Light control panel, display module and display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a light control panel, a display module and a display device. The light control panel comprises a light shielding layer and a liquid crystal layer. The light shielding layer comprises a first light shielding sub-layer and a second light shielding sub-layer located on the two sides of the liquid crystal layer, and a light shielding area and a light transmitting area are formed. The liquid crystal layer comprises a first liquid crystal part located in the shading area; in the first peep-proof state, at least part of light entering the first liquid crystal part is shielded by the shading area; in the sharing state, at least part of light incident to the first liquid crystal part is deflected by the first liquid crystal part to penetrate through the light-transmitting area. The dynamic peep-proof effect is achieved through a simple structure and low cost.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original application with the application number 202411997338.9 and the original filing date of December 31, 2024, and the entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of display, in particular to a light control panel, a display module and a display device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Under the assembly trend of vehicle-mounted multi-screen, when a display screen is installed at the co-pilot position, the display screen is usually required to have a privacy function to avoid affecting the attention of the driver, so as to ensure driving safety.

[0004] At present, the vehicle-mounted privacy technology is mainly based on the design of a liquid crystal light adjustment box, and the dynamic privacy effect is realized through a backlight control scheme. In the vehicle-mounted privacy technology, the double light guide plate (LGP) backlight control light scheme has been mass-produced, and various panel manufacturers mainly develop based on the design of a liquid crystal light adjustment box. For example, multiple liquid crystal light adjustment boxes are stacked to improve the privacy effect, or a liquid crystal box is stacked with a privacy film to improve the privacy effect. However, these privacy schemes will result in a too complex structure or too high cost of the display device. SUMMARY

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a light control panel, a display module and a display device. The light control panel can be dynamically switched between a first privacy state and a sharing state by a simple structure and a lower cost light shielding layer combined with a liquid crystal layer, so as to realize a dynamic privacy effect through a simple structure and a lower cost.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to a first aspect of the present application, a display module is provided, comprising a backlight structure, a light adjustment structure located on the light emitting side of the backlight structure, and a display panel, the light adjustment structure comprising a light control panel and a first polarizing plate; the first polarizing plate is located between the backlight structure and the light control panel, and is configured to convert the light emitted by the backlight structure into first polarized light; The light control panel comprises: a light shielding layer comprising a first sub-light shielding layer and a second sub-light shielding layer arranged oppositely, the second sub-light shielding layer being located on the side of the first sub-light shielding layer away from the first polarizing plate; the first sub-light shielding layer comprises a plurality of first light shielding units arranged in sequence and at intervals, and the second sub-light shielding layer comprises a plurality of second light shielding units arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first light shielding units; and a liquid crystal layer, comprising a first liquid crystal part and a second liquid crystal part, the first liquid crystal part is located between each set of the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit arranged oppositely, and the second liquid crystal part is located between any two adjacent first liquid crystal parts; In the first privacy state and the sharing state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal part is transmitted between the two adjacent second light shielding units; in the first privacy state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part is shielded by the second light shielding unit; in the sharing state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part is deflected by the first liquid crystal part to be transmitted between the two adjacent second light shielding units, and the light transmission angle of the light transmitted through the first liquid crystal part is greater than the light transmission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal part.

[0007] In some embodiments, the light control panel further comprises a driving electrode layer, the driving electrode layer comprises a first driving electrode located on the side of the first light shielding unit and / or the second light shielding unit close to the first liquid crystal part; the first driving electrode is configured to drive the first liquid crystal part to switch between a first light adjustment state and a second light adjustment state; In the first privacy state, the first liquid crystal part and the second liquid crystal part are in the first light adjustment state; in the sharing state, the first liquid crystal part is in the second light adjustment state, and the second liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state; In the first light adjustment state, the first liquid crystal part does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part, and in the second light adjustment state, the first liquid crystal part changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part.

[0008] In some embodiments, the material of the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit is a conductive material, the display module further comprises a driving circuit, the first light shielding unit and / or the second light shielding unit is electrically connected with the driving circuit, and the first light shielding unit and / or the second light shielding unit is configured to drive the first liquid crystal part to switch between a first light adjustment state and a second light adjustment state; In the first privacy state, the first liquid crystal part and the second liquid crystal part are in the first light adjustment state; in the sharing state, the first liquid crystal part is in the second light adjustment state, and the second liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state; In the first light-adjusting state, the first liquid crystal part does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part, and in the second light-adjusting state, the first liquid crystal part changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part.

[0009] In some embodiments, the light-adjusting structure further comprises a second polarizer located on the side of the light-control panel away from the first polarizer, and the transmission axes of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are parallel to each other. When the first liquid crystal part is in the first light-adjusting state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal part do not deflect, and when the first liquid crystal part is in the second light-adjusting state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal part deflect to have a scattering effect on at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part.

[0010] In some embodiments, the light-control panel further comprises a driving electrode layer, the driving electrode layer comprising a second driving electrode located on at least one side of the second liquid crystal part; the second driving electrode is configured to drive the second liquid crystal part to switch between the first light-adjusting state and a third light-adjusting state. The light-adjusting structure further comprises a second anti-peep state, in which the first liquid crystal part is in the first light-adjusting state, and the second liquid crystal part is in the third light-adjusting state; the maximum light-out angle of light transmitted through the second liquid crystal part in the second anti-peep state is smaller than the maximum light-out angle of light transmitted through the second liquid crystal part in the first anti-peep state.

[0011] In some embodiments, the light-adjusting structure further comprises a second polarizer located on the side of the light-control panel away from the first polarizer, and the transmission axes of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are parallel to each other. When the second liquid crystal part is in the first light-adjusting state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal part do not deflect. When the second liquid crystal part is in the third light-adjusting state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal part deflect, and the second liquid crystal part converts at least part of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal part and deviating from the normal viewing angle direction into second polarized light, the principal polarization direction of the second polarized light being parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the second liquid crystal part is in the third light-adjusting state, the second liquid crystal part has a λ / 2 phase retardation amount in the 45° viewing angle direction, where λ represents the wavelength of visible light.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first light shielding unit comprises a first bottom surface close to the first polarizer and a first side surface connected to the first bottom surface, an included angle between the first bottom surface and the first side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The second light shielding unit comprises a second bottom surface away from the first polarizer and a second side surface connected to the second bottom surface, an included angle between the second bottom surface and the second side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

[0014] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the light control structure, the cross section of the second light shielding unit comprises a first bottom edge on the second bottom surface and a first side edge and a second side edge oppositely arranged on the second side surface; The first side edge and the first bottom edge have a first included angle, and the second side edge and the first bottom edge have a second included angle; the first included angle is greater than or equal to the second included angle.

