Electric control visual angle switcher and display device

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric control visual angle switcher of a display device. The electric control visual angle switcher comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a plurality of spacers, a first polaroid and a second polaroid. The first liquid crystal layer and the plurality of spacers are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The included angle between the first alignment direction of the first alignment layer and the second alignment direction of the second alignment layer ranges from 165 degrees to 195 degrees. Each spacer has a height greater than 5 [mu] m. The included angle between the axial direction of the first absorption axis of the first polaroid and the first alignment direction ranges from 0 degree to 15 degrees or from 75 degrees to 105 degrees. The included angle between the axial direction of the second absorption axis of the second polaroid and the second alignment direction ranges from 0 degree to 15 degrees or from 75 degrees to 105 degrees. The utility model further provides a display device. The display device provided with the electric control visual angle switcher is excellent in brightness uniformity and process stability of a display picture.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a display device with an electrically controlled switcher, and in particular to a display device with an electrically controlled viewing angle switcher. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to provide a display device with a privacy function, a technical solution of placing an electrically controllable viewing angle control element above a display panel is proposed. Generally, such viewing angle control element is, for example, a liquid crystal device with electrically controllable phase retardation. In the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device, liquid crystal material is injected into the cavity between two light-transmitting substrates to form a liquid crystal layer for modulating light. With the increasing market demand for light-weight and bendable display devices, the substrate used in the viewing angle control element gradually turns to a flexible substrate in addition to the display panel. However, the flexibility of the flexible substrate affects the thickness uniformity of the formed liquid crystal layer in the process, resulting in poor display brightness and viewing angle uniformity of the display device.

[0003] The background section is provided to assist in understanding the present application, and thus the contents of the background section may include some known technology. The contents of the background section are not necessarily to be taken as prior art, and the contents of the background section may not be known to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a display device with an electrically controlled viewing angle switcher, which has excellent display brightness uniformity and process stability.

[0005] Other purposes and advantages of the present application can be further understood from the technical features disclosed in the present application.

[0006] To achieve one or some or all of the above purposes or other purposes, an embodiment of the present application provides an electrically controlled view angle switcher. The electrically controlled view angle switcher includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a plurality of spacers, a first polarizer, and a second polarizer. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged to overlap along a stacking direction. The first liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment layer is arranged between the first substrate and the first liquid crystal layer and has a first alignment direction. The second alignment layer is arranged between the second substrate and the first liquid crystal layer and has a second alignment direction. An included angle between the first alignment direction and the second alignment direction is in a range of 165 degrees to 195 degrees. The plurality of spacers are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each spacer has a height greater than 5 micrometers along the stacking direction. The first polarizer is arranged on a side of the first alignment layer opposite to the first liquid crystal layer and has a first absorption axis. An axial direction of the first absorption axis and the first alignment direction have an included angle in a range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees or a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees. The second polarizer is arranged on a side of the second alignment layer opposite to the second liquid crystal layer and has a second absorption axis. An axial direction of the second absorption axis and the second alignment direction have an included angle in a range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees or a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees.

[0007] To achieve one or some or all of the above purposes or other purposes, an embodiment of the present application provides a display device. The display device includes a display panel and a first electrically controlled view angle switcher. The first electrically controlled view angle switcher is arranged to overlap the display panel and includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a plurality of spacers, a first polarizer, and a second polarizer. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged to overlap along a stacking direction. The first liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment layer is arranged between the first substrate and the first liquid crystal layer and has a first alignment direction. The second alignment layer is arranged between the second substrate and the first liquid crystal layer and has a second alignment direction. An included angle between the first alignment direction and the second alignment direction is in a range of 165 degrees to 195 degrees. The plurality of spacers are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each spacer has a first height greater than 5 micrometers along the stacking direction. The first polarizer is arranged on a side of the first alignment layer opposite to the first liquid crystal layer and has a first absorption axis. An axial direction of the first absorption axis and the first alignment direction have an included angle in a range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees or a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees. The second polarizer is arranged on a side of the second alignment layer opposite to the second liquid crystal layer and has a second absorption axis. An axial direction of the second absorption axis and the second alignment direction have an included angle in a range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees or a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees.

[0008] Based on the above, in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, multiple spacers in the electronically controlled viewing angle switch define a space for filling the liquid crystal layer between the two substrates. Since the height of the spacers along the stacking direction of the two substrates is greater than 5 μm, the variation in liquid crystal layer thickness caused by the surface flatness of the two substrates can be effectively reduced, which helps to improve the uniformity of the emitted brightness of the electronically controlled viewing angle switch. In addition, it increases the flexibility in controlling the amount of liquid crystal during filling, thereby improving process stability and quality control.

