Display device

Abstract

A display device is provided. The display device includes a display panel configured to display an image, a backlight unit configured to be disposed below the display panel and emit light, and a light path control member configured to be interposed between the display panel and the backlight unit and include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light conversion layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The light conversion layer includes a partition portion, and a receiving portion formed in a pyramid shape within the partition portion and in which scattering particles are dispersed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a display device, and more specifically, for example, but not limited to, a display device including a light conversion layer. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are a widely used display technology. In an LCD device, liquid crystal is injected between two glass substrates. Voltage is applied to electrodes by power supplies located above and below the glass substrates, and by changing the alignment of the liquid crystals, light is emitted from an external source and passes through the liquid crystals, thereby displaying information.

[0003] As the size of liquid crystal display (LCD) devices increases, the visual difference between the center of the screen and the left and right edges of the screen becomes greater. Therefore, research is underway to reduce this visual difference. Recently, a method has been proposed to overcome this visual difference by bending the screen of the LCD device relative to the center. LCD devices using so-called curved panels are currently in use.

[0004] The description provided in the Background section should not be assumed to be prior art simply because it is mentioned in or associated with the description in the Background section. The Background section may include information describing one or more aspects of the subject matter art, and the description in this section does not limit the invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Because the inventors have recognized that curved display devices, manufactured by bending a flat panel using external force and controlled to consume high power to increase brightness, suffer from damage and power consumption problems, and their reliability deteriorates under conditions such as high temperature / high humidity / thermal shock. Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide a display device that can control the viewing angle without bending the panel.

[0006] In addition, another object of this disclosure is to provide a display device that can control frontal or directional light emission according to a mode.

[0007] An exemplary embodiment is a display device, which may include: a display panel configured to display an image; a backlight unit configured to be disposed below the display panel and emit light; and a light path control member configured to be inserted between the display panel and the backlight unit, and including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light conversion layer inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0008] The light conversion layer may include: a separator; and a receiver, which is formed in a pyramidal shape within the separator, and the scattering particles are dispersed in the receiver.

[0009] The receiving part can be formed in a symmetrical pyramid shape in the central part of the optical path control member, and in an asymmetrical pyramid shape in the edge part of the optical path control member.

[0010] The receiving part can be formed in the shape of a triangular pyramid within the partition.

[0011] The optical path control component may include three or more regions aligned from one side of the optical path control component to the other, each region having at least one receiving part, and the receiving part of the first region being a mirror image of the receiving part of the last region.

[0012] The degree of asymmetry in each receiving section can gradually increase from the center to the edge.

[0013] In the first mode, when no voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, the scattering particles can be dispersed within the receiving section. Light generated by the backlight unit can be scattered by the scattering particles and emitted in front of the display panel.

[0014] In the second mode, when a voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, scattering particles can accumulate around either the first or second electrode. Light generated by the backlight unit can be refracted at the interface between the receiving section and the separating section, and can be emitted towards the center of the display panel.

[0015] The refractive index of the receiving part can be less than that of the separating part.

[0016] Each receiving unit may include: a first sidewall adjacent to one side of the optical path control member; and a second sidewall adjacent to the other side of the optical path control member.

[0017] The closer to one side, the greater the angle of inclination of the first sidewall of the receiving part can gradually increase. The closer to the other side, the greater the angle of inclination of the second sidewall of the receiving part can gradually increase.

[0018] The optical path control component may include a first to a fifth region aligned from one side to the other. The angle formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the first electrode may be different in the first to the fifth regions.

[0019] In the third region, the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode can be the same as the angle formed by the second sidewall and the first electrode.

[0020] In the second region, the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode can be smaller than the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the third region.

[0021] The angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the first region can be smaller than the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the second region.

[0022] The angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the fourth region can be smaller than the angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the third region.

[0023] In the fifth region, the angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode can be smaller than the angle formed by the second sidewall and the first electrode in the fourth region.

[0024] The receiving unit in the second region can be a mirror image of the receiving unit in the fourth region. The receiving unit in the first region can be a mirror image of the receiving unit in the fifth region.

[0025] Another embodiment is a display device, which may include: a display panel configured to display an image; a backlight unit configured to be disposed below the display panel and emit light; and a light path control member configured to be inserted between the display panel and the backlight unit and to control the path of the light generated by the backlight unit.

[0026] The light path control component can emit light generated by the backlight unit to the front of the display panel in a first mode, and can emit light generated by the backlight unit to a specific area of ​​the display panel in a second mode.

[0027] A specific area can be the center of the display panel.

[0028] The optical path control component may include: a first electrode disposed on the backlight unit; a second electrode disposed below the display panel; and a light conversion layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and including a receiving portion formed in a pyramidal shape within the partition.

[0029] The receiving part can be formed in the shape of a triangular pyramid within the partition.

[0030] The light conversion layer may include three or more regions aligned from one side of the light conversion layer to the other, each region having at least one receiving part, and the receiving part of the first region being a mirror image of the receiving part of the last region.

