Liquid crystal assembly, display module and display device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a liquid crystal assembly, a display module and a display device. The liquid crystal component comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, liquid crystal molecules, a first electrode, a second electrode and at least one electrode unit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are oppositely arranged; the liquid crystal molecules are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate; the first electrode is positioned on one side, close to the second substrate, of the first substrate; the liquid crystal assembly comprises a first area and a second area, and the first area surrounds the second area; the electrode unit is at least located in the first area and comprises a plurality of third electrodes, and liquid crystal molecules are arranged between the electrode unit and the first electrode; the second electrode is located in the second area, and liquid crystal molecules are arranged between the second electrode and the first electrode. The liquid crystal assembly and the display panel with the through holes in the display area are assembled, and the second area corresponds to the through holes in the display area. And when the camera is arranged in the through hole, the liquid crystal molecules in the second region can be controlled to have isotropy, so that the shooting effect of the camera is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display technologies, and in particular, to a liquid crystal component, a display module, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Naked-eye 3D is a general term for technologies that achieve a stereoscopic visual effect without external tools such as polarized light glasses. In the display field, the research on a display device that can achieve both 2D display and 3D display has become a current research hotspot.

[0003] Currently, the way for a display device to achieve 2D display and 3D display is to stack a liquid crystal cell on the display side of the display panel. By controlling the liquid crystal cell to be in different states, the display device can switch between 2D display and 3D display. The liquid crystal cell is a key optical component for achieving 3D display.

[0004] For the solution of arranging a front camera by digging a hole in the display area, when stacking a liquid crystal cell on the display panel, the liquid crystal above the camera will seriously affect the shooting effect in the 3D display mode. However, due to the large thickness of the liquid crystal cell and the large width of the rubber frame, it is difficult to make a through hole in the liquid crystal cell. Since the internal liquid crystal is difficult to isolate, it is impossible to make a blind hole. Therefore, when applying a stacked liquid crystal cell to a dug-hole display screen, how to improve the shooting effect of the front camera has become a technical problem to be solved urgently at present. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal component, a display module, and a display device to solve the technical problem of improving the shooting effect of the front camera when applying a stacked liquid crystal component to a dug-hole screen.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid crystal component, which includes: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, liquid crystal molecules located between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode located on a side of the first substrate close to the second substrate, a second electrode located on a side of the second substrate close to the first substrate, and at least one electrode unit; The liquid crystal component includes a first area and a second area, and the first area surrounds the second area; wherein, The electrode unit is at least located in the first area, the electrode unit includes a plurality of third electrodes, and there are liquid crystal molecules between the electrode unit and the first electrode; The second electrode is located in the second area, and there are liquid crystal molecules between the second electrode and the first electrode.

[0007] In a second aspect, based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display module, which includes a display panel and the liquid crystal component provided in any embodiment of the present invention, and the liquid crystal component is located on a light-emitting surface side of the display panel.

[0008] In a third aspect, based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display device, including the module provided in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] The liquid crystal component, display module and display device provided by the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: a second electrode is provided in the second area of the liquid crystal component, and liquid crystal molecules are clamped between the second electrode and the first electrode, so that the deflection state of the liquid crystal molecules in the second area can be independently controlled, that is, the liquid crystal molecules in the second area can have a different deflection state from the liquid crystal molecules in the first area. For example, when the liquid crystal molecules in the first area are in an equivalent columnar prism state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second area can be in a unified deflection state, so that the light transmitted through the second area will not be split. In the application, the liquid crystal component is assembled with a display panel having a through hole in the display area, and the second area is corresponding to the through hole in the display area. When a camera is provided in the through hole, the liquid crystal molecules in the second area can be controlled to be isotropic, so as to ensure the shooting effect of the camera in the through hole. Description of the Drawings

[0010] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0011] Figure 1 It is a top view schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional schematic diagram at the position of the median tangent A-A'; Figure 3 It is a partial top view of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a partial top view schematic diagram of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a voltage distribution schematic diagram of a third electrode in the prism mode in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a voltage distribution schematic diagram of a third electrode in the transmission mode in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a partial top view schematic diagram of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 Another schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 Another partial top view schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 Another top view of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 Another top view of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 A partial schematic diagram of a display module provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 A partial schematic diagram of a display module provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 20 A schematic diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0013] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a", "the", and "said" used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid crystal component, which can be used in combination with a display panel as a 3D optical module. By setting the voltage applied to the electrodes in the liquid crystal component, the liquid crystal component has a prism mode and a transmission mode. In the prism mode, the optical function of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal component can be equivalent to that of a cylindrical prism. When the liquid crystal component is combined with the display panel, the liquid crystal component is in the prism mode to achieve three-dimensional picture display, and the liquid crystal component is in the transmission mode to achieve two-dimensional picture display. A shielding electrode is added to the liquid crystal component, and liquid crystal molecules are arranged between the shielding electrode and the common electrode. The electric field formed by the shielding electrode and the common electrode is used to control the liquid crystal molecules in the area where the shielding electrode is located to be in a transmission state. In the application, the camera is corresponding to the area where the shielding electrode in the liquid crystal component is located, which can ensure the shooting effect of the camera. The above is the main idea of the present invention. The technical solution of the present invention will be illustrated by specific examples below.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic top view of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view at the position of the tangent line A-A' in Figure 1 The positional relationship between the first region Q1 and the second region Q2 in the liquid crystal component is schematically shown in the top view. Figure 3 It is a partial top view of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As Figure 2 shown, the liquid crystal component includes a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 which are oppositely arranged, liquid crystal molecules 13 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, a first electrode 21 located on the side of the first substrate 11 close to the second substrate 12, a second electrode 22 located on the side of the second substrate 12 close to the first substrate 11, and at least one electrode unit 30. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are glass substrates. The manufacturing materials of the first electrode 21, the second electrode 22, and the electrode unit 30 include transparent materials, such as indium tin oxide.

