Patent ID: 12189222

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

As shown inFIGS.1to4, the present disclosure provides a display device100. The display device100is a liquid crystal display device. The display device100has a first display mode and a second display mode. A viewing angle of the first display mode is less than a viewing angle of the second display mode. The first display mode is a privacy mode corresponding to a narrow viewing angle, and the second display mode is a normal mode or a sharing mode corresponding to a wide viewing angle. The display device100includes a display module10, a dimming device and a backlight module30, and the display module10is located between the dimming device20and the backlight module30.

In this embodiment, the display module10includes a first polarizer101, a display panel102, and a third polarizer103. The display panel102is located between the first polarizer101and the third polarizer103. The first polarizer101is disposed at a light-emitting side of the display panel102, the third polarizer103is disposed at a light-incidencing side of the display panel102, and the first polarizer101and the third polarizer103are attached to opposite sides of the display panel102, respectively. A transmission axis of the first polarizer101is perpendicular to a transmission axis of the third polarizer103, the transmission axis of the first polarizer101is parallel to a y-axis direction (horizontal direction), and the transmission axis of the third polarizer103is parallel to an x-axis, and the x-axis is perpendicular to the y-axis. The display panel102is a conventional display panel, the display panel102cooperates with the first polarizer101and the third polarizer103to realize display, and the display panel102will not be described in detail here.

In this embodiment, the dimming device20has a first state and a second state. When the display device100is in the first display mode, the dimming device20is in the first state. When the display device100is in the second display mode, the dimming device20is in the second state. The dimming device20includes a first substrate201, a second substrate202, a first electrode layer204, a second electrode layer205, a dimming layer203, a first alignment layer206, a second alignment layer207, and a second polarizer208.

In this embodiment, the first substrate201is disposed on a side of the first polarizer101away from the display panel102, the second substrate202is disposed on a side of the first substrate201away from the display panel102, and the first substrate201and the second substrate201are arranged opposite. Both the first substrate201and the second substrate202are glass substrates. It can be understood that, both the first substrate201and the second substrate202may also be polymer substrates, such as polyimide substrate.

In this embodiment, the second polarizer208is located on a side of the second substrate202away from the first substrate201. A transmission axis of the second polarizer208is parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer101, that is, the transmission axis of the second polarizer208is also parallel to the y-axis direction, and the second polarizer208is attached to the second substrate202. It is understandable that, the first polarizer101can also be used as a part of the dimming device20and attached to the first substrate201.

In this embodiment, the dimming layer203is filled between the first substrate201and the second substrate202. Therefore, the dimming layer203is also disposed on the light-emitting side of the display panel102, and the second polarizer208is positioned on a side of the dimming layer203away from the first polarizer101. The dimming layer203has at least one first area203a1and at least one second area203a2alternately arranged in a first direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the dimming layer203.

Specifically, a number of the first area203a1and a number of the second area203a2are plurality, the first direction is the y-axis direction, the thickness direction of the dimming layer203is the z-axis direction. The z-axis direction is perpendicular to the y-axis direction and the x-axis direction, the plurality of the first areas203a1and the plurality of the second areas203a2are alternately arranged in the y-axis direction, and the first area203a1and the second area203a2have same size in the first direction.

In this embodiment, the dimming layer203includes a first polymer network liquid crystal and a second polymer network liquid crystal. The first polymer network liquid crystal is disposed in the first area203a1of the dimming layer203, and the second polymer network liquid crystal is disposed in the second area203a2of the dimming layer203. The first polymer network liquid crystal includes a first polymer network2031arranged along the second direction w1and liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031. The second polymer network includes a second polymer network2032arranged along the third direction w2and liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032. Both the second direction w1and the third direction w2are inclined relative to a normal line of the first polarizer101, the third direction w2and the second direction w1are point to opposite sides of the normal line of the first polarizer101respectively, and the third direction w2and the second direction w1are both parallel to a plane zOy defined by the first direction and the thickness direction of the dimming layer, the normal line of the first polarizer101is parallel to the z-axis direction and points to the z-axis direction. An angle between the second direction w1and the normal line direction of the first polarizer101is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and an angle between the third direction w2and the normal line direction of the first polarizer101is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. For example, the angle between the second direction w1and the normal line direction of the first polarizer101is 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, or 80 degrees, and the angle between the third direction w2and the normal line direction of the first polarizer101is 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, or 80 degrees.