[0009] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment layer, the axial direction of the absorption axis of the polarizer, and the configuration relationship between the two sides of the privacy shield axis.

[0012] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 A front view schematic diagram showing multiple first spacers distributed on a first substrate.

[0013] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A front view schematic diagram of a plurality of first spacers on a first substrate in another modified embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment layer, the axial direction of the absorption axis of the polarizer, and the configuration relationship between the two sides of the privacy shield axis.

[0016] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0017] 10, 10A: Display device

[0018] 50: Backlight module

[0019] 100, 100A: Display panel

[0020] 100ds: Display surface

[0021] 150: Electronically controlled LCD box

[0022] 210: first electrically controlled view switching device

[0023] 220: second electrically controlled view switching device

[0024] 251, 252: compensation film

[0025] AD1-AD4: first alignment direction to fourth alignment direction

[0026] AL1-AL4: first alignment layer to fourth alignment layer

[0027] AX1-AX3: first absorption axis to third absorption axis

[0028] DPAX: dual privacy axis

[0029] EL1-EL4: first electrode layer to fourth electrode layer

[0030] H1: first height

[0031] H2: second height

[0032] LC1: first liquid crystal molecule

[0033] LC2: second liquid crystal molecule

[0034] LCL1: first liquid crystal layer

[0035] LCL2: second liquid crystal layer

[0036] OX: optical axis

[0037] P1, P2: pitch

[0038] POL1-POL3: first polarizer to third polarizer

[0039] SP1, SP1": first spacer

[0040] SP2: second spacer

[0041] SS: substrate surface

[0042] SUB1-SUB4: first substrate to fourth substrate

[0043] W1, W2: maximum width

[0044] WP1: quarter wave plate

[0045] Z: direction

[0046] α1, α2, α3, α4, β2, γ1, γ2, angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The above and other technical contents, features and effects of the present application will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., are only for reference to the directions of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms are used for illustration, not for limiting the present application.

[0048] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the first embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a schematic view of the configuration relationship between the alignment direction of the alignment layer, the absorption axis direction of the polarizer and the dual-side privacy axis direction in the display device 10. Figure 3A is Figure 1 is a front view of the display device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present application. Figure 3B is Figure 3A is a front view of the display device 10 according to another variant embodiment of the present application. It is particularly noted that Figure 2 The angle configuration relationship shown in the display device 10 is, for example, Figure 1 is a schematic view of the angle configuration relationship of the display device 10 in the top view direction (for example, direction Z).

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 The display device 10 includes a backlight module 50, a display panel 100 and a first electrically-controlled viewing angle switcher 210 arranged on top of each other. The first electrically-controlled viewing angle switcher 210 is arranged between the display panel 100 and the backlight module 50, i.e., the backlight module 50 is arranged on the side of the first electrically-controlled viewing angle switcher 210 facing away from the display panel 100, but not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first electrically-controlled viewing angle switcher 210 can also be arranged on the side of the display panel 100. In the present embodiment, the display panel 100 is a non-self-luminous display panel, and the backlight module 50 can serve as the illumination light source required for the display panel 100 to display.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the first electrically controlled view switching device 210 includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, a first liquid crystal layer LCL1, a first alignment layer AL1, and a second alignment layer AL2, and the first substrate SUB1, the second substrate SUB2, the first liquid crystal layer LCL1, the first alignment layer AL1, and the second alignment layer AL2 are arranged in a stacking direction (e.g., direction Z). The first alignment layer AL1 is arranged on the first substrate SUB1 and between the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 and the first substrate SUB1. The second alignment layer AL2 is arranged on the second substrate SUB2 and between the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 and the second substrate SUB2. The first liquid crystal layer LCL1 is arranged between the first alignment layer AL1 and the second alignment layer AL2 (or between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2).

[0051] The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 can be flexible substrates, and the material thereof can include triacetate cellulose (TAC), cyclo-olefin polymer (COP), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or other suitable high-molecular polymers or a sheet material having a phase retardation amount (e.g., a stretched compensation film).

