Lenticular lens assembly and method of manufacturing and installing same - Patents.com

Abstract

A prefabricated lenticular lens assembly 10, such as that shown in FIG. 1, for attachment to a display surface 100, may include the following components: The prefabricated lenticular lens assembly 10 comprises a lenticular lens layer 14 having a first surface 20 and a second surface 18 with a plurality of curved lens sections 22, a top layer 12, and a support layer 16, the lenticular lens layer 14, the top layer 12, and the support layer 16 being pre-bonded together before being attached to the display surface 100.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lenticular lens assembly, and to a method for manufacturing and installing the same, which relates to the technical field of optical filters for display surfaces used for displaying digitally encoded graphic content. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lenticular lens assembly (sometimes referred to as a prefabricated lenticular lens assembly, or simply an assembly), and methods of manufacturing and attaching such a lenticular lens assembly to a display surface. [Background technology]

[0002] The lenticular lens assembly, and in particular the lenticular lens layer (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the lens layer) described below, form an optical filter. It is known that images (contents) displayed on a display surface can be displayed three-dimensionally or with a sense of stereoscopic depth using various techniques. In particular, such a three-dimensional display may be achieved by optically filtering, modifying and / or refracting images so that they appear three-dimensional or stereoscopic from the viewer's perspective.

[0003] One example of an optical filter is the so-called parallax barrier. For example, the content displayed on a pixel-by-pixel basis may be very partially visible, resulting in slightly different images, with the viewer's left and right eyes seeing different images (content) and creating a three-dimensional perception.

[0004] Other lenticular lenses are also known that can be used to create what are known as lenticular or prism grid images. These images are perceived by the viewer in a three-dimensional, i.e. spatial, stereoscopic, way, and therefore such lenticular lenses have a number of typically curved lens sections (also called lens slices or lens surfaces). These lens sections are then strung together in stripes, for example running along a common spatial direction and / or a given axis (floor axis) on the display surface.

[0005] And through such lens sections, the light of the display surface, and in particular adjacent pixels or display units of this surface, undergoes different refractive changes. This again allows the viewer's left and right eyes to perceive different image content, which may result in a three-dimensional awareness or perception of the displayed image.

[0006] A general advantage of these lenticular lens solutions is that they allow the display of three-dimensionally perceivable image content together with a given view on the display surface, for example, without the viewer having to wear or mount so-called 3D glasses or other optical aids. The configurations and approaches of the present invention described in the specification of the present invention can also be applied to the field of autostereoscopic 3D viewing devices.

[0007] A display surface is typically a flat device with several individually controllable, typically matrix-shaped, distributed display units, each capable of forming one pixel of the display area. Also, for example, the display area of ​​an LCD panel can be changed to an OLED panel (organic electroluminescence display element).

[0008] Also, display surfaces are not always flat due to manufacturing reasons, i.e., they are known to have uneven surfaces facing the viewer. This is usually a disadvantageous arrangement since it can result in undesirable relative alignment of the display area, and in particular the individual display units (pixels), with the areas of the lenticular lens layer. This may result in poor recognition of the desired three-dimensional image and / or complicated image display.

[0009] Thus, in addition to a panel-like, or flat, lenticular lens layer, it is known to apply disk-like elements to the display surface facing the viewer or facing away from the viewer (rear side). For example, such a disc-shaped element typically has a higher stiffness than a deformable display surface and therefore can be adhered to the display surface over its entire surface, particularly as a flexible LCD display surface. Such a display surface can then be adapted to the shape of the disk-shaped element, preferably a flat surface, i.e. the display area can be flattened by the attached disk-shaped element.

[0010] That is, a lenticular lens layer is then applied to the surface of the disc-shaped element, either facing outward or toward a viewer positioned in a direction facing away from the display surface. Thus, for example, in an automated production line, a step-by-step procedure is performed in which first a disk-shaped element (flattening element) and then a lenticular lens layer or lens disc member is applied to the flattened display surface.

[0011] It is also known, primarily, to subsequently apply a kind of protective layer or protective lens to the lens structure itself in a further manufacturing step. This may be said to be preferably flat (smooth) so that a flat surface is formed on the outside and the curved lens section is not exposed, so to speak, or directly accessible from the outside. However, such previous approaches have shown that the desired three-dimensional image display quality is not always achieved, and the lenticular effect is not always achievable in the desired manner. Also, although continuous production by application of individual layers for the production or coating of different display surfaces has been described, it has the problem that it is not always flexible enough and generally requires an increased complexity of the final production line.

[0012] There is therefore a need to improve the presentation of the content of three-dimensional images by display surfaces and in particular to make their production more flexible and less complicated. Therefore, the object of the present invention is solved by the features of the attached independent claims. Moreover, advantageous further technical features are characterized in the invention as set forth in the dependent claims. And all of the above descriptions and actions may apply not only to the present invention but also to the solutions of the inventions described in the dependent claims, unless otherwise specified or obvious, or may be provided for the solutions only in the dependent claims.

[0013] On the other hand, the present invention recognizes that if a minimum display quality is to be maintained, it may not always be possible to mount the disk-shaped planarizing elements that have been used in the past. Therefore, in order to achieve a desired lenticular effect or sufficient three-dimensional image display quality, it can be said that the maximum allowable distance between the display surface and the lenticular lens layer is at most a certain value and must not exceed it. These maximum allowable distances can be determined, for example, depending on the pixel size or pixel density of the display area, the properties of the materials used, the geometric parameters, and in particular the type of control of the lenticular lens layer or the individual display units (pixels) of the display area, for example a multiplexing scheme.

[0014] And the desired or intended distance of the viewer from the display area may also play a role. In particular at high pixel densities above 100 ppi (pixels per inch), and especially at very high pixel densities above 150 ppi or above 200 ppi, it has been found to be advantageous for the distance between the lenticular lens layer, and in particular its curved lens sections, and the display area to be particularly small.

[0015] Primarily, this can be achieved by positioning the lenticular lens layer so that its curved lens cross-section faces toward or faces the display surface. In this case, however, it may not always be possible to fit a conventional disk-shaped planarizing element between the lenticular lens layer and the display surface without exceeding the maximum permitted distance between the lenses and the display area. Such problems can be solved by the multi-layered lenticular lens of the present invention, which will be described below.

[0016] It is also preferable to have a sufficient difference in lens curvature or refractive index between the curved lens section and the immediately adjacent material to achieve the optical refractive effect. However, when the curved lens section faces or faces the display surface, bonding problems are likely to occur, as discussed above. That is, in the case of full surface bonding using conventional materials, it is difficult to provide a difference in refractive index within a predetermined range, and furthermore, there is a possibility that the structure becomes complicated.

[0017] Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, which is based on a novel structure and will be described in detail below, a prefabricated multi-layer lenticular lens, as well as a method for manufacturing and installing the same, are proposed. That is, according to the invention, the complexity of the manufacturing process of a structure having a display surface displaying three-dimensional images is such that the layers applied to such a display surface are no longer applied continuously and glued individually, for example in the final line. Thus, it has also been realised that this can be mitigated by the provision in accordance with the invention that a given laminate is already provided in advance as an at least partially prefabricated module or assembly. As a result, it has become possible to reduce the number of required production processes and production locations (stations).