[0031] The receiving part can be formed in a symmetrical pyramidal shape in the center of the light conversion layer, and in an asymmetrical pyramidal shape in the edge of the light conversion layer.

[0032] Each receiving unit may include: a dispersion liquid; and scattering particles, which are dispersed in the dispersion liquid and scatter incident light.

[0033] The inclination angle of one sidewall of the pyramid-shaped receiving part can gradually increase from the center to the edge of the optical path control component.

[0034] The inclination angle of the other side wall of the pyramid-shaped receiving part can gradually decrease from the center to the edge of the optical path control component.

[0035] Further details of exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0036] The display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can support directional light emission for a viewer located at the center of the screen without bending the display panel, thereby providing the same effect as a bent display device.

[0037] Furthermore, the display device according to the embodiments of this disclosure provides the same effect as a bent display device by using a flat panel display panel, thereby preventing the degradation of environmental reliability and damage to the display panel due to bending of the display panel.

[0038] Furthermore, the display device according to the embodiments of this disclosure can solve the power consumption problem of curved display devices and enhance brightness.

[0039] It should be understood that, in addition to the effects of this disclosure as described above, other advantages and features of this disclosure will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 2 Various shapes of the receiving section of this disclosure are shown;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the receiving portion in each region of the optical path control component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a first mode;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a second mode;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the light propagation path of each region in a first mode of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0047] Figure 7This is a cross-sectional view showing the light propagation path of each region in a second mode of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Throughout the accompanying drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same reference numerals should be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. For clarity, illustration, and convenience, the relative sizes and descriptions of these elements may be exaggerated. Detailed Implementation

[0049] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, when referring to a component (or region, layer, portion) being "above," "connected," or "combined" with another component, the terms "above," "connected," or "combined" indicate that a component may be directly "connected" and / or "combined" with another component, or that a third component may be disposed therebetween.

[0050] The shapes, sizes, areas, ratios, angles, quantities, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings to describe various embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. The same reference numerals generally denote the same elements throughout the specification. Furthermore, in the following description of this disclosure, detailed descriptions of known related technologies may be omitted or briefly provided to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter.

[0051] Terms such as “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “containing,” “constituting,” “made of,” “formed by,” “composed of,” and “comprised of” as used herein are generally intended to allow for the addition of other elements, unless a term such as “only” is used with that term. Unless otherwise expressly stated, any reference to the singular may include the plural.

[0052] Even if not explicitly stated, components are interpreted as including a normal error range or a normal tolerance range.

[0053] When using terms such as “on top of,” “above,” “above,” “below,” “below,” “next to,” “under,” “near,” “close to,” “adjacent to,” “side of,” and “near” to describe the positional relationship between two components, one or more components may be located between the two components unless a term such as “immediately adjacent” or “directly” is used when using these terms.

[0054] Spatially relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” etc., may be used in this document to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatially relative terms may also include different orientations of elements in use or operation. For example, if an element in the figure is inverted, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features would be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both lower and upper orientations. Similarly, the exemplary terms “above” or “above” can include both upper and lower orientations.

[0055] When describing temporal relationships, terms such as “after,” “following,” “next,” “next,” “before,” etc., can include situations where two events are not consecutive, unless explicitly stated that terms such as “immediately after,” “exactly,” or “directly” are used.

[0056] In the accompanying drawings, the thickness, ratios, and dimensions of components may be exaggerated for the purpose of effectively describing technical details. The term "and / or" includes all of one or more combinations that the relevant configuration can define.

[0057] While terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "a," and "b" can be used to describe various components, these components are not limited to the terms used above. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from others. For example, a first component may be designated as a second component without departing from the scope of the claims of various embodiments. Similarly, a second component may be designated as a first component. Unless explicitly stated in the context, the singular form includes its plural form.

[0058] In this specification, it should be understood that the terms “comprising” or “including” are intended to specify the features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts or any combination thereof described in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of at least one other feature, quantity, step, operation, component or part or any combination thereof.

[0059] The term "at least one" should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. For example, "at least one of the first, second, and third items" means a combination of all items drawn from two or more of the first, second, and third items, as well as the first, second, or third item.

[0060] As used herein, the term "device" can refer to a display device that includes a display panel and a driver for driving the display panel. Examples of display devices can include liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Additionally, examples of devices can include laptops, televisions, computer monitors, automotive devices, wearable devices, and automotive equipment devices, as well as assemblies of electronic devices (or equipment) or assemblies (or devices) that include LCDs as complete products or end products, such as mobile electronic devices like smartphones or tablets, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0061] Features of the various aspects of this disclosure may be linked or combined with each other, either partially or entirely, and may interoperate with each other and be technically driven in various ways, as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art. The aspects of this disclosure may be performed independently of each other or may be performed together in an interdependent relationship.