[0015] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the light control structure, the shape of the cross section of the second light shielding unit comprises a non-isosceles trapezoid or a right trapezoid.

[0016] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the light control structure, the shape of the cross section of the second light shielding unit comprises an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle.

[0017] In some embodiments, the distance between the first bottom edges of any two adjacent second light shielding units is consistent.

[0018] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the light control structure, the cross section of any first light shielding unit is the same in size and is centrally symmetrically arranged with the cross section of the corresponding second light shielding unit.

[0019] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the light control structure, the side of the second light shielding unit close to the liquid crystal layer is completely coincident with the side of the first light shielding unit close to the liquid crystal layer.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit are made of the same material and comprise black color resist material.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first light shielding unit further comprises a first light transmission unit between any two adjacent first light shielding units, and the second light shielding unit further comprises a second light transmission unit between any two adjacent second light shielding units. The second driving electrode is located on the side of the first light transmission unit and / or the second light transmission unit close to the second liquid crystal part.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first light shielding unit and the first light transmitting unit are flushly arranged on one side of the liquid crystal layer, and the second light shielding unit and the second light transmitting unit are flushly arranged on one side of the liquid crystal layer. The first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are arranged in a spaced manner, and the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are made of the same material and have the same thickness.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first light transmitting unit and the second light transmitting unit are made of an organic flat material.

[0024] In some embodiments, the light control panel further comprises a first substrate and a second substrate arranged oppositely, the first substrate is located between the first sub-light shielding layer and the first polarizer, and the second substrate is located on a side of the second sub-light shielding layer away from the liquid crystal layer.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present application, a display device is provided, comprising a third polarizer and the display module described above; the light modulation structure is located between the backlight structure and the display panel, and the third polarizer is located on a side of the display panel away from the light modulation structure.

[0026] In the light control panel, the display module and the display device of the embodiments of the present application, the light control panel of the light modulation structure comprises a liquid crystal layer and a light shielding layer with a grating structure arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal layer, the regions where the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit are located constitute the light shielding region of the light shielding layer, the regions where the first light shielding unit or the second unit are located constitute the light transmitting region of the light shielding layer, so that the liquid crystal layer comprises a first liquid crystal part corresponding to the light shielding region of the light shielding layer and a second liquid crystal part corresponding to the light transmitting region of the light shielding layer; and the light modulation structure has a first privacy state and a sharing state. When the light modulation structure is in the first privacy state, at least part of the first polarized light incident to the first liquid crystal part is shielded by the second light shielding unit, thereby reducing the light emitting angle, and thus realizing the privacy effect; when the light modulation structure is in the sharing state, at least part of the first polarized light incident to the first liquid crystal part is deflected by the first liquid crystal part to pass through between the two adjacent second light shielding units, and the light emitting angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal part is greater than the light emitting angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal part, thereby increasing the light emitting angle, and thus realizing the sharing state. Therefore, through the matching of the light shielding layer and the liquid crystal layer, the light modulation structure can be dynamically switched between the first privacy state and the sharing state, thereby realizing the dynamic privacy effect. Since the structure of the light shielding layer in the light modulation structure of the present application is simple and the cost is low, compared with improving the privacy effect by stacking multiple liquid crystal light modulation boxes or improving the privacy effect by stacking a privacy film on a liquid crystal box, the structure of the light modulation layer of the present application is simpler and the cost is lower, which is conducive to simplifying the structure of the display device with the privacy function and reducing the cost.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present application will be illustrated in the following detailed implementation part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort on the basis of these drawings.

[0029] In order to more completely understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following will be described in conjunction with the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the following description represent the same parts.

[0030] Figure 1 is an exploded structural schematic view of a light adjusting structure provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of a light control panel in a first privacy state provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of a light control panel in a sharing state provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of a light control panel in a second privacy state provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of another light control panel provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional structural schematic view of another light control panel provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic view of the change of polarization direction when the first polarized light transmits through the first liquid crystal part in a front view angle provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 8 is a schematic view of the change of polarization direction when the first polarized light transmits through the first liquid crystal part in a 45° view angle provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of another light control panel in a first privacy state provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 10 is an exploded structural schematic view of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals: 1, light adjusting structure; 2, light control panel; 2a, light entering side; 3, first polarizer; 4, second polarizer; 5, light shielding layer; 51, first sub light shielding layer; 51a, first light shielding unit; 51b, first light transmitting unit; 52, second sub light shielding layer; 52a, second light shielding unit; 52b, second light transmitting unit; 6, liquid crystal layer; 6a, first liquid crystal part; 6b, second liquid crystal part; 61, liquid crystal molecule; 7, driving electrode layer; 7a, first driving electrode; 7b, second driving electrode; 8, first bottom surface; 8a, second bottom edge; 9, first side surface; 9a, third side edge; 9b, fourth side edge; 10, second bottom surface; 10a, first bottom edge; 11, second side surface; 11a, first side edge; 11b, second side edge; 12, third bottom edge; 13, fourth bottom edge; 14, first substrate; 15, second substrate; 16, display module; 17, backlight structure; 18, display panel; 19, third polarizer; 20, display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0034] As shown in Figure 10 , the present application provides a display module 16. The display module 16 comprises a backlight structure 17, a light adjusting structure 1 located at the light emitting side of the backlight structure 17, and a display panel 18.

[0035] In some embodiments, the light adjusting structure 1 is located between the backlight structure 17 and the display panel 18, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the light adjusting structure 1 comprises a light control panel 2 and a first polarizer 3 located at the light entering side 2a of the light control panel 2. That is, the first polarizer 3 is located between the backlight structure 17 and the light control panel 2, and the first polarizer 3 is configured to convert the light emitted by the backlight structure 17 into first polarized light.

