Polymer liquid crystal dimming box, its preparation method, and display module

Abstract

The present application discloses a polymer liquid crystal dimming cell, a preparation method thereof, and a display module. The polymer liquid crystal dimming cell includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a polymer liquid crystal layer, a sealant layer, and a light shielding structure. The light shielding structure is disposed between the sealant layer and the polymer liquid crystal layer and surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer. By using the light shielding structure to absorb the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the sealant layer, the problem that the polymer liquid crystal layer is prematurely cured due to the ultraviolet light irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer is avoided, the edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell is improved, and it is beneficial to realize mass production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of displays, and in particular, to a polymer liquid crystal dimming cell, a preparation method thereof, and a display module. Background Art

[0002] With the development of information technology, people pay more and more attention to personal information privacy, and anti-peeping display devices have emerged as the times require. When a polymer liquid crystal dimming cell is used in an anti-peeping display device, it can realize the free switching between the privacy mode and the sharing mode, meeting the needs of consumers in different scenarios.

[0003] In order to achieve the mass production of polymer liquid crystal dimming cells, the polymer liquid crystal is usually prepared by the method of liquid crystal dropping. The spacer glue and the polymer liquid crystal need to be cured step by step successively to ensure that the polymer liquid crystal adjacent to the spacer glue does not crosslink in advance. However, when curing the spacer glue, the UV (ultraviolet) light will obliquely irradiate the polymer liquid crystal at the edge of the light-shielding area of the UV mask. After being irradiated by the UV light, the polymer liquid crystal will be cured in advance, so that the corresponding inclined structure cannot be formed in the subsequent polymer liquid crystal curing process, and thus the edge of the polymer liquid crystal cell fails. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a polymer liquid crystal dimming cell, a preparation method thereof, and a display module, which can solve the technical problem of the edge failure of the existing polymer liquid crystal dimming cell.

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a polymer liquid crystal dimming cell, including:

[0006] A first substrate;

[0007] A second substrate, disposed opposite to the first substrate;

[0008] A polymer liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;

[0009] A spacer glue layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and

[0010] A light shielding structure, disposed between the spacer glue layer and the polymer liquid crystal layer and surrounding the polymer liquid crystal layer.

[0011] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell provided by the embodiments of this application, the opposite two side surfaces of the light shielding structure in the stacking direction of the first substrate and the second substrate are respectively in contact with the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0012] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell provided by the embodiments of this application, the light shielding structure includes a plurality of light shielding columns arranged at intervals, and each light shielding column is annular and surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer.

[0013] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiment of the present application, support columns are further arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the support columns are arranged in the polymer liquid crystal layer; the support columns and the plurality of light shielding columns are arranged on the same layer.

[0014] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiment of the present application, the polymer liquid crystal dimming box further includes a dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer is filled between two adjacent light shielding columns; wherein, the refractive index of the dielectric layer is greater than the refractive index of the first substrate.

[0015] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiment of the present application, the optical density range of the light shielding structure is greater than 2, and the optical density range of each light shielding column is greater than 1.

[0016] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiment of the present application, the light shielding structure includes a first light shielding layer close to the liquid crystal layer and a second light shielding layer close to the sealant layer. The first light shielding layer includes a plurality of first light shielding columns arranged at intervals, the second light shielding layer includes a plurality of second light shielding columns arranged at intervals, and the first light shielding columns and the second light shielding columns are arranged staggeredly.

[0017] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiment of the present application, the light shielding structure is in contact with the sealant layer.

[0018] According to the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiment of the present application, the sealant layer is transparent.

