Display device

Abstract

There is provided a display device including: a display layer generating light, the display layer including a plurality of pixels; a polarizing layer that polarizes light generated by the display layer; a first optical layer disposed on the polarizing layer, the first optical layer including a first lens array and a first electrode on the first lens array; a liquid crystal layer disposed on the first optical layer, the liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules; and a second optical layer disposed on the liquid crystal layer, the second optical layer including a second lens array and a second electrode disposed on the second lens array. The first optical layer and the second optical layer are symmetrical with respect to the liquid crystal layer.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0100642 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 1, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure described herein relate to a display device. Background Art

[0003] With the rapid development of the information society, research on the development of display devices has been actively conducted. Due to consumer demand for viewing 3D images, the development of methods or devices for implementing 3D display is currently being studied and attempted in many different fields.

[0004] A 2D / 3D switchable display technology capable of selectively realizing 2D images and 3D images in a display device has been developed. A liquid crystal lens method may be used in the 2D / 3D switchable display technology, in which a liquid crystal layer is used to form a lens-like optical path difference.

[0005] As an example of the liquid crystal lens method, an electric field distribution control method using the characteristic that liquid crystal is oriented according to an electric field is used. In the electric field distribution control method, 3D performance may be deteriorated due to the low refractive index difference of the liquid crystal layer. Summary of the invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device with improved 3D performance applying an electric field distribution control method in a liquid crystal lens method.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a display layer, which generates light, and the display layer includes a plurality of pixels; a polarization layer, which polarizes the light generated by the display layer; a first optical layer, which is disposed on the polarization layer, and the first optical layer includes a first lens array and a first electrode on the first lens array; a liquid crystal layer, which is disposed on the first optical layer, and the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules; a second optical layer, which is disposed on the liquid crystal layer, and the second optical layer includes a second lens array and a second electrode disposed on the second lens array. The first optical layer and the second optical layer are symmetrical to each other relative to the liquid crystal layer.

[0008] In an embodiment, the first optical layer may further include a first substrate supporting the first lens array and a first planarization layer disposed on the first electrode. The first planarization layer planarizes the surface of the first optical layer.

[0009] In an embodiment, the second optical layer may further include a second substrate supporting the second lens array and a second planarization layer disposed on the second electrode. The second planarization layer planarizes the surface of the second optical layer.

[0010] In an embodiment, the first lens array may include at least one first lens. At least one first lens includes a convex surface. At least one first lens is arranged so that the convex surface of at least one first lens faces the liquid crystal layer.

[0011] In an embodiment, the second lens array may include at least one second lens. At least one second lens includes a convex surface. At least one second lens is arranged so that the convex surface of at least one second lens faces the convex surface of at least one first lens.

[0012] In an embodiment, the first planarization layer and the second planarization layer may be adjacent to the liquid crystal layer.

[0013] In an embodiment, a distance between a center of at least one first lens and a center of at least one second lens may be the shortest distance compared to a distance between all other parts of the at least one first lens and the at least one second lens, and a distance between an edge of the at least one first lens and an edge of the at least one second lens may be the longest distance compared to a distance between all other parts of the at least one first lens and the at least one second lens, wherein the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer.

[0014] In an embodiment, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal molecules overlapping the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens may be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules overlapping the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens may be aligned in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer.

[0015] In an embodiment, the minimum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer may be at a first portion where the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens overlap each other. The maximum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer may be at a second portion where the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first lens array may include at least one first lens. The at least one first lens includes a convex surface. The at least one first lens is arranged such that the convex surface of the at least one first lens faces away from the liquid crystal layer.

[0017] In an embodiment, the second lens array may include at least one second lens. At least one second lens includes a convex surface. At least one second lens is arranged so that the convex surface of the at least one second lens faces away from the convex surface of the at least one first lens.

[0018] In an embodiment, the first substrate and the second substrate may be adjacent to the liquid crystal layer.

