Method for preparing lenticular lens device for 2D / 3D switchable autostereoscopic display device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a lenticular lens on an electrically conductive surface of a transparent carrier, the method comprising imprinting a curable resin on the carrier using a lenticular lens mold, followed by curing the resin and removing the mold to obtain a lenticular lens device comprising a transparent carrier and a lenticular lens provided thereon. A small portion of the curable resin contains electrically conductive particles that, after curing, provide an electrically conductive path for the lenticular lens between the electrically conductive carrier surface and the lenticular lens surface. When the lenticular lens arrangement is incorporated into an electrically switchable liquid crystal cell, the lenticular lens arrangement is easily and directly electrically connected as a planar electrode in this way. Therefore, the invention also relates to the lenticular lens device, a liquid crystal unit comprising the lenticular lens device and a free stereoscopic display device comprising the liquid crystal unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for preparing a lenticular lens on a conductive surface of a transparent carrier and for preparing a liquid crystal cell comprising such a lenticular lens.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a lenticular lens device comprising a lenticular lens, a liquid crystal cell comprising such a lenticular lens device, and a free stereoscopic display device comprising such a liquid crystal cell. Background Art

[0003] A free stereoscopic display with lenticular lenses enables a viewer to perceive a three-dimensional image without the need to wear dedicated eye-wear such as glasses or goggles. These displays play an increasingly important role in virtual reality and augmented reality applications.

[0004] A lenticular lens consists of a plurality of semi-cylindrical microlenses (lenticular lenses) arranged parallel to each other. In a free stereoscopic display, the lenticular lens is disposed on a (sub)-pixel array, and each lenticular lens is associated with a specific arrangement of (sub)-pixels. By appropriately controlling these (sub)-pixels, the free stereoscopic display can simultaneously project a left-eye image onto the viewer's left eye and a right-eye image onto the viewer's right eye. The resulting stereoscopic image provides depth perception, where elements in the image can appear in front of or further away from (i.e., "behind") the display.

[0005] A special type of free stereoscopic display is the so-called "2D / 3D switchable free stereoscopic display". Such a display can be electrically switched between a two-dimensional view mode and a three-dimensional view mode. It relies on a liquid crystal cell in which the lenticular lens is adjacent to a liquid crystal medium that can be switched between two liquid crystal orientations under the action of an electric field. In the 2D view mode, the liquid crystal medium is in a first orientation, and its refractive index matches that of the lenticular lens, causing the lenticular lens to lose its focusing effect and making the lenticular lens appear as a transparent and flat optical panel. In the 3D view mode, the liquid crystal medium is in a second liquid crystal orientation, and its refractive index does not match, which allows each lenticular lens to exhibit a focusing effect.

[0006] The electrical switching between the 2D and 3D view modes is achieved by applying a switching voltage between two planar switching electrodes that sandwich the liquid crystal cell. One electrode is juxtaposed with the lenticular lens, on the side opposite to the side that houses the lenticular lens. The other electrode is on the opposite side of the liquid crystal cell. To manufacture a functional 2D / 3D switchable free stereoscopic display, both electrodes need to be electrically accessible.

[0007] A cylindrical lens is typically manufactured by stamping a lens profile onto a (uncured) curable resin solution present in the form of a continuous film on a planar electrode and then curing the curable resin. Such an electrode is a conductive surface located on another electrically insulating carrier. At this stage, it is already necessary to consider that the electrode can be electrically accessed, because after the curable resin is provided and cured on the carrier, the electrode will be completely wrapped by the carrier and the curable resin.

[0008] However, the problem with the current manufacturing method is that when stamping the profile on the curable resin solution, even when the high convex parts of the stamper (the so-called "isolation dams") are pressed against the electrode surface, it is impossible to keep some electrode areas from being covered by the resin. A thin resin layer will always be formed between the electrode and the isolation dam. The thickness of this layer is sufficient to isolate the electrode, making it difficult to establish an electrical connection with the electrode.

