Display module and display device

Abstract

The application relates to a display module and a display device. The display module comprises a backlight structure, a light adjusting structure and a display panel. The light adjusting structure comprises a light control panel and a first polaroid. The light control panel comprises a light shielding layer and a liquid crystal layer. The light shielding layer comprises a first sub-light shielding layer and a second sub-light shielding layer on both sides of the liquid crystal layer and forms a light shielding area and a light transmitting area. The liquid crystal layer comprises a first liquid crystal part in the light shielding area and a second liquid crystal part in the light transmitting area. In a first privacy state and a sharing state, at least part of the light incident to the second liquid crystal part is transmitted from the light transmitting area. In the first privacy state, at least part of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part is shielded by the light shielding area. In the sharing state, at least part of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part is deflected by the first liquid crystal part to be transmitted from the light transmitting area. The light transmitted through the first liquid crystal part has a larger light emitting angle than the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal part. The application realizes a dynamic privacy effect through a simple structure and a lower cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to a display module and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] With the trend of multi-screen installations in vehicles, when a display screen is added to the passenger seat, it is usually required that the display screen has an anti-peeping function to avoid affecting the driver's attention and to ensure driving safety.

[0003] Currently, automotive privacy technology is primarily based on the design of LCD dimming boxes, achieving dynamic privacy through backlight control and other methods. In automotive privacy technology, the dual light guide plate (LGP) backlight control solution is already in mass production. Panel manufacturers mainly develop solutions based on the LCD dimming box design, for example, by stacking multiple LCD dimming boxes to improve privacy, or by stacking privacy films on LCD boxes. However, these privacy solutions result in overly complex display device structures or excessively high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a display module and display device. By combining a light-shielding layer with a liquid crystal layer, which has a simple structure and low cost, the dimming structure can dynamically switch between a first privacy state and a shared state, thereby achieving a dynamic privacy effect through a simple structure and low cost.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to a first aspect of this application, a display module is provided, including a backlight structure, a dimming structure located on the light-emitting side of the backlight structure, and a display panel. The dimming structure includes a light control panel and a first polarizer. The first polarizer is located between the backlight structure and the light control panel and is configured to convert the light emitted by the backlight structure into first polarized light.

[0006] The light control panel includes:

[0007] A light-shielding layer includes a first sub-light-shielding layer and a second sub-light-shielding layer disposed opposite to each other, the second sub-light-shielding layer being located on the side of the first sub-light-shielding layer opposite to the first polarizer; the first sub-light-shielding layer includes a plurality of first light-shielding units disposed sequentially at intervals, and the second sub-light-shielding layer includes second light-shielding units disposed one-to-one with the plurality of first light-shielding units; and

[0008] The liquid crystal layer includes a first liquid crystal portion and a second liquid crystal portion, wherein the first liquid crystal portion is located between each pair of oppositely arranged first light-shielding units and second light-shielding units, and the second liquid crystal portion is located between any two adjacent first liquid crystal portions.

[0009] The dimming structure includes a first privacy state and a shared state. In the first privacy state and the shared state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal unit passes through between two adjacent second light-shielding units. In the first privacy state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit is shielded by the second light-shielding units. In the shared state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit is deflected by the first liquid crystal unit so that it passes through between two adjacent second light-shielding units, and the light emission angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal unit is greater than the light emission angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal unit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the light control panel further includes a driving electrode layer, the driving electrode layer including a first driving electrode located on the side of the first light-shielding unit and / or the second light-shielding unit near the first liquid crystal portion; the first driving electrode is configured to drive the first liquid crystal portion to switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state.

[0011] In the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit and the second liquid crystal unit are in the first dimming mode; in the shared mode, the first liquid crystal unit is in the second dimming mode, and the second liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming mode.

[0012] In the first dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit, and in the second dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit and the second light-shielding unit are made of conductive materials, and the display module further includes a driving circuit. The first light-shielding unit and / or the second light-shielding unit are electrically connected to the driving circuit, and the first light-shielding unit and / or the second light-shielding unit are configured to drive the first liquid crystal unit to switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state.

[0014] In the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit and the second liquid crystal unit are in the first dimming mode; in the shared mode, the first liquid crystal unit is in the second dimming mode, and the second liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming mode.

[0015] In the first dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit, and in the second dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit.

[0016] In some embodiments, the dimming structure further includes a second polarizer located on the side of the light control panel opposite to the first polarizer, and the light transmission axes of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are parallel to each other;

[0017] When the first liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal unit do not deflect; when the first liquid crystal unit is in the second dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal unit deflect to scatter at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit.

[0018] In some embodiments, the light control panel further includes a driving electrode layer, the driving electrode layer including a second driving electrode located on at least one side of the second liquid crystal portion; the second driving electrode is configured to drive the second liquid crystal portion to switch between a first dimming state and a third dimming state;

[0019] The dimming structure further includes a second privacy state, in which the first liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming state and the second liquid crystal unit is in the third dimming state; the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit in the second privacy state is less than the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit in the first privacy state.

[0020] In some embodiments, the dimming structure further includes a second polarizer located on the side of the light control panel opposite to the first polarizer, and the light transmission axes of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are parallel to each other;

[0021] When the second liquid crystal section is in the first dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal section do not deflect;

[0022] When the second liquid crystal section is in the third dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal section are deflected, and the second liquid crystal section converts at least part of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal section and deviating from the positive viewing angle direction into second polarized light. The main polarization direction of the second polarized light is parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer.

[0023] In some embodiments, when the second liquid crystal unit is in the third dimming state, the second liquid crystal unit has a phase retardation of λ / 2 in the 45° viewing angle direction, where λ represents the wavelength of visible light.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit includes a first bottom surface near the first polarizer and a first side surface connected to the first bottom surface, wherein the angle between the first bottom surface and the first side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

[0025] The second light-shielding unit includes a second bottom surface facing away from the first polarizer and a second side surface connected to the second bottom surface, wherein the included angle between the second bottom surface and the second side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

[0026] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit includes a first bottom edge located on the second bottom surface and a first side edge and a second side edge located on the second side surface and disposed opposite to each other.

