Viewing Angle Switchable Display Panel, Display Device and Driving Method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a display panel with switchable viewing angles, a display device and a driving method. The display panel includes a color filter substrate, an array substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The display panel has a pixel area for image display and a viewing angle control area for controlling the viewing angle. A first polarizer is provided on the color filter substrate, and a second polarizer is provided on the array substrate. The transmission axis of the first polarizer is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the second polarizer. A common electrode, a pixel electrode, a viewing angle control electrode and a wire grid polarizer are provided on the array substrate. The pixel electrode corresponds to the pixel area, and both the viewing angle control electrode and the wire grid polarizer correspond to the viewing angle control area. The wire grid direction of the wire grid polarizer is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer. Only a wire grid polarizer is provided as an optical film between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. A viewing angle auxiliary electrode is provided on the color filter substrate. The wire grid polarizer can not only transmit part of the backlight but also reflect part of the ambient light, thereby improving the narrow viewing angle effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of displays, and in particular, to a display panel with switchable viewing angles, a display device, and a driving method. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous progress of liquid crystal display technology, the viewing angle of displays has been widened from about 120° to more than 160°. While people enjoy the visual experience brought by a large viewing angle, they also hope to effectively protect trade secrets and personal privacy to avoid commercial losses or embarrassment caused by the leakage of screen information. Therefore, in addition to the demand for a wide viewing angle, in many occasions, it is also required that the display device has the function of switching between wide and narrow viewing angles.

[0003] Currently, it is mainly achieved by attaching a louver shielding film to the display screen. When anti-peeping is required, the louver shielding film can be used to cover the screen to reduce the viewing angle. However, this method requires an additional preparation of the louver shielding film, which causes great inconvenience to users. Moreover, a single louver shielding film can only achieve one viewing angle. Once the louver shielding film is attached, the viewing angle is fixed in the narrow viewing angle mode, resulting in the inability to freely switch between the wide viewing angle mode and the narrow viewing angle mode. In addition, the anti-peeping film will cause a decrease in brightness, affecting the display effect.

[0004] One of the existing technologies is to apply a vertical electric field to liquid crystal molecules by a viewing angle control electrode on the color filter (CF) side of a single liquid crystal cell, so that the liquid crystal molecules deflect and tilt in the vertical direction to form light leakage, and the contrast decreases at a large viewing angle to achieve the anti-peeping effect. Thus, by controlling the voltage on the viewing angle control electrode, it is possible to switch between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle. However, for this display panel at a narrow viewing angle, the brightness at a large viewing angle is relatively bright, resulting in light pollution and affecting the surrounding users in public places. Another existing technology is to form a double-cell anti-peeping structure by setting a dimming liquid crystal cell above a common display panel. When viewed at a large viewing angle, the anti-peeping effect is achieved through the light-receiving effect of the dimming liquid crystal cell. This display panel usually uses a transflective film, which can reflect ambient light, thus achieving a copper anti-peeping effect of a golden mirror reflection type to enhance the anti-peeping effect. However, this display mode usually achieves a better anti-peeping effect under strong ambient light conditions, and the anti-peeping effect is weak in a darker environment, and the anti-peeping effect is greatly affected by ambient light. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the disadvantages and deficiencies existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a display panel with switchable viewing angles, a display device, and a driving method to solve one or more problems in the prior art.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention provides a display panel with switchable viewing angles, which includes a color filter substrate, an array substrate disposed opposite to the color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer located between the color filter substrate and the array substrate. The display panel has a pixel area for image display and a viewing angle control area for controlling the viewing angle. A first polarizer is provided on the color filter substrate, and a second polarizer is provided on the array substrate. The transmission axis of the first polarizer is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the second polarizer. The array substrate is provided with a common electrode, a pixel electrode, a viewing angle control electrode, and a wire grid polarizer. The pixel electrode corresponds to the pixel area, and both the viewing angle control electrode and the wire grid polarizer correspond to the viewing angle control area. The wire grid direction of the wire grid polarizer is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer. Only one optical film, i.e., the wire grid polarizer, is provided between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. A viewing angle auxiliary electrode covering the viewing angle control area and cooperating with the viewing angle control electrode is provided on the color filter substrate.

[0008] In the wide viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the pixel area are in a lying posture, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area are in a lying posture or a standing posture.

[0009] In the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the pixel area are in a lying posture, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area are in an inclined posture.

[0010] Further, the reflectance of the side of the wire grid polarizer facing the second polarizer is less than the reflectance of the side facing the first polarizer.

[0011] Further, the wire grid polarizer includes a molybdenum metal wire grid layer and a reflective metal wire grid layer. The molybdenum metal wire grid layer is located on the side of the wire grid polarizer close to the second polarizer, and the reflective metal wire grid layer is located on the side of the wire grid polarizer close to the first polarizer.

[0012] Further, the wire grid polarizer is disposed on the upper side of the common electrode and in contact with the surface of the common electrode; or the wire grid polarizer is on the same layer as the scan line on the array substrate and is made of the same material and by the same etching process.

[0013] Further, the viewing angle auxiliary electrode is a planar electrode covering the entire color filter substrate; or the viewing angle auxiliary electrode is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one row / column of the viewing angle control area.

