bonding the light conversion part and the substrate through the adhesive layer, it is possible to prevent the adhesive material from coming into contact with the dispersion of the light conversion part. Accordingly, the light route control member according to the embodiment may prevent the adhesive properties of the adhesive layer from being reduced due to the contact between the adhesive material and the dispersion, and thus may have improved reliability.

Meanwhile, the receiving part <NUM> may be disposed in various arrangements.

Referring to <FIG>, the receiving part <NUM> may include a plurality of receiving parts <NUM>.

The receiving parts may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a column direction. For example, the receiving part <NUM> may include first receiving parts 321a disposed in the first column 1A and second receiving parts 321b disposed in the second column 2A.

The first receiving parts 321a disposed in the first column may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other, and the second receiving parts 321b disposed in the second column may also be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

In detail, the first receiving part 321a includes a plurality of unit receiving cells spaced apart from each other in the first column direction, and the second receiving part 321b may include a plurality of unit receiving cells spaced apart from each other in the second column direction.

The first receiving part 321a may include an overlapping area OA overlapping the second receiving part 321b in a direction perpendicular to the first column direction and the second column direction. And, the first receiving part 321a may include a non-overlapping area NOA that does not overlap the second receiving part 321b in a direction perpendicular to the first column direction and the second column direction.

In detail, the first receiving part 321a may include an overlapping area OA overlapping the second receiving part 321b disposed adjacent to the first receiving part 321a in a row direction and a non-overlapping area NOA that does not overlap in a row direction. That is, the first receiving parts 321a of the first column and the second receiving parts 321b of the second column may be disposed to be partially shifted from each other in the row direction.

Accordingly, the visibility of the light route control member can be improved. That is, when the light route control member is used in an upright manner in a device such as a notebook computer, an area in which the air layer is formed may be visually recognized by the user. At this time, by disposing the first receiving parts 321a of the first column and the second receiving parts 321b of the second column to be partially shifted from each other in the row direction, in each of the patterns, it is possible to prevent the stains according to the area where the air layer is formed from being visually recognized in a linear shape.

Accordingly, when the user sees, it is possible to minimize the recognition of such a stain, so that the visibility of the light route control member can be improved.

Also, referring to <FIG>, the receiving parts may be formed in different sizes. In detail, the receiving parts may be formed to have different second widths w2.

The receiving parts may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a column direction. For example, the receiving parts <NUM> may include first receiving parts 321a disposed in the first column 1A and second receiving parts 321b disposed in the second column 2A.

The plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a disposed in the first column may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b disposed in the second column may also be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

The plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a may have different sizes, that is, different second widths w2. Also, the plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b may have different second widths w2.

In addition, the width of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a and the width of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b may be the same or different.

Accordingly, the visibility of the light route control member can be improved. That is, when the light route control member is used in an upright manner in a device such as a notebook computer, an area in which the air layer is formed may be visually recognized by the user. At this time, by forming the first receiving parts 321a in the first column and the second receiving parts 321b in the second column to have different sizes, in each of the patterns, it is possible to prevent the stains according to the area where the air layer is formed from being visually recognized in a linear shape.

In addition, when the light route control member is used by being attached to a display panel, it is possible to prevent a moire formed by overlapping with a pixel pattern included in the display panel. That is, by randomly forming the sizes of the receiving parts of the light route control member, a moire that may occur when the receiving parts and the pixel pattern overlap may be minimized. Accordingly, the visibility of the light route control member may be improved by minimizing the moire.

Also, referring to <FIG>, the spaced distances of the receiving parts may be spaced apart from each other by different sizes.

The receiving parts may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a column direction. For example, the receiving parts <NUM> may include a plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a disposed in the first column 1A, and a plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b disposed in the second column 1A.

The plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a disposed in the first column may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b disposed in the second column may also be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

The separation distance d1 of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a may be different from the separation distance d2 of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b. In addition, in the first column, the separation distance d1 of each of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a may be different from each other.

Accordingly, the visibility of the light route control member can be improved. That is, when the light route control member is used in an upright manner in a device such as a notebook computer, an area in which the air layer is formed may be visually recognized by the user. At this time, the separation distance d1 of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the first receiving part 321a and the separation distance d2 of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the second receiving part 321b are different from each other, or by differentiating the respective separation distances of the plurality of unit receiving cells of the first and second receiving units in the first and second columns, it is possible to prevent the stains according to the area where the air layer is formed in each of the receiving units from being visually recognized in a linear shape.

In addition, when the light route control member is used by being attached to a display panel, it is possible to prevent a moire formed by overlapping with a pixel pattern included in the display panel. That is, by randomly forming the separation distance between the receiving parts of the light route control member, a moire that may occur when the receiving parts and the pixel pattern overlap may be minimized. Accordingly, the visibility of the light route control member may be improved by minimizing the moire.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, a display device and a display apparatus to which a light route control member according to an embodiment is applied will be described.

Referring to <FIG>, a light route control member <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed on a display panel <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> and the light route control member <NUM> may be disposed to be adhered to each other. For example, the display panel <NUM> and the light route control member <NUM> may be adhered to each other via an adhesive layer <NUM>. The adhesive layer <NUM> may be transparent. For example, the adhesive layer <NUM> may include an adhesive or an adhesive layer containing an optical transparent adhesive material.

The adhesive layer <NUM> may include a release film. In detail, when adhering the light route control member and the display panel, the light route control member and the display panel may be adhered after the release film is removed.