[0019] In an embodiment, a distance between a center of at least one first lens and a center of at least one second lens may be the longest distance compared to a distance between all other parts of the at least one first lens and the at least one second lens. A distance between an edge of the at least one first lens and an edge of the at least one second lens may be the shortest distance compared to a distance between all other parts of the at least one first lens and the at least one second lens, wherein the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer.

[0020] In an embodiment, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal molecules overlapping the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens may be aligned in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules overlapping the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens may be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer.

[0021] In an embodiment, the maximum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer may be at a first portion where the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens overlap each other. The minimum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer may be at a second portion where the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other.

[0022] In an embodiment, the first planarization layer may be composed of the same resin as the first lens array, and the second planarization layer may be composed of the same resin as the second lens array.

[0023] In an embodiment, each of the first substrate and the second substrate may be a transparent substrate.

[0024] In an embodiment, each of the first electrode and the second electrode may be a transparent electrode.

[0025] In an embodiment, when no voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the display device may operate in a 2D mode. The display device displays a 2D image in the 2D mode.

[0026] In an embodiment, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the display device may operate in a 3D mode. The display device displays a 3D image in the 3D mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other features of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a schematic structure of a display device and a method of displaying a 2D image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 is a view illustrating a schematic structure of a display device and a method of displaying a 3D image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 2D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 The present invention is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 A graph of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in the 2D mode.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 3D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 6 The present invention is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 A graph of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in the 3D mode.

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 2D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 3D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig. 9 It is shown that according to Figure 8 A graph of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in the 3D mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various non-limiting embodiments are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the described embodiments set forth herein.

[0038] When describing the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals have been used for the same elements. In the accompanying drawings, in order to clearly explain the present disclosure, the size of the structure can be enlarged. It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. can be used here to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first element discussed below can be referred to as the second element. Similarly, the second element can also be referred to as the first element.

[0039] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific embodiments and are not intended to be limited. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "one", "one (kind / person)", "the (said)" and "at least one (kind / person)" do not represent the limitation of quantity, and are intended to include both the singular and the plural. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "element" and "at least one element" have the same meaning. "At least one (kind / person)" will not be interpreted as being limited to "one" or "one (kind / person)". "Or" means "and / or". As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. It will also be understood that when the terms "include" and / or "comprising" or variations thereof are used in this specification, it is explained that there are stated features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but it is not excluded that there are or add one or more other features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups.

[0040] In the following description, when the first part is "connected" to the second part, this includes not only an embodiment in which the first part is directly connected to the second part, but also an embodiment in which a third part is interposed between the first part and the second part and the first part and the second part are connected to each other. However, when the first part is described as being "directly connected" to the second part, there may be no element between the first part and the second part.

[0041] In addition, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be used here to describe the relationship of one element to another element as shown in the drawings. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings, relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device. For example, if the device in one of the drawings is turned over, the element described as being on the "lower" side of the other elements will then be oriented to be on the "upper" side of the other elements. Therefore, the term "lower" can include both "lower" and "upper" orientations, depending on the specific orientation of the drawings. Similarly, if the device in one of the drawings is turned over, the element described as being "below" or "under" the other elements will then be oriented to be "above" the other elements. Therefore, the term "below..." or "under..." can include both upper and lower orientations.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will also be understood that terms (such as those defined in common dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly so defined herein.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a schematic structure of a display device and a method of displaying a 2D image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a view illustrating a schematic structure of a display device and a method of displaying a 3D image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display device DD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display layer 100, a polarization layer 200, and a light modulation layer 300. The display device DD may operate in a 2D mode for displaying a 2D image or a 3D mode for displaying a 3D image.

