Display device with switchable reflection and wide and narrow viewing angles

Abstract

The utility model relates to a display device with switchable reflection and wide and narrow viewing angles, which comprises a display panel and a dimming panel which are stacked, the display panel is provided with a plurality of repeated pixel units arranged in an array, the dimming panel comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal units. By means of the ingenious corresponding design of the sub-pixel units in the display panel and the cholesteric liquid crystal units in the dimming panel and the P-state, FC-state and H-state characteristics of cholesteric liquid crystals, the dimming panel can effectively adjust switching of wide and narrow visual angles of emergent light of the liquid crystal display screen, and reflection display is achieved. The reflection display function and the wide and narrow view angle switching function are integrated in the same display device, the problem that the structure is thick and heavy due to simple superposition is avoided, the overall structure is more compact, the higher technical additional value is provided, and the competitiveness of products is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display device that can switch between reflection and wide and narrow viewing angles. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, reflective displays are widely used in e-readers (such as e-books and e-newspapers) and other electronic components (such as price tags) due to their advantages such as low power consumption and eye-friendliness. A common structure of a reflective display includes a stacked first dimming panel, a second dimming panel, and a third dimming panel. Each of these panels contains cholesteric liquid crystals that can display any one of the following colors: R, G, and B. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the current reflective display structure. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the first dimming panel 01 selectively reflects B-color light, the second dimming panel 02 selectively reflects G-color light, and the third dimming panel 03 selectively reflects R-color light.

[0003] Currently, progress has been made in wide and narrow viewing angle displays for switching between different viewing angles. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the current wide and narrow viewing angle switching display device. For example... Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 A wide and narrow viewing angle switching display device is disclosed, including a liquid crystal display screen 05 and a dimming display screen 04 stacked together. The dimming display screen 04 is located on the light-emitting side of the liquid crystal display screen 05. The liquid crystal display screen 05 is used for normal image display, and the dimming display screen 04 is used to control the viewing angle switching. The dimming display screen 04 includes two transparent glass substrates arranged opposite each other, transparent control electrodes located inside the two transparent glass substrates, and a liquid crystal layer located between the transparent control electrodes. The transparent control electrodes inside the two transparent glass substrates apply a vertical electric field to the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer, causing the liquid crystal to deflect in the vertical direction to achieve a narrow viewing angle mode. By controlling the voltage on the transparent control electrodes, the dimming display screen 04 adjusts the wide and narrow viewing angle switching of the light emitted by the liquid crystal display screen 05.

[0004] Current display devices operate in too limited a mode, making it difficult to cater to different usage scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a display device that allows for switching between reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles, including...

[0007] The display panel has multiple repeating pixel units arranged in an array. Each pixel unit includes three horizontally arranged sub-pixel units. The three sub-pixel units are used to display any one of R pixels, G pixels, and B pixels, and adjacent sub-pixel units display pixels of different colors.

[0008] The display panel includes a dimming panel located on the light-emitting side of the display panel. The dimming panel includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer. Along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is evenly divided into multiple cholesteric liquid crystal units. Each cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal that reflects any one of R, G, and B colors, and adjacent cholesteric liquid crystal units reflect different colors. Each sub-pixel unit corresponds to multiple cholesteric liquid crystal units.

[0009] As a further improvement of this application, when the sub-pixel unit corresponds to two cholesteric liquid crystal units, the color displayed by the sub-pixel unit is different from the color reflected by the two cholesteric liquid crystal units that are stacked and correspond to it, and the two cholesteric liquid crystal units that are stacked and correspond to the sub-pixel unit also reflect different colors.

[0010] As a further improvement of this application, when the sub-pixel unit corresponds to 4 cholesteric liquid crystal units, along the horizontal direction of the arrangement of the cholesteric liquid crystal units, the colors reflected by the two cholesteric liquid crystal units in the middle are different from the colors displayed by the sub-pixel unit, the colors reflected by the two cholesteric liquid crystal units on both sides are the same as the colors displayed by the sub-pixel unit, and the two cholesteric liquid crystal units in the middle reflect different colors.

[0011] As a further improvement of this application, the dimming panel has a first microstructure layer on the surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer adjacent to the display panel, and a second microstructure layer on the surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer away from the display panel. The first microstructure layer and the second microstructure layer together align the cholesteric liquid crystal of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer along a predetermined direction.