[0037] Specifically, the light control panel 2 comprises a light shielding layer 5 and a liquid crystal layer 6. The light shielding layer 5 comprises a first sub-light shielding layer 51 and a second sub-light shielding layer 52 arranged oppositely. The first sub-light shielding layer 51 comprises a plurality of first light shielding units 51a arranged in sequence and spaced apart from each other and a first light transmission unit 51b located between any two adjacent first light shielding units 51a, and the second sub-light shielding layer 52 comprises a plurality of second light shielding units 52a arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first light shielding units 51a and a plurality of second light transmission units 52b arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first light transmission units 51b. The liquid crystal layer 6 comprises a first liquid crystal part 6a and a second liquid crystal part 6b, the first liquid crystal part 6a is located between each group of oppositely arranged first light shielding unit 51a and second light shielding unit 52a, and the second liquid crystal part 6b is located between each group of oppositely arranged first light transmission unit 51b and second light transmission unit 52b. That is, the second liquid crystal part 6b is located between any two adjacent first liquid crystal parts 6a.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The light control structure 1 comprises a first privacy state and a sharing state. In the first privacy state and the sharing state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal part 6b is transmitted from between the two adjacent second light shielding units 52a (i.e. the second light transmission unit 52b); in the first privacy state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part 6a is shielded by the second light shielding unit 52a; in the sharing state, at least part of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal part 6a is deflected by the first liquid crystal part 6a to be transmitted from between the two adjacent second light shielding units 52a, and the light transmission angle of the light transmitted through the first liquid crystal part 6a is greater than the light transmission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal part 6b.

[0039] It can be understood that the area where the first light shielding unit 51a and the second light shielding unit 52a are located is a light shielding area, and the area where the first light transmission unit 51b and the second light transmission unit 52b are located is a light transmission area; the first liquid crystal part 6a is arranged corresponding to the light shielding area, and the second liquid crystal part 6b is arranged corresponding to the light transmission area.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the dimming structure 1 is in the first privacy state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 6a is shielded by the second light-shielding unit 52a, thereby reducing the light emission angle and achieving a privacy effect. When the dimming structure 1 is in the sharing state, at least a portion of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 6a is deflected by the first liquid crystal layer 6a to pass through between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a, and the light emission angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal layer 6a is greater than the light emission angle of the light passing through the second liquid crystal layer 6b, thereby increasing the light emission angle and achieving the sharing state. Therefore, through the combination of the light-shielding layer 5 and the liquid crystal layer 6, the dimming structure 1 can dynamically switch between the first privacy state and the sharing state, thereby achieving a dynamic privacy effect.

[0041] In some embodiments, the light control panel 2 further includes a driving electrode layer 7, which includes a first driving electrode 7a located on the side of the first light-shielding unit 51a and / or the second light-shielding unit 52a near the first liquid crystal section 6a, and the first driving electrode 7a is configured to drive the first liquid crystal section 6a to switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, in the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b are in the first dimming mode; as Figure 3 As shown, in the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the second dimming state, and the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the first dimming state. In the first dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a does not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a, while in the second dimming state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a changes the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a.

[0043] Understandably, light-shielding layers 5 with grating structures are provided on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 6 of the dimming structure 1, and driving electrode layers 7 are regionally arranged on the light-shielding layers 5. The dimming state of the first liquid crystal section 6a located between the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a is controlled by the first driving electrode 7a, so that the first liquid crystal section 6a can switch between the first dimming state and the second dimming state. When the dimming structure 1 is in the first privacy state, the first driving electrode 7a drives the first liquid crystal section 6a to be in the first dimming state. Some of the first polarized light in the oblique viewing angle direction can pass through the first liquid crystal section 6a in the first dimming state, and this part of the polarized light is shielded by the first light-shielding unit 51a, thereby reducing the light emission angle and thus achieving the privacy effect. When the dimming structure 1 is in the shared state, the first driving electrode 7a drives the first liquid crystal section 6a to be in the second dimming state, so that the first liquid crystal section 6a in the second dimming state can deflect the first polarized light that would originally be shielded by the first light-shielding unit 51a to pass through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b, thereby increasing the light emission angle and thus achieving the shared state. Therefore, by combining the light-shielding layer 5 and the driving electrode layer 7, the dimming structure 1 can dynamically switch between the first privacy state and the sharing state, thereby achieving a dynamic privacy effect.

[0044] Since the structure of the light-shielding layer 5 in the dimming structure 1 of this application is simple and the cost is low, compared with improving the privacy effect by stacking multiple liquid crystal dimming boxes or by stacking a privacy film on a liquid crystal box, the combination of the light-shielding layer 5 and the driving electrode layer 7 in this application makes the structure of the dimming layer simpler and the cost lower. This is beneficial to simplifying the structure of the display device 20 with privacy function and reducing costs.

[0045] It should be noted that the identical dimming state of the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b described above is a more easily implemented specific embodiment. In other embodiments, in the first privacy state, the dimming states of the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b can have slight differences without affecting the privacy effect. That is to say, a privacy effect can still be achieved even when there are slight differences in the dimming states of the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b.

[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the dimming structure 1 also includes a second polarizer 4 located on the side of the light control panel 2 opposite to the first polarizer 3. Combined with... Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in both the first privacy mode and the shared mode, the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the first dimming mode. First polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, within a preset viewing angle range α, passes sequentially through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b, the second light-transmitting unit 52b, and the second polarizer 4. In the first privacy mode, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the first dimming mode, and first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, within the first privacy viewing angle range β, is blocked by the second light-blocking unit 52a. In the shared mode, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the second dimming mode, and first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, within the first privacy viewing angle range β, is deflected by the first liquid crystal unit 6a and passes sequentially through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b and the second polarizer 4. The first privacy viewing angle range β does not coincide with the preset viewing angle range α, and any viewing angle within the first privacy viewing angle range β is larger than any viewing angle within the preset viewing angle range α.

[0047] Understandably, in the first privacy mode, both the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b are in the first dimming mode. At this time, the first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second liquid crystal unit 6b do not change the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b. The first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within a preset viewing angle range α, can pass through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b and through the corresponding second light-transmitting unit 52b and the second polarizer 4. Meanwhile, the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within the first privacy viewing angle range β, is towards the adjacent first liquid crystal unit 6a and the second light-shielding unit 52a. This portion of polarized light is absorbed or reflected by the first light-shielding unit 51a after passing through the adjacent first liquid crystal unit 6a. Therefore, in the first privacy mode, the double-layer grating structure formed by the first sub-light-shielding layer 51 and the second sub-light-shielding layer 52 reduces the emission angle of the first polarized light, ensuring that only the first polarized light located within the preset viewing angle range α can pass through the second light-transmitting unit 52b and the second polarizer, thereby achieving the privacy effect.

