Display device

Abstract

There is provided a display device including: a display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit. The lens unit includes: a lens array including a plurality of lenses each extending at an acute angle with respect to a second direction; and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the lens array. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules oriented in substantially the same direction as an extension direction of the lens. The display device of the present application can output an image having improved visibility.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0100620, filed on Aug. 1, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to a lens unit and a display device including the lens unit. Background Art

[0003] The importance of a display device as an interface between a user and information is being emphasized. Accordingly, the use of display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and organic light emitting display devices is on the rise.

[0004] A stereoscopic image display device stimulates a viewer's vision such that an output image looks like a real object, thereby allowing the viewer to perceive an image in three dimensions. For example, a stereoscopic image display device may provide different images to a viewer's left and right eyes, thereby allowing a stereoscopic image to be perceived through binocular disparity between the two eyes.

[0005] Recently, display devices that allow three-dimensional images to be viewed without wearing glasses have been actively studied, so that three-dimensional images can be perceived without the use of glasses. For example, a bi-convex lens configured to use a lenticular lens array to separate a left-eye image and a right-eye image from an output image may be used. Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of outputting an image with improved visibility.

[0007] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit. The lens unit may include: a lens array including a plurality of lenses each extending at an acute angle with respect to the second direction; and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the lens array. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules oriented in a direction substantially the same as an extending direction of the lenses.

[0008] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit. The lens unit may include: a lens array including a plurality of lenses each extending at an acute angle with respect to the second direction; and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the lens array. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules symmetrically oriented based on an extending direction of the plurality of lenses.

[0009] A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit. The lens unit includes: a lens array including a plurality of lenses; and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the lens array. The plurality of lenses are inclined and extend at an angle with respect to the second direction. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules inclined in the same direction as the lenses.

[0010] According to the present invention, the display device includes a lens unit that prevents unintended refraction of light. The display device can output an image with improved visibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a pixel array included in the Figure 1 display unit.

[0013] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the display device taken along the line I-I' of Figure 1 .

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the lens array of the lens unit.

[0015] Figure 6 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the lenses and liquid crystal molecules when the display device operates in a two-dimensional image mode.

[0016] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the display device taken along the line I-I' of Figure 1 .

[0017] Figure 9 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the lenses and liquid crystal molecules when the display device operates in a two-dimensional image mode.

[0018] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing Figure 7 a first region of

[0019] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing Figure 10 a second region of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present utility model will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0021] Throughout the specification, where a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where the part is "directly connected", but also the case where the part is "indirectly connected" and another element is disposed therebetween. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, where a particular part "includes" a component, this means that the part may also include another component in addition to the one component. "At least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be construed as one X, one Y, one Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, YZ, and XZ). Here, "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the corresponding structures.

[0022] Here, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, the first component discussed may also be referred to as the second component.

[0023] For descriptive purposes, spatial relative terms such as "below", "above", etc. may be used to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as shown in the drawings. In addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings, the spatial relative terms are also intended to include different orientations of the device during use, operation, and / or manufacture. For example, when the device shown in the drawings is flipped, an element depicted as being "below" another element or feature is positioned in the direction "above" the other element or feature. Thus, in an embodiment, the term "below" may include both upward and downward directions. Additionally, the device may be positioned in other directions (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and thus the spatial relative terms used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0024] Various embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings that schematically illustrate ideal embodiments. Thus, it will be anticipated that the shape may vary, for example, according to tolerances and / or manufacturing techniques. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limited to the specific shapes shown, but should be construed to include, for example, shape changes resulting from manufacturing.

[0025] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a display device 100 according to the present utility model. Figure 2is a plan view showing an embodiment of a pixel array PA included in a display unit 110 Figure 1 The display unit 110 is a planar view showing an embodiment of the pixel array PA included in the display unit 110.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1 , the display device 100 may include a display unit 110 and a lens unit 120.

[0027] The display device 100 may operate in a two-dimensional (2D) image mode MODE 1 or a three-dimensional (3D) image mode MODE 2 through the display unit 110 and the lens unit 120. For example, when the lens unit 120 does not change the optical path of the image output from the display unit 110, the display device 100 may display a 2D image to the viewer.