[0062] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments pertain. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with, for example, their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0063] When assigning reference numerals to elements in the drawings describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements as much as possible, even if the same elements are shown in different drawings.

[0064] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 Various shapes of the receiving section of this disclosure are shown; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the receiving portion in each region of the optical path control component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. All components of each display device according to all embodiments of the present disclosure are operatively connected and configured.

[0065] Reference Figure 1 The display device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display panel 110, which includes pixels and displays an image; and a backlight unit 120 disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 110 and emitting light toward the front of the display panel 110. Although not shown, the display device 1 may also include a panel guide, a top cover, and a bottom cover, which house and secure the display panel 110 and the backlight unit 120.

[0066] The display panel 110 is a liquid crystal panel and may include a lower substrate and an upper substrate bonded together to face each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates.

[0067] The lower substrate may include gate lines and data lines arranged to intersect each other, and liquid crystal cells formed at the intersections of the gate lines and data lines. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal cells may be arranged in a matrix on the lower substrate. Each liquid crystal cell may include: a thin-film transistor disposed at the intersection of the gate lines and data lines; and a pixel electrode that receives a data voltage applied to the data lines through the thin-film transistor when the thin-film transistor is turned on.

[0068] Color filters for realizing multiple colors including red, green and blue, a black matrix for separating the color filters and blocking light passing through the liquid crystal layer, and a common electrode for applying voltage to the liquid crystal layer can be formed on the upper substrate.

[0069] The common electrode can be formed on the upper substrate using a vertical electric field driving method (e.g., twisted nematic (TN) mode and vertical orientation (VA) mode), and can be formed on the lower substrate together with the pixel electrode using a horizontal electric field driving method (e.g., in-plane switching (IPS) mode and edge field switching (FFS) mode).

[0070] The liquid crystal cell is driven by the electric field generated by the potential difference between the data voltage supplied to the pixel electrode through the data line and the common voltage supplied to the common electrode, and controls the amount of light transmitted through the display panel 110.

[0071] The backlight unit 120 is disposed below the display panel 110 to supply light to the display panel 110. The light supplied to the display panel 110 can pass through the display panel 110 and be emitted toward the top surface of the display panel 110.

[0072] Depending on the method used to arrange the light-emitting lamps, the backlight unit 120 can be divided into an edge-type backlight unit and a direct-lit backlight unit.

[0073] According to the edge-type backlight unit, light is supplied by a lamp serving as a light source disposed on one side of the display panel 110. The edge-type backlight unit includes one or more light-emitting devices mounted on one side of a light guide plate, such that the light generated by the lamp is guided along the light guide plate and reflected upward.

[0074] The direct-lit backlight unit radiates light to the display panel 110 through multiple light-emitting devices disposed below the display panel 110.

[0075] A light path control member 130, which controls the path of light incident from the backlight unit 120 to the display panel 110, may be disposed between the display panel 110 and the backlight unit 120. For example, the light path control member 130 may disperse the light emitted from the backlight unit 120 to the front of the display panel 110, or it may control the directionality so that the light emitted from the backlight unit 120 has a directionality toward a specific area of ​​the display panel 110. For example, the specific area may be the center of the display panel, but this disclosure is not limited thereto; the specific area may also be other areas near the center of the display panel.

[0076] The optical path control component 130 may include a first electrode 131, a second electrode 132, and an optical conversion layer 133.

[0077] The first electrode 131 forms the bottom surface of the optical path control member 130. For example, the first electrode 131 may be configured to face the backlight unit 120. The first electrode 131 may be disposed on the backlight unit 120 in the form of a surface electrode or a patterned electrode.

[0078] The first electrode 131 can be made of a transparent conductive material. For example, the first electrode 131 may include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide (ZnO), or titanium oxide. In an embodiment, the light transmittance of the first electrode 131 can be about 80% or more. Since the first electrode 131 is not visible to the outside and its light transmittance is increased, the brightness of the display device 1, including the light path control member 130, can be improved.

[0079] In another embodiment, the first electrode 131 may include various metals for achieving low resistance. For example, the first electrode 131 may include at least one selected from chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof.

[0080] In another embodiment, the first electrode 131 may have a multilayer structure comprising a transparent conductive film and an opaque conductive film with high reflectivity. The transparent conductive film may be made of a material with a relatively high work function, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide (ZnO), or titanium oxide, and the opaque conductive film may have a single-layer or multilayer structure comprising at least one of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof. For example, the first electrode 131 may have a structure in which the transparent conductive film, the opaque conductive film, and the transparent conductive film are sequentially stacked, or a structure in which the transparent conductive film and the opaque conductive film are sequentially stacked, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0081] The second electrode 132 forms the top surface of the optical path control member 130. For example, the second electrode 132 can be configured to face the display panel 110. The second electrode 132 can be disposed below the display panel 110 in the form of a surface electrode or a patterned electrode.