[0014] Further, the viewing angle control electrode is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one row / column of the viewing angle control area, and a plurality of the viewing angle control electrodes are electrically connected to each other in the non-display area.

[0015] Or the viewing angle control electrode is an electrode block corresponding one by one to the viewing angle control area. The array substrate is provided with a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of thin film transistors on the side facing the liquid crystal layer. The thin film transistors are provided in each pixel area and each viewing angle control area. The pixel electrode and the viewing angle control electrode are electrically connected to the corresponding scanning line and data line through the respective corresponding thin film transistors.

[0016] Further, the viewing angle control electrode is a planar electrode; or the viewing angle control electrode is a comb-shaped electrode with slits.

[0017] The present application also provides a display device, including the above-mentioned viewing angle switchable display panel.

[0018] The present application also provides a driving method for viewing angle switching, which is used to drive the above-mentioned viewing angle switchable display panel. The driving method includes:

[0019] In the wide viewing angle mode, applying corresponding wide viewing angle voltage signals to the viewing angle control electrode and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area are in a lying or standing posture;

[0020] In the narrow viewing angle mode, applying a preset narrow viewing angle voltage signal to the viewing angle control electrode and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area are in an inclined posture.

[0021] Further, in the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area are in an inclined posture and have a phase delay of λ / 2 at an oblique viewing angle.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: By only setting a wire grid polarizer, which is an optical film, between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, since the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer cannot reach 100%, and can be adjusted as needed, the wire grid polarizer can not only transmit part of the backlight but also reflect part of the ambient light. Under strong ambient light conditions, the anti-peeping effect of golden mirror reflection is achieved by using part of the backlight and ambient light simultaneously; under relatively dim ambient light conditions, the anti-peeping effect of large-angle light leakage is achieved by using the transmitted part of the backlight, thereby enhancing the narrow-angle effect and reducing the dependence on ambient light for narrow angles. Moreover, since the wire grid direction of the wire grid polarizer is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer, for narrow angles, only less backlight can be transmitted, and the brightness of large angles is darker than that of the prior art, which can reduce light pollution; when combined with the fact that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area are in an inclined posture at narrow angles, and the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control area has almost no phase delay in the front viewing angle, the contrast in the front viewing angle at narrow angles can be improved, so as to enhance the display effect at narrow angles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a color filter substrate in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an array substrate in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a viewing angle control electrode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic structural view of a display device in an initial state in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic structural view of a wire grid polarizer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic principle view of a wire grid polarizer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic structural view of a display device in a wide viewing angle state in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a schematic principle view of the pixel region in

[0031] Figure 9 is Figure 7 a schematic principle view of the viewing angle control region in

[0032] Figure 10It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle state in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 11 It is another schematic structural diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle state in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 12 Is Figure 10 The schematic diagram of the principle of the pixel area in;

[0035] Figure 13 Is Figure 10 The schematic diagram of the principle of the viewing angle control area in;

[0036] Figure 14 Is Figure 10 The simulation diagram of the viewing angle and brightness of the viewing angle control area in;

[0037] Figure 15 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the initial state in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 16 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the wide viewing angle state in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 17 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle state in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 18 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the initial state in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 19 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the initial state in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 20 It is a schematic plan view of the array substrate in the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 21 It is one of the schematic plan views of the display device in the present invention.

[0044] Figure 22 It is another schematic plan view of the display device in the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0045] To further elaborate on the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined invention purpose, the following, in conjunction with the drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation manners, structures, features, and effects of the viewing angle switchable display panel, display device, and driving method proposed according to the present invention are described in detail as follows:

[0046] [Embodiment 1]

[0047] Figure 1 It is a schematic plan view of the color filter substrate in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view of the array substrate in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 It is a schematic plan view of the viewing angle control electrode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 It is a schematic view of the structure of the display device in the initial state in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 5 It is a schematic view of the structure of the wire grid polarizer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 It is a schematic principle view of the wire grid polarizer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0048] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, a viewing angle switchable display panel provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a color filter substrate 10, an array substrate 20 disposed opposite to the color filter substrate 10, and a liquid crystal layer 30 located between the color filter substrate 10 and the array substrate 20. In this embodiment, positive liquid crystal molecules are used in the liquid crystal layer 30, that is, liquid crystal molecules with positive dielectric anisotropy. As Figure 4 shown, in the initial state, the positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 are aligned parallel to the color filter substrate 10 and the array substrate 20, and the alignment directions of the positive liquid crystal molecules on the side close to the color filter substrate 10 and the side close to the array substrate 20 are antiparallel. The positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 and the color filter substrate 10, the array substrate 20 may have a small initial pretilt angle, and the range of the initial pretilt angle may be less than or equal to 5 degrees, that is: 0°≦θ≦5°, so as to reduce the response time of the positive liquid crystal molecules deflecting in the vertical direction.

