Self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles and its driving method

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles. The self-emissive display device includes a self-emissive display panel and a dimming box disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel. The dimming box includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and electronic ink located between the first substrate and the second substrate. A receiving cavity is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electronic ink is disposed in the receiving cavity. Viewing angle control electrodes are provided on the first substrate and / or the second substrate. By controlling the voltage on the viewing angle control electrodes, the dispersion state of electronic ink particles in the electronic ink in the receiving cavity is controlled, so that the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink gather towards one side of the receiving cavity to achieve a wide viewing angle mode, or the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink are dispersed in the receiving cavity to reduce the angle range of light passing through the dimming box to achieve a narrow viewing angle mode, thereby realizing the switching between the wide viewing angle mode and the narrow viewing angle mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of self-emissive display technology, and in particular to a self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the information age, the application of display screens has become increasingly widespread and diversified, and various display technologies have also flourished. Self-emissive displays are the next generation of displays after LCD (liquid crystal display). They have the advantages of good picture quality, small size, light weight, low driving voltage, low power consumption, no radiation, and relatively low manufacturing cost. Their development and application are becoming increasingly widespread. Examples of self-emissive displays include OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays and Micro LED (Micro Light Emitting Diode) displays.

[0003] Due to their self-emissive nature, OLED displays typically offer wide viewing angles and high color saturation. The viewing angle of an OLED display can reach over 160°. While enjoying this wide viewing angle, people also want to effectively protect trade secrets and personal privacy to avoid business losses or embarrassment caused by information leaks from the screen. Therefore, in addition to the need for wide viewing angles, many situations also require display devices to have the ability to switch between wide and narrow viewing angles.

[0004] Currently, the main method used is to attach a Venetian blind film to the OLED display to achieve switching between wide and narrow viewing angles. When privacy is required, the viewing angle can be narrowed by covering the screen with the Venetian blind film. However, this method requires an extra Venetian blind film, which causes great inconvenience to users. Moreover, a Venetian blind film can only achieve one viewing angle. Once the Venetian blind film is attached, the viewing angle is fixed in the narrow viewing angle mode, and it is impossible to switch freely between the wide and narrow viewing angle modes. In addition, the privacy film will reduce the brightness and affect the aesthetics. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, so as to solve the problem that self-emissive display devices in the prior art cannot freely switch between wide and narrow viewing angles.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] The present invention provides a self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, including a self-emissive display panel and a dimming box disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel. The dimming box is used to control the switching of viewing angles, and the self-emissive display panel is used to control the display of grayscale images.

[0008] The dimming box includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and electronic ink located between the first substrate and the second substrate. A receiving cavity is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electronic ink is disposed in the receiving cavity. A viewing angle control electrode is provided on the first substrate and / or the second substrate, and the viewing angle control electrode is used to control the dispersion state of electronic ink particles in the electronic ink in the receiving cavity.

[0009] In wide viewing angle mode, the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink gather toward one side of the receiving cavity; in narrow viewing angle mode, the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink are dispersed within the receiving cavity and used to reduce the angular range of light passing through the dimming box.

[0010] This application also provides a method for a self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, including a self-emissive display panel and a dimming box disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel. The dimming box is used to control the switching of viewing angles, and the self-emissive display panel is used to control the display of grayscale images.

[0011] The dimming box includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a dye liquid crystal located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The dye liquid crystal includes liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules. A receiving cavity is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the dye liquid crystal is disposed in the receiving cavity. A first viewing angle control electrode is provided on the side of the first substrate facing the receiving cavity, and a second viewing angle control electrode cooperating with the first viewing angle control electrode is provided on the side of the second substrate facing the receiving cavity. A polarizer is provided on the first substrate or the second substrate.

[0012] In the wide viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules in the dye liquid crystal are in an upright position; in the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules in the dye liquid crystal are in a lying position and perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer.

[0013] Furthermore, the first substrate has a groove on the side facing the second substrate, and the groove and the second substrate together form the receiving cavity;

[0014] Alternatively, a spacer layer is provided on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate, and a groove is provided on the side of the spacer layer facing the second substrate, the groove and the second substrate together forming the receiving cavity.

