Display module

Abstract

The utility model discloses a display module. The display module comprises a circuit board with a backlight unit, a first polarizer, a light valve and a front cover plate which are sequentially stacked, wherein an icon is printed on the first polarizer, the icon and the backlight unit are correspondingly arranged, and the backlight unit is used for illuminating the icon; the light valve is used for adjusting polarized light which comes from the backlight unit and passes through the first polarizer so as to control the display state of the icon. The icon is arranged on the first polarizer, and the light for illuminating the icon is controlled by the light valve, so that the dynamic display effect of the icon can be realized, the structure of the display module is simplified, and the cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of electronic technology, and particularly relates to a display module that can be used for household electrical appliances. Background Art

[0002] With the development of technology, the human-computer interaction interfaces of household appliances, such as the interfaces of display modules, have become increasingly rich and diverse. The current mainstream light-emitting diode (LED) display modules generally use LED lights as backlights and light up specific patterns, such as the icons on the control interface, through color printing or color backlights to achieve color pattern display. There are also some that use liquid crystal display (LCD) and thin film transistor (TFT) technologies to display dynamic patterns, but the cost is relatively high.

[0003] Therefore, a simpler and lower-cost solution is needed, which can both display patterns and achieve a dynamic display effect. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] An embodiment of the utility model provides an improved display module, which can achieve the dynamic display effect of icons under the conditions of lower complexity and cost.

[0005] The utility model provides a display module, which includes a circuit board with a backlight unit, a first polarizer, a light valve, and a front cover plate that are stacked in sequence; wherein, icons are printed on the first polarizer, the icons are arranged corresponding to the backlight unit, and the backlight unit is used to illuminate the icons; the light valve is used to adjust the polarized light from the backlight unit and passing through the first polarizer to control the display state of the icons. By setting the icons on the first polarizer and using the light valve to control the light illuminating the icons, the dynamic display effect of the icons can be achieved, while simplifying the structure of the display module and saving costs.

[0006] In a possible embodiment, the display module further includes a second polarizer disposed between the light valve and the front cover plate. Setting the second polarizer can prevent the reflection of external ambient light on the surface of the display module, thereby achieving the contrast of the icons in the display state of the display module, enhancing the display effect, and at the same time enhancing the all-black effect in the shutdown state.

[0007] In a possible embodiment, the polarization directions of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are the same, and the light valve is configured not to change the polarization direction of the polarized light passing through it; alternatively, the polarization directions of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are orthogonal, and the light valve is configured to rotate the polarization direction of the polarized light passing through it by 90°. When the polarization directions of the two polarizers are the same, if the polarization direction of the polarized light passing through the light valve does not change, the polarized light can pass through the second polarizer, and thus the display module can display the illuminated icon; when the polarization directions of the two polarizers are orthogonal, if the polarization direction of the polarized light passing through the light valve also rotates by 90°, the polarized light can pass through the second polarizer, and thus the display module can also display the illuminated icon.

[0008] In a possible embodiment, the first polarizer includes a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other, and the icon is disposed on the first surface and / or the second surface.

[0009] In a possible embodiment, the icon is a color icon.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, the light valve includes a first light valve and a second light valve, and the adjustment mode of the first light valve for the polarized light is different from that of the second light valve.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, the light valve includes two transparent electrodes and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two transparent electrodes.

[0012] In a possible embodiment, it further includes a control unit electrically connected to the light valve for controlling the operation of the light valve. The control unit can control the transmission or non-transmission of light by controlling the on / off state of the liquid crystal light valve; it can also control the brightness state of the light by adjusting the electric field strength of the light valve, thereby achieving dynamic display.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, it further includes a light guide bracket disposed between the circuit board and the first polarizer, and the light guide bracket includes a light guide area corresponding to the backlight unit and the icon. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is an exploded cross-sectional schematic view of a display module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is another exploded cross-sectional schematic view of a display module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is still another exploded cross-sectional schematic view of a display module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4It is the fourth exploded sectional view schematic diagram of a display module in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 It is the schematic diagram of the backlight propagation principle of a display module in an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed implementation manners

[0019] The embodiment of the present utility model provides an improved display module, which can reduce the cost of the display module and simplify the structure of the display module while realizing the display of dynamic effects. The display module can be installed in household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, range hoods, dishwashers, etc. Among them, the icons of the display module can be used to indicate the functions of household appliances or the working states of household appliances.