[0012] As a further improvement of this application, the first microstructure layer is provided with a plurality of first quadrangular pyramids, the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape, and a black matrix is ​​provided around the sub-pixel unit, the arrangement of the plurality of first quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the four sides of the black matrix respectively; the second microstructure layer is provided with a plurality of second quadrangular pyramids, the arrangement of the plurality of second quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit respectively.

[0013] As a further improvement of this application, the angle between the side surface and the base of the first quadrangular pyramid is 30° to 45°, and the angle between the side surface and the base of the second quadrangular pyramid is 30° to 45°.

[0014] As a further improvement of this application, the first microstructure layer is provided with a plurality of first diagonal pyramids, the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape, and a black matrix is ​​provided around the sub-pixel unit. The arrangement of the plurality of first diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the two sides of the black matrix perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the pixel unit. The second microstructure layer is provided with a plurality of second diagonal pyramids, and the arrangement of the plurality of second diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit.

[0015] As a further improvement of this application, the angle between the side surface and the base of the first diagonal pyramid is 30° to 45°, and the angle between the side surface and the base of the second diagonal pyramid is 30° to 45°.

[0016] As a further improvement of this application, the dimming panel further includes a first transparent glass substrate, a first control electrode, a second control electrode, and a second transparent glass substrate stacked together, with the first control electrode and the second control electrode disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

[0017] As a further improvement of this application, the display panel includes a backlight module, a third transparent substrate, a third control electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a fourth control electrode, a color resist layer, and a fourth transparent substrate stacked together; or, the display panel includes a backlight module, a third transparent substrate, a third control electrode, a fourth control electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a color resist layer, and a fourth transparent substrate stacked together.

[0018] As a further improvement of this application, a transparent adhesive layer is provided between the first transparent glass substrate and the fourth transparent substrate.

[0019] As a further improvement of this application, the first control electrode is a first pixel electrode, and the third control electrode is a second pixel electrode.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The display device provided by this application, which allows for switching between reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles, utilizes a clever corresponding design between the sub-pixel units in the display panel and the cholesteric liquid crystal units in the dimming panel. Leveraging the P-state, FC-state, and H-state characteristics of cholesteric liquid crystals, the dimming panel can effectively adjust the wide / narrow viewing angle of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display screen, achieving reflective display. Integrating reflective display and wide / narrow viewing angle switching functions into the same display device avoids the bulky architecture problem caused by simple stacking, making the overall structure more compact, providing higher technological added value, and enhancing product competitiveness.

[0021] The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle provided in this application enables cholesteric liquid crystals to align along a preset direction through the arrangement of a first microstructure layer and a second microstructure layer. The specific arrangement position and included angle design of the first quadrangular pyramid or first diagonal pyramid on the first microstructure layer and the second quadrangular pyramid or second diagonal pyramid on the second microstructure layer further ensure the orderly arrangement of the cholesteric liquid crystals, improve the stability and clarity of the display, reduce light scattering and color distortion, and enhance the overall display quality. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the current reflective display structure;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the current wide and narrow viewing angle switching display device;

[0024] Figures 3(a)-3(c) are schematic diagrams of various states of cholesteric liquid crystal;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 1;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 1;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the narrow viewing angle display of the display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 1;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 2;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 2;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the narrow viewing angle display of the display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 2;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 3;

[0032] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 4;

[0033] Figure 12This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 4;

[0034] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the bidirectional narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 4;

[0035] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the single-sided narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 4;

[0036] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle in Embodiment 5;

[0037] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle in Embodiment 6.