[0082] The second electrode 132 can be made of a transparent conductive material and can include various metals used to achieve low resistance. The second electrode 132 can be made of the same, similar, or different material as the first electrode 131. For example, the second electrode 132 can include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide (ZnO), or titanium oxide, etc. Alternatively, the second electrode 132 can include at least one selected from chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof. Alternatively, the second electrode 132 can have a multilayer structure including a transparent conductive film and an opaque conductive film with high reflectivity. The transparent conductive film can be made of materials with relatively high work function values, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide (ZnO), or titanium oxide, and the opaque conductive film can have a single-layer or multi-layer structure including at least one selected from chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and their alloys. For example, the second electrode 132 can have a structure in which the transparent conductive film, the opaque conductive film, and the transparent conductive film are sequentially stacked, or a structure in which the transparent conductive film and the opaque conductive film are sequentially stacked, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0083] The second electrode 132 is configured to overlap at least a portion or entirely with the first electrode 131, or to be at least adjacent to the first electrode 131. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132, an electric field is generated between them.

[0084] The light conversion layer 133 can be inserted between the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132. The light conversion layer 133 may include a partition portion 31 and a receiving portion 32. Specifically, the light conversion layer 133 may include a receiving portion 32 divided into multiple regions by the partition portion 31. That is, the receiving portion 32 is a region divided by the partition portion 31, and the outer wall of the partition portion 31 constitutes the inner wall of the receiving portion 32.

[0085] Within the light conversion layer 133, the receiving portion 32 extends in the first direction X. Within the light conversion layer 133, the separating portion 31 and the receiving portion 32 may be alternately arranged in the second direction Y. Here, the separating portion 31 and the receiving portion 32 may have the same width or different widths in the second direction Y.

[0086] The separator 31 can be made of a transparent, light-transmitting material. The separator 31 can also be made of a conductive material. For example, the separator 31 can be made of a photocurable resin such as a UV resin or photoresist resin, or it can be made of polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, etc. The separator 31 can transmit incident light in a direction opposite to the direction of light incidence.

[0087] The receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31 may have different refractive indices. For example, the refractive index of the receiving portion 32 may be less than that of the separating portion 31. The receiving portion 32 may form an optical interface with the separating portion 31. Therefore, light incident on the optical path control member 130 may be refracted at a predetermined angle at the interface between the receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31.

[0088] The receiving portion 32 is formed within the partition portion 31 in the form of a pyramid. That is, the receiving portion 32 is formed in the shape of a triangular pyramid whose upper end is narrower than its lower end. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this, and the receiving portion 32 may have a trapezoidal cross-section where the width of its upper end differs from the width of its lower end. In other words, the receiving portion 32 may have... Figure 2 The triangular pyramid shape shown in (a) or the receiving part 32 may have Figure 2 The quadrangular pyramid shape shown in (b) is not limited to this embodiment.

[0089] When the receiving part 32 has a triangular pyramid shape, each receiving part 32 has a first sidewall a1 and a second sidewall a2. The first sidewall a1 is adjacent to one side of the optical path control member 130, and the second sidewall a2 is adjacent to the other side of the optical path control member 130.

[0090] The first sidewall a1 and the second sidewall a2 can form a predetermined angle with the first electrode 131. The first sidewall a1 and the second sidewall a2 can be formed at the same angle or different angles with the first electrode 131. When the first sidewall a1 and the second sidewall a2 form the same angle with the first electrode 131, the receiving portion 32 can have a symmetrical pyramid shape, and the cross-section of the receiving portion 32 can be an equilateral triangle. When the first sidewall a1 and the second sidewall a2 form different angles with the first electrode 131, the receiving portion 32 has an asymmetrical pyramid shape, and the cross-section of the receiving portion 32 can be a regular triangle.

[0091] In this embodiment, the receiving portion 32 can have different pyramidal shapes depending on the region of the optical path control member. For example, the receiving portion 32 can be formed into a symmetrical pyramidal shape at the center of the optical path control member, and can be formed into an asymmetrical pyramidal shape at the edge of the optical path control member.

[0092] Here, the degree of asymmetry of the receiving portion 32 can gradually increase from the center to the edge of the display device 1. In other words, the tilt angle (inclination) of the pyramidal shape of the receiving portion 32 can gradually increase from the center to the edge of the display device 1.

[0093] In other words, the closer to the center of the optical path control member 130, the greater the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 adjacent to one side of each receiving section 32, thus reducing the angle formed by the first sidewall a1 and the first electrode 131. Conversely, the closer to the other side of the optical path control member 130, the greater the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 adjacent to the other side of each receiving section 32, thus reducing the angle formed by the second sidewall a2 and the first electrode 131.

[0094] More specifically, refer to Figure 3 The optical path control member 130 may include first to fifth regions A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. The first to fifth regions A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 are aligned from one side to the other of the optical path control member 130. Here, the third region A3 may correspond to the center of the display panel 110, and the first region A1 and the fifth region A5 may correspond to the edges of the display panel 110.

