Display panel and display device, driving method

Abstract

This invention discloses a display panel, a display device, and a driving method. The display panel includes a display cell and a dimming box disposed on the light-emitting side of the display cell. The dimming box includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a first liquid crystal layer. The first substrate is provided with a first viewing angle control electrode, and the second substrate is provided with a second viewing angle control electrode, a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a third electrode strip. The second and third electrode strips are arranged sequentially towards both sides of the first electrode strip, with the first electrode strip as the center. By arranging the second and third electrode strips sequentially towards both sides of the first electrode strip, and by ensuring that the voltage on the first, second, and third electrode strips gradually changes, the deflection angle of the first liquid crystal layer at each electrode group also gradually changes. The first liquid crystal layer is equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed in the display cell onto the light-emitting surface of the dimming box to solve the depth-of-field problem.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel, display device, and driving method. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous advancement of LCD technology, the viewing angle of monitors has expanded from approximately 112° to over 160°. While enjoying the visual experience brought by a wider viewing angle, people also desire to effectively protect trade secrets and personal privacy to avoid business losses or embarrassment caused by the leakage of screen information. Therefore, in addition to the requirement for a wide viewing angle, many situations also require display devices to have the function of switching between wide and narrow viewing angles.

[0003] Currently, the main method to achieve wide and narrow viewing angle switching is to attach a Venetian blind film to the display screen. When privacy is required, the viewing angle can be narrowed by covering the screen with the Venetian blind film. However, this method requires an extra Venetian blind film, which will cause great inconvenience to users. Moreover, a Venetian blind film can only achieve one viewing angle. Once the Venetian blind film is attached, the viewing angle is fixed in the narrow viewing angle mode, making it impossible to switch freely between the wide and narrow viewing angle modes. In addition, the Venetian blind film will reduce the brightness and affect the display effect.

[0004] Existing technologies also utilize a stacked configuration of a dimming box and a display panel, with the dimming box stacked on top of the display panel to achieve switching between wide and narrow viewing angles. The display panel is used for normal image display, while the dimming box controls the viewing angle switching. The dimming box includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. Viewing angle control electrodes on the first and second substrates apply a vertical electric field to the liquid crystal molecules, causing the liquid crystals to deflect vertically, achieving a narrow viewing angle mode. By controlling the voltage on the viewing angle control electrodes, switching between wide and narrow viewing angles can be achieved. However, in this type of display device, the display panel is located below the dimming box layer, and the image is displayed by the lower display panel, resulting in a depth-of-field issue during image display. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a display panel, display device, and driving method to solve the problem of depth of field in the prior art display device.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] The present invention provides a display panel, including a dimming box and a display box stacked with the dimming box, wherein the dimming box is disposed on the light-emitting side of the display box;

[0008] The dimming box includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a first liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has a first viewing angle control electrode on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer. The second substrate has a second viewing angle control electrode and a depth control electrode layer on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer. The depth control electrode layer includes multiple sets of electrode groups. Each set of electrode groups includes a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a third electrode strip that are mutually insulated and parallel. The second electrode strip and the third electrode strip are arranged sequentially on both sides of the first electrode strip with the first electrode strip as the center.

[0009] The first electrode strip is used to apply a first voltage, the second electrode strip is used to apply a second voltage, and the third electrode strip is used to apply a third voltage. The magnitudes of the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage exhibit a gradual trend.

[0010] Furthermore, the second view control electrode and the depth control electrode layer are located on different layers, and the third electrode strip is electrically connected to the second view control electrode.

[0011] Furthermore, two adjacent groups of electrodes share a single third electrode strip.

[0012] Furthermore, the spacing between the first electrode strip and the second electrode strip is the same as the spacing between the second electrode strip and the third electrode strip; the width of the third electrode strip is greater than the width of the first electrode strip, and the width of the first electrode strip is the same as the width of the second electrode strip.

[0013] Furthermore, the edge of the second substrate is provided with a first signal line, a second signal line, a third signal line and a fourth signal line. All the first electrode strips are electrically connected to the first signal line, all the second electrode strips are electrically connected to the second signal line, all the third electrode strips are electrically connected to the third signal line, and the first viewing angle control electrode is connected to the fourth signal line.

[0014] Further, the display cell includes a color filter substrate, an array substrate disposed opposite to the color filter substrate, and a second liquid crystal layer disposed between the color filter substrate and the array substrate; a first polarizer is provided on the side of the dimming cell away from the display cell, a second polarizer is provided between the dimming cell and the display cell, and a third polarizer is provided on the side of the display cell away from the dimming cell. The light transmission axis of the first polarizer is parallel to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer, and the light transmission axis of the third polarizer is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer. The extension direction of the electrode strip in the electrode group is parallel to the light transmission axis of the first polarizer (31).