[0017] The liquid crystal component includes a first region Q1 and a second region Q2, and the first region Q1 surrounds the second region Q2. Figure 1 In Figure 3 It schematically shows the arrangement diagram of a plurality of third electrodes 23 in an electrode unit 30, Figure 3 The number of the third electrodes 23 included in an electrode unit 30 inFigure 3 It can be seen that the third electrode 23 extends along the first direction a, and it can be understood that the first direction a is parallel to the second substrate 12. In the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 21 is opposed to the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 respectively. The first electrode 21 is a common electrode, the second electrode 22 is a shielding electrode, and the third electrode 23 is a prism electrode.

[0018] Voltages are applied to the electrode unit 30 and the first electrode 21 respectively, and the voltages of the multiple third electrodes 23 in the electrode unit 30 are controlled to have a specific voltage distribution, so that the electric field formed between the electrode unit 30 and the first electrode 21 can control the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules 13 to form a specific distribution. The optical function of the liquid crystal molecules 13 at the corresponding positions of the electrode unit 30 can be equivalent to that of a cylindrical prism, and can also be called a liquid crystal prism. The liquid crystal prism has a light splitting function. After the light emitted by the display panel passes through the liquid crystal prism, there is a phase difference between the lights with different polarization directions, so that the user can see different images with the left and right eyes, and a 3D visual sense is formed through parallax, that is, three-dimensional display is realized. This mode can be called the prism mode of the liquid crystal component. In the prism mode, the absolute values of the voltages of at least two third electrodes 23 in the electrode unit 30 are not equal.

[0019] When the voltages of the multiple third electrodes 23 in the electrode unit 30 are controlled to be the same, the liquid crystal molecules 13 between the electrode unit 30 and the first electrode 21 have the same deflection angle, so the modulation effect of the liquid crystal molecules 13 on the light is the same, and the light emitted by the display panel passes through the liquid crystal prism to realize two-dimensional display. This mode can be called the transmission mode of the liquid crystal component. In the transmission mode, the absolute values of the voltages of the multiple third electrodes 23 are equal. In the application, the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention can cooperate with the display panel to realize the switching between the three-dimensional display mode and the two-dimensional display mode.

[0020] In the embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode 22 is arranged in the second region Q2 of the liquid crystal component, and the liquid crystal molecules 13 are clamped between the second electrode 22 and the first electrode 21, so that the deflection state of the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2 can be independently controlled, that is, the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2 can have a different deflection state from the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the first region Q1. For example, when the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the first region Q1 are in the state of an equivalent cylindrical prism, the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2 can be in a unified deflection state, so that the light transmitted through the second region Q2 will not have a light splitting effect. In the application, the liquid crystal component and the display panel with through holes in the display area are assembled, and the second region Q2 is corresponding to the through holes in the display area. When a camera is arranged in the through hole, the liquid crystal molecules in the second region can be controlled to be isotropic, so as to ensure the shooting effect of the camera in the through hole.

[0021] In some embodiments, Figure 4 It is a partial top view schematic diagram of another liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention.Figure 4 shows a positional relationship between the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23. As Figure 4 shown, the third electrode 23 extends along the first direction a, and it can be understood that the first direction a is parallel to the second substrate 12 shown in Figure 2 . In the direction b perpendicular to the first direction a, the width of the second electrode 22 is greater than the width of the third electrode 23. Figure 4 In Figure 4

[0022] In some embodiments, the shape of the second electrode 22 is the same as the shape of the second region Q2. A block-shaped second electrode 22 can be arranged in the second region Q2 to uniformly drive and control the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2, without the need to divide the electrodes in the second region Q2 and provide the same signal to multiple electrodes. The pattern of the second electrode 22 is simple and easy to fabricate, and the power supply method for the second electrode 22 is also simpler.

[0023] In the embodiments of the present invention, the liquid crystal module includes a prism mode and a transmission mode; in the prism mode, the absolute values of the voltages of at least two third electrodes 23 in the electrode unit 30 are not equal; in the transmission mode, the absolute values of the voltages of the multiple third electrodes 23 are equal. In the prism mode, the liquid crystal molecules 13 between the electrode unit 30 and the first electrode 21 are equivalent to a column prism and have a light splitting function. In the transmission mode, the modulation effect of the liquid crystal molecules 13 between the electrode unit 30 and the first electrode 21 on light is the same. In the application, the liquid crystal module is assembled with the display panel, so that the display module is a three-dimensional display in the prism mode and a two-dimensional display in the transmission mode.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a voltage distribution of the third electrode in the prism mode in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a voltage distribution of the third electrode in the transmission mode in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 shows the voltage distribution of multiple third electrodes 23 in an electrode unit 30 in the prism mode. An electrode unit 30 includes a total of n third electrodes 23, namely the third electrode 23(1), the third electrode 23(2),..., the third electrode 23(n - 1), and the third electrode 23(n), which are arranged in sequence. As in the prism mode, the voltage values of the n third electrodes 23 arranged in sequence first gradually decrease and then gradually increase.