[0019] The embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a polymer liquid crystal dimming box, including the following steps:

[0020] Form a first master plate and a second master plate, and form a light shielding structure on the first master plate or the second master plate;

[0021] Pair the first master plate and the second master plate;

[0022] Coat and form a sealant layer between the first master plate and the second master plate;

[0023] Drop polymer liquid crystal between the first master plate and the second master plate to form a polymer liquid crystal layer, and the polymer liquid crystal layer is formed on the side of the light shielding structure away from the sealant layer;

[0024] Cure the sealant layer by means of ultraviolet light irradiation;

[0025] Cure the polymer liquid crystal layer; and

[0026] Cut the paired first master plate and second master plate along the cutting line to form a plurality of the polymer liquid crystal dimming boxes.

[0027] According to the manufacturing method of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiments of the present application, a UV mask is provided, and the UV mask is located on one side of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box;

[0028] The UV mask includes a light-shielding area and a light-transmitting area. The light-shielding area at least corresponds to the areas where the polymer liquid crystal layer and the light-blocking structure are located, and the light-transmitting area corresponds to the area where the frame adhesive layer is located; the UV mask further includes a substrate and a light refraction layer and a light-shielding layer provided on the substrate. The light refraction layer is located in the light-transmitting area, and the light-shielding layer is located in the light-shielding area; wherein, the refractive index of the light refraction layer is greater than 1.

[0029] The embodiments of the present application provide a display module, including:

[0030] A display panel;

[0031] The above-mentioned polymer liquid crystal dimming box, and the polymer liquid crystal dimming box is arranged on the light-emitting side of the display panel.

[0032] Beneficial effects: In the polymer liquid crystal dimming box, its preparation method, and the display module provided by the embodiments of the present application, by arranging a light-blocking structure between the frame adhesive layer and the polymer liquid crystal layer, the light-blocking structure surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer and is used to absorb the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer, avoiding the problem that the ultraviolet light irradiates the polymer liquid crystal layer and causes premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal layer, improving the edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box, and being beneficial to realizing mass production. Description of the Drawings

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 It is the first structural schematic diagram of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0035] Figure 2 It is the second structural schematic diagram of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0036] Figure 3 It is the third structural schematic diagram of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0037] Figure 4 It is the fourth structural schematic diagram of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0038] Figure 5 is a top - view structural schematic diagram of the polymer liquid - crystal dimming box provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the polymer liquid - crystal dimming box provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 7 is a first structural schematic diagram of the curing process of the frame adhesive layer of the polymer liquid - crystal dimming box provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 8 is a second structural schematic diagram of the curing process of the frame adhesive layer of the polymer liquid - crystal dimming box provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of the display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] 1. Polymer liquid - crystal dimming box; 2. UV mask; 3. Display panel;

[0044] 20. Substrate; 21. Light - shielding area; 22. Light - transmitting area; 23. Light - refraction layer; 24. Light - shielding layer; 241. Black low - reflection metal layer; 242. Black anti - reflection layer; 25. Virtual light - shielding block;

[0045] 10. First substrate; 11. Second substrate; 12. Polymer liquid - crystal layer; 121. Polymer liquid - crystal molecules; 13. Frame adhesive layer; 14. Light - shielding structure; 141. Light - shielding column; 142. First light - shielding layer; 143. Second light - shielding layer; 144. First light - shielding post; 145. Second light - shielding post;

[0046] 15. Support column; 151. Main support column; 16. Dielectric layer; 17. Virtual support column; 18. Signal trace; 19. Cutting area; 100. First mother board; 110. Second mother board. Detailed implementation manners

[0047] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0049] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through additional features therebetween.

[0050] The embodiments of the present application provide a polymer liquid crystal dimming box, a preparation method thereof, and a display module. The following will be described in detail respectively. It should be noted that the description order of the following embodiments does not limit the preferred order of the embodiments.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 1 , the embodiments of the present application provide a polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1, including a first substrate 10, a second substrate 11, a polymer liquid crystal layer 12, a sealant layer 13, and a light shielding structure 14.

[0052] The second substrate 11 is disposed opposite to the first substrate 10, the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, the sealant layer 13 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, and the light shielding structure 14 is disposed between the sealant layer 13 and the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer 12.