[0027] There is a first included angle between the first side and the first bottom edge, and there is a second included angle between the second side and the first bottom edge; the first included angle is greater than or equal to the second included angle.

[0028] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the shape of the cross section of the second light-shielding unit includes a non-isosceles trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid.

[0029] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the shape of the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit includes an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle.

[0030] In some embodiments, the spacing between the first bottom edges of any two adjacent second light-shielding units remains consistent.

[0031] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the cross-section of any one of the first light-shielding units is the same size as the cross-section of the corresponding second light-shielding unit and is arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

[0032] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the side of the second light-shielding unit near the liquid crystal layer completely overlaps with the side of the first light-shielding unit near the liquid crystal layer.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit and the second light-shielding unit are made of the same material and include a black color resist material.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first sub-shielding layer further includes a first light-transmitting unit located between any two adjacent first shielding units, and the second sub-shielding layer further includes a second light-transmitting unit located between any two adjacent second shielding units.

[0035] The second driving electrode is located on the side of the first light-transmitting unit and / or the second light-transmitting unit near the second liquid crystal portion.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit and the first light-transmitting unit are disposed flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer, and the second light-shielding unit and the second light-transmitting unit are disposed flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer;

[0037] The first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are spaced apart, and the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are made of the same material and have the same thickness.

[0038] In some embodiments, the materials of the first light-transmitting unit and the second light-transmitting unit include organic planar materials.

[0039] In some embodiments, the light control panel further includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, the first substrate being located between the first sub-shielding layer and the first polarizer, and the second substrate being located on the side of the second sub-shielding layer away from the liquid crystal layer.

[0040] According to a second aspect of this application, a display device is provided, comprising a third polarizer and the display module described above; the dimming structure is located between the backlight structure and the display panel, and the third polarizer is located on the side of the display panel opposite to the dimming structure.

[0041] In the display module and display device of this application embodiment, the light control panel of the dimming structure includes a liquid crystal layer and a light-shielding layer with a grating structure disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal layer. The areas where the first light-shielding unit and the second light-shielding unit are located constitute the light-shielding area of ​​the light-shielding layer, and the areas between the first light-shielding unit or between the second units constitute the light-transmitting area of ​​the light-shielding layer, such that the liquid crystal layer includes a first liquid crystal portion corresponding to the light-shielding area of ​​the light-shielding layer and a second liquid crystal portion corresponding to the light-transmitting area of ​​the light-shielding layer; and the dimming structure has a first privacy state and a shared state. When the dimming structure is in the first privacy state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal portion is shielded by the second light-shielding unit, thereby reducing the light emission angle and thus achieving the privacy effect; when the dimming structure is in the shared state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal portion is deflected by the first liquid crystal portion to pass through between two adjacent second light-shielding units, and the light emission angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal portion is greater than the light emission angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal portion, thereby increasing the light emission angle and thus achieving the shared state. Therefore, by combining the light-shielding layer and the liquid crystal layer, the dimming structure can dynamically switch between the first privacy state and the shared state, thereby achieving a dynamic privacy effect. Since the light-shielding layer in the dimming structure of this application has a simple structure and low cost, compared with improving the privacy effect by stacking multiple liquid crystal dimming cells or by stacking privacy films on liquid crystal cells, the solution of this application makes the dimming layer structure simpler and less expensive, which is beneficial for simplifying the structure of display devices with privacy functions and reducing costs.

[0042] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0043] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0044] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the following description denote the same parts.

[0045] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of a dimming structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-controlling panel in a first privacy mode, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a light-controlling panel in a shared state, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a light-controlling panel in a second privacy state, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another light-controlling panel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional structural diagram of another light-controlling panel provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in polarization direction of the first polarized light passing through the first liquid crystal unit at a positive viewing angle, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0052] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the change in polarization direction of the first polarized light passing through the first liquid crystal unit at a 45° viewing angle, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another light-controlling panel provided in the embodiments of this application in the first privacy state;

[0054] Figure 10 This is an exploded structural diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0056] 1. Dimming structure; 2. Light control panel; 2a. Light-incident side; 3. First polarizer; 4. Second polarizer; 5. Light-shielding layer; 51. First sub-light-shielding layer; 51a. First light-shielding unit; 51b. First light-transmitting unit; 52. Second sub-light-shielding layer; 52a. Second light-shielding unit; 52b. Second light-transmitting unit; 6. Liquid crystal layer; 6a. First liquid crystal section; 6b. Second liquid crystal section; 61. Liquid crystal molecule; 7. Driving electrode layer; 7a. First driving electrode; 7b. 8. Second driving electrode; 9. First bottom surface; 10. Second bottom edge; 11. First side surface; 12. Third side surface; 13. Fourth side surface; 14. Second bottom surface; 15. Second bottom surface; 16. Display module; 17. Backlight structure; 18. Display panel; 19. Third polarizer; 20. Display device. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0058] like Figure 10 As shown, this application embodiment provides a display module 16. The display module 16 includes a backlight structure 17, a dimming structure 1 located on the light-emitting side of the backlight structure 17, and a display panel 18.

[0059] In some embodiments, the dimming structure 1 is located between the backlight structure 17 and the display panel 18, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the dimming structure 1 includes a light control panel 2 and a first polarizer 3 located on the light incident side 2a of the light control panel 2. That is, the first polarizer 3 is located between the backlight structure 17 and the light control panel 2, and the first polarizer 3 is configured to convert the light emitted by the backlight structure 17 into first polarized light.