[0018] Therefore, in particular, the present invention provides a prefabricated lenticular lens assembly in which several layers have already been bonded together (sometimes referred to as connecting or adhering, etc.; the same applies below) to form a multi-layer structure, in particular a structure in which the layers have already been bonded together in advance, as well as a method for manufacturing the same and a method for installing the same. The lenticular lens assembly can be attached as is, or in an additional step, can be housed inside a specific member and applied to the display surface in a sealed state in a case or the like.

[0019] Additionally, the lenticular lens assembly may be advantageously applied to a number of different display surfaces. In particular, it may be mounted on different display surfaces, for example display surfaces having different orientations and / or sides, depending on the requirements and / or properties of the display surface. For example, depending on the pixel density of the display surface, the lenticular lens assembly may be attached to or aligned opposite a first display surface or a first display side, or a display surface having a second surface and / or a second side. In particular, depending on the corresponding orientation of the lenticular lens assembly, for example, the distance between the display surface or side corresponding to such an assembly and an inner layer of the assembly will be different, thereby allowing different distances to be set between the display surface and the lenticular lens layer or curved lens sections of the assembly.

[0020] Overall, a compact, prefabricable lenticular lens assembly is provided, allowing for flexibility in use while reducing the need for finishing lines and rigorous manufacturing processes. In particular, it may be possible that the production stations or equipment used therefor do not need to be adapted or even adapted at all for different uses or orientations of the lenticular lens assemblies in the manufacturing process, e.g., if the lenticular lens assemblies are moved and / or fed in a desired orientation. More particularly, it may be preferred that a prefabricated lenticular lens assembly is provided for attachment to a display surface, for example a surface having a digital and / or pixel grid.

[0021] That is, the present invention is characterized in that a prefabricated lenticular lens assembly includes layers having the following configurations: More specifically, the optical element has a lenticular lens layer including a first surface having several curved lens sections and a second surface spaced a thickness from the first surface, a top layer at least partially facing the first surface of the lenticular lens layer, and a support layer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a carrier layer) at least partially facing the second surface of the lenticular lens layer. Based on such a configuration, such a prefabricated lenticular lens assembly has the advantage that there is no need for a separate production station or production process in the final production line, since the individual corresponding layers are prefabricated in advance and therefore applied as is and not individually. Thus, within the assembly, the lenticular lens layer, the top layer and the support layer may alternatively be bonded to one another and may be configured to be particularly strongly bonded and not peel away from one another, for example under its own weight.

[0022] As described herein, it may also be particularly preferred to provide inter- or inter-layer material locking connections, for example as a multi-layer connection structure. More precisely, it is preferred that the assembly consisting of the lenticular lens layer, the top layer and the support layer are connected (bonded) to each other, even if, for example, such an assembly is not yet attached or will be attached to the display surface.

[0023] In other words, the layers mentioned can already be joined to one another, more specifically, can be bonded to one another, for example, via an adhesive or the like. Moreover, they may be adhered together and / or pre-fixed within the assembly using a filler material, such as an adhesive, before the assembly is attached to the display surface. Furthermore, in other cases, such assemblies may be prefabricated on separate production lines, by separate manufacturers, or generally separated in space and / or time.

[0024] They may then be temporarily stored and / or transported, for example, to a final manufacturing line for display devices having corresponding display surfaces. It can thus be attached to the display surface not only as is or as a whole, but preferably in only a single production step, resulting in reduced on-site production complexity.

[0025] As previously mentioned, the display surface may be a digital and / or electronic display surface, in particular a computer screen. For example, a display area may be provided for or formed on a mobile device, a television or computer screen, a tablet screen or a smartphone screen. Attachment of the assembly to the display surface is preferably by adhesion or bonding, but may particularly involve at least partial or full adhesion or bonding of the assembly to the display surface.

[0026] Additionally, any of the layers described herein preferably have a flat shape and / or extensions (but optionally have curved portions). When compared in this typical two-dimensional planar extent, each layer has a reduced thickness in the depth direction relative to the lateral direction in the two-dimensional extent, meaning that the thickness of each layer can be reduced. For example, such thickness can be less than 10% of the two-dimensional dimension (area). Moreover, the shape and / or size of the layer or the two-dimensional area defined by the layer can correspond to the shape and / or size of the display area.

[0027] Furthermore, each layer is usually preferably flat, but does not necessarily have to have a three-dimensional shape (such as a plate shape) having a predetermined thickness. For example, it may be formed as a film or foil, the latter in particular being applied as a top layer, which according to the following embodiments may optionally be manually removed prior to application to the display surface, which is facilitated by its film-like form.

[0028] Furthermore, the first and second surfaces of the lenticular lens layer may be referred to as the first and second surfaces of the lens layer, respectively, or even as the front and back surfaces of the lenticular lens layer. The lens sections of the lenticular lens layer can generally be, and preferably are, convexly curved, provided that in principle a number of such lens sections are similarly designed and bonded together. In this way, a uniform (line) grid or pattern of interlocking lens sections can be formed, as is known in the art. And because of the corresponding curvature, light emitted by the display surface, particularly the pixels under the lenticular section, can be refracted such that the left and right eyes of a viewer perceive different image content, respectively.

[0029] Generally speaking, a lens section may be configured to span several adjacent pixels, so that the light of adjacent pixels may also be refracted differently from one another due to the lens curvature. The top layer may cover, at least in some areas, the initial (curved) surface of the lenticular lens layer. Viewed from the outside, the lenticular lens assembly preferably has, in the region of the top layer, a smooth and / or flat surface formed by the top layer. In particular, the curvature of the lens section may not be noticeable on the outer surface of the assembly and may be exposed, or may instead be covered by a top layer or may be wholly or partially obstructed. Thus, it will usually be preferred that the top layer and the support layer are provided so as to at least proportionately form the outer or external surface of the assembly, in particular the opposing surface or side of the assembly.

[0030] It is also preferred that the lenticular lens assembly is selectively attachable to a display surface with either the top layer, or the side or surface of the assembly from which the top layer has been removed, and / or the support layer facing and / or bonded to the display surface.

[0031] That is, depending on the selected orientation of such an assembly, the first surface or the curved lens section of the lenticular lens layer will also be positioned a predetermined distance away from the display surface when the support layer is attached to the display surface. Alternatively, it may be preferably located closer, especially if the top layer, or the side from which the top layer has been removed, is to be attached to the display surface.

[0032] According to the present invention, this optional orientation of the assembly may enable such a configuration, for example in that both the top layer and the support layer are flat and / or smooth. Additionally or alternatively, they are also preferably designed to achieve methods and configurations that do not result in any undesirable light refractions, especially light refractions that negatively impair the lenticular effect. To this end, the layers are preferably not additionally coated externally, so that, for example, so-called anti-glare layers are provided or such additional layers are provided and applied only when a decision has been made regarding the orientation to be taken.