[0049] The display panel has a pixel region P for image display and a viewing angle control region V for controlling the viewing angle. A first polarizer 41 is provided on the color filter substrate 10, and a second polarizer 42 is provided on the array substrate 20. The transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42. The array substrate 20 is provided with a common electrode 21, a pixel electrode 22, a viewing angle control electrode 23, and a wire grid polarizer 24. The pixel electrode 22 corresponds to the pixel region P, and both the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the wire grid polarizer 24 correspond to the viewing angle control region V. The wire grid direction of the wire grid polarizer 24 is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41, that is, the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer 24 is parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41, and the reflection axis of the wire grid polarizer 24 is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41. Only one kind of optical film, namely the wire grid polarizer 24, is provided between the first polarizer 41 and the second polarizer 42. That is, between the first polarizer 41 and the second polarizer 42, there is no other optical film except the wire grid polarizer 24, such as no other polarizer, phase retardation film (quarter-wave plate, half-wave plate), etc. The color filter substrate 10 is provided with a viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 that covers the viewing angle control region V and cooperates with the viewing angle control electrode 23. By controlling the electrical signals applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13, a vertical electric field is formed between the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13, so that the display panel realizes the switching between a narrow viewing angle and a wide viewing angle.

[0050] As Figure 6 shown, the wire grid polarizer 24 has a special polarization characteristic, that is, it transmits polarized light perpendicular to the wire grid extension direction (orientation), and reflects polarized light parallel to the wire grid extension direction. Preferably, the wire grid polarizer is made of metal, and the wire grid polarizer can be formed by using nanoimprint technology (or other related technologies). Among the incident light rays A, the polarization direction of the light rays has a first polarized light a perpendicular to the wire grid extension direction and a second polarized light b parallel to the wire grid extension direction. The first polarized light a perpendicular to the wire grid extension direction can pass through the wire grid polarizer to form a transmitted light ray C, and the second polarized light b parallel to the wire grid extension direction will be reflected to form a reflected light ray B. For a more detailed introduction of the wire grid polarizer, please refer to the prior art and will not be elaborated here. Among them, the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 can be adjusted by its thickness and material. For wire grid polarizers 24 with different thicknesses and materials, their polarization degrees and reflectances are also different. The polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 cannot reach 100%, and wire grid polarizers 24 with different thicknesses and materials can be selected according to needs, so as to adjust the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24, so that the wire grid polarizer 24 can not only transmit part of the backlight but also reflect part of the ambient light.

[0051] In this embodiment, the reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 on the side facing the second polarizer 42 is less than the reflectance on the side facing the first polarizer 41. Since in this application, ambient light and part of the backlight are required to achieve the anti-peeping effect of large-angle light leakage, it is necessary to increase the reflection of ambient light and the transmission of backlight. For example, the polarization degree of the wire grid polarizer 24 is 10-50%, the reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 on the side facing the second polarizer 42 is 10-40%, and the reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 on the side facing the first polarizer 41 is 70-90%, but it is not limited thereto.

[0052] Further, as Figure 5 shown, the wire grid polarizer 24 includes a molybdenum metal wire grid layer 241 and a reflective metal wire grid layer 242. The molybdenum metal wire grid layer 241 is located on the side of the wire grid polarizer 24 close to the second polarizer 42, and the reflective metal wire grid layer 242 is located on the side of the wire grid polarizer 24 close to the first polarizer 41, thereby increasing the reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 on the side facing the first polarizer 41 to increase the reflection of ambient light; reducing the reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 on the side facing the second polarizer 42 to increase the transmission of backlight. Among them, the material of the reflective metal wire grid layer 242 is aluminum (Al) or silver (Ag), and the material of the molybdenum metal wire grid layer 241 is molybdenum (Mo).

[0053] As Figure 4 shown, in this embodiment, the wire grid polarizer 24 is disposed on the upper side of the common electrode 21 and is in contact with the surface of the common electrode 21. Therefore, the wire grid polarizer 24 can also reduce the impedance of the second common electrode 21, thereby reducing the driving power consumption and achieving the effect of energy saving.

[0054] As Figure 1 shown, in this embodiment, a black matrix (BM) 11 and a color resist layer 12 are provided on the color filter substrate 10. The color resist layer 12 corresponds to the pixel region P, and the region of the color filter substrate 10 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V is in a transparent state, that is, no color resist material or a transparent color resist material is provided in the region corresponding to the viewing angle control region V. The black matrix 11 separates the pixel region P from the viewing angle control region V. Among them, the color resist layer 12 includes, for example, color resist materials of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), respectively forming sub-pixels of red, green, and blue. Of course, in other embodiments, a color resist layer 12 may also be provided in the region of the color filter substrate 10 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V, and the colors of the color resist layer 12 in the viewing angle control region V and the pixel region P correspond in the vertical direction.

[0055] Further, the pixel region P and the viewing angle control region V extend along the horizontal direction (the direction of scan line 1) and are alternately arranged along the vertical direction (the direction of data line 2). The viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one row of the viewing angle control regions V, and a plurality of viewing angle auxiliary electrodes 13 are electrically connected to each other in the non-display region; the viewing angle control electrode 23 is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one row of the viewing angle control regions V, and a plurality of viewing angle control electrodes 23 are electrically connected to each other at the conductive portions 231( Figure 3 ) in the non-display region. Of course, the pixel region P and the viewing angle control region V may also extend along the vertical direction and be alternately arranged along the horizontal direction. The viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one column of the viewing angle control regions V, and a plurality of viewing angle auxiliary electrodes 13 are electrically connected to each other in the non-display region; the viewing angle control electrode 23 is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one column of the viewing angle control regions V, and a plurality of viewing angle control electrodes 23 are electrically connected to each other at the conductive portions 231. Among them, both the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 are planar electrodes corresponding to one row of the viewing angle control regions V.