[0061] Specifically, the light control panel 2 includes a light-shielding layer 5 and a liquid crystal layer 6. The light-shielding layer 5 includes a first sub-light-shielding layer 51 and a second sub-light-shielding layer 52 disposed opposite to each other. The first sub-light-shielding layer 51 includes a plurality of first light-shielding units 51a arranged sequentially at intervals near the first polarizer 3 and a first light-transmitting unit 51b located between any two adjacent first light-shielding units 51a. The second sub-light-shielding layer 52 includes a plurality of second light-shielding units 52a arranged one-to-one with the plurality of first light-shielding units 51a and a plurality of second light-transmitting units 52b arranged one-to-one with the plurality of first light-transmitting units 51b. The liquid crystal layer 6 includes a first liquid crystal portion 6a and a second liquid crystal portion 6b. The first liquid crystal portion 6a is located between each pair of oppositely disposed first light-shielding units 51a and second light-shielding units 52a, and the second liquid crystal portion 6b is located between each pair of oppositely disposed first light-transmitting units 51b and second light-transmitting units 52b. That is, the second liquid crystal portion 6b is located between any two adjacent first liquid crystal portions 6a.

[0062] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the dimming structure 1 includes a first privacy state and a shared state. In both the first privacy state and the shared state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal unit 6b passes through between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a (i.e., the second light-transmitting unit 52b). In the first privacy state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a is shielded by the second light-shielding unit 52a. In the shared state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a is deflected by the first liquid crystal unit 6a to pass through between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a, and the light emission angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a is greater than the light emission angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal unit 6b.

[0063] Understandably, the area where the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are located is the light-shielding area, and the area where the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b are located is the light-transmitting area; the first liquid crystal unit 6a is set corresponding to the light-shielding area, and the second liquid crystal unit 6b is set corresponding to the light-transmitting area.

[0064] In this embodiment, when the dimming structure 1 is in the first privacy state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 6a is shielded by the second light-shielding unit 52a, thereby reducing the light emission angle and achieving a privacy effect. When the dimming structure 1 is in the sharing state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 6a is deflected by the first liquid crystal layer 6a to pass through between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a, and the light emission angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal layer 6a is greater than the light emission angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal layer 6b, thereby increasing the light emission angle and achieving the sharing state. Therefore, through the combination of the light-shielding layer 5 and the liquid crystal layer 6, the dimming structure 1 can dynamically switch between the first privacy state and the sharing state, thereby achieving a dynamic privacy effect.

[0065] In some embodiments, the light control panel 2 further includes a driving electrode layer 7, which includes a first driving electrode 7a located on the side of the first light-shielding unit 51a and / or the second light-shielding unit 52a near the first liquid crystal section 6a, and the first driving electrode 7a is configured to drive the first liquid crystal section 6a to switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, in the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b are in the first dimming mode; as Figure 3 As shown, in the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the second dimming state, and the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the first dimming state. In the first dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a, while in the second dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a.

[0067] Understandably, light-shielding layers 5 with grating structures are provided on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 6 of the dimming structure 1, and driving electrode layers 7 are regionally arranged on the light-shielding layers 5. The dimming state of the first liquid crystal section 6a located between the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a is controlled by the first driving electrode 7a, so that the first liquid crystal section 6a can switch between the first dimming state and the second dimming state. When the dimming structure 1 is in the first privacy state, the first driving electrode 7a drives the first liquid crystal section 6a to be in the first dimming state. Some of the first polarized light in the oblique viewing angle direction can pass through the first liquid crystal section 6a in the first dimming state, and this part of the polarized light is shielded by the first light-shielding unit 51a, thereby reducing the light emission angle and thus achieving the privacy effect. When the dimming structure 1 is in the shared state, the first driving electrode 7a drives the first liquid crystal section 6a to be in the second dimming state, so that the first liquid crystal section 6a in the second dimming state can deflect the first polarized light that would originally be shielded by the first light-shielding unit 51a to pass through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b, thereby increasing the light emission angle and thus achieving the shared state. Therefore, by combining the light-shielding layer 5 and the driving electrode layer 7, the dimming structure 1 can dynamically switch between the first privacy state and the sharing state, thereby achieving a dynamic privacy effect.

[0068] Since the structure of the light-shielding layer 5 in the dimming structure 1 of this application is simple and the cost is low, compared with improving the privacy effect by stacking multiple liquid crystal dimming boxes or by stacking a privacy film on a liquid crystal box, the combination of the light-shielding layer 5 and the driving electrode layer 7 in this application makes the structure of the dimming layer simpler and the cost lower. This is beneficial to simplifying the structure of the display device 20 with privacy function and reducing costs.

[0069] It should be noted that the identical dimming state of the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b described above is a more easily implemented specific embodiment. In other embodiments, in the first privacy state, the dimming states of the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b can have slight differences without affecting the privacy effect. That is to say, a privacy effect can still be achieved even when there are slight differences in the dimming states of the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b.

[0070] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the dimming structure 1 also includes a second polarizer 4 located on the side of the light control panel 2 opposite to the first polarizer 3. Combined with... Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in both the first privacy mode and the shared mode, the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the first dimming mode. First polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, within a preset viewing angle range α, passes sequentially through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b, the second light-transmitting unit 52b, and the second polarizer 4. In the first privacy mode, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the first dimming mode, and first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, within the first privacy viewing angle range β, is blocked by the second light-blocking unit 52a. In the shared mode, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the second dimming mode, and first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, within the first privacy viewing angle range β, is deflected by the first liquid crystal unit 6a and passes sequentially through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b and the second polarizer 4. The first privacy viewing angle range β does not coincide with the preset viewing angle range α, and any viewing angle within the first privacy viewing angle range β is larger than any viewing angle within the preset viewing angle range α.

[0071] Understandably, in the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b are in the first dimming mode. At this time, the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b do not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b. The first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within a preset viewing angle range α, can pass through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b and through the corresponding second light-transmitting unit 52b and the second polarizer 4. Meanwhile, the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within the first privacy viewing angle range β, is towards the adjacent first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second light-shielding unit 52a. This portion of polarized light is absorbed or reflected by the first light-shielding unit 51a after passing through the adjacent first liquid crystal unit 6a. Therefore, in the first privacy mode, the double-layer grating structure formed by the first sub-light-shielding layer 51 and the second sub-light-shielding layer 52 reduces the emission angle of the first polarized light, ensuring that only the first polarized light located within the preset viewing angle range α can pass through the second light-transmitting unit 52b and the second polarizer, thereby achieving the privacy effect.