[0095] In the third region A3, the receiving portion 32 can be formed in a symmetrical pyramidal shape. In the receiving portion 32 of the third region A3, the first sidewall a1 and the second sidewall a2 can have the same tilt angle relative to the first electrode 131. That is, in the third region A3, the angle formed by the first sidewall a1 of the receiving portion 32 and the first electrode 131 is the same as the angle (θ3) formed by the second sidewall a2 and the first electrode 131.

[0096] In the first region A1, the second region A2, the fourth region A4, and the fifth region A5, the receiving part 32 can be formed into an asymmetrical pyramid shape.

[0097] The tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the receiver 32 in the second region A2 is greater than the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the receiver 32 in the third region A3. That is, the angle θ2 formed by the first sidewall a1 and the first electrode 131 in the second region A2 is smaller than the angle θ3 formed by the first sidewall a1 and the first electrode 131 in the third region A3 (θ2 < θ3). Therefore, the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the receiver 32 in the second region A2 is smaller than the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the receiver 32 in the third region A3.

[0098] The tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the receiver 32 in the fourth region A4 is greater than that of the second sidewall a2 of the receiver 32 in the third region A3. That is, the angle θ4 formed by the second sidewall a2 and the first electrode 131 in the fourth region A4 is smaller than the angle θ3 formed by the second sidewall a2 and the first electrode 131 in the third region A3 (θ4 < θ3). Therefore, the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the receiver 32 in the fourth region A4 is smaller than that of the first sidewall a1 of the receiver 32 in the third region A3.

[0099] In this embodiment, the receiving part 32 in the fourth region A4 can be a mirror image of the receiving part 32 in the second region A2. That is, the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the second region A2 can correspond to the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the fourth region A4, and the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the second region A2 can correspond to the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the fourth region A4.

[0100] The tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the receiving portion 32 in the first region A1 is greater than the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the receiving portion 32 in the second region A2. That is, the angle θ1 formed by the first sidewall a1 and the first electrode 131 in the first region A1 is less than the angle θ2 formed by the first sidewall a1 and the first electrode 131 in the second region A2 (θ1 < θ2). Therefore, the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the receiving portion 32 in the first region A1 is less than the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the receiving portion 32 in the second region A2.

[0101] The tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the receiver 32 in the fifth region A5 is greater than that of the second sidewall a2 of the receiver 32 in the fourth region A4. That is, the angle θ5 formed by the second sidewall a2 and the first electrode 131 in the fifth region A5 is smaller than the angle θ4 formed by the second sidewall a2 and the first electrode 131 in the fourth region A4 (θ5 < θ4). Therefore, the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the receiver 32 in the fifth region A5 is smaller than that of the first sidewall a1 of the receiver 32 in the fourth region A4.

[0102] In this embodiment, the receiving part 32 in the fifth region A5 can be a mirror image of the receiving part 32 in the first region A1. That is, the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the first region A1 can correspond to the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the fifth region A5, and the tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the first region A1 can correspond to the tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the fifth region A5.

[0103] Different shapes of the receiving portion 32 can control the light path in different directions in each region of the light path control member 130. For example, light incident on the center of the light path control member 130 can be refracted at the interface between the symmetrical pyramidal receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31, and can be emitted in a direction approximately perpendicular to the display panel 110. On the other hand, light incident on the edge of the light path control member 130 can be refracted at the interface between the asymmetrical pyramidal receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31, and can be emitted approximately toward the center of the display panel 110.

[0104] The propagation path of light through the optical path control component 130 will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0105] As shown in the figure, the receiving portion 32 can be configured to directly contact the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132 within the light conversion layer 133. However, in another embodiment, the receiving portion 32 can be configured to be spaced apart from the first electrode 131 and / or the second electrode 132 by a predetermined distance, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0106] The receiving portion 32 is configured such that at least one region of the receiving portion 32 overlaps with the first electrode 131. Furthermore, the receiving portion 32 is configured such that at least one region of the receiving portion 32 overlaps with the second electrode 132.

[0107] The receiving part 32 may include a dispersion 321 and scattering particles 322 dispersed in the dispersion 321. That is, the dispersion 321 may be filled in the receiving part 32, and the scattering particles 322 may be dispersed in the dispersion 321.

[0108] Dispersion 321 is a solvent in which scattering particles 322 are dispersed, and may be a transparent and low-viscosity insulating solvent. For example, dispersion 321 may include at least one of halogenated hydrocarbon oil, paraffin oil, and isopropanol, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0109] The scattering particles 322 may be a light-scattering material or light-scattering particles that scatter at least a portion of the transmitted light incident from the backlight unit 120. The scattering particles 322 are electrically driven particles and may be, for example, transparent or white particles. The scattering particles 322 may include, and are not limited to, metal oxides such as titanium oxide (TiO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), indium oxide (In2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), or tin oxide (SnO2).