[0056] In this embodiment, a plurality of scan lines 1 and a plurality of data lines 2 that are insulated and cross each other are further provided on one side of the array substrate 20 facing the liquid crystal layer 30. The projection of the black matrix 11 on the array substrate 20 covers the scan lines 1 and the data lines 2. A pixel electrode 22 and a thin film transistor 3 are provided corresponding to each pixel region P. The pixel electrode 22 is electrically connected to the data line 2 adjacent to the thin film transistor 3 through the thin film transistor 3. Among them, the thin film transistor 3 includes a gate, an active layer, a drain, and a source. The gate and the scan line 1 are located on the same layer and are electrically connected. The gate and the active layer are separated by an insulating layer. The source is electrically connected to the data line 2, and the drain is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 22 through a contact hole.

[0057] Further, the common electrode 21 and the pixel electrode 22 are located on different layers and are insulated and isolated by an insulating layer. The viewing angle control electrode 23 and the pixel electrode 22 are located on the same layer. The common electrode 21 may be located above or below the pixel electrode 22( Figure 4 as shown in the figure, the common electrode 21 is located below the pixel electrode 22). Preferably, the common electrode 21 is a planar electrode provided as a whole surface, and the pixel electrode 22 is a block electrode provided as a whole in each pixel unit or a slit electrode having a plurality of electrode strips to form a Fringe Field Switching (FFS) mode. Of course, in other embodiments, the pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode 21 are located on the same layer, but are insulated and isolated from each other. The pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode 21 may each include a plurality of electrode strips, and the electrode strips of the pixel electrode 22 and the electrode strips of the common electrode 21 are alternately arranged to form an In-Plane Switching (IPS) mode.

[0058] Among them, the color filter substrate 10 and the array substrate 20 can be made of transparent substrates such as glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate. The materials of the common electrode 21, the pixel electrode 22, the viewing angle control electrode 23, and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 can be made of transparent electrodes such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0059] This embodiment also provides a display device, including a backlight module 50 and the above-described viewing angle switchable display panel. The backlight module 50 includes a backlight source and multiple layers of optical films (such as diffusion films, prism films, and brightness enhancement films). Of course, the backlight module 50 can also be provided with a privacy layer, and the privacy layer is used to narrow the range of the light emission angle. Among them, the privacy layer is equivalent to a miniature louver structure, which can block the light with a larger incident angle and allow the light with a smaller incident angle to pass through, so that the angle range of the light passing through the privacy layer becomes smaller. The privacy layer includes a plurality of light blocking walls arranged in parallel and light transmissive holes located between adjacent two light blocking walls, and light absorbing materials are provided on both sides of the light blocking walls. The backlight module 50 can be a side-entry backlight module or a collimated backlight module.

[0060] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the wide viewing angle state in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is Figure 7 a schematic principle diagram of the pixel area in. Figure 9 is Figure 7 a schematic principle diagram of the viewing angle control area in. Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle state in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 It is another direction schematic structural diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle state in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is Figure 10 a schematic principle diagram of the pixel area in. Figure 13 is Figure 10 a schematic principle diagram of the viewing angle control area in. As Figures 7 to 13 shown, this embodiment also provides a viewing angle switchable driving method, which is used to drive the above-described viewing angle switchable display panel. The driving method includes:

[0061] As Figure 7As shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, corresponding wide viewing angle voltage signals are applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13. For example, the voltage applied to the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is 0V, and a relatively small voltage (less than 0.6V) or a relatively large voltage (greater than 7V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the pixel region P are in a lying posture, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are in a lying posture or a standing posture, so that the viewing angle control region V presents a black state whether in the front viewing angle (0°) or a large viewing angle (greater than 20°). When a relatively small voltage (less than 0.6V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are in a lying posture; when a relatively large voltage (greater than 7V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are in a standing posture (approximately perpendicular to the color filter substrate 10 and the array substrate 20).

[0062] During wide viewing angle display, a common voltage is applied to the common electrode 21, and a corresponding gray scale voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 22. A voltage difference is formed between the pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode 21 to generate a horizontal electric field ( Figure 7 E1 in), and the positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 are deflected in the horizontal direction, thereby controlling the intensity of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 to achieve gray scale display. The gray scale voltage includes 0 to 255 levels of gray scale voltage. When different gray scale voltages are applied to the pixel electrode 22, the pixel region P presents different brightnesses. The picture displayed in the pixel region P is a wide viewing angle picture, while the viewing angle control region V is in a black state and cannot interfere with the picture displayed in the pixel region P, so as to realize the normal display of the display device at a wide viewing angle.

[0063] As Figure 8 shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, for the pixel region P, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase delay. Part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the first polarizer 41, and the pixel region P is in an open state (bright state) to achieve transmissive display, and a normal picture can be displayed (and there is gray scale display), and the displayed picture is a wide viewing angle picture. The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase delay. Part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the second polarizer 42 to the backlight module 50.