It can be understood that, the angles between the third direction w2and the second direction w1and the plane defined by the first direction and the thickness direction of the dimming layer are greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, such as 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees or 60 degrees.

It should be noted that, since the third direction w2and the second direction w1respectively point to opposite sides of the normal line of the first polarizer101, one first polymer network2031locating in one first area203a1and arranging along the second direction w1and one second polymer network2032disposed in an adjacent second area203a2and arranging along a third direction w2is inclined toward each other. The first polymer network2031being arranged in the first area203a1and along the second direction w1and the second polymer network2032being arranged in another adjacent second area203a2and along a third direction w2are inclined backward each other. Wherein, the first polymer network2031inclined towards to the second polymer network2032means that when the first polymer network2031is inclined to a side near the second polymer network2032, the second polymer network2032is also inclined to a side near the first polymer network2031. The first polymer network2031inclined backwards to the second polymer network2032means that when the first polymer network2031is inclined to a side away from the second polymer network2032, the second polymer network2032is also inclined to a side away from the first polymer network2031.

In this embodiment, one of the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205is located between the first polarizer101and the dimming layer203, and the other of the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205is located between the second polarizer208and the dimming layer203. A material of the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205are both indium tin oxide.

Wherein, the first electrode layer204includes a plurality of first electrodes spaced and arranged in a first direction. There is a gap204abetween two adjacent first electrodes2041. Each first electrode2041is arranged corresponding to an adjacent one first area203a1and one second area203a2. A first polymer network2031disposed in the second direction w1and corresponded to one first electrode2041and a second polymer network2032disposed in a third direction w2are inclined backwards each other. Corresponding to two adjacent first electrodes2041, the first polymer network2031and the second polymer network2032incline to the gap204abetween the two first electrodes2041and incline toward each other. A size of the gap204abetween any two adjacent first electrodes2041in the first direction is less than a size of one first electrode2041. The second electrode layer205is disposed opposite to the first electrode layer204, and the second electrode layer205is an electrode on an entire surface.

Specifically, the first electrode layer204is located between the first polarizer101and the dimming layer203, the first electrode layer204is disposed on the first substrate201and between the first substrate201and the dimming layer203, and the second electrode layer205is located between the second polarizer208and the dimming layer203, and the second electrode layer205is disposed on the second substrate202and between the second substrate202and the dimming layer203.

In this embodiment, the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205are used to apply a voltage to the dimming layer203, so that long axes of at least part of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031are switched between the second directions w1and a fourth direction, and long axes of at least part of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032are switched between the third direction w2and a fifth direction.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.1, when the display device100is in the first display mode, the dimming device20is in the first state, and a voltage difference between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205is less than a preset threshold value.

Specifically, when the display device100is in the first display mode, no voltage is applied on the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205, and an electric field corresponding to a voltage between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205will not applied an electric field force on the liquid crystal molecules2033in the dimming layer203, and the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031are only subjected to a directional force of the first polymer network2031, so that the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031are arranged along the second direction w1, and at this time, since the second direction w1is parallel to the plane defined by the first direction and the thickness direction of the dimming layer, an orthographic projection of the long axes of the liquid crystals molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031on the first polarizer101are parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer101; at the same time, the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032are only subjected to a directional force of the second polymer network2032, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032are arranged along the third direction w2, and at this time, since the third direction w2is parallel to the plane defined by the first direction and the thickness direction of the dimming layer, and an orthographic projection of the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032on the first polarizer101are parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer101.