[0038] In the diagram: 01, First dimming panel; 02, Second dimming panel; 03, Third dimming panel; 04, Dimming display screen; 05, Liquid crystal display screen; 11, First transparent glass substrate; 12, First control electrode; 13, Cholesteric liquid crystal layer; 14, Second control electrode; 15, Second transparent glass substrate; 16, First microstructure layer; 17, Second microstructure layer; 21, Backlight module; 22, Third transparent substrate; 23, Third control electrode; 24, Liquid crystal layer; 25, Fourth control electrode; 26, Color resist layer; 27, Fourth transparent substrate; 3, Transparent adhesive layer. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0040] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification and claims of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0041] The directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," and "bottom" (if present) used in the specification and claims of this invention are defined by the position of the structures in the drawings and the relative positions of the structures, and are only for the clarity and convenience of expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0042] Terminology Explanation:

[0043] Cholesteric liquid crystals possess two stable textures: the P-state (Planar) and the FC-state (Focal Conic). Neither requires a voltage to maintain its state. When cholesteric liquid crystals are in the P-state, their reflection spectrum is in the visible spectrum, and the liquid crystal exhibits bright colored light. When cholesteric liquid crystals are in the FC-state, they no longer reflect the aforementioned colored light, and light is scattered and transmitted. Under a certain electric field, these two states can interconvert, and both states can be maintained for a long time without a voltage. Cholesteric liquid crystals also possess the H-state (Homeotropic), which is transparent. This state is unstable and requires a voltage to maintain its state.

[0044] Figures 3(a)-3(c) are schematic diagrams of various states of cholesteric liquid crystal;

[0045] At zero voltage, the cholesteric liquid crystal is in its initial state, as shown in Figure 3(a), which is the P state. This is the reflective state. Different arrangement directions of the cholesteric liquid crystal result in different reflected visible light spectra, while the remaining spectrum is transmitted. The reflectance spectral band (Δλ) of the liquid crystal display is proportional to the helical moment (Po) and birefringence (Δn=ne-no) of the liquid crystal material.

[0046] Δλ = PoΔn,

[0047] When a voltage is applied to both ends of the cholesteric liquid crystal and then slowly reduced to zero, the cholesteric liquid crystal rotates and stagnates in the FC state, as shown in Figure 3(b). This is the scattering state.

[0048] When a voltage is applied to both ends of the cholesteric liquid crystal, the cholesteric liquid crystal is in the H state (Homeotropic, field-induced nematic phase), as shown in Figure 3(c). This is the transparent state, which is unstable and requires a voltage to maintain.

[0049] The wavelength of selectively reflected light by cholesteric liquid crystals is related to the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal. By changing the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal, the wavelength of reflected light can be controlled. For example, by adding a chiral agent to the cholesteric liquid crystal and adjusting the concentration of the chiral agent, different cholesteric liquid crystals that reflect red light, green light, and blue light can be formulated.

[0050] Example 1

[0051] This embodiment discloses a display device that can switch between reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 1; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 1; Figure 6This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the narrow-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow-viewing-angle switchable display device in Embodiment 1.

[0052] like Figure 4-6 As shown, it includes:

[0053] The display panel has multiple repeating pixel units arranged in an array. Each pixel unit includes three horizontally arranged sub-pixel units. The three sub-pixel units are used to display any one of R pixels, G pixels, and B pixels, and adjacent sub-pixel units display pixels of different colors.

[0054] The display panel includes a dimming panel located on the light-emitting side of the display panel. The dimming panel includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13. Along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is evenly divided into two cholesteric liquid crystal units. The cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystals that reflect any one of R, G, and B colors. The color displayed by the sub-pixel unit is different from the color reflected by the two cholesteric liquid crystal units corresponding to the sub-pixel unit, and the two cholesteric liquid crystal units corresponding to the sub-pixel unit reflect different colors. At the same time, adjacent cholesteric liquid crystal units within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 reflect different colors.

[0055] Specifically, when the sub-pixel unit displays an R pixel, among the two cholesteric liquid crystal units above the R sub-pixel unit, one cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal reflecting the G color, and the other cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal reflecting the B color; when the sub-pixel unit displays a G pixel, among the two cholesteric liquid crystal units above the G sub-pixel unit, one cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal reflecting the R color, and the other cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal reflecting the B color; when the sub-pixel unit displays a B pixel, among the two cholesteric liquid crystal units above the B sub-pixel unit, one cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal reflecting the R color, and the other cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal reflecting the G color.

[0056] In this embodiment, the dimming panel further includes a first transparent glass substrate 11, a first control electrode 12, a second control electrode 14, and a second transparent glass substrate 15 stacked together, with the first control electrode 12 and the second control electrode 14 disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13.