[0009] This is usually solved, for example, by removing the cured resin from certain areas of the conductive surface (i.e., the electrode) in order to expose some surface areas of the electrode and make it electrically connectable; or by removing the uncured resin from the areas that have been shielded by the mask and not cured. However, these are undesirable processes because they require additional processing steps and generate waste, such as the removed cured resin, and solvents if the resin is removed by solvents. In addition, the method of using laser ablation to remove the resin has also proven to be unsuccessful because it causes damage to the conductive surface, for example.

[0010] Alternatively, the lens is directly 3D printed into the desired lens shape, leaving some areas without lens material. However, the 3D printing of cylindrical lenses is not feasible on an industrial scale.

[0011] So far, no satisfactory solution has been proposed for making the planar electrode electrically accessible. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical lens on a planar electrode, wherein the planar electrode is easy to and / or can be directly electrically accessed. More generally, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved liquid crystal cell for a 2D / 3D switchable autostereoscopic display device, and in particular to provide a cylindrical lens device for a 2D / 3D switchable autostereoscopic display device, which has an improved ability to be electrically connected to other electrical devices or components.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of covering a planar electrode with a lenticular lens to obtain a planar electrode that is easy and / or directly electrically accessible, wherein the lenticular lens is formed by curing a curable resin. More generally, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing a 2D / 3D switchable autostereoscopic display device, in particular an improved method of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell.

[0014] It has now been found that one or more of these objects can be achieved by a specific way of making the lenticular lens material locally conductive.

[0015] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a lenticular lens on a conductive surface of a transparent carrier, the method comprising:

[0016] - providing a layer of curable resin on the conductive surface of the transparent carrier;

[0017] - providing a mold comprising a lenticular lens surface representing the lenticular lens in negative relief;

[0018] - bringing the lenticular lens surface of the mold into contact with the layer of curable resin;

[0019] - curing the curable resin to form a layer of transparent cured resin;

[0020] - releasing the mold to obtain a lenticular lens on the transparent carrier, the lenticular lens having a molded surface formed by means of the mold, the molded surface comprising lenticular lens elements;

[0021] wherein,

[0022] a part of the layer of curable resin comprises first conductive particles that provide a conductive path between the conductive surface of the carrier and the molded surface of the lenticular lens.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a lenticular lens device (1) comprising:

[0024] - a carrier (2) comprising a conductive surface (3) that can be used as a first electrode;

[0025] - a layer of transparent cured resin (4b) provided on the conductive surface (3) of the carrier (2), the transparent cured resin (4b) forming a lenticular lens having a molded surface (5) comprising lenticular lens elements;

[0026] wherein

[0027] a part of the layer of transparent cured resin (4b) comprises first conductive particles (6) that provide a conductive path (7) between the conductive surface (3) of the carrier and the molded surface (5) of the lenticular lens.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a liquid crystal cell (10) comprising a cavity filled with a liquid crystal medium (16), the cavity being defined by at least the following parts:

[0029] - The lenticular lens device (1) as described above;

[0030] - A transparent plate (11) provided on the lenticular lenses of the lenticular lens device (1) such that the transparent plate (11) faces the molding surface (5) of the lenticular lens, the transparent plate (11) comprising a conductive layer (13) that can serve as a second electrode;

[0031] - A seal (12) connecting the lenticular lens device (1) to the transparent plate (11).

[0032] The present invention also relates to a free - form autostereoscopic display device comprising the lenticular lens device (1) and / or the liquid crystal cell (10) as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 Schematically shows the steps of a conventional method for preparing lenticular lenses on a transparent carrier.

[0034] Figure 2 Schematically shows the steps of the method of the present invention for preparing lenticular lenses on a transparent carrier.

[0035] Figure 3 Schematically shows the use of Figure 1 A cross - section of an enlarged portion of a conventional lenticular lens device obtained by the method shown.

[0036] Figure 4 Schematically shows the use of Figure 2 A cross - section of an enlarged portion of the lenticular lens device (1) of the present invention obtained by the method shown.