Therefore, when the display device100is in the first display mode, the liquid crystal molecules2033arranged corresponding to one first electrode2041and the long axes arranged along the third direction w2are inclined backwardly to the liquid crystal molecules2033with the long axes arranged along the second direction w1, that is, the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged along the third direction w2are inclined in a direction away from the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged in the second direction w1, and the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged along the second direction w1are inclined in a direction away from the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged in the third direction w2; and the liquid crystal molecules2033arranged corresponding to the two adjacent first electrodes2041are inclined towards the liquid crystal molecules2033with the long axes arranged along the third direction w2. That is, the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged in the second direction w1are inclined to the gap204aclose to the first area203a1, and the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged in the third direction w2are inclined to the gap204aclose to the second area203a2, so that the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged along the second direction w1and the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes arranged along the third direction w2form a dual-domain liquid crystal layer, thereby, a normal display of the normal line direction of the display surface of the display device100(front viewing angle) is ensured, and a difference of the anti-peeping effect of the display device at different positions in the first direction is also improved.

In this embodiment, in order to further improve a difference of the privacy effect of the display device at different positions in the first direction, a difference between the angle formed between the second direction w1and the normal line of the first polarizer101and the angle formed between the third direction w2and the normal line of the first polarizer101is less than or equal to 10 degrees. For example, the difference between the angle formed by the second direction w1and the normal line of the first polarizer101and the angle formed by the third direction w2and the normal line of the first polarizer101is 8 degrees, 7 degrees, 6 degrees, 5 degrees, 4 degrees, 2 degrees, 1 degree, etc.

Further, the second direction w1and the third direction w2are symmetric with respect to the normal line of the first polarizer101, that is, the angle between the second direction w1and the normal line of the first polarizer101is equal to or tends to be equal to the angle between the third direction w2and the normal line of the first polarizer101, so that the anti-peeping effect of the display device at different positions in the first direction is consistent.

It should be noted that, as shown inFIG.1, a propagation direction of the first light L1emitted from the first polarizer101of the display module10is parallel to the normal line of the first polarizer101, and a polarization direction of the first light L1is parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer101, the polarization direction of the first light L1only passes through the long axes of the liquid crystal molecule2033, the dimming layer203does not adjust phase of the first light L1, and the first light L1will not produce phase difference after passing through the dimming layer203. The polarization direction of the first ray L1after passing through the dimming layer203is still parallel to the y-axis, and the first ray L1passes through the transmission axis of the second polarizer208, thereby, ensure a normal display of the normal line direction (front viewing angle) of the display surface of the display device100. The propagation direction of the second light L2emitted from the first polarizer101of the display module10is inclined with respect to the normal line (z-axis direction) of the first polarizer101, and the second light L2is in the xOz plane. The polarization direction of the light L2is parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer101and has a certain angle with the long axis of the liquid crystal molecule2033. The dimming layer203performs phase adjustment processing on the second light L2, so that the polarization direction of the second light L2is deflected and becomes a third light L3. When the polarization direction of the third light L3is perpendicular to the y-axis, the third light L3is blocked by the second polarizer208. When the polarization direction of the third light L3forms a certain angle with the y-axis and forms a certain angle with the x-axis, part of the third light L3is blocked by the second polarizer208and part of the third light L3passes through the second polarizer208, that is, the second light L2whose polarization direction been adjusted or the part of the second light L2is blocked by the second polarizer208, resulting in a low transmittance of light in the xOz plane and a propagation direction deviating from the normal line direction of the first polarizer101. The display device100has a best anti-peeping effect in the x-axis direction and deviating from the front viewing angle.

