Vehicle-mounted display window

Abstract

The utility model provides a vehicle-mounted display window which can restrain multilayer of a transparent electrode in the vehicle-mounted display window. A vehicle-mounted display window (20) is provided with an exterior electrode layer (24), an interior electrode layer (36), an intermediate electrode layer (32), a liquid crystal layer (28), and an organic light-emitting layer (34). The liquid crystal layer (28) is disposed between the vehicle exterior electrode layer (24) and the intermediate electrode layer (32). The organic light-emitting layer (34) is disposed between the in-vehicle electrode layer (36) and the intermediate electrode layer (32). The vehicle exterior electrode layer (24), the vehicle interior electrode layer (36), and the intermediate electrode layer (32) are transparent electrode layers. The vehicle exterior electrode layer (24) and the vehicle interior electrode layer (36) are either an anode layer or a cathode layer. The intermediate electrode layer (32) is the other of the anode layer and the cathode layer. A control signal line (40B) for the liquid crystal layer (28) and a control signal line (42B) for the organic light-emitting layer (34) are connected to the intermediate electrode layer (32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a display window for vehicle use. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid crystal display system. This system includes a liquid crystal display panel and a light-scattering liquid crystal display panel. The light-scattering liquid crystal display panel includes a memory liquid crystal layer. When the liquid crystal display panel is not in use, a bright color is displayed in the memory liquid crystal layer. Therefore, images can be displayed on the light-scattering liquid crystal display panel while suppressing power consumption.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2012 / 004922 Utility Model Content

[0006] The problem to be solved by the utility model

[0007] Alternatively, the vehicle's side windows and sunroof could be used as display windows. In this case, mechanisms for blocking light from outside the vehicle and mechanisms for displaying images are required. Therefore, for example, a two-layer structure of dimming glass and a display panel could be considered for the display window.

[0008] Here, a transparent electrode layer is used in both the dimming glass and the display panel. In the transparent electrode layer, transparent electrodes are patterned and formed, for example, on a transparent base film. For example, an anode layer and a cathode layer are formed through the transparent electrodes. In the case of the dimming glass, a liquid crystal layer is disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. In the case of the organic EL display panel, an organic light-emitting layer is disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer.

[0009] In other words, in the existing technology, a total of four transparent electrode layers are used in the two-layer structure of the dimming glass and the display panel. Here, a transparent electrode refers to a layer with a light transmittance of, for example, 80% or more. That is to say, a transparent electrode does not allow 100% light to pass through. Therefore, when multiple transparent electrodes are arranged in an overlapping manner along the stacking direction, the light transmittance of the overlapping portion is reduced compared to other portions. Through this repetition of transparent electrodes across multiple layers, for example, a darker (darker) striped pattern may appear on a part of the display panel.

[0010] Therefore, this specification discloses a vehicle-mounted display window capable of suppressing the multi-layering of transparent electrodes.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] The vehicle-mounted display window disclosed in this specification includes an external electrode layer, an internal electrode layer, an intermediate electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer, and an organic light-emitting layer. The external electrode layer is disposed relative to the outer side of the vehicle. The internal electrode layer is disposed relative to the inner side of the vehicle. The intermediate electrode layer is disposed between the external electrode layer and the internal electrode layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the external electrode layer and the intermediate electrode layer. The organic light-emitting layer is disposed between the internal electrode layer and the intermediate electrode layer. The external electrode layer, the internal electrode layer, and the intermediate electrode layer are transparent electrode layers. The external electrode layer and the internal electrode layer are one of an anode layer and a cathode layer. The intermediate electrode layer is the other of an anode layer and a cathode layer. Control signal lines for the liquid crystal layer and control signal lines for the organic light-emitting layer are connected to the intermediate electrode layer.

[0013] Based on the above structure, the intermediate electrode layer is shared between the dimming glass and the display panel. As a result, there are a total of three transparent electrode layers.