[0046] The display layer 100 may be a component for displaying an image. For example, the display layer 100 may be a component for generating light. The display layer 100 may include a plurality of pixels PX for displaying an image. In an embodiment, the display layer 100 may be a light-emitting display layer. For example, the display layer 100 may be an organic light-emitting display layer, an inorganic light-emitting display layer, an organic-inorganic light-emitting display layer, a micro-LED display layer, a nano-LED display layer, or a quantum dot display layer. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto, and as long as the display layer 100 is a component for generating light according to an electrical signal, the display layer 100 may be implemented in various forms.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 In an embodiment, the display layer 100 can display a flat image in a 2D mode. Figure 2 In an embodiment, the display layer 100 may display images corresponding to several viewing areas using a spatial division method or a temporal division method in a 3D mode. For example, in a 3D mode, the display layer 100 may display images corresponding to several viewing areas for each pixel PX of a column (see Figure 1 ) alternately displays the left eye image L and the right eye image R.

[0048] The polarizing layer 200 may be disposed on the display layer 100. In an embodiment, the polarizing layer 200 may be attached to the display layer 100 by an adhesive layer including an optically clear adhesive (OCA), a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), or the like.

[0049] The polarization layer 200 may polarize light generated in the display layer 100. In an embodiment, the polarization layer 200 may linearly polarize light incident from the display layer 100. For example, light emitted from the display layer 100 and passing through the polarization layer 200 may be horizontally polarized or vertically polarized. Hereinafter, for ease of description, it is assumed that the polarization layer 200 vertically polarizes light emitted from the display layer 100. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto, and the direction in which the light emitted from the display layer 100 is polarized may vary depending on the type of the polarization layer 200.

[0050] The light modulation layer 300 may be disposed on the polarization layer 200. In an embodiment, the light modulation layer 300 may be attached to the polarization layer 200 by an adhesive layer including an optically clear adhesive (OCA), a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), or the like.

[0051] The light modulation layer 300 may convert the driving mode of the display device DD. For example, the light modulation layer 300 may convert the driving mode of the display device DD from a 3D mode to a 2D mode, or from a 2D mode to a 3D mode. Figure 1 , when the display device DD is in 2D mode, the light modulation layer 300 may be operated so that the 2D image output from the display layer 100 is transmitted as is through the light modulation layer 300. Therefore, the same image reaches the left eye LE and the right eye RE, so that the user can perceive the image as a 2D image.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 , when the display device DD is in 3D mode, the light modulation layer 300 may be operated so that the 2D image output from the display layer 100 is converted into a 3D image. For example, the light modulation layer 300 may refract the left eye image L and the right eye image R output from the display layer 100 in 3D mode, thereby allowing an image to be formed in a viewing area corresponding to each viewpoint image. Therefore, the left eye image L and the right eye image R reach the left eye LE and the right eye RE, respectively, so that the user can perceive the 3D image according to binocular parallax.

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 2D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 It is shown that according to Figure 3 A graph of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in the 2D mode. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 3D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is shown that according to Figure 5 A graph of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in the 3D mode.

[0054] For example, in Figure 3 and Figure 5, a schematic cross-sectional view of a light modulation layer 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and for the sake of brevity, the description of parts overlapping with the parts described above may be omitted or simplified.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the display device DD1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display layer 100, a polarization layer 200, and a light modulation layer 300. The display device DD1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image using an electric field distribution control method.

[0056] In an embodiment, the light modulation layer 300 may include a first optical layer 310, a liquid crystal layer 320, and a second optical layer 330. In an embodiment, the first optical layer 310 and the second optical layer 330 may be symmetrical to each other with respect to the liquid crystal layer 320. In an embodiment in which the first optical layer 310 and the second optical layer 330 have a symmetrical structure, a change in the electric field generated by the first optical layer 310 and the second optical layer 330 increases, and thus the orientation distribution (e.g., orientation difference) of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may increase. Therefore, the refractive index difference increases according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320, so that the 3D performance of the display device DD1 may be improved. This will be described in detail later.

[0057] The first optical layer 310 may be disposed on the polarizing layer 200. In an embodiment, the first optical layer 310 may be attached to the polarizing layer 200 by an adhesive layer such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA), a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), or the like.

[0058] In an embodiment, the first optical layer 310 may include a first substrate 311 , a first lens array 312 , a first electrode 313 , and a first planarization layer 314 .