[0048] Specifically, in the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is driven to the second dimming state by the first driving electrode 7a. At this time, the second liquid crystal unit 6b remains in the first dimming state. The first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within the preset viewing angle range α, can still pass through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b, the second light-transmitting unit 52b, and the second polarizer in sequence. However, the propagation direction of the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, located within the first privacy viewing angle range β, changes when passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a. This portion of the polarized light can pass through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b and at least partially pass through the second polarizer 4. Therefore, in the shared state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a in the second dimming state deflects the light emission angle of the first polarized light located within the first privacy viewing angle range β to the wide viewing angle direction, allowing this portion of the polarized light to pass through the adjacent second light-transmitting unit 52b, thereby achieving a shared effect of wide-angle light emission.

[0049] Understandably, the preset viewing angle range α refers to the range of the emission angle of light transmitted through the second liquid crystal section 6b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b in the first dimming state, and the emission angle of light can be defined as the angle between the emission direction of light and the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1. Therefore, the preset viewing angle range α is determined by the width of the second light-transmitting unit 52b (i.e., the distance between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a) and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 6 and the light-shielding layer 5. The size of the preset viewing angle range α can be adjusted by adjusting the shape, size, and thickness of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b in the light-shielding layer 5, as well as the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 6, as needed.

[0050] In some embodiments, the preset viewing angle range α is the viewing angle when the contrast ratio (CR) of the display module 16 is greater than 10, but it is not limited thereto.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first privacy viewing angle range β is greater than or equal to 45° and less than 90°, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] In some embodiments, the transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 are parallel to each other. That is, the absorption axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 are parallel to each other. It can be understood that the light that can pass through the second polarizer has the same polarization direction as the first polarized light.

[0053] Of course, in other embodiments, the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 can also be perpendicular to each other. This application embodiment only uses the example of the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 being parallel to each other for specific explanation. The driving method of the liquid crystal layer 6 in the first privacy state, the sharing state and the second privacy state described below is also based on the fact that the light transmission axes of the first polarizer 3 and the second polarizer 4 are parallel to each other.

[0054] In some embodiments, when the first driving electrode 7a does not apply an electric field to the first liquid crystal portion 6a, the first liquid crystal portion 6a is in a first dimming state, in which case the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal portion 6a do not deflect. When the first driving electrode 7a applies an electric field to the first liquid crystal portion 6a, the first liquid crystal portion 6a is in a second dimming state, in which case the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal portion 6a deflect to scatter the first polarized light within the first privacy viewing angle range β.

[0055] Understandably, in the first dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules do not deflect; for example, the alignment angle of the liquid crystal molecules is 0°, resulting in a horizontal distribution of the liquid crystal molecules, and the liquid crystal is in a high-transmittance state. In the second dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules deflect; for example, the alignment angle of the liquid crystal molecules is greater than 0°, causing the liquid crystal molecules to scatter light. Therefore, in the first privacy state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a does not scatter light, so the first polarized light within the first privacy viewing angle range β is absorbed or reflected by the first light-shielding unit 51a when passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a, reducing the light emission angle and achieving a privacy effect. In the sharing state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a scatters light, and the first polarized light within the first privacy viewing angle range β is scattered to a large angle when passing through the first liquid crystal unit 6a, achieving a sharing effect. Therefore, by changing the voltage on the first driving electrode 7a, the switching between the first privacy state and the sharing state can be achieved, thereby realizing a dynamic privacy effect.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, the first driving electrode 7a is located on the side of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a close to the first liquid crystal section 6a, so that the first liquid crystal section 6a is sandwiched between the two opposing first driving electrodes 7a. The first liquid crystal section 6a is driven to switch between the first dimming state and the second dimming state by the two opposing first driving electrodes 7a, which helps to improve the driving accuracy and avoid the electric field generated by the driving of the first driving electrode 7a from affecting other areas.

[0057] In some embodiments, each first driving electrode 7a can be independently controlled to achieve independent control of the dimming state of each first liquid crystal portion 6a, thereby achieving a unilateral privacy protection effect or a unilateral sharing effect. For example, in the sharing state, voltage can be provided only to multiple first driving electrodes 7a located on the same side, causing the liquid crystal molecules of the corresponding portion of the first liquid crystal portion 6a to deflect and have a light scattering effect, while the liquid crystal molecules of the other portion of the first liquid crystal portion 6a do not deflect and do not have a light scattering effect, thereby achieving a unilateral privacy protection effect or a unilateral sharing effect.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, the driving electrode layer 7 also includes a second driving electrode 7b located on the side of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and / or the second light-transmitting unit 52b near the second liquid crystal section 6b; the second driving electrode 7b is configured to drive the second liquid crystal section 6b to switch between a first dimming state and a third dimming state.

[0059] Understandably, the second driving electrode 7b is located on at least one side of the second liquid crystal portion 6b.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the dimming structure 1 also includes a second privacy state. In the second privacy state, the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the first dimming state, and the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the third dimming state. In the second privacy state, the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit 6b is less than the maximum light emission angle of the light transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit 6b in the first privacy state.

[0061] For example, in the second privacy protection state, the first polarized light incident from the first light-transmitting unit 51b, which is located within the second privacy protection viewing angle range γ, is transmitted sequentially through the corresponding second liquid crystal unit 6b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b and is at least partially absorbed by the second polarizer 4; the second privacy protection viewing angle range γ is located within the preset viewing angle range α and deviates from the positive viewing angle direction.

[0062] Specifically, in the second privacy mode, the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the third dimming mode, and the main deflection direction of the first polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal unit 6b within the second privacy viewing angle range γ can be changed to be parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer 4, so that at least part of the light emitted within the second privacy viewing angle range γ is absorbed by the second polarizer 4, thereby further reducing the light emission angle and further reducing the viewing angle range, thereby achieving a better privacy effect.

[0063] Understandably, in the second privacy mode, since the first liquid crystal unit 6a is in the first dimming mode, the first polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal unit 6a will still be blocked by the second light-shielding unit 52a, thereby achieving the privacy effect.