[0052] In particular, the first alignment layer AL1 and the second alignment layer AL2 of the first electrically controlled view switching device 210 are configured to determine the arrangement state of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 in a natural state (e.g., without the effect of an electric field). To drive the first liquid crystal layer LCL1, the first electrically controlled view switching device 210 can further include a first electrode layer EL1 and a second electrode layer EL2. In the present embodiment, the first electrode layer EL1 is arranged between the first substrate SUB1 and the first alignment layer AL1, and the second electrode layer EL2 is arranged between the second substrate SUB2 and the second alignment layer AL2. When the two electrode layers are enabled to have a potential difference, the plurality of first liquid crystal molecules LC1 of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 are deflected by the electric field formed between the two electrode layers. The first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 are, for example, light-transmissive electrodes, and the material thereof can include metal oxides such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, or other suitable oxides, or a stacked layer of at least two of the above, but is not limited thereto.

[0053] First, by adjusting the applied voltage between the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 of the first electrically controlled view angle switch 210, the display device 10 can be switched between the sharing mode and the privacy mode. For example, when a first voltage is applied between the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2, the display device 10 operates in the privacy mode. When a second voltage is applied between the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2, the display device 10 operates in the sharing mode, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] The liquid crystal layer of the first electrically controlled view angle switch 210 can be driven in a twisted-nematic (TN) mode or an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode. For example, in the present embodiment, the first electrically controlled view angle switch 210 is driven in the ECB mode, and the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 is, for example, a positive liquid crystal, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] Further, the first electrically controlled view angle switch 210 further includes a first polarizer POL1 and a second polarizer POL2. The first polarizer POL1 is disposed on a side of the first alignment layer AL1 opposite to the first liquid crystal layer LCL1, and is located between the first alignment layer AL1 and the backlight module 50. The second polarizer POL2 is disposed on a side of the second alignment layer AL2 opposite to the first liquid crystal layer LCL1, and is located between the second alignment layer AL2 and the display panel 100. The first polarizer POL1 and the second polarizer POL2 have a first absorption axis AX1 and a second absorption axis AX2, respectively. In the present embodiment, the display panel 100 can include the electrically controlled liquid crystal cell 150 and a third polarizer POL3, and the electrically controlled liquid crystal cell 150 is disposed between the second polarizer POL2 and the third polarizer POL3.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the present embodiment, the first electrically controlled view angle switch 210 has a double-side privacy axis DPAX perpendicular to the direction Z. In detail, the double-side privacy axis DPAX includes a 90-degree direction and a -90-degree direction on the same dimension (for example, the horizontal dimension in FIG. 1) and opposite to each other, and the viewing angle angle is from 90 degrees to -90 degrees, wherein the viewing angle 0 degree is the positive viewing angle direction (for example, the direction Z). Figure 2 For example, the 90-degree direction is a direction toward the right side of FIG. 1, and the -90-degree direction is a direction toward the left side of FIG. 1. Figure 2 Figure 2

[0057] ​​In the present embodiment, the angle a1 between the first alignment direction AD1 of the first alignment layer AL1 and the -90-degree direction of the dual-sided privacy axial direction DPAX can be 90 degrees, i.e., the first alignment direction AD1 is perpendicular to the dual-sided privacy axial direction DPAX. The angle a2 between the second alignment direction AD2 of the second alignment layer AL2 and the -90-degree direction of the dual-sided privacy axial direction DPAX can be 95 degrees. That is, the angle g1 between the first alignment direction AD1 and the second alignment direction AD2 is 175 degrees, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the angle g1 between the first alignment direction AD1 and the second alignment direction AD2 can be in the range of 165 degrees to 195 degrees.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the axial direction of the first absorption axis AX1 of the first polarizer POL1 can be perpendicular to the first alignment direction AD1, and the axial direction of the second absorption axis AX2 of the second polarizer POL2 can be perpendicular to the second alignment direction AD2. The angle b2 between the -90-degree direction of the dual-sided privacy axial direction DPAX and the second absorption axis AX2 of the second polarizer POL2 is, for example, 5 degrees, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the axial direction of the first absorption axis AX1 can also be parallel to the first alignment direction AD1, and the axial direction of the second absorption axis AX2 can also be parallel to the second alignment direction AD2. Alternatively, the angle between the axial direction of the first absorption axis AX1 and the first alignment direction AD1 and the angle between the axial direction of the second absorption axis AX2 and the second alignment direction AD2 can each be in the range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees or in the range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees.

[0059] In order to control the thickness of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1, the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210 is further provided with a plurality of first spacers SP1 between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. It is particularly noted that the first height H1 of each of the first spacers SP1 along the stacking direction (e.g., the direction Z) of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 is greater than 5 pm. Preferably, the first height H1 can be less than or equal to 15 pm.