[0064] As Figure 9As shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, for the viewing angle control region V, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, that is, parallel to the reflection axis of the wire grid polarizer 24. Since the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 cannot reach 100%, part of the light BL of the backlight can pass through the wire grid polarizer 24, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 without phase delay, it is absorbed by the first polarizer 41. The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41. After passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 without phase delay, the polarization state of the ambient light I does not change and remains linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41, that is, parallel to the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer 24, and then passes through the wire grid polarizer 24 and is absorbed by the second polarizer 42. Therefore, the viewing angle control region V presents a black state both in the front view angle (0°) and the large view angle (greater than 20°), which can avoid the interference of the viewing angle control region V on the contrast in the wide viewing angle and improve the display effect in the wide viewing angle.

[0065] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, a preset narrow viewing angle voltage signal is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13. For example, the voltage applied to the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is 0V, and the viewing angle control voltage (2 - 5V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the pixel region P are in a lying posture, and a vertical electric field ( Figure 10 and Figure 11 E2 in) is formed between the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13. The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are in an inclined posture under the drive of the vertical electric field, and there is light leakage when viewing the display panel at a large viewing angle, so as to reduce the contrast at a large viewing angle, thereby realizing narrow viewing angle display. Since the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are in an inclined posture under the drive of the vertical electric field, the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the viewing angle control region V has a phase delay at a large viewing angle, and almost no phase delay at the front view angle. The viewing angle control region V always presents a black state at the front view angle.

[0066] When performing narrow viewing angle display, a common voltage is applied to the common electrode 21, and a corresponding gray scale voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 22. A voltage difference is formed between the pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode 21 to generate a horizontal electric field ( Figure 10In E1), the positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 are deflected in the horizontal direction, thereby controlling the intensity of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 to achieve grayscale display. The grayscale voltages include 0 to 255 levels of grayscale voltages. When different grayscale voltages are applied to the pixel electrode 22, the pixel region P presents different brightnesses. The light leakage in the viewing angle control region V at a large viewing angle will interfere with the picture displayed in the pixel region P, and the picture displayed in the pixel region P cannot be clearly seen at a large viewing angle, thereby realizing the normal display of the display device at a narrow viewing angle.

[0067] As Figure 12 shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, for the pixel region P, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation. Part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the first polarizer 41, and the pixel region P is in an open state (bright state), realizing transmissive display and capable of displaying a normal picture (and there is grayscale display). The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation. Part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the second polarizer 42 towards the backlight module 50.

[0068] As Figure 13 shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, for the viewing angle control region V, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, that is, parallel to the reflection axis of the wire grid polarizer 24. Since the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 cannot reach 100%, therefore, a part of the light BL of the backlight can pass through the wire grid polarizer 24, and then after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation at a large viewing angle, the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle, while the light at the frontal viewing angle is absorbed by the first polarizer 41, and the frontal viewing angle is in a dark state. The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation at a large viewing angle, the light at a large viewing angle is reflected back by the wire grid polarizer 24, and then after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation at a large viewing angle, the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle; while the light at the frontal viewing angle passes through the wire grid polarizer 24 and is absorbed by the second polarizer 42. Therefore, the viewing angle control region V has a light leakage effect at a large viewing angle (greater than 20°), reducing the contrast at a large viewing angle and realizing narrow viewing angle display, while always presenting a black state at the frontal viewing angle (0°), which can improve the contrast at the frontal viewing angle during narrow viewing angles to improve the display effect during narrow viewing angles.

[0069] Figure 14 Yes Figure 10 It is a simulation diagram of the viewing angle and brightness in the viewing angle control area. As Figure 14 shown, the brightness of the viewing angle control area V is very low and in a black state at the front view angle (0°), while the brightness is relatively high at large viewing angles (greater than 20°) and has a light leakage effect to reduce the contrast at large viewing angles.

[0070] In the narrow viewing angle mode, under strong ambient light conditions, the anti-peeping effect of golden mirror reflection is achieved by using part of the backlight and ambient light at the same time; under relatively dark ambient light conditions, the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at large viewing angles is achieved by using the transmitted part of the backlight, thereby improving the narrow viewing angle effect and reducing the dependence of the narrow viewing angle on ambient light. Moreover, only a small amount of backlight can be transmitted and ambient light can be reflected, and the light leakage brightness at large viewing angles is darker than that of the prior art, which can reduce light pollution; combined with the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V being in an inclined posture, the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V has almost no phase delay at the front view angle. Therefore, the contrast at the front view angle in the narrow viewing angle mode can be improved to improve the display effect in the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0071] Furthermore, in the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V are in an inclined posture, and the oblique viewing angle (large viewing angle) corresponding to the inclination angle has a phase delay of λ / 2. So that a part of the backlight source can pass through the wire grid polarizer 24, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle, most of the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle; and after the ambient light I passes through the liquid crystal layer 30 with a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle, most of the light at a large viewing angle can be reflected back by the wire grid polarizer 24, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle again, most of the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle, thereby improving the narrow viewing angle effect.

[0072] Among them, the phase delay formula in the large viewing angle direction is as follows:

[0073]

[0074] In the above formula: Γ LC is the effective phase of the liquid crystal in the oblique viewing direction; θ is the angle between the liquid crystal molecules and the horizontal direction, that is, the inclination angle of the liquid crystal molecules; φ is the azimuth angle of the incident light; d is the thickness of the liquid crystal cell; ne and no are the refractive index parameters of the liquid crystal molecules. Therefore, by changing the inclination angle of the liquid crystal molecules, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 can have a phase delay of λ / 2 at the oblique viewing angle (large viewing angle).

