Optical structure and electronic device comprising the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an optical structure, which includes a substrate, a light shielding layer disposed on the substrate and including a first opening, a filter layer including a first portion arranged along a first direction and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed in the first opening, the second portion is connected with the first portion and disposed on the light shielding layer and does not overlap the first opening, and a first spacer disposed on the second portion. In a top view of the optical structure, on a first virtual line passing through a center of the first spacer and extending in the first direction, the second portion has a first length, the first spacer has a second length, the light shielding layer has a third length, and the first length is greater than or equal to the second length and less than or equal to the third length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to optical structures and electronic devices comprising the same, and more particularly to optical structures including filter layers and electronic devices comprising the same. Background Technology

[0002] When an electronic device is a liquid crystal display (LCD), spacers (PS) are typically placed within it to control the gaps between the liquid crystals. However, when the subpixels are arranged in an island-type or mosaic-type configuration, the spacers are placed on the light-shielding layer and / or insulating layer between two subpixels. In this case, the height and size of the spacers must be increased to control the gaps between the liquid crystals. However, increasing the height and size of the spacers will enlarge the misalignment areas in the LCD, reduce the size of the aperture area, decrease light transmittance, and / or reduce the aperture ratio and / or quality of the electronic device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides an optical structure and an electronic device incorporating the same. The optical structure has a large aperture area and / or good light transmittance, therefore the electronic device incorporating the same will have a high aperture ratio and / or good display quality.

[0004] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an optical structure is provided, comprising a substrate, a light-shielding layer disposed on the substrate and including a first opening, a filter layer including a first portion and a second portion arranged along a first direction, wherein the first portion is disposed in the first opening, the second portion is connected to the first portion and disposed on the light-shielding layer without overlapping the first opening, and a first spacer disposed on the second portion. Viewed from a top view of the optical structure, on a first virtual line passing through the center of the first spacer and extending along the first direction, the second portion has a first length, the first spacer has a second length, and the light-shielding layer has a third length, wherein the first length is greater than or equal to the second length and less than or equal to the third length.

[0005] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising an array substrate and an optical structure. The optical structure includes a substrate, a light-shielding layer disposed on the substrate and including a first opening, a filter layer including a first portion and a second portion arranged along a first direction, wherein the first portion is disposed in the first opening, the second portion is connected to the first portion and disposed on the light-shielding layer without overlapping the first opening, and a first spacer disposed on the second portion. Viewed from a top view of the optical structure, on a first virtual line passing through the center of the first spacer and extending along the first direction, the second portion has a first length, the first spacer has a second length, and the light-shielding layer has a third length, wherein the first length is greater than or equal to the second length and less than or equal to the third length. Attached Figure Description

[0006] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is worth noting that, in accordance with industry standard practice, the features are not shown to scale. In fact, for clarity, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced.

[0007] Figure 1A A top view of an optical structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0008] Figure 1B A top view of an optical structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0009] Figure 1C A top view of an optical structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A An enlarged schematic diagram of the spacers and the filter layer in the optical structure shown.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A An enlarged schematic diagram of region A in the optical structure shown.

[0012] Figure 4A yes Figure 1C The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the optical structure along line BB.

[0013] Figure 4B yes Figure 1C An enlarged schematic diagram of region C in the optical structure shown.

[0014] Figure 5A A top view of an optical structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 5B A top view of an optical structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 5C A top view of an optical structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] [Symbol Explanation]