[0014] Utility Model Effect

[0015] According to the vehicle-mounted display window disclosed in this specification, the multilayering of transparent electrodes can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating the window of a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle display window according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This figure illustrates the stacked structure of the vehicle-mounted display window according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This figure illustrates the stacked structure of a vehicle-mounted display window, which is another example of this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] exist Figure 1 The image shows an overall perspective view of the vehicle 10. The in-vehicle display window 20 according to this embodiment (see reference...) Figure 2 For example, it is mounted as the roof glass 12 and side windows 14 of a vehicle.

[0020] exist Figure 2 The image shown is a cross-sectional perspective view of the display window 20 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 In the example, window 20 is shown as roof glass 12 (see reference). Figure 1 It is mounted on vehicle 10. That is to say, the upper part of the paper is the outer side of the vehicle, and the lower part of the paper is the inner side of the vehicle.

[0021] The display window 20 includes a dimming glass 50 and a display panel 60. Both the dimming glass 50 and the display panel 60 are made of a light-transmitting material.

[0022] 1. Smart glass

[0023] The dimming glass 50 blocks external light during image display implemented by the display panel 60. Furthermore, when the display panel 60 is not in use, the amount of light incident into the vehicle cabin can be adjusted by controlling the light-blocking properties of the dimming glass 50.

[0024] The dimming glass 50 is composed of a laminate. From the outside of the vehicle, the dimming glass 50 consists of a glass substrate 22, an external electrode layer 24, an alignment film 26, a liquid crystal layer 28, an alignment film 30, and an intermediate electrode layer 32, stacked sequentially. Each layer is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0025] The exterior electrode layer 24 is disposed relative to the exterior of the vehicle among the three transparent electrode layers (exterior electrode layer 24, intermediate electrode layer 32, and interior electrode layer 36) within the display window 20. The exterior electrode layer 24 is a transparent electrode layer. Transparent electrodes 24A-24I are patterned and formed on a transparent thin film, for example, in the exterior electrode layer 24. The transparent electrodes 24A-24I are, for example, made of indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0026] Transparent electrodes 24A-24I are, for example, row electrodes, and are orthogonal to transparent electrodes 32A-32I of the intermediate electrode layer 32, which are column electrodes. In other words, a matrix electrode is formed by transparent electrodes 24A-24I and transparent electrodes 32A-32I. The intersection of the row and column electrodes is called a pixel.

[0027] A liquid crystal layer 28 is disposed between the outer electrode layer 24 and the intermediate electrode layer 32. Alignment films 26 and 30 are stacked above and below the liquid crystal layer 28. The number of intersections in the matrix electrodes formed by the outer electrode layer 24 and the intermediate electrode layer 32, i.e., the number of pixels per unit area, represents the resolution of the liquid crystal layer 28 (and the dimming glass). For example, the liquid crystal layer 28 uses a reverse-type liquid crystal material. That is, when the power supply applied to the outer electrode layer 24 and the intermediate electrode layer 32 is disconnected, the liquid crystal layer 28 is in a light-transmitting state. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the liquid crystal layer 28 becomes a light-blocking state.

[0028] The intermediate electrode layer 32 is disposed between the outer electrode layer 24 and the inner electrode layer 36, relative to the three electrode layers (outer electrode layer 24, intermediate electrode layer 32, and inner electrode layer 36) within the display window 20. The intermediate electrode layer 32 is a transparent electrode layer. The intermediate electrode layer 32 includes transparent electrodes 32A-32I. For example, the transparent electrodes 32A-32I are patterned on a transparent film. The transparent electrodes 32A-32I are, for example, made of indium tin oxide (ITO). Furthermore, as described above, the transparent electrodes 32A-32I are orthogonal to the transparent electrodes 24A-24I of the outer electrode layer 24 and the transparent electrodes 36A-36I of the inner electrode layer 36.

[0029] The transparent electrodes 24A-24I of the external electrode layer 24 are connected to the dimming glass control signal line 40A. Furthermore, the transparent electrodes 32A-32I of the intermediate electrode layer 32 are connected to the dimming glass control signal line 40B. The control signal is, for example, a voltage signal. Control signals for the liquid crystal layer 28 are transmitted via the dimming glass control signal lines 40A and 40B. The dimming glass control signal lines 40A and 40B are connected to an auxiliary ECU (electronic control unit) not shown.