[0072] Specifically, in the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is driven to the second dimming state by the first driving electrode 7a. At this time, the second liquid crystal unit 6b remains in the first dimming state. The first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within the preset viewing angle range α, can still pass through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b, the second light-transmitting unit 52b, and the second polarizer in sequence. However, the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within the first privacy viewing angle range β, changes when passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a. This portion of the polarized light can pass through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b and at least partially pass through the second polarizer 4. Therefore, in the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a in the second dimming state deflects the light emission angle of the first polarized light located within the first privacy viewing angle range β to the wide viewing angle direction, allowing this portion of the polarized light to pass through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b, thereby achieving a shared effect of wide-angle light emission.

[0073] Understandably, the preset viewing angle range α refers to the range of the emission angle of light transmitted through the second liquid crystal section 6b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b in the first dimming state, and the emission angle of light can be defined as the angle between the emission direction of light and the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1. Therefore, the preset viewing angle range α is determined by the width of the second light-transmitting unit 52b (i.e., the distance between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a) and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 6 and the light-shielding layer 5. The size of the preset viewing angle range α can be adjusted by adjusting the shape, size, and thickness of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b in the light-shielding layer 5, as well as the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 6, as needed.

[0074] In some embodiments, the preset viewing angle range α is the viewing angle when the contrast ratio (CR) of the display module 16 is greater than 10, but it is not limited thereto.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first privacy viewing angle range β is greater than or equal to 45° and less than 90°, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] In some embodiments, the transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 are parallel to each other. That is, the absorption axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 are parallel to each other. It can be understood that the light that can pass through the second polarizer has the same polarization direction as the first polarized light.

[0077] Of course, in other embodiments, the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 can also be perpendicular to each other. This application embodiment only uses the example of the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 being parallel to each other for specific explanation. The driving method of the liquid crystal layer 6 in the first privacy state, the sharing state and the second privacy state described below is also based on the fact that the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 are parallel to each other.

[0078] In some embodiments, when the first driving electrode 7a does not apply an electric field to the first liquid crystal portion 6a, the first liquid crystal portion 6a is in a first dimming state, in which case the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal portion 6a do not deflect. When the first driving electrode 7a applies an electric field to the first liquid crystal portion 6a, the first liquid crystal portion 6a is in a second dimming state, in which case the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal portion 6a deflect to scatter the first polarized light within the first privacy viewing angle range β.

[0079] Understandably, in the first dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules do not deflect; for example, the alignment angle of the liquid crystal molecules is 0°, resulting in a horizontal distribution of the liquid crystal molecules, and the liquid crystal is in a high-transmittance state. In the second dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules deflect; for example, the alignment angle of the liquid crystal molecules is greater than 0°, causing the liquid crystal molecules to scatter light. Therefore, in the first privacy state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a does not scatter light, so the first polarized light within the first privacy viewing angle range β is absorbed or reflected by the first light-shielding unit 51a when passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a, reducing the light emission angle and achieving a privacy effect. In the sharing state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a scatters light, and the first polarized light within the first privacy viewing angle range β is scattered to a large angle when passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a, achieving a sharing effect. Therefore, by changing the voltage on the first driving electrode 7a, the switching between the first privacy state and the sharing state can be achieved, thereby realizing a dynamic privacy effect.

[0080] In one specific embodiment, the first driving electrode 7a is located on the side of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a close to the first liquid crystal section 6a, so that the first liquid crystal section 6a is sandwiched between the two opposing first driving electrodes 7a. The first liquid crystal section 6a is driven to switch between the first dimming state and the second dimming state by the two opposing first driving electrodes 7a, which helps to improve the driving accuracy and avoid the electric field generated by the driving of the first driving electrode 7a from affecting other areas.

[0081] In some embodiments, each first driving electrode 7a can be independently controlled to achieve independent control of the dimming state of each first liquid crystal portion 6a, thereby achieving a unilateral privacy protection effect or a unilateral sharing effect. For example, in the sharing state, voltage can be provided only to multiple first driving electrodes 7a located on the same side, causing the liquid crystal molecules of the corresponding portion of the first liquid crystal portion 6a to deflect and have a light scattering effect, while the liquid crystal molecules of the other portion of the first liquid crystal portion 6a do not deflect and do not have a light scattering effect, thereby achieving a unilateral privacy protection effect or a unilateral sharing effect.

[0082] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, the driving electrode layer 7 also includes a second driving electrode 7b located on the side of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and / or the second light-transmitting unit 52b near the second liquid crystal section 6b; the second driving electrode 7b is configured to drive the second liquid crystal section 6b to switch between a first dimming state and a third dimming state.

[0083] Understandably, the second driving electrode 7b is located on at least one side of the second liquid crystal portion 6b.

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown, the dimming structure 1 also includes a second privacy state. In the second privacy state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the first dimming state, and the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the third dimming state. In the second privacy state, the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit 6b is less than the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit 6b in the first privacy state.

[0085] For example, in the second privacy protection state, the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, which is located within the second privacy protection viewing angle range γ, is transmitted sequentially through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b and is at least partially absorbed by the second polarizer 4; the second privacy protection viewing angle range γ is located within the preset viewing angle range α and deviates from the positive viewing angle direction.

[0086] Specifically, in the second privacy mode, the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the third dimming mode, and the main deflection direction of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal unit 6b within the second privacy viewing angle range γ can be changed to be parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer 4, so that at least part of the light emitted within the second privacy viewing angle range γ is absorbed by the second polarizer 4, thereby further reducing the light emission angle and further reducing the viewing angle range, thereby achieving a better privacy effect.

[0087] Understandably, in the second privacy mode, since the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the first dimming mode, the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a will still be blocked by the second light-shielding unit 52a, thereby achieving the privacy effect.

[0088] It should be noted that when the incident angle of polarized light is parallel to the direction of the major or minor axis of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization direction of the polarized light remains unchanged after passing through the liquid crystal layer; when the incident angle of polarized light is not parallel to the direction of the major or minor axis of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization direction of the polarized light obtained after the polarization light passes through the liquid crystal layer can be decomposed into two mutually perpendicular components, and the direction of the larger of the two components is the main polarization direction.