[0015] This application also provides a display device, including the display panel described above.

[0016] This application also provides a driving method for a display panel, the driving method for driving the display panel as described above, the driving method for the display panel including:

[0017] A first voltage is applied to the first electrode strip, a second voltage is applied to the second electrode strip, and a third voltage is applied to the third electrode strip, wherein the magnitudes of the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage exhibit a gradual trend.

[0018] Furthermore, the driving method for the display panel includes:

[0019] In wide-view mode, a common voltage is applied to the first view control electrode and a wide-view drive voltage is applied to the second view control electrode, wherein the voltage difference between the first view control electrode and the second view control electrode is greater than a first preset value.

[0020] In narrow-view mode, a common voltage is applied to the first view control electrode and a narrow-view driving voltage is applied to the second view control electrode. The voltage difference between the first view control electrode and the second view control electrode is greater than a second preset value and less than a third preset value, wherein the third preset value is less than the first preset value.

[0021] Furthermore, in the wide-viewing-angle mode, the third voltage is the same as the wide-viewing-angle driving voltage; in the narrow-viewing-angle mode, the third voltage is the same as the narrow-viewing-angle driving voltage.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: by setting a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a third electrode strip on a second substrate, with the second and third electrode strips arranged sequentially towards both sides of the first electrode strip as the center, and the voltage on the first, second, and third electrode strips exhibiting a gradual change trend, the deflection angle of the first liquid crystal layer at each electrode group also exhibits a gradual change trend, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules at each electrode group also exhibits a gradual change trend. This makes the first liquid crystal layer equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed in the display box onto the light-emitting surface of the dimming box, thereby solving the depth-of-field problem and enhancing the competitiveness of the privacy display device while meeting customer needs. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the display device in its initial state according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal section structure of the second substrate in this invention;

[0025] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the depth-of-field control electrode layer in this invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the second substrate in this invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the waveform applied by the display device in wide viewing angle mode in this invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the display device in wide viewing angle mode according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the waveform applied by the display device in the narrow viewing angle mode in this invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle mode of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a comparison chart of transmittance and viewing angle of display devices in wide viewing angle mode in the present invention and the prior art;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a simulation diagram of the liquid crystal molecule deflection in the wide viewing angle mode of the display device in this invention;

[0033] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Simulation charts showing the refractive index at different locations within the image;

[0034] Figure 12 This is a simulation diagram of the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in a display device in wide viewing angle mode in the prior art;

[0035] Figure 13 This is a comparison chart of transmittance and viewing angle of display devices in the present invention and prior art in narrow viewing angle mode;

[0036] Figure 14 This is a simulation diagram of the liquid crystal molecule deflection in the narrow viewing angle mode of the display device in this invention;

[0037] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 Simulation charts showing the refractive index at different locations within the image;

[0038] Figure 16 This is a simulation diagram of liquid crystal molecule deflection in a display device in narrow viewing angle mode in the prior art;

[0039] Figure 17 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the planar structure of the display device in this invention;

[0040] Figure 18 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the display device in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, provides a detailed explanation of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the display panel, display device, and driving method proposed according to the present invention:

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the display device in its initial state according to the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a display panel for improving depth of field, including a dimming box 10 and a display box 20 stacked with the dimming box 10. The dimming box 10 is located on the light-emitting side of the display box 20. That is, in this embodiment, the dimming box 10 is located on the side of the display box 20 away from the backlight module 40. The dimming box 10 is used to control the wide and narrow viewing angle switching and depth of field of the display device, and the display box 20 is used to control the display device to display a normal image.

[0043] The dimming box 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 disposed opposite to the first substrate 11, and a first liquid crystal layer 13 disposed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. Preferably, the first liquid crystal layer 13 consists of positive liquid crystal molecules, i.e., liquid crystal molecules with positive dielectric anisotropy. The phase retardation of the first liquid crystal layer 13 is preferably 800 nm, and can be selected in the range of 500 nm to 1600 nm. Figure 1 As shown, in the initial state, the positive liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 13 are aligned parallel to the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The alignment directions of the positive liquid crystal molecules closer to the first substrate 11 and the positive liquid crystal molecules closer to the second substrate 12 are parallel or antiparallel. The first liquid crystal layer 13 also has a certain pretilt angle, which is 0-7°, for example, 4.5°, thereby accelerating the response speed of the liquid crystal molecules when deflected.