[0033] Another general advantage of the smooth and / or flat formation of the top layer and / or the support layer is that a reliable planarization effect with respect to the display surface can be achieved. In particular, this allows for even planarization so that the distance between the display surface and, for example, a lenticular lens layer can be made uniform, even if a top layer is removed from one side or surface of the assembly. That is, according to this, the exposed side can be made flatter by the preferably flat uppermost layer.

[0034] This assembly may also be referred to as a sandwich or sandwich filter, taking into account the fact that the lenticular lens layer is preferably located and / or encapsulated between a top layer and a support layer. In particular, in the space between the lenticular lens layer and the top layer, further layers may be surrounded by the assemblage, except for a possible adhesive layer or any filler material described below. Alternatively, except for the lenticular lens layer, an adhesive layer or any filler material may be disposed at least between the top layer and the support layer.

[0035] Thus, the lenticular lens layer can be directly disposed and / or embedded between the support layer and the top layer, which improves the compactness of the lenticular assembly. The top layer initially provides the advantage of at least partially shielding the curved lens section from the environment, thus protecting it from, for example, dirt and damage, and is particularly advantageous when the lenticular assembly is oriented so that the top layer faces outward.

[0036] Also, when the top layer is flat, as is generally preferred, it may also facilitate attachment to a display surface, particularly flat attachment and / or flat adhesion to a display surface. Specifically with the orientation of the assembly, it is preferred that the top layer is pointing inwards or attached to the display surface.

[0037] Additionally, the top layer can also serve to prevent penetration of the adhesive layer into the spaces between adjacent lens sections, e.g., up to the foot or root of the curve, for example when the assembly is adhered to a display surface, i.e., with the surface layer oriented inward from the viewer's point of view. Alternatively, and preferably, a desired refractive index difference is created near or in the lens section by the top layer through predetermined material modifications or adjustments. This can be achieved by shielding the space between the lenticular lens layer, and in particular its first surface, and the top layer from the outside by the latter.

[0038] As will be explained below, for example, it is also preferred that in this gap there may be air or another defined material which may be held there and / or shielded from the outside by a top layer. Primarily, the top layer is also capable of providing the desired planarizing effect described above, at least in proportion, when attached to the display surface.

[0039] Generally, and particularly in all of the preceding embodiments, it is preferred that the top layer is rigid in configuration, which may for example be disc-shaped. However, the top layer can also be formed in a flexible shape and / or as a loose film (top layer film). In the latter case, it is preferred that a material is present in the space between the lenticular lens layer and the top layer, but it is preferred that a predetermined material is provided in such a case that there is no vacuum or only air present. Such a specific material may provide an adhesive effect between the lenticular lens layer and the top layer as a specific adhesive and / or may be bonded to the film at least primarily by adhesion (bonding), or may even be configured such that no additional adhesive is required.

[0040] After removal of the top layer, which can generally be done manually and / or by force in the area of ​​manual application, the adhesive effect of the material can be used to adhere and bond the lenticular assembly to the display surface. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to another further variant of the invention. Primarily, even in the case of a removable top layer, it is preferable to be able to attach differently oriented lenticular assemblies to the display surface.

[0041] The top layer preferably performs the general functions of a top layer as described herein, particularly stain resistance outwardly, ie, towards the viewer, ie, in the appropriate direction. The removable top layer variant is advantageous, especially when using the above-mentioned filler material with adhesive effect, since the lenticular assembly can be glued to the display surface without additional adhesive, which further simplifies the production materials and production process.

[0042] On the other hand, the support layer is preferably disposed on the rear surface of the lenticular lens layer relative to the curved lens section, or on the opposing rear surface, ie, second surface. In general, it is preferred that the second surface of the lens layer is flat or smooth. The same is preferably true for the support layer.

[0043] Depending on the orientation of the lenticular assembly relative to the display surface, the support layer can perform the function of the disk-shaped planarizing element described above. Such a support layer is generally capable of providing a stabilizing effect, or in other words a stiffening effect, to the lenticular assembly. This allows, for example, for the top layer to be relatively thin and less stiff.

[0044] When the lenticular assembly is oriented so that the top layer, or the side from which it has been removed, faces the display surface, the curved lens sections are preferably a small distance from the display surface. That is, it is preferably positioned such that it is essentially the thickness of the top layer plus any distance between the top layer and the lens section, for example.

[0045] The support layer preferably has dimensions and / or rigidity such that, despite its small thickness, it still provides the desired planarizing effect when the top layer is attached to the display surface. This is because it is at least indirectly supported by such a support layer and / or generally by the lenticular assembly.

[0046] However, the support layer may also consist of, for example, a filler material that exerts an adhesive effect and / or indirectly stabilizes or supports the exposed side of the assembly from which the top layer has been removed. Any layer referred to herein is preferably constructed from at least one of, for example, a glass material, a transparent or generally clear plastic, and the like.

[0047] In this regard, a cover glass or carrier glass may additionally be used in place of the top layer and support layer described above to construct the lenticular assembly. That is, the top layer and / or the support layer may be an anti-reflective coating, particularly the top layer and the support layer, which are the members facing away from the display surface, i.e., disposed on the outside. In particular, when the uppermost layer is formed from a film material, the thickness of the film material is accordingly thin, and may be, for example, less than 0.15 mm.

[0048] A further advantage of the disclosed assemblies is that they provide increased latitude in selecting adhesive materials or other layers or materials that may be placed between the assembly and the display surface, if desired. This can in particular result in a defined adjustable material change by the top layer and / or the filler material between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer, and thus a defined adjustable refractive index difference in the area of ​​the curved lens section. That is, it results from the refractive index difference between the filler material located in the space between the cross-section of the lenticular lens layer and the top layer, and the material of the lens section itself.

[0049] For example, as filling material, it is also possible to use adhesive materials having a relatively high refractive index, which are prevalent in the current technical field and, above all, are preferably inexpensive. And if these are used directly to glue curved lens sections, i.e. so that they are adjacent to and in contact with the lens sections, under certain circumstances the desired refractive behavior may not be achieved and the quality of the three-dimensional image may be reduced.

[0050] In the variant having a removable top layer, especially a film as the top layer, the top layer can also offer the advantage that a filler material can be placed in the assembly between the lenticular lens layer and the top layer in order to set the desired refractive index difference in a defined manner. As mentioned above, in this case, due to the preferably existing adhesive effect of the filling material, an additional adhesive layer between the assembly and the display surface can also be completely eliminated, which can also facilitate setting the desired refractive behavior.

[0051] Joining of layers within an assembly may be indirect, for example through a frame, frame section, or other running, preferably circumferential bracket within the peripheral region of the assembly. Direct bonding, for example via an adhesive layer, or gluing at least some of the layers together is also possible. And, if such an adhesive layer is provided between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer, it is preferred that the refractive index is low, e.g., less than 1.4, to allow for the desired refractive index difference for the lens material.

[0052] Advantageously, the assembly of the present invention allows for air or vacuum to exist between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer. In that case, the top layer is preferably not hard and / or removable, in particular preferably does not have a removable film. In particular, the top layer may be a lenticular lens layer, or at least one that is not configured over the curved lens sections.

