Decorative film element and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A decorative film element and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The decorative film element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a first alignment pattern, and a second alignment pattern. The first substrate overlaps the second substrate. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment pattern is disposed between the first substrate and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The second alignment pattern is disposed between the second substrate and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer includes a first portion overlapping the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and a second portion not overlapping the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern. A first reflectivity of the first portion is different from a second reflectivity of the second portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a decorative film technology, and particularly relates to a decorative film element and a manufacturing method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the trend of miniaturization and lightness of electronic products, the general public has considered many portable products, such as notebook computers, personal mobile assistants, mobile phones, etc., as daily required devices. In addition to the requirements of physical functions, the appearance design is also an important factor for the buyers to consider.

[0003] Conventionally, if drawing or decoration is to be performed on a plastic shell, a spraying or printing method is mainly used to apply a pattern on the surface of the shell to present various patterns or colors. However, during the spraying, the desired spraying area must be repeatedly formed by using a masking paint or a masking sheet, and then various paints are sprayed. Such a step is quite time-consuming and complicated. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a decorative film element, which has a simple film layer structure and better display effect.

[0005] The present application provides a manufacturing method of a decorative film element, which has a simplified manufacturing process and a larger design margin of a display pattern.

[0006] The decorative film element of the present application comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a first alignment pattern and a second alignment pattern. The first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment pattern is disposed between the first substrate and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The second alignment pattern is disposed between the second substrate and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer comprises a first portion overlapped with the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and a second portion not overlapped with the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern. A first reflectivity of the first portion is different from a second reflectivity of the second portion.

[0007] The manufacturing method of the decorative film element of the present application comprises forming a first alignment pattern on a first substrate, forming a second alignment pattern on a second substrate, performing an alignment manufacturing process on the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and assembling the first substrate and the second substrate, so that the first substrate and the second substrate are filled with a cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer comprises a first portion overlapped with the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and a second portion not overlapped with the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern. A first reflectivity of the first portion is different from a second reflectivity of the second portion.

[0008] Based on the above, in the decorative film element and the manufacturing method thereof according to an embodiment of the present application, the display of the pattern is realized by the difference in reflectivity of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in different regions. The use of the arrangement of the alignment pattern to make the cholesteric liquid crystal layer generate the required reflectivity distribution can not only simplify the manufacturing process of the decorative film element, but also increase the design margin of the display pattern. On the other hand, the use of the difference in reflectivity of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in the region with the alignment pattern and the region without the alignment pattern to present the pattern to be displayed can further increase the display contrast of the pattern. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a front view schematic diagram of the decorative film element according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of the decorative film element according to the first embodiment of the present application; Figure 1

[0011] Figures 3A to 3G is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of the decorative film element according to the first embodiment of the present application; Figure 2

[0012] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of another implementation form of the alignment manufacturing process according to the first embodiment of the present application; Figure 3D

[0013] Figure 5A is a top view schematic diagram of the patterned alignment material layer according to the first embodiment of the present application; Figure 5B Figure 3A Figure 3B

[0014] Figure 6A Figure 6B are cross-sectional view schematic diagrams of the decorative film element according to the second embodiment of the present application operating in different states;

[0015] Figure 7 is a side view schematic diagram of the decorative film element according to the second embodiment of the present application applied to a display panel; Figure 6A

[0016] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of the decorative film element according to the third embodiment of the present application.

[0017] KEY

[0018] 10: display device

[0019] 60: roller

[0020] 70, 90: printing head

[0021] 80: heating furnace

[0022] ​​​​​​​​100, 100A, 100B: decorative film element

[0023] 101: first substrate

[0024] 101s, 102s: surface

[0025] 102: second substrate

[0026] 200: display panel

[0027] AD1: first alignment direction

[0028] AD2: second alignment direction

[0029] ALM1: first alignment material layer

[0030] ALM2: second alignment material layer

[0031] AP1: first alignment pattern

[0032] AP2: second alignment pattern

[0033] AP3: third alignment pattern

[0034] CLC, CLC-A: cholesteric liquid crystal layer

[0035] CLCp1: first portion

[0036] CLCp2: second portion

[0037] CLCp3: third portion

[0038] D-CLC: layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material

[0039] E: electric field

[0040] EB1, EB2, EB3: ambient light

[0041] EL1: first electrode layer

[0042] EL2: second electrode layer

[0043] PLB: light rays

[0044] PLS: polarized light source

[0045] RA1: first reflective area

[0046] RA2: second reflective area

[0047] RA3: third reflective area

[0048] A-A’: section line DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] As used herein, "about," "approximately," "substantially," or "essentially" include the stated value and the average value within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value in question, considering the particular quantity being measured and the specific quantity of error associated with the measurement (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations, or, for example, within ±30%, ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%. Further, as used herein, "about," "approximately," "substantially," or "essentially" can select a more acceptable range of deviation or standard deviation depending on the nature of the measurement, the cutting property, or other property, and can not apply one standard deviation to all properties.