[0025] From Figure 6It can be seen that in the transmission mode, the voltage values of the n third electrodes 23 arranged in sequence are equal. During the operation of the liquid crystal module, at the same moment, the positive and negative polarities of the voltages on each third electrode 23 are the same. That is, at the same moment, the voltages applied to each third electrode 23 are all positive voltages or all negative voltages.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the liquid crystal module operates in the prism mode and the transmission mode, the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2 are all in a unified deflection state, so that the light transmitted through the second region will not be split. In the prism mode and the transmission mode, the absolute values of the voltages of the second electrodes 22 are controlled to be equal. The control method for the second electrodes 22 in this embodiment is relatively simple.

[0027] In some embodiments, in the prism mode and the transmission mode, the voltage on the first electrode 21 is Vcom, and the voltage on the second electrode 22 is V0; where │Vcom - V0│>│Vcom - Vmin│, and Vmin is the minimum voltage value among the multiple third electrodes 23 in the prism mode. In the prism mode, the voltages on the multiple third electrodes 23 in the electrode unit 30 have a certain distribution rule, so that the optical function of the liquid crystal molecules 13 between the first electrode 21 and the electrode unit 30 is equivalent to that of a cylindrical prism. For the liquid crystal molecules 13, the electric field applied to them affects the deflection degree of the liquid crystal molecules 13. The embodiment of the present invention sets │Vcom - V0│>│Vcom - Vmin│, so that a strong enough electric field can be formed between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to ensure that the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2 stand up, with isotropic refractive index, and prevent the occurrence of boundaries.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second electrodes 22 and the third electrodes 23 are insulated from each other, and the voltages applied to the second electrodes 22 can be independently controlled, with higher flexibility in applying voltages to the second electrodes 22.

[0029] In other embodiments, the second electrode 22 is electrically connected to a third electrode 23, and the implementation manner of their electrical connection is illustrated in the relevant embodiments below. In the prism mode and the transmission mode, the voltage values of the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 connected thereto are equal. In this embodiment, the voltage of the third electrode 23 is reused to drive the second electrode 22, and there is no need to separately set a power supply line for the second electrode 22, making the wiring method and driving method of the display panel simpler.

[0030] In some embodiments, Figure 7 is another partial top view schematic diagram of the liquid crystal module provided by the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid crystal module provided by the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7The first region Q1 and the second region Q2 are schematically shown, as well as the positional relationship between the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23, and the two substrates and the first electrode 21 are not shown. Figure 7 It is equivalent to a top view looking at the second substrate 12 from one side of the second electrode 22.

[0031] As Figure 8 shown, the second electrode 22 is located on the side of the film layer where the third electrode 23 is located away from the second substrate 12. In this embodiment, both the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are located on one side of the second substrate 12, and the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are located in different layers. The second electrode 22 can be fabricated by adding a new film layer in the liquid crystal component, so that the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are physically isolated from each other. Setting the film layer where the second electrode 22 is located farther from the second substrate 12 can sandwich the liquid crystal molecules 13 between the second electrode 22 and the first electrode 21 without changing the layout of the third electrode 23, so as to independently control the deflection state of the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2. When the liquid crystal component operates in the prism mode, the optical function of the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the first region Q1 is equivalent to that of a columnar prism, and the liquid crystal molecules 13 in the second region Q2 can be isotropic. In the application, the liquid crystal component is assembled with a display panel having a through hole in the display area, and the second region Q2 is corresponding to the through hole in the display area. When a camera is disposed in the through hole, it is possible to control the area corresponding to the camera in the through hole to maintain a transmissive state, thereby ensuring the shooting effect of the camera.

[0032] Combined Figure 7 and Figure 8 viewed, at least two third electrodes 23 penetrate the second region Q2 in their extending directions; along the direction e perpendicular to the second substrate 12, the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 penetrating the second region Q2 overlap. In this embodiment, there is also a third electrode 23 in the second region Q2. Although the second electrode 22 is added in the second region Q2, the layout of the original third electrode 23 is not changed, and the impedance on each third electrode 23 can be ensured to be basically the same. Then, in the prism mode, the optical functions of the equivalent prisms formed at various positions in the liquid crystal component are basically the same, and the display effect of three-dimensional display can be ensured in the application.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second electrode 22 is electrically connected to one of the third electrodes 23. Figure 9 This is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 9As shown, the second electrode 22 is connected to a third electrode 23 through a via 25 penetrating the insulating layer and overlapping therewith. In the manufacturing process, first, a plurality of third electrodes 23 are fabricated on one side of the second substrate 12, and then an insulating layer is fabricated to cover the third electrodes 23. Positions corresponding to the second region Q2 and the first region Q1 are demarcated on the second substrate 12, and then vias 25 are fabricated on the insulating layer. The via 25 exposes a third electrode 23 within the second region Q2. The number of vias 25 is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention. When the number of vias 25 is two or more, these vias 25 expose the same third electrode 23. Then, the second electrode 22 is fabricated in the second region Q2, and the second electrode 22 is connected to the third electrode 23 through the via 25.