[0053] Air or a vacuum, which has a correspondingly lower refractive index, can then be adjacent to the curved lens sections to achieve the desired refractive behavior of the particular lenticular lens layer. The at least indirect bonding of the lenticular lens layer, the top layer and the support layer in the assembly is preferably carried out in such a way that, of these, at least the support layer and the lenticular lens layer can subsequently no longer, or at least non-destructively, be separated from one another, for example by manual and / or muscular force.

[0054] This does not apply to the top layer film, which can be intentionally manually removed, but the layers can preferably remain bonded together under at least their own weight, or, for example, up to at least 20 times the assembly's own weight, even during the assembly process or attachment of the assembly to the display surface. In general, any reference herein to opposite sides of two surfaces may also include interference and / or contact of those surfaces with one another, unless otherwise stated or apparent, e.g., because of spaces between other materials or layers.

[0055] A further technical feature is to provide a configuration in which the top layer is thinner than the support layer and / or the lenticular lens layer, where "thinner" refers to the thickness of the layer. In particular, the top layer need not have a thickness more than half the thickness of the support layer and / or lenticular lens layer, and even need not have a thickness more than 30% and can be thinner than them. This can, for example, allow the top layer to provide its protective and / or shielding function, while also providing the advantage of not unnecessarily increasing the distance between the curved lens section and the viewing area.

[0056] If desired, the assembly can then be attached to a display surface such that the first surface of the curved lens section, ie, the lenticular lens layer, faces away from the display surface. This allows the use of lenticular lens assemblies, particularly for very high pixel density display surfaces.

[0057] Further embodiments may also be provided in which the top layer has a lower stiffness than the support layer and / or the lenticular lens layer. This also allows the top layer to be made relatively thin and allows stabilizing or planarizing effects, for example, to be significantly attributable to or provided by the support layer and / or lenticular lens layer.

[0058] According to a further embodiment, the top layer preferably has a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the support layer preferably has a thickness in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm. It has been shown that such a size ratio can be used to reliably achieve the advantages and properties of the top and support layers described herein, in particular their assigned functions, without, for example, unnecessarily increasing the costs or compromising the optical properties of the assembly.

[0059] For example, a correspondingly formed support layer can certainly be used as a disk-shaped flattening element of the type described above. These functions may also be provided, at least to some extent, by the top layer, especially due to the indirect support provided by the corresponding support layer. Here, the top layer can then ensure a small distance between the curved lens section and the display surface.

[0060] If the top layer is formed as a removable layer, in particular as a top film, its thickness may be below the abovementioned values, for example even less than 0.1 mm. As described above, according to a preferred modification, a configuration can be provided in which the top layer and / or the support layer are formed with high precision. This may facilitate cleaning by wiping, for example, if the corresponding layer forms an assembled outer layer as described above.

[0061] On the other hand, this can facilitate attachment to a flat display surface if the corresponding layer is a component of the assembly that forms an internal layer of the assembly or a layer attached to the display surface. A further technical feature of the present invention is that the lenticular lens layer is physically bonded to at least one of the top layer and the support layer.

[0062] Such bonding of materials may occur over the entire display surface or may occur in at least some areas, e.g., so as to overlap the display surface as judged from the viewer's point of view. And alternatively or additionally, such material bonds may be formed, for example, outside of the area of ​​the display surface discernible by a viewer and / or in peripheral areas generally located outside the viewer's field of vision. Moreover, material locking bonds provide a reliable and strong bond between layers in an assembly, and are also simple to manufacture.

[0063] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the space between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer is preferably at least partially unfilled, that is, has an unfilled area. Such unfilled areas may be applied to areas of the mounted assembly that overlap the display surface and / or are within the field of view of the viewer, and it is particularly preferred that the unfilled area is a central area. The area of ​​the unfilled region in that case may preferably occupy 50% or more of the total area, for example at least 80% of the area (100%) of the assembly and / or each layer mentioned. In this case, the top layer is preferably dimensionally rigid and / or formed in a disk shape.

[0064] The term "unfilled" can also be understood to mean that there is no solid or liquid material between the layers, or generally no particulate agglomerates, and further means that, for example, no adhesive layer is present. On the other hand, however, a gas or a gas mixture, in particular air, may be present in the gaps.Furthermore, it may be preferable to create vacuum spots between these layers.

[0065] As previously mentioned, the preferred refractive behavior of the lenticular lens layer in this way can be achieved by the difference between the refractive index of the unfilled areas in the space and the refractive index of the subsequent, typically lower, filled resin. In particular, it may be provided in the context of this specification that the top layer does not overlie or contact the curved lens sections. Instead, the contact of the top layer with the lenticular lens layer in part may only be in one edge region of the assembly.

[0066] This edge region is preferably in the mounting of the assembly outside the area of ​​the display surface visible to the viewer and / or is preferably covered by a cladding frame or the like. More preferably, the top layer and the lenticular lens layer are bonded in an airtight manner, for example by an airtight circumferential edge bond between the layers. It should be noted that an alternative embodiment of the above is one in which the space between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer is at least partially filled with a material (sometimes referred to as a fill material), preferably liquid, solid and / or solid first.

[0067] The refractive index of this filling material is preferably smaller than the refractive index of the lenticular lens layer, or more precisely, the refractive index of the material that constitutes the lenticular lens layer. The filling material in such spaces can be, for example, an adhesive material, a silicone material, or another polymeric material. This allows for reliable bonding of the layers, particularly where they abut, or at least to a large extent, with one another.

[0068] Furthermore, proper bonding can be used to bond each layer more safely and securely. However, materials with sufficiently low refractive index, and in particular adhesives, are relatively expensive, so it may alternatively be advantageous to make the above-mentioned edge bonding possible in a non-filled, e.g. space-filled only with gas, variant configuration.

[0069] The space between the lens and the top layer may also be filled with a material having an adhesive effect to which the top layer is attached, and preferably a manually removable top layer. That is, the adhesive effect can also be used to directly contact the filler material with the display surface and establish adhesion of the assembly to the display surface.

[0070] As such a filling material, for example, a silicone material is suitable. As such a filling material, it is preferable to use any filling material that exhibits the refractive effect of the corresponding filling material described in this specification. And, the top layer is preferably formed or used as a film located on the top in the variant.

[0071] Although the adhesive strength of the filler is adequate, a further layer of additional adhesive may additionally or alternatively be added between the display surface and the assembly. However, this may not provide sufficient adhesive strength, and may even be unfeasible for cost reasons.

[0072] Thus, it is preferred that the filler material in the spaces, ie in any of the variations having filled spaces, has a refractive index of 1.3 or less. On the other hand, the refractive index of the lenticular lens layer is generally set to a value within the range of, for example, 1.4 to 1.8, or may have a refractive index up to and including 2.0. In particular, the lenticular lens layer is preferably made of an acrylate resin or other transparent plastic resin.

[0073] According to the above mentioned aspects, a further embodiment is preferably constructed of a top layer, preferably a film, further preferably made of, for example, glass or plastic material. And, prior to mounting the assembly to a display surface, it is preferable to make it removable, for example by removing the top layer from the assembly, particularly from the lenticular lens layer and any filler material between the top layer. This filler material can thus be selectively exposed, whereupon the assembly is preferably oriented relative to the display surface such that the side from which the filler material or top layer has been removed faces the display surface.