[0015] Furthermore, a first viewing angle control electrode is provided on the side of the first substrate facing the receiving cavity, and the first viewing angle control electrode has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity;

[0016] Alternatively, a first viewing angle control electrode may be provided on the side of the first substrate away from the receiving cavity, and the first viewing angle control electrode may have the same planar shape as the receiving cavity or may be a planar electrode formed over the entire surface.

[0017] Furthermore, a second viewing angle control electrode is provided on the side of the second substrate facing the receiving cavity. The second viewing angle control electrode has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity or the second viewing angle control electrode is a planar electrode that is provided on the entire surface.

[0018] Furthermore, the receiving cavity is a strip-shaped structure, with multiple receiving cavities parallel to each other and spaced apart; or, the receiving cavity is a grid structure.

[0019] Furthermore, a circular polarizer is provided on the side of the self-emissive display panel facing the dimming box. The circular polarizer includes a quarter-wave plate and a linear polarizer, and the linear polarizer is located on the side of the quarter-wave plate facing the dimming box.

[0020] Furthermore, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity is triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular.

[0021] This application also provides a driving method for a self-emissive display device, used to drive the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles as described above, the driving method comprising:

[0022] In wide-view mode, a corresponding wide-view signal is applied to the view control electrode to control the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink to gather toward one side of the receiving cavity;

[0023] In narrow viewing angle mode, no electrical signal is applied to the viewing angle control electrode, and the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink are dispersed in the receiving cavity to reduce the angular range of light passing through the dimming box.

[0024] This application also provides a driving method for a self-emissive display device, used to drive the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles as described above, the driving method comprising:

[0025] In the wide-viewing-angle mode, a corresponding wide-viewing-angle signal is applied to the first and second viewing-angle control electrodes to control the liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules in the dye liquid crystal to stand upright.

[0026] In narrow viewing angle mode, corresponding narrow viewing angle signals are applied to the first viewing angle control electrode and the second viewing angle control electrode to control the liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules in the dye liquid crystal to lie flat and be perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: by controlling the voltage on the viewing angle control electrode, the dispersion state of the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink in the receiving cavity is controlled, so that the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink gather towards one side of the receiving cavity to achieve a wide viewing angle mode, or the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink are dispersed in the receiving cavity and used to reduce the angle range of light passing through the dimming box to achieve a narrow viewing angle mode, thereby realizing the switching between the wide viewing angle mode and the narrow viewing angle mode. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the planar structure of the receiving cavity in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is one of the planar structural schematic diagrams of the first viewpoint control electrode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the receiving cavity in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the first viewpoint control electrode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the narrow viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the wide viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 8a-8f This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of the dimming box in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0037] Figures 10a-10f This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of the dimming box in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 11 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 12This is the second schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 13 This is the third schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 14 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 15 This is the fifth schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the narrow viewing angle mode in Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the wide viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 19 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the planar structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this invention;

[0047] Figure 20 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation, structure, features, and effects of the self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles proposed according to the present invention:

[0049] [Example 1]

[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 1As shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles includes a self-emissive display panel 20 and a dimming box 10 disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel 20. The dimming box 10 is used to control the viewing angle switching, and the self-emissive display panel 20 is used to control the grayscale display. The self-emissive display panel 20 is, for example, an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display or a Micro LED (Micro Light Emitting Diode) display. In this embodiment, the self-emissive display panel 20 is an OLED display panel, including a substrate 21, an anode 22 and a cathode 24 disposed on the substrate 21, and an organic light-emitting layer 23 located between the anode 22 and the cathode 24. By applying corresponding electrical signals to the anode 22 and the cathode 24, the corresponding organic light-emitting layer 23 is controlled to emit light. For a more detailed description of the self-emissive display panel 20, please refer to the prior art; it will not be repeated here.