[0028] On the other hand, when the lens unit 120 changes the optical path of the image output from the display unit 110, the display device 100 may provide a 3D image to the viewer. For example, the display device 100 may be a light field display system, and the light field display system outputs an image through the lens unit 120 provided on the upper surface of the display unit 110 so that the viewer can see different images with both eyes. The light field display system may generate a 3D image by generating a light field using the display unit 110 and the lens unit 120. The light rays generated from each pixel of the display unit 110 may form a light field pointing to a specific viewing angle (or viewpoint) through the lens LS of the lens unit 120. Therefore, the viewer can visually recognize the 3D image corresponding to the specific viewing angle.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the display device 100 may be applied to an electronic device having a display surface DS applied on at least one side (such as a smart phone, a television, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a PDA, a PMP (portable multimedia player), an MP3 player, a medical device, a camera, or a wearable device).

[0030] The display unit 110 may have a display surface DS extending in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The display surface DS may include a display area DA, which is an area where an image is output from the display unit 110, and a non-display area NDA, which at least partially surrounds the display area DA. For example, the non-display area NDA may define the boundary of the display unit 110.

[0031] In some embodiments, the display unit 110 may be a light-emitting display device. For example, the display unit 110 may include an organic light-emitting display device, a quantum dot display device, a micro LED display device, etc.

[0032] The display unit 110 may include a pixel array composed of a plurality of pixels PX each configured to emit light of one color. The pixel array may be disposed in the display area DA.

[0033] Referring to Figure 2 , the pixel array PA may include a plurality of pixels PX arranged in a first direction D1 and / or a second direction D2. Among the plurality of pixels PX, the pixels PX arranged along the first direction D1 may form pixel rows, and the pixels PX arranged along the second direction D2 may form pixel columns. Each of the plurality of pixels PX may include a plurality of sub-pixels. For example, each of the plurality of pixels PX may include a first pixel R configured to emit red light, a second pixel G configured to emit green light, and a third pixel B configured to emit blue light.

[0034] Each of the plurality of pixels PX may include a light-emitting element and a pixel circuit configured to drive the light-emitting element. In some embodiments, the pixel circuit may include a thin-film transistor and a capacitor. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The pixel PX shown in

[0035] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of pixels PX may be connected to at least one scan line and at least one data line. When a scan signal is applied from the scan line, each of the plurality of pixels PX may receive a data voltage from the data line and may emit light by supplying a driving current to the light-emitting element according to the applied data voltage.

[0036] Referring again to Figure 1 , the lens unit 120 may include a lens array LA. The lens array LA may include lenses LS arranged in the first direction D1. Each of the lenses LS may have a predetermined width to at least partially overlap a predetermined number of pixels PX. Accordingly, light rays generated from each of the pixels PX may be output through a corresponding one of the lenses LS at a specific viewing angle. In this way, the lenses LS may refract light transmitted from the display unit 110. In some embodiments, the lenses LS may include an optically anisotropic material or an optically isotropic material.

[0037] The lenses LS may extend in a direction inclined at a specific acute angle with respect to the second direction D2. By inclining the lenses LS with respect to the second direction D2, visual recognition of moiré in the image output from the display device 100 may be prevented. For example, moiré that may be formed along the second direction D2 may be prevented.

[0038] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the display device 100 taken along line I-I’ of Figure 1 .

[0039] In Figure 3 it shows the liquid crystal molecules LC when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1 and no electric field is formed between the upper electrode layer EL2 and the lower electrode layer EL1 of the lens unit 120. In Figure 4 it shows the liquid crystal molecules LC when the display device 100 operates in the 3D image mode MODE 2 and an electric field is formed between the upper electrode layer EL2 and the lower electrode layer EL1 of the lens unit 120.

[0040] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 in some embodiments, the lens unit 120 may include a lower substrate SUB1, a lower electrode layer EL1, a lens array LA, a liquid crystal layer LCL, an upper electrode layer EL2, and an upper substrate SUB2.

[0041] Each of the lower substrate SUB1 and the upper substrate SUB2 may be formed of a transparent insulating material, an organic material, or an inorganic material.