[0044] In this embodiment, the second substrate 12 is disposed on the side of the first liquid crystal layer 13 near the display cell 20, and the first substrate 11 is disposed on the side of the first liquid crystal layer 13 away from the display cell 20. Of course, in other embodiments, the second substrate 12 is disposed on the side of the first liquid crystal layer 13 away from the display cell 20, and the first substrate 11 is disposed on the side of the first liquid crystal layer 13 near the display cell 20.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 1As shown, a first polarizer 31 is disposed on a first substrate 11, and a second polarizer 32 is disposed on a second substrate 12. The transmission axis of the first polarizer 31 and the transmission axis of the second polarizer 32 are parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the alignment direction of the first liquid crystal layer 13 is perpendicular to the transmission axes of the first polarizer 31 and the second polarizer 32. For example, the transmission axes of the first polarizer 31 and the second polarizer 32 are both 0°, and the alignment direction of the first liquid crystal layer 13 is 90°.

[0046] The first substrate 11 has a first viewing angle control electrode 111 on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer 13, and the second substrate 12 has a second viewing angle control electrode 121 and a depth control electrode layer 14 on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer 13. The first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121 are used to form a vertical electric field to drive the positive liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 13 to deflect vertically, thereby enabling the dimming cell 10 to switch between wide viewing angle mode and narrow viewing angle mode. The depth control electrode layer 14 is used to form various gradually changing horizontal electric fields, so that the first liquid crystal layer 13 is equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed by the display cell 20 onto the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10 to solve the depth-of-field problem.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, both the first view control electrode 111 and the second view control electrode 121 are planar electrodes with a full-surface structure. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal section structure of the second substrate in this invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the depth-of-field control electrode layer in this invention, as shown below. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the depth-of-field control electrode layer 14 includes multiple sets of electrode groups arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, each electrode group includes a first electrode strip 141, a second electrode strip 142, and a third electrode strip 143 that are insulated from each other and parallel to each other. The second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143 are arranged sequentially towards both sides of the first electrode strip 141, i.e., the third electrode strip 143, the second electrode strip 142, the first electrode strip 141, the second electrode strip 142, and the third electrode strip 143 are arranged in sequence. Each electrode group has one first electrode strip 141, two second electrode strips 142, and two third electrode strips 143. Of course, in other embodiments, each electrode group may also include a fourth electrode strip, a fifth electrode strip, etc. If there are too many types of electrode strips in the electrode group, the electric field strength formed by the middle electrode strip and the outermost electrode strips will be very weak, making it difficult to control the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in a preset direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the second viewing angle control electrode 121 and the depth-of-field control electrode layer 14 are located on different layers, with the second viewing angle control electrode 121 located below the depth-of-field control electrode layer 14. The second viewing angle control electrode 121 and the depth-of-field control electrode layer 14 are separated by a first insulating layer. The third electrode strip 143 is electrically connected to the second viewing angle control electrode 121 through contact holes in the first insulating layer, thereby applying the same electrical signal to both the third electrode strip 143 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121. The second substrate 12 also has a second insulating layer on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer 13, which covers the depth-of-field control electrode layer 14, thus preventing a short circuit between the depth-of-field control electrode layer 14 and the first viewing angle control electrode 111 on the first substrate 11.

[0049] In this embodiment, the extension directions of the electrode strips (first electrode strip 141, second electrode strip 142, and third electrode strip 143) in the electrode group are parallel to the light transmission axis of the first polarizer 31 and the light transmission axis of the second polarizer 32, for example, extending along the 0° direction. Therefore, the extension directions of the first electrode strip 141, second electrode strip 142, and third electrode strip 143 are perpendicular to the alignment direction of the first liquid crystal layer 13, thereby ensuring that the positive liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 13 deflect in the vertical direction when switching between wide and narrow viewing angles, thus ensuring the privacy protection effect for narrow viewing angles. Of course, in other embodiments, the extension directions of the first electrode strip 141, second electrode strip 142, and third electrode strip 143 may also form an acute angle with the alignment direction of the first liquid crystal layer 13. An arc-shaped electric field is formed between the first electrode strip 141, second electrode strip 142, and third electrode strip 143, mainly to drive the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 13 to be distributed in an arc shape, thereby making the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules at each electrode group gradually change.

[0050] In this embodiment, two adjacent groups of electrodes share a third electrode strip 143. Since the third electrode strip 143 is located at the outermost edge of each group of electrodes and all the third electrode strips 143 apply the same electrical signal, sharing a third electrode strip 143 between two adjacent groups of electrodes can improve the utilization rate of the second substrate 12 and facilitate the setting of more electrode groups.

[0051] Furthermore, the width of the third electrode strip 143 is greater than the width of the first electrode strip 141, and the width of the first electrode strip 141 is the same as the width of the second electrode strip 142. The spacing between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142 is the same as the spacing between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143. Figure 2 and Figure 3In the diagram, l1 represents the width of the third electrode strip 143, l2 represents the same spacing between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142, and the same spacing between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143, and l3 represents the width of the first electrode strip 141 and the width of the second electrode strip 142. Preferably, l1 is 6 μm, l2 is 3.5 μm, and l3 is 3 μm, thereby ensuring that the electric field formed between the first electrode strip 141, the second electrode strip 142, and the third electrode strip 143 meets the requirements, and minimizing the shielding effect on the vertical electric field formed between the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121.