[0050] In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., can be exaggerated for clarity. Understanding that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element, it can be directly on or connected to the other element or intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, "connected" can mean physically and / or electrically connected. Further, "electrically connected" can be present other elements between two elements.

[0051] In addition, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" can be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the "lower" side of other elements would then be oriented on "upper" sides of the other elements. The exemplary term "lower" can therefore encompass both an orientation of "lower" and "upper," depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements would then be oriented "above" the other elements. The exemplary terms "above" or "below" can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below. The exemplary terms "above" and "below" can also include vertical orientations of "above" and "below."

[0052] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein are not to be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, an area illustrated or described as flat can often have rough and / or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated can be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic

[0053] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the decorative film element of the first embodiment according to the present application. Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the decorative film element of the first embodiment according to the present application. Figures 3A to 3G is Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the decorative film element of the first embodiment according to the present application. Figure 4 is Figure 3D is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the decorative film element of the first embodiment according to the present application. Figure 5A and Figure 5B is Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the decorative film element of the first embodiment according to the present application.

[0055] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The decorative film element 100 includes a first substrate 101, a second substrate 102, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC, a first alignment pattern API, and a second alignment pattern AP2. The first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 are disposed in an overlapping manner, for example, along a vertical direction of the decorative film element 100. The first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 are, for example, a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. The material of the rigid substrate includes, for example, glass, quartz, organic polymer, or other applicable materials. The material of the flexible substrate includes, for example, polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polycarbonates (PC), poly(ether sulfone) (PES), polyarylate, or other suitable materials. Figure 2 The cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC is disposed between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102. The first alignment pattern API is disposed between the first substrate 101 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC. The second alignment pattern AP2 is disposed between the second substrate 102 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC. The alignment patterns are used to define the arrangement direction of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in a natural state (e.g., a state not affected by an electric field or a magnetic field).

[0056]

[0057] ​In the present embodiment, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC includes a first portion CLCp1 and a second portion CLCp2. It is noted that the first portion CLCp1 overlaps the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2. The second portion CLCp2 does not overlap the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2. For example, the first alignment pattern AP1 can completely overlap the second alignment pattern AP2, but is not limited thereto. It is noted that the overlapping relationship herein is defined, for example, along the stacking direction of the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 (e.g., the vertical direction in Figure 2 FIG. 1). The overlapping relationship between any two components is defined in the same manner, and thus is not described again.

[0058] Further, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC is composed of, for example, cholesteric liquid crystal molecules configured in a helical arrangement, nematic liquid crystal molecules doped with chiral molecules, or a mixture of the above two types of liquid crystals. Thus, the plurality of liquid crystal molecules of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC are in a twisted arrangement state with a specific pitch in a natural state. It is noted that the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC is adapted to reflect light having a specific wavelength range, and the main wavelength of light that can be reflected by the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC can be adjusted by changing the above-mentioned pitch and the refractive index of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and light having a wavelength outside the above-mentioned specific wavelength range directly passes through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC.

[0059] Since the alignment pattern has a directional effect on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC, the arrangement order of the liquid crystal molecules of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC is different depending on the presence or absence of the alignment pattern. For example, the arrangement order of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in the region with the alignment pattern is better (e.g., the rotation stack structure of the liquid crystal molecules is more orderly) than that of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in the region without the alignment pattern, as shown in the first portion CLCp1 in Figure 2 FIG. 1. That is, the arrangement order of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in the region without the alignment pattern is worse (e.g., the rotation stack structure of the liquid crystal molecules is more disordered) than that of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in the region with the alignment pattern, as shown in the second portion CLCp2 in Figure 2 FIG. 1.