[0059] The first substrate 311 may be a component for supporting the first lens array 312. In an embodiment, the first substrate 311 may be a transparent substrate. For example, in an embodiment, the first substrate 311 may be made of a transparent film such as polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the first substrate 311 may be a translucent substrate or an opaque substrate.

[0060] The first lens array 312 may be disposed on the first substrate 311. The first lens array 312 may include at least one first lens 3121 that refracts light incident from a plurality of pixels PX. For example, in an embodiment, the first lens array 312 may be implemented as a cylindrical lens array, a microlens array, or the like. In an embodiment, the pitch (e.g., horizontal width) of at least one first lens 3121 may correspond to three pixels PX. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto, and the number of pixels PX corresponding to the pitch of at least one first lens 3121 may vary.

[0061] In an embodiment, at least one first lens 3121 may be disposed such that a convex surface thereof faces the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, at least one first lens 3121 may be disposed such that a convex surface faces upward.

[0062] The first electrode 313 may be disposed on the first lens array 312 (e.g., directly disposed on the first lens array 312). For example, in an embodiment, the first electrode 313 may be disposed to cover the entire surface of the first lens array 312. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto, and the first electrode 313 may be patterned to correspond to at least one first lens 3121, respectively. In an embodiment, the first electrode 313 may be a transparent electrode. For example, the first electrode 313 may be made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0063] The first planarization layer 314 may be disposed on the first electrode 313 (e.g., directly above the first electrode 313). The first planarization layer 314 may planarize the upper surface of the first optical layer 310. In an embodiment, the first planarization layer 314 may be disposed adjacent to (e.g., directly adjacent to) the liquid crystal layer 320 (e.g., in the vertical direction). In an embodiment, the first planarization layer 314 may be made of the same resin as the first lens array 312 (e.g., composed of the same resin as the first lens array 312). For example, in an embodiment, the first planarization layer 314 and the first lens array 312 may be made of a light-curable resin such as an acrylate resin. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0064] As such, when viewed on a plane, the first optical layer 310 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a structure in which the first substrate 311 , the first lens array 312 , the first electrode 313 , and the first planarization layer 314 are sequentially stacked (eg, in a vertical direction).

[0065] The second optical layer 330 may be disposed on the liquid crystal layer 320. In an embodiment, the second optical layer 330 may include a second substrate 331, a second lens array 332, a second electrode 333, and a second planarization layer 334.

[0066] The second substrate 331 may be a component for supporting the second lens array 332. In an embodiment, the second substrate 331 may be a transparent substrate. For example, in an embodiment, the second substrate 331 may be made of a transparent film such as polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto. For example, in an embodiment, the second substrate 331 may be a translucent substrate or an opaque substrate.

[0067] The second lens array 332 may be disposed on the second substrate 331. The second lens array 332 may include at least one second lens 3321 that refracts light passing through the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, in an embodiment, the second lens array 332 may be implemented as a lenticular lens array, a micro lens array, or the like.

[0068] In an embodiment, at least one second lens 3321 may be arranged so that its convex surface faces the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, at least one second lens 3321 may be arranged so that the convex surface faces downward. Therefore, the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 may face the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121. In an embodiment, at least one second lens 3321 may be arranged symmetrically with at least one first lens 3121 relative to the liquid crystal layer 320.

[0069] In an embodiment, the distance between the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 (e.g., in the vertical direction) may be the shortest. The center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 may be defined in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320 (e.g., the upper surface of the liquid crystal layer 320). For example, when the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 face each other, the distance between the center of the at least one first lens 3121 and the center of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the shortest (e.g., in the vertical direction) compared to the distance between other parts of the at least one first lens 3121 relative to the at least one second lens 3321.