[0060] When the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are flexible substrates, the flexibility of the substrates can cause the surface flatness of the substrates to deteriorate during the process, thereby affecting the thickness uniformity of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 located between the two substrates. Therefore, the design of the first height H1 of the first spacers SP1 being greater than 5 pm can effectively reduce the influence of the variation in the thickness of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 caused by the surface flatness of the two substrates on the light emission brightness uniformity of the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210. In addition, it can also increase the control flexibility of the amount of liquid crystal filled, thereby improving the process stability and quality control.

[0061] On the other hand, in order to make the display device 10 have the best privacy effect at the viewing angle of ±45 degrees on the dual-side privacy axis DPAX, the maximum phase retardation of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 can be between 0.75 μm and 0.83 μm. Therefore, corresponding to the range of the first height H1 of the aforementioned first spacers SP1 (i.e. greater than 5 μm and less than or equal to 15 μm), the absolute difference between the ordinary ray refractive index and the extraordinary ray refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 can be between 0.050 and 0.166. However, the utility model is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the maximum phase retardation of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 can be adjusted according to the viewing angle at which the display device has the best privacy effect.

[0062] Further, in order to enhance the support effect of the first spacers SP1 on the substrate, the percentage value of the area of the orthographic projection of the plurality of first spacers SP1 on the substrate surface SS of the first substrate SUB1 to the area of the substrate surface SS can be greater than 0.5% and less than 5%. Please refer to Figure 3A For example, the first spacers SP1 can be arranged at intervals P1 along at least one direction parallel to the substrate surface SS, and each has a maximum width W1 along any one of the arrangement directions. Preferably, the maximum width W1 of the first spacers SP1 can be less than 20 μm, and the interval P1 can be greater than 83.5 μm and less than 270 μm. It is particularly pointed out that if the maximum width W1 of the first spacers SP1 is less than 20 μm, the influence of the arrangement of the first spacers SP1 on the privacy effect can be effectively reduced.

[0063] That is, in order to make the arrangement of the first spacers SP1 meet the support requirement on the substrate and not affect the privacy effect, if the interval of the arrangement of the first spacers SP1 is reduced, the maximum width of the first spacers SP1 must also be reduced. For example, as shown in Figure 3B , in another variant embodiment, if the interval P2 of the arrangement of the first spacers SP1" is less than Figure 3A the interval P1 of the arrangement of the first spacers SP1 in Figure 3A , the maximum width W2 of the first spacers SP1" is also less than Figure 1 the maximum width W1 of the first spacers SP1 in Figure 1 , the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 in

[0064] It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the orthographic projection profile of the first gap SP1 on the substrate surface SS is exemplarily illustrated as a circle, and the present utility model is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the orthographic projection profile of the gap on the substrate surface SS can be an ellipse, a square, a rhombus, a polygon, or other suitable shapes.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210 can further selectively include a compensation film 251. The compensation film 251 is disposed between the first polarizer POL1 and the first liquid crystal layer LCL1, that is, the compensation film 251 is disposed between the first polarizer POL1 and the second polarizer POL2. The out-of-plane phase retardation amount (Rth) of the compensation film 251 can be in the range of 100 nm to 500 nm. In the present embodiment, the out-of-plane phase retardation amount of the compensation film 251 is, for example, 280 nm.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the backlight module 50 is, for example, a light collecting type backlight module, which at least includes a light guide plate and a low scattering reflective sheet. In order to meet different light distribution requirements, the light collecting type backlight module can further be provided with an inverse prism sheet, a light control film, at least one prism sheet, at least one diffusion sheet, or a combination thereof. It is particularly noted that the first polarizer POL1 can use a polarizer with low water absorption and low thermal expansion coefficient, such as a coated polarizer, to reduce the influence of environmental humidity and temperature changes on the deformation of the polarizer, thereby stabilizing the optical performance of the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210.

[0067] Another embodiment will be listed below to illustrate the present disclosure in detail, wherein the same components will be marked with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted. Please refer to the foregoing embodiments for the omitted parts, which will not be described again.

[0068] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 5 is Figure 4 is a schematic view of the configuration relationship between the alignment direction of the alignment layer in Figure 5 The angle configuration relationship shown in Figure 4 is the angle configuration relationship of the display device 10A in

[0069] Please refer to Figure 4 , the display device 10A of the present embodiment and Figure 1The display device 10 of the present embodiment differs from the display device 10 of the first embodiment in that the type of display panel and the number of electrically controlled view angle switchers differ. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the display panel 100A is, for example, a self-emission type display panel, and the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210 is provided on one side of the display surface 100ds of the display panel 100A. The first polarizing plate POL1 is located between the display panel 100A and the first liquid crystal layer LCL1. The second polarizing plate POL2 is located on the side of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 opposite the display panel 100A.