[0018] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60: Optical structure

[0019] 110:Substrate

[0020] 120: Light-shielding layer

[0021] 130, 130R, 130G, 130B, 130W: Open-face

[0022] 150: Filter layer

[0023] 150R: Red filter layer

[0024] 150G: Green filter layer

[0025] 150B: Blue filter layer

[0026] 150R1, 150G1, 150B1: Part 1

[0027] 150R2, 150G2, 150B2: Part Two

[0028] 150G3: Side section

[0029] 152: Connection part

[0030] 170, 170': Spacers

[0031] 171,171': Top surface

[0032] 173,173': Bottom surface

[0033] 190: Insulation layer

[0034] C1: First distance

[0035] C2: Second distance

[0036] D1, D1': First length

[0037] R1,R1': Second length

[0038] B1, B1': Third length

[0039] DR1: First Direction

[0040] DR2: Second Direction

[0041] FV, SV: Virtual rectangles

[0042] FR: Virtual Circle

[0043] FC: Center

[0044] SC: Center of spacer

[0045] L1, L2, L3, L4: Virtual lines Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement the various features of this application. The following disclosure describes specific examples of the various components and their arrangements for simplification. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if this disclosure describes a first feature formed on or above a second feature, it may include embodiments where the first and second feature are in direct contact, or embodiments where an additional feature is formed between the first and second feature, so that the first and second feature may not be in direct contact.

[0047] Throughout this specification and the appended claims, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will understand that electronic device manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same components, and this document is not intended to distinguish between components that have the same function but different names. In the following specification and claims, words such as "comprising" and "including" are open-ended terms and should therefore be interpreted as "containing but not limited to...".

[0048] The use of ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims to modify components of a claim does not in itself imply or represent any prior ordinal number of the claimed component, nor does it represent the order of one claimed component with another, or the order of manufacture. The use of these ordinal numbers is solely to clearly distinguish one claimed component with a given name from another claimed component with the same name. Therefore, a first component mentioned in the specification may be referred to as a second component in the claims.

[0049] The directional terms used in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are merely for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that components specifically described or illustrated may exist in various forms well known to those skilled in the art. In this document, when a component is referred to as "overlapping" with another component, it should be understood that the component partially or completely overlaps with the other component.

[0050] The following describes some embodiments of this disclosure. Additional operations may be provided before, between, and / or after the steps described in these embodiments. Some of the described steps may be replaced or omitted in different embodiments. Furthermore, although some embodiments of this disclosure are described below with several steps in a specific order, these steps may also be performed in other reasonable orders.

[0051] Furthermore, when a component or membrane is referred to as being "on" or "connected" to another component or membrane, it can be directly on or directly connected to the other component or membrane, or there may be an interposed component or membrane between them (indirect cases). Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly" on or "directly connected" to another component or membrane, there may be no interposed component or membrane between them. The reference in the text to one component being "coupled" to another component may include situations where "other components may exist between the component and the other component to electrically connect them," or situations where "no other components exist between the component and the other component to provide a direct electrical connection." If the text refers to one component being "directly coupled" to another component, it means "no other components exist between the component and the other component to provide a direct electrical connection."

[0052] In the following text, the terms "approximately" and "substantially" generally mean within 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range. The given quantities are approximate, meaning that the terms "approximately" or "substantially" are implied even without specific mention. The phrase "range between a first value and a second value" indicates that the range includes the first value, the second value, and other values ​​in between.