[0037] Figure 5 Schematically shows a cross - section of a first liquid crystal cell (10) of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 Schematically shows a cross - section of a second liquid crystal cell (10) of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 Schematically shows Figure 5 A cross - section of an enlarged portion of the first liquid crystal cell (10) shown in

[0040] Figure 8 Schematically shows Figure 6 A cross - section of an enlarged portion of the second liquid crystal cell (10) shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The accompanying drawings do not limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed therein or the embodiments described in this specification. The elements in the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale, with the emphasis being on clearly showing the principles of the invention. For example, the (relative) sizes of the lenticular lens elements, conductive particles, and conductive paths cannot be determined from the drawings. The shape and appearance of the liquid crystal cell in the drawings are not intended to reflect the actual situation. The size of the liquid crystal cell relative to, for example, the electrode pitch and the lenticular lens elements cannot be determined from the drawings.

[0042] The lenticular lens is composed of semi-cylindrical microlenses (lenticular lenses) arranged parallel to each other. In this context, the term "arranged" is only used to describe a certain appearance and does not denote a combination of independent components, since the lenticular lens elements are not arranged as independent objects. The lenticular lens according to the invention consists in principle of a single component, where the different lenticular lens elements are all part of the same piece of material.

[0043] In this application, objects and elements with the property of "electric conductivity" are described. For clarity and brevity, in some cases the term "conductive" is used alone to denote this property. Similarly, the term "electrical conductivity" is simplified to "conductivity" in some cases. If other types of conductivity than electrical conductivity are meant, this will be stated specifically.

[0044] Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", etc. (if any) used in this specification and the claims are generally used to distinguish similar elements or items and do not necessarily describe an order or sequence.

[0045] According to conventional methods and the present invention, the lenticular lens is prepared by fixing the lenticular lens surface of the lens material to the conductive surface of a transparent carrier. This is done by imprinting the lenticular lens surface of a mold onto a layer of curable resin and then curing the curable resin, thereby fixing the lenticular lens surface and attaching the lenticular lens to the carrier. The lenticular lens itself consists essentially of the cured resin. After curing, the mold is released from the cured resin, resulting in a lenticular lens on the transparent carrier. For the purposes of the present invention, this combination of carrier and lenticular lens is referred to as a "lenticular lens device".

[0046] In the prior art, as a final step, the conductive surface is made available for electrical connection to an external electronic device (such as a power source). This is typically done, for example, by removing the cured resin to expose the underlying surface area of the conductive surface. This can be done, for example, by means of friction, laser ablation, or plasma ablation. Such conventional processes are illustrated in Figure 1 are illustrated. Figure 3An enlarged view of the area where the cured resin has been removed is shown. Alternatively, conventional removal can involve washing away uncured resin that has been masked during the curing process.

[0047] However, according to the present invention, conductive paths are formed in the cured resin, thus avoiding the conventional steps of removing cured or uncured resin. Such a process according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2 and shown. Figure 4 An enlarged view of the area where the conductive paths have been introduced is shown. The method of the present invention will be further explained below.

[0048] The carrier in the method of the present invention is a transparent material, i.e., it is transparent at least to visible light wavelengths (e.g., 380 - 750 nm). The carrier comprises a transparent main support material, such as glass. It has a conductive surface, typically a surface formed by a conductive layer present on the main support material. The conductive surface is in fact a planar electrode and can function as such when connected to a voltage source. When the conductive surface of the carrier is hereinafter referred to as an electrode, it will be the term "first electrode".

[0049] The conductive layer forming such a conductive surface is typically a thin layer of conductive material, with a thickness in the range of, for example, 20 - 100 nm. The conductive material generally comprises a transparent conductive metal oxide, where the metal comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of chromium, tin, aluminum, zinc, copper, and nickel. Preferably, it is indium tin oxide. It can also be tin oxide or zinc oxide doped with aluminum or gallium. The conductive surface can also be a fine grid of conductive wires, such as silver wires.

[0050] In the method of the present invention, the curable resin is directly provided on the conductive surface of the carrier such that the conductive surface is in contact with the curable resin (and the subsequent cured resin). For example, this can be carried out by spraying (e.g., with an airbrush) or printing.