[0070] The display panel 100A is, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a micro light emitting diode (micro-LED) display panel, or a mini light emitting diode (mini-LED) display panel, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the display device 10A can further include a second electrically controlled view angle switcher 220 provided on one side of the display surface 100ds of the display panel 100A and located on the side of the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210 opposite the display panel 100A. It is specifically noted that the display panel 100A and the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210 are, for example, combined in a non-full bonding manner, such as an Air Bonding manner, and the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210 and the second electrically controlled view angle switcher 220 are, for example, combined in a full bonding manner, but are not limited thereto.

[0072] Similar to the configuration of the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210, the second electrically controlled view angle switcher 220 of the present embodiment can include a third substrate SUB3, a fourth substrate SUB4, a second liquid crystal layer LCL2, a third alignment layer AL3, and a fourth alignment layer AL4, and the third substrate SUB3, the fourth substrate SUB4, the second liquid crystal layer LCL2, the third alignment layer AL3, and the fourth alignment layer AL4 are provided in a stacked manner in a stacking direction (for example, the direction Z). The third alignment layer AL3 is provided on the third substrate SUB3 and located between the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 and the third substrate SUB3. The fourth alignment layer AL4 is provided on the fourth substrate SUB4 and located between the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 and the fourth substrate SUB4. The second liquid crystal layer LCL2 is provided between the third alignment layer AL3 and the fourth alignment layer AL4 (or between the third substrate SUB3 and the fourth substrate SUB4).

[0073] The third substrate SUB3 and the fourth substrate SUB4 can be flexible substrates, and their materials can include triacetate cellulose (TAC), cyclo-olefin polymer (COP), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), other suitable high-molecular polymers, or a sheet material having a phase delay amount (e.g., a stretched compensation film).

[0074] The third alignment layer AL3 and the fourth alignment layer AL4 of the second electrically controlled view angle switch 220 are configured to determine the arrangement state of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 in a natural state (e.g., not affected by an electric field). To drive the second liquid crystal layer LCL2, the second electrically controlled view angle switch 220 can further include a third electrode layer EL3 and a fourth electrode layer EL4. In the present embodiment, the third electrode layer EL3 is disposed between the third substrate SUB3 and the third alignment layer AL3, and the fourth electrode layer EL4 is disposed between the fourth substrate SUB4 and the fourth alignment layer AL4. When the two electrode layers are enabled to have a potential difference, the plurality of second liquid crystal molecules LC2 of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 are deflected by the electric field formed between the two electrode layers. The third electrode layer EL3 and the fourth electrode layer EL4 are, for example, light-transmissive electrodes, and the material of the light-transmissive electrodes can include metal oxides such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, or other suitable oxides, or a stacked layer of at least two of the above, but is not limited thereto.

[0075] First, adjusting the applied voltage between the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 of the first electrically controlled view angle switch 210 and the applied voltage between the third electrode layer EL3 and the fourth electrode layer EL4 of the second electrically controlled view angle switch 220 can allow the display device 10A to switch between the sharing mode and the privacy mode. For example, when the first voltage is applied between the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 and / or the third voltage is applied between the third electrode layer EL3 and the fourth electrode layer EL4, the display device 10A operates in the privacy mode. When the second voltage is applied between the first electrode layer EL1 and the second electrode layer EL2 and the fourth voltage is applied between the third electrode layer EL3 and the fourth electrode layer EL4, the display device 10A operates in the sharing mode.

[0076] The liquid crystal layer of the electrically controlled view angle switcher can be driven in a twisted-nematic (TN) mode or an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode. For example, in the present embodiment, the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210 and the second electrically controlled view angle switcher 220 are both driven in the ECB mode, and the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 and the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 are both, for example, positive liquid crystals.