[0057] In this embodiment, the display panel includes a backlight module 21, a third transparent substrate 22, a third control electrode 23, a liquid crystal layer 24, a fourth control electrode 25, a color resist layer 26, and a fourth transparent substrate 27 stacked together. The color resist layer 26 includes a plurality of R color resist blocks, a plurality of G color resist blocks, and a plurality of B color resist blocks disposed corresponding to the pixel units. The R color resist blocks selectively transmit R color, the G color resist blocks selectively transmit G color, and the B color resist blocks selectively transmit B color, and the colors selectively transmitted by adjacent color resist blocks are different from each other.

[0058] In this embodiment, a black matrix is ​​provided between the multiple color resist blocks of the color resist layer 26.

[0059] In this embodiment, an upper polarizer (not shown in the figure) and a lower polarizer (not shown in the figure) are respectively provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the display panel, and the light transmission axes of the upper polarizer and the lower polarizer are perpendicular to each other.

[0060] In this embodiment, a transparent adhesive layer 3 is provided between the first transparent glass substrate 11 and the fourth transparent substrate 27 for bonding the dimming panel and the display panel.

[0061] In this embodiment, the third control electrode 23 and the fourth control electrode 25 are located on the third transparent substrate 22 and the fourth transparent substrate 27, respectively. In other embodiments, both the third control electrode 23 and the fourth control electrode 25 are located on the third transparent substrate 22, and this is not a limitation.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first control electrode 12 is the first pixel electrode, and the third control electrode 23 is the second pixel electrode.

[0063] The working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this embodiment is as follows:

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, firstly, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units capable of reflecting R, G, and B colors. Depending on the display requirements, different voltages are applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to achieve varying degrees of scattering and reflection. Then, the voltage of the display panel is turned off, the backlight module 21 does not emit light, and natural light illuminates the dimming panel. By adjusting the state of each cholesteric liquid crystal unit within the dimming panel, a static color image is displayed. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal cell reflecting R color is in the FC state, and the cholesteric liquid crystal cells reflecting B and G colors are in the P state, and the display device displays a mixed color of B and G colors.

[0065] The working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. After applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the voltage is gradually reduced to zero, causing all the cholesteric liquid crystals in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to become stable FC states. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26, and then is backscattered through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, resulting in a wider display area and a wide viewing angle. Figure 5 As shown.

[0067] The working principle of the narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0068] like Figure 6 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. No voltage is applied to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, causing all the cholesteric liquid crystals within it to become stable P-states. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26. The color resist blocks in the color resist layer 26 selectively transmit R, G, and B colors. Regarding R colors, when passing through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, at an oblique viewing angle, the R colors encounter the cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect R colors and are reflected back into the display panel for absorption. At a normal viewing angle, the R colors encounter the cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect G and B colors and are then transmitted. Similarly, G and B colors can also achieve normal viewing angle transmission and oblique viewing angle reflection. The display area is relatively narrow, resulting in a narrow viewing angle display. Figure 6 As shown.

[0069] Example 2

[0070] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the dimming panel has a first microstructure layer 16 between the first control electrode 12 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, and a second microstructure layer 17 between the second control electrode 14 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13. The first microstructure layer 16 and the second microstructure layer 17 together arrange the cholesteric liquid crystal in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 along a preset direction.

[0071] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 2; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 2; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 2.

[0072] Specifically, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first microstructure layer 16 has a plurality of first quadrangular pyramids, and the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape. A black matrix is ​​provided around the sub-pixel unit, and the arrangement of the plurality of first quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the four sides of the black matrix. The second microstructure layer 17 has a plurality of second quadrangular pyramids, and the arrangement of the plurality of second quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit. The cholesteric liquid crystal in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 is arranged along the tilt direction of the first and second quadrangular pyramids. Preferably, the angle between the side surface and the bottom surface of the first quadrangular pyramid is 30° to 45°, and the angle between the side surface and the bottom surface of the second quadrangular pyramid is 30° to 45°. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle in this embodiment is as follows. Figure 7-9 As shown.