[0075] [Embodiment 2]

[0076] Figure 15 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the initial state in the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the wide viewing angle state in the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the narrow viewing angle state. As Figures 15 to 17 shown, the switchable viewing angle display panel, display device and driving method provided in the second embodiment of the present invention are basically the same as those in the first embodiment ( Figures 1 to 14 ). The difference is that in this embodiment, the viewing angle control electrode 23 is a comb-shaped electrode with slits, so that in the narrow viewing angle, the viewing angle control electrode 23 can not only form a vertical electric field with the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13, but also form a horizontal electric field with the common electrode 21, thereby more easily controlling the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V to achieve a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle.

[0077] As Figures 16 to 17 shown, this embodiment also provides a switchable viewing angle driving method, which is used to drive the switchable viewing angle display panel as described above. The driving method includes:

[0078] As Figure 16 shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, corresponding wide viewing angle voltage signals are applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13. For example, the voltage applied to the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is 0V, and a smaller voltage (less than 0.6V) or a larger voltage (greater than 7V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the pixel area P are in a lying posture, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V are in a lying posture or a standing posture, so that the viewing angle control area V presents a black state whether in the front viewing angle (0°) or a large viewing angle (greater than 20°). When a smaller voltage (less than 0.6V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V are in a lying posture; when a larger voltage (greater than 7V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control area V are in a standing posture (approximately perpendicular to the color filter substrate 10 and the array substrate 20).

[0079] When displaying in a wide viewing angle, a common voltage is applied to the common electrode 21, and a corresponding gray scale voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 22. A voltage difference is formed between the pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode 21 to generate a horizontal electric field ( Figure 16In E1), the positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 are deflected in the horizontal direction, thereby controlling the intensity of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 to achieve grayscale display. The grayscale voltage includes 0 to 255 levels of grayscale voltage. When different grayscale voltages are applied to the pixel electrode 22, the pixel region P exhibits different brightness levels. The picture displayed in the pixel region P is a wide viewing angle picture, while the viewing angle control region V is in a black state and cannot interfere with the picture displayed in the pixel region P, thereby enabling the normal display of the display device at a wide viewing angle.

[0080] For reference Figure 8 As shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, for the pixel region P, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation. Part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the first polarizer 41, and the pixel region P is in an open state (bright state), realizing transmissive display, capable of displaying a normal picture (and there is grayscale display), and the displayed picture is a wide viewing angle picture. The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation. Part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the second polarizer 42 towards the backlight module 50.

[0081] For reference Figure 9 As shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, for the viewing angle control region V, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, that is, parallel to the reflection axis of the wire grid polarizer 24. Since the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 cannot reach 100%, part of the light BL of the backlight can pass through the wire grid polarizer 24, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 without phase retardation, it is absorbed by the first polarizer 41. The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41. After passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 without phase retardation, the polarization state of the ambient light I does not change and still remains linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41, that is, parallel to the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer 24, and then passes through the wire grid polarizer 24 and is absorbed by the second polarizer 42. Therefore, the viewing angle control region V presents a black state both in the front view angle (0°) and large view angles (greater than 20°), which can avoid the viewing angle control region V from interfering with the contrast at a wide viewing angle and improve the display effect at a wide viewing angle.

[0082] As Figure 17As shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, a preset narrow viewing angle voltage signal is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13. For example, the voltage applied to the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is 0V, and the viewing angle control voltage (2 - 5V) is applied to the viewing angle control electrode 23. A common voltage is applied to the common electrode 21. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the pixel region P are in a lying posture, and a vertical electric field ( Figure 17 E2 in the figure) is formed between the viewing angle control electrode 23 and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13. The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are in an inclined posture under the drive of the vertical electric field, and there is light leakage when viewing the display panel at a large viewing angle, so as to reduce the contrast at a large viewing angle, thereby realizing narrow viewing angle display. In addition, the viewing angle control electrode 23 can also form a horizontal electric field ( Figure 17 E3 in the figure) with the common electrode 21, so as to drive the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V to deflect to a certain extent in the horizontal direction, so as to control the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V to have a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle. So that a part of the backlight can pass through the wire grid polarizer 24, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle, most of the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle; after the ambient light I passes through the liquid crystal layer 30 with a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle, most of the light at a large viewing angle can be reflected back by the wire grid polarizer 24, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with a phase delay of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle again, most of the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle, thereby improving the narrow viewing angle effect.

[0083] When in narrow viewing angle display, a corresponding grayscale voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 22, and a voltage difference is formed between the pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode 21 to generate a horizontal electric field ( Figure 10 E1 in the figure). The positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 deflect in the horizontal direction, so as to control the intensity of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 and realize grayscale display. The grayscale voltage includes 0 - 255 levels of grayscale voltage. When different grayscale voltages are applied to the pixel electrode 22, the pixel region P presents different brightnesses. The light leakage of the viewing angle control region V at a large viewing angle will interfere with the picture displayed in the pixel region P, and the picture displayed in the pixel region P cannot be clearly seen at a large viewing angle, thereby realizing the normal display of the display device at a narrow viewing angle.