[0089] In some embodiments, when the second driving electrode 7b does not apply an electric field to the second liquid crystal portion 6b, the second liquid crystal portion 6b is in a first dimming state, and the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal portion 6b do not deflect. When the second driving electrode 7b applies an electric field to the second liquid crystal portion 6b, the second liquid crystal portion 6b is in a third dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal portion 6b deflect, and the second liquid crystal portion 6b converts the first polarized light located within the second privacy viewing angle range γ into second polarized light, and the main polarization direction of the second polarized light is parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer 4.

[0090] Understandably, the first polarized light located within the second privacy viewing angle range γ is light that is at least partially incident off the positive viewing angle direction.

[0091] Therefore, by changing the voltage on the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, the dimming state of the first liquid crystal section 6a and the second liquid crystal section 6b can be adjusted, thereby realizing the switching between the first privacy state, the second privacy state and the sharing state, thus achieving a dynamic privacy effect.

[0092] Understandable, such as Figure 7 As shown, for the first polarized light in the positive viewing angle direction, the polarization direction of the first polarized light is the same as the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule 61 in the positive viewing angle direction, and there is no angle between them. Therefore, this part of the first polarized light remains polarized after passing through the second liquid crystal section 6b, and can pass through the second polarizer 4 to achieve light output in the positive viewing angle. Figure 8 As shown, for the first polarized light in the side viewing direction, there is an angle between the polarization direction of the first polarized light and the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule 61 in the side viewing direction. Therefore, the polarization direction of this part of the first polarized light is twisted after passing through the second liquid crystal part 6b, and the main deflection direction is parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer 4, resulting in at least most of the light in the side viewing direction being absorbed by the second polarizer 4, thereby achieving the privacy protection effect.

[0093] In one specific embodiment, when the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the third dimming state, the second liquid crystal unit 6b has a phase retardation of λ / 2 in the 45° viewing angle direction, where λ represents the wavelength of visible light. That is, the second privacy viewing angle range γ includes a 45° viewing angle.

[0094] Understandably, by adjusting the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 6 and the voltage on the second driving electrode 7b, the tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal section 6b is changed, so that the phase retardation of the second liquid crystal section 6b in the 45° viewing angle direction is λ / 2, achieving the effect of a half-wave plate. Therefore, as... Figure 8As shown, for the first polarized light with a 45° viewing angle, the angle between its polarization direction and the long axis of the liquid crystal molecule is 45°. At this time, the first polarized light with a 45° viewing angle is transformed into the second polarized light after being twisted by 90° by the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal part 6b and absorbed by the second polarizer 4, so that this part of the light cannot pass through the dimming structure 1, thereby achieving the 45° privacy protection effect.

[0095] In some embodiments, in the first privacy mode, the dimming structure 1 can reduce the brightness percentage at a 45° privacy viewing angle to 2%, and in the second privacy mode, the dimming structure 1 can reduce the brightness percentage at a 45° privacy viewing angle to approximately 1%, thereby achieving a better privacy effect. It should be noted that the brightness percentage at a 45° privacy viewing angle refers to the percentage of brightness at a 45° oblique viewing angle to brightness at a normal viewing angle.

[0096] Of course, the privacy viewing angle of this application embodiment is not limited to 45°. The privacy viewing angle may deviate to some extent from 45°. For example, privacy viewing angles of 44.5° to 45.5° are all within the protection scope of this application embodiment.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, which are designed in a modular manner, independently control the deflection angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the light-shielding area and the light-transmitting area to achieve the switching between the first privacy state, the second privacy state and the sharing state, thereby reducing light leakage and improving the display effect.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a includes a first bottom surface 8 near the first polarizer 3 and a first side surface 9 adjacent to and connected to the first light-transmitting unit 51b, wherein the angle between the first bottom surface 8 and the first side surface 9 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. Correspondingly, the second light-shielding unit 52a includes a second bottom surface 10 on the side opposite to the first polarizer 3 and a second side surface 11 adjacent to and connected to the second bottom surface 10, wherein the angle between the second bottom surface 10 and the second side surface 11 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

[0099] Understandably, the angle between the first bottom surface 8 and the first side surface 9 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°, so that the angle between the side of the first light-transmitting unit 51b near the first light-shielding unit 51a and the side near the first polarizer 3 is greater than or equal to 90°; the angle between the second bottom surface 10 and the second side surface 11 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°, so that the angle between the side of the second light-transmitting unit 52b near the second light-shielding unit 52a and the side near the second polarizer 4 is greater than or equal to 90°.

[0100] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a includes a first bottom edge 10a located on the second bottom surface 10 and a first side edge 11a and a second side edge 11b located on the second side surface 11 and disposed opposite to each other. A first angle θ1 is formed between the first side edge 11a and the first bottom edge 10a, and a second angle θ2 is formed between the second side edge 11b and the first bottom edge 10a, wherein the first angle θ1 is greater than or equal to the second angle θ2.

[0101] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of any first light-shielding unit 51a is the same size as the cross-section of the corresponding second light-shielding unit 52a and is arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

[0102] For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of the first light-shielding unit 51a includes a second bottom edge 8a located on the first bottom surface 8 and a third side edge 9a and a fourth side edge 9b located on the first side surface 9 and arranged opposite to each other. The third side edge 9a and the second bottom edge 8a have a first included angle θ1, and the fourth side edge 9b and the second bottom edge 8a have a second included angle θ2. The first side edge 11a and the third side edge 9a are centrally symmetrically arranged, and the second side edge 11b and the fourth side edge 9b are also centrally symmetrically arranged.

[0103] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the side of the second light-shielding unit 52a near the liquid crystal layer 6 is completely overlapped with the side of the first light-shielding unit 51a near the liquid crystal layer 6.