[0074] Preferably, the space between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer is at least partially filled with a filler material that allows the assembly to adhere to the display surface. In this way, the filler material can, for example, exert an adhesive effect, and the surface of the filler material is preferably flat to allow attachment to the display surface, especially after removal of the top layer.

[0075] The support layer may provide a stabilizing and / or stiffening effect for the assembly during assembly so that the filler material may eventually be flattened as it is pressed as part of the press onto the display surface.

[0076] It should be noted that the filler material in the space preferably not only provides an adhesive effect, but also provides the refractive function mentioned herein, i.e., preferably also provides the optical effect of interest. That is, typically, the assembly is attached to the display surface in a vacuum, which can support the adhesive effect. In this way, it is possible to ensure that any residual air between the assembly and the display surface is removed.

[0077] And in this way it is possible to ensure that any air remaining between the assembly and the display surface is removed. In order to reliably remove the top layer or top film from this material, it is also preferable to apply a release agent, such as a non-sticky release liquid, between the top layer and the material, or to laminate a release film.

[0078] A general advantage of the variant having a removable top layer is that, in addition to the preferred elimination of an additional adhesive layer when attaching the assembly to the display surface, the lenticular lens layer can be positioned closer to the display surface due to the removed top layer. Additionally, with this variation it is easier to remove the assembly from the display surface and reattach it when necessary than if a separate adhesive layer were used. Such removability is advantageous for maintenance purposes or for repairing production defects.

[0079] As mentioned above, the top layer is preferably positioned at a distance from the lens section, for example 1 mm or less, or 0.5 mm or less. In other words, with such a distance, the top layer preferably does not contact and / or adhere to the lens sections. As mentioned above, this ensures that the refractive behavior of the assembly, and in particular the lens layers, is significantly determined by the material transitions from or within the spaces.

[0080] On the other hand, an outer applied top layer or additional adhesive layer to attach the assembly to the display surface may have only a limited effect on the optical filter effect. Also, in embodiments where the lenticular lens assembly is optionally attachable to a display surface, it is preferred that either the top layer of the display surface, or the side from which it has been removed, or the support layer faces the display surface, and in particular is fully adhered to it.

[0081] In particular, if the pixel density of the display area exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., 100 ppi), the top layer, or the side from which it is removed, may be on the side opposite the display surface and may be in contact with and / or bonded to the display surface. In this case, the distance between the display surface and the curved lens section can be particularly small due to the top layer being typically thinned or positioned farther away and / or generally due to the proximity of the top layer to the curved lens section.

[0082] On the other hand, on uneven display surfaces or in general to achieve a particularly reliable planarization effect, it may be advantageous to place a support layer opposite to the display surface and / or to attach it directly.

[0083] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a lenticular lens assembly according to one of the preceding aspects. This may involve the lenticular lens layer, the top layer and the support layer being bonded (glued) together in the layer arrangement described above.

[0084] In particular, this is a structure in which any of the joining mechanisms described herein may include, for example, full or at least area oriented joining, or edge joining or indirect joining across the circumferential frame. For example, a first surface of the lenticular lens layer (including any of the variants) may have a top layer disposed on the opposite side, and an optional support layer disposed on the opposite side of a second surface of the lenticular lens layer.

[0085] Furthermore, the manufacture of the lenticular lens assembly preferably involves forming an adhesive layer at least between the top layer and the lenticular lens layer, and between the lenticular layer and the support layer. Thus, in general, at least the top layer and the support layer cannot be directly bonded to each other, but can only be indirectly bonded, for example via a lenticular lens layer. Further, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, particularly when the top layer is removable, it is preferred to apply a release agent between the material, more preferably the material located in the space between the lenticular lens layer and the top layer, and the top layer.

[0086] In general, the process of preparing the lenticular lens assembly is preferably upstream of the actual attachment to the display surface and / or occurs in a spatially separated manufacturing line. Therefore, according to a further development, the manufacturing method of the invention also preferably comprises a step of attaching the manufactured lenticular lens assembly to a display surface.

[0087] The attachment may involve full surface bonding of a prefabricated assembly or a finished assembly, particularly either its top layer or a support layer, onto the display surface. Alternatively or additionally, it may include a step of removal, in particular manual peeling, of the top layer and in particular a possible top layer film from the assembly in order to mount the assembly, and in particular to mount the surfaces exposed by its sides to, and in particular to press against, the display surface.

[0088] Also, particularly where the display surface has a pixel density of greater than 100 ppi, a step may be provided in which the lenticular lens assembly is attached to the display surface such that the top layer, or the side from which the top layer has previously been removed, is opposite the display surface. It is preferable to make the distance between the curved lens section (which may also be called a lens slice or lens surface) and the display area as small as possible.

[0089] On the other hand, when the resolution is below this threshold, or when achieving relatively large viewing distances, for example one meter or more, it may be preferable to have a support layer attached to or facing the display surface.

[0090] A further embodiment is where multiple identical lenticular lens assemblies are prepared according to any variant described herein, with at least a first display surface and a second display surface, which are preferably configured to be different from each other, e.g. having different pixel densities. That is, a process may be provided in which there are multiple lenticular lens assemblies, one of the lenticular lens assemblies is attached to a first display surface with the top layer, or the side from which the top layer has been removed, facing away from the display surface, and another lenticular lens assembly is attached to a second display surface with the support layer facing away from the display surface. In this variation, for example, the first display surface may be configured to have a higher pixel density than the second display surface.

[0091] As a further development of this process, it is also preferred to use the lenticular lens assembly of the present invention to optionally provide optical properties depending on whether the top layer opposite the display surface, or the side from which it has been removed, and the support layer is attached directly to the display surface. This allows for greater flexibility in application of the lenticular lens assembly, allowing it to be oriented or mounted in different directions relative to the display area depending on the desired characteristics.

[0092] In general, the manufacturing methods of the present invention may include all other features, aspects and variations for providing any of the conditions, advantages and interactions described herein. In particular, the manufacturing method may include all steps and methods for preparing a lenticular lens assembly according to any aspect described herein and / or for attaching a lenticular lens assembly of any method described herein to a display surface.

[0093] That is, there is also included a method for attaching a lenticular lens assembly 10 obtained by the manufacturing method of the lenticular lens assembly to a display surface 100, characterized in that the filling material functions as an adhesive and adheres to the display surface 100 after removal of the top layer, thereby creating an adhesive effect of the lenticular lens assembly 10 to the display surface 100.