[0084] For reference, see Figure 12As shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, for the pixel region P, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation. A part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the first polarizer 41, and the pixel region P is in an open state (bright state), realizing transmissive display and capable of displaying a normal picture (and there is grayscale display). The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41, and then becomes circular (elliptical) polarized light after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation. A part of the circular (elliptical) polarized light is emitted from the second polarizer 42 towards the backlight module 50.

[0085] In the narrow viewing angle mode, for the viewing angle control region V, the light BL of the backlight forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 42 after passing through the second polarizer 42, that is, parallel to the reflection axis of the wire grid polarizer 24. Since the polarization degree and reflectance of the wire grid polarizer 24 cannot reach 100%, a part of the light BL of the backlight can pass through the wire grid polarizer 24, and then after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation at a large viewing angle, the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle, while a small part of the light at the frontal viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41, and the frontal viewing angle has a certain brightness. The ambient light I forms linearly polarized light parallel to the transmission axis of the first polarizer 41 after passing through the first polarizer 41, and after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation at a large viewing angle, the light at a large viewing angle is reflected back by the wire grid polarizer 24, and then after passing through the liquid crystal layer 30 with phase retardation at a large viewing angle, the light at a large viewing angle can pass through the first polarizer 41 and achieve the anti-peeping effect of light leakage at a large viewing angle; while a small part of the light at the frontal viewing angle is reflected back by the wire grid polarizer 24 and passes through the first polarizer 41, and the frontal viewing angle has a certain brightness. Therefore, the viewing angle control region V has a light leakage effect at a large viewing angle (greater than 20°), reducing the contrast at a large viewing angle and realizing narrow viewing angle display, while being brighter than that in the first embodiment at the frontal viewing angle.

[0086] Compared with the first embodiment, in this embodiment, by making the viewing angle control electrode 23 a comb-shaped electrode with slits, in the narrow viewing angle, the viewing angle control electrode 23 can not only form a vertical electric field with the viewing angle assisting electrode 13, but also form a horizontal electric field with the common electrode 21, and can more easily control the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V to have a phase retardation of λ / 2 at a large viewing angle. However, since the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 corresponding to the viewing angle control region V are deflected in the horizontal direction, in the narrow viewing angle, there is a certain phase retardation at the frontal viewing angle, the frontal viewing angle of the viewing angle control region V is brighter than that in the first embodiment, and the display effect in the narrow viewing angle is slightly worse than that in the first embodiment.

[0087] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and will not be elaborated here.

[0088] [Embodiment 3]

[0089] Figure 18 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As Figure 18 shown, the switchable viewing angle display panel, display device, and driving method provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention are basically the same as those in Embodiment 1 ( Figures 1 to 14 ), Embodiment 2 ( Figures 15 to 17 ). The difference is that in this embodiment: the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 is a planar electrode that entirely covers the color filter substrate 10, so that the manufacturing process of etching the viewing angle auxiliary electrode 13 can be reduced, and the manufacturing process of the color filter substrate 10 can be simplified.

[0090] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and will not be elaborated here.

[0091] [Embodiment 4]

[0092] Figure 19 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the initial state in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As Figure 19 shown, the switchable viewing angle display panel, display device, and driving method provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention are basically the same as those in Embodiment 1 ( Figures 1 to 14 ), Embodiment 2 ( Figures 15 to 17 ), Embodiment 3 ( Figure 18 ). The difference is that in this embodiment: the wire grid polarizer 24 and the scanning line 1 on the array substrate 20 are on the same layer and are made of the same material and the same etching process, that is, both the wire grid polarizer 24 and the scanning line 1 are etched from a molybdenum metal layer and a reflective metal together, so as to reduce one film forming and etching process and simplify the manufacturing process of the array substrate 20.

[0093] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and Embodiment 3, and will not be elaborated here.

[0094] [Embodiment 5]

[0095] Figure 20 It is a schematic plan view of the array substrate in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As Figure 20 shown, the switchable viewing angle display panel, display device, and driving method provided in Embodiment 5 of the present invention are the same as those in Embodiment 1 (Figures 1 to 14 ) Example Two Figures 15 to 17 ) Example Three Figure 18 ) Example Four Figure 19 ) The switchable-view display panel, display device, and driving method in Examples One, Two, Three, and Four are basically the same. The difference is that in this embodiment: the view control electrode 23 is an electrode block corresponding one-to-one to the view control area V. A thin-film transistor 3 is provided in each pixel area P and each view control area V. The pixel electrode 22 and the view control electrode 23 are electrically connected to the corresponding scanning line 1 and data line 2 respectively through their respective corresponding thin-film transistors 3. By dividing the view control electrode 23 into electrode blocks corresponding one-to-one to the view control area V and individually controlling each electrode block through the thin-film transistor 3, the display panel can achieve wide and narrow view switching in sub-regions.

[0096] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Example One, Example Two, Example Three, and Example Four, and will not be elaborated here.