[0042] The lower electrode layer EL1 may be disposed on the lower substrate SUB1. For example, the lower electrode layer EL1 may at least partially overlap with the lower substrate SUB1. The lower electrode layer EL1 may be conductive by including a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and / or various other conductive materials. The lower electrode layer EL1 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0043] The lens array LA may be disposed on the lower electrode layer EL1. The lens array LA may include lenses LS having a convex shape extending in the second direction DR2 or a direction inclined with respect to the second direction DR2. In some embodiments, the lenses LS may include an optically anisotropic material. Each of the lenses LS may at least partially overlap with a predetermined number of pixels PX and refract the light L1 or L2 generated from the corresponding pixels PX.

[0044] The upper electrode layer EL2 may be disposed below the upper substrate SUB2. For example, the upper electrode layer EL2 may at least partially overlap with the upper substrate SUB2. The upper electrode layer EL2 may be conductive by including a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and / or various other conductive materials. The upper electrode layer EL2 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0045] An upper lens array may also be disposed between the upper electrode layer EL2 and the liquid crystal layer LCL. For example, the upper lens array may include lenses having a concave shape extending in the second direction DR2 or a direction inclined with respect to the second direction DR2. In some embodiments, the lenses of the upper lens array may extend in substantially the same direction as the lenses LS. In some embodiments, the lenses of the upper lens array may include an optically anisotropic material.

[0046] In an embodiment, each of the lenses in the upper lens array may be at least partially superimposed with the same number of pixels PX as the number of pixels PX superimposed with each of the lenses LS, but may also be superimposed with two lenses LS. For example, each of the lenses in the upper lens array may have the same width as each of the lenses LS, but may be arranged to be offset by half the width in a first direction DR1 with respect to each of the lenses LS. Therefore, the lenses in the upper lens array may refract the light L1 or L2 generated from the pixels PX in a different manner from the lenses LS.

[0047] The liquid crystal layer LCL may include liquid crystal molecules LC. For example, the liquid crystal layer LCL may include liquid crystal molecules LC oriented in one direction. According to an embodiment, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LC may be determined by the rubbing direction. For example, an alignment layer including a polymer layer such as polyimide may be provided on the lens array LA. The liquid crystal molecules LC may be oriented by rubbing the alignment layer with fibers such as nylon or polyester in a predetermined direction. The orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC may be determined based on the rubbing direction.

[0048] The liquid crystal layer LCL may be provided between the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2. For example, the upper surface of the liquid crystal layer LCL may be in direct contact with the bottom surface of the upper electrode layer EL2. Therefore, the liquid crystal layer LCL may be controlled by the power supply applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2. For example, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be controlled according to the electric field formed by the power supply applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2.

[0049] Referring to Figure 3 , when the display device 100 (see Figure 1 ) operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1, the light L1 output from the display unit 110 may not be refracted. For example, when no power supply is applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2, the liquid crystal layer LCL may not refract the light L1 output from the display unit 110 in the third direction D3. Therefore, the display device 100 (see Figure 1 ) may display a 2D image.

[0050] Referring to Figure 4 , when the display device 100 (see Figure 1 ) operates in the 3D image mode MODE 2, the light L2 output from the display unit 110 may be refracted by the lens array LA. For example, when a power supply is applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be tilted in the third direction D3. For example, once a power supply is applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be in the form of an ellipse similar to a flat or elongated circle in the vertical direction. Therefore, the liquid crystal layer LCL may refract the light L2, and the display device 100 (seeFigure 1 It can display 3D images.

[0051] Referring to Figure 3 , the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LCL can be substantially the same as the refractive index of the lens LS. That is to say, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LCL can be substantially the same as the refractive index of the lens array LA. For example, when the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer LCL are not tilted, the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LCL and the refractive index of the lens LS can be less than 0.01. Therefore, when the light L1 output from the display unit 110 passes through the lens unit 120, unintended refraction of the light L1 can be prevented. For example, when the light L1 output from the display unit 110 passes between the lens LS and the liquid crystal layer LCL, the light L1 can travel in the third direction D3 without being refracted.

[0052] When the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LCL and the refractive index of the lens LS is 0.01 or more, unintended refraction may occur when the light L1 output from the display unit 110 passes between the lens LS and the liquid crystal layer LCL. For example, when at least a part of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the liquid crystal layer LCL are unintentionally tilted, the light L1 output from the display unit 110 may be refracted. Therefore, the visibility of the image provided by the display device 100 to the viewer may be reduced.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1, unintended refraction may not occur when the light L1 of the image displayed through the display unit 110 passes through the lens unit 120. Therefore, the display device 100 can provide a 2D image with improved visibility to the viewer.