[0064] It should be noted that when the incident angle of polarized light is parallel to the direction of the major or minor axis of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization direction of the polarized light remains unchanged after passing through the liquid crystal layer; when the incident angle of polarized light is not parallel to the direction of the major or minor axis of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization direction of the polarized light obtained after the polarization light passes through the liquid crystal layer can be decomposed into two mutually perpendicular components, and the direction of the larger of the two components is the main polarization direction.

[0065] In some embodiments, when the second driving electrode 7b does not apply an electric field to the second liquid crystal portion 6b, the second liquid crystal portion 6b is in a first dimming state, and the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal portion 6b do not deflect. When the second driving electrode 7b applies an electric field to the second liquid crystal portion 6b, the second liquid crystal portion 6b is in a third dimming state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal portion 6b deflect, and the second liquid crystal portion 6b converts the first polarized light located within the second privacy viewing angle range γ into second polarized light, and the main polarization direction of the second polarized light is parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer 4.

[0066] Understandably, the first polarized light located within the second privacy viewing angle range γ is light that is at least partially incident off the positive viewing angle direction.

[0067] Therefore, by changing the voltage on the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, the dimming state of the first liquid crystal section 6a and the second liquid crystal section 6b can be adjusted, thereby realizing the switching between the first privacy state, the second privacy state and the sharing state, thus achieving a dynamic privacy effect.

[0068] Understandable, such as Figure 7 As shown, for the first polarized light in the positive viewing angle direction, the polarization direction of the first polarized light is the same as the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule 61 in the positive viewing angle direction, and there is no angle between them. Therefore, this part of the first polarized light remains polarized after passing through the second liquid crystal section 6b, and can pass through the second polarizer 4 to achieve light output in the positive viewing angle. Figure 8 As shown, for the first polarized light in the side viewing direction, there is an angle between the polarization direction of the first polarized light and the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule 61 in the side viewing direction. Therefore, the polarization direction of this part of the first polarized light is twisted after passing through the second liquid crystal part 6b, and the main deflection direction is parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer 4, resulting in at least most of the light in the side viewing direction being absorbed by the second polarizer 4, thereby achieving the privacy protection effect.

[0069] In one specific embodiment, when the second liquid crystal unit 6b is in the third dimming state, the second liquid crystal unit 6b has a phase retardation of λ / 2 in the 45° viewing angle direction, where λ represents the wavelength of visible light. That is, the second privacy viewing angle range γ includes a 45° viewing angle.

[0070] Understandably, by adjusting the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 6 and the voltage on the second driving electrode 7b, the tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal section 6b is changed, so that the phase retardation of the second liquid crystal section 6b in the 45° viewing angle direction is λ / 2, achieving the effect of a half-wave plate. Therefore, as... Figure 8As shown, for the first polarized light with a 45° viewing angle, the angle between its polarization direction and the long axis of the liquid crystal molecule is 45°. At this time, the first polarized light with a 45° viewing angle is transformed into the second polarized light after being twisted by 90° by the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal part 6b and absorbed by the second polarizer 4, so that this part of the light cannot pass through the dimming structure 1, thereby achieving the 45° privacy protection effect.

[0071] In some embodiments, in the first privacy mode, the dimming structure 1 can reduce the brightness percentage at a 45° privacy viewing angle to 2%, and in the second privacy mode, the dimming structure 1 can reduce the brightness percentage at a 45° privacy viewing angle to approximately 1%, thereby achieving a better privacy effect. It should be noted that the brightness percentage at a 45° privacy viewing angle refers to the percentage of brightness at a 45° oblique viewing angle to brightness at a normal viewing angle.

[0072] Of course, the privacy viewing angle of this application embodiment is not limited to 45°. The privacy viewing angle may deviate to some extent from 45°. For example, privacy viewing angles of 44.5° to 45.5° are all within the protection scope of this application embodiment.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, which are designed in a modular manner, independently control the deflection angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the light-shielding area and the light-transmitting area to achieve the switching between the first privacy state, the second privacy state and the sharing state, thereby reducing light leakage and improving the display effect.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a includes a first bottom surface 8 near the first polarizer 3 and a first side surface 9 adjacent to and connected to the first light-transmitting unit 51b, wherein the angle between the first bottom surface 8 and the first side surface 9 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. Correspondingly, the second light-shielding unit 52a includes a second bottom surface 10 on the side opposite to the first polarizer 3 and a second side surface 11 adjacent to and connected to the second bottom surface 10, wherein the angle between the second bottom surface 10 and the second side surface 11 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

[0075] Understandably, the angle between the first bottom surface 8 and the first side surface 9 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°, so that the angle between the side of the first light-transmitting unit 51b near the first light-shielding unit 51a and the side near the first polarizer 3 is greater than or equal to 90°; the angle between the second bottom surface 10 and the second side surface 11 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°, so that the angle between the side of the second light-transmitting unit 52b near the second light-shielding unit 52a and the side near the second polarizer 4 is greater than or equal to 90°.

[0076] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a includes a first bottom edge 10a located on the second bottom surface 10 and a first side edge 11a and a second side edge 11b located on the second side surface 11 and disposed opposite to each other. A first angle θ1 is formed between the first side edge 11a and the first bottom edge 10a, and a second angle θ2 is formed between the second side edge 11b and the first bottom edge 10a, wherein the first angle θ1 is greater than or equal to the second angle θ2.

[0077] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of any first light-shielding unit 51a is the same size as the cross-section of the corresponding second light-shielding unit 52a and is arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

[0078] For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of the first light-shielding unit 51a includes a second bottom edge 8a located on the first bottom surface 8 and a third side edge 9a and a fourth side edge 9b located on the first side surface 9 and arranged opposite to each other. The third side edge 9a and the second bottom edge 8a have a first included angle θ1, and the fourth side edge 9b and the second bottom edge 8a have a second included angle θ2. The first side edge 11a and the third side edge 9a are centrally symmetrically arranged, and the second side edge 11b and the fourth side edge 9b are also centrally symmetrically arranged.

[0079] In some embodiments, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the side of the second light-shielding unit 52a near the liquid crystal layer 6 is completely overlapped with the side of the first light-shielding unit 51a near the liquid crystal layer 6.