[0053] The present application uses the light shielding structure 14 to absorb the ultraviolet light obliquely incident during the curing process of the sealant layer 13, avoiding the problem of premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal caused by the ultraviolet light irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer 12, improving the edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1, and facilitating mass production.

[0054] The polymer liquid crystal layer 12 includes a plurality of polymer liquid crystal molecules 121, and the plurality of polymer liquid crystal molecules 121 are distributed in a polymer three-dimensional network to form a continuous channel network. A voltage is applied to the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, and the phase adjustment of polarized light and the switching characteristics between the transmissive state and the foggy state of the polymer network liquid crystal under the voltage-off state and the voltage-on state are utilized to realize the viewing angle adjustment function, so as to realize the free switching between the privacy mode and the sharing mode. Specifically, the polymer liquid crystal molecules 121 include a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and a plurality of polymer small molecules.

[0055] Specifically, the polymer liquid crystal light modulation cell 1 further includes a first alignment layer (not shown in the figure) and a second alignment layer (not shown in the figure). The first alignment layer is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 close to the polymer liquid crystal layer 12, and the second alignment layer is disposed on the side of the second substrate 11 close to the polymer liquid crystal layer 12. The polymer liquid crystal molecules 121 are aligned through the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

[0056] It should be noted that the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11 are respectively one of an array substrate and a color filter substrate. It may be that the first substrate 10 is an array substrate and the second substrate 11 is a color filter substrate, or the first substrate 10 is a color filter substrate and the second substrate 11 is an array substrate. Among them, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11 can be designed on the basis of the existing technology according to actual needs, and are not limited herein. In the embodiment of the present application, for the sake of clearly explaining the technical solution provided by the present application, the example in which the first substrate 10 is an array substrate and the second substrate 11 is a color filter substrate is taken.

[0057] Specifically, the polymer liquid crystal light modulation cell 1 includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The non-display area includes a sealant area and a peripheral circuit area, and the peripheral circuit area is located between the sealant area and the display area. In the embodiment of the present application, the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 is located in the display area, the sealant layer 13 is located in the sealant area, and the light shielding structure 14 is located in the peripheral circuit area. The peripheral circuit area and the sealant area include a plurality of signal traces 18, and the light shielding structure 14 should avoid the signal traces 18 to avoid adverse effects on signal transmission.

[0058] Optionally, the light shielding structure 14 is any one of a black light-absorbing structure, a metal light-reflecting structure, and a transparent light-guiding structure.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present application, the light shielding structure 14 is in contact with the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11 respectively on the opposite two side surfaces in the stacking direction of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11. In this way, there is no gap between the light shielding structure 14 and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, so as to avoid the ultraviolet light that is obliquely incident but not absorbed by the light shielding structure 14 passing through this gap and irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13 when such a gap exists. Instead, the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13 is irradiated onto the light shielding structure 14 as much as possible and absorbed by the light shielding structure 14, so as to improve the light absorption efficiency of the light shielding structure 14, further reduce the risk of edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal cell, and improve the edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present application, in a top-down view, the light shielding structure 14 is in an overall sheet-like structure. The light shielding structure 14 with such a structure can obtain a relatively high light absorption efficiency.

[0061] In another embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 and Figure 1 The difference is that in a top-down view, the light shielding structure 14 includes a plurality of light shielding columns 141 arranged at intervals. Each light shielding column 141 is in a ring structure, and the opposite two end faces of each light shielding column 141 are in contact with the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11 respectively.

[0062] Specifically, a plurality of support columns 15 are generally provided in the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1 to support a certain cell thickness. The plurality of support columns 15 are arranged between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11 and are located in the polymer liquid crystal layer 12. In the embodiment of the present application, the support columns 15 and the light shielding columns 141 are arranged in the same layer, that is to say, the support columns 15 and the plurality of light shielding columns 141 can be prepared by the same process, which is beneficial to reducing the process and lowering the production cost.