[0060] The difference in the arrangement order of the first portion CLCp1 and the second portion CLCp2 of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC can effectively increase the difference in the reflectivity of the two portions to light. For example, the first reflectivity of the first portion CLCp1 of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC to the ambient light EB1 is different from the second reflectivity of the second portion CLCp2 of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC to the ambient light EB2. Preferably, the difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity can be greater than 10%, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] For example, in the present embodiment, the decorative film element 100 can be provided with a first reflective region RA1 and a second reflective region RA2. It is particularly noted that the first reflective region RA1 can be defined by the distribution regions of the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2, while the region without the alignment pattern defines the second reflective region RA2. Therefore, the decorative film element 100 can present the desired pattern or text (as shown in Figure 1 ) by the reflectivity difference of the first reflective region RA1 and the second reflective region RA2 to the ambient light, and the display contrast of the two reflective regions can be improved by the presence or absence of the alignment pattern.

[0062] The manufacturing method of the decorative film element 100 will be exemplarily described below. Please refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , first, the patterned first alignment material layer ALM1 (as shown in Figure 5A ) and the patterned second alignment material layer ALM2 (as shown in Figure 5B ) are respectively formed on the surface 101s of the first substrate 101 and the surface 102s of the second substrate 102. For example, in the present embodiment, the patterned alignment material layer can be formed by using the inkjet printing (IJP) manufacturing process. In the process of inkjet printing, the alignment material is sprayed on the corresponding substrate by the printing nozzle 70 moving in the set region. Since the displacement degree of freedom of the printing nozzle 70 is better, the orthographic projection profile of the sprayed alignment material layer on the substrate can be circular, long strip-shaped, ring-shaped, triangular, or other arbitrary shape, and the arrangement pitch of different or same patterns can be arbitrarily adjusted. However, the present application is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the forming step of the alignment material layer can also be performed by using the screen printing method.

[0063] After the coating of the alignment material layer is completed, the baking manufacturing process is performed to form the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2 of the first alignment material layer ALM1 and the second alignment material layer ALM2, respectively, as shown in Figure 3D . As shown in Figure 3C , the baking step of the alignment material layer is, for example, to simultaneously or sequentially convey the first substrate 101 coated with the first alignment material layer ALM1 and the second substrate 102 coated with the second alignment material layer ALM2 into the heating furnace 80 for baking, so that the alignment material layer is heated and solidified into a patterned alignment layer (i.e. alignment pattern).

[0064] Please refer to Figure 3DAfter the alignment pattern forming step is completed, the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2 are subjected to an alignment manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the alignment manufacturing process step is, for example, to use a roller 60 with a nap on the surface to grind the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2. For example, during the grinding process, the first substrate 101 with the first alignment pattern AP1 is moved along the moving direction (for example, Figure 3D The roller 60 that contacts the first alignment pattern AP1 moves in the direction of movement of the surface of one side of the first substrate 101 (eg Figure 3D The movement direction of the first substrate 101 is opposite to the right of the substrate 101, but is not limited thereto. The second alignment pattern AP2 is also rubbed and aligned in the same manner. After rubbing, the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2 have a first alignment direction AD1 and a second alignment direction AD2, respectively.

[0065] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the alignment process may also be performed by irradiating the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2 with a polarized light source PLS (e.g., Figure 4 ), and the alignment pattern material includes polyamide-imide (PAI). More specifically, during the alignment process, a polarized light source PLS emits light PLB having a specific linear polarization state (not shown) toward the alignment pattern. After absorbing at least a portion of the light PLB, the alignment pattern has an alignment direction (e.g., a first alignment direction AD1 or a second alignment direction AD2). The alignment direction can be perpendicular or parallel to the linear polarization direction of the light PLB.

[0066] Please refer to Figures 3E to 3G After the alignment process is completed, the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 are assembled so that the cholesterol liquid crystal layer CLC is filled between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102. In this embodiment, before the assembly step of the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102, an inkjet printing (IJP) process can be performed to form a cholesterol liquid crystal material layer D-CLC on the first substrate 101 (or the second substrate 102). For example, the cholesterol liquid crystal material can be sprayed into a plurality of droplets (such as ) on the first substrate 101 provided with the first alignment pattern AP1 at substantially the same spacing via the printing nozzle 90. Figure 3F As shown in FIG. 5 ), these droplets may be arranged in an array to form a cholesterol liquid crystal material layer D-CLC, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0067] After the layer D-CLC of cholesteric liquid crystal material composed of a plurality of liquid droplets is formed on the first substrate 101, the assembly of the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 is performed. For example, the second substrate 102 is flipped so that the surface 102s provided with the second alignment pattern AP2 faces the first substrate 101, and the alignment is performed so that the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2 are substantially aligned with each other (as shown in FIG. 1C). In the present embodiment, the first alignment direction AD1 of the first alignment pattern AP1 after the alignment is completed can be anti-parallel to the second alignment direction AD2 of the second alignment pattern AP2, but is not limited thereto. Figure 3F