[0077] Further, the second electrically controlled view angle switcher 220 further includes a third polarizer POL3. The third polarizer POL3 is disposed on a side of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 facing away from the first electrically controlled view angle switcher 210, and has a third absorption axis AX3. The second polarizer POL2 is located between the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 and the second liquid crystal layer LCL2.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the present embodiment, an included angle a3 between the third alignment direction AD3 of the third alignment layer AL3 and the -90-degree direction of the dual-side privacy axial direction DPAX can be 95 degrees. An included angle a4 between the fourth alignment direction AD4 of the fourth alignment layer AL4 and the -90-degree direction of the dual-side privacy axial direction DPAX can be 90 degrees. That is, an included angle g2 between the third alignment direction AD3 and the fourth alignment direction AD4 is 175 degrees, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the included angle g2 between the third alignment direction AD3 and the fourth alignment direction AD4 can be in a range of 165 degrees to 195 degrees.

[0079] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the first alignment direction AD1 and the fourth alignment direction AD4 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the dual-side privacy axial direction DPAX, and the second alignment direction AD2 is parallel to the third alignment direction AD3. In the present embodiment, an axial direction of the first absorption axis AX1 of the first polarizer POL1 can be perpendicular to the first alignment direction AD1, and an axial direction of the third absorption axis AX3 of the third polarizer POL3 can be perpendicular to the fourth alignment direction AD4. That is, the axial directions of the first absorption axis AX1 and the third absorption axis AX3 are parallel to each other. An included angle b2 between the -90-degree direction of the dual-side privacy axial direction DPAX and the second absorption axis AX2 of the second polarizer POL2 is, for example, 5 degrees, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the axial direction of the first absorption axis AX1 can also be parallel to the first alignment direction AD1, and the axial direction of the second absorption axis AX2 can also be parallel to the second alignment direction AD2. Alternatively, an included angle between the axial direction of the first absorption axis AX1 and the first alignment direction AD1 and an included angle between the axial direction of the second absorption axis AX2 and the second alignment direction AD2 can each be in a range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees or a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees.

[0080] Similar to the first electrically-controlled view angle switcher 210, in order to control the thickness of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2, the second electrically-controlled view angle switcher 220 is further provided with a plurality of second spacers SP2 between the third substrate SUB3 and the fourth substrate SUB4. It is particularly noted that each of these second spacers SP2 has a second height H2 along the stacking direction (e.g. direction Z) of the third substrate SUB3 and the fourth substrate SUB4 greater than 5 pm. Preferably, the second height H2 can be less than or equal to 15 pm.

[0081] When the third substrate SUB3 and the fourth substrate SUB4 are flexible substrates, their flexibility can cause the surface flatness of the substrates to deteriorate during the manufacturing process, thereby affecting the thickness uniformity of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 located between the two substrates. Therefore, the design of the second height H2 of the second spacers SP2 being greater than 5 pm can effectively reduce the impact of the variation in the thickness of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 due to the surface flatness of the two substrates on the light emission brightness uniformity of the second electrically-controlled view angle switcher 220. In addition, it can also increase the control flexibility of the amount of liquid crystal when filling the liquid crystal, thereby improving the process stability and quality control.

[0082] On the other hand, in an embodiment, the arrangement of the first electrically-controlled view angle switcher 210 can allow the display device 10A to produce the best privacy effect at a view angle of ±45 degrees on the dual-side privacy axis DPAX, and the arrangement of the second electrically-controlled view angle switcher 220 can effectively suppress the light leakage of the display device 10A at a view angle of ±60 degrees, wherein the maximum phase retardation amount of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 of the first electrically-controlled view angle switcher 210 can be between 0.752 pm and 0.828 pm, and the maximum phase retardation amount of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 of the second electrically-controlled view angle switcher 220 can be between 0.538 pm and 0.580 pm. Therefore, corresponding to the range of the first height H1 of the aforementioned first spacers SP1 (i.e. greater than 5 pm and less than or equal to 15 pm) and the range of the second height H2 of the second spacers SP2 (i.e. greater than 5 pm and less than or equal to 15 pm), the absolute difference between the ordinary light refractive index and the extraordinary light refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 can be between 0.050 and 0.166, and the absolute difference between the ordinary light refractive index and the extraordinary light refractive index of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 can be between 0.036 and 0.116.