[0051] The dimming box 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 disposed opposite to the first substrate 11, and electronic ink 13 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. A receiving cavity 102 is provided between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The electronic ink 13 is disposed in the receiving cavity 102. Viewing angle control electrodes are provided on the first substrate 11 and / or the second substrate 12. The viewing angle control electrodes are used to control the dispersion state of electronic ink particles in the electronic ink 13 in the receiving cavity 102. By controlling the voltage on the viewing angle control electrode, the dispersion state of the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink 13 within the receiving cavity 102 is controlled. This causes the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink 13 to gather towards one side (upper or lower) of the receiving cavity 102. At this time, the dispersion height of the electronic ink particles is low, and the blocking effect on wide-view light is poor, thus achieving a wide-view mode. Alternatively, the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink 13 can be dispersed throughout the entire receiving cavity 102. At this time, the dispersion height of the electronic ink particles is high and they fill the entire receiving cavity 102, enhancing the blocking effect on wide-view light and reducing the angle range of light passing through the dimming box 10, thus achieving a narrow-view mode. This allows for switching between wide-view mode and narrow-view mode.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first substrate 11 is disposed on the side of the dimming box 10 near the self-emissive display panel 20, and the second substrate 12 is disposed on the side of the dimming box 10 away from the self-emissive display panel 20, that is, the first substrate 11 is disposed below the second substrate 12. A groove 101 is provided on the side of the first substrate 11 facing the second substrate 12, that is, the groove 101 is formed by directly etching the first substrate 11, and the groove 101 and the second substrate 12 together form a receiving cavity 102. Of course, in other embodiments, the first substrate 11 can also be disposed on the side of the dimming box 10 away from the self-emissive display panel 20, and the second substrate 12 can be disposed on the side of the dimming box 10 near the self-emissive display panel 20.

[0053] Furthermore, a first viewing angle control electrode 111 is provided on the side of the first substrate 11 facing the receiving cavity 102. The first viewing angle control electrode 111 is directly disposed at the bottom of the groove 101 and has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102 (i.e., the projected shape on the first substrate 11).

[0054] Figure 2 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the planar structure of the receiving cavity in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the planar structure of the first-view control electrode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the receiving cavity 102 has a strip-shaped structure. Multiple receiving cavities 102 are parallel to each other and spaced apart to form a structure similar to a grating, thereby achieving bidirectional privacy protection (e.g., left-right privacy protection or top-bottom privacy protection). The first viewing angle control electrode 111 has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102, that is, the first viewing angle control electrode 111 is also a strip-shaped structure and corresponds one-to-one with the receiving cavity 102. Multiple first viewing angle control electrodes 111 are parallel to each other and spaced apart. Among them, all the first viewing angle control electrodes 111 can be electrically connected to each other in the non-display area at the edge, thereby achieving full-area control of wide and narrow viewing angle switching; or, two adjacent first viewing angle control electrodes 111 can be insulated from each other and independent, thereby achieving regional control of wide and narrow viewing angle switching. Figure 4 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the receiving cavity in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the first viewing angle control electrode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the receiving cavity 102 can also be a mesh structure, thereby enabling four-way privacy protection (e.g., top, bottom, left, and right privacy protection). The first viewing angle control electrode 111 has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102, that is, the first viewing angle control electrode 111 is also a mesh structure and corresponds to the receiving cavity 102.

[0055] Furthermore, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity 102 is triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular, wherein the triangular and trapezoidal shapes are inverted structures. The triangular and trapezoidal shapes allow the width of the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity 102 near the first substrate 11 to differ from the width near the second substrate 12, thereby increasing the difference in viewing angle range between the wide-viewing-angle mode and the narrow-viewing-angle mode. The greater the difference in width between the ends of the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity 102 near the first substrate 11 and near the second substrate 12, the more pronounced the difference in viewing angle range between the wide-viewing-angle mode and the narrow-viewing-angle mode. Alternatively, the difference in viewing angle range between the wide-viewing-angle mode and the narrow-viewing-angle mode can be increased by increasing the height of the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity 102, for example, by increasing the height of the triangle, trapezoid, or rectangle. The depth of the groove 101 can be defined in the range of 50µm to 100µm according to the viewing angle requirements, and the spacing between adjacent grooves 101 can be defined in the range of 30µm to 60µm.