[0054] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the lens array LA of the lens unit 120.

[0055] Referring to Figure 5 , the lens array LA can include the lens LS.

[0056] The lens LS can be arranged in the first direction D1, and each of the lens LSs can extend in a direction inclined at a specific acute angle, the first angle ACA, with respect to the second direction D2. In this way, since the lens LS is inclined with respect to the second direction D2, when the lens LS is connected to Figure 1 the display unit 110, moiré patterns can be prevented from being visually recognized in the image output from the display device 100. For example, the lens LS can be inclined with respect to the second direction D2 to prevent moiré patterns that may be formed along the second direction D2.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the lens unit 120 further includes an upper lens array between the liquid crystal layer LCL and the upper electrode layer EL2. The upper lens array may include lenses extending in the same direction as the lens LS. The lenses of the upper lens array have the same width as the lens LS, but are offset by half the width in the first direction D1 with respect to the lens LS.

[0058] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the lens LS and the liquid crystal molecules LC when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode.

[0059] Referring to Figure 6 , the lens LS may be disposed in the fifth direction D5 and may extend in the fourth direction D4. The fourth direction D4 may be inclined at a first angle ACA with respect to the second direction D2 or the direction opposite to the second direction D2. The first angle ACA may be an acute angle.

[0060] The liquid crystal molecules LC may be disposed on the lens LS. For example, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be arranged on the lens LS in the fourth direction D4 and / or the fifth direction D5.

[0061] When the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be arranged parallel to the plane defined by the fourth direction D4 and the fifth direction D5. For example, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be arranged such that their major axes are parallel to the fourth direction D4.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be oriented in a direction substantially the same as the direction in which the lens LS is inclined. For example, the liquid crystal molecules LC may be oriented in a direction inclined at a second angle ACA' with respect to the second direction D2. In some embodiments, the first angle ACA and the second angle ACA' may be substantially the same. The second angle ACA' may be an acute angle. In some embodiments, the first angle ACA and the second angle ACA' may be different. For example, the absolute value of the difference between the first angle ACA and the second angle ACA' may be less than 5 degrees.

[0063] If the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules LC are oriented is not consistent with the direction in which the lens LS is inclined, the visibility of the image displayed by the display device 100 may be reduced. For example, when the liquid crystal molecules LC are oriented in the fifth direction D5, the liquid crystal molecules LC adjacent to the lens LS among the liquid crystal molecules LC may be unexpectedly inclined due to the inclination of the surface of the lens LS. For example, when the major axes of the liquid crystal molecules LC are arranged to face the fifth direction D5, although Figure 1The display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1. However, due to the convex shape of the lens LS, the liquid crystal molecules LC will tilt clockwise and / or counterclockwise on the plane defined by the third direction D3 and the fifth direction D5. In this case, the 2D image displayed on the display device 100 may be unexpectedly refracted. For example, the light L1 output from the display unit may be refracted when passing through the tilted liquid crystal molecules LC. Therefore, the visibility of the 2D image provided by the display device 100 may be reduced.

[0064] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal molecules LC can be oriented in a direction substantially the same as the direction in which the lens LS is tilted, so that they can be less affected by the tilt of the lens LS. Thus, the unexpected tilt of the liquid crystal molecules LC can be minimized, and the unexpected refraction of the light L1 output from the display unit 110 can be prevented. Therefore, when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1, the visibility of the displayed image can be improved.

[0065] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the display device 100 taken along the line I-I'. Figure 1

[0066] In Figure 7 it shows the liquid crystal molecules LC' when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1 and no electric field is formed between the upper electrode layer EL2 and the lower electrode layer EL1 of the lens unit 220. In Figure 8 it shows the liquid crystal molecules LC' when the display device 100 operates in the 3D image mode MODE 2 and an electric field is formed between the upper electrode layer EL2 and the lower electrode layer EL1 of the lens unit 220.

[0067] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 in some embodiments, the lens unit 220 may include a lower substrate SUB1, a lower electrode layer EL1, a lens array LA, an alignment layer AL, a liquid crystal layer LCL', an upper electrode layer EL2, and an upper substrate SUB2.