[0094] Also included is a method of mounting a lenticular lens assembly, which comprises, for example, manufacturing a plurality of identical lenticular lens assemblies 10, preparing at least a first display surface 100' and a second display surface 100" as display surfaces, attaching one of the plurality of identical lenticular lens assemblies 10 to the first display surface 100' with the side of the lenticular lens assembly 10 from which the top layer 12 has been removed facing the display surface 100, and attaching another of the plurality of identical lenticular lens assemblies 10 to the second display surface 100" with the support layer 16 facing the display surface 100. In particular, all embodiments and further developments from the features of the lenticular lens assembly to the features corresponding to the manufacturing and mounting methods of the invention may also be applied or provided here. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0095] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which like or equivalent features may be provided with the same reference numerals throughout, and in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a lenticular lens assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a surface state of the lenticular lens assembly of FIG. 1 with a top layer attached to the display surface. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an example of a flow diagram of a method according to the present invention for manufacturing the lenticular lens assembly from FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of a flow diagram of a manufacturing method according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] FIG. 1 is a side view of a lenticular lens assembly 10. The lenticular lens assembly 10 is an assembly of lenticular lenses, and as described above, may be simply referred to as the assembly 10 or an assembly. As can be seen from the perspective view shown in FIG. 2, which shows the surface state of the lenticular lens assembly of FIG. 1 with the top layer attached to the display surface, it extends planarly within the paper. Also, the selected descriptions and representations are schematic and exemplary only. In particular, the individual lens sections 22 described below can be arranged to run diagonally in the xy plane, also referred to in the art as a "tilted" arrangement.

[0097] It will also be appreciated that the assembly 10 has a layered construction. That is, to obtain the layer thicknesses discussed thus far, it is preferred that the layers be formed and provided in the following order along the thickness z-axis: That is, in FIG. 1, the layer shown at the bottom is the top layer 12 (sometimes referred to as the top film), the layer following that is the lenticular lens layer 14, and the layer shown at the top in FIG. 1 is the support layer 16.

[0098] The lenticular lens layer 14 is thus configured between the top layer 12 and the support layer 16 along the z-axis in the thickness direction. The assembly 10 may therefore be referred to as a sandwich filter, with such filtering properties being provided by the lenticular lens layer 14 in a known manner. That is, figuratively speaking, this involves filtering the content as an image visible to each of the viewers' eyes and displaying it via a display surface 100 (sometimes referred to as a first display surface 100' and a second display surface 100") described below (see FIG. 2).

[0099] Here, all layers 12, 14, 16 extend in a spatial plane that is aligned along the horizontal direction (for example, in the xy plane from FIG. 1), and are therefore understood to be planes that lie perpendicular to the plane of the paper. As for the thickness of each layer, the support layer 16 has a thickness represented by the symbol D1, the lenticular lens layer 14 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the lens layer) has a thickness represented by the symbol D2, and the top layer 12 has a thickness represented by the symbol D3.

[0100] Preferably, the thickness D 3 of the top layer 12 is significantly thinner than the thickness D 1 of the support layer 16 and the thickness D 2 of the lenticular lens layer 14 . For example, the thickness D3 of the top layer 12 is preferably less than half (1 / 2) the thicknesses D1, D2 of at least one of the other support layers 16 and the lenticular lens layer 14, and it is even more preferable to limit the thickness to a maximum of one-quarter. It is also preferred that the support layer 16, and more preferably the lenticular lens layer 14, also have a higher stiffness than the uppermost layer 12 (top layer). In addition to, or as an alternative to, selecting a relatively large thickness D3, this higher stiffness of the support layer 16 may also be achieved by appropriate selection of materials. However, in general, it is also possible to form the lenticular lens layer 14 with a smaller thickness D2. In this case, the thickness D2 of the lenticular lens layer 14 is preferably equal to or smaller than the thickness D3 of the top layer 12, for example, and more preferably equal to or smaller than the thickness D1 of the support layer 16.

[0101] More specifically, the thickness D2 of the lenticular lens layer 14 is preferably 0.1 mm or less. And both the support layer 16 and the top layer 12 are flat and generally smooth. In either case, the surfaces of these layers 12, 16 that run in a plane in xy space are used. They will each form the outside of the assembly 10. On the other hand, the lenticular lens layer 14 simply has a second surface 18 which is smooth and flat. This surface, referred to herein as second surface 18, would be located at the top in FIG. More precisely, the support layer 16 is preferably completely adhered to the second surface 18 of the lenticular lens layer 14. The latter is made possible by a correspondingly smooth and flat formation of the second surface 18.

[0102] On the opposite surface of the lenticular lens layer 14, referred to herein as a first surface 20, the lenticular lens layer 14 has a curved structure when viewed in a cross-sectional direction. More precisely, it has a number of curved lens sections 22, which are preferably arranged to run along the x-axis of Fig. 1, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the paper, with reference also to the perspective view of Fig. 2. Also, along the other axis of horizontal extension, ie, along the y-axis, the curved lens sections 22 will be connected or joined to one another. However, for reasons of clarity of connection, accuracy, etc., not every lens section 22 in each figure has its own fiducial marking.

[0103] Thus, the lens section 22 is preferably configured to be convexly curved with respect to the second surface 18, for example. In other words, they preferably extend outwardly from this second surface 18 or form a protruding curved cross section on the first surface 20 . For example, it is preferable to form such a protruding curved cross section from the opposite side of the layer plane. Furthermore, the lens section 22 preferably extends in a slice-like manner in the direction of the top layer 12. Thus, the lens sections 22 preferably form a lens grid or line grid, known per se.

[0104] Meanwhile, such lenticular lenses or lenticular filters, including line grids and the like, are also available commercially. The top layer 12 is preferably disposed opposite a curved first surface 20 of the lenticular lens layer 14 . Thus, it may be said that it is not perceptible that the top layer 12 is not attached to the lenticular lens layer 14, or at least not to the curved lens sections 22.

[0105] However, this is only shown diagrammatically as an example, with a distance A in one case. This distance A can be smaller than any one of the thicknesses D1 to D3 of the layers, or can be a maximum value equal to the thickness D3.

[0106] In this manner, the size of the assembly 10 is reduced and the lenticular lens layer 14, and therefore its first surface 20, can be positioned particularly close to the display surface 100, the viewing area, if desired. Moreover, this distance A may allow a reliable and defined adjustment of the optical properties or refractive behavior of the assembly 10 . This depends largely on material modifications or adjustments between the top layer 12 and the space Z between the lenticular lens layer 14, or the lenticular lens layer 14 itself.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 1, this space Z is preferably provided so as to be located between the flat inner top layer 12 and the first surface 20 . Therefore, it is preferable that the space Z extends in particular into the free space between two adjacent lens sections 22, i.e., figuratively speaking, the depression or valley that constitutes the space Z is surrounded by the two adjacent lens sections 22.

[0108] According to one variant, it is also preferred that in the space Z a filling material is inserted. This filler material preferably has a lower refractive index than the material of the lenticular lens layer 14, for example a refractive index less than 1.4. Such a filler material may be similar to the adhesive material that bonds top layer 12 to lenticular lens layer 14 .

[0109] Alternatively or additionally, the top layer 12 and the lenticular lens layer 14 are preferably configured to be bonded together via an edge bond 24, and more preferably are configured to be bonded together while also including the support layer 16. This preferably proceeds also in the horizontal plane, to a thickness at least corresponding to the thickness of each layer 12, 14, 16 to be joined, ie at least D2 and D3, and possibly a thickness equivalent to D1.