[0056] In this embodiment, a circular polarizer 30 is provided on the side of the self-emissive display panel 20 facing the dimming box 10. The circular polarizer 30 includes a quarter-wave plate 31 and a linear polarizer 32. The fast and slow axes of the quarter-wave plate 31 are at a 45° angle to the transmission axis of the linear polarizer 32. The linear polarizer 32 is located on the side of the quarter-wave plate 31 facing the dimming box 10, thereby converting ambient light passing through the circular polarizer 30 into circularly polarized light. By providing the circular polarizer 30 on the side of the self-emissive display panel 20 facing the dimming box 10, the reflection effect of the metal electrodes in the self-emissive display panel 20 on ambient light can be reduced, thereby improving the display effect. For example, when ambient light passes through the linear polarizer 32, it forms linearly polarized light (0°) parallel to the transmission axis of the linear polarizer 32. When the linearly polarized light passes through the quarter-wave plate 31, it becomes circularly polarized light (positive rotation). After being reflected by the self-emissive display panel 20, the circularly polarized light (positive rotation) is still circularly polarized light (negative rotation), but in the opposite direction. When the reflected circularly polarized light (negative rotation) passes through the quarter-wave plate 31, it becomes linearly polarized light (90°) perpendicular to the transmission axis of the linear polarizer 32, and is thus absorbed by the linear polarizer 32, thereby reducing the reflection effect of the self-emissive display panel 20 on ambient light.

[0057] Furthermore, the protective film 14 on the side of the dimming box 10 away from the self-emissive display panel 20 can provide good protection for the dimming box 10 and prevent the dimming box 10 from being scratched or damaged.

[0058] The first substrate 11, the second substrate 12, and the substrate 21 can be made of materials such as glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate. The anode 22, the cathode 24, and the viewing angle control electrode can be made of materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0059] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the narrow viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the wide viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, this application also provides a driving method for a self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, used to drive the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles as described above. Taking the example of negatively charged electronic ink particles in electronic ink 13, the driving method includes:

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, no electrical signal is applied to the viewing angle control electrode, that is, no electrical signal is applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111. The electronic ink particles in the electronic ink 13 can be dispersed throughout the entire receiving cavity 102. At this time, the dispersion height of the electronic ink particles is relatively high and fills the entire receiving cavity 102, which enhances the blocking effect on wide-viewing-angle light. That is, wide-viewing-angle light will be blocked and absorbed by the electronic ink 13, thereby reducing the angle range of light passing through the dimming box 10 to achieve the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, in the wide-view mode, a corresponding wide-view signal is applied to the view control electrode. For example, a positive voltage (e.g., +5V) is applied to the first view control electrode 111. Negatively charged electronic ink particles are attracted to the vicinity of the first view control electrode 111 and gather at the bottom of the receiving cavity 102, i.e., the bottom corner of the groove 101. At this time, the dispersion height of the electronic ink particles is low, and the blocking effect on wide-view light is poor. Wide-view light can pass through the receiving cavity 102 to achieve the wide-view mode.

[0062] Figures 8a-8f This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of the dimming box in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figures 8a-8f As shown, the manufacturing process of the dimming box 10 in this application is as follows:

[0063] like Figure 8a As shown, a first substrate 11 is provided, and a photoresist layer 1 is covered on the entire surface of the first substrate 11. The first substrate 11 may be made of materials such as glass, quartz, silicon, acrylic, or polycarbonate. The first substrate 11 may also be a flexible substrate. Suitable materials for flexible substrates include, for example, polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or combinations thereof.

[0064] like Figure 8b As shown, the photoresist layer 1 is subjected to exposure and development processes in sequence, so that the photoresist layer 1 forms a patterned structure.

[0065] like Figure 8c As shown, the first substrate 11 is etched to form a groove 101 using a patterned photoresist layer 1 as a shield, and then the photoresist layer 1 is peeled off. The groove 101 has a depth of 50-100 μm, a spacing of 30-60 μm between grooves 101, and a longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the groove 101 that is triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular.

[0066] like Figure 8d As shown, a transparent conductive layer (e.g., ITO) is coated on a first substrate 11 having a groove 101. Then, a masking process (applying photoresist, exposure, development, etching, and photoresist removal) is used to etch the transparent conductive layer, thereby forming a first viewing angle control electrode 111 at the bottom of the groove 101. The first viewing angle control electrode 111 is directly disposed at the bottom of the groove 101 and has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102 (i.e., its projected shape on the first substrate 11).