[0083] However, the utility model is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the maximum phase retardation of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 can be adjusted according to the viewing angle design for the display device to have the best privacy effect. For example, the maximum phase retardation of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 of the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210 can be between 0.538 μm and 0.580 μm to filter light at a viewing angle of ±60 degrees on the dual-side privacy axis DPAX, and the maximum phase retardation of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 of the second electrically controlled viewing angle switch 220 can be between 0.752 μm and 0.828 μm to filter light at a viewing angle of ±45 degrees on the dual-side privacy axis DPAX. That is, even if the range of the maximum phase retardation of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 and the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 is reversed, the display device 10A can still have the best privacy effect at a viewing angle of ±45 degrees on the dual-side privacy axis DPAX and inhibit light leakage at a viewing angle of ±60 degrees. Therefore, corresponding to the range of the first height H1 of the first gap SP1 (i.e., greater than 5 μm and less than or equal to 15 μm) and the range of the second height H2 of the second gap SP2 (i.e., greater than 5 μm and less than or equal to 15 μm), the absolute difference between the ordinary light refractive index and the extraordinary light refractive index of the first liquid crystal layer LCL1 can be between 0.036 and 0.116, and the absolute difference between the ordinary light refractive index and the extraordinary light refractive index of the second liquid crystal layer LCL2 can be between 0.050 and 0.166.

[0084] Since the distribution of the plurality of second gaps SP2 of the second electrically controlled viewing angle switch 220 on the third substrate SUB3 and the technical effects thereof are similar to the distribution of the plurality of first gaps SP1 of the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210 on the first substrate SUB1 and the technical effects thereof, the detailed description can be referred to the relevant paragraphs of the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0085] Further, in the present embodiment, the second electrically controlled viewing angle switch 220 can also selectively include a compensation film 252. The compensation film 252 is arranged between the third polarizer POL3 and the second polarizer POL2 (or the second liquid crystal layer LCL2). The out-of-plane phase retardation (Rth) of the compensation film 252 can be in the range of 100 nm to 500 nm. In the present embodiment, the out-of-plane phase retardation of the compensation film 251 and the compensation film 252 is, for example, 280 nm. On the other hand, a quarter-wave plate WP1 can also be arranged between the first polarizer POL1 and the display panel 100A of the first electrically controlled viewing angle switch 210. The angle φ between the optical axis OX of the quarter-wave plate WP1 and the first absorption axis AX1 of the first polarizer POL1 is 45 degrees.

[0086] In the embodiment, a reflective polarizing layer (not shown) or a metal wire grid polarizing layer can be further arranged between the second polarizing plate POL2 and the third substrate SUB3, but is not limited thereto. In this way, when the display device 10A operates in the privacy mode, ambient light can be reflected by the reflective polarizing layer within the privacy viewing angle range, so that the display contrast of the display image within the privacy viewing angle range is reduced, and thus the privacy effect can be further improved.

[0087] It should be noted that the architecture of the two electrically controlled viewing angle switches in the embodiment can also be applied to the display device 10 of Figure 1 , and in another variant of the display device 10A, one of the electrically controlled viewing angle switches can not be arranged.

[0088] In summary, in the display device of the embodiment of the utility model, the plurality of gap materials of the electrically controlled viewing angle switch define a receiving space for filling the liquid crystal layer between the two substrates. Since the height of the gap material along the stacking direction of the two substrates is greater than 5 μm, the variation of the thickness of the liquid crystal layer due to the flatness of the surfaces of the two substrates can be effectively reduced, which helps to improve the uniformity of the light output brightness of the electrically controlled viewing angle switch. In addition, it can also increase the control flexibility of the amount of liquid crystal when filling the liquid crystal, thereby improving the process stability and quality control.

[0089] The above-mentioned is only a preferred embodiment of the utility model, which cannot limit the scope of the utility model, and any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and contents of the utility model are still within the scope of the utility model. In addition, any embodiment or claim of the utility model does not need to achieve all the purposes or advantages or features disclosed in the utility model. In addition, the abstract and title (utility model name) are only used to assist the patent document retrieval, and are not used to limit the scope of the utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like mentioned in the specification or claims are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or ranges, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements.

Claims

1. An electrically controlled view angle switch, characterized by, The electrically controlled view angle switcher includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a plurality of spacers, a first polarizer, and a second polarizer, wherein: The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in an overlapping manner along a stacking direction; The first liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; The first alignment layer is arranged between the first substrate and the first liquid crystal layer, and has a first alignment direction; The second alignment layer is arranged between the second substrate and the first liquid crystal layer, and has a second alignment direction, wherein an included angle between the first alignment direction and the second alignment direction is in a range from 165 degrees to 195 degrees; The plurality of spacers are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, each of the plurality of spacers has a height along the stacking direction, and the height is greater than 5 μm; The first polarizer is arranged on a side of the first alignment layer opposite to the first liquid crystal layer, and has a first absorption axis, an included angle between an axial direction of the first absorption axis and the first alignment direction is in a range from 0 degree to 15 degrees or in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees; and The second polarizer is arranged on a side of the second alignment layer opposite to the first liquid crystal layer, and has a second absorption axis, an included angle between an axial direction of the second absorption axis and the second alignment direction is in a range from 0 degree to 15 degrees or in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees.