The display panel <NUM> may include a first substrate <NUM> and a second substrate <NUM>. When the display panel <NUM> is a liquid crystal display panel, the light route control member may be formed under the liquid crystal panel. That is, when the user-viewed side of the liquid crystal panel is defined as the upper portion of the liquid crystal panel, the light route control member may be disposed below the liquid crystal panel. The display panel <NUM> may be formed in a structure in which the first substrate <NUM> including a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode and the second substrate <NUM> including color filter layers are bonded with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween.

In addition, the display panel <NUM> may be a liquid crystal display panel of a color filter on transistor (COT) structure in which a thin film transistor, a color filter, and a black matrix are formed at the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> is bonded to the first substrate <NUM> with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. That is, a thin film transistor may be formed on the first substrate <NUM>, a protective film may be formed on the thin film transistor, and a color filter layer may be formed on the protective film. In addition, a pixel electrode in contact with the thin film transistor may be formed on the first substrate <NUM>. At this point, in order to improve an aperture ratio and simplify a masking process, the black matrix may be omitted, and a common electrode may be formed to function as the black matrix.

In addition, when the display panel <NUM> is the liquid crystal display panel, the display device may further include a backlight unit providing light from a rear surface of the display panel <NUM>. The backlight unit may be disposed under the light route control member.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, the light route control member may be disposed under the liquid crystal panel.

Alternatively, when the display panel <NUM> is an organic light emitting display panel, the light route control member may be formed on the organic light emitting display panel. That is, when the surface viewed by the user of the organic light emitting display panel is defined as the upper portion of the organic light emitting display panel, the light route control member may be disposed on the organic light emitting display panel. The display panel <NUM> may include a self-luminous element that does not require a separate light source. In the display panel <NUM>, a thin film transistor may be formed on the first substrate <NUM>, and an organic light emitting element in contact with the thin film transistor may be formed. The organic light emitting element may include an anode, a cathode, and an organic light emitting layer formed between the anode and the cathode. Further, the second substrate <NUM> configured to function as an encapsulation substrate for encapsulation may further be included on the organic light emitting element.

Furthermore, although not shown in drawings, a polarizing plate may be further disposed between the light route control member <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The polarizing plate may be a linear polarizing plate or an external light reflection preventive polarizing plate. For example, when the display panel <NUM> is a liquid crystal display panel, the polarizing plate may be the linear polarizing plate. Further, when the display panel <NUM> is the organic light emitting display panel, the polarizing plate may be the external light reflection preventive polarizing plate.

In addition, an additional functional layer <NUM> such as an anti-reflection layer, an anti-glare, or the like may be further disposed on the light route control member <NUM>. Specifically, the functional layer <NUM> may be adhered to one surface of the substrate of the light route control member. Although not shown in drawings, the functional layer <NUM> may be adhered to the base <NUM> of the light route control member via an adhesive layer. In addition, a release film for protecting the functional layer may be further disposed on the functional layer <NUM>.

Further, a touch panel may be further disposed between the display panel and the light route control member.

Although it is shown in the drawings that the light route control member is disposed at an upper portion of the display panel, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the light route control member may be disposed at various positions such as a position in which light is adjustable, that is, a lower portion of the display panel, between a second substrate and a first substrate of the display panel, or the like.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be applied to a vehicle.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be applied to a display device that displays a display.

For example, when power is not applied to the light route control member as shown in <FIG>, the receiving part functions as the light blocking part, so that the display device is driven in a light blocking mode, and when power is applied to the light route control member as shown in <FIG>, the receiving part functions as the light transmitting part, so that the display device may be driven in an open mode.

Accordingly, a user may easily drive the display device in a privacy mode or a normal mode according to application of power.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the display device to which the light route control member according to the embodiment is applied may also be applied inside the vehicle.

For example, the display device including the light route control member according to the embodiment may display a video confirming information of the vehicle and a movement route of the vehicle. The display device may be disposed between a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle.

In addition, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be applied to a dashboard that displays a speed, an engine, an alarm signal, and the like of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the light route control member according to the embodiment may be applied to a front glass (FG) of the vehicle or right and left window glasses.

The characteristics, structures, effects, and the like described in the above-described embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, but are not limited to only one embodiment.

Claim 1:
A light route control member comprising:
a first substrate (<NUM>);
a first electrode (<NUM>) disposed on an upper surface of the first substrate (<NUM>);
a second substrate (<NUM>) disposed on the first substrate (<NUM>);
a second electrode (<NUM>) disposed on a lower surface of the second substrate (<NUM>); and
a light conversion part (<NUM>) disposed between the first electrode (<NUM>) and the second electrode (<NUM>), and having a quadrangular shape defining a first direction and a second direction,
wherein the first direction is defined as a long side direction of the light conversion part (<NUM>), and the second direction is defined as a short side direction of the light conversion part (<NUM>),
wherein the light conversion part (<NUM>) includes a partition wall part (<NUM>) and a receiving part (<NUM>) that are alternately disposed in the first direction,
wherein the receiving part (<NUM>) is driven as a light blocking part in a first mode and blocks light provided at a specific viewing angle, and
wherein the receiving part (<NUM>) is driven as a light transmitting part in a second mode, and light is transmitted through both the partition wall part (<NUM>) and the receiving part (<NUM>),
characterized in that the receiving part (<NUM>) includes a plurality of cells (SP) spaced apart from each other in the second direction,
that at least one of the cells (SP) includes a first inner surface (IS1) and a second inner surface (IS2) connected to each other,
that at least one of the first inner surface (IS1) and the second inner surface (IS2) extends in a direction different from the first direction and the second direction, and
that the first inner surface (IS1) and the second inner surface (IS2) are inclined at an angle of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.