[0067] like Figures 8e-8f As shown, electronic ink 13 is dropped or sprayed into the groove 101, and then a second substrate 12 is provided and covers the surface of the first substrate 11, so that a receiving cavity 102 is formed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 in the area corresponding to the groove 101. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are bonded together by a sealing adhesive.

[0068] [Example 2]

[0069] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 9 As shown, the self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Figures 1 to 8f The wide and narrow viewing angle switchable self-emissive display device and driving method are basically the same as those in the previous embodiment, except that in this embodiment:

[0070] A spacer layer 15 is provided on the surface of the first substrate 11 facing the second substrate 12. A groove 101 is provided on the side of the spacer layer 15 facing the second substrate 12, and the groove 101 and the second substrate 12 together form a receiving cavity 102. That is, in this embodiment, the groove 101 is not directly etched onto the surface of the first substrate 11 to form the groove 101. Instead, a spacer layer 15 is first covered on the surface of the first substrate 11 facing the second substrate 12, and then the spacer layer 15 is etched to form the groove 101. The spacer layer 15 can be made of OC material, resin material, or photoresist.

[0071] Figures 10a-10f This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of the dimming box in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figures 10a-10fAs shown, the manufacturing process of the dimming box 10 in this application is as follows:

[0072] like Figure 10a As shown, a first substrate 11 and an embossing mold 2 are provided, and a spacer layer 15 covers an entire surface of the first substrate 11. The first substrate 11 can be made of materials such as glass, quartz, silicon, acrylic, or polycarbonate. The first substrate 11 can also be a flexible substrate; suitable materials for flexible substrates include, for example, polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or combinations thereof. The spacer layer 15 can be made of OC material, resin material, or photoresist. The embossing mold 2 has protrusions corresponding to the grooves 101.

[0073] like Figure 10b and Figure 10c As shown, the spacer layer 15 is imprinted using an embossing mold 2, and then the embossing mold 2 is removed to form a groove 101. The depth of the groove 101 is 50-100 μm, the spacing between the grooves 101 is 30-60 μm, and the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the groove 101 is triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular.

[0074] like Figure 10d As shown, a transparent conductive layer (e.g., ITO) is covered on the spacer layer 15 with the groove 101. Then, a masking process (photoresist application, exposure, development, etching, and photoresist removal) is used to etch the transparent conductive layer, thereby forming a first viewing angle control electrode 111 at the bottom of the groove 101. The first viewing angle control electrode 111 is directly disposed at the bottom of the groove 101 and has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102 (i.e., the projected shape on the first substrate 11).

[0075] like Figures 10e-10f As shown, electronic ink 13 is dropped or sprayed into the groove 101, and then a second substrate 12 is provided and covers the surface of the first substrate 11, so that a receiving cavity 102 is formed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 in the area corresponding to the groove 101. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are bonded together by a sealing adhesive.

[0076] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0077] [Example 3]

[0078] Figure 11 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 12This is the second schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 13 This is the third schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 14 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 15 This is the fifth schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figures 11 to 15 As shown, the self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Figures 1 to 8f Example 2 Figures 9 to 10f The wide and narrow viewing angle switchable self-emissive display device and driving method are basically the same as those in the previous embodiment, except that in this embodiment:

[0079] like Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, a first viewing angle control electrode 111 is provided on the side of the first substrate 11 away from the receiving cavity 102. Since no groove 101 is provided on the side of the first substrate 11 away from the receiving cavity 102, the manufacturing process of the first viewing angle control electrode 111 can be simplified. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the first view control electrode 111 can have the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102. Of course, as... Figure 12 As shown, the first view control electrode 111 can also be a planar electrode with the entire surface set, which can further reduce the difficulty of the manufacturing process of the first view control electrode 111.

[0080] In another embodiment, such as Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, a second viewing angle control electrode 121 is provided on the side of the second substrate 12 facing the receiving cavity 102. Since the second substrate 12 does not have a groove 101, the manufacturing process of the first viewing angle control electrode 111 can be simplified. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the second view control electrode 121 can have the same planar shape as the receiving cavity 102. Of course, as... Figure 14 As shown, the second view control electrode 121 can also be a planar electrode with the entire surface, which can further reduce the difficulty of the manufacturing process of the first view control electrode 111.