[0034] Figure 9 In the embodiment, the second electrode 22 is electrically connected to a third electrode 23 through a via 25, which can reuse the voltage of the third electrode 23 to drive the second electrode 22, without the need to additionally provide a power supply line for the second electrode 22, making the wiring method and driving method of the display panel simpler.

[0035] In some embodiments, the materials of the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are the same. Both the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are made of a transparent material, such as indium tin oxide.

[0036] Such as Figure 7 As shown, the liquid crystal component further includes a signal access line 24, and the signal access line 24 is electrically connected to the second electrode 22. Figure 10 Another schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 10 As shown, the liquid crystal component includes a border region Q3, and the border region Q3 surrounds the first region Q1; the signal access line 24 is electrically connected to the second electrode 22 and extends to the border region Q3 through the first region Q1, and the signal access line 24 and the second electrode 22 are on the same layer. In this embodiment, the signal access line 24 is used to provide a voltage to the second electrode 22, and the voltage applied to the second electrode 22 is independently controlled, with higher flexibility in applying a voltage to the second electrode 22.

[0037] For example, a plurality of signal terminals 50 are provided in the border region Q3, and the signal access line 24 is electrically connected to a signal terminal 50 through a lead located in the border region Q3. The signal terminals 50 in the border region Q3 are also used to provide voltage signals to the respective third electrodes 23.

[0038] Optionally, the signal access line 24 and the second electrode 22 are on the same layer and are fabricated in the same process.

[0039] In some embodiments, the extending direction of the signal access line 24 is the same as that of the third electrode 23. In the application, the second region Q2 is set to correspond to the through hole of the display panel, and the liquid crystal component is disposed on the light-emitting side of the display panel. The regions between the third electrode 23 and the adjacent third electrodes 23 are all capable of transmitting light, but there are slight differences in the transmittance. By setting the extending direction of the signal access line 24 to be the same as that of the third electrode 23, it can ensure that the light transmission law in the liquid crystal component remains basically unchanged, and reduce the influence of the signal access line 24 on the light transmission of the liquid crystal component.

[0040] It can be understood that the top view direction of the liquid crystal component is parallel to the direction perpendicular to the second substrate 12. As Figure 10 can be seen from the drawings, along the direction perpendicular to the second substrate 12, the signal access line 24 and the third electrode 23 at least partially overlap. Such a setting can reduce the influence of the signal access line 24 routing in the first region Q1 on the transmittance.

[0041] As Figure 7 shown, the third electrode 23 extends along the first direction a. In the direction b perpendicular to the first direction a, the width of the third electrode 23 is d1, and the width of the signal access line 24 is d2, where d2 ≤ d1. On the premise of ensuring the electrical signal transmission performance of the signal access line 24, the width of the signal access line 24 does not need to be set too large. Setting d2 ≤ d1 can reduce the influence of the signal access line 24 routing in the first region Q1 on the transmittance.

[0042] Figure 10 schematically shows that the position of the second region Q2 is closer to the upper edge of the liquid crystal component, and the signal access line 24 is set to extend upward to the border region Q3. Such a setting makes the routing length of the signal access line 24 in the first region Q1 the shortest, and introduces the electrical signal required by the second electrode 22 to the second region Q2 through the shortest path at the border position closest to the second region Q2.

[0043] Figure 7 and Figure 10 schematically show that there is one signal access line 24 arranged in the liquid crystal component. In another embodiment, Figure 11 is another partial top view schematic diagram of the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 11 shown, one signal access line 24 is respectively disposed on both sides of the second electrode 22.

[0044] In other embodiments, as Figure 2As shown, the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are located in the same layer, that is, the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are fabricated on the same base layer. Since the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are in the same layer, part of the third electrode 23 will meet the second electrode 22 in its extending path. To ensure physical isolation between the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23, the third electrode 23 is set to be disconnected at the position of the second electrode 22. Combining Figure 4 with the top view, at least one third electrode 23 includes two electrode segments 231, and the two electrode segments 231 are located on both sides of the second electrode 22. In this embodiment, the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are fabricated in the same manufacturing process without adding a new manufacturing process, and the process is simple. In addition, only one electrode film layer is provided on the second substrate side to arrange the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23, so that the transmittance of the second region Q2 is relatively high. When the liquid crystal component is attached to a display panel having a through hole in the display area, the transmittance at the position of the through hole can be relatively high, improving the imaging quality of the camera in the through hole.

[0045] In addition, Figure 4 the signal access line 24 is also shown. The signal access line 24 is electrically connected to the second electrode 22 and is used to provide a voltage signal to the second electrode 22.

[0046] In some embodiments, Figure 12 this is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 12 shown, the liquid crystal component includes a border area Q3, and the border area Q3 surrounds the first area Q1; the signal access line 24 is electrically connected to the second electrode 22 and extends to the border area Q3 through the first area Q1, and the signal access line 24 is in the same layer as the third electrode 23. In this embodiment, the signal access line 24 is used to provide a voltage signal to the second electrode 22, and the voltage applied to the second electrode 22 can be independently controlled, with higher flexibility in applying voltage to the second electrode 22. For relevant descriptions in the Figure 10 embodiment, the signal access line 24 is electrically connected to a signal terminal through a lead located in the border area Q3, and a voltage is provided to the signal access line 24 through the signal terminal.