[0097] Figure 21 is one of the schematic plane structures of the display device in the present invention. Figure 22 is the second schematic plane structure of the display device in the present invention. Please refer to Figure 21 and Figure 22 , this display device is provided with a view switching button 60 for the user to send a view switching request to the display device. The view switching button 60 can be a physical button (as shown in Figure 21 ), or can be realized by software control or an application program (APP) to implement the switching function (as shown in Figure 22 , for example, setting the wide and narrow views through a slider). When the user needs to switch between the wide view and the narrow view, a view switching request can be sent to the display device by operating the view switching button 60. Finally, the driving chip 70 controls different electrical signals to be applied to the view assisting electrode 13 and the view control electrode 23, and the display device can realize the switching between the wide view and the narrow view. When switching to the wide view, the driving method adopted is the driving method corresponding to the wide-angle mode. When switching to the narrow view, the driving method adopted is the driving method corresponding to the narrow view mode. Therefore, the display device of the embodiment of the present invention has strong operation flexibility and convenience, and achieves a multi-functional display device integrating entertainment video and privacy protection.

[0098] In this text, the orientation terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", and "back" are defined based on the positions of the structures in the attached drawings and their relative positions to each other, solely for the clarity and convenience of expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of these orientation terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application. It should also be understood that the terms "first" and "second" used in this text are only for differentiating names and do not limit the quantity and order.

[0099] As described above, these are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not impose any formal limitations on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the relevant art can make some changes or modifications within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention by using the disclosed technical content above, which are equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change, and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display panel with switchable viewing angles, comprising a color filter substrate (10), an array substrate (20) disposed opposite to the color filter substrate (10), and a liquid crystal layer (30) located between the color filter substrate (10) and the array substrate (20), characterized in that, The display panel has a pixel region (P) for image display and a viewing angle control region (V) for controlling the viewing angle. A first polarizer (41) is provided on the color filter substrate (10), and a second polarizer (42) is provided on the array substrate (20). The transmission axis of the first polarizer (41) is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the second polarizer (42). A common electrode (21), a pixel electrode (22), a viewing angle control electrode (23), and a wire grid polarizer (24) are provided on the array substrate (20). The pixel electrode (22) corresponds to the pixel region (P), and both the viewing angle control electrode (23) and the wire grid polarizer (24) correspond to the viewing angle control region (V). The wire grid direction of the wire grid polarizer (24) is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer (41). Only the wire grid polarizer (24) is provided as an optical film between the first polarizer (41) and the second polarizer (42). A viewing angle auxiliary electrode (13) that covers the viewing angle control region (V) and cooperates with the viewing angle control electrode (23) is provided on the color filter substrate (10). In the wide viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the pixel region (P) are in a lying posture, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the viewing angle control region (V) are in a lying posture or a standing posture. In the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the pixel region (P) are in a lying posture, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the viewing angle control region (V) are in an inclined posture.

2. The switchable viewing angle display panel according to claim 1, wherein The reflectance of the side of the wire grid polarizer (24) facing the second polarizer (42) is less than the reflectance of the side facing the first polarizer (41).

3. The viewable angle switchable display panel according to claim 2, wherein, The wire grid polarizer (24) includes a molybdenum metal wire grid layer (241) and a reflective metal wire grid layer (242). The molybdenum metal wire grid layer (241) is located on the side of the wire grid polarizer (24) close to the second polarizer (42), and the reflective metal wire grid layer (242) is located on the side of the wire grid polarizer (24) close to the first polarizer (41).

4. The switchable viewing angle display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire grid polarizer (24) is provided on the upper side of the common electrode (21) and is in contact with the surface of the common electrode (21); or the wire grid polarizer (24) is on the same layer as the scan line (1) on the array substrate (20) and is made of the same material and by the same etching process.

5. The switchable viewing angle display panel according to claim 1, wherein The viewing angle auxiliary electrode (13) is a planar electrode that entirely covers the color filter substrate (10); or the viewing angle auxiliary electrode (13) is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one row / column of the viewing angle control region (V).

6. The switchable viewing angle display panel according to claim 1, wherein The viewing angle control electrode (23) is a strip-shaped electrode corresponding to one row / column of the viewing angle control region (V), and multiple viewing angle control electrodes (23) are electrically connected to each other in the non-display area. Alternatively, the viewing angle control electrode (23) is an electrode block corresponding one-to-one to the viewing angle control region (V). The array substrate (20) is provided with a plurality of scan lines (1), a plurality of data lines (2), and a plurality of thin film transistors (3) on a side facing the liquid crystal layer (30). The thin film transistors (3) are provided in each pixel region (P) and each viewing angle control region (V). The pixel electrode (22) and the viewing angle control electrode (23) are electrically connected to the corresponding scan line (1) and data line (2) through the respective corresponding thin film transistors (3).

7. The switchable viewing angle display panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The viewing angle control electrode (23) is a planar electrode; or the viewing angle control electrode (23) is a comb-shaped electrode having slits.

8. A display device, characterized in that, It includes a viewing angle switchable display panel according to any one of claims 1-7.

9. A driving method with switchable viewing angles, characterized in that, The driving method is used to drive a viewing angle switchable display panel according to any one of claims 1-7, and the driving method includes: In the wide viewing angle mode, corresponding wide viewing angle voltage signals are applied to the viewing angle control electrode (23) and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode (13), so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the viewing angle control region (V) are in a lying or standing posture. In the narrow viewing angle mode, a preset narrow viewing angle voltage signal is applied to the viewing angle control electrode (23) and the viewing angle auxiliary electrode (13), so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the viewing angle control region (V) are in an inclined posture.

10. The drive method with switchable viewing angle according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer (30) corresponding to the viewing angle control region (V) are in an inclined posture and have a phase delay of λ / 2 at an oblique viewing angle.

Images