[0080] For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a further includes a third bottom edge 12 disposed opposite to the first bottom edge 10a, and the cross-section of the first light-shielding unit 51a further includes a fourth bottom edge 13 disposed opposite to the second bottom edge 8a. The third bottom edge 12 and the fourth bottom edge 13 are arranged to coincide in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1. The lines connecting the vertices of the two diagonally opposite directions of the third bottom edge 12 and the fourth bottom edge 13 intersect each other, and the position of the intersection point is the central symmetry point O of the oppositely disposed first light-shielding unit 51a and second light-shielding unit 52a.

[0081] It is understandable that rotating the second light-shielding unit 52a 180° on the plane of its cross-section will result in the same structure as the first light-shielding unit 51a, or rotating the first sub-light-shielding layer 51 180° will result in the same structure as the second sub-light-shielding layer 52. Therefore, the first sub-light-shielding layer 51 and the second sub-light-shielding layer 52 can be manufactured using the same process.

[0082] In one specific implementation, such as Figures 2 to 4As shown, the first included angle θ1 is greater than the second included angle θ2. For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the shape of the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a includes a non-isosceles trapezoid or a right trapezoid, but is not limited to these.

[0083] Understandably, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-shielding unit 52a is an inverted non-isosceles trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid. Correspondingly, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-transmitting unit 52b adjacent to the second light-shielding unit 52a on the same plane is an upright non-isosceles trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid. Obviously, the two oppositely arranged sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are asymmetrically arranged.

[0084] Since the second light-shielding unit 52a is the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal section 6b, and the two sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are asymmetrically arranged, the light emission angle of the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal section 6b is asymmetrical, thereby achieving an asymmetrical privacy protection effect in the first privacy protection state and the second privacy protection state.

[0085] In one specific embodiment, the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a is an inverted right trapezoid, and the cross-section of the corresponding first light-shielding unit 51a is an upright right trapezoid. This is easy to implement in terms of manufacturing process and can achieve an asymmetric privacy protection effect.

[0086] In another specific implementation, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first included angle θ1 is equal to the second included angle θ2. For example, in the thickness direction of the dimming structure 1, the shape of the cross-section of the second light-shielding unit 52a includes an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle, but is not limited to these.

[0087] Understandably, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-shielding unit 52a is an inverted isosceles trapezoid or rectangle, and correspondingly, the cross-sectional shape of the second light-transmitting unit 52b adjacent to the second light-shielding unit 52a on the same plane is an upright isosceles trapezoid or rectangle. Clearly, the two oppositely positioned sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are symmetrically arranged.

[0088] Since the second light-shielding unit 52a is the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal unit 6b, and the two opposite sides of the second light-shielding unit 52a are symmetrically arranged, the light emission angle of the light-emitting side of the second liquid crystal unit 6b is symmetrical, thereby achieving a symmetrical privacy protection effect in the first privacy protection state and the second privacy protection state.

[0089] In some embodiments, the spacing between the first bottom edges 10a of any two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a remains consistent. This design ensures that the light emission angle of each second light-transmitting unit 52b remains consistent, which is beneficial for improving the overall display effect.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are made of the same material and include a black color resist material, and the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b are made of the same material and include an organic planar material.

[0091] In one specific embodiment, the plurality of first shading units 51a and the plurality of second shading units 52a all constitute a black matrix (BM) shading structure.

[0092] Understandably, the material of the light-shielding layer 5 is composed of black color resist material and organic planarization material, which are commonly used and have low cost in the production process of liquid crystal display panel 18. On the one hand, it can reduce material costs, thereby reducing the cost of the dimming structure 1 with privacy protection effect. On the other hand, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a can be made using mature photolithography, imprinting or transfer processes in the production process of liquid crystal display panel 18, which is conducive to reducing manufacturing costs and can further reduce the cost of the dimming structure 1 with privacy protection effect.

[0093] Of course, in other embodiments, the positions of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b may not be filled. For example, the second driving electrode 7b may be directly set at the positions of the first light-transmitting unit 51b and the second light-transmitting unit 52b. This application does not limit this.

[0094] In one specific embodiment, the length of the third bottom edge 12 of the second light-shielding unit 52a is 5 micrometers (µm), the length of the first bottom edge 10a is 7µm, the distance between the first bottom edge 10a and the third bottom edge 12 (i.e. the height of the second light-shielding unit 52a) is 5µm, and the distance between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a (i.e. the distance between two adjacent first bottom edges 10a) is 10µm.

[0095] It should be noted that the larger the spacing between two adjacent second light-shielding units 52a, the higher the light transmittance, but the worse the privacy protection effect. The higher the height of the second light-shielding unit 52a, the better the privacy protection effect, but the greater the height, the more difficult it is to achieve with existing materials. The size of the second light-shielding unit 52a provided in this application embodiment is a size that can be achieved by the process while still achieving the privacy protection effect. For example, the yellow light process of the liquid crystal display panel 18 makes it relatively easy to manufacture a 5-micrometer-thick second light-shielding unit 52a. Therefore, based on the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display panel 18, the manufacturing process of the light-shielding layer 5 with the double-sided grating structure in this application embodiment is relatively easy to achieve, making the cost of the dimming structure 1 with privacy protection effect provided in this application embodiment lower than the cost of using a privacy film with the same privacy protection effect.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the first light-transmitting unit 51b are flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer 6, and the second light-shielding unit 52a and the second light-transmitting unit 52b are flush with each other on the side near the liquid crystal layer 6. The first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b are spaced apart, and the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b are made of the same material and have the same thickness.

[0097] Understandably, the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b in the driving electrode layer 7 are designed in blocks. Light-shielding structures with grating effects are set on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 6. With the dual-region driving electrodes, the deflection state of the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal section 6a and the second liquid crystal section 6b can be controlled independently, thereby realizing the switching of the dimming structure 1 in the first privacy state, the second privacy state and the shared state, and improving the privacy effect.

[0098] In some embodiments, the light control panel 2 further includes a first substrate 14 and a second substrate 15 disposed opposite to each other. The first substrate 14 is located between the first sub-shielding layer 51 and the first polarizer 3, and the second substrate 15 is located on the side of the second sub-shielding layer 52 away from the liquid crystal layer 6.

[0099] In one specific embodiment, the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 include glass substrates, but are not limited thereto.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first sub-shielding layer 51 is formed directly on the surface of the first substrate 14, and the second sub-shielding layer 52 is formed directly on the surface of the second substrate 15.