[0020] The embodiment of the present utility model provides a display module 1. Referring to Figure 1 , an exploded view of the display module 1 is shown, which includes a circuit board 10, a first polarizer 12, a light valve 14, and a front cover plate 16 that are stacked in sequence from bottom to top; wherein the circuit board 10 is provided with a backlight unit 101, and the backlight unit 101 serves as a backlight source and can be used to illuminate the icons of the display module 1. The first polarizer 12 is used to convert the natural light from the backlight unit into polarized light, and the light valve 14 is used to modulate the polarized light from the backlight unit 101 and passing through the first polarizer 12, and then control the time or intensity of the backlight source illuminating the icon, so as to control the display state of the icon on the display module 1.

[0021] Specifically, the icon of the display module 1 can be set on the first polarizer 12. After the first polarizer 12 converts the natural light from the backlight unit 101 into polarized light, the polarized light passing through the first polarizer 12 can illuminate the icon.

[0022] Furthermore, the backlight unit 101 is used to illuminate the corresponding icon, and the icon can be set at the position of the first polarizer 12 corresponding to the backlight unit.

[0023] Furthermore, the circuit board 10 can be used to drive the backlight unit 101 and control the opening and closing of the backlight unit 101.

[0024] The control method of the display state of the icon is as follows: when the backlight unit 101 is turned on, the backlight source is converted into polarized light by the first polarizer 12 and illuminates the icon. At this time, if the state of the light valve 14 is controlled so that the polarized light further passes through the light valve 14, the display module 1 can display the illuminated icon; if the state of the light valve 14 is controlled so that the polarized light cannot further pass through the light valve 14, the display module 1 cannot display the illuminated icon. In order to realize the dynamic display of the icon, the rhythm and intensity of the light flow can be dynamically adjusted by controlling the switching speed and switching duration of the light valve, etc., so as to dynamically adjust the brightness state of the icon.

[0025] In the embodiment of the present invention, by setting the icon on the first polarizer 12 and controlling the light illuminating the icon with the aid of the light valve 14, a dynamic display effect of the icon can be achieved. In addition, compared with the mainstream liquid crystal display technology, this solution does not require relevant fine devices and does not require a complex backlight structure, thereby simplifying the structure of the display module and saving costs.

[0026] As described above, the light valve 14 can control the passage of light from the backlight unit 101, and thus control the display state of the icon. Specifically, the passage of light can be controlled by adjusting the on / off or switching state of the light valve, or by adjusting the electric field strength of the light valve.

[0027] In one embodiment, the light valve 14 can be a liquid crystal light valve. A liquid crystal light valve is an optoelectronic device that utilizes the electro-optical effect of liquid crystals to control the light transmittance. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal light valve includes two transparent electrodes and a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween. The working principle of the liquid crystal light valve is based on the change in the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules under the action of an electric field, thereby changing the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer. When an electric field is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in an orderly manner, and light can easily pass through; when no electric field is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged disorderly, and light is difficult to pass through.

[0028] The liquid crystal light valve can be controlled by a control unit. The electrodes of the liquid crystal light valve are connected to the control unit through wires, thereby providing appropriate voltage and current for the liquid crystal light valve. Among them, the control unit can be disposed on the circuit board 10.

[0029] In one embodiment, the control unit can control the on / off of the liquid crystal light valve, and thus control the passage and cutoff of light. Specifically, when the backlight unit 101 is lit, the backlight source is converted into polarized light by the first polarizer 12. At this time, if the liquid crystal light valve is not powered on, the liquid crystal molecules are randomly arranged, and this polarized light cannot pass through the liquid crystal light valve, so the icon cannot be illuminated, that is, the icon is displayed in a dark state. If the liquid crystal light valve is powered on, the electric field acts on the liquid crystal molecules, causing them to align along the direction of the electric field. This alignment forms a fixed polarization direction. When it is consistent with the polarization direction of the polarized light, the polarized light can pass through the liquid crystal layer, thereby illuminating the icon, that is, the icon is displayed in a bright state. Further, the passage or non-passage of light can be controlled by quickly switching the on / off state of the liquid crystal light valve, thereby realizing the display of a dynamic picture; or the brightness state of the light can be controlled by adjusting the electric field strength of the liquid crystal light valve to achieve dynamic display.