[0070] In an embodiment, the distance between an edge (e.g., a lateral edge) of at least one first lens 3121 and an edge (e.g., a lateral edge) of at least one second lens 3321 may be the longest (e.g., in the vertical direction). For example, when the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 face each other, the distance between the edge of the at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the longest compared to the distance between other portions of the at least one first lens 3121 relative to the at least one second lens 3321, wherein the edge of the at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of the at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0071] The second electrode 333 may be disposed on the second lens array 332 (e.g., directly disposed on the second lens array 332). For example, in an embodiment, the second electrode 333 may be disposed to cover the entire surface of the second lens array 332. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto, and the second electrode 333 may be patterned to correspond to at least one second lens 3321, respectively. In an embodiment, the second electrode 333 may be a transparent electrode. For example, in an embodiment, the second electrode 333 may be made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0072] In an embodiment, the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 (eg, in the vertical direction) may be shortest at a position where the center of the first lens 3121 and the center of the second lens 3321 overlap each other. Figure 5 When the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 face each other, a distance D1 between a first electrode 313 disposed at the center of the at least one first lens 3121 and a second electrode 333 disposed at the center of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the shortest distance compared to distances between other portions of the first electrode 313 and other portions of the second electrode 333.

[0073] In an embodiment, the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 may be longest at a position where the edge of the first lens 3121 and the edge of the second lens 3321 overlap each other (eg, in the vertical direction). Figure 5When the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 face each other, the distance D2 between the first electrode 313 disposed at the edge of the at least one first lens 3121 and the second electrode 333 disposed at the edge of the at least one second lens 3321 can be the longest distance compared to the distance between other parts of the first electrode 313 and other parts of the second electrode 333.

[0074] The second planarization layer 334 may be disposed on the second electrode 333 (e.g., directly below the second electrode 333). The second planarization layer 334 may planarize the lower surface of the second optical layer 330. In an embodiment, the second planarization layer 334 may be disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer 320 (e.g., directly adjacent to the liquid crystal layer 320) (e.g., in the vertical direction). In an embodiment, the second planarization layer 334 may be made of the same resin as the second lens array 332. For example, the second planarization layer 334 and the second lens array 332 may be made of a light-curable resin such as an acrylate resin. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0075] As such, when viewed on a plane, the second optical layer 330 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a structure in which a second planarization layer 334 , a second electrode 333 , a second lens array 332 , and a second substrate 331 are sequentially stacked (eg, in a vertical direction).

[0076] The liquid crystal layer 320 may be disposed on the first optical layer 310. In addition, the liquid crystal layer 320 may be disposed between the first optical layer 310 and the second optical layer 330 (e.g., in the vertical direction). The liquid crystal layer 320 may include liquid crystal molecules LC having an elongated structure. The liquid crystal molecules LC have a polarization property whose arrangement direction changes according to an electric field. For example, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC may be changed by an electric field formed by a voltage applied to the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. Hereinafter, for ease of description, it is assumed that the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC is determined based on the arrangement direction of the long portion of the liquid crystal molecules LC. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto, and the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC may be determined based on the arrangement direction of the short portion of the liquid crystal molecules LC.

[0077] In an embodiment, the phase change of light incident on the liquid crystal layer 320 may vary according to the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC. For example, when the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC and the polarization direction of the light correspond to each other, the phase change of the light may be relatively large. On the other hand, when the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC and the polarization direction of the light do not correspond to each other, the phase change of the light may be relatively small. In this way, a difference in the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 (for example, a difference in transmittance) occurs according to the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC, and therefore, the light incident on the liquid crystal layer 320 may exhibit different phase changes relative to its position. For example, as the difference in the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 becomes larger, the distribution of the phase change of the light becomes more diverse and extensive, thereby improving the 3D performance of the display device DD1.

[0078] Reference Figure 3 In the embodiment, in the 2D mode of the display device DD1, a voltage may not be applied to the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. For example, in the 2D mode of the display device DD1, an electric field may not be formed between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may not be changed. Figure 3 As shown in , in an embodiment, in the 2D mode of the display device DD1, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be maintained in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, in the 2D mode of the display device DD1, the orientation distribution of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be small.