[0068] Figure 7 and Figure 8 the lower substrate SUB1, the lower electrode layer EL1, the lens array LA, the upper electrode layer EL2, and the upper substrate SUB2 of Figure 3 and Figure 4 may be described similar to the lower substrate SUB1, the lower electrode layer EL1, the lens array LA, the upper electrode layer EL2, and the upper substrate SUB2 of

[0069] The alignment layer AL can be disposed on the lens array LA. The alignment layer AL can entirely cover a plurality of lenses LS. For example, the alignment layer AL can have a convex shape and can be in contact with the lenses LS. Thus, the alignment layer AL can cover the lenses LS.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the alignment layer AL can be a photo-alignment layer. A photo-alignment agent can be used to form the alignment layer AL on the lens array LA. For example, a photo-alignment agent including polyimide can be applied on the plurality of lenses LS, and the applied photo-alignment agent can be baked. Further, polarized light can be irradiated onto the plurality of lenses LS to form the alignment layer AL. The irradiated light can be ultraviolet light in the range of 240 nanometers to 380 nanometers.

[0071] The liquid crystal layer LCL’ can include liquid crystal molecules LC’. For example, the liquid crystal layer LCL’ can include liquid crystal molecules LC’ aligned in one direction. According to an embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC’ can be aligned by the alignment layer AL. For example, the alignment layer AL irradiated with light can align the liquid crystal molecules LC’ in one direction.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC’ can be aligned in the first direction D1. For example, the major axis of the liquid crystal molecules LC’ can be parallel to the first direction D1 and / or the direction opposite to the first direction D1.

[0073] The liquid crystal layer LCL’ can be disposed between the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2. Thus, the liquid crystal layer LCL’ can be controlled by a power supply applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2.

[0074] Referring to Figure 7 , when the display device 100 (see Figure 1 ) operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1, the light L1 output from the display unit 110 can not be refracted. For example, when no power supply is applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2, the liquid crystal layer LCL’ can not refract the light L1 output from the display unit 110. Thus, the display device 100 (see Figure 1 ) can display a 2D image.

[0075] Referring to Figure 8 , when the display device 100 (see Figure 1When operating in the 3D image mode MODE 2, the light L2 output from the display unit 110 can be refracted by the lens array LA. For example, when power is applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2, the liquid crystal molecules LC' can be tilted in the third direction D3. For example, once power is applied to the lower electrode layer EL1 and the upper electrode layer EL2, the liquid crystal molecules LC' can be in the form of an ellipse similar to a flattened or elongated circle in the vertical direction. Therefore, the liquid crystal layer LCL' can refract the light L2, and the display device 100 (see Figure 1 ) can display a 3D image.

[0076] Referring to Figure 7 , the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LCL' can be substantially the same as that of the lens LS. For example, when the liquid crystal molecules LC' of the liquid crystal layer LCL' are not tilted, the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LCL' and the refractive index of the lens LS can be less than 0.01. Therefore, when the light L1 output from the display unit 110 passes through the lens unit 120, unintended refraction of the light can be prevented. For example, when the light L1 output from the display unit 110 passes between the lens LS and the liquid crystal layer LCL', the light L1 can travel in the third direction D3 without being refracted.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE 1, unintended refraction may not occur when the light L1 of the image displayed by the display unit 110 passes through the lens unit 220. Therefore, the display device 100 can provide a 2D image with improved visibility to the viewer.

[0078] Figure 9 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the lens LS and the liquid crystal molecules LC' when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode.

[0079] Referring to Figure 9 , the lens LS can be arranged in the fifth direction D5 and can extend in the fourth direction D4. The fourth direction D4 can be inclined at a first angle ACA with respect to the second direction D2 or the direction opposite to the second direction D2. The first angle ACA can be an acute angle.

[0080] The lens LS can include a first lens LS1 to an nth lens LSn arranged in the fifth direction D5. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the third lens LS3 will be mainly described, but all of the first lens LS1 to the nth lens LSn can be described in the same manner.

[0081] The third lens LS3 can have a central optical axis CO. The central optical axis CO can extend in a direction substantially the same as the direction in which the lens LS is tilted.

[0082] The third lens LS3 may include a first part P1 and a second part P2 that are symmetric with respect to each other about the central optical axis CO. For example, the first part P1 and the second part P2 may be symmetric with respect to each other in a fifth direction D5 or a direction opposite to the fifth direction D5 based on a virtual plane defined by a third direction D3 and a fourth direction D4.