[0073] The working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this embodiment is as follows:

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, firstly, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units capable of reflecting R, G, and B colors. Depending on the display requirements, different voltages are applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to achieve varying degrees of scattering and reflection. Then, the voltage of the display panel is turned off, the backlight module 21 does not emit light, and natural light illuminates the dimming panel. By adjusting the state of each cholesteric liquid crystal unit within the dimming panel, a static color image is displayed. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystals in each cholesteric liquid crystal unit within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 are arranged along the inclined direction of the inclined surfaces of the first and second tetragonal pyramids, and the display device presents a static color image.

[0075] The working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0076] like Figure 8 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. After applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the voltage is gradually reduced to zero, causing all the cholesteric liquid crystals in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to become stable FC states. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26, and then is backscattered through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, resulting in a wider display area and a wide viewing angle. Figure 8 As shown.

[0077] The working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0078] like Figure 9 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. Without applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the state of the cholesteric liquid crystals within the layer becomes a stable P state. By adjusting the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystals themselves and the tilt direction of the cholesteric liquid crystals using the first and second tetragonal pyramids, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 becomes reflective. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26. The color resist blocks within the color resist layer 26 selectively transmit R, G, and B color light. Regarding R-color light, when R-color light passes through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, at an oblique viewing angle, the R-color light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal cells that reflect R-color light and is reflected back into the display panel where it is absorbed. At a normal viewing angle, the R-color light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal cells that reflect G-color and B-color light and then passes through. Similarly, G-color and B-color light can also achieve normal viewing angle transmission and oblique viewing angle reflection. The display area is relatively narrow, resulting in a narrow viewing angle display, such as... Figure 9 As shown.

[0079] The reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device of this embodiment can realize four-way wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display.

[0080] Example 3

[0081] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 3.

[0082] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 2 is that, as Figure 10 As shown, the first microstructure layer 16 is provided with a plurality of first diagonal pyramids, the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape, and a black matrix is ​​provided around the sub-pixel unit. The arrangement of the plurality of first diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the two sides of the black matrix perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the pixel unit. The second microstructure layer 17 is provided with a plurality of second diagonal pyramids, and the arrangement of the plurality of second diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit.

[0083] Preferably, the angle between the side surface and the base of the first diagonal pyramid is 30° to 45°, and the angle between the side surface and the base of the second diagonal pyramid is 30° to 45°.

[0084] The working principle of the reflective display, wide-viewing-angle display, and narrow-viewing-angle display of the reflective and wide-viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 2, and will not be repeated here. The reflective and wide-viewing-angle switchable display device of this embodiment can realize left and right wide-viewing-angle switching display.

[0085] Example 4

[0086] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in Embodiment 4; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 4; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the bidirectional narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 4; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the single-sided narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in Embodiment 4.

[0087] This embodiment discloses a display device that can switch between reflection and wide / narrow viewing angles, such as... Figure 11-14 As shown, including

[0088] The display panel has multiple repeating pixel units arranged in an array. Each pixel unit includes three horizontally arranged sub-pixel units. The three sub-pixel units are used to display any one of R pixels, G pixels, and B pixels, and adjacent sub-pixel units display pixels of different colors.

[0089] The display panel includes a dimming panel located on the light-emitting side of the display panel. The dimming panel comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13. Along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is evenly divided into four cholesteric liquid crystal units. Each cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal that reflects any one of the following colors: R, G, and B. Along the horizontal direction of the arrangement of the cholesteric liquid crystal units, the two cholesteric liquid crystal units in the middle reflect colors different from the colors displayed by the sub-pixel unit, while the two cholesteric liquid crystal units on both sides reflect colors the same as the colors displayed by the sub-pixel unit. The two cholesteric liquid crystal units in the middle reflect different colors. At the same time, adjacent cholesteric liquid crystal units within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 reflect different colors.

[0090] Specifically, when the sub-pixel unit displays an R pixel, along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is sequentially and evenly divided into cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect R color, cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect G color, cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect B color, and cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect R color; when the sub-pixel unit displays a G pixel, along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is sequentially and evenly divided into cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect G color, cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect B color, cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect R color, and cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect G color; when the sub-pixel unit displays a B pixel, along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is sequentially and evenly divided into cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect B color, cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect R color, cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect B color, and cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect B color.