[0079] Reference Figure 4 In the 2D mode of the display device DD1, the refractive index may not be different according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, in the 2D mode of the display device DD1, Figure 3 Between point X and point X' of the display device DD1 shown in FIG, the refractive index may be constant at n1 according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, since the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC in the 2D mode of the display device DD1 is constant in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320, there may be no difference in the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 between point X and point X'. Therefore, the liquid crystal layer 320 may function as a transmission layer, thereby allowing light emitted from the display layer 100 to be transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 320 as is in the 2D mode of the display device DD1.

[0080] Reference Figure 5, in the 3D mode of the display device DD1, a voltage may be applied to the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. Therefore, in the 3D mode of the display device DD1, an electric field may be formed between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be changed according to the electric field. For example, in the 3D mode of the display device DD1, the orientation distribution (e.g., orientation difference) of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be large.

[0081] In an embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer 320 (e.g., oriented in a vertical direction). The maximum intensity of the electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 320 may be at a position where the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 is the shortest. Therefore, the orientation change of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be the largest. For example, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be changed from a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320 to a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer 320 based on the voltage applied to the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333.

[0082] In an embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at the position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be oriented in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320. At the position where the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 is the longest, the intensity of the electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 320 may be the smallest. Therefore, the orientation change of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at the position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be the smallest. For example, in an embodiment, since the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at the position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other remains in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC may not change relative to when the display device DD1 is in the 2D mode.

[0083] exist Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the points indicated by circles represent positions where the refractive index is n1, and the points indicated by quadrilaterals represent positions where the refractive index is n2. Figure 6, in the 3D mode of the display device DD1, a refractive index difference according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320 may occur. For example, in the 3D mode of the display device DD1, at a position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be n1 at the maximum. This is because the polarization direction of light and the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC are consistent with each other, such as the horizontal direction. In addition, in the 3D mode of the display device DD1, at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be n2 at the minimum. This is because the polarization direction of light is the horizontal direction, but the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC is the vertical direction rather than the horizontal direction.

[0084] As such, in a structure in which the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 face each other (for example, in a vertical direction), a distance variation between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 may be increased. As a result, a difference in refractive index increases according to a position of the liquid crystal layer 320, so that the 3D performance of the display device DD1 may be improved.

[0085] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 2D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in a 3D mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 It is shown that according to Figure 8 A graph of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in the 3D mode.

[0086] In particular, Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a schematic cross-sectional view of a light modulation layer 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and description of portions overlapping with portions described above will be omitted or simplified.

[0087] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the display device DD2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display layer 100, a polarization layer 200, and a light modulation layer 300. The display device DD2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image using an electric field distribution control method.

[0088] In the display device DD2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first optical layer 310 and the second optical layer 330 may be symmetrical to each other with respect to the liquid crystal layer 320. Effects provided when the first optical layer 310 and the second optical layer 330 have a symmetrical structure may be the same as described above.

[0089] In an embodiment, at least one first lens 3121 may be disposed such that its convex surface does not face the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, at least one first lens 3121 may be disposed such that its convex surface faces downward and away from the liquid crystal layer 320.

[0090] In an embodiment, at least one second lens 3321 may be disposed such that its convex surface does not face the liquid crystal layer 320. For example, at least one second lens 3321 may be disposed such that its convex surface faces upward and away from the liquid crystal layer 320. Therefore, the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 may not face the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121, and may face away from the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121. In this way, at least one second lens 3321 may be disposed symmetrically with at least one first lens 3121 relative to the liquid crystal layer 320.

[0091] In an embodiment, the distance between the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 may be the longest compared to the distance between other portions of the at least one first lens 3121 relative to the at least one second lens 3321. For example, in an embodiment in which the convex surface of the at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of the at least one second lens 3321 do not face each other but are symmetrical to each other, the distance between the center of the at least one first lens 3121 and the center of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the longest.