[0110] The scattering particles 322 can have a refractive index different from that of the dispersion 321. The surface of the scattering particles 322 can form an optical interface with the dispersion 321. Therefore, the scattering particles 322 can scatter light in any direction, regardless of the incident direction of the incident light, and essentially does not change the peak wavelength of the incident light.

[0111] The receiving unit 32 can be electrically connected to the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132, and the arrangement state of the charged scattering particles 322 can be controlled according to the voltage difference between the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132. Depending on the arrangement state of the scattering particles 322, the light conversion layer 133 can implement a first mode and a second mode. In this embodiment, the first mode is a mode in which light incident in a scattering mode is scattered and emitted to the front of the upper display panel 110, and the second mode is a mode in which light incident in a directional mode is emitted to the center of the upper display panel 110.

[0112] The following text will describe in detail the viewing angle control method of the display device 1 according to the first mode and the second mode based on the light conversion layer 133.

[0113] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device in a first mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a second mode.

[0114] Common Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 When voltage is applied to the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132, such as Figure 4 As shown, the scattering particles 322 are uniformly dispersed in the dispersion liquid 321, thereby realizing a first mode of scattering external light to the front of the display panel 110. Here, since the external light applied to the separating portion 31 and the receiving portion 32 can pass through the light conversion layer 30, the external light is visible from the front of the display device 1.

[0115] The scattered light and the light passing through the partition 31 are emitted to the front of the display panel 110. In other words, the display device 1 can achieve a scattering mode with a forward-facing viewing angle.

[0116] When a voltage is applied to at least one of the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132, such as Figure 5As shown, the scattering particle 322 can be moved toward the first electrode 131 or the second electrode 132 by an electric field. Here, the direction of movement of the scattering particle 322 can be controlled according to the polarity (cathode or anode) of the scattering particle 322 and the relative amplitude of the voltage applied to the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 132. In a preferred embodiment, the scattering particle 322 can move in the direction of the second electrode 132 (i.e., near the apex of the pyramidal receiving portion 32), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0117] When the scattering particles 322 gather around the first electrode 131 or the second electrode 132, external light can pass through the separator 31 and the receiver 32. The transmitted light is refracted at the interface between the receiver 32 and the separator 31. Here, the symmetrical pyramidal shape and the asymmetrical pyramidal shape of the receiver 32 achieve a second mode of light emission toward the center of the display panel 110. That is, the display device 1 can achieve a directional mode in which the viewing angle is open to a specific area (e.g., the center) of the display panel 110 and is partially restricted around the edges.

[0118] The optical paths in the first and second modes will be described in detail below.

[0119] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view showing the light propagation path of each region in a first mode of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] A portion of the light emitted upward from the backlight unit 120 and incident on the light path control member 130 passes through the partition 31 and reaches the display panel 110, while another portion of the light reaches the receiving unit, as shown in the figure.

[0121] Reference Figure 6 In (b) of the first mode, the scattering particles 322 are uniformly dispersed in the dispersion liquid 321. Therefore, light incident on the receiving part 32 can be scattered by the scattering particles 322 and emitted upward.

[0122] like Figure 6 As shown in (a), the emitted light is scattered in the same way in all areas. Therefore, the user can view the image displayed on the display panel 110 in all areas of the display panel 110.

[0123] Here, in each region (center and edge), light is emitted perpendicularly to the corresponding region, and the lateral emission angle of the corresponding region can be limited to a certain extent. That is, when the display panel 110 has a large area, the images displayed at the left and right ends of the display panel 110 may be invisible to a user located at the center of the display panel 110. Similarly, a user located at one edge of the display panel 110 may not be able to view the image displayed on the other edge of the display panel 110.

[0124] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the light propagation path of each region in a second mode of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] A portion of the light emitted upward from the backlight unit 120 and incident on the light path control member 130 passes through the partition 31 and reaches the display panel 110, while another portion of the light reaches the receiving unit, as shown in the figure.

[0126] In the second mode, the scattering particles 322 gather around the first electrode 131 or the second electrode 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the scattering particles 322 gather around the second electrode 132. Therefore, the light path of the light incident on the receiving part 32 is not significantly blocked by the scattering particles 322. The light incident on the receiving part 32 can be refracted and then emitted at the interface between the receiving part 32 and the separating part 31.

[0127] The direction of light refraction can be controlled based on the interface between the receiving part 32 and the separating part 31 (i.e., the tilt angle of the sidewall of the receiving part 32). (Refer to...) Figure 7 The receiving portion 32 has a symmetrical pyramidal shape in the third region A3 (i.e., the central portion) of the display device 1. Light incident obliquely on the receiving portion 32 is refracted at the interface between the receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31, and then incident on the separating portion 31, which has a high refractive index. Since the refractive index of the separating portion 31 is greater than that of the receiving portion 32, the light incident on the separating portion 31 can be totally internally reflected at the interface between the separating portion 31 and the receiving portion 32, and can be emitted toward the display panel 110. Here, corresponding to the tilt angles of the first sidewall a1 and the second sidewall a2 of the symmetrical pyramidal shape of the receiving portion 32, the light is emitted substantially perpendicularly to the front of the display panel 110.