[0063] Specifically, the support column 15 includes a main support column 151 and an auxiliary support column (not shown in the figure). The height of the main support column 151 is higher than that of the auxiliary support column. The two opposite ends of the main support column 151 are respectively in contact with the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, playing a main supporting role and supporting a certain height. When the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1 is extruded by an external force, the auxiliary support column plays an auxiliary supporting role to relieve the supporting pressure of the main support column 151. In the embodiment of the present application, the light shielding column 141 and the main support column 151 are prepared by the same process. Specifically, the height of the light shielding column is the same as that of the main support column 151.

[0064] Optionally, the number of the light shielding columns 141 may be 3, 4, 5 or more. The specific number should be adjusted according to the actual situation and is not limited herein. Exemplarily, the number of the light shielding columns 141 is 3.

[0065] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the light shielding column 141 in the thickness direction may be any one of a trapezoid, a square, a rhombus, a rectangle, and an irregular shape. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional shape of the light shielding column 141 in the thickness direction is a trapezoid, and the area of the side of the light shielding column 141 close to the first substrate 10 is larger than the area of the side of the light shielding column 141 close to the second substrate 11.

[0066] Specifically, the light shielding column 141 may be formed on the first substrate 10 or on the second substrate 11. In the embodiment of the present application, taking the light shielding column 141 being formed on the first substrate 10 as an example, that is, taking the light shielding column 141 being formed on the array substrate as an example.

[0067] Specifically, compared with the light shielding structure 14 being integrally in a ring structure, if there is a gap between two adjacent light shielding columns 141, the ultraviolet light obliquely incident during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13 is likely to pass through the gap between two adjacent light shielding columns 141 and irradiate the polymer liquid crystal layer 12.

[0068] In view of this, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 and Figure 2The difference is that in this embodiment, the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1 further includes a dielectric layer 16, and the dielectric layer 16 is filled between two adjacent light shielding columns 141; wherein, the refractive index of the dielectric layer 16 is greater than that of the first substrate 10. In this way, if the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the spacer layer 13 passes through the gap between two adjacent light shielding columns 141, since the dielectric layer 16 has a higher refractive index than the light shielding columns 141, using the property that when light travels from an optically thinner medium to an optically denser medium, the refraction angle is smaller than the incident angle, the ultraviolet light will refract at the edge of the first substrate 10 and the dielectric layer 16, so that the ultraviolet light is irradiated into one of the light shielding columns 141 adjacent to and close to the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and is absorbed by it, thereby avoiding the ultraviolet light from irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and further reducing the risk of edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal cell.

[0069] Specifically, the optical density range of the light shielding structure 14 is greater than 2, and the optical density range of each light shielding column 141 is greater than 1.

[0070] In an embodiment of the present application, considering the coating accuracy, there is a gap between the light shielding structure 14 and the spacer layer 13. Further, the dielectric layer 16 can also be filled in the gap to narrow the oblique incidence angle of the ultraviolet light.

[0071] Of course, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 and Figure 1 The difference is that in another embodiment of the present application, if the coating accuracy can be guaranteed or the coating accuracy is not considered, the light shielding structure 14 and the spacer layer 13 can also be in direct contact to avoid the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the spacer layer 13 from passing through the gap between the light shielding structure 14 and the spacer layer 13 and irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer 12, thereby improving the light absorption efficiency of the light shielding structure 14 and further reducing the risk of edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal cell.