[0052] Furthermore, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the second substrate in this invention, as shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the edge of the second substrate 12 is provided with a first signal line 1, a second signal line 2, a third signal line 3, and a fourth signal line 4. All first electrode strips 141 are electrically connected to the first signal line 1, all second electrode strips 142 are electrically connected to the second signal line 2, and all third electrode strips 143 are electrically connected to the third signal line 3. All third electrode strips 143 are electrically connected to the second viewing angle control electrode 121 through contact holes on the first insulating layer. The second viewing angle control electrode 121 is electrically connected to the third signal line 3 at its edge. The edge of the second substrate 12 is provided with the fourth signal line 4. The first viewing angle control electrode 111 is electrically connected to the fourth signal line 4 through conductive adhesive between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, thereby transmitting electrical signals from the second substrate 12 to the first substrate 11.

[0053] In this embodiment, the display box 20 is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD). Of course, in other embodiments, the display box 20 can also be a self-emissive display (e.g., an OLED display or a Micro LED display), but the dimming box 10 must be positioned above the display box 20.

[0054] The display cell 20 includes a color filter substrate 21, an array substrate 22 disposed opposite to the color filter substrate 21, and a second liquid crystal layer 23 disposed between the color filter substrate 21 and the array substrate 22. The second liquid crystal layer 23 preferably uses positive liquid crystal molecules, i.e., liquid crystal molecules with positive dielectric anisotropy. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in the initial state, the positive liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal layer 23 are aligned perpendicularly to the color filter substrate 21 and the array substrate 22. The alignment direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules near the color filter substrate 21 is parallel or antiparallel to the alignment direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules near the array substrate 22. Of course, in other embodiments, the second liquid crystal layer 23 can also use negative liquid crystal molecules, and the negative liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal layer 23 can be aligned perpendicularly to the color filter substrate 21 and the array substrate 22, which is equivalent to the alignment method of the VA display mode.

[0055] A third polarizer 33 is provided on the side of the display box 20 away from the dimming box 10. The light transmission axis of the second polarizer 32 between the dimming box 10 and the display box 20 is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the third polarizer 33. For example, the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 31 and the second polarizer 32 are both 0°, and the light transmission axis of the third polarizer 33 is 90°. A compensation film, which is stacked on top of the second polarizer 32, can also be provided between the dimming box 10 and the display box 20. The compensation film can be located either above or below the second polarizer 32. The compensation film can be an enhancement film (APF) or a brightness enhancement polarizer (a composite film of enhancement film and polarizer, i.e., APF POL film, with the bright side of the enhancement film facing upwards). The light transmission axis of the brightness enhancement polarizer needs to be parallel to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer 32 to improve the display brightness. Of course, the compensation film can also be a viewing angle compensation film to improve the narrow viewing angle effect.

[0056] The color filter substrate 21 has color resist layers 212 arranged in an array and black matrix 211 separating the color resist layers 212. The color resist 212 includes color resist materials of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors, and forms sub-pixels of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors respectively. The black matrix 211 is disposed at the edge of each sub-pixel and has a grid structure.

[0057] The array substrate 22 has multiple pixel units defined by multiple scan lines (not shown) and multiple data lines (not shown) that are mutually insulated and intersecting on the side facing the second liquid crystal layer 23. Each pixel unit has a pixel electrode 222 and a thin-film transistor (not shown). The pixel electrode 222 is electrically connected to the data line of the adjacent thin-film transistor through the thin-film transistor. The thin-film transistor includes a gate, an active layer, a drain, and a source. The gate and the scan lines are located on the same layer and are electrically connected. The gate and the active layer are isolated by an insulating layer. The source is electrically connected to the data line, and the drain is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 222 through a contact hole.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, a common electrode 221 is further provided on the side of the array substrate 22 facing the second liquid crystal layer 23. The common electrode 221 and the pixel electrode 222 are located on different layers and are insulated from each other by an insulating layer. The common electrode 221 can be located above or below the pixel electrode 222. Figure 1The diagram shows the common electrode 221 located below the pixel electrode 222. Preferably, the common electrode 221 is a planar electrode disposed across the entire surface, and the pixel electrode 222 is a block electrode disposed within each pixel unit or a slit electrode with multiple electrode strips, to form a fringe field switching (FFS) mode. Of course, in other embodiments, the pixel electrode 222 and the common electrode 221 may be located on the same layer, but they are insulated from each other. Both the pixel electrode 222 and the common electrode 221 may include multiple electrode strips, and the electrode strips of the pixel electrode 222 and the electrode strips of the common electrode 221 are arranged alternately to form an in-plane switching (IPS) mode; or, in other embodiments, the array substrate 22 has a pixel electrode 222 on the side facing the second liquid crystal layer 23, and the color filter substrate 21 has a common electrode 221 on the side facing the second liquid crystal layer 23 to form a TN mode or a VA mode.