[0047] ]>The signal access line 24 is arranged in the same layer as the third electrode 23 and the second electrode 22, and can be fabricated in the same manufacturing process without adding a new manufacturing process, and the process is relatively simple.

[0048] ]>In addition, as Figure 12 shown, a connection line 26 is also arranged in the border area Q3. The connection line 26 is at least located in the border area Q3 on one side of the first area Q1 in the first direction a. Figure 12 Taking two electrode units 30 as an example, the electrode unit 30 includes n third electrodes 23 arranged in sequence in the same direction, Figure 12Taking n = 9 as an example. The n third electrodes 23 arranged in sequence are sorted, and the i-th third electrode 23 in each electrode unit 30 is electrically connected to each other through a connection line 26. Figure 12 In two electrode units 30, two first third electrodes 23 are electrically connected through a connection line 26, and two second third electrodes 23 in two electrode units 30 are electrically connected through a connection line 26, and so on. Through the connection line 26, the corresponding third electrodes 23 in each electrode unit 30 are electrically connected to each other. Even if some third electrodes 23 are truncated at the position of the second electrode 22, it will not affect the transmission of voltage to the electrode segment 231 of the third electrode 23, and it can ensure that the liquid crystal molecules in the first region Q1 on both sides of the second region Q2 in the first direction a are normally driven, meeting the switching between the prism mode and the transmission mode of the liquid crystal module.

[0049] In the embodiment of the present invention, the corresponding third electrodes 23 in each electrode unit 30 are electrically connected to each other through the connection line 26, so that for a third electrode 23, its voltage signal is transmitted from both ends to the middle, which is beneficial to the voltage uniformity of the third electrode 23 in its extending direction, and further makes the bias state of the liquid crystal molecules uniform in the first direction a, ensuring that when the liquid crystal module works in the prism state or the transmission state, good optical performance can be achieved. In addition, arranging the connection line 26 in the frame region Q3 can provide signals to the corresponding third electrodes 23 in multiple electrode units 30 through one signal terminal, which is beneficial to reducing the number of signal terminals set, correspondingly reducing the number of terminals of the driving chip, and is beneficial to reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0050] In some embodiments, as Figure 12 shown, the signal access line 24 has the same extending direction as the third electrode 23, and the signal access line 24 is located between two adjacent third electrodes 23. By setting the extending direction and position of the signal access line 24, it can meet the requirement of fabricating the signal access line 24 on the same layer as the third electrode 23, without adding new process steps, simplifying the process and reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0051] In some embodiments, as Figure 12 shown, the third electrode 23 extends along the first direction a, and the first direction a is parallel to the second substrate. The third electrode 2Figure 12 In the diagram, the width of the electrode segment 231-1 in direction b is smaller than the width of the first sub-electrode 23-1 in direction b. This embodiment reduces the width of at least one electrode segment 231 adjacent to the signal access line 24. This allows space for the signal access line 24 to be arranged within the first region Q1, meeting the wiring requirements of the signal access line 24 and ensuring mutual insulation between the signal access line and the third electrode 23 fabricated on the same layer.

[0052] In some embodiments, as Figure 12 As shown, the width of the signal access line 24 in direction b is smaller than the width of the first sub-electrode 23 - 1 in direction b. This configuration allows the signal access line 24 to occupy less space in the first region Q1, making it easier to arrange the signal access line 24 between adjacent third electrodes 23 .

[0053] In some embodiments, as Figure 12 As shown, in the conventional first region Q1, a plurality of third electrodes 23 are arranged at equal intervals. The spacing between a signal access line 24 and an adjacent third electrode 23 is smaller than the spacing between two adjacent third electrodes 23 where no signal access line 24 is provided. Figure 12 It can be seen that the spacing between the signal access line 24 and the adjacent electrode segment 231 is smaller than the spacing between two adjacent first sub-electrodes 23-1. This embodiment satisfies the requirement for arranging the signal access line 24 within the first zone Q1 by reducing the spacing between the signal access line 24 and the adjacent electrode segment 231. This minimizes the change in the original arrangement of the electrode segment 231 adjacent to the signal access line 24, thus minimizing the impact on the optical performance of the first zone Q1 in prism mode at the location of the signal access line 24.

[0054] In other embodiments, Figure 13 This is a top view of another liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 As shown, the third electrode 23 includes a third sub-electrode 23-3, which terminates at the position of the second electrode 22; the third sub-electrode 23-3 and the signal access line 24 are respectively located on both sides of the second electrode 22, and the signal access line 24 extends to the border area Q3 via the first region Q1. Along the extension direction a of the third electrode 23, the third sub-electrode 23-3 and the signal access line 24 overlap. In this embodiment, the signal access line 24 occupies the position where the third electrode 23 was originally arranged, and an electrode segment 231 is missing at the position where the signal access line 24 is located. When the second region Q2 is close to the border area Q3 on one side, the length of the signal access line 24 extending in the first region Q1 is shorter, and the partial absence of the electrode segment 231 has little effect on the overall optical performance.