[0030] To enhance the display effect of the display module 1, a polarizer can be added on the basis of the above embodiment. Refer to Figure 2, a polarizer, called the second polarizer 15, can be provided between the light valve 14 and the front cover plate 16, and the polarization directions of the first polarizer 12 and the second polarizer 15 are the same. For the polarized light passing through the first polarizer 12, if the liquid crystal light valve is powered on, the polarized light is modulated by the liquid crystal light valve and the polarization direction of the polarized light does not change. This polarized light can pass through the second polarizer 15, so that the display module 1 can display the illuminated icon, such as Figure 5 ; if the liquid crystal light valve is not powered on, the polarized light is blocked by the randomly arranged liquid crystal molecules, so that it cannot pass through the liquid crystal light valve and the second polarizer 15, and the corresponding icon cannot be illuminated.

[0031] Specifically, if the liquid crystal light valve is powered on, the electric field will act on the liquid crystal molecules, causing them to align along the direction of the electric field. This alignment forms a fixed polarization direction (the same as the polarization direction of the polarized light), which has no obvious effect on the polarization state of the polarized light. This polarized light can pass through the liquid crystal light valve and the second polarizer 15, so that the illuminated icon can be displayed. If the liquid crystal light valve is not powered on, the randomly arranged liquid crystal molecules block the passage of light, and this polarized light cannot pass through the liquid crystal light valve and the second polarizer 15, so that the icon cannot be illuminated or is displayed in a dark state. Further, the transmission or non-transmission of light can be controlled by quickly switching the on / off state of the liquid crystal light valve, so as to realize the display of dynamic images.

[0032] In another embodiment, the control unit can also adjust the arrangement mode of the liquid crystal molecules by adjusting the electric field applied to the liquid crystal light valve, so as to adjust the polarization state of the light when passing through the liquid crystal layer, that is, change the polarization direction of the incident polarized light through the liquid crystal light valve. This adjustment can generally control the rotation angle of the light relatively precisely.

[0033] For example, by controlling the electric field strength applied to the liquid crystal light valve, the polarized light passing through the liquid crystal light valve is rotated by a certain angle, such as 90°. In this embodiment, in order to achieve the display effect of the display module 1, another polarizer needs to be added, and the polarization direction of this polarizer is perpendicular to the polarization direction of this polarized light. Specifically, also referring to Figure 2 , a polarizer, called the second polarizer 15, can be provided between the light valve 14 and the front cover plate 16, and the polarization directions of the first polarizer 12 and the second polarizer 15 are orthogonal.

[0034] In this embodiment, for the polarized light passing through the first polarizer 12, if it is modulated by the liquid crystal light valve and rotated by 90°, the polarization direction of the modulated polarized light is the same as the polarization direction of the second polarizer 15, and this polarized light can pass through the second polarizer 15, so that the display module 1 can display the illuminated icon, such as Figure 5; If the polarized light is not modulated by the liquid crystal light valve or is adjusted and rotated to other angles, so that the polarization direction of the polarized light is inconsistent with the polarization direction of the second polarizer 15, the polarized light cannot pass through the second polarizer 15, and thus the corresponding icon cannot be displayed.

[0035] For example, if the liquid crystal light valve applies an electric field of the first intensity, the liquid crystal molecules are rotated and arranged so that the polarization state of the polarized light passing through the liquid crystal layer is rotated by 90°. This polarized light can pass through the liquid crystal light valve and the second polarizer 15, so that the illuminated icon is displayed. If the liquid crystal light valve applies an electric field of other intensities, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged along the electric field direction, but this arrangement forms a polarization direction that is not 90°, so that the incident polarized light cannot be rotated by 90°. The polarized light cannot pass through the second polarizer 15, and thus the icon cannot be illuminated or is displayed in a dark state. Further, the transmission or non-transmission of light can be controlled by quickly switching the electric field intensity of the liquid crystal light valve, thereby realizing the display of a dynamic picture.