[0092] In an embodiment, the distance between the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 may be the shortest compared to the distance between other portions of the at least one first lens 3121 relative to the at least one second lens 3321. For example, in an embodiment in which the convex surface of the at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of the at least one second lens 3321 do not face each other but are symmetrical to each other, the distance between the edge of the at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the shortest, wherein the edge of the at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of the at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0093] In an embodiment, the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 may be longest at a position where the center of the first lens 3121 and the center of the second lens 3321 overlap each other. Figure 8In an embodiment in which the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 do not face each other but are symmetrical to each other, a distance D3 between a first electrode 313 disposed at the center of the at least one first lens 3121 and a second electrode 333 disposed at the center of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the longest compared to a distance between other portions of the first electrode 313 and other portions of the second electrode 333.

[0094] In an embodiment, the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 may be shortest at a position where the edge of the first lens 3121 and the edge of the second lens 3321 overlap each other (eg, in a vertical direction). Figure 8 In an embodiment in which the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 do not face each other, a distance D4 between a first electrode 313 disposed at an edge of the at least one first lens 3121 and a second electrode 333 disposed at an edge of the at least one second lens 3321 may be the shortest compared to a distance between other portions of the first electrode 313 and other portions of the second electrode 333.

[0095] In an embodiment, the first planarization layer 314 may planarize a lower surface of the first optical layer 310. In an embodiment, the first substrate 311 may be disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer 320 (eg, in a vertical direction).

[0096] In an embodiment, the second planarization layer 334 may planarize an upper surface of the second optical layer 330. In an embodiment, the second substrate 331 may be disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer 320 (eg, in a vertical direction).

[0097] Thus, when viewed on a plane, the first optical layer 310 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a structure in which the first planarization layer 314, the first electrode 313, the first lens array 312, and the first substrate 311 are sequentially stacked (e.g., in a vertical direction). In addition, when viewed on a plane, the second optical layer 330 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a structure in which the second substrate 331, the second lens array 332, the second electrode 333, and the second planarization layer 334 are sequentially stacked (e.g., in a vertical direction).

[0098] Reference Figure 7In the 2D mode of the display device DD2, no voltage is applied to the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333, so an electric field may not be formed between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may not change. For example, in an embodiment, in the 2D mode of the display device DD2, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 remains in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320, so the orientation distribution (e.g., orientation difference) of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be small. Figure 4 Similarly, in the 2D mode of the display device DD2 , there may be no difference in the refractive index according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320 .

[0099] Reference Figure 8 In the 3D mode of the display device DD2, a voltage is applied to the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333, so an electric field can be formed between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 can be changed according to the electric field. For example, in the 3D mode of the display device DD2, the orientation distribution (e.g., orientation difference) of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer 320 can be large.

[0100] In an embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be aligned in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320. At a position where the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 is the longest, the intensity of the electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 320 may be the smallest. Therefore, the orientation change of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be the smallest. For example, in an embodiment, since the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the center of the first lens 3121 and the center of the second lens 3321 overlap each other remains in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC may not be changed.

[0101] In an embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer 320. At a position where the distance between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 is shortest, the intensity of the electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 320 may be the largest. Therefore, the orientation change of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other may be the largest. For example, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC positioned at a position where the edge of the first lens 3121 and the edge of the second lens 3321 overlap each other may be changed from a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 320 to a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer 320 (e.g., a vertical direction).

[0102] exist Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the points indicated by circles represent positions where the refractive index is n1, and the points indicated by quadrilaterals represent positions where the refractive index is n2. Fig. 9 , in the 3D mode of the display device DD2, a refractive index difference according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320 may occur. For example, in the 3D mode of the display device DD2, at a position where the center of at least one first lens 3121 and the center of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be n1 at the maximum. This is because the polarization direction of light and the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC are consistent with each other, such as the horizontal direction. In addition, in the 3D mode of the display device DD2, at a position where the edge of at least one first lens 3121 and the edge of at least one second lens 3321 overlap each other, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 320 may be n2 at the minimum. This is because the polarization direction of light is the horizontal direction, but the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC is the vertical direction rather than the horizontal direction.