In addition, as shown inFIGS.6and7,FIG.6is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device of the comparative example,FIG.7is a schematic view of the display device shown inFIG.6viewed from different positions in the y-axis direction, and the display device200shown inFIG.6is basically similar to the display device shown inFIG.1, except that when the display device200is in a first display mode, the dimming layer includes a single-domain liquid crystal layer. Due to a birefringence of liquid crystal molecules, the liquid crystal molecules are not consistent when observed at three different positions in the first direction (y-axis direction). Correspondingly, the phase adjustment effect of the dimming layer is also not consistent. In the first direction of the different positions and in the x-axis direction away from the positive angle, the anti-peeping effect gradually decreases. In the application embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, when the display device is in the first display mode, since the liquid crystal molecules2033with the long axes being arranged along the second direction w1in the dimming layer203are symmetrical with the liquid crystal molecules2033with long axes being arranged along the third direction w2respecting to the normal line of the first polarizer101, the birefringence effect of liquid crystal molecule2033are observed in different positions in the first direction. Correspondingly, the phase compensation effect of the dimming layer203at different positions in the first direction is the same. The liquid crystal molecule2033in the dimming layer203has a good self-compensation effect, which makes the anti-peeping effect of the display device in different positions in the first direction and deviating from the right angle in the x-axis direction consistent, the embodiment shows that the device100has better anti-peeping effect.

In addition, in conjunction withFIG.2andFIG.7, it can be seen that when the third direction w2and the second direction w1respectively point to opposite sides of the normal line of the first polarizer101, it is beneficial to improve the difference of the anti-peeping effect in the first direction, and the smaller the difference between the angle formed by the second direction w1and the normal line of the first polarizer101and the angle formed by the third direction w2and the normal line of the first polarizer101, then the difference of the anti-peeping effect at different positions in the first direction and deviating from the front viewing angle in the x-axis direction is smaller. When the second direction w1and the third direction w2are symmetrical with respect to the normal line of the first polarizer101, a consistency of the anti-peeping effect is best for different positions in the first direction and deviation from the front viewing angle in the x-axis direction.

If the display device is rectangular, and the first direction is a length direction of the display device of this embodiment, the width direction of the display device and the direction away from the positive front viewing angle has a good anti-peeping effect, and the anti-peeping effect of different positions of the display device is consistent in the length direction of the display device. It can be understood that the first direction may be a width direction of the display device, in this case the embodiment shows that the display device of this embodiment has good anti-peeping effect on the length direction of the display device and the direction deviating from the front viewing angle, and the anti-peeping effect of different positions of the display device in the width direction is consistent.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, when the display device100is in the second display mode, the dimming device20is in the second state, and when the voltage difference between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the electric field corresponding to the voltage between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205will exert an electric field force on the liquid crystal molecules2033in the dimming layer203.

Specifically, when the display device100is in the second display mode, at least part of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031are more affected by the electric field force than by the orientation of the first polymer network2031because they are arranged far away from the first polymer network2031, the long axes of the at least part of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031are deflected from a second direction w1to a fourth direction under the action of the electric field force. The fourth direction is different from the second directions w1and the third direction w2. The other small amount of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031and closer A small amount of other liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031and closer to the first polymer network2031do not deflect because the orientation of the first polymer network2031is greater than the electric field force. The long axes of the small amount of the liquid crystal molecules2033are still arranged along the second direction w1; at the same time, at least part of the liquid crystal molecule2033distributed in the second polymer network2032and far away from the second polymer network2032subject an electric field force greater than the directional effect of the second polymer network2032, the long axes of the at least part of the liquid crystal molecule2033distributed in the second polymer network2032are deflected from a third direction w2to a fifth direction under the action of an electric field force, the fifth direction is different from the second direction w1and the third direction w2, other small amounts of liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032and closer to the second polymer network2032do not deflect because the orientation effect of the second polymer network2032is greater than the force of the electric field. The long axes of this small amount of liquid crystal molecules2033are still set along the third direction w2.

Therefore, when the display device100is in the second display mode, the dimming layer203includes a small amount of liquid crystal molecules2033closing to the first polymer network2031and with long axes are arranged along the third direction w2, a small amount of liquid crystal molecules2033closing to the second polymer network2032and with long axes arranged along the third direction w1, a large number of liquid crystal molecules2033away from the first polymer network2031with long axes arranged in the fourth direction, and a large number of liquid crystal molecules away from the second polymer network2032with long axes arranged in the fifth direction. The dimming layer203does not adjust the phase of the light passing through it, the refractive index of the dimming layer203is non-uniform, and the dimming layer203scatters the light passing through it, so that the light emitted from the display device100is diffused, and the display device100can provide a better wide viewing angle display effect in the second display mode.