[0101] In other embodiments, to improve the material adhesion of the first sub-shielding layer 51, a transparent layer of silicon nitride or silicon oxide material may be formed between the first sub-shielding layer 51 and the first substrate 14. Similarly, a transparent layer of silicon nitride or silicon oxide material may be formed between the second sub-shielding layer 52 and the second substrate 15.

[0102] In some embodiments, the display module 16 further includes a driving circuit electrically connected to the driving electrode layer 7 for controlling the voltage magnitude on the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, thereby driving the dimming structure 1 to switch between a first privacy state, a second privacy state and a shared state.

[0103] In some embodiments, the driving circuit is disposed in the non-display area of ​​the display module 16 and is electrically connected to the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b via wires.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are arranged in a strip shape, so the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b are also arranged in a strip shape. In this case, the ends of the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b can be electrically connected to the driving circuit through wires located in the non-display area.

[0105] Of course, the specific locations of the driving circuit and wires are not limited in the embodiments of this application; the above are merely illustrative examples.

[0106] In some embodiments, the dimming structure 1 can be applied to an in-vehicle display device to give the in-vehicle display device a dynamic privacy protection effect, thereby ensuring driving safety.

[0107] It should be noted that the second polarizer 4 in the dimming structure 1 can be shared with the polarizer on the lower side of the display panel. Therefore, the dimming structure 1 may not include the second polarizer 4, but the second polarizer 4 is placed between the light control panel and the display panel when it is assembled with the display panel.

[0108] In this embodiment, light-shielding layers 5 with grating structures are provided on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 6 of the dimming structure 1, and driving electrode layers 7 are regionally arranged on the light-shielding layers 5. The dimming states of the first liquid crystal portion 6a located in the light-shielding area and the second liquid crystal portion 6b located in the light-transmitting area are respectively controlled by the first driving electrode 7a and the second driving electrode 7b, so that the first liquid crystal portion 6a can switch between a first dimming state and a second dimming state, and the second liquid crystal portion 6b can switch between a first dimming state and a third dimming state. This allows the dimming structure 1 to switch between a first privacy state, a second privacy state, and a shared state, achieving a dynamic privacy effect. Furthermore, the light-shielding layer 5 has low material cost, is easy to manufacture, and has a small thickness, which can effectively reduce the cost and thickness of the dimming structure 1 with privacy effect. In addition, by symmetrically or asymmetrically designing the sidewalls of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a, an asymmetrical switchable privacy effect or a symmetrical switchable privacy effect can be achieved, respectively.

[0109] Therefore, compared with improving the privacy effect by stacking multiple liquid crystal dimming cells or by stacking a privacy film on liquid crystal cells, the solution of combining the light-shielding layer 5 and the driving electrode layer 7 in this application makes the structure of the dimming layer simpler and the cost lower, which is beneficial to simplifying the structure of the display device 20 with privacy function and reducing costs.

[0110] like Figure 9 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a dimming structure 2' applied to the display module 16, which differs from the dimming structure 2 described in the above embodiments in that: Figure 9The materials of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a in the dimming structure 2' shown are both conductive materials. The first light-shielding unit 51a and / or the second light-shielding unit 52a are electrically connected to the driving circuit. The first light-shielding unit 51a and / or the second light-shielding unit 52a are configured to drive the first liquid crystal unit 6a to switch between the first dimming state and the second dimming state.

[0111] In some embodiments, the materials of the first light-shielding unit 51a and the second light-shielding unit 52a are both metallic conductor materials, but are not limited thereto.

[0112] It is understood that in this embodiment, there is no need to additionally provide the first driving electrode 7a in the aforementioned embodiments, which helps to simplify the film structure and manufacturing process of the dimming structure 1. Based on this, the embodiment of this application has the same privacy protection effect as the aforementioned embodiments.

[0113] like Figure 10 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a display device 20, which includes a third polarizer 19 and a display module 16 as described in the foregoing embodiments. The dimming structure 1 is located between the backlight structure 17 and the display panel 18, and the backlight structure 17 is disposed close to the light-incident side of the dimming structure 17. The third polarizer 19 is located on the side of the display panel 18 away from the dimming structure 1.

[0114] Specifically, the backlight structure 17 is located on the side of the first polarizer 3 that is away from the second polarizer 4, the display panel 18 is located on the side of the second polarizer 4 that is away from the first polarizer 3, and the third polarizer 19 is located on the side of the display panel 18 that is away from the second polarizer 4.

[0115] Specifically, the backlight structure 17 emits backlight towards the dimming structure 1. The backlight is converted into first polarized light by the first polarizer 3 and incident on the liquid crystal layer 6 of the dimming structure 1 from the first light-transmitting unit 51b. The dimming structure 1 is disposed between the backlight structure 17 and the display panel 18, and can control the angle of the light source incident on the display panel 18. By switching the first privacy state, the second privacy state, and the shared state of the dimming structure 1, the display device 20 can switch between the first privacy display state, the second privacy display state, and the shared display state to achieve a dynamic privacy display effect.

[0116] In some embodiments, the display panel 18 includes a liquid crystal display panel 18, but is not limited thereto.

[0117] In some embodiments, the side of the display panel 18 facing away from the third polarizer 19 does not need to be provided with an additional polarizer, and the second polarizer 4 in the dimming structure 1 can be reused as the lower polarizer of the display panel 18.

[0118] In some embodiments, the transmission axis of the third polarizer 19 is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the second polarizer 4.

[0119] In other embodiments, the display device 20 further includes a fourth polarizer located between the display panel 18 and the second polarizer 4, and the light transmission direction of the fourth polarizer is the same as that of the second polarizer 4. That is, polarizers are provided on both the lower and upper sides of the light control panel 2 of the dimming structure 1, and polarizers are also provided on both the lower and upper sides of the display panel 18, so that the display module formed by the display panel 18 and the polarizers on its upper and lower sides and the dimming structure 1 are two independent structures, thereby increasing the application range of the dimming structure 1.

[0120] In this embodiment, since the dimming structure 1 has a dynamic privacy protection effect, and the dimming structure 1 has a low cost and a small thickness, the display device 20 has the advantages of low cost and small thickness while having a dynamic privacy protection effect.

[0121] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0122] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0123] The embodiments, implementation methods, and related technical features of this application can be combined and substituted for each other without conflict.