[0083] Liquid crystal molecules LC’ may be disposed on the third lens LS3. For example, when the display device 100 operates in the 2D image mode MODE1, each of the liquid crystal molecules LC’ may be oriented such that its major axis faces the fifth direction D5 or a direction opposite to the fifth direction D5.

[0084] The liquid crystal molecules LC’ may include a first liquid crystal molecule LC1 and a second liquid crystal molecule LC2. The first liquid crystal molecule LC1 may be arranged to at least partially overlap the first part P1, and the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 may be arranged to at least partially overlap the second part P2.

[0085] Each of the liquid crystal molecules LC’ may include a first liquid crystal part LLC and a second liquid crystal part RLC. For example, each of the liquid crystal molecules LC’ may include a first liquid crystal part LLC and a second liquid crystal part RLC that are symmetric based on the corresponding short axis. For example, the elliptical liquid crystal molecule LC’ may be bisected along the short axis.

[0086] The liquid crystal molecules LC’ may be oriented in a direction intersecting the direction in which the third lens LS3 is tilted. For example, the liquid crystal molecules LC’ may be oriented in the fifth direction D5 or a direction opposite to the fifth direction D5. The short axis of the liquid crystal molecules LC’ may be oriented in a direction substantially the same as the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules LC’ are tilted with respect to the central optical axis CO.

[0087] The liquid crystal molecules LC’ may be symmetrically oriented based on the direction in which the third lens LS3 is tilted. For example, the first liquid crystal molecule LC1 and the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 may be symmetrically oriented based on the fourth direction D4.

[0088] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 7 the first region A1 shown.

[0089] Referring to Figure 10 FIG., the alignment layer AL may include a first alignment layer AL1 and a second alignment layer AL2 disposed on the third lens LS3. For example, the alignment layer AL may include a first alignment layer AL1 and a second alignment layer AL2 that are respectively arranged to cover the top surfaces of the first part P1 and the second part P2.

[0090] The liquid crystal molecules LC' can be oriented symmetrically with respect to each other based on the virtual plane VD. For example, the first liquid crystal molecule LC1 and the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 can be oriented symmetrically with respect to each other based on the virtual plane VD defined by the third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first liquid crystal molecule LC1 and the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 can be oriented by the first alignment layer AL1 and the second alignment layer AL2 respectively. For example, when the liquid crystal molecules LC' are oriented, the black matrix can be disposed on the first alignment layer AL1. In this case, light can be irradiated only on the second alignment layer AL2. For example, ultraviolet light can be irradiated on the second alignment layer AL2. The second liquid crystal molecule LC2 can be oriented in one direction by the second alignment layer AL2 oriented by ultraviolet light. For example, each of the second liquid crystal molecules LC2 can be oriented such that the first liquid crystal portion LLC (see Figure 9 ) faces the fifth direction D5. Then, the black matrix can be removed from the first alignment layer AL1, and the black matrix can be disposed on the second alignment layer AL2. Then, light can be irradiated on the first alignment layer AL1, and through the first alignment layer AL1 oriented by ultraviolet light, the first liquid crystal molecule LC1 can be oriented in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 is oriented. For example, each of the first liquid crystal molecules LC1 can be oriented such that the first liquid crystal portion LLC faces the direction opposite to the fifth direction D5. The black matrix can be removed from the alignment layer AL after all the liquid crystal molecules LC' are oriented.

[0092] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing Figure 10 the second region A2 of

[0093] Referring to Figure 11 , the first liquid crystal molecule LC1 and the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 can respectively include a third liquid crystal molecule LC3 and a fourth liquid crystal molecule LC4. The first liquid crystal molecule LC1 can include the third liquid crystal molecule LC3 disposed adjacent to the first alignment layer AL1, and the second liquid crystal molecule LC2 can include the fourth liquid crystal molecule LC4 disposed adjacent to the second alignment layer AL2. The third liquid crystal molecule LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecule LC4 can be symmetric with respect to the central optical axis CO.

[0094] The third liquid crystal molecule LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecule LC4 can be tilted by the convex shape of the third lens LS3. For example, the third liquid crystal molecule LC3 can be tilted counterclockwise by the inclined surface formed by the first portion P1. In addition, the fourth liquid crystal molecule LC4 can be tilted clockwise by the inclined surface formed by the second portion P2.