[0059] The first substrate 11, the second substrate 12, the color filter substrate 21, and the array substrate 22 can be made of materials such as glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate. The first viewing angle control electrode 111, the second viewing angle control electrode 121, the first electrode strip 141, the second electrode strip 142, the third electrode strip 143, the common electrode 221, and the pixel electrode 222 can be made of materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0060] The present invention also provides a display device, including a display panel as described above and a backlight module 40, wherein the backlight module 40 is located below the display panel and is used to provide a backlight source for the display panel. Of course, if the display box 20 is a self-emissive display, the display device does not need to be provided with an additional backlight source.

[0061] The backlight module 40 includes a backlight source 41 and a privacy layer 43, which reduces the range of light emission angles. A brightness enhancement film 42 is also provided between the backlight source 41 and the privacy layer 43, increasing the brightness of the backlight module 40. The privacy layer 43 acts like a miniature venetian blind, blocking light with a large incident angle while allowing light with a smaller incident angle to pass through, thus reducing the range of light angles passing through the privacy layer 43. The privacy layer 43 includes multiple parallel light-blocking walls and light-transmitting holes located between adjacent light-blocking walls. Light-absorbing material is provided on both sides of the light-blocking walls. Alternatively, the backlight source 41 can be a light-collecting backlight, eliminating the need for a privacy layer 43; however, light-collecting backlights are more expensive than conventional backlights.

[0062] The backlight module 40 can be an edge-lit backlight module or a direct-lit backlight module. Preferably, the backlight module 40 adopts a collimated backlight (CBL) mode, which can collect light and ensure display effect.

[0063] The present invention also provides a driving method for a display panel, the driving method being used to drive the aforementioned display panel, the driving method comprising:

[0064] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the waveform applied by the display device in wide viewing angle mode in this invention. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle mode of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, a first voltage V1 is applied to the first electrode strip 141, a second voltage V2 is applied to the second electrode strip 142, and a third voltage V3 is applied to the third electrode strip 143. The magnitudes of the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 exhibit a gradual change, that is, from the center of the electrode group towards both sides of the electrode group, the voltage magnitudes on the electrode strips show a gradual change. The magnitudes of the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 can either gradually increase or gradually decrease. This causes the deflection angle of the first liquid crystal layer 13 at each electrode group to also exhibit a gradual change, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules at each electrode group to also exhibit a gradual change. Thus, the first liquid crystal layer 13 is equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed by the display cell 20 onto the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10 to solve the depth-of-field problem.

[0065] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the display device in wide viewing angle mode according to the present invention, as shown below. Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in wide-viewing-angle mode, a common voltage Vcom is applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111, and a wide-viewing-angle driving voltage is applied to the second viewing angle control electrode 121. The voltage difference between the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121 is greater than a first preset value (e.g., 5V), meaning a strong vertical electric field is formed between them. The positive liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 13 are significantly deflected vertically and become perpendicular to or approximately perpendicular to the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, thus achieving wide-viewing-angle display. During wide-viewing-angle display, in addition to the wide-viewing-angle voltage applied to the second viewing angle control electrode 121, the first electrode strip 141, the second electrode strip 142, and the third electrode strip 143 are also supplied with corresponding voltages to ensure improved depth of field. Specifically, a first voltage V1 is applied to the first electrode strip 141, a second voltage V2 is applied to the second electrode strip 142, and a third voltage V3 is applied to the third electrode strip 143. The magnitudes of the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 exhibit a gradual change. At this time, arc-shaped electric fields are formed between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142, between the first electrode strip 141 and the third electrode strip 143, and between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143. The deflection angle of the first liquid crystal layer 13 at each electrode group also shows a gradual trend, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules at each electrode group also shows a gradual trend. This makes the first liquid crystal layer 13 equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed by the display cell 20 to the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10, so as to solve the depth of field problem in the wide viewing angle mode. Of course, the third electrode strip 143 will also form a strong vertical electric field with the first viewing angle control electrode 111, and the second electrode strip 142 will also form an arc-shaped electric field with the second viewing angle control electrode 121.