[0124] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A light control panel, characterized by The light control panel has an incident light side and an outgoing light side arranged oppositely, and comprises: a light shielding layer comprising a first sub-light shielding layer and a second sub-light shielding layer arranged oppositely, the first sub-light shielding layer being arranged close to the incident light side of the light control panel, and the second sub-light shielding layer being arranged close to the outgoing light side of the light control panel; the first sub-light shielding layer comprises a plurality of first light shielding units arranged in sequence and at intervals, and the second sub-light shielding layer comprises a plurality of second light shielding units arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the first light shielding units; a liquid crystal layer comprising a first liquid crystal part, the first liquid crystal part being located between each set of the first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit arranged oppositely; and wherein the light control panel comprises a first privacy state and a sharing state, in the first privacy state, at least part of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part is shielded by the second light shielding unit, and in the sharing state, at least part of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part is deflected by the first liquid crystal part to pass through between two adjacent second light shielding units.

2. The light control panel of claim 1, wherein, In the first privacy state and the sharing state, at least part of the light incident between two adjacent first liquid crystal parts passes through between two adjacent second light shielding units, and in the sharing state, the outgoing angle of the light passing through the first liquid crystal part is greater than the outgoing angle of the light passing between two adjacent first liquid crystal parts.

3. The light control panel of claim 1, wherein, The light control panel further comprises a driving electrode layer, the driving electrode layer comprises a first driving electrode located on the side of the first light shielding unit and / or the second light shielding unit close to the first liquid crystal part; the first driving electrode is configured to drive the first liquid crystal part to switch between a first light adjustment state and a second light adjustment state; in the first privacy state, the first liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state; in the sharing state, the first liquid crystal part is in the second light adjustment state; in the first light adjustment state, the first liquid crystal part does not change the propagation direction of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part, and in the second light adjustment state, the first liquid crystal part changes the propagation direction of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part.

4. The light control panel of claim 1, wherein, The first light shielding unit and the second light shielding unit are made of conductive material, and the first light shielding unit and / or the second light shielding unit are configured to drive the first liquid crystal part to switch between a first light adjustment state and a second light adjustment state; in the first privacy state, the first liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state; in the sharing state, the first liquid crystal part is in the second light adjustment state; in the first light adjustment state, the first liquid crystal part does not change the propagation direction of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part, and in the second light adjustment state, the first liquid crystal part changes the propagation direction of the light incident to the first liquid crystal part.

5. A light control panel according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, When the first liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state, liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal part do not deflect; when the first liquid crystal part is in the second light adjustment state, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal part deflect to have a scattering effect on at least part of light incident into the first liquid crystal part.

6. The light control panel of claim 3, wherein, The liquid crystal layer further comprises a second liquid crystal part between any two adjacent first liquid crystal parts; in the first privacy state and the sharing state, the second liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state, and at least part of light incident into the second liquid crystal part transmits between the two adjacent second light shielding units.

7. The light control panel of claim 6, wherein, The driving electrode layer further comprises a second driving electrode on at least one side of the second liquid crystal part; the second driving electrode is configured to drive the second liquid crystal part to switch between the first light adjustment state and a third light adjustment state. The light control panel further comprises a second privacy state, in which the first liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state, and the second liquid crystal part is in the third light adjustment state; the maximum light exit angle of light transmitting through the second liquid crystal part in the second privacy state is smaller than that in the first privacy state.

8. The light control panel of claim 7, wherein, When the second liquid crystal part is in the first light adjustment state, liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal part do not deflect; When the second liquid crystal part is in the third light adjustment state, the liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal part deflect, and the second liquid crystal part is configured to deflect the main polarization direction of at least part of light incident into the second liquid crystal part and deviating from the normal viewing angle direction.

9. The light control panel of claim 8, wherein, When the second liquid crystal part is in the third light adjustment state, the second liquid crystal part has a λ / 2 phase delay amount in a 45° viewing angle direction, where λ represents the wavelength of visible light.

10. The light control panel of claim 7, wherein, The first sub-light shielding layer further comprises a first light transmitting unit between any two adjacent first light shielding units, and the second sub-light shielding layer further comprises a second light transmitting unit between any two adjacent second light shielding units. The second driving electrode is located on the side of the first light transmitting unit and / or the second light transmitting unit close to the second liquid crystal part.

11. The light control panel of claim 1, wherein, The first light shielding unit comprises a first bottom surface away from the second light shielding unit and a first side surface connected with the first bottom surface, and the included angle between the first bottom surface and the first side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The second light shielding unit comprises a second bottom surface away from the first light shielding unit and a second side surface connected with the second bottom surface, and the included angle between the second bottom surface and the second side surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

12. The light control panel of claim 11, wherein, In the thickness direction of the light control panel, the cross section of the second light shielding unit comprises a first bottom edge on the second bottom surface and a first side edge and a second side edge oppositely arranged on the second side surface; The first side edge and the first bottom edge have a first included angle, and the second side edge and the first bottom edge have a second included angle; the first included angle is greater than or equal to the second included angle.

13. The light control panel of claim 12, wherein, In the thickness direction of the light control panel, the shape of the cross section of the second light shielding unit comprises a non-isosceles trapezoid, a right trapezoid, an isosceles trapezoid or a rectangle.

14. The light control panel according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the light control panel, the cross section of any one of the first light shielding units is of the same size as the cross section of the corresponding second light shielding unit and is arranged in a central symmetry.

15. The light control panel of claim 1, wherein, The light control panel further comprises oppositely arranged first and second substrates, the first substrate is located on the side of the first sub-light shielding layer away from the liquid crystal layer, and the second substrate is located on the side of the second sub-light shielding layer away from the liquid crystal layer.

16. A display module, characterized by The display module comprises: a first polarizer; a second polarizer, which is arranged opposite to the first polarizer, and the transmission axes of the first and second polarizers are parallel to each other; a display panel, which is located on the side of the second polarizer away from the first polarizer; and The light control panel according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is located between the first and second polarizers, the first polarizer is arranged on the light incident side of the light control panel, and the second polarizer is arranged on the light emitting side of the light control panel.

17. The display module of claim 16, wherein, The display module further comprises a backlight structure, which is arranged on the side of the first polarizer away from the light control panel, and the first polarizer is configured to convert the light emitted by the backlight structure towards the direction of the light control panel into polarized light.

18. A display device comprising: The display module according to claim 16 or 17.

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