[0053] In this disclosure, the length, thickness, and width may be measured using an optical microscope, an electron microscope, or other methods, but are not limited thereto.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It is understood that such terms, for example, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant art and the background or context of this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner, unless specifically defined in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0055] The electronic device disclosed herein may include, but is not limited to, display devices, antenna devices, sensing devices, touch displays, curved displays, or free-shape displays. The electronic device may be bendable or flexible. The antenna device may be, for example, a liquid crystal antenna, but is not limited to. The antenna device may include, for example, an antenna splicing device, but is not limited to. It should be noted that the electronic device may be any arrangement or combination of the foregoing, but is not limited to. Furthermore, the shape of the electronic device may be rectangular, circular, polygonal, with curved edges, or other suitable shapes. The electronic device may include electronic components. Electronic components may include passive and active components, such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, diodes, transistors, etc. Diodes may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or photodiodes. Light-emitting diodes may include, for example, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), mini LEDs, micro LEDs, or quantum dot LEDs, but are not limited to. Electronic devices may have peripheral systems such as drive systems, control systems, light source systems, and shelving systems to support display devices, antenna devices, or splicing devices. The following description will use display devices as an example, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0056] Figure 1A A top view of an optical structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1A As shown, the optical structure 10 includes a substrate 110, a light-shielding layer 120 disposed on the substrate 110, a light-filtering layer 150 disposed on the substrate 110, and spacers 170 disposed on the light-filtering layer 150, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the optical structure 10 may further include a laminated structure disposed between the light-filtering layer 150 and the spacers 170, such as an insulating layer, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0057] The substrate 110 may include a flexible substrate, a rigid substrate, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the substrate 110 may be a light-transmitting substrate or a semi-light-transmitting substrate. According to some embodiments, the material of the substrate 110 may include glass, quartz, sapphire, ceramic, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), other suitable materials, or any combination thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the substrate 110 may further include a conductive layer, an insulating layer, a dielectric layer, a display medium layer, an air layer, a vacuum layer, or any combination thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0058] The light-shielding layer 120 can block light, including light passing through the substrate 110 or light about to pass through the substrate 110. The light-shielding layer 120 may include dark resin, dark photoresist, dark ink, dark pigment, or any combination thereof, such as black resin, black photoresist, black ink, black pigment, or any combination thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the light-shielding layer 120 may include a material with low light transmittance, such as metal. The light-shielding layer 120 is disposed on the substrate 110 and includes a plurality of openings 130 arranged in rows along a first direction DR1. In some embodiments, the light-shielding layer 120 includes a plurality of row openings 130, and the plurality of row openings 130 are arranged along a second direction DR2 perpendicular to the first direction DR1. The openings 130 are opening areas of the optical structure 10 and are allowed to allow light to pass through. In some embodiments, the first direction DR1 may be, for example, the extending direction of the longer side of the opening 130, but is not limited thereto.

[0059] The filter layer 150 can be an optical layer that allows light with a specific wavelength range to pass through. Depending on the color of the light passing through the filter layer 150, the filter layer 150 can be further divided into a red filter layer 150R (allowing red light to pass through), a green filter layer 150G (allowing green light to pass through), and a blue filter layer 150B (allowing blue light to pass through). Figure 1A The present invention describes an embodiment in which the filter layer 150 includes a red filter layer 150R, a green filter layer 150G, and a blue filter layer 150B, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the filter layer 150 may include a red filter layer 150R, a green filter layer 150G, a blue filter layer 150B, and a filter layer that allows other colors of light to pass through.

[0060] At Figure 1AIn some embodiments, the red filter layer 150R may include a first portion 150R1 and a second portion 150R2 arranged and connected to each other along the first direction DR1, the green filter layer 150G may include a first portion 150G1 and a second portion 150G2 arranged and connected to each other along the first direction DR1, and the blue filter layer 150B may include a first portion 150B1 and a second portion 150B2 arranged and connected to each other along the first direction DR1, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the red filter layer 150R may further include a side portion connecting the first portion 150R1 and the second portion 150R2, the green filter layer 150G may further include a side portion connecting the first portion 150G1 and the second portion 150G2, and the blue filter layer 150B may further include a side portion connecting the first portion 150B1 and the second portion 150B2, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0061] A first portion 150R1 of the red filter layer 150R is disposed in the opening 130R, and a second portion 150R2 is disposed on the light-shielding layer 120 without overlapping the opening 130R. A first portion 150G1 of the green filter layer 150G is disposed in the opening 130G, and a second portion 150G2 is disposed on the light-shielding layer 120 without overlapping the opening 130G. A first portion 150B1 of the blue filter layer 150B is disposed in the opening 130B, and a second portion 150B2 is disposed on the light-shielding layer 120 without overlapping the opening 130B. An opening 130W may not contain a filter layer, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the openings 130R, 130G, and 130B are similar in size and slightly larger than the opening 130W, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a layer with high light transmittance may also be partially disposed in an opening without a filter layer. For example, an insulating layer may also include a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the insulating layer may be disposed in the opening 130W and the second portion may be disposed on the light shielding layer 120 and not overlap the opening 130W. Therefore, light passing through the opening 130W will be less affected. For example, white light can pass through the opening 130W and still remain white light.