[0081] In another embodiment, such as Figure 15As shown, viewing angle control electrodes can also be provided on both the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. For example, a first viewing angle control electrode 111 is provided on the first substrate 11 and a second viewing angle control electrode 121 is provided on the second substrate 12, thereby accelerating the movement speed of electronic ink particles in the electronic ink 13 within the receiving cavity 102 and reducing the switching time between wide and narrow viewing angles.

[0082] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0083] [Example 4]

[0084] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the initial state according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 16 As shown, the self-emissive display device and driving method with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Figures 1 to 8f Example 2 Figures 9 to 10f The wide and narrow viewing angle switchable self-emissive display device and driving method are basically the same as those in the previous embodiment, except that in this embodiment:

[0085] A self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles includes a self-emissive display panel 20 and a dimming box 10 disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel 20. The dimming box 10 controls the viewing angle switching, and the self-emissive display panel 20 controls the grayscale display. The self-emissive display panel 20 is, for example, an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display or a Micro LED (Micro Light-Emitting Diode) display. In this embodiment, the self-emissive display panel 20 is an OLED display panel, including a substrate 21, an anode 22 and a cathode 24 disposed on the substrate 21, and an organic light-emitting layer 23 located between the anode 22 and the cathode 24. By applying corresponding electrical signals to the anode 22 and the cathode 24, the corresponding organic light-emitting layer 23 is controlled to emit light. For a more detailed description of the self-emissive display panel 20, please refer to the prior art; it will not be repeated here.

[0086] The dimming box 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 disposed opposite to the first substrate 11, and a dye-based liquid crystal 16 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The dye-based liquid crystal 16 includes liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 mixed together. The dye molecules 162 have an absorption axis and a transmission axis. The light absorption capacity of the dye molecules 162 along their long axis is greater than that along their short axis. The dye molecules 162 have the characteristic of strong light absorption along their long axis and weak light absorption along their short axis, which can polarize light. Preferably, the dye molecules 132 are black dye molecules, and the liquid crystal molecules 161 are positive liquid crystal molecules. A cavity 102 is provided between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The dye-based liquid crystal 16 is disposed in the cavity 102. A first viewing angle control electrode 111 is provided on the side of the first substrate 11 facing the cavity 102, and a second viewing angle control electrode 121 cooperating with the first viewing angle control electrode 111 is provided on the side of the second substrate 12 facing the cavity 102. A polarizer 17 is provided on the first substrate 11 or the second substrate 12. By controlling the voltage on the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121, the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 in the dye liquid crystal 16 are controlled to stand upright, thereby reducing the light absorption rate and reducing the light blocking effect. Light can pass through the dye liquid crystal 16 to achieve a wide viewing angle mode. Alternatively, the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 in the dye liquid crystal 16 are controlled to lie flat and perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer 17 (i.e., the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer 17). Since the dye liquid crystal 16 has polarization characteristics, light cannot pass through the dye liquid crystal 16 and the polarizer 17 at the same time. The light blocking effect is enhanced, and the angle range of light passing through the dimming box 10 can be narrowed to achieve a narrow viewing angle mode, thereby realizing the switching between the wide viewing angle mode and the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0087] In this embodiment, the dye-based liquid crystal 16 is aligned parallel to the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The alignment direction of the dye-based liquid crystal 16 on the side closer to the first substrate 11 is parallel to the alignment direction on the side closer to the second substrate 12. For example, if the transmission axis of the polarizer 17 is 0°, then the alignment direction of the dye-based liquid crystal 16 is 90°. In the initial state, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules 161 and the dye molecules 162 are perpendicular to the transmission axis of the polarizer 17, thereby making the dimming cell 10 a narrow viewing angle mode in the initial state.

[0088] In this embodiment, the dimming box 10 uses dye liquid crystal 16, which is different from the manufacturing method of electronic ink 13 used in the first embodiment. The difference lies in the box assembly process of the dimming box 10. When the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are bonded together, a vacuum injection process is required to inject dye liquid crystal 16 into the receiving cavity 102. Therefore, a vacuum injection port that is connected to the receiving cavity 102 needs to be reserved at the edge of the first substrate 11.