[0051] The mold includes a lenticular lens surface representing the lenticular lens in negative shape such that the curable resin adjacent to the mold assumes the shape of the mold but in reverse relief.

[0052] The curable resin is typically a deformable substance, such as a fluid or a gel. According to the method of the present invention, it is deformable by bringing it into contact with the mold. The curable resin is cured by, for example, heat or ultraviolet radiation to obtain a transparent cured resin that is transparent at least to visible light wavelengths (e.g., 380–750 nanometers). For example, it includes epoxy resins (thermally curable resins) or acrylate resins (ultraviolet curable resins).

[0053] In the method of the present invention, specific conductive particles (hereinafter referred to as "first conductive particles") are provided in a part of the curable resin layer. After the curable resin is cured (or has been cured), these first conductive particles form a conductive region in the cured resin, hereinafter simply referred to as a "conductive path". This conductive path exists between the conductive surface of the carrier and the molding surface of the cylindrical lens. In fact, it is equivalent to a conventional wire connected to an electrode, enabling the conductive surface of the carrier to be electrically connected to a power source through the molding surface of the cylindrical lens (i.e., an electrical connection with the conductive path can be established by connecting to the corresponding region of the molding surface of the cylindrical lens).

[0054] The first conductive particles are generally locally dispersed in specific regions of the curable resin layer, which are the desired conductive regions - usually outside the functional optical region. This is done by applying pure resin using a first nozzle and applying a mixture of resin and the first conductive particles using a second nozzle - each nozzle applying its feed to the desired region on the conductive surface of the carrier. However, it is not necessary to pre-mix the particles with the resin. The particles can also be first applied to the desired region and then the resin is applied over the entire conductive surface, including the region where the particles are arranged. Their presence is preferably compatible with the molding step (i.e., imprinting) without disrupting the correct imprinting of the shape of the cylindrical lens..

[0055] When the size of the particles (especially the maximum size of the particles) is smaller than the thickness of the part of the finally obtained cured resin layer containing the first conductive particles, the conductivity of the conductive path may be due to the close proximity or even contact of the particles. To achieve this during curing, the particles are dispersed in a specific part of the curable resin in an appropriate manner. The particle size can also exceed the thickness of the finally obtained cured resin layer. In this case, the minimum size of the first conductive particles is greater than the thickness of the part of the finally obtained cured resin layer containing the first conductive particles.

[0056] The first conductive particles have conductivity. They can be used as conductive elements when positioned adjacent to each other. Therefore, the first conductive particles are at least conductive on their exterior. They can be made of a specific conductive material, preferably a metal or a mixture of metals. For example, they can be made of a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, palladium, silver, platinum, and gold. They can also have a metal outer surface that surrounds a non-conductive internal material, such as a non-conductive polymer (e.g., acrylate). Preferably, the internal material is flexible so that the particles deform when pressed together. This property allows for a larger contact surface between the particles when they are pressed together. Such particles are known in the prior art. Their metal outer surface can be made of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, palladium, silver, platinum, and gold.

[0057] The lenticular lens device can undergo further processing steps, such as steps for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell, a switchable liquid crystal cell in which the liquid crystal orientation can be controlled, or a 2D / 3D switchable autostereoscopic display device.

[0058] For the manufacture of a liquid crystal cell, the method of the present invention generally follows the steps below:

[0059] - Provide a transparent plate above the lenticular lens such that the transparent plate faces the molding surface of the lenticular lens; then

[0060] - Provide a sealing material between the lenticular lens and the transparent plate to form a cavity defined by the lenticular lens, the transparent plate, and the sealing material;

[0061] - Allow the sealing material to form a seal that can adhere to the lenticular lens and the transparent plate; then

[0062] - Fill the cavity with a liquid crystal medium to obtain a liquid crystal cell;

[0063] Or the steps below:

[0064] - Apply a liquid crystal medium on the molding surface of the lenticular lens;

[0065] - Apply a sealing material around the perimeter of the molding surface of the lenticular lens; afterwards

[0066] - Provide a transparent plate above the lenticular lens such that the transparent plate faces the molding surface of the lenticular lens and contacts the sealing material and the liquid crystal medium;

[0067] - Allow the sealing material to form a seal that can adhere to the lenticular lens and the transparent plate, thereby obtaining a liquid crystal cell, where the liquid crystal medium is present in the cavity of the liquid crystal cell, and the cavity is defined by the lenticular lens, the transparent plate, and the sealing material.