[0095] In this case, the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 can be oriented in opposite directions through the first alignment layer AL1 and the second alignment layer AL2, respectively. For example, the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 can be oriented in the fifth direction D5, while the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 can be oriented in the direction opposite to the fifth direction D5. Therefore, the inclination degrees of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 caused by the convex shape of the third lens LS3 can be reduced along the orientation direction. For example, the inclination degrees of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 with respect to the plane defined by the fourth direction D4 and the fifth direction D5 can be reduced. According to the embodiment, the inclination angles of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 with respect to the plane defined by the fourth direction D4 and the fifth direction D5 can be 5 degrees or less.

[0096] If the liquid crystal molecules LC’ are uniformly oriented in one direction, the inclination degree of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 or the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 may increase. For example, if the liquid crystal molecules LC’ are oriented in the fifth direction D5, the inclination degree of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 may decrease, but the inclination degree of the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 may increase. In this case, when the light L1 output from the display unit 110 passes through the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4, unexpected refraction of the light may occur. Therefore, the visibility of the image displayed by the display device 100 may be reduced.

[0097] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the inclination degrees of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 and the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 can be uniformly (or globally) reduced. For example, the inclination degree of the third liquid crystal molecules LC3 in the third direction D3 can be reduced by being oriented in the fifth direction D5, and the inclination degree of the fourth liquid crystal molecules LC4 in the third direction D3 can be reduced by being oriented in the direction opposite to the fifth direction D5. Therefore, unexpected refraction of the light L1 output from the display unit 110 does not occur or at least is reduced, and the visibility of the image displayed by the display device 100 can be improved.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lens unit capable of outputting an image with improved visibility and a display device including the lens unit can be provided.

[0099] The effects according to the embodiment are not necessarily limited to the above, and more various other effects are included in this specification.

[0100] Although specific embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications can be derived from the foregoing description. Therefore, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but can also be applied to the recited claims, various obvious modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: The display device comprises: A display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit, The lens unit comprises: a lens array, comprising a plurality of lenses each extending at an acute angle relative to the second direction; and a liquid crystal layer, disposed on the lens array, The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules oriented in the same direction as an extending direction of the plurality of lenses.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of lenses are rubbed in the direction which is the same as the extending direction of the plurality of lenses.

3. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The lens unit further comprises: lower basement; a lower electrode layer, disposed on the lower substrate; and an upper electrode layer, disposed on the lower electrode layer, Wherein, the liquid crystal layer is arranged between the lower electrode layer and the upper electrode layer.

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The liquid crystal molecules are tilted according to voltages applied to the lower electrode layer and the upper electrode layer.

5. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of lenses include an optically anisotropic material.

6. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid crystal layer and the lens array have the same refractive index.

7. A display device, characterized in that: The display device comprises: A display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit, Wherein, the lens unit comprises: a lens array, comprising a plurality of lenses each extending at an acute angle relative to the second direction; and a liquid crystal layer, disposed on the lens array; The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules symmetrically oriented based on the extension direction of the plurality of lenses.

8. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The display device further includes: a light alignment layer, covering the plurality of lenses, Wherein, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned by the photo-alignment layer.

9. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of lenses includes a first portion and a second portion having a symmetrical shape based on a virtual plane defined along the extending direction.

10. The display device according to claim 9, characterized in that: First liquid crystal molecules overlapping the first portion are aligned in a third direction crossing the extending direction, and second liquid crystal molecules overlapping the second portion are aligned in a direction opposite to the third direction.

11. The display device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The third liquid crystal molecules arranged adjacent to the first portion are tilted counterclockwise, and the fourth liquid crystal molecules arranged adjacent to the second portion are tilted clockwise.

12. The display device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The tilt angle of the third liquid crystal molecules and the fourth liquid crystal molecules relative to a plane defined by the extending direction and the third direction is 5 degrees or less.

13. A display device, characterized in that: The display device comprises: A display unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lens unit disposed on the display unit and configured to refract an image output from the display unit, Wherein, the lens unit includes: a lens array including a plurality of lenses; and a liquid crystal layer arranged on the lens array, wherein the plurality of lenses are inclined at a certain angle relative to the second direction and extend, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules inclined in the same direction as the plurality of lenses.

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