[0128] In the second region A2 of the display device 1 (i.e., the surrounding region adjacent to the center), the receiving portion 32 has an asymmetrical pyramidal shape. Light incident obliquely on the receiving portion 32 is refracted at the interface between the receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31, and then incident on the separating portion 31, which has a high refractive index. Since the refractive index of the separating portion 31 is greater than that of the receiving portion 32, the light incident on the separating portion 31 can be totally internally reflected at the interface between the separating portion 31 and the receiving portion 32, and can be emitted toward the display panel 110. Here, due to the large tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the asymmetrical pyramidal shape of the receiving portion 32, the light is emitted obliquely in the lateral direction. That is, the light can be emitted toward the center of the display panel 110.

[0129] The light emitted in this way can be directed forward through the display panel 110 toward the center of the display device 1. That is, in the second region A2, the viewing angle is open toward the center of the display device 1. A user viewing the display device 1 from the front of the center of the display device 1 can view the image displayed on the second region A2.

[0130] Even in the fourth region A4, which has a receiver 32 that is mirror-image of the receiver 32 in the second region A2, light is emitted in a similar manner. That is, in the fourth region A4, due to the large tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the asymmetrical pyramidal receiver 32, light is emitted obliquely in the lateral direction. In other words, light can be emitted toward the center of the display panel 110.

[0131] Therefore, in the fourth region A4, the viewing angle is open towards the center of the display device 1. A user viewing the display device 1 from the front of the center of the display device 1 can view the image displayed on the fourth region A4.

[0132] In the first region A1 (i.e., the edge portion) of the display device 1, the receiving portion 32 has an asymmetrical pyramidal shape. The degree of asymmetry of the receiving portion 32 in the first region A1 is greater than the degree of asymmetry of the receiving portion 32 in the second region A2.

[0133] Light incident obliquely on the receiving portion 32 in the first region A1 is refracted at the interface between the receiving portion 32 and the separating portion 31, and then incident on the separating portion 31, which has a high refractive index. Since the refractive index of the separating portion 31 is greater than that of the receiving portion 32, the light incident on the separating portion 31 can undergo total internal reflection at the interface between the separating portion 31 and the receiving portion 32, and can be emitted toward the display panel 110. Here, due to the larger tilt angle of the first sidewall a1 of the asymmetrical pyramidal shape of the receiving portion 32, the light is emitted more obliquely in the lateral direction. That is, the light can be emitted toward the center of the display panel 110.

[0134] The light emitted in this way can be directed forward of the center of the display device 1 through the display panel 110. That is, in the first region A1, the viewing angle is open towards the center of the display device 1. A user viewing the display device 1 from the front of the center of the display device 1 can view the image displayed on the first region A1.

[0135] Even in the fifth region A5, which has a receiver 32 that is mirror-image of the receiver 32 in the first region A1, light is emitted in a similar manner. That is, in the fifth region A5, due to the larger tilt angle of the second sidewall a2 of the asymmetrical pyramidal receiver 32, light is emitted more obliquely in the lateral direction. In other words, light can be emitted towards the center of the display panel 110.

[0136] Therefore, in the fifth region A5, the viewing angle is open towards the center of the display device 1. A user viewing the display device 1 from the front of the center of the display device 1 can view the image displayed on the fifth region A5.

[0137] As described above, in the second mode, the display device 1 operates in a directional mode, emitting light towards the center and having directionality in all areas. Therefore, a viewer viewing the display device 1 from the front of the center can view the image displayed in the entire area including the edges of the display device 1 without limiting the viewing angle.

[0138] As described above, the display device 1 according to the above embodiment can support directional light emission for a viewer located at the center of the screen without physically bending the display panel 110 by using the optical path control member 130. That is, a viewer located at the center of the screen can conveniently view the image displayed across the entire screen. Therefore, according to the embodiment, the display device 1 is a flat panel display device and provides the same effect as a curved display device. Furthermore, the display device 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure prevents environmental reliability degradation and damage to the display panel due to bending. Additionally, directional light emission provides a sufficiently bright image to a viewer located at the center of the screen, preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0139] The accompanying drawings of this disclosure show an optical path control member 130 divided into five regions, each region having one or two receiving units 32; however, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. The optical path control member 130 according to this disclosure can be divided into three or more regions, each region having one or more receiving units 32. For example, the optical path control member 130 can be divided into seven regions, each region having two receiving units 32. Alternatively, the optical path control member 130 can be divided into nine regions, each region having three receiving units 32.

[0140] The display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can support directional light emission for a viewer located at the center of the screen without bending the display panel, thereby providing the same effect as a bent display device.

[0141] The display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure provides the same effect as a bent display device by using a flat panel display panel, thereby preventing the degradation of environmental reliability and damage to the display panel due to bending of the display panel.