[0104] For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a further includes a third bottom edge 12 disposed opposite to the first bottom edge 10a, and the cross-section of the first light-shielding unit 51a further includes a fourth bottom edge 13 disposed opposite to the second bottom edge 8a. The third bottom edge 12 and the fourth bottom edge 13 are arranged to coincide in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1. The lines connecting the vertices of the two diagonally opposite directions of the third bottom edge 12 and the fourth bottom edge 13 intersect each other, and the position of the intersection point is the central symmetry point O of the oppositely disposed first light-shielding unit 51a and second light-shielding unit 52a.

[0105] It is understandable that rotating the second light-shielding unit 52a 180° on the plane of its cross-section will result in the same structure as the first light-shielding unit 51a, or rotating the first sub-light-shielding layer 51 180° will result in the same structure as the second sub-light-shielding layer 52. Therefore, the first sub-light-shielding layer 51 and the second sub-light-shielding layer 52 can be manufactured using the same process.

[0106] In one specific implementation, such as Figures 2 to 4As shown, the first included angle θ1 is greater than the second included angle θ2. For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the shape of the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a includes a non-isosceles trapezoid or a right trapezoid, but is not limited to these.

[0107] Understandably, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-shielding unit 52a is an inverted non-isosceles trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid. Correspondingly, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-transmitting unit 52b adjacent to the second light-shielding unit 52a on the same plane is an upright non-isosceles trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid. Obviously, the two oppositely arranged sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are asymmetrically arranged.

[0108] Since the second light-shielding unit 52a is the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal section 6b, and the two sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are asymmetrically arranged, the light emission angle of the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal section 6b is asymmetrical, thereby achieving an asymmetrical privacy protection effect in the first privacy protection state and the second privacy protection state.

[0109] In one specific embodiment, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a is an inverted right trapezoid, and the cross-section of the corresponding first light-shielding unit 51a is an upright right trapezoid. This is easy to implement in terms of manufacturing process and can achieve an asymmetric privacy protection effect.

[0110] In another specific implementation, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first included angle θ1 is equal to the second included angle θ2. For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the shape of the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a includes an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle, but is not limited to these.

[0111] Understandably, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-shielding unit 52a is an inverted isosceles trapezoid or rectangle, and correspondingly, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-transmitting unit 52b adjacent to the second light-shielding unit 52a on the same plane is an upright isosceles trapezoid or rectangle. Clearly, the two oppositely positioned sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are symmetrically arranged.

[0112] Since the second light-shielding unit 52a is the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal unit 6b, and the two opposite sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are symmetrically arranged, the light emission angle of the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal unit 6b is symmetrical, thereby achieving a symmetrical privacy protection effect in the first privacy protection state and the second privacy protection state.

[0113] In some embodiments, the spacing between the first bottom edges 10a of any two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a remains consistent. This design ensures that the light emission angle of each second light-transmitting unit 52b remains consistent, which is beneficial for improving the overall display effect.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are made of the same material and include a black color resist material, and the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b are made of the same material and include an organic planar material.

[0115] In one specific embodiment, the plurality of first shading units 51a and the plurality of second shading units 52a all constitute a black matrix (BM) shading structure.

[0116] Understandably, the material of the light-shielding layer 5 is composed of black color resist material and organic planarization material, which are commonly used and have low cost in the production process of liquid crystal display panel 18. On the one hand, it can reduce material costs, thereby reducing the cost of the dimming structure 1 with privacy protection effect. On the other hand, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a can be made using mature photolithography, imprinting or transfer processes in the production process of liquid crystal display panel 18, which is conducive to reducing manufacturing costs and can further reduce the cost of the dimming structure 1 with privacy protection effect.

[0117] Of course, in other embodiments, the positions of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b may not be filled. For example, the second driving electrode 7b may be directly set at the positions of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b. This application does not limit this.

[0118] In one specific embodiment, the length of the third bottom edge 12 of the second light-shielding unit 52a is 5 micrometers (µm), the length of the first bottom edge 10a is 7µm, the distance between the first bottom edge 10a and the third bottom edge 12 (i.e. the height of the second light-shielding unit 52a) is 5µm, and the distance between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a (i.e. the distance between two adjacent first bottom edges 10a) is 10µm.

[0119] It should be noted that the larger the spacing between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a, the higher the light transmittance, but the worse the privacy protection effect. The higher the height of the second light-shielding unit 52a, the better the privacy protection effect, but the greater the height, the more difficult it is to achieve with existing materials. The size of the second light-shielding unit 52a provided in this application embodiment is a size that can be achieved by the process while still achieving the privacy protection effect. For example, the yellow light process of the liquid crystal display panel 18 makes it relatively easy to manufacture a 5-micrometer-thick second light-shielding unit 52a. Therefore, based on the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 18, the manufacturing process of the light-shielding layer 5 with the double-sided grating structure in this application embodiment is relatively easy to achieve, making the cost of the dimming structure 1 with privacy protection effect provided in this application embodiment lower than the cost of using a privacy film with the same privacy protection effect.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the first light-transmitting unit 51b are flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer 6, and the second light-shielding unit 52a and the second light-transmitting unit 52b are flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer 6. The first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b are spaced apart, and the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b are made of the same material and have the same thickness.

[0121] Understandably, the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b in the driving electrode layer 7 are designed in blocks. Light-shielding structures with grating effects are set on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 6. With the dual-region driving electrodes, the deflection state of the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal section 6a and the second liquid crystal section 6b can be controlled independently, thereby realizing the switching of the dimming structure 1 in the first privacy state, the second privacy state and the shared state, and improving the privacy effect.

[0122] In some embodiments, the light control panel 2 further includes a first substrate 14 and a second substrate 15 disposed opposite to each other. The first substrate 14 is located between the first sub-shielding layer 51 and the first polarizer 3, and the second substrate 15 is located on the side of the second sub-shielding layer 52 away from the liquid crystal layer 6.

[0123] In one specific embodiment, the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 include glass substrates, but are not limited thereto.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first sub-shielding layer 51 is formed directly on the surface of the first substrate 14, and the second sub-shielding layer 52 is formed directly on the surface of the second substrate 15.