[0068] Then, the second substrate 102 is moved to approach the first substrate 101, and is stopped at a position spaced apart from the first substrate 101 by a distance. It is particularly noted that during the movement of the second substrate 102 to approach the first substrate 101, the plurality of liquid droplets of the layer D-CLC of cholesteric liquid crystal material are each diffused to the periphery and fill the space spaced apart by the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 under the extrusion of the second substrate 102, to form the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC sandwiched between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 (as shown in FIG. 1D). At this time, the manufacturing of the decorative film element 100 is completed. Figure 3G Figure 2

[0069] In the present embodiment, the display of the pattern (for example, the word HELLO as shown in FIG. 1E) of the decorative film element 100 is achieved by the difference in reflectivity of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in different regions (for example, the first reflection region RA1 and the second reflection region RA2). The patterned alignment layer (for example, the first alignment pattern AP1 and the second alignment pattern AP2) is used to make the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC produce the required reflectivity distribution, which not only simplifies the manufacturing process of the decorative film element 100, but also increases the design margin of the display pattern. Figure 1

[0070] Hereinafter, other embodiments will be listed to explain the present application in detail, wherein the same components will be marked with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted, and the omitted parts will be referred to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be described herein.

[0071] Figure 6A Figure 6B are cross-sectional schematic views of the decorative film element operating in different states according to the second embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 is a side view schematic view of the decorative film element applied to a display panel. Figure 6A Please refer to

[0072] , the decorative film element 100A of the present embodiment and the decorative film element 100 of the first embodiment are the same in structure and function, and the description thereof will not be repeated herein. Figure 6A Figure 2 ​​​​​​The decorative film element 100 of the present embodiment differs from the decorative film element 100 in that the decorative film element 100A of the present embodiment further includes a first electrode layer EL1 and a second electrode layer EL2. The first electrode layer EL1 is disposed between the first alignment pattern API and the first substrate 101. The second electrode layer EL2 is disposed between the second alignment pattern AP2 and the second substrate 102.

[0073] For example, in the present embodiment, the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 can each be a transparent conductive film disposed on the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102, respectively, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. More specifically, the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 each overlap the first alignment pattern API, the second alignment pattern AP2, and regions other than the alignment patterns (e.g., the second reflective region RA2 in which no alignment pattern is disposed). Thus, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC overlaps the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 in the first portion CLCp1 overlapping the first alignment pattern API and the second alignment pattern AP2 and in the second portion CLCp2 not overlapping the alignment patterns, and is driven by both electrode layers. The material of the transparent conductive film can include a metal oxide such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, or another suitable oxide, or a stacked layer of at least two of the foregoing.

[0074] By disposing the electrode layers, the decorative film element 100A can have a switching function of displaying a pattern. For example, when the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 are disabled, the first reflectivity of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC in the first portion CLCp1 overlapping the first alignment pattern API and the second alignment pattern AP2 can be higher than the second reflectivity of the second portion CLCp2 not overlapping the alignment patterns. At this time, the decorative film element 100A can display a character or another pattern as shown in FIG. 8A. Figure 1

[0075] Conversely, when the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 are enabled to form an electric field E between the two electrodes, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC can generally align along the direction of the electric field E, as shown in FIG. 8B. At this time, the ambient light EB1 and the ambient light EB2 can pass directly through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC. That is, the decorative film element 100A is operated in a light-transmissive state and does not display any pattern. Figure 6B

[0076] Further, the decorative film element 100A of the present embodiment can be disposed on the display panel 200 to constitute the appearance-adjustable display device 10 (as shown in FIG. 9A). Figure 7 ​​The display panel 200 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or a light-emitting diode display panel. By virtue of the electrically controllable switching property of the display pattern on the decorative film element 100A, the appearance of the display device 10 can be made versatile, thus enriching the visual experience of the viewer.

[0077] However, the present application is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the display panel 200 can be disposed above the decorative film element 100A, and the display panel 200 is, for example, a light-emitting diode display panel with certain light transmittance.