[0055] In some embodiments, at least one electrode segment 231 of the second electrode 22 is connected to a third electrode 23. Figure 14 Another top view of the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 14 shown, two electrode segments 231 of the second electrode 22 are connected to a third electrode 23. In this embodiment, the electrode segment 231 is equivalent to a signal access line 24 that provides a signal to the second electrode 22. The second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are fabricated on the same layer, and the voltage of a third electrode 23 is reused to drive the second electrode 22, eliminating the need for an additional power supply line for the second electrode 22, making the wiring and driving methods of the display panel simpler.

[0056] In some embodiments, Figure 15 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 15 shown, in the first region Q1, a spherical support structure 40 is disposed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, and the spherical support structure 40 is dispersed among the liquid crystal molecules 13. The spherical support structure 40 includes a transparent material. In order to be applicable to three-dimensional displays, the embodiment of the present invention has relatively high requirements for the curvature of the liquid crystal prism formed by the liquid crystal molecules 13, thus requiring a relatively large thickness of the liquid crystal molecule layer. Generally, the thickness of the liquid crystal molecules 13 sandwiched between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 is required to be greater than 100 microns. That is to say, the distance between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 is relatively large, and the support pillars fabricated by the exposure and etching process in the conventional liquid crystal cell process cannot meet the support requirements between the two substrates. The embodiment of the present invention disposes the spherical support structure 40 in the first region Q1 to support between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, ensuring that the liquid crystal component has a uniform and stable thickness at each position.

[0057] In addition, since the area of the second region Q2 corresponds to the display area through-hole of the display panel, the area ratio of the second region Q2 in the overall plane is relatively small. Without disposing the spherical support structure 40 in the second region Q2, effective support between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 can still be ensured. Moreover, since there is a difference in the refractive index between the spherical support structure 40 and the liquid crystal molecules 13, not disposing the spherical support structure 40 in the second region Q2 can also avoid affecting the light path of the light transmitted through the second region Q2. When the liquid crystal component is combined with a panel having a through-hole in the display area, the imaging effect of the camera in the through-hole can be ensured.

[0058] Figure 15 The case where the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are on the same layer is illustrated. In the scheme where the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are on different layers, the setting position of the spherical support structure 40 is also the same as that in Figure 15 the embodiment, and no further drawing illustration is provided here.

[0059] In some embodiments, Figure 16 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As Figure 16 shown, the liquid crystal component includes a first alignment layer 41 and a second alignment layer 42. The first alignment layer 41 is located on the side of the liquid crystal molecules 13 close to the first substrate 11, and the second alignment layer 42 is located on the side of the liquid crystal molecules 13 close to the second substrate 12; the first alignment layer 41 has a hollow K, and the hollow K is located in the second region Q2. In the embodiment of the present invention, the spherical support structure 40 is used to support between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The two substrates and the alignment layers on the substrates are separately manufactured, and then the two substrates are opposed and attached to form a liquid crystal cell.

[0060] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a manufacturing method capable of manufacturing Figure 16 the liquid crystal component provided by the embodiment. In the manufacturing process, after manufacturing the corresponding electrodes on the first substrate 11, a first alignment layer precursor is formed. The hollow K of the first alignment layer precursor is located at the position on the first substrate 11 corresponding to the second region Q2; then the spherical support structure 40 is scattered on the first substrate 11 with the first alignment layer precursor manufactured thereon. At this time, the first alignment layer precursor plays a bonding role between the spherical support structure 40 and the first substrate 11; then the first alignment layer precursor is cured by a curing process to obtain the first alignment layer 41. Since there is no first alignment layer precursor at the position on the first substrate 11 corresponding to the second region Q2, the spherical support structure 40 is not bonded at the position on the first substrate 11 corresponding to the second region Q2.

[0061] The film layer on one side of the second substrate 12 is also manufactured separately. After manufacturing the corresponding electrodes on the second substrate 12, a second alignment layer precursor is formed, and the second alignment layer precursor forms the second alignment layer 42 after an alignment process. Then, liquid crystal molecules are dropped on the second substrate 12 side, and the first substrate 11 with the fixed spherical support structure 40 is relatively attached to the second substrate 12 to form a liquid crystal component. The liquid crystal component manufactured in this way has the spherical support structure 40 inside the second region Q2, which can avoid the spherical support structure 40 affecting the optical path of the light transmitted through the second region Q2. When the liquid crystal component is combined with a panel having a through hole in the display area, the imaging effect of the camera in the through hole can be guaranteed.

[0062] In another embodiment, Figure 17 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal component provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As Figure 17As shown, the liquid crystal component includes a first alignment layer 41 and a second alignment layer 42. The second alignment layer 42 is located on the side of the liquid crystal molecules 13 close to the first substrate 11, and the first alignment layer 41 is located on the side of the liquid crystal molecules 13 close to the second substrate 12. The first alignment layer 41 has a hollow K, and the hollow K is located in the second region Q2. The liquid crystal component provided by this embodiment can be manufactured with reference to the foregoing manufacturing method. The first alignment layer 41 manufactured on the side of the second substrate 12 has a hollow K, and the hollow K is located in the second region Q2. When manufacturing the film layer structure on the side of the second substrate 12, first form a first alignment layer precursor, and the hollow K of the first alignment layer precursor is located at the position on the second substrate 12 corresponding to the second region Q2. Then, scatter the spherical support structure 40 on the second substrate 12 on which the first alignment layer precursor is manufactured. At this time, the first alignment layer precursor plays a bonding role between the spherical support structure 40 and the second substrate 12. Then, use a curing process to cure the first alignment layer precursor to obtain the first alignment layer 41. Since there is no first alignment layer precursor at the position on the second substrate 12 corresponding to the second region Q2, the spherical support structure 40 will not be bonded at the position on the second substrate 12 corresponding to the second region Q2. Finally, in the liquid crystal component obtained by relatively fitting the second substrate 12 and the first substrate 11, the spherical support structure 40 may not exist in the second region Q2, which can avoid the spherical support structure 40 from affecting the light path of the light transmitted through the second region Q2.