[0062] There are no specific limitations on the arrangement of openings 130B, 130W, 130G, and 130R. In some embodiments, multiple openings 130B, multiple openings 130R, multiple openings 130G, and multiple openings 130W can be arranged in a row along the first direction DR1. In some embodiments, multiple openings 130W, multiple openings 130G, multiple openings 130B, and multiple openings 130R are not adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1. In some embodiments, the sizes of openings 130B, 130W, 130G, and 130R are independent, and the lengths of openings 130B, 130W, 130G, and 130R in the first direction DR1 and / or the second direction DR2 can be the same or different from each other.

[0063] The spacer 170 may include a three-dimensional structure having a top surface 171 and a bottom surface 173, wherein the projected area of ​​the top surface 171 on the substrate 110 may be smaller than the projected area of ​​the bottom surface 173 on the substrate 110, and the projection of the top surface 171 on the substrate 110 may lie within the projection of the bottom surface 173 on the substrate 110. In some embodiments, when viewed from a top view of the optical structure 10, the top surface 171 and the bottom surface 173 of the spacer 170 may independently have a circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal shape, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 1A In some embodiments, the top surface 171 and bottom surface 173 of the spacer 170 are both circular, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the top surface 171 of the spacer 170 may be circular and the bottom surface 173 may be elliptical. The material of the spacer 170 may include acrylic resin, polyamide, polyimide, phenolic epoxy resin, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0064] The spacer 170 can be disposed on the filter layer 150. Figure 1A In one embodiment, spacer 170 is disposed on the second portion 150G2 of green filter layer 150G. Figure 2 yes Figure 1A An enlarged schematic diagram of the spacer 170 and the filter layer 150G on which the spacer 170 is disposed in the optical structure 10 shown. Figure 2As shown, the spacer 170 has a spacer center SC, and the first portion 150G1 of the green filter layer 150G has a center FC. The spacer center SC is the point where the two diagonals of the smallest virtual rectangle SV that can frame the spacer 170 intersect, and the center FC of the first portion 150G1 is the point where the two diagonals of the smallest virtual rectangle FV that can frame the first portion 150G1 intersect. The second portion 150G2 of the green filter layer 150G can be the portion outside the two opposite sides of the smallest virtual rectangle FV parallel to the second direction DR2. The side portion 150G3 of the green filter layer 150G can be the portion inside the two opposite sides of the smallest virtual rectangle FV parallel to the second direction DR2. In some embodiments, when viewed from a top view of the optical structure 10, the first virtual line L1, which passes through the center SC of the spacer and extends in the first direction DR1, and the second virtual line L2, which passes through the center FC of the first portion 150G1 and extends in the first direction DR1, are separated from each other and do not overlap. That is, the second virtual line L2 and the first virtual line L1 are separated by a distance, and the distance is not zero. In this embodiment, when the optical structure of this disclosure is used in a liquid crystal display device, the first portion 150G1 disposed in the green filter layer 150 within the opening 130G allows the passing light to appear green for display. Therefore, when the alignment film is affected by the spacer 170 and produces an area of ​​uneven alignment, the overlap between the uneven alignment area and the first portion 150G1 can be reduced, thereby reducing the color deviation of the liquid crystal display device, increasing the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display device, and / or improving the display quality of the liquid crystal display device. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. In some embodiments, if the bottom surface 173 of the spacer 170 is of other shapes, such as a rectangle, the second virtual line L2 may also overlap the first virtual line L1, that is, the distance between the second virtual line L2 and the first virtual line L1 may be 0.