[0030] The external electrode layer 24 is one of the anode layer and the cathode layer, and the intermediate electrode layer 32 is the other of the anode layer and the cathode layer. For example, the external electrode layer 24 is the cathode and the intermediate electrode layer 32 is the anode.

[0031] A voltage signal (conduction signal) is applied to any of the transparent electrodes 24A-24I and 32A-32I. For example, a negative voltage is applied to transparent electrode 24A. Conversely, a positive voltage is applied to transparent electrode 32A. At the intersection of transparent electrodes 24A and 32A, the potential difference exceeds a threshold. If the dimming glass 50 is in reverse mode, the intersection of transparent electrodes 24A and 32A in the liquid crystal layer 28 will switch from transparent to opaque. Furthermore, if the dimming glass 50 is in normal mode, the intersection of transparent electrodes 24A and 32A in the liquid crystal layer 28 will switch from opaque to transparent.

[0032] 2. Display panel

[0033] The display panel 60 is composed of a laminate. From the outer side of the vehicle, the display panel 60 sequentially comprises an intermediate electrode layer 32, an organic light-emitting layer 34, an interior electrode layer 36, and a glass substrate 38. Each layer is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0034] The organic light-emitting layer 34 is composed of a stack of layers (not shown). For example, the organic light-emitting layer 34 includes an electron transport layer, a light-emitting layer, and a hole transport layer sequentially from the cathode side. A transparent phosphor is added to the light-emitting layer. The transparent phosphor is not excited by sunlight or the like and remains transparent, but is excited by light generated by the light-emitting layer to produce fluorescence of a predetermined color. For example, the organic light-emitting layer 34 sets one pixel for each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) cells.

[0035] The organic light-emitting layer 34 is disposed between the intermediate electrode layer 32 and the vehicle interior electrode layer 36. The vehicle interior electrode layer 36 is disposed on the inner side of the vehicle relative to the three transparent electrode layers (external electrode layer 24, intermediate electrode layer 32, and vehicle interior electrode layer 36) within the display window 20.

[0036] The vehicle interior electrode layer 36 includes transparent electrodes 36A-36I. The vehicle interior electrode layer 36 is a transparent electrode layer. In the vehicle interior electrode layer 36, for example, transparent electrodes 36A-36I are patterned on a transparent thin film. The transparent electrodes 36A-36I are, for example, made of indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0037] Transparent electrodes 36A-36I are extended parallel to the transparent electrodes 24A-24I of the external electrode layer 24. Therefore, transparent electrodes 36A-36I are arranged at right angles to the transparent electrodes 32A-32I of the intermediate electrode layer 32. In other words, transparent electrodes 36A-36I are row electrodes. A matrix electrode is formed by the transparent electrodes 32A-32I (column electrodes) of the intermediate electrode layer 32 and the transparent electrodes 36A-36I (row electrodes) of the internal electrode layer 36. The intersection of the row electrodes and column electrodes forms a pixel.

[0038] Alternatively, the wiring width W3 and wiring spacing W4 of the transparent electrodes 36A-36I in the interior electrode layer 36 can be set to be equal to the wiring width W1 and wiring spacing W2 of the transparent electrodes 24A-24I in the exterior electrode layer 24. Furthermore, the wiring widths W1 and W3 and the wiring spacings W2 and W4 can also be set to be equal. For example, the transparent electrodes 24A-24I and 36A-36I are aligned along the stacking direction. For example, the transparent electrode 24A is positioned directly above the transparent electrode 36A.

[0039] The interior electrode layer 36 is of the same polarity as the exterior electrode layer 24, and of opposite polarity to the intermediate electrode layer 32. That is, the exterior electrode layer 24 and the interior electrode layer 36 are one of the anode and cathode layers, respectively. The intermediate electrode layer 32 is the other of the anode and cathode layers. The example above shows the exterior electrode layer 24 as the cathode layer and the intermediate electrode layer 32 as the anode layer. According to this example, the interior electrode layer 36 is the cathode layer.