[0110] Additionally, edge joint 24 is preferably positioned to at least partially surround and / or encircle assembly 10 . In particular, it is preferred that the assembly 10 and each of the layers 12, 14, 16 are surrounded and / or positioned to be surrounded like a frame.

[0111] The outline of such a frame-shaped edge bonding portion 24 is shown by the dashed lines in FIG. It is shown that the edge joints 24 can extend within the two-dimensional plane of the assembly 10 or even from each individual layer 12 , 14 , 16 . Such an edge joint 24 preferably enables a sealing, in particular an air-tight sealing, of the space Z against the environment.

[0112] It is also preferred that space Z is generally unfilled, ie not filled with any solid or liquid material, but optionally filled with a gas. Particularly in the context of gas-tight edge bonding, a vacuum may also prevail there, but air or another gas mixture may alternatively be provided. As discussed in the general description section, the top layer 12 and support layer 16 may be comprised of a glass material, and the lenticular lens layer 14 may be comprised of an acrylate resin.

[0113] It can therefore be said that the layers 12, 14, 16 are shown above to be bonded to one another. In particular, they are preferably glued together, for example directly to each other or by an edge joint 24 . The bonding or joining is performed in a manner such that the assembly 10 is available as an individually manageable module, eg, capable of being removed, packaged, and shipped as an end product on a production line as required.

[0114] It can be understood that under solid bonding, the layers 2, 14, 16 are preferably not non-destructive, for example by muscular forces, separable from one another. In particular, a force of at least 100N may be necessary to separate the layers 12, 14, 16 from one another, but then preferably not even non-destructively. Also, the assembly 10 may therefore not yet be attached to the display surface 100, but may preferably exist as a single module or rigidly joined unit.

[0115] Alternatively, the assembly 10 can be prefabricated, stored or shipped as needed, and then attached to the display surface 100 in the manner described below. The latter can be done, for example, on a manufacturing line for display devices or general electronic devices with corresponding display surfaces 100.

[0116] It should also be emphasized that the assembly 10 can be applied to the display surface 100 with different orientations, as described below with reference to FIG. Primarily, this can be done in such a way that the top layer 12 faces either the display surface 100 , which is the viewing area, or the support layer 16 . Each of these layers 12, 16 is then adhered to the display surface 100, which is the display area, and then particularly preferably completely adhered.

[0117] Also, if the support layer 16 is on the opposite side to the display surface 100 which is the viewing area, this can be particularly effective due to its increased stiffness as previously discussed.

[0118] The planarizing element also serves to compensate for irregularities in the display surface 100, for example. That is, a surface layer such as the top layer 12 may also exert such a planarizing effect when attached to the display surface 100 and, for example, when indirectly supported and / or cured by the support layer 16.

[0119] Also, if the support layer 16 is opposite the display surface 100 and is preferably adhered to it, then the top layer 12 will point outward. Such top layer 12 forms the smooth outer surface of the assembly 10 . This makes it possible to form the outermost surface of the display device by dividing the display surface 100, which is the display area, from the outside or from the exterior. In this case, the top layer 12 is advantageous in protecting the lenticular lens layer 14 from damage and dirt. At the same time, the preferred flat formation of the top layer 12 allows for easy cleaning, particularly by simple wiping of the assembly 10 or the display surface 100 .

[0120] FIG. 2 also illustrates an alternative configuration in which the assembly 10 is attached to the display surface 100 such that the top layer 12 faces the display surface 100 and is specifically attached thereto. The thinner thickness D3 of the top layer 12 means that the curved lens section 22 or first surface 20 of the lenticular lens layer 14 is located at a smaller distance from the display surface 100 than if the support layer 16 were attached to the display surface 100. That is, it refers to a configuration in which the assembly 10 is mounted to the display surface 100 in an inverted orientation. As explained earlier, this small distance is advantageous for achieving the desired lenticular effect, i.e., for providing better spatial perception of the image display content, particularly at high pixel densities in the display area, i.e., the display surface 100.

[0121] Also, in the configuration of FIG. 2, the display surface 100 preferably has the top layer 12 attached thereto, with the support layer 16 facing outwards. Such an arrangement thus provides a particularly reliable form of protection, in particular against mechanical damage, with an increased layer thickness D1 and preferably also with increased stiffness.

[0122] Also shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 is that the display surface 100, representative of an LCD display, comprises several individual display areas and more precisely display units (P1, P2). These are formed in a known manner as individually controllable pixels (especially LCD pixels). The display surface 100, or the display device in which it is arranged, may have display units (P1, P2) as well as power and / or controls as known in the art that specify what to display.

[0123] The content to be displayed is displayed as or by light waves generated by the display units (P1, P2). The light emitted by each display unit (P1, P2) can then be refracted or optically filtered by the lenticular lens layer 14 to achieve the lenticular effect as desired and in known manner. Thus, an assembly 10 having any orientation of layers 12, 14, 16 is shown to be attached to a display surface 100 that is a display area, depending on the characteristics of the display surface 100 or the generally desired characteristics of the device on which the display surface 100 is to be placed. The assembly 10 is therefore flexible in use and can be used with different display surfaces 100 .

[0124] Furthermore, the final assembly line requires less complex production stations and steps than if each layer 12, 14, 16 were individually attached to the display surface 100, which is the viewing area. Instead, it is only necessary to define the desired orientation of the assembly 10 and then attach it to the display surface 100, which is the viewing area, in this orientation in a single production step.

[0125] Also, according to further embodiments described in the general description section, top layer 12 is removable from assembly 10, preferably manually removable, and more preferably manually peelable. The top layer 12 is preferably formed as a foil or film, and the space Z is preferably filled with a predetermined material.

[0126] The filling material is preferably capable of providing an adhesive effect such that the top layer 12 adheres to the assembly 10 . Also, to ensure reliable manual removal, this adhesive effect can be intentionally reduced by applying a release agent between the filler material and the film.

[0127] That is, when the film as top layer 12 is removed, the release agent will at least partially remain on the film. Thus, reliable adhesion of assembly 10 to exposed surfaces or materials in space Z on display surface 100 may be assured.

[0128] It will be appreciated that the film as top layer 12 is preferably removed only when there is material to be adhered to the display surface 100 or on the exposed side. Alternatively, the film as top layer 12 is preferably left intact on the assembly 10 when the support layer 16 is adhered to the display surface 100 or not.

[0129] 3 and 4, an exemplary process sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below. FIG. 3 shows a process sequence for the manufacture of the assembly 10 from FIG. In step S1, each layer 12, 14, 16 is preferably first prepared and / or provided in separate form.

[0130] Then, in step S2, the support layer 16 is attached to the second surface 18 of the lenticular lens layer 14, preferably adhering thereto over its entire surface.

[0131] Step S3 can also be performed primarily before step S2, but preferably the top layer 12 is then bonded to the first surface 20 of the lenticular lens layer 14 via an optional adhesive layer in space Z from FIG. 1. Alternatively, each layer 12, 14, and optionally also the support layer 16, may be joined, preferably via edge joints 24, as described above. Alternatively, the bonding of the filling material located in the space Z with the top layer 12, ie, substantially with a film as the top layer 12 in particular, is preferably performed by adhesion.