[0066] In the wide viewing angle mode, the common voltage Vcom is, for example, 0V, the first voltage V1 is, for example, 0V, the second voltage V2 is, for example, 0.5V, and the third voltage V3 and the wide viewing angle driving voltage are both 5V. The magnitudes of the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 gradually increase. The voltage difference between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142 is less than the voltage difference between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143. The second voltage V2 and the third voltage V3 are both AC voltages with the same frequency, thereby preventing the polarization of liquid crystal molecules. Of course, in practical applications, the specific magnitudes of the common voltage Vcom, the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 can be adjusted according to actual conditions (e.g., cell thickness, spacing between electrode strips, and width of electrode strips).

[0067] Figure 9 This is a comparison chart of transmittance and viewing angle of display devices in wide-viewing-angle mode in this invention and in the prior art. Figure 9Curve W1 in the figure represents the simulated transmittance versus viewing angle curve of the display device in wide viewing angle mode in this application. Figure 9 Curve W2 in the figure represents the simulated transmittance versus viewing angle curve of a display device in wide viewing angle mode in the prior art. Figure 9 It can be seen that the wide-viewing angle effect of this application is slightly better than that of the prior art.

[0068] Figure 10 This is a simulation diagram of the liquid crystal molecule deflection in the wide viewing angle mode of the display device in this invention. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Simulation charts showing the refractive index at different locations in the image. Figure 12 This is a simulation diagram of the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in a display device in wide viewing angle mode, such as... Figure 10 and 12 As shown, Figure 11 a, b, c, d, e correspond to Figure 10 The refractive index at points a, b, c, d, and e, and Figure 10 In the diagram, a, b, c, d, and e correspond to the third electrode strip 143, the gap between the third electrode strip 143 and the second electrode strip 142, the second electrode strip 142, the gap between the second electrode strip 142 and the first electrode strip 141, and the first electrode strip 141, respectively. Figure 11 It can be seen that in each electrode group, the refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer 13 exhibits a gradual changing trend (the refractive index gradually decreases from the middle of the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142 towards both sides of the electrode group), thus making the first liquid crystal layer 13 equivalent to an optical lens, which can refract the image displayed by the display cell 20 to the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10 to solve the depth-of-field problem. Figure 12 As shown, in existing technologies, the deflection angles of liquid crystal molecules are basically the same, meaning the refractive index is the same at every position, leading to a depth-of-field problem. Figure 11 In the diagram, curve G1 represents dimming box 10 with a box thickness of 0.5 μm, curve G2 represents dimming box 10 with a box thickness of 1.0 μm, and curve G1 represents dimming box 10 with a box thickness of 1.5 μm. Figure 12 It can be seen that the thickness of the dimming cell 10 also affects the intensity of the refractive index in the first liquid crystal layer 13, but does not affect the distribution of the refractive index in the first liquid crystal layer 13.

[0069] Depend on Figure 9 and 12 As can be seen, in this application, the refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer 13 in each electrode group can be distributed in a gradual trend without affecting the wide viewing angle effect of the substrate, so that the first liquid crystal layer 13 is equivalent to an optical lens, which can refract the image displayed by the display box 20 to the light-emitting surface of the dimming box 10 to solve the depth of field problem.

[0070] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the waveform applied by the display device in the narrow viewing angle mode in this invention, as shown below. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in narrow viewing angle mode, a common voltage Vcom is applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111, and a narrow viewing angle driving voltage is applied to the second viewing angle control electrode 121. The voltage difference between the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121 is greater than a second preset value (e.g., 1.2V) and less than a third preset value (e.g., 3V). The third preset value is less than the first preset value, meaning a strong vertical electric field is formed between the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121. The positive liquid crystal molecules of the first liquid crystal layer 13 are significantly deflected in the vertical direction, causing the positive liquid crystal molecules of the first liquid crystal layer 13 to be in a tilted state. The brightness of the display device decreases and the viewing angle narrows in the oblique viewing direction, thereby achieving narrow viewing angle display. In narrow viewing angle display, in addition to the narrow viewing angle voltage applied to the second viewing angle control electrode 121, the first electrode strip 141, the second electrode strip 142, and the third electrode strip 143 are also supplied with corresponding voltages to ensure improved depth of field. Specifically, a first voltage V1 is applied to the first electrode strip 141, a second voltage V2 is applied to the second electrode strip 142, and a third voltage V3 is applied to the third electrode strip 143. The magnitudes of the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 exhibit a gradual change. At this time, arc-shaped electric fields are formed between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142, between the first electrode strip 141 and the third electrode strip 143, and between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143. The deflection angle of the first liquid crystal layer 13 at each electrode group also exhibits a gradual change, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules at each electrode group also exhibits a gradual change. This makes the first liquid crystal layer 13 equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed by the display cell 20 to the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10, thereby solving the depth-of-field problem in narrow viewing angle mode. Of course, the third electrode strip 143 will also form a strong vertical electric field with the first viewing angle control electrode 111, and the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142 will also form an arc-shaped electric field with the second viewing angle control electrode 121.