[0142] The display device according to the embodiments of this disclosure can solve the power consumption problem of curved display devices and enhance brightness.

[0143] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the invention. The scope of the embodiments is described by the scope of the following claims, not by the foregoing description. All modifications, substitutions, and variations derived from the scope and meaning of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the embodiments.

[0144] Cross-references to related applications

[0145] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0154656, filed on November 17, 2022, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Claims

1. A display device, the display device comprising: Display panel, the display panel being configured to display images; A backlight unit, the backlight unit being configured to be disposed below the display panel and emitting light; as well as An optical path control component is configured to be interposed between the display panel and the backlight unit, and is configured to include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light conversion layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The light conversion layer includes: Partition; and A receiving section, which is formed in a pyramidal shape within the partition section, and in which the scattering particles are dispersed. In the first mode, when no voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, the scattering particles are dispersed within the receiving section, and The light generated by the backlight unit is scattered by the scattering particles and emitted to the front of the display panel.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving part is formed in the shape of a triangular pyramid within the partition.

3. The display device according to claim 1, in, The optical path control component includes three or more regions aligned from one side to the other, each region having at least one receiving part, and The receiving section of the first region is a mirror image of the receiving section of the last region.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving part is formed in a symmetrical pyramidal shape in the central part of the optical path control member, and in an asymmetrical pyramidal shape in the edge part of the optical path control member.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein, The degree of asymmetry of each receiving part gradually increases from the center part to the edge part.

6. The display device according to claim 5, in, In the second mode, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the scattering particles accumulate around the first electrode or the second electrode, and The light generated by the backlight unit is refracted at the interface between the receiving part and the separating part, and emitted toward the center of the display panel.

7. The display device according to claim 4, wherein, The refractive index of the receiving part is less than that of the separating part.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the receiving units includes: A first sidewall, the first sidewall being adjacent to one side of the optical path control component; and The second sidewall is adjacent to the other side of the optical path control component.

9. The display device according to claim 8, in, The closer to the side, the greater the increase in the inclination of the first sidewall of the receiving part, and The closer to the other side, the greater the inclination of the second sidewall of the receiving part becomes.

10. The display device according to claim 8, in, The optical path control component includes a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region aligned from one side to the other side, and The angle formed by the first sidewall and the first electrode is different in the first region, the second region, the third region, the fourth region, and the fifth region, and the angle formed by the second sidewall and the first electrode is different in the first region, the second region, the third region, the fourth region, and the fifth region.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein, In the third region, the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode is the same as the angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein, The angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the second region is smaller than the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the third region.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein, The angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the first region is smaller than the angle formed by the first sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the second region.

14. The display device according to claim 11, wherein, The angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the fourth region is smaller than the angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the third region.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein, The angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the fifth region is smaller than the angle formed by the second sidewall of the receiving part and the first electrode in the fourth region.

16. The display device according to claim 10, in, The receiving section of the second region is a mirror image of the receiving section of the fourth region, and The receiving part of the first region is a mirror image of the receiving part of the fifth region.

17. A display device comprising: Display panel, the display panel being configured to display images; A backlight unit, the backlight unit being configured to be disposed below the display panel and emitting light; as well as An optical path control component is configured to be inserted between the display panel and the backlight unit, and is configured to control the path of light generated by the backlight unit. The optical path control component includes: a first electrode disposed on the backlight unit; a second electrode disposed below the display panel; and a light conversion layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and including a receiving portion formed in a pyramidal shape within a partition. Among them, the optical path control component In the first mode, the light generated by the backlight unit is emitted towards the front of the display panel, and In the second mode, light generated by the backlight unit is emitted onto a specific area of ​​the display panel, and In the first mode, when no voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the scattering particles are dispersed within the receiving section, and the light generated by the backlight unit is scattered by the scattering particles and emitted to the front of the display panel.

18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein, The specific area is the center of the display panel.

19. The display device according to claim 17, wherein, The receiving part is formed in the shape of a triangular pyramid within the partition.

20. The display device according to claim 17, in, The light conversion layer includes three or more regions aligned from one side to the other, each region having at least one receiving portion, and The receiving section of the first region is a mirror image of the receiving section of the last region.

21. The display device according to claim 17, wherein, The receiving portion is formed in a symmetrical pyramidal shape in the center of the light conversion layer and in an asymmetrical pyramidal shape in the edge portion of the light conversion layer.

22. The display device according to claim 17, wherein, Each of the receiving units includes: Dispersion; and The scattering particles are dispersed in the dispersion and scatter the incident light.

23. The display device according to claim 22, wherein, The inclination of one sidewall of the pyramid-shaped receiving part gradually increases from the center to the edge of the optical path control member.

24. The display device according to claim 23, wherein, The inclination of the other sidewall of the pyramid-shaped receiving portion gradually decreases from the center to the edge of the optical path control member.

Images