[0103] As such, in a structure in which the convex surface of at least one first lens 3121 and the convex surface of at least one second lens 3321 do not face each other, the distance variation between the first electrode 313 and the second electrode 333 may be increased. As a result, the difference in refractive index increases according to the position of the liquid crystal layer 320, so that the 3D performance of the display device DD2 may be improved.

[0104] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the 3D performance of a display device to which an electric field distribution control method is applied in a liquid crystal lens method.

[0105] Although the present disclosure has been specifically described according to the above embodiments, it should be noted that the above embodiments are used to illustrate the present disclosure rather than to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure.

[0106] Therefore, the technical protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments. In addition, all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure. The described embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A display layer generates light, wherein the display layer includes a plurality of pixels; a polarizing layer for polarizing the light generated by the display layer; A first optical layer, disposed on the polarization layer, wherein the first optical layer comprises a first lens array and a first electrode on the first lens array; a liquid crystal layer, disposed on the first optical layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules; and A second optical layer is disposed on the liquid crystal layer, wherein the second optical layer comprises a second lens array and a second electrode disposed on the second lens array, The first optical layer and the second optical layer are symmetrical to each other relative to the liquid crystal layer.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first optical layer further comprises: a first substrate, supporting the first lens array; and The first planarization layer is disposed on the first electrode, and the first planarization layer planarizes the surface of the first optical layer.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The second optical layer further comprises: a second substrate, supporting the second lens array; and The second planarization layer is disposed on the second electrode, and the second planarization layer planarizes the surface of the second optical layer.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The first lens array includes at least one first lens including a convex surface, wherein the at least one first lens is arranged such that the convex surface of the at least one first lens faces the liquid crystal layer.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The second lens array comprises at least one second lens, the at least one second lens comprising a convex surface, wherein the at least one second lens is arranged such that the convex surface of the at least one second lens faces the convex surface of the at least one first lens.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The first planarization layer and the second planarization layer are adjacent to the liquid crystal layer.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: A distance between a center of the at least one first lens and a center of the at least one second lens is a shortest distance compared to distances from all other parts of the at least one first lens to the at least one second lens; and A distance between an edge of the at least one first lens and an edge of the at least one second lens is a longest distance compared to distances from all other parts of the at least one first lens to the at least one second lens, wherein the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: When a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, The liquid crystal molecules overlapping the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer, and Liquid crystal molecules overlapping the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens are aligned in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein: A minimum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is at a first portion where the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens overlap each other; and The maximum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is at a second portion where the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other.

10. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The first lens array includes at least one first lens, the at least one first lens includes a convex surface, wherein the at least one first lens is arranged such that the convex surface of the at least one first lens faces away from the liquid crystal layer.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The second lens array comprises at least one second lens, the at least one second lens comprising a convex surface, wherein the at least one second lens is arranged such that the convex surface of the at least one second lens faces away from the convex surface of the at least one first lens.

12. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The first substrate and the second substrate are adjacent to the liquid crystal layer.

13. The display device according to claim 11, wherein: The distance between the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens is the longest distance compared to the distances from all other parts of the at least one first lens to the at least one second lens; and A distance between an edge of the at least one first lens and an edge of the at least one second lens is a shortest distance compared to the distances from all other parts of the at least one first lens to the at least one second lens, wherein the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: When a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, The liquid crystal molecules overlapping the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens are aligned in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer, and Liquid crystal molecules overlapping the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein: The maximum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is at a first portion where the center of the at least one first lens and the center of the at least one second lens overlap each other; and The minimum refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is at a second portion where the edge of the at least one first lens and the edge of the at least one second lens overlap each other.

16. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The first planarization layer is made of the same resin as the first lens array; and The second planarizing layer is made of the same resin as that of the second lens array.

17. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the first substrate and the second substrate is a transparent substrate.

18. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first electrode and the second electrode is a transparent electrode.

19. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: When no voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the display device operates in a 2D mode in which the display device displays a 2D image.

20. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: When a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, the display device operates in a 3D mode in which the display device displays a 3D image.

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