[0068] Thus, the liquid crystal medium is sandwiched between the molding surface of the lenticular lens and the transparent plate. The seal generally exists along the edge of the lenticular lens and is also generally sandwiched between the lenticular lens and the transparent plate.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the transparent plate includes a conductive layer. Then the conductive layer and the conductive surface of the carrier form two planar switching electrodes that sandwich the liquid crystal medium and allow the liquid crystal to switch between two orientations. For the actual manufacture of a switchable liquid crystal cell, the two electrodes need to be connected to a (switchable) voltage source. Thus, for the manufacture of a switchable liquid crystal cell, the method of the present invention may further include the steps below:

[0070] - Electrically contact the first pole of a voltage source with a conductive path on the lenticular lens;

[0071] - Electrically contact the second pole of the voltage source with the conductive layer of the transparent plate.

[0072] The resulting switchable liquid crystal cells can then be used to fabricate a 2D / 3D switchable autostereoscopic display device. For this purpose, the switchable liquid crystal cells are typically provided on an array of display pixel elements operatively connected to a processor.

[0073] The sealing material (especially a part thereof) can comprise second conductive particles, which provide a second conduction path for the formed seal. This second conduction path is preferably located in the seal in order to be electrically connected to the first conduction path. In this way, it helps to make the conductive surface of the carrier electrically accessible.

[0074] The first conduction path and the second conduction path can together electrically connect the conductive surface of the carrier to the conductive layer of the transparent plate (i.e., it then connects two planar electrodes). In this case, the part of the conductive layer of the transparent plate that contacts the second conduction path is cut out from the conductive layer to prevent a short circuit between the conductive layer of the transparent plate and the conductive surface of the carrier. In other words, there are small "islands" in the conductive layer of the transparent plate that are not in electrical contact with the rest of the conductive layer. This is illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 8 and will be further described below.

[0075] This architecture provides an advantageous way of connecting each electrode to one pole of a voltage source, since then both connections are on the same side of the liquid crystal cell.

[0076] The second conductive particles can have the same composition and / or properties as described above for the first conductive particles. For example, they can also be made of a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, palladium, silver, platinum, and gold. They can also, for example, have a metallic outer surface that surrounds a non-conductive internal material such as a non-conductive polymer (e.g., acrylate). This metallic outer surface can be made of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, palladium, silver, platinum, and gold. Preferably, all their metallic parts have the same potential.

[0077] The method of the present invention results in a lenticular lens on a first planar electrode, wherein the first electrode is electrically accessible through the surface of the cured resin that constitutes the lenticular lens. An important advantage of this method is that after the molding step, no subsequent processing step is required to obtain electrical access to the electrode. For example, it is not necessary to remove a part of the cured resin to expose a part of the planar electrode. This reduces waste in the form of resin and the final solvent that may be used to remove the resin.

[0078] In addition, there is no longer a need to create a local area with a minimum resin thickness on the planar electrode, which makes it inopportune to use extremely prominent elements (i.e., "isolation dams") on the mold for imprinting. Instead, a uniform resin thickness can be applied, except for the raised portions that make up the lens elements. Since it is most desirable to place the conductive path outside the functional optical region, the region surrounding the functional optical region can be made of uniform thickness. This has certain advantages as it simplifies the preparation process of the lens and reduces artifacts and / or local deformations that occur during the preparation process.