[0063] Figure 16 and Figure 17 In the figure, the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are shown as being in the same layer. The solution in which the first alignment layer 41 has a hollow K can also be combined with the solution in which the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are in different layers, and no further drawings are shown here.

[0064] In some embodiments, the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules 13 on the side of the first alignment layer 41 is θ1, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules 13 on the side of the second alignment layer 42 is θ2, where θ2 > θ1. An embodiment of the present invention provides that the liquid crystal module is provided with the first alignment layer 41 having a hollow K, and the hollow K is located in the second region Q2. If the first alignment layer 41 is formed on the side of the first substrate 11, a first alignment layer precursor is fabricated on the side of the first substrate 11, then the spherical support structure 40 is scattered, and then the first alignment layer precursor is cured so that the spherical support structure 40 is bonded and fixed on the side of the first substrate 11. In this way, no spherical support structure 40 is fixed in the hollow K, and there is no spherical support structure 40 in the second region Q2 of the finally fabricated liquid crystal module. In this manufacturing method, since the spherical support structure 40 is bonded to the first alignment layer 41, it cannot be aligned by the rubbing alignment method. The first alignment layer 41 can be aligned by the photo-alignment method after curing, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal on the side of the first alignment layer 41 is relatively small after the photo-alignment treatment. The second alignment layer 42 fabricated on the side of the other substrate can be aligned by the rubbing alignment method, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules on the side of the second alignment layer 42 is relatively large after rubbing alignment, thus making θ2 > θ1. The first alignment layer 41 and the second alignment layer 42 are processed by different alignment processes to meet the alignment requirements as well.

[0065] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display module. Figure 18 It is a partial schematic diagram of a display module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 18 shown, the display module includes a display panel 100 and the liquid crystal module 200 provided by any embodiment of the present invention, and the liquid crystal module 200 is located on the light-emitting surface side of the display panel 100. The structure of the liquid crystal module 200 has been described in the above embodiments and will not be elaborated here. In the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 100 can be a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light-emitting display panel.

[0066] As Figure 18 shown, the display area of the display panel 100 has a through hole 101; along the direction f perpendicular to the plane where the display panel 100 is located, the through hole 101 overlaps with the second region Q2. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the second region Q2 of the liquid crystal module 200 has a second electrode 22, and the second electrode 22 and the first electrode 21 cooperate to drive the liquid crystal molecules in the second region Q2. In application, it is possible to control the liquid crystal molecules in the second region Q2 to be isotropic, so that the second region Q2 is in a transmissive state, ensuring the transmittance of the display module at the position of the through hole 102.

[0067] The cooperation between the inner electrode unit 30 and the first electrode 21 in the first region Q1 enables the liquid crystal molecules in the first region Q1 to be equivalent to a columnar prism, or enables the liquid crystal molecules in the first region Q1 to be in a transmissive state, realizing the switching of the liquid crystal module 200 between the prism mode and the transmissive mode, so that the display module has a three-dimensional display mode and a two-dimensional display mode. When the display module is assembled into a display device, a camera can be arranged in the through hole 101. Since the second region Q2 can be controlled to be in a transmissive state, when the liquid crystal module 200 operates in the prism mode, it can ensure that the light passes through the second region Q2 and the through hole 101 and is captured by the camera, ensuring the imaging quality of the camera.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present invention, the orthographic projection of the second region Q2 on the plane where the display panel 100 is located covers the through hole 101. As Figure 18 shown in the cross-sectional view, the width of the second region Q2 in the horizontal direction is greater than the width of the through hole 101 in the horizontal direction, that is, the first region Q1 does not overlap with the through hole 101. Thus, it can be avoided that the light passing through the first region Q1 enters the through hole 101, and when the liquid crystal module 200 operates in the prism mode, the imaging quality of the camera in the through hole 101 can be ensured.

[0069] In some embodiments, Figure 19 is a partial schematic diagram of a display module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 19 shown, a polarizer 300 is further arranged between the display panel 100 and the liquid crystal module 200. The polarizer 300 has a cutout 301. Among them, the second region Q2, the cutout 301, and the through hole 101 overlap. Among them, the area of the second region Q2 is greater than the area of the cutout 301, and the area of the cutout 301 is greater than the area of the through hole 101.

[0070] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 20 shown, the display device includes the display module 1000 provided by any embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 The position where the through hole 101 on the display panel is shown. The structure of the display module 1000 has been described in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here. The display device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be, for example, an electronic device with a display function such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a television, a smart wearable product, etc.