[0072] It should be noted that the frame adhesive layer 13 can be a black frame adhesive. By setting the frame adhesive layer 13 to black and utilizing the light absorption characteristics of the black frame adhesive layer 13, the ultraviolet light incident during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13 is absorbed to improve the problem of premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal. However, it should be known that the applicant noticed that the black frame adhesive is prone to incomplete curing and peeling during the curing process due to the absorption of ultraviolet light. Based on this, in the embodiments of the present application, the frame adhesive layer 13 can be transparent. The frame adhesive layer 13 cures completely and is not prone to peeling. At the same time, referring to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application can utilize the light shielding structure 14 to absorb the ultraviolet light obliquely incident during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13. Even if the frame adhesive layer 13 is set to be transparent, the problem of premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal can still be improved. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application solve the two problems of incomplete curing of the frame adhesive layer 13 and edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal cell at the same time, which is beneficial to realizing mass production.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 5 , the light shielding structure 14 includes a first light shielding layer 142 close to the liquid crystal layer 12 and a second light shielding layer 143 close to the frame adhesive layer 13. The first light shielding layer 142 includes a plurality of first light shielding columns 144 arranged at intervals, and the second light shielding layer 143 includes a plurality of second light shielding columns 145 arranged at intervals. The first light shielding columns 144 and the second light shielding columns 145 are arranged in an interleaved manner to prevent the ultraviolet light obliquely incident during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13 from easily passing through the gap between two adjacent first light shielding columns 143 and the second light shielding columns 145 and irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer 12.

[0074] Please refer to Figures 6 - 8 , the embodiments of the present application also provide a method for manufacturing a polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1, including the following steps:

[0075] Step S1: Form a first mother board 100 and a second mother board 110, and form a light shielding structure 14 on the first mother board 100 or the second mother board 110;

[0076] Step S2: Pair the first mother board 100 and the second mother board 110;

[0077] Specifically, the first mother board 100 is used to cut and form the first substrate 10 of the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1, and the second mother board 110 is used to cut and form the second substrate 11 of the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1. The first substrate 10 is a sub-board of the first mother board 100, and the second substrate 11 is a sub-board of the second mother board 110. There is a cutting area 19 at the junction of two adjacent sub-boards.

[0078] Specifically, please combineFigure 6 And Figure 7 while forming the light shielding structure 14, a plurality of support columns 15 and a plurality of virtual support columns 17 are formed on the first mother board 100 or the second mother board 110. The support columns 15 are located in the display area of the daughter board, and the virtual support columns 17 are located in the cutting area 19. The virtual process columns are used to block the influence of ultraviolet light when the frame adhesive layer 13 of other daughter boards is cured on adjacent daughter boards. In the embodiment of the present application, the virtual support columns 17 can be prepared by the same process as the support columns. Optionally, the virtual support columns 17 are black support columns.

[0079] Step S3: Coat and form a frame adhesive layer 13 between the first mother board 100 and the second mother board 110.

[0080] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the material of the frame adhesive layer 13 is an opaque organic polymer material.

[0081] Step S4: Infuse polymer liquid crystal between the first mother board 100 and the second mother board 110 to form a polymer liquid crystal layer 12. The polymer liquid crystal layer 12 is formed on a side of the light shielding structure 14 away from the frame adhesive layer 13.

[0082] Specifically, the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 is formed by a liquid crystal infusion method. The frame adhesive layer 13 and the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 of multiple daughter boards can be formed synchronously by a mother board cutting method, which is beneficial to realizing mass production.

[0083] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the order of steps S3 and S4 can be swapped.

[0084] Step S5: Cure the frame adhesive layer 13 by ultraviolet light irradiation.

[0085] Specifically, please refer to again Figure 7 , step S5 further includes:

[0086] Step S51: Provide a UV mask 2. The UV mask 2 is located on one side of the polymer liquid crystal dimming cell 1. The UV mask 2 includes a light shielding area 21 and a light transmitting area 22. The light shielding area 21 at least corresponds to the areas where the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and the light shielding structure 14 are located, and the light transmitting area 22 corresponds to the area where the frame adhesive layer 13 is located.

[0087] The light shielding structure 14 is located between the frame adhesive layer 13 and the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer 12, and can be used to absorb the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer 13, avoiding the problem that the ultraviolet light irradiates the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and causes premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal, and improving the edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1.