[0065] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A An enlarged schematic diagram of region A in the optical structure 10 of the illustrated embodiment. (Refer to...) Figure 1A as well as Figure 3The openings 130G and 130W are adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1 and may have arc-shaped opening boundaries, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Between the openings 130G and 130W, the bottom surface 173 of the spacer 170 has a second length R1 on the first virtual line L1, the second portion 150G2 where the spacer 170 is located has a first length D1 on the first virtual line L1, and the light-shielding layer 120 has a third length B1 on the first virtual line L1, wherein the first length D1 is greater than or equal to the second length R1 and less than or equal to the third length B1. In some embodiments, on the first virtual line L1, there is a first distance C1 between the spacer 170 and the opening 130G, and a second distance C2 between the spacer 170 and the opening 130W, and the ratio of the first distance C1 to the second distance C2, C1 / C2, is greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 1.3. In this embodiment, when the optical structure of this disclosure is used in a liquid crystal display device, the area where the alignment film is unevenly aligned due to the influence of the spacer 170 can overlap with the light shielding layer 120, thereby reducing the color deviation of the liquid crystal display device, increasing the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display device, and / or improving the display quality of the liquid crystal display device.

[0066] Figure 1B A top view of an optical structure 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1B The optical structure 20 shown is Figure 1A The optical structure 10 shown is similar, the main difference being that the spacer 170 is disposed on the second part 150R2 of the red filter layer 150R. Therefore, the similar structure will not be described again here.

[0067] Figure 1C A top view of an optical structure 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4A yes Figure 1C The optical structure 30 shown is a cross-sectional schematic diagram along line BB. Figure 4B yes Figure 1C An enlarged schematic diagram of region C in the optical structure 30 shown. (See attached image.) Figure 1C as well as Figure 4A As shown, the optical structure 30 includes a substrate 110, a light-shielding layer 120 disposed on the substrate 110, a light-filtering layer 150 disposed on the substrate 110, a spacer 170 disposed on the light-filtering layer 150, and an insulating layer 190 disposed between the light-filtering layer 150 and the spacer 170. The substrate 110, light-shielding layer 120, light-filtering layer 150, and spacer 170 in the optical structure 30 are similar in structure to those in the optical structure 10, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0068] like Figure 1CAs shown, the light-shielding layer 120 in the optical structure 30 includes openings 130B, 130W, 130G, and 130R. Figure 1A The main difference lies in adjusting the length of opening 130B in the first direction DR1, therefore, with Figure 1A Compared to the optical structure 10 shown, Figure 1C The light-shielding layer 120 between adjacent openings in the first direction DR1 of the optical structure 30 shown will have a relatively large length on the first virtual line L1. In this embodiment, the length of opening 130B in the first direction DR1 may be slightly smaller than the lengths of openings 130W, 130G, and 130R in the first direction DR1. In another embodiment, the length of opening 130B in the first direction DR1 may be greater than or equal to the lengths of openings 130W, 130G, and 130R in the first direction DR1.

[0069] Reference Figure 1C , Figure 4A as well as Figure 4BSpacer 170 is disposed on the second portion 150B2 of blue filter layer 150B, and insulating layer 190 is disposed on blue filter layer 150B and between blue filter layer 150B and spacer 170, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Insulating layer 190 may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Examples of materials for insulating layer 190 may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, acrylic-based polymer, siloxane-based polymer, epoxy-based polymer, or other suitable materials or combinations thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Since insulating layer 190 is disposed on filter layer 150, the probability of filter layer 150 being affected by contamination or moisture can be reduced. Moreover, insulating layer 190 may also have a first portion disposed in opening 130W and a second portion disposed on light shielding layer 120, so that light passing through opening 130W will be less affected, for example, white light can still be white light after passing through opening 130W. Furthermore, when the optical structure of this disclosure is used in a liquid crystal display device, a conductive layer (not shown) can be disposed on the insulating layer 190, that is, the insulating layer 190 is disposed between the conductive layer and the filter layer 150, which can reduce the probability of the filter layer 150 being affected by contamination or moisture, and / or allow the insulating layer 190 to provide a flatter surface for the conductive layer. Openings 130B and 130R are adjacent to each other in a first direction and have arc-shaped opening boundaries. Between openings 130B and 130R, the bottom surface 173 of the spacer 170 has a second length R1 on the first virtual line L1, the second portion 150B2 has a first length D1 on the first virtual line L1, and the light-shielding layer 120 has a third length B1 on the first virtual line L1, wherein the first length D1 is greater than or equal to the second length R1 and less than or equal to the third length B1. In some embodiments, on the first virtual line L1, there is a first distance C1 between the spacer 170 and the opening 130B, and a second distance C2 between the spacer 170 and the opening 130R, and the ratio C1 / C2 of the first distance C1 to the second distance C2 is greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 1.3. In this embodiment, the spacer 170 is disposed between the blue sub-pixel and the red sub-pixel, reducing the influence of the spacer 170 on the blue or red sub-pixel, thereby reducing the color deviation of the display including the optical structure of this disclosure or improving the display quality of the display. In addition, when the optical structure of this disclosure is used in a liquid crystal display device, it can increase the area of ​​the alignment film that is misaligned due to the influence of the spacer 170 and the overlap range with the light shielding layer 120, thereby reducing the color deviation of the liquid crystal display device, increasing the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display device, and / or improving the display quality of the liquid crystal display device.