[0132] Then, in step S4, the assembly 10 is completed by joining and preferably permanently joining the layers 12, 14, 16 of the previous steps S1-S3, ie, prefabrication. A solid and permanent bond includes variations in which the top layer 12 can be manually removed, but the assembly 10 comprises layers 12, 14, 16 attached to one another, allowing for transportation or relocation, for example. The assembly 10 can be shipped in this prefabricated state, for example, to a final manufacturing line for the display device and / or display surface 100.

[0133] Next, an alternative process sequence which additionally includes steps S5 and S6 shown in dashed lines and alternative methods in steps S1 to S4 described in FIG. 3 is as follows: That is, step S1 is a process of filling the lens section 22, which is the first surface 20, with liquid plastic. As such liquid plastic, it is preferable to use a liquid monomer (for example, a monomer or oligomer of an acrylic resin, which may further contain a polymer in part, etc.).

[0134] Next, in step S2, the support layer 16 is placed on the mold from step S1 and aligned, and a liquid monomer (sometimes called a liquid polymer) is poured into the mold. And, the side of the support layer 16 that is received in the mold preferably has a preparation or pretreatment to improve adhesion with the liquid monomer. For example, a so-called primer treatment may be performed, or one or more other treatments may be performed.

[0135] Next, step S3 is a process of curing the liquid monomer by, for example, irradiation with UV light, so that the liquid monomer functions as an adhesive and is firmly attached to the support layer 16.

[0136] Next, step S4 is a process of applying a release agent such as silicone from the outside to the first surface 20 of the lenticular lens layer 14, particularly after removing the negative film for exposure. Under that circumstance, the curved lens sections 22, and more precisely the free spaces between them, are thus filled with silicone resin (comprising silicone material).

[0137] Next, in step S5, the top layer 12 is placed on top of the lenticular lens layer 14, and preferably a silicone resin is applied thereto for alignment.

[0138] Then, in step S6, the silicone resin is cured, thus bonding the top layer 12 and the lenticular lens layer 14 together with the adhesive. However, this is not an essential step. Alternatively, the silicone resin may not be allowed to fully cure and / or a release agent may be applied between the silicone resin and a top layer, such as top layer 12, such that such top layer is manually removable in the manner described herein.

[0139] The possible manufacturing steps on such a finishing line are shown in Figure 4. That is, in step p1, the assembly 10 is provided as a ready-made module.

[0140] In another step p2, the assembly 10 is aligned according to a desired orientation. This is preferably aligned so that either the top layer 12 , or, as an upstream step, the side from which the top layer 12 has been removed, or the support layer 16 , is on the side opposite the display surface 100 . The criteria for the selection of the orientation are as mentioned above, for example the pixel density of the display surface 100 which is the display area, the required flattening effect, etc.

[0141] Also in another step p3, the assembly 10 is then joined, preferably glued over its entire surface, to a display surface 100, which is a display area, in a correspondingly defined orientation. In the case of the removed top layer 12 (top layer), the bonding or fastening can be done by adhesive or even without such an additional adhesive layer.

[0142] Also, in another step p4, the correspondingly coated display surface 100 is completed and can then be attached or bonded to a display device (image display device) if not already done. Such a display device preferably comprises, for example, a display surface 100 which is a display area and / or necessary control means, for example a computing device for controlling the display surface 100 which is a display area for displaying desired content.

Claims

1. A prefabricated lenticular lens assembly (10) for attachment to a display surface (100) to refract light emitted by pixels under a lens section based on the curvature of the lens section so as to perceive different image content for a left and right eye of a viewer, A prefabricated lenticular lens assembly, comprising: - a lenticular lens layer (14) including a first surface (20) having a plurality of convexly curved lens sections (22) and a second surface (18) facing away from the first surface (20), and a top layer (12) at least partially facing the first surface (20) of the lenticular lens layer (14). - A configuration in which the space (Z) between the top layer (12) and the lenticular lens layer (14) is filled, at least in some areas, with a filling material (20), the refractive index of which is smaller than the refractive index of the lenticular lens layer (14). - said top layer (12) is spaced a predetermined distance (A) from said lens section (22); a support layer (16) at least partially facing the second surface (18) of the lenticular lens layer (14), wherein the lenticular lens layer (14), the top layer (12) and the support layer (16) are adhered to each other. - the filler material provides an adhesive effect of the lenticular lens assembly (10) to the display surface (100) when attached to the display surface (100) and when the top layer (12) is removed. - A configuration in which the thickness of the top layer (12) of the lenticular lens assembly (10) is thinner than the support layer (16) and / or the lenticular lens layer (14), and the stiffness of the top layer (12) is lower than the support layer (16) and / or the lenticular lens layer (14).

2. 2. The lenticular lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the top layer (12) is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm and / or the thickness of the support layer (16) is in the range of 0.5 to 4 mm.

3. 3. A lenticular lens assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the top layer (12) and / or the support layer (16) are planar.

4. A lenticular lens assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lenticular lens layer (14) is materially bonded to the top layer (12) via the filler material.

5. The lenticular lens assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support layer (16) of the lenticular lens assembly (10) faces the display surface (100) and is attachable to the display surface (100).

6. 6. The lenticular lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the filling material has a refractive index of 1.4 or less.

7. A method for manufacturing a lenticular lens assembly (10) described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the method for manufacturing a lenticular lens assembly comprises the following steps: - providing the lenticular lens layer (14) comprising a first surface (20) having a plurality of convexly curved lens sections (22) and a second surface (18) facing away from the first surface (20). - providing a support layer (16) at least partially facing said second surface (18) of said lenticular lens layer (14); - disposing a filler material on said first surface (20); - providing a top layer (12) at least partially facing a first surface (20) of the lenticular lens layer (14), in which at least a portion of the space (Z) between the top layer (12) and the lenticular lens layer (14) is filled with a filling material (20) whose refractive index is smaller than the refractive index of the lenticular lens layer (14), and the top layer (12) is positioned at a predetermined distance (A) from the lens section (22). - Adhering the lenticular lens layer (14), the top layer (12) and the support layer (16) together, so that the filler material creates an adhesive effect of the lenticular lens assembly (10) to the display surface (100) when attached to the display surface (100) and when the top layer (12) is removed.

8. A method for attaching a lenticular lens assembly (10) obtained by the method for manufacturing a lenticular lens assembly according to claim 7 to a display surface (100), comprising the steps of: A method for mounting a lenticular lens assembly, characterized in that the filler material adheres to the display surface (100) after removal of the top layer, creating an adhesive effect of the lenticular lens assembly (10) to the display surface (100).

9. manufacturing a plurality of identical said lenticular lens assemblies (10) and providing at least a first display surface and a second display surface (100', 100'') as said display surfaces; attaching one of the plurality of identical lenticular lens assemblies (10), from which a top layer (12) has been removed, to the first display surface (100') so as to face the display surface (100); and attaching the support layer (16) of another lenticular lens assembly (10) of a plurality of identical lenticular lens assemblies (10) to the second display surface (100'') so as to face the display surface (100).

Images