[0088] It should be noted that the light shielding area 21 corresponds to the area where the polymer liquid crystal layer 12, the light shielding structure 14 and at least part of the frame adhesive layer 13 are located. That is, in the top view, the light shielding layer 24 partially overlaps with the frame adhesive layer 13, and the light shielding layer 24 covers and extends beyond the edge of the frame adhesive layer 13 on the side close to the polymer liquid crystal layer 12. In this way, the part of the UV mask 2 beyond the edge of the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 can partially shield the frame adhesive layer 13, preventing the ultraviolet light with a large incident angle from irradiating the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 through the gap between the frame adhesive layer 13 and the UV mask 2, and further avoiding the risk of premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal layer 12.

[0089] Specifically, the size range of the light shielding layer 24 extending beyond the edge of the frame adhesive layer 13 on the side close to the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 is 50 microns - 100 microns, which can reduce the risk of premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 on the premise of not affecting the curing effect of the frame adhesive layer 13.

[0090] Specifically, the distance range between the UV mask 2 and the frame adhesive layer 13 in the vertical direction is 100 microns.

[0091] In one embodiment, the light shielding layer 24 can be a single-layer black antireflection layer 242; in another embodiment, the light shielding layer 24 can be a single-layer black low-reflection metal layer 241; in still another embodiment, the light shielding layer 24 can include a stack of a black low-reflection metal layer 241 and a black antireflection layer 242, wherein the black antireflection layer 242 is used to reduce the reflectivity of light on the surface of the black low-reflection metal layer 241.

[0092] Optionally, the material of the light shielding layer 24 includes acrylic or acrylic resin glue.

[0093] Specifically, the thickness range of the light shielding layer 24 is 2 microns - 3 microns.

[0094] Further, the UV mask 2 further includes a virtual light-shielding block 25 disposed on the substrate 20 and located in the cutting area 19 to block the ultraviolet light incident on two adjacent sub-boards. The virtual light-shielding block 25 can be made of the same material as the light-shielding layer 24, and the width of the virtual light-shielding block 25 can be determined according to the actual distance between two adjacent sub-boards. Exemplarily, the width range of the virtual light-shielding block 25 is 50 micrometers.

[0095] Further, in one embodiment, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 and Figure 7 differing from

[0096] Step S6: Cure the polymer liquid crystal layer 12;

[0097] Specifically, the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 can be cured by ultraviolet light irradiation or heat curing.

[0098] Step S7: Cut the paired first mother board 100 and the second mother board 110 along the cutting line to form a plurality of the polymer liquid crystal light modulation boxes 1.

[0099] Specifically, the polymer liquid crystal box includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 11, a polymer liquid crystal layer 12, a frame adhesive layer 13, and a light shielding structure 14. The second substrate 11 is disposed opposite to the first substrate 10, the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, the frame adhesive layer 13 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 11, and the light shielding structure 14 is disposed between the frame adhesive layer 13 and the polymer liquid crystal layer 12 and surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer 12.

[0100] Please refer to Figure 9, embodiments of the present application further provide a display module, which includes a display panel 3 and the polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1 provided in the above embodiments. The polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1 is disposed on the light-emitting side of the display panel 3. The display panel 3 provided in this embodiment has the technical features of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1 provided in any embodiment of the present application, and thus has the technical effects of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box 1. For details, please refer to the above specific embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0101] Beneficial effects: In the polymer liquid crystal dimming box, its preparation method, and the display module provided in the embodiments of the present application, by providing a light shielding structure between the frame adhesive layer and the polymer liquid crystal layer, the light shielding structure surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer and is used to absorb the obliquely incident ultraviolet light during the curing process of the frame adhesive layer, avoiding the problem that the ultraviolet light irradiates the polymer liquid crystal layer and causes premature curing of the polymer liquid crystal layer, improving the edge failure of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box, and facilitating mass production.