[0125] In other embodiments, to improve the material adhesion of the first sub-shielding layer 51, a transparent layer of silicon nitride or silicon oxide material may be formed between the first sub-shielding layer 51 and the first substrate 14. Similarly, a transparent layer of silicon nitride or silicon oxide material may be formed between the second sub-shielding layer 52 and the second substrate 15.

[0126] In some embodiments, the display module 16 further includes a driving circuit electrically connected to the driving electrode layer 7 for controlling the voltage magnitude on the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, thereby driving the dimming structure 1 to switch between a first privacy state, a second privacy state and a shared state.

[0127] In some embodiments, the driving circuit is disposed in the non-display area of ​​the display module 16 and is electrically connected to the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b via wires.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are arranged in a strip shape, so the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b are also arranged in a strip shape. In this case, the ends of the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b can be electrically connected to the driving circuit through wires located in the non-display area.

[0129] Of course, the specific locations of the driving circuit and wires are not limited in the embodiments of this application; the above are merely illustrative examples.

[0130] In some embodiments, the dimming structure 1 can be applied to an in-vehicle display device to give the in-vehicle display device a dynamic privacy protection effect, thereby ensuring driving safety.

[0131] It should be noted that the second polarizer 4 in the dimming structure 1 can be shared with the polarizer on the lower side of the display panel. Therefore, the dimming structure 1 may not include the second polarizer 4, but the second polarizer 4 is placed between the light control panel and the display panel when it is assembled with the display panel.

[0132] In this embodiment, light-shielding layers 5 with grating structures are provided on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 6 of the dimming structure 1, and driving electrode layers 7 are regionally arranged on the light-shielding layers 5. The dimming states of the first liquid crystal portion 6a located in the light-shielding area and the second liquid crystal portion 6b located in the light-transmitting area are respectively controlled by the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, so that the first liquid crystal portion 6a can switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state, and the second liquid crystal portion 6b can switch between a first dimming state and a third dimming state. This allows the dimming structure 1 to switch between a first privacy state, a second privacy state, and a shared state, achieving a dynamic privacy effect. Furthermore, the light-shielding layer 5 has low material cost, is easy to manufacture, and has a small thickness, which can effectively reduce the cost and thickness of the dimming structure 1 with privacy effect. In addition, by symmetrically or asymmetrically designing the sidewalls of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a, an asymmetrical switchable privacy effect or a symmetrical switchable privacy effect can be achieved, respectively.

[0133] Therefore, compared with improving the privacy effect by stacking multiple liquid crystal dimming cells or by stacking a privacy film on liquid crystal cells, the solution of combining the light-shielding layer 5 and the driving electrode layer 7 in this application makes the structure of the dimming layer simpler and the cost lower, which is beneficial to simplifying the structure of the display device 20 with privacy function and reducing costs.

[0134] like Figure 9 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a dimming structure 2' applied to the display module 16, which differs from the dimming structure 2 described in the above embodiments in that: Figure 9The materials of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a in the dimming structure 2' shown are both conductive materials. The first light-shielding unit 51a and / or the second light-shielding unit 52a are electrically connected to the driving circuit. The first light-shielding unit 51a and / or the second light-shielding unit 52a are configured to drive the first liquid crystal unit 6a to switch between the first dimming state and the second dimming state.

[0135] In some embodiments, the materials of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are both metallic conductor materials, but are not limited thereto.

[0136] It is understood that in this embodiment, there is no need to additionally provide the first driving electrode 7a in the aforementioned embodiments, which helps to simplify the film structure and manufacturing process of the dimming structure 1. Based on this, the embodiment of this application has the same privacy protection effect as the aforementioned embodiments.

[0137] like Figure 10 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a display device 20, which includes a third polarizer 19 and a display module 16 as described in the foregoing embodiments. The dimming structure 1 is located between the backlight structure 17 and the display panel 18, and the backlight structure 17 is disposed close to the light-incident side of the dimming structure 17. The third polarizer 19 is located on the side of the display panel 18 away from the dimming structure 1.

[0138] Specifically, the backlight structure 17 is located on the side of the first polarizer 3 that is away from the second polarizer 4, the display panel 18 is located on the side of the second polarizer 4 that is away from the first polarizer 3, and the third polarizer 19 is located on the side of the display panel 18 that is away from the second polarizer 4.

[0139] Specifically, the backlight structure 17 emits backlight towards the dimming structure 1. The backlight is converted into first polarized light by the first polarizer 3 and incident on the liquid crystal layer 6 of the dimming structure 1 from the first light-transmitting unit 51b. The dimming structure 1 is disposed between the backlight structure 17 and the display panel 18, and can control the angle of the light source incident on the display panel 18. By switching the first privacy state, the second privacy state, and the shared state of the dimming structure 1, the display device 20 can switch between the first privacy display state, the second privacy display state, and the shared display state to achieve a dynamic privacy display effect.

[0140] In some embodiments, the display panel 18 includes a liquid crystal display panel 18, but is not limited thereto.

[0141] In some embodiments, the side of the display panel 18 facing away from the third polarizer 19 does not need to be provided with an additional polarizer, and the second polarizer 4 in the dimming structure 1 can be reused as the lower polarizer of the display panel 18.

[0142] In some embodiments, the transmission axis of the third polarizer 19 is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 4.

[0143] In other embodiments, the display device 20 further includes a fourth polarizer located between the display panel 18 and the second polarizer 4, and the light transmission direction of the fourth polarizer is the same as that of the second polarizer 4. That is, polarizers are provided on both the lower and upper sides of the light control panel 2 of the dimming structure 1, and polarizers are also provided on both the lower and upper sides of the display panel 18, so that the display module formed by the display panel 18 and the polarizers on its upper and lower sides and the dimming structure 1 are two independent structures, thereby increasing the application range of the dimming structure 1.

[0144] In this embodiment, since the dimming structure 1 has a dynamic privacy protection effect, and the dimming structure 1 has a low cost and a small thickness, the display device 20 has the advantages of low cost and small thickness while having a dynamic privacy protection effect.