[0078] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a decorative film element according to a third embodiment of the present application. Please refer to Figure 8 The decorative film element 100B of the present embodiment is different from the decorative film element 100A of Figure 6A The decorative film element 100B further comprises a third alignment pattern AP3 that does not overlap the first and second alignment patterns AP1 and AP2. In the present embodiment, the third alignment pattern AP3 is disposed on the first substrate 101, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the third alignment pattern AP3 can also be disposed on the second substrate 102. It is first noted that the distribution area of the third alignment pattern AP3 can define a third reflection area RA3 of the decorative film element 100B.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC-A further comprises a third portion CLCp3 that overlaps the third alignment pattern AP3. It is particularly noted that, since the third portion CLCp3 of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC-A is only subjected to the surface effect of the third alignment pattern AP3 on one side, its arrangement order in the natural state will be between that of the first and second portions CLCp1 and CLCp2. For example, the rotation stack structure of the liquid crystal molecules of the third portion CLCp3 will be more orderly on the side close to the third alignment pattern, and the rotation stack structure of the liquid crystal molecules on the side close to the second substrate 102 and not provided with any alignment pattern will be more disordered.

[0080] Therefore, the third reflectivity of the third portion CLCp3 of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer CLC-A to the ambient light EB3 will be different from the first reflectivity of the first portion CLCp1 to the ambient light EB1 and the second reflectivity of the second portion CLCp2 to the ambient light EB2. For example, the third reflectivity can be between the first and second reflectivities. Accordingly, the display gray scale number of the decorative pattern can be further increased to meet more use scenarios.

[0081] In summary, in the decorative film element and the manufacturing method thereof according to an embodiment of the present application, the display of the pattern is realized by the difference in reflectivity of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in different regions. The setting of the alignment pattern is used to make the cholesteric liquid crystal layer generate the required reflectivity distribution, which can not only simplify the manufacturing process of the decorative film element, but also increase the design margin of the display pattern. On the other hand, the use of the reflectivity difference of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in the region with the alignment pattern and the region without the alignment pattern to present the pattern to be displayed can further increase the display contrast of the pattern.

Claims

1. A decorative thin film element, comprising: The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged to overlap each other; a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; A first alignment pattern is disposed between the first substrate and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, wherein the first alignment pattern only covers a portion of the first substrate; as well as A second alignment pattern is arranged between the second substrate and the cholesterol liquid crystal layer, wherein the second alignment pattern only covers a portion of the second substrate, the cholesterol liquid crystal layer includes a first portion overlapping the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern and a second portion not overlapping the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and the first reflectivity of the first portion is different from the second reflectivity of the second portion. 2 . The decorative thin film device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity is greater than 10%.

3. The decorative thin film element according to claim 1 , further comprising: A first electrode layer is disposed between the first alignment pattern and the first substrate; as well as The second electrode layer is disposed between the second alignment pattern and the second substrate, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer overlap the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. 4 . The decorative thin film device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first alignment pattern overlaps with the second alignment pattern.

5. The decorative thin film element according to claim 3, further comprising: A third alignment pattern is arranged on the first substrate or the second substrate and does not overlap with the second alignment pattern and the first alignment pattern, wherein the cholesterol liquid crystal layer also includes a third part overlapping with the third alignment pattern, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the second part of the cholesterol liquid crystal layer also does not overlap with the third alignment pattern, and the third reflectivity of the third part is different from the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity.

6. A method for manufacturing a decorative thin film element, comprising: forming a first alignment pattern on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment pattern only covers a portion of the first substrate; forming a second alignment pattern on the second substrate, wherein the second alignment pattern only covers a portion of the second substrate; performing an alignment process on the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern; and The first substrate and the second substrate are assembled so that a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer includes a first portion overlapping the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern and a second portion not overlapping the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and the first reflectivity of the first portion is different from the second reflectivity of the second portion.

7. The method for manufacturing a decorative thin film device according to claim 6, wherein the step of forming the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern comprises: Performing an inkjet printing process to form a patterned first alignment material layer and a second alignment material layer on the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively; as well as A baking process is performed to form the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern on the first alignment material layer and the second alignment material layer respectively.

8. The method for manufacturing a decorative thin film device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the steps of the alignment process include: The first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern are brushed.

9. The method for manufacturing a decorative thin film device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the materials of the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern comprise polyamide-imide, and the steps of the alignment manufacturing process comprise: The first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern are irradiated with a polarized light source.

10. The method for manufacturing a decorative thin film element as claimed in claim 6, wherein an inkjet printing process is performed before the step of assembling the first substrate and the second substrate to form a cholesteric liquid crystal material layer on the first substrate or the second substrate, and the cholesteric liquid crystal material layer forms the cholesteric liquid crystal layer after the step of assembling the first substrate and the second substrate is completed.

Images