In this embodiment, the fourth direction is the same as the fifth direction, and the fourth direction is parallel or perpendicular to the normal line of the first polarizer101. Specifically, as shown inFIG.3, when the liquid crystal molecules2033are positive liquid crystal molecules, the fourth direction is parallel to the normal line of the first polarizer101, that is, the fourth direction is the vertical direction (parallel to the z axis). As shown inFIG.4, when the liquid crystal molecules2033are negative liquid crystal molecules, the fourth direction is perpendicular to the normal line of the first polarizer101, that is, the fourth direction is the horizontal direction (vertical to the z axis). It can be understood that the fourth direction and the fifth direction may also be different.

In this embodiment, the first alignment layer206is disposed on a surface of the first electrode layer204close to the second substrate202, and the second alignment layer207is disposed on a surface of the second electrode layer205close to the first substrate201. The long axes of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031are set along the second direction w1after aligned by the first alignment layer206and the second alignment layer207, and the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032are set along the third direction w2after aligned by the first alignment layer206and the second alignment layer207.

In this embodiment, the backlight module30is a collimated backlight source, and the collimated backlight source is located on a side of the third polarizer103away from the display panel102. The backlight module30provides a collimated backlight source for the display panel102.

As shown inFIG.5,FIG.5is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device according to the second embodiment of the application. The display device shown inFIG.5is basically similar to the display device shown inFIG.1, except that the dimming device20further includes at least one third electrode209, and the at least one third electrode209is disposed on a surface of the first substrate201close to the second substrate202. The at least one third electrode209is arranged in the same layer as the first electrode layer204, and each third electrode209is arranged at a gap204abetween two adjacent first electrodes2041. A size of the third electrode209located between two adjacent first electrodes2041in the first direction (y-axis direction) is less than a size of the first electrode2041in the first direction, to provide conditions for an arc-shaped electric field between each third electrode209and the adjacent first electrode2041.

When aligning the liquid crystal molecules2033, the voltage of the third electrode209is independently regulated, a slanted electric field is formed between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205, and to match each third electrode209to form an arc-shaped electric field with the adjacent first electrode2041, to improve the driving and adjusting ability of the liquid crystal molecules2033, so that a pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules2033after the alignment is adjustable.

In addition, when the display device is in the second display mode, a voltage applied to the third electrode209is the same as a voltage applied to the first electrode layer204, so that when a voltage is applied between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205to deflect the liquid crystal molecules2033in the dimming layer203, the electric field formed between the third electrode209and the second electrode layer205can also drive the liquid crystal molecules2033in the dimming layer203to deflect, further ensuring that the liquid crystal molecules2033can be deflected to a target state in the second display mode

It should be noted that, preparation materials of the first polymer network2031and the second polymer network2032include polymer monomers, before aligning the liquid crystal molecules2033, the polymer monomer and the liquid crystal molecules2033form a mixture. During the alignment process of the liquid crystal molecules2033, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules2033in the mixture are respectively arranged along the second direction w1and the third direction w2under the combined action of the inclined electric field formed between the first electrode layer204and the second electrode layer205and the arc-shaped electric field formed between the first electrode layer204and the third electrode209. Correspondingly, the polymer monomers in the mixture are arranged along the second direction w1and the third direction w2under the orientation force of the liquid crystal molecules2033. After curing using an ultraviolet light, a first polymer network2031arranged along the second direction w1and a second polymer network2032arranged along the third direction w2are formed. A first polymer network liquid crystal is formed by the first polymer network2031arranged along the second direction w1and the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the first polymer network2031, and the second polymer network liquid crystal is formed by the second polymer network2032arranged along the third direction w2and the liquid crystal molecules2033distributed in the second polymer network2032constitute.

The foregoing embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed. However, it should not be understood as a limitation to the patent scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, a person of ordinary skill in the art may further make some variations and improvements without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, and the variations and improvements belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the appended claims.