[0079] The present invention also relates to a lenticular lens device, comprising:

[0080] - a carrier (2) comprising a conductive surface (3) that can serve as a first electrode;

[0081] - a layer of transparent curable resin (4b) provided on the conductive surface (3) of the carrier (2), the transparent curable resin (4b) forming a lenticular lens having a molding surface (5) comprising lenticular lens elements;

[0082] wherein,

[0083] a part of the transparent curable resin (4b) comprises first conductive particles (6) that provide a conductive path (7) for the curable resin (4b) (and thus also for the lenticular lens) between the conductive surface (3) of the carrier and the molding surface (5) of the lenticular lens.

[0084] For the elements in such a device, the same considerations as those set forth above for the corresponding elements in the method for preparing a lenticular lens apply, such as the size of the first conductive particles, the nature and composition of the first conductive particles, and the type of curable resin.

[0085] As Figure 2 shown, a cross-sectional view of a lenticular lens device (1) as the final product of the method according to the present invention is provided. Figure 4 An enlarged view of a part thereof is shown. It can be seen therefrom that the first conductive particles (6) together form a conductive element (7).

[0086] The lenticular lens device is preferably used for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell for a free stereoscopic display device. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a liquid crystal cell (10) comprising a cavity filled with a liquid crystal medium (16), the cavity being defined by at least the following parts:

[0087] - the lenticular lens device (1) as described above;

[0088] - A transparent plate (11) provided on the cylindrical lenses of the cylindrical lens device (1) such that the transparent plate faces the molding surface (5) of the cylindrical lenses. The transparent plate (11) includes a conductive layer (13) that can serve as a second electrode;

[0089] - A seal (12) that connects the cylindrical lens device (1) and the transparent plate (11).

[0090] The present invention also relates to a autostereoscopic display device including the above liquid crystal cell (10).

[0091] For elements in such a liquid crystal cell or autostereoscopic display device, the same considerations as for the corresponding elements in the method for preparing a liquid crystal cell described above apply, such as the transparent plate, the conductive layer thereon, the seal, the size of the second conductive particles, and the nature and composition of the second conductive particles.

[0092] The transparent plate includes a conductive layer that can serve as a second electrode. Such a conductive layer can be the conductive surface of the transparent plate.

[0093] In an embodiment, both the first electrode and the second electrode are attached to a (switchable) voltage source. In this way, the liquid crystal medium sandwiched between them can be switched between two orientations of the liquid crystal.

[0094] This embodiment is shown in Figure 5 Here, a cross-sectional view of a first liquid crystal cell (10) according to the present invention is shown. There is a conductive path (7) in the cylindrical lens material (i.e., resin). One pole of the voltage source is electrically connected to the conductive surface (3) of the carrier (i.e., the first electrode) on the surface of the cylindrical lens through the conductive path (7). The other pole of the voltage source is connected to the conductive layer (13) of the transparent plate (11) (i.e., the second electrode). Figure 7 An enlarged view of the part of the first conductive part (7) of the cell that connects the conductive layer to the voltage source is shown.

[0095] The seal (12) in the liquid crystal cell (10) can contain second conductive particles (14) that provide a second conductive path (15) for the seal (12). Preferably, the second conductive path (15) is located in the seal (12) at a position electrically connected to the first conductive path (7). In this case, the first electrode can be electrically accessed through the seal.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive path (7) and the second conductive path (15) together electrically connect the conductive surface (3) of the carrier to a part (13a) of the conductive layer (13) of the transparent plate (11), and this part (13a) is electrically disconnected from the rest of the conductive layer (13).