[0091] In this embodiment, the dimming panel further includes a first transparent glass substrate 11, a first control electrode 12, a second control electrode 14, and a second transparent glass substrate 15 stacked together, with the first control electrode 12 and the second control electrode 14 disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13.

[0092] In this embodiment, the display panel includes a backlight module 21, a third transparent substrate 22, a third control electrode 23, a liquid crystal layer 24, a fourth control electrode 25, a color resist layer 26, and a fourth transparent substrate 27 stacked together. The color resist layer 26 includes a plurality of R color resist blocks, a plurality of G color resist blocks, and a plurality of B color resist blocks disposed corresponding to the pixel units. The R color resist blocks selectively transmit R color, the G color resist blocks selectively transmit G color, and the B color resist blocks selectively transmit B color, and the colors selectively transmitted by adjacent color resist blocks are different from each other.

[0093] In this embodiment, a black matrix is ​​provided between the multiple color resist blocks of the color resist layer 26.

[0094] In this embodiment, an upper polarizer (not shown in the figure) and a lower polarizer (not shown in the figure) are respectively provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the display panel, and the light transmission axes of the upper polarizer and the lower polarizer are perpendicular to each other.

[0095] In this embodiment, a transparent adhesive layer 3 is provided between the first transparent glass substrate 11 and the fourth transparent substrate 27 for bonding the dimming panel and the display panel.

[0096] In this embodiment, the first control electrode 12 is the first pixel electrode, and the third control electrode 23 is the second pixel electrode.

[0097] The working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this embodiment is as follows:

[0098] like Figure 11 As shown, firstly, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units capable of reflecting R, G, and B colors. Depending on the display requirements, different voltages are applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to achieve varying degrees of scattering and reflection. Then, the voltage of the display panel is turned off, the backlight module 21 does not emit light, and natural light illuminates the dimming panel. By adjusting the state of each cholesteric liquid crystal unit within the dimming panel, a static color image is displayed.

[0099] The working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0100] like Figure 12 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. After applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the voltage is gradually reduced to zero, causing all the cholesteric liquid crystals in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to become stable FC states. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26, and then is backscattered through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, resulting in a wider display area and a wide viewing angle. Figure 12 As shown.

[0101] The working principle of the bidirectional narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0102] like Figure 13 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. Without applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 exhibits a reflective state due to its own pitch. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26. The color resist blocks within the color resist layer 26 selectively transmit R, G, and B color light. Regarding B color light, as... Figure 13 As shown, when B-color light passes through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, at an oblique viewing angle, the B-color light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal unit that reflects B color and is reflected back into the display panel where it is absorbed. At a normal viewing angle, the B-color light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal units that reflect G and R colors and is then transmitted. Similarly, G-color and R-color light can also be transmitted at a normal viewing angle and reflected at an oblique viewing angle. The display device in this embodiment has a narrow display area, providing a bidirectional narrow viewing angle display.

[0103] The working principle of the unidirectional narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0104] like Figure 14 As shown, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 in the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. After applying voltage to the rightmost cholesteric liquid crystal unit of the four cholesteric liquid crystal units corresponding to the sub-pixel unit, the voltage is gradually reduced to zero, causing all cholesteric liquid crystals in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to become in a stable FC state. No voltage is applied to the other cholesteric liquid crystal units, and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 exhibits a reflective state due to the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystals themselves. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on again, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26. The color resist blocks in the color resist layer 26 selectively transmit R, G, and B color light.

[0105] For B-color light, such as Figure 14 As shown, when color B light passes through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, from the left oblique viewing angle, the color B light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal unit that reflects color B and is reflected back into the display panel and absorbed; from the right oblique viewing angle, the color B light passes through the FC state cholesteric liquid crystal and is transmitted; from the normal viewing angle, the color B light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal unit that reflects colors G and R and is transmitted; similarly, color G and color R light can also be transmitted from the normal and right viewing angles and reflected from the left oblique viewing angle. The display device in this embodiment has a narrow display area, which is a unidirectional narrow viewing angle display from the left, that is, left-view privacy protection. Similarly, with the above principle, a unidirectional narrow viewing angle display from the right can also be achieved, that is, right-view privacy protection.

[0106] Example 5

[0107] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle in Embodiment 5.