[0070] The above combination Figures 1A to 4BThe description primarily serves to illustrate the arrangement of a single spacer 170. In some embodiments, the optical structure may include multiple spacers 170 configured in the same manner, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The following will be accompanied by... Figures 5A to 5B Further explanation is given regarding the configuration of the multiple spacers 170 in the optical structure, and the configuration relationship between the spacer 170 and another adjacent spacer 170.

[0071] Figure 5A A top view of an optical structure 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5A As shown, the optical structure 40 includes a substrate 110, a light-shielding layer 120 disposed on the substrate 110, a light-filtering layer 150 disposed on the substrate 110, and spacers 170 and 170' disposed on the light-filtering layer 150, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the optical structure 40 may further include an insulating layer disposed between the light-filtering layer 150 and the spacers 170 and 170'. The substrate 110, light-shielding layer 120, light-filtering layer 150, and spacers 170 in the optical structure 40 are similar in structure to the substrate 110, light-shielding layer 120, light-filtering layer 150, and spacers 170 in the optical structure 10, and therefore will not be described again here. The spacers 170' and 170 may have the same structure, which includes a three-dimensional structure having a top surface 171' and a bottom surface 173'. Similarly, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 5A The intermediate spacer 170' has a spacer center (not shown), and the first portion 150R1 of the red filter layer 150R on which it is located also has a center (not shown). The positions of the spacer centers of the aforementioned spacer 170' and the positions of the centers of the first portion 150R1 of the red filter layer 150R on which they are located are defined as follows: Figure 2 The position of the spacer center SC of the intermediate spacer 170 is defined in the same way as the position of the center FC of the first portion 150G1 of the green filter layer 150G, and therefore will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the third virtual line L3, which passes through the center of the first portion 150R1 and extends in the first direction DR1, and the fourth virtual line L4, which passes through the center of the spacer of the spacer 170' and extends in the first direction DR1, are separated from each other and do not overlap. That is, the fourth virtual line L4 and the third virtual line L3 are separated by a distance, and the distance is not 0, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the fourth virtual line L4 may overlap the third virtual line L3, that is, the distance between the fourth virtual line L4 and the third virtual line L3 may be 0.

[0072] In this embodiment, spacer 170' is adjacent to spacer 170. In this disclosure, "adjacent" means that when a virtual circle is drawn with the centers of the two spacers connected and this connection length used as the diameter, there are no other spacers within the virtual circle. Figure 5A As shown, a virtual circle FR is drawn with the distance between the centers of spacers 170' and 170 as the diameter. If there are no other spacers in the virtual circle FR, it means that spacer 170' is adjacent to spacer 170.

[0073] At Figure 5A In some embodiments, spacer 170 is disposed on a second portion 150R2 of red filter layer 150R, and spacer 170' is disposed on a second portion 150R2 of another red filter layer 150R, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, spacer 170 and spacer 170' may be disposed on filter layers of different colors. For example, spacer 170 may be disposed on a second portion 150R2 of red filter layer 150R, and spacer 170' may be disposed on a second portion 150G2 of green filter layer 150G.