2. The electrically controlled view switch according to claim 1, wherein A percentage value of a projected area of the plurality of spacers on a substrate surface of the first substrate to an area of the substrate surface is greater than 0.5% and less than 5%.

3. The electrically controlled view switch according to claim 1, wherein A maximum width of each of the plurality of spacers is less than 20 μm.

4. The electrically controlled view switch according to claim 1, wherein The height of each of the plurality of spacers is less than or equal to 15 μm.

5. The electrically controlled view switch according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of spacers are arranged in a spaced manner along at least one direction, and a spacing is greater than 83.5 μm and less than 270 μm.

6. The electrically controlled view switch according to claim 1, wherein The electrically controlled view angle switcher has a double-side anti-peep axial direction, wherein the first alignment direction is perpendicular to the double-side anti-peep axial direction.

7. The electrically controlled view switch according to claim 1, wherein The electrically controlled view angle switcher further includes a compensation film, wherein: The compensation film is arranged between the first polarizer and the second polarizer.

8. A display device, characterized by comprising: The display device includes a display panel and a first electrically controlled view angle switcher, wherein: The first electrically controlled view angle switcher is arranged in an overlapping manner with the display panel, and includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a plurality of spacers, a first polarizer, and a second polarizer, wherein: The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in an overlapping manner along a stacking direction; The first liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; The first alignment layer is arranged between the first substrate and the first liquid crystal layer, and has a first alignment direction; The second alignment layer is arranged between the second substrate and the first liquid crystal layer, and has a second alignment direction, wherein an included angle between the first alignment direction and the second alignment direction is in a range from 165 degrees to 195 degrees; The first plurality of gap materials is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, each of the first plurality of gap materials has a first height along the stacking direction, and the first height is greater than 5 μm. The first polarizer is disposed on a side of the first alignment layer opposite to the first liquid crystal layer, and has a first absorption axis, an angle between an axial direction of the first absorption axis and the first alignment direction is in a range from 0 degree to 15 degrees or in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees; and The second polarizer is disposed on a side of the second alignment layer opposite to the first liquid crystal layer, and has a second absorption axis, an angle between an axial direction of the second absorption axis and the second alignment direction is in a range from 0 degree to 15 degrees or in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein A percentage value of an area of a projection of the first plurality of gap materials on a substrate surface of the first substrate to an area of the substrate surface is greater than 0.5% and less than 5%.

10. The display device according to claim 8, wherein The display device further comprises a backlight module, wherein: The backlight module is disposed on a side of the first electrically controlled view angle switch opposite to the display panel, wherein the display panel comprises an electrically controlled liquid crystal cell and a third polarizer, the electrically controlled liquid crystal cell is disposed between the second polarizer and the third polarizer.

11. The display device of claim 8, wherein, The display device further comprises a second electrically controlled view angle switch, wherein: The second electrically controlled view angle switch comprises: A third substrate and a fourth substrate are disposed in an overlapping manner along the stacking direction; A second liquid crystal layer is disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate; A third alignment layer is disposed between the third substrate and the second liquid crystal layer, and has a third alignment direction; A fourth alignment layer is disposed between the fourth substrate and the second liquid crystal layer, and has a fourth alignment direction, wherein an angle between the third alignment direction and the fourth alignment direction is in a range from 165 degrees to 195 degrees; A plurality of second gap materials is disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate, each of the plurality of second gap materials has a second height along the stacking direction, and the second height is greater than 5 μm; and A third polarizer is disposed on a side of the second liquid crystal layer opposite to the first electrically controlled view angle switch, and has a third absorption axis, wherein the second polarizer is located between the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer, and an axial direction of the third absorption axis is parallel to an axial direction of the first absorption axis.

12. The display device of claim 11, wherein, The first electrically controlled view angle switch and the second electrically controlled view angle switch are located on a display side of the display panel.

13. The display device of claim 12, wherein, The display device further comprises a quarter wave plate, wherein: The quarter wave plate is disposed between the display panel and the first polarizer, an angle between an optical axis of the quarter wave plate and the first absorption axis of the first polarizer is 45 degrees.

14. The display device of claim 11, wherein, The first electrically controlled view angle switch further comprises a first compensation film disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and the second electrically controlled view angle switch further comprises a second compensation film disposed between the second polarizer and the third polarizer.

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