[0108] The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 4 is that, as Figure 15 As shown, the dimming panel has a first microstructure layer 16 between the first control electrode 12 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, and a second microstructure layer 17 between the second control electrode 14 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13. The first microstructure layer 16 and the second microstructure layer 17 together arrange the cholesteric liquid crystal in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 along a preset direction.

[0109] The first microstructure layer 16 has a plurality of first quadrangular pyramids, and the sub-pixel units are rectangular in shape. A black matrix is ​​arranged around the periphery of the sub-pixel units, and the arrangement of the plurality of first quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the four sides of the black matrix. The second microstructure layer 17 has a plurality of second quadrangular pyramids, and the arrangement of the plurality of second quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel units. Preferably, the angle between the side surface and the bottom surface of the first quadrangular pyramid is 30° to 45°, and the angle between the side surface and the bottom surface of the second quadrangular pyramid is 30° to 45°.

[0110] The working principle of the reflective display of the reflective display device with switchable wide and narrow viewing angles in this embodiment is as follows:

[0111] First, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units capable of reflecting R, G, and B colors. Depending on the display requirements, different voltages are applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13. Through the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal itself and the interaction between the first and second tetragonal pyramids, different degrees of scattering and reflection are achieved. Then, the voltage of the display panel is turned off, the backlight module 21 does not emit light, and natural light illuminates the dimming panel. By adjusting the state of each cholesteric liquid crystal unit within the dimming panel, a static color image is displayed.

[0112] The working principle of the wide-viewing-angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0113] The cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. After applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the voltage is gradually reduced to zero, causing all the cholesteric liquid crystals within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to become stable FC states. When the voltage of the display panel is turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26, and then is backscattered through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, resulting in a wider display area and a wide viewing angle.

[0114] The working principle of the bidirectional narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0115] The cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. Without applying voltage to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 exhibits a reflective state due to the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal itself and the interaction between the first and second tetragonal pyramids. When the voltage of the display panel is then turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26. The color resist blocks within the color resist layer 26 selectively transmit R, G, and B color light.

[0116] Regarding B-color light, when B-color light passes through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, at an oblique viewing angle, the B-color light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal cells that reflect B-color light and is reflected back into the display panel where it is absorbed. At a normal viewing angle, the B-color light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal cells that reflect G-color and R-color light and is then transmitted. Similarly, G-color and R-color light can also achieve normal viewing angle transmission and oblique viewing angle reflection. The display device in this embodiment has a narrow display area, providing a bidirectional narrow viewing angle display.

[0117] The working principle of the unidirectional narrow viewing angle display of the reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle switchable display device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0118] The cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 within the dimming panel contains cholesteric liquid crystal units that can reflect R, G, and B colors. When voltage is applied to the rightmost cholesteric liquid crystal unit among the four cholesteric liquid crystal units corresponding to the sub-pixel unit, the voltage is gradually reduced to zero, causing all cholesteric liquid crystals within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 to become in a stable FC state. No voltage is applied to the other cholesteric liquid crystal units; through the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal itself and the action of the first and second tetragonal pyramids, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13 becomes reflective. When the voltage of the display panel is then turned on, the backlight module 21 emits light. The mixed red, green, and blue light passes through the liquid crystal layer 24 and the color resist layer 26. The color resist blocks within the color resist layer 26 selectively transmit R, G, and B color light.

[0119] Regarding color B light, when color B light passes through the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 13, from the left oblique viewing angle, the color B light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal unit that reflects color B and is reflected back into the display panel and absorbed. From the right oblique viewing angle, the color B light passes through the FC state cholesteric liquid crystal and is transmitted. From the normal viewing angle, the color B light encounters the cholesteric liquid crystal unit that reflects colors G and R and is transmitted. Similarly, color G and color R light can also be transmitted from the normal and right viewing angles and reflected from the left oblique viewing angle. The display device in this embodiment has a narrow display area, which is a unidirectional narrow viewing angle display from the left, i.e., left-view privacy protection. Similarly, with the above principle, a unidirectional narrow viewing angle display from the right can also be achieved, i.e., right-view privacy protection.

[0120] Example 6

[0121] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle in Embodiment 6.