[0071] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0072] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal component, characterized in that, The liquid crystal component includes: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, liquid crystal molecules located between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode located on a side of the first substrate close to the second substrate, a second electrode and at least one electrode unit located on a side of the second substrate close to the first substrate; The liquid crystal component includes a first region and a second region, and the first region surrounds the second region; wherein, The electrode unit is at least located in the first region, the electrode unit includes a plurality of third electrodes, and there are the liquid crystal molecules between the electrode unit and the first electrode; The second electrode is located in the second region, and there are the liquid crystal molecules between the second electrode and the first electrode.

2. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein, The third electrode extends in a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the second substrate; in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of the second electrode is greater than the width of the third electrode.

3. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal component includes a prism mode and a transmission mode; In the prism mode, the absolute values of the voltages of at least two of the third electrodes in the electrode unit are not equal; In the transmission mode, the absolute values of the voltages of the plurality of third electrodes are equal.

4. The liquid crystal component according to claim 3, wherein, In the prism mode and the transmission mode, the absolute value of the voltage of the second electrode is equal.

5. The liquid crystal component according to claim 4, wherein, In the prism mode and the transmission mode, the voltage on the first electrode is Vcom, and the voltage on the second electrode is V0; wherein, │Vcom - V0│>│Vcom - Vmin│, and Vmin is the minimum voltage value among the plurality of third electrodes in the prism mode.

6. The liquid crystal component according to claim 3, wherein, The second electrode is electrically connected to one of the third electrodes; In the prism mode and the transmission mode, the voltage values on the second electrode and the third electrode connected thereto are equal.

7. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein, The second electrode and the third electrode are insulated from each other, or the second electrode is electrically connected to one of the third electrodes.

8. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein, The shape of the second electrode is the same as the shape of the second region.

9. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein, The second electrode is located on a side of the film layer where the third electrode is located away from the second substrate.

10. The liquid crystal component according to claim 9, wherein, At least two of the third electrodes penetrate through the second region in their extending directions; In a direction perpendicular to the second substrate, the second electrode and the third electrode penetrating through the second region overlap.

11. The liquid crystal component according to claim 10, wherein, The second electrode is connected to one of the third electrodes overlapping therewith through a via hole penetrating through an insulating layer.

12. The liquid crystal module according to claim 9, wherein the materials of the second electrode and the third electrode are the same.

13. The liquid crystal module according to claim 9, wherein the liquid crystal module includes a border area surrounding the first area; the liquid crystal module further includes a signal access line electrically connected to the second electrode, extending through the first area to the border area, and the signal access line and the second electrode are on the same layer.

14. The liquid crystal module according to claim 13, wherein the extending direction of the signal access line is the same as that of the third electrode.

15. The liquid crystal module according to claim 14, wherein along the direction perpendicular to the second substrate, the signal access line and the third electrode at least partially overlap.

16. The liquid crystal module according to claim 14, wherein the third electrode extends along a first direction parallel to the second substrate; in the direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of the third electrode is d1, and the width of the signal access line is d2, and d2 ≤ d1.

17. The liquid crystal module according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode and the third electrode are on the same layer, and at least one of the third electrodes includes two electrode segments located on both sides of the second electrode.

18. The liquid crystal module according to claim 17, wherein the liquid crystal module includes a border area surrounding the first area; the liquid crystal module further includes a signal access line electrically connected to the second electrode, extending through the first area to the border area, and the signal access line and the third electrode are on the same layer.

19. The liquid crystal module according to claim 18, wherein the extending direction of the signal access line is the same as that of the third electrode, and the signal access line is located between two adjacent third electrodes.

20. The liquid crystal module according to claim 19, wherein the third electrode extends along a first direction parallel to the second substrate; the third electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode penetrates the first area in the first direction, and the second sub-electrode includes two electrode segments; in the direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of at least one of the two third electrodes adjacent to the signal access line is smaller than the width of the first sub-electrode.

21. The liquid crystal module according to claim 19, wherein the distance between the signal access line and the adjacent third electrode is smaller than the distance between two adjacent third electrodes at the position where the signal access line is not provided.

22. The liquid crystal module according to claim 19, wherein the third electrode includes a third sub-electrode that stops at the position of the second electrode; the third sub-electrode and the signal access line are located on both sides of the second electrode; Along the extending direction of the third electrode, the third sub-electrode and the signal access line overlap.

23. The liquid crystal component according to claim 17, wherein at least one electrode segment of the second electrode and one of the third electrodes are connected.

24. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein in the first region, a spherical support structure is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the spherical support structure is dispersed among the liquid crystal molecules.

25. The liquid crystal component according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal component includes a first alignment layer and a second alignment layer, one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer is located on the side of the liquid crystal molecules close to the first substrate, and the other is located on the side of the liquid crystal molecules close to the second substrate; the first alignment layer has a hollow portion, and the hollow portion is located in the second region.

26. The liquid crystal component according to claim 25, wherein the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules on the side of the first alignment layer is θ1, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules on the side of the second alignment layer is θ2, and θ2>θ1.

27. A display module, characterized in that, A display panel and the liquid crystal component according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the liquid crystal component is located on the light-emitting surface side of the display panel.

28. The display module according to claim 27, wherein the display region of the display panel has a through hole; along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the display panel, the through hole overlaps with the second region.

29. The display module according to claim 28, wherein the orthographic projection of the second region on the plane of the display panel covers the through hole.

30. A display device, characterized in that, A display module according to claim 27.

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