[0089] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the narrow viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in the wide viewing angle mode according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 17 and Figure 18 As shown, this application also provides a driving method for a self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, used to drive the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles as described above. The driving method includes:

[0090] like Figure 17 As shown, in the narrow viewing angle mode, corresponding narrow viewing angle signals are applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121 to control the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 in the dye liquid crystal 16 to lie flat and perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer 17. For example, a common voltage signal (Vcom) is applied to the second viewing angle control electrode 121, and a first voltage is applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111. The voltage difference between the first voltage and the common voltage signal (Vcom) is zero or less than a first preset value (0.3V). At this time, the liquid crystal molecules 161 basically do not deflect and maintain their initial lying flat posture. Since the dye liquid crystal 16 has polarization characteristics, light cannot pass through the dye liquid crystal 16 and the polarizer 17 at the same time. The area corresponding to the accommodating cavity 102 is in a black state, which enhances the blocking effect on light and can reduce the angle range of light passing through the dimming box 10 to achieve the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0091] like Figure 18 As shown, in the wide viewing angle mode, corresponding wide viewing angle signals are applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121 to control the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 in the dye liquid crystal 16 to stand upright. For example, a common voltage signal (Vcom) is applied to the second viewing angle control electrode 121, and a second voltage is applied to the first viewing angle control electrode 111. The voltage difference between the second voltage and the common voltage signal (Vcom) is greater than a second preset value (10V), and a vertical electric field is formed between the first viewing angle control electrode 111 and the second viewing angle control electrode 121. Under the action of the vertical electric field, the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 in the dye liquid crystal 16 will be deflected, making the liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The liquid crystal molecules 161 and dye molecules 162 in the dye liquid crystal 16 change from a lying posture to a standing posture to reduce the light absorption rate and the light blocking effect is poor. Light can pass through the dye liquid crystal 16 to achieve the wide viewing angle mode.

[0092] Those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining structures and working principles of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0093] Figure 19 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the planar structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this invention. Figure 20 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this invention. Please refer to... Figure 19 and Figure 20 The self-emissive display device is equipped with a viewing angle switching button 40, which allows the user to request a viewing angle switch from the self-emissive display device. The viewing angle switching button 40 can be a physical button (such as...). Figure 19 As shown), it can also be used for software control or application programs (APP) to implement switching functions (such as... Figure 20 As shown, the wide and narrow viewing angles are set via a slider. When the user needs to switch between a wide and narrow viewing angle, they can send a viewing angle switching request to the self-emissive display device by operating the viewing angle switching button 40. Ultimately, the driver chip 50 controls the voltage applied to the viewing angle control electrode 121. When the electrical signal applied to the viewing angle control electrode 121 is different, the self-emissive display device can switch between a wide and narrow viewing angle. Specifically, when switching to a wide viewing angle, the driving method corresponding to the wide-angle mode is used; when switching to a narrow viewing angle, the driving method corresponding to the narrow-angle mode is used. Therefore, the self-emissive display device of this embodiment has strong operational flexibility and convenience, achieving a multi-functional self-emissive display device that integrates entertainment video and privacy protection.

[0094] In this document, the directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are defined according to the position of the structures in the accompanying drawings and the relative positions of the structures, and are only used for clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of these directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application. It should also be understood that the terms "first" and "second," etc., used herein are only used for distinction in name and are not used to limit the number or order.

[0095] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, which are equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, characterized in that, It includes a self-emissive display panel (20) and a dimming box (10) disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel (20). The dimming box (10) is used to control the viewing angle switching, and the self-emissive display panel (20) is used to control the grayscale display. The dimming box (10) includes a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) disposed opposite to the first substrate (11), and electronic ink (13) located between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12). A receiving cavity (102) is provided between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12). The electronic ink (13) is disposed in the receiving cavity (102). A viewing angle control electrode is provided on the first substrate (11) and / or the second substrate (12). The viewing angle control electrode is used to control the dispersion state of electronic ink particles in the electronic ink (13) in the receiving cavity (102). The first substrate (11) has a groove (101) on the side facing the second substrate (12). The groove (101) and the second substrate (12) together form the receiving cavity (102). The receiving cavity (102) is a strip structure that is parallel to each other and spaced apart, or the receiving cavity (102) is a grid structure, thereby forming a grating structure. In the wide viewing angle mode, the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink (13) gather toward one side of the receiving cavity (102); in the narrow viewing angle mode, the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink (13) are dispersed in the receiving cavity (102) and used to reduce the angular range of light passing through the dimming box (10).