[0074] At Figure 5A In one embodiment, spacer 170' is disposed between opening 130R and opening 130B, and openings 130R and 130B are adjacent to each other in a first direction. Between openings 130R and 130B, the bottom surface 173' of spacer 170' has a second length R1' on the fourth virtual line L4, the second portion 150R2 where spacer 170' is located has a first length D1' on the fourth virtual line L4, and the light-shielding layer 120 has a third length B1' on the fourth virtual line L4, wherein the first length D1' is greater than or equal to the second length R1' and less than or equal to the third length B1'. In some embodiments, the distances between spacer 170' and opening 130R, and between spacer 170' and opening 130B, are similar to the distances between spacer 170 and opening 130G, and between spacer 170 and opening 130W in optical structure 10. For example, on the fourth virtual line L4, there is a third distance (not shown) between spacer 170' and opening 130R, and a fourth distance (not shown) between spacer 170' and opening 130B, and the ratio of the third distance to the fourth distance is greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 1.3. In some embodiments, the third virtual line L3 is separate from and does not overlap with the second virtual line L2. In some embodiments, the third virtual line L3 is separate from and does not overlap with the first virtual line L1. In some embodiments, the third virtual line L3 may be separate from and does not overlap with the first virtual line L1, the second virtual line L2, and the fourth virtual line L4, such as... Figure 5AAs shown, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the third virtual line L3 may overlap with at least any one of the first virtual line L1, the second virtual line L2, and the fourth virtual line L4, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0075] Figure 5B A top view of an optical structure 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5B In this embodiment, spacers 170 and 170' are both disposed on the blue filter layer 150B. The second portion 150B2 of the blue filter layer 150B where spacer 170 is located is connected to the first portion 150B1 in the positive first direction DR1, and the second portion 150B2 of the blue filter layer 150B where spacer 170' is located is connected to the first portion 150B1 in the negative first direction DR1. Here, "positive first direction DR1" refers to... Figure 5B The direction referred to by DR1, "the negative first direction DR1" refers to Figure 5B The direction indicated by DR1 is opposite to the direction indicated by DR1. In addition, the substrate 110, filter layer 150, and spacer 170 in optical structure 50 are structurally similar to those in optical structure 40, and the light-shielding layer 120 in optical structure 50 is similar to... Figure 1C The structure of the light-shielding layer 120 in the optical structure 30 shown is similar, so it will not be described again here. The positional relationship between the spacers 170' and 170 in the optical structure 50 is essentially the same as the relationship between the spacers 170' and 170 in the optical structure 40, so it will not be described again here.

[0076] Figure 5C This diagram shows a top view of an optical structure 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The substrate 110, filter layer 150, and spacer 170 in the optical structure 60 are similar in structure to those in the optical structure 50, and therefore will not be described again here. Figure 5C In this embodiment, spacers 170 and 170' are both disposed on the blue filter layer 150B, and the second portion 150B2 of the blue filter layer 150B where spacer 170 is located and the second portion 150B2 of the blue filter layer 150B where spacer 170' is located are connected together by the connecting portion 152 of the filter layer. In some embodiments, other spacers (not shown) may be further formed on the connecting portion 152 of the filter layer. Therefore, the optical structure 60 may include more spacers 170, and the arrangement of the spacers 170 is also more flexible.

[0077] The optical structures 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 with the above-described structure can reduce the height and / or size of the spacer, reduce the width of the light shielding layer, increase the size of the opening area, and / or improve the light transmittance by placing the spacer 170 on the filter layer 150 and increasing the distance between the bottom surface of the spacer 170 and the substrate 110.

[0078] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device including an array panel and any one or more of the aforementioned optical structures 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. The optical structures are disposed on the array panel. The array panel may include a substrate and a circuit layer disposed on the substrate, the circuit layer being capable of receiving signals from the outside. When the aforementioned optical structures 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 are used in the electronic device, the aperture ratio of the electronic device can be increased. In the case where the electronic device is a display, optical components can be disposed between the array panel and the optical structures, and the circuit layer on the array panel can control the optical components. The optical components may include, for example, a liquid crystal layer or a diode, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The aforementioned optical structures 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 can further improve the display quality of the display.