[0122] The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 5 is that, as Figure 16As shown, the first microstructure layer 16 has a plurality of first diagonal pyramids, and the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape. A black matrix is ​​arranged around the sub-pixel unit, and the arrangement of the plurality of first diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of two sides of the black matrix perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the pixel unit. The second microstructure layer 17 has a plurality of second diagonal pyramids, and the arrangement of the plurality of second diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit. Preferably, the angle between the side surface and the bottom surface of the first diagonal pyramid is 30° to 45°, and the angle between the side surface and the bottom surface of the second diagonal pyramid is 30° to 45°.

[0123] The working principle of the reflective display, wide-viewing-angle display, bidirectional narrow-viewing-angle display, and unidirectional narrow-viewing-angle display of the reflective and wide-viewing-angle switchable display device in this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 5, and will not be repeated here. The reflective and wide-viewing-angle switchable display device of this embodiment can realize the switching display of left and right wide-viewing-angle and bidirectional narrow-viewing-angle.

[0124] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent implementation methods or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the art of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle, characterized in that, include The display panel has multiple repeating pixel units arranged in an array. Each pixel unit includes three horizontally arranged sub-pixel units. The three sub-pixel units are used to display any one of R pixels, G pixels, and B pixels, and adjacent sub-pixel units display pixels of different colors. The display panel includes a dimming panel located on the light-emitting side of the display panel. The dimming panel comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal layer. Along the horizontal direction of the pixel unit, the area of ​​the cholesteric liquid crystal layer corresponding to the sub-pixel unit is evenly divided into multiple cholesteric liquid crystal units. Each cholesteric liquid crystal unit includes cholesteric liquid crystal that reflects any one of R, G, and B colors, and adjacent cholesteric liquid crystal units reflect different colors. Each sub-pixel unit corresponds to multiple cholesteric liquid crystal units.

2. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sub-pixel unit corresponds to two cholesteric liquid crystal units, the color displayed by the sub-pixel unit is different from the color reflected by the two cholesteric liquid crystal units that are stacked together, and the two cholesteric liquid crystal units that are stacked together with the sub-pixel unit also reflect different colors.

3. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sub-pixel unit corresponds to 4 cholesteric liquid crystal units, along the horizontal direction of the cholesteric liquid crystal unit arrangement, the two cholesteric liquid crystal units in the middle reflect a different color than the color displayed by the sub-pixel unit, the two cholesteric liquid crystal units on both sides reflect the same color as the color displayed by the sub-pixel unit, and the two cholesteric liquid crystal units in the middle reflect different colors.

4. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimming panel has a first microstructure layer on the surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer adjacent to the display panel, and a second microstructure layer on the surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer away from the display panel. The first microstructure layer and the second microstructure layer together align the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in a predetermined direction.

5. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first microstructure layer has a plurality of first quadrangular pyramids, the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape, and a black matrix is ​​provided around the sub-pixel unit. The arrangement of the plurality of first quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the four sides of the black matrix. The second microstructure layer has a plurality of second quadrangular pyramids, the arrangement of the plurality of second quadrangular pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit.

6. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first microstructure layer has a plurality of first diagonal pyramids, the sub-pixel unit is rectangular in shape, and a black matrix is ​​provided around the sub-pixel unit. The arrangement of the plurality of first diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the two sides of the black matrix perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the pixel unit. The second microstructure layer has a plurality of second diagonal pyramids, and the arrangement of the plurality of second diagonal pyramids corresponds to the center of the sub-pixel unit.

7. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The dimming panel further includes a first transparent glass substrate, a first control electrode, a second control electrode, and a second transparent glass substrate stacked together, with the first control electrode and the second control electrode disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

8. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The display panel includes a backlight module, a third transparent substrate, a third control electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a fourth control electrode, a color resist layer, and a fourth transparent substrate stacked together; or, the display panel includes a backlight module, a third transparent substrate, a third control electrode, a fourth control electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a color resist layer, and a fourth transparent substrate stacked together.

9. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 8, characterized in that, A transparent adhesive layer is provided between the first transparent glass substrate and the fourth transparent substrate.

10. The display device with switchable reflection and wide / narrow viewing angle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first control electrode is a first pixel electrode, and the third control electrode is a second pixel electrode.

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