[0040] Display control signal lines 42A are connected to the transparent electrodes 36A-36I of the in-vehicle electrode layer 36. Additionally, display control signal lines 42B are connected to the intermediate electrode layer 32. The control signals are, for example, voltage signals. Control signals for the organic light-emitting layer 34 are transmitted via display control signal lines 42A and 42B. Display control signal lines 42A and 42B are connected to an auxiliary ECU (not shown).

[0041] A negative voltage is applied to any one of the transparent electrodes 36A-36I in the inner electrode layer 36. Furthermore, a positive voltage is applied to the transparent electrodes 32A-32I in the intermediate electrode layer 32. For example, a negative voltage is applied to transparent electrode 36A, and a positive voltage is applied to transparent electrode 32A. At the junction of transparent electrode 36A and transparent electrode 32A, the potential difference exceeds a threshold. At this time, light is emitted from the light-emitting layer of the organic light-emitting layer 34. This light excites the transparent phosphor, causing it to emit light of a predetermined color.

[0042] In this embodiment, the intermediate electrode layer 32 is connected to the dimming glass control signal line 40B and the display control signal line 42B. That is, the intermediate electrode layer 32 serves as both an electrode for the dimming glass 50 and an electrode for the display panel 60. For example, logic and signals containing the control signals from the dimming glass control signal line 40B and the display control signal line 42B are input into the intermediate electrode layer 32. By sharing electrodes in both the dimming glass 50 and the display panel 60, the number of transparent electrode layers can be reduced.

[0043] 3. Another example of this implementation method

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the example, a display window 20 is shown that further reduces light transmittance by means of a transparent electrode. Figure 3 In the process, the configuration of the transparent electrodes 24A-24I of the external electrode layer 24 and the transparent electrodes 36A-36I of the internal electrode layer 36 is similar to... Figure 2 The examples differ. Other structures are in... Figure 2 and Figure 3 Since the same applies, the following explanation is omitted.

[0045] The wiring widths W1 and W3 of transparent electrodes 24A-24I and 36A-36I are equal. Furthermore, the wiring spacing W2 and W4 of transparent electrodes 24A-24I and 36A-36I are equal. Moreover, the wiring widths W1 and W3 are equal to the wiring spacings W2 and W4.

[0046] When viewed from the stacking direction, the transparent electrodes 24A-24I are arranged in a manner that does not overlap with the transparent electrodes 36A-36I. For example, when viewed from the stacking direction, the transparent electrodes 24A-24I are arranged between the electrodes of the transparent electrodes 36A-36I. In other words, overlap between the transparent electrodes 24A-24I of the external electrode layer 24 and the transparent electrodes 36A-36I of the internal electrode layer 36 along the stacking direction (in other words, along the light transmission direction) can be avoided.

[0047] Symbol Explanation

[0048] 10…Vehicle; 12…Roof glass; 14…Side window; 20…Vehicle display window; 22…Glass substrate; 24…External electrode layer; 24A-24I…Transparent electrodes of the external electrode layer; 28…Liquid crystal layer; 32…Intermediate electrode layer; 32A-32I…Transparent electrodes of the intermediate electrode layer; 34…Organic light-emitting layer; 36…Internal electrode layer; 36A-36I…Transparent electrodes of the internal electrode layer; 38…Glass substrate; 40A, 40B…Dimming glass control signal lines; 42A, 42B…Display control signal lines; 50…Dimming glass; 60…Display panel.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted display window, characterized in that, have: The external electrode layer is positioned on the outer side of the vehicle. The in-vehicle electrode layer is positioned relatively on the inside of the vehicle. An intermediate electrode layer is disposed between the external electrode layer and the internal electrode layer; A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the external electrode layer and the intermediate electrode layer; An organic light-emitting layer is disposed between the in-vehicle electrode layer and the intermediate electrode layer. The external electrode layer, the internal electrode layer, and the intermediate electrode layer are transparent electrode layers. The external electrode layer and the internal electrode layer are one of the anode layer and the cathode layer, respectively. The intermediate electrode layer is the other of the anode layer and the cathode layer. On the intermediate electrode layer, there are control signal lines for the liquid crystal layer and control signal lines for the organic light-emitting layer.

Images