[0079] The foregoing outlines the features of several embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the various aspects of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand and readily be able to design or modify other processes and structures based on this disclosure to achieve the same purpose and / or the same advantages as the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also understand that these equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Various changes, substitutions, or modifications can be made to the embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Features between embodiments can be freely combined and used as long as they do not violate the spirit of the invention or conflict with it. Furthermore, each claim of this disclosure may be an individual embodiment, and the scope of this disclosure includes each claim and each embodiment in combination with each other.

Claims

1. An optical structure, comprising: a substrate; a light shielding layer disposed on the substrate and comprising a first opening and a second opening; a filter layer comprising a first portion and a second portion arranged along a first direction and connected to each other, and a third portion and a fourth portion arranged along the first direction and connected to each other, wherein the first portion is disposed in the first opening, and the second portion is disposed on the light shielding layer and does not overlap the first opening, the third portion is disposed in the second opening, and the fourth portion is disposed on the light shielding layer and does not overlap the second opening; and a first spacer disposed on the second portion; a second spacer adjacent to the first spacer and disposed on the fourth portion, wherein, as viewed from a top direction of the optical structure, on a first virtual line passing through a spacer center of the first spacer and extending in the first direction, the second portion has a first length, the first spacer has a second length, the light shielding layer has a third length, and the first length is greater than or equal to the second length and less than or equal to the third length, wherein a second virtual line passes through a center of the first portion and extends in the first direction, and the second virtual line is separated from the first virtual line, and a third virtual line passes through a center of the third portion and extends in the first direction, and the third virtual line is separated from the second virtual line. The light shielding layer further comprises a third opening adjacent to the first opening in the first direction, wherein the first spacer is disposed between the first opening and the third opening, a first distance between the first spacer and the first opening on the first virtual line, a second distance between the first spacer and the third opening on the first virtual line, and a ratio of the first distance to the second distance is greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 1.

3.

2. The optical structure of claim 1, wherein, The light shielding layer further comprises a fourth opening adjacent to the second opening in the first direction, wherein the second spacer is disposed between the second opening and the fourth opening, a third distance between the second spacer and the second opening on a fourth virtual line passing through a spacer center of the second spacer and extending in the first direction, a fourth distance between the second spacer and the fourth opening on the fourth virtual line, and a ratio of the third distance to the fourth distance is greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 1.

3.

3. The optical structure of claim 1, wherein, The fourth portion is connected to the third portion in the positive first direction, and the second portion is connected to the first portion in the negative first direction.

4. The optical structure of claim 1, wherein, The third portion of the filter layer can be used to pass a first light, the first portion of the filter layer can be used to pass a second light, and the first light and the second light are different in color.

5. The optical structure of claim 1, wherein, The filter layer further comprises a fifth portion connecting the second portion and the fourth portion.

6. The optical structure of claim 1, wherein, 7. The optical structure of claim 6, further comprising a third spacer disposed on the fifth portion.

8. An electronic device, comprising: an array panel; and ​ An optical structure disposed on the array panel, wherein the optical structure comprises: a substrate; a light shielding layer disposed on the substrate and comprising a first opening and a second opening; a filter layer comprising a first portion and a second portion arranged along a first direction and a third portion and a fourth portion arranged in the first direction and connected to each other, wherein the first portion is disposed in the first opening, the second portion is connected to the first portion and disposed on the light shielding layer and does not overlap the first opening, the third portion is disposed in the second opening, and the fourth portion is disposed on the light shielding layer and does not overlap the second opening; and a first spacer disposed on the second portion; a second spacer disposed on the fourth portion adjacent to the first spacer, wherein, as viewed from a top direction of the optical structure, on a first virtual line passing through a center of the first spacer and extending in the first direction, the second portion has a first length, the first spacer has a second length, the light shielding layer has a third length, and the first length is greater than or equal to the second length and less than or equal to the third length, wherein a second virtual line passes through a center of the first portion and extends in the first direction, and the second virtual line and the first virtual line are separated from each other, and a third virtual line passes through a center of the third portion and extends in the first direction, and the third virtual line and the second virtual line are separated from each other.

Images