[0036] In the foregoing embodiments, the second polarizer 15 can prevent the reflection of external ambient light on the surface of the display module, thereby realizing the contrast of the icon in the display state of the display module 1, enhancing the display effect, and at the same time enhancing the all-black effect in the shutdown state. Specifically, when the external light irradiates the surface of the second polarizer 15, the light with a polarization state inconsistent with it will be absorbed, and only the remaining part of the light will pass through the second polarizer 15 and reach the surface of the icon. This part of the light will cause the reflection on the surface of the icon, thereby affecting the display effect. Since this part of the light only accounts for a very small part of the external incident light, the reflectivity of the icon surface is substantially reduced, thereby improving the contrast of the display. In the off state of the display module, the all-black effect is improved, and in the display state of the display module, the contrast of the icon is improved, enhancing the display effect.

[0037] In some common embodiments, there are two ways to control the liquid crystal light valve. One is the overall light transmission and cut-off control, that is, all display areas have two states of light passing through and cut off. This control method is simple and only requires transparent electrodes to be arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the liquid crystal light valve and connected to the control unit to achieve unified state control.

[0038] Another way is that each icon can be controlled individually. This control method requires a set of transparent electrodes corresponding to each icon, and each set of transparent electrodes can be individually connected to the control unit for individual control. For example, the display module includes two light valves, namely the first light valve and the second light valve, and each light valve corresponds to one or a group of icons. The first light valve and the second light valve can have the same adjustment method, that is, the two light valves have the same adjustment method for polarized light, and both use the aforementioned method of controlling the passage of light by adjusting the on / off of the light valve or by adjusting the electric field strength of the light valve to control the passage of light; or they can have different adjustment methods. For example, the first light valve controls the passage of light by adjusting the on / off of the light valve, and the second light valve controls the passage of light by adjusting the electric field strength of the light valve, and vice versa.

[0039] In some common embodiments, the icon can be set on any side of the first polarizer 12. For example, the icon is set on the side facing the circuit board, or it can also be set on the side facing the light valve. Preferably, the icon is set on the side of the first polarizer 12 facing the circuit board. At this time, the first polarizer 12 itself can also achieve the effect of integral black.

[0040] In some common embodiments, in order to display a color effect, the color icon can be printed or printed on the first polarizer 12 through a specific process.

[0041] In some common embodiments, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , that is, in the display module 1 including the first polarizer 12 and in the display module 1 including the first polarizer 12 and the second polarizer 15, in order to support the first polarizer 12, a light guide bracket 11 can be provided between the first polarizer 12 and the circuit board 10. The light guide bracket 11 includes a light guide area corresponding to the icon and the backlight unit, so that the backlight source passes through the light guide area to illuminate the corresponding icon.

[0042] It should be noted that in the foregoing at least one embodiment, one or more icons can be set on the first polarizer 12 as needed, and one or more corresponding backlight units can also be set on the circuit board.

[0043] Furthermore, when there are multiple icons, multiple corresponding light valves can also be set for each or each group of icons, and by individually controlling different light valves, the dynamic display effect of the icons can be achieved.

[0044] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A display module, characterized in that, It includes a circuit board with a backlight unit, a first polarizer, a light valve, and a front cover plate that are sequentially stacked; wherein, An icon is printed on the first polarizer, the icon is correspondingly arranged with the backlight unit, and the backlight unit is used to illuminate the icon; the light valve is used to adjust the polarized light from the backlight unit and passing through the first polarizer to control the display state of the icon.

2. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display module further includes a second polarizer disposed between the light valve and the front cover plate.

3. The display module according to claim 2, wherein The polarization directions of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are the same, and the light valve is configured not to change the polarization direction of the polarized light passing through it.

4. The display module according to claim 2, wherein, The polarization directions of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are orthogonal, and the light valve is configured to rotate the polarization direction of the polarized light passing through it by 90°.

5. The display module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first polarizer includes a first surface and a second surface that are oppositely arranged, and the icon is disposed on the first surface and / or the second surface.

6. The display module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The icon is a color icon.

7. The display module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that The light valve includes a first light valve and a second light valve, and the adjustment manner of the first light valve to the polarized light is different from that of the second light valve.

8. The display module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that The light valve includes two transparent electrodes and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two transparent electrodes.

9. The display module according to claim 8, characterized in that It further includes a control unit, electrically connected to the light valve, for controlling the operation of the light valve.

10. The display module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, It further includes a light guide bracket disposed between the circuit board and the first polarizer, and the light guide bracket includes a light guide area corresponding to the backlight unit and the icon.

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