[0071] In the narrow viewing angle mode, the common voltage Vcom is, for example, 0V, the first voltage V1 is, for example, 1.5V, the second voltage V2 is, for example, 2.0V, and the third voltage V3, along with the wide viewing angle driving voltage, is 2.2V. The magnitudes of the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 gradually increase. The voltage difference between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142 is greater than the voltage difference between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143. The second voltage V2 and the third voltage V3 are both AC voltages with the same frequency, thereby preventing the polarization of liquid crystal molecules. Of course, in practical applications, the specific magnitudes of the common voltage Vcom, the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2, and the third voltage V3 can be adjusted according to actual conditions (e.g., cell thickness, spacing between electrode strips, and width of electrode strips).

[0072] Figure 13 This is a comparison chart of transmittance and viewing angle of display devices in the present invention and prior art in narrow viewing angle mode. Figure 13 Curve N1 in the figure represents the simulated transmittance versus viewing angle curve of the display device in narrow viewing angle mode in this application. Figure 13 Curve N2 in the figure represents the simulated transmittance versus viewing angle curve of a display device in narrow viewing angle mode in the prior art. Figure 13 It can be seen that the narrow viewing angle effect of this application is basically the same as that of the prior art.

[0073] Figure 14 This is a simulation diagram of the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in the narrow viewing angle mode of the display device in this invention. Figure 15 yes Figure 14 Simulation charts showing the refractive index at different locations in the graph. Figure 16 This is a simulation diagram of liquid crystal molecule deflection in a display device under narrow viewing angle mode in existing technology, such as... Figures 14 to 16 As shown, Figure 15 a, b, c, d, e correspond to Figure 14 The refractive index at points a, b, c, d, and e, and Figure 14 In the diagram, a, b, c, d, and e correspond to the third electrode strip 143, the gap between the third electrode strip 143 and the second electrode strip 142, the second electrode strip 142, the gap between the second electrode strip 142 and the first electrode strip 141, and the first electrode strip 141, respectively. Figure 15 It can be seen that in each electrode group, the refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer 13 exhibits a gradual change (the refractive index gradually decreases from the middle of the electrode group towards both sides), thus making the first liquid crystal layer 13 equivalent to an optical lens, which can refract the image displayed by the display cell 20 to the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10, thereby solving the depth-of-field problem. Figure 16 As shown, in existing technologies, the deflection angles of liquid crystal molecules are basically the same, meaning the refractive index is the same at every position, leading to a depth-of-field problem. Figure 15In the diagram, curve G1 represents dimming box 10 with a box thickness of 0.5 μm, curve G2 represents dimming box 10 with a box thickness of 1.0 μm, and curve G1 represents dimming box 10 with a box thickness of 1.5 μm. Figure 15 It can be seen that the thickness of the dimming cell 10 also affects the intensity of the refractive index in the first liquid crystal layer 13, but does not affect the distribution of the refractive index in the first liquid crystal layer 13.

[0074] Depend on Figure 14 and 16 As can be seen, in this application, the refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer 13 in each electrode group can be distributed in a gradual trend without affecting the narrow viewing angle effect. This makes the first liquid crystal layer 13 equivalent to an optical lens, which can refract the image displayed by the display cell 20 to the light-emitting surface of the dimming cell 10, thereby solving the depth of field problem.

[0075] In the narrow viewing angle mode, the pressure difference between the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121 is limited, resulting in a smaller pressure difference between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142, and between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143. Consequently, the effect of improving depth of field is not as good as that of the wide viewing angle mode. If the pressure difference between the first electrode strip 141 and the second electrode strip 142, and between the second electrode strip 142 and the third electrode strip 143, is increased, the tilt angle of the positive liquid crystal molecules will be large, which will lead to a deterioration in the effect of the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0076] Figure 17 and Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the display device in this invention. Please refer to... Figure 17 and Figure 18 The display device is equipped with a viewing angle switching button 50, which allows the user to request a viewing angle switch from the display device. The viewing angle switching button 50 can be a physical button (such as...). Figure 17 As shown), it can also be used for software control or application programs (APP) to implement switching functions (such as... Figure 18 As shown, for example, the wide and narrow viewing angles can be set via a slider. When a user needs to switch between a wide and narrow viewing angle, they can send a viewing angle switching request to the display device by operating the viewing angle switching button 50. Ultimately, the driver chip 60 controls the electrical signals applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111, the second viewing angle control electrode 121, the first electrode strip 141, the second electrode strip 142, and the third electrode strip 143. The display device can then switch between wide and narrow viewing angles. When switching to a wide viewing angle, the driving method used is the driving method corresponding to the wide-angle mode; when switching to a narrow viewing angle, the driving method used is the driving method corresponding to the narrow-angle mode. Therefore, the display device of this embodiment has strong operational flexibility and convenience, achieving a multi-functional display device that integrates entertainment video and privacy protection.