[0097] Figure 6This embodiment is shown. A cross-sectional view of a second liquid crystal cell (10) according to the present invention is presented here. Figure 8 An enlarged view shows the part where the first conductive part (7) and the second conductive part (15) of the cell jointly connect the conductive layer (13) to the voltage source. A part (13a) of the conductive layer (13) is also shown here to be electrically isolated from the rest of the conductive layer (13). This part (13a) is connected to one pole of the voltage source, while the rest is connected to the other pole of the voltage source.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a lenticular lens on a conductive surface of a transparent carrier, the method comprising: - Providing a layer of curable resin on the conductive surface of the transparent carrier; - Providing a mold that includes a lenticular lens surface representing the lenticular lens in negative relief; - Contacting the lenticular lens surface of the mold with the layer of curable resin; - Curing the curable resin to form a layer of transparent cured resin; - Releasing the mold to obtain a lenticular lens on the transparent carrier, the lenticular lens having a molded surface that includes lenticular lens elements; Wherein A portion of the layer of curable resin includes first conductive particles that, after curing, provide a conductive path between the conductive surface of the carrier and the molded surface of the lenticular lens.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a maximum size of the first conductive particles is less than a thickness of a portion of the finally obtained layer of cured resin that includes the first conductive particles.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a minimum size of the first conductive particles is greater than a thickness of a portion of the finally obtained layer of cured resin that includes the first conductive particles.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first conductive particles have a metallic outer surface that surrounds a non-conductive internal material.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the metallic outer surface includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, palladium, silver, platinum, and gold.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the curable resin includes an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method is followed by preparing a liquid crystal cell, the method including the steps of: - Providing a transparent plate on the lenticular lens such that the transparent plate faces the molded surface of the lenticular lens; Then - Providing a sealing material between the lenticular lens and the transparent plate to form a cavity defined by the lenticular lens, the transparent plate, and the sealing material; - Allowing the sealing material to form a seal attached to the lenticular lens and the transparent plate; Then - Filling the cavity with a liquid crystal medium to obtain the liquid crystal cell; Or the method includes the steps of: - Applying a liquid crystal medium to the molded surface of the lenticular lens; - Applying a sealing material to a periphery of the molded surface of the lenticular lens; thereafter - Providing a transparent plate above the lenticular lens such that the transparent plate faces the molded surface of the lenticular lens and contacts the sealing material and the liquid crystal medium; - Allowing the sealing material to form a seal attached to the lenticular lens and the transparent plate to obtain the liquid crystal cell, the liquid crystal medium being present in a cavity of the liquid crystal cell, the cavity being defined by the lenticular lens, the transparent plate, and the sealing material.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the transparent plate includes a conductive layer.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method further includes: - Electrically connect the conductive path of the cylindrical lens to the first pole of a voltage source; - Electrically connect the conductive layer of the transparent plate to the second pole of the voltage source.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the sealing material comprises second conductive particles, and the second conductive particles provide a second conductive path for the formed seal, and the second conductive path is located at a position in the seal that is electrically connected to the first conductive path.

11. A cylindrical lens device (1), comprising: - A carrier (2) comprising a conductive surface (3) that can serve as a first electrode; - A layer of transparent curable resin (4b) provided on the conductive surface (3) of the carrier (2), and the transparent curable resin (4b) forms a cylindrical lens having a molding surface (5) comprising lens elements; wherein A part of the layer of the transparent curable resin (4b) comprises first conductive particles (6), and the first conductive particles (6) provide a conductive path (7) for the cylindrical lens between the conductive surface (3) of the carrier and the molding surface (5) of the cylindrical lens.

12. A liquid crystal cell (10), comprising a cavity filled with a liquid crystal medium (16), and the cavity is defined by at least the following parts: - The cylindrical lens device (1) according to claim 11; - A transparent plate (11) provided on the cylindrical lens of the cylindrical lens device (1) such that the transparent plate (11) faces the molding surface (5) of the cylindrical lens, and the transparent plate (11) comprises a conductive layer (13) that can serve as a second electrode; - A seal (12) connecting the cylindrical lens device (1) and the transparent plate (11).

13. The liquid crystal cell (10) according to claim 12, wherein the seal (12) comprises second conductive particles (14), and the second conductive particles provide a second conductive path (15) for the seal (12), and the second conductive path (15) is located at a position in the seal (12) that is electrically connected to the first conductive path (7).

14. The liquid crystal cell (10) according to claim 13, wherein the first conductive path (7) and the second conductive path (15) jointly electrically connect the conductive surface (3) of the carrier (2) to a part (13a) of the conductive layer (13) of the transparent plate (11), and the part (13a) is electrically disconnected from the rest of the conductive layer (13).

15. A free stereoscopic display device, comprising the cylindrical lens device (1) according to claim 11 and / or the liquid crystal cell (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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