[0145] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0146] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0147] The embodiments, implementation methods, and related technical features of this application can be combined and substituted for each other without conflict.

[0148] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A display module, characterized in that, The device includes a backlight structure, a dimming structure located on the light-emitting side of the backlight structure, and a display panel. The dimming structure includes a light control panel and a first polarizer. The first polarizer is located between the backlight structure and the light control panel and is configured to convert the light emitted by the backlight structure into first polarized light. The light control panel includes: A light-shielding layer includes a first sub-light-shielding layer and a second sub-light-shielding layer disposed opposite to each other, the second sub-light-shielding layer being located on the side of the first sub-light-shielding layer opposite to the first polarizer; the first sub-light-shielding layer includes a plurality of first light-shielding units disposed sequentially at intervals, and the second sub-light-shielding layer includes second light-shielding units disposed one-to-one with the plurality of first light-shielding units; and The liquid crystal layer includes a first liquid crystal portion and a second liquid crystal portion, wherein the first liquid crystal portion is located between each pair of oppositely arranged first light-shielding units and second light-shielding units, and the second liquid crystal portion is located between any two adjacent first liquid crystal portions. The dimming structure includes a first privacy state and a shared state. In the first privacy state and the shared state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal unit passes through between two adjacent second light-shielding units. In the first privacy state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit is shielded by the second light-shielding units. In the shared state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit is deflected by the first liquid crystal unit so that it passes through between two adjacent second light-shielding units, and the light emission angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal unit is greater than the light emission angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal unit.

2. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light control panel further includes a driving electrode layer, which includes a first driving electrode located on the side of the first light-shielding unit and / or the second light-shielding unit near the first liquid crystal portion. The first driving electrode is configured to drive the first liquid crystal unit to switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state. In the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit and the second liquid crystal unit are in the first dimming mode; In the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit is in the second dimming state, and the second liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming state; In the first dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit, and in the second dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit.

3. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light-shielding unit and the second light-shielding unit are made of conductive materials. The display module also includes a driving circuit. The first light-shielding unit and / or the second light-shielding unit are electrically connected to the driving circuit. The first light-shielding unit and / or the second light-shielding unit are configured to drive the first liquid crystal unit to switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state. In the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit and the second liquid crystal unit are in the first dimming mode; In the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit is in the second dimming state, and the second liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming state; In the first dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit, and in the second dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit.

4. The display module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The dimming structure also includes a second polarizer located on the side of the light control panel opposite to the first polarizer, and the light transmission axes of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are parallel to each other; When the first liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal unit do not deflect; when the first liquid crystal unit is in the second dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal unit deflect to scatter at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit.

5. The display module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light control panel further includes a driving electrode layer, the driving electrode layer including a second driving electrode located on at least one side of the second liquid crystal portion; the second driving electrode is configured to drive the second liquid crystal portion to switch between a first dimming state and a third dimming state. The dimming structure further includes a second privacy state, in which the first liquid crystal unit is in the first dimming state and the second liquid crystal unit is in the third dimming state; the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit in the second privacy state is less than the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit in the first privacy state.

6. The display module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The dimming structure also includes a second polarizer located on the side of the light control panel opposite to the first polarizer, and the light transmission axes of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are parallel to each other; When the second liquid crystal section is in the first dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal section do not deflect; When the second liquid crystal section is in the third dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal section are deflected, and the second liquid crystal section converts at least part of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal section and deviating from the positive viewing angle direction into second polarized light. The main polarization direction of the second polarized light is parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer.

7. The display module according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the second liquid crystal unit is in the third dimming state, the second liquid crystal unit has a phase retardation of λ / 2 in the 45° viewing angle direction, where λ represents the wavelength of visible light.

8. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light-shielding unit includes a first bottom surface near the first polarizer and a first side surface connected to the first bottom surface, wherein the angle between the first bottom surface and the first side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The second light-shielding unit includes a second bottom surface facing away from the first polarizer and a second side surface connected to the second bottom surface, wherein the included angle between the second bottom surface and the second side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

9. The display module according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit includes a first bottom edge located on the second bottom surface and a first side edge and a second side edge located on the second side surface and disposed opposite to each other. There is a first included angle between the first side and the first bottom edge, and there is a second included angle between the second side and the first bottom edge; the first included angle is greater than or equal to the second included angle.

10. The display module according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-shielding unit includes a non-isosceles trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid.

11. The display module according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-shielding unit includes an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle.

12. The display module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The spacing between the first bottom edges of any two adjacent second light-shielding units remains consistent.

13. The display module according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the cross-section of any one of the first light-shielding units is the same size as the cross-section of the corresponding second light-shielding unit and is arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

14. The display module according to claim 13, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the dimming structure, the side of the second light-shielding unit near the liquid crystal layer is completely overlapped with the side of the first light-shielding unit near the liquid crystal layer.

15. The display module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first light-shielding unit and the second light-shielding unit are made of the same material and include black color resist material.

16. The display module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first sub-shielding layer further includes a first light-transmitting unit located between any two adjacent first shielding units, and the second sub-shielding layer further includes a second light-transmitting unit located between any two adjacent second shielding units; The second driving electrode is located on the side of the first light-transmitting unit and / or the second light-transmitting unit near the second liquid crystal portion.

17. The display module according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first light-shielding unit and the first light-transmitting unit are flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer, and the second light-shielding unit and the second light-transmitting unit are flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer; The first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are spaced apart, and the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are made of the same material and have the same thickness.

18. The display module according to claim 16, characterized in that, The materials of the first light-transmitting unit and the second light-transmitting unit include organic planar materials.

19. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light control panel further includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other. The first substrate is located between the first sub-shielding layer and the first polarizer, and the second substrate is located on the side of the second sub-shielding layer away from the liquid crystal layer.

20. A display device, characterized in that, It includes a third polarizer and a display module as described in any one of claims 1 to 19; the dimming structure is located between the backlight structure and the display panel, and the third polarizer is located on the side of the display panel opposite to the dimming structure.

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