[0077] In this document, the directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are defined according to the position of the structures in the accompanying drawings and the relative positions of the structures, and are only used for clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of these directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application. It should also be understood that the terms "first" and "second," etc., used herein are only used for distinction in name and are not used to limit the number or order.

[0078] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, which are equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, It includes a dimming box (10) and a display box (20) stacked with the dimming box (10), wherein the dimming box (10) is located on the light-emitting side of the display box (20); The dimming box (10) includes a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) disposed opposite to the first substrate (11), and a first liquid crystal layer (13) disposed between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12). The first substrate (11) has a first viewing angle control electrode (111) on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer (13), and the second substrate (12) has a second viewing angle control electrode (121) and a depth control electrode layer (14) on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer (13). The second viewing angle control electrode (121) is located on the side facing the first liquid crystal layer (13) and separated from the second viewing angle control electrode (121) by a first insulating layer. The depth control electrode layer (14) includes multiple sets of electrode groups. Each set of electrode groups includes a first electrode strip (141), a second electrode strip (142), and a third electrode strip (143) that are mutually insulated and parallel. The second electrode strip (142) and the third electrode strip (143) are arranged sequentially on both sides of the first electrode strip (141) with the first electrode strip (141) as the center. The first electrode strip (141) is used to apply a first voltage (V1), the second electrode strip (142) is used to apply a second voltage (V2), and the third electrode strip (143) is used to apply a third voltage (V3). The magnitudes of the first voltage (V1), the second voltage (V2), and the third voltage (V3) are gradually changing to form multiple gradually changing horizontal electric fields, so that the first liquid crystal layer (13) is equivalent to an optical lens, refracting the image displayed by the display box (20) onto the light-emitting surface of the dimming box (10).

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second view control electrode (121) and the depth control electrode layer (14) are located on different layers, and the third electrode strip (143) is electrically connected to the second view control electrode (121).

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third electrode strip (143) is shared between two adjacent groups of electrodes.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spacing between the first electrode strip (141) and the second electrode strip (142) is the same as the spacing between the second electrode strip (142) and the third electrode strip (143); the width of the third electrode strip (143) is greater than the width of the first electrode strip (141), and the width of the first electrode strip (141) is the same as the width of the second electrode strip (142).

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edge of the second substrate (12) is provided with a first signal line (1), a second signal line (2), a third signal line (3) and a fourth signal line (4). All the first electrode strips (141) are electrically connected to the first signal line (1), all the second electrode strips (142) are electrically connected to the second signal line (2), all the third electrode strips (143) are electrically connected to the third signal line (3), and the first viewing angle control electrode (111) is connected to the fourth signal line (4).

6. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display box (20) includes a color filter substrate (21), an array substrate (22) disposed opposite to the color filter substrate (21), and a second liquid crystal layer (23) disposed between the color filter substrate (21) and the array substrate (22); a first polarizer (31) is provided on the side of the dimming box (10) away from the display box (20), a second polarizer (32) is provided between the dimming box (10) and the display box (20), and a third polarizer (33) is provided on the side of the display box (20) away from the dimming box (10). The light transmission axis of the first polarizer (31) is parallel to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer (32), and the light transmission axis of the third polarizer (33) is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer (32). The extension direction of the electrode strip in the electrode group is parallel to the light transmission axis of the first polarizer (31).

7. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. A driving method for a display panel, characterized in that, The driving method is used to drive the display panel as described in any one of claims 1-6, the driving method comprising: A first voltage (V1) is applied to the first electrode strip (141), a second voltage (V2) is applied to the second electrode strip (142), and a third voltage (V3) is applied to the third electrode strip (143). The magnitudes of the first voltage (V1), the second voltage (V2), and the third voltage (V3) show a gradual trend.

9. The driving method for a display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The driving method includes: In wide-view mode, a common voltage (Vcom) is applied to the first view control electrode (111), and a wide-view driving voltage is applied to the second view control electrode (121). The voltage difference between the first view control electrode (111) and the second view control electrode (121) is greater than a first preset value. In the narrow-view mode, a common voltage (Vcom) is applied to the first view control electrode (111), and a narrow-view driving voltage is applied to the second view control electrode (121). The voltage difference between the first view control electrode (111) and the second view control electrode (121) is greater than a second preset value and less than a third preset value, wherein the third preset value is less than the first preset value.

10. The driving method for a display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that, In wide-viewing-angle mode, the third voltage (V3) is the same as the wide-viewing-angle driving voltage; in narrow-viewing-angle mode, the third voltage (V3) is the same as the narrow-viewing-angle driving voltage.

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