[0102] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have their own focuses. For parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0103] The above has introduced in detail a polymer liquid crystal dimming box, its preparation method, and a display module provided in the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the technical solution and its core idea of the present application; those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A polymer liquid crystal dimming box, characterized in that, it includes: a first substrate; a second substrate, which is disposed opposite to the first substrate; a polymer liquid crystal layer, which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealant layer, which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a light shielding structure, which is disposed between the sealant layer and the polymer liquid crystal layer and surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer; the opposite two side surfaces of the light shielding structure in the stacking direction of the first substrate and the second substrate are respectively in contact with the first substrate and the second substrate, and there is a gap between the light shielding structure and the sealant layer; the light shielding structure includes a first light shielding layer close to the polymer liquid crystal layer and a second light shielding layer close to the sealant layer, the first light shielding layer surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer, the second light shielding layer surrounds the polymer liquid crystal layer, the first light shielding layer includes a plurality of first light shielding columns arranged at intervals, the second light shielding layer includes a plurality of second light shielding columns arranged at intervals, and the first light shielding columns and the second light shielding columns are arranged in an interleaved manner.

2. The polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to claim 1, characterized in that, support columns are further disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the support columns are disposed in the polymer liquid crystal layer; the support columns and the plurality of light shielding columns are disposed on the same layer.

3. The polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to claim 2, characterized in that, the polymer liquid crystal dimming box further includes a dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer is filled between two adjacent light shielding columns; wherein, the refractive index of the dielectric layer is greater than the refractive index of the first substrate.

4. The polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to claim 1, characterized in that, the light density range of the light shielding structure is greater than 2, and the light density range of each light shielding column is greater than 1.

5. The polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to claim 1, characterized in that, the light shielding structure is in contact with the sealant layer.

6. The polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to claim 1, characterized in that, the sealant layer is transparent.

7. A manufacturing method of a polymer liquid crystal dimming box, characterized in that, it includes the following steps: forming a first master plate and a second master plate, and forming a light shielding structure on the first master plate or the second master plate; pairing the first master plate and the second master plate; coating between the first master plate and the second master plate to form a sealant layer; dropping polymer liquid crystal between the first master plate and the second master plate to form a polymer liquid crystal layer, and the polymer liquid crystal layer is formed on the side of the light shielding structure away from the sealant layer; curing the sealant layer by means of ultraviolet light irradiation; curing the polymer liquid crystal layer; and The first master plate and the second master plate after being paired are cut along a cutting line to form a plurality of the polymer liquid crystal dimming boxes. The first master plate is used to cut and form the first substrate of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box, and the second master plate is used to cut and form the second substrate of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box. The first substrate is a sub-plate of the first master plate, and the second substrate is a sub-plate of the second master plate. There is a cutting area at the junction of two adjacent sub-plates. The light shielding structure is in contact with the first substrate and the second substrate respectively on opposite side surfaces in the stacking direction of the first substrate and the second substrate, and there is a gap between the light shielding structure and the frame adhesive layer. The step of curing the frame adhesive layer by using ultraviolet light irradiation further includes the following steps: Provide a UV mask, and the UV mask is located on one side of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box. Wherein, the UV mask includes a light shielding area and a light transmitting area. The light shielding area at least corresponds to the areas where the polymer liquid crystal layer and the light shielding structure are located, and the light transmitting area corresponds to the area where the frame adhesive layer is located. The UV mask further includes a substrate and a light refraction layer, a light shielding layer and a virtual light shielding block provided on the substrate. The light refraction layer is located in the light transmitting area, the light shielding layer is located in the light shielding area, and the virtual light shielding block is located on the side of the light refraction layer away from the light transmitting area and in the cutting area.

8. The manufacturing method of the polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to claim 7, characterized in that the refractive index of the light refraction layer is greater than 1.

9. A display module, characterized in that it includes: a display panel; the polymer liquid crystal dimming box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the polymer liquid crystal dimming box is provided on the light-emitting side of the display panel.

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