2. A self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles, characterized in that, It includes a self-emissive display panel (20) and a dimming box (10) disposed on the light-emitting side of the self-emissive display panel (20). The dimming box (10) is used to control the viewing angle switching, and the self-emissive display panel (20) is used to control the grayscale display. The dimming box (10) includes a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) disposed opposite to the first substrate (11), and a dye liquid crystal (16) located between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12). The dye liquid crystal (16) includes liquid crystal molecules (161) and dye molecules (162). A receiving cavity (102) is provided between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12). The dye liquid crystal (16) is disposed in the receiving cavity (102). A first viewing angle control electrode (111) is provided on the side of the first substrate (11) facing the receiving cavity (102). A second viewing angle control electrode (121) cooperating with the first viewing angle control electrode (111) is provided on the side of the second substrate (12) facing the receiving cavity (102). A polarizer (17) is provided on the first substrate (11) or the second substrate (12). The first substrate (11) has a groove (101) on the side facing the second substrate (12). The groove (101) and the second substrate (12) together form the receiving cavity (102). The receiving cavity (102) is a strip structure that is parallel to each other and spaced apart, or the receiving cavity (102) is a grid structure, thereby forming a grating structure. In the wide viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules (161) and dye molecules (162) in the dye liquid crystal (16) are in an upright position; in the narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules (161) and dye molecules (162) in the dye liquid crystal (16) are in a lying position and perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer (17).

3. The self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first substrate (11) has a first viewing angle control electrode (111) on the side facing the receiving cavity (102), and the first viewing angle control electrode (111) has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity (102); Alternatively, a first viewing angle control electrode (111) may be provided on the side of the first substrate (11) away from the receiving cavity (102), wherein the first viewing angle control electrode (111) has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity (102) or the first viewing angle control electrode (111) is a planar electrode provided on the entire surface.

4. The self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second substrate (12) is provided with a second viewing angle control electrode (121) on the side facing the receiving cavity (102). The second viewing angle control electrode (121) has the same planar shape as the receiving cavity (102) or the second viewing angle control electrode (121) is a planar electrode with the entire surface.

5. The self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The self-emissive display panel (20) has a circular polarizer (30) on the side facing the dimming box (10). The circular polarizer (30) includes a quarter-wave plate (31) and a linear polarizer (32). The linear polarizer (32) is located on the side of the quarter-wave plate (31) facing the dimming box (10).

6. The self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity (102) is triangular, trapezoidal or rectangular.

7. A driving method for a self-emissive display device, characterized in that, The driving method for driving the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles as described in any one of claims 1, 3-6 includes: In wide-view mode, a corresponding wide-view signal is applied to the view control electrode to control the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink (13) to gather toward one side of the receiving cavity (102); In the narrow viewing angle mode, no electrical signal is applied to the viewing angle control electrode, and the electronic ink particles in the electronic ink (13) are dispersed in the receiving cavity (102) and used to reduce the angular range of light passing through the dimming box (10).

8. A driving method for a self-emissive display device, characterized in that, The driving method for driving the self-emissive display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles as described in any one of claims 2, 3-6 includes: In the wide-viewing-angle mode, a corresponding wide-viewing-angle signal is applied to the first viewing angle control electrode (111) and the second viewing angle control electrode (121) to control the liquid crystal molecules (161) and dye molecules (162) in the dye liquid crystal (16) to stand upright. In the narrow viewing angle mode, corresponding narrow viewing angle signals are applied to the first viewing angle control electrode (111) and the second viewing angle control electrode (121) to control the liquid crystal molecules (161) and dye molecules (162) in the dye liquid crystal (16) to lie flat and be perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the polarizer (17).

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