Liquid crystal display and double-layer liquid crystal display

Abstract

A liquid crystal display and a double-layer liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a display panel and a solar module. The solar module includes a polymer, solar cells, temperature sensors and a light-transmitting layer, wherein the solar cells and the temperature sensors are embedded in the polymer at intervals; each temperature sensor is arranged between two adjacent solar cells; and the light-transmitting layer is arranged between the display panel and the polymer. In this way, renewable energy is generated by means of ambient light so as to drive the display panel to update pictures.

Description

LCD displays and dual-layer LCD displays Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display and a dual-layer liquid crystal display, and particularly to a liquid crystal display and a dual-layer liquid crystal display incorporating a solar energy module. Background Technology

[0002] Bistable liquid crystal displays (LCMs) consume power only when updating the screen; they require no power when maintaining a static display. With increasing climate change, combining bistable LCMs with solar cells can absorb ambient light and convert it into electricity to power the LCM, thus saving energy.

[0003] However, outdoor LCD displays may experience inconsistent power generation efficiency at different times due to uneven sunlight exposure, resulting in varying levels of light received by the solar cells in different areas. Furthermore, the required driving voltage for the display panel also varies depending on the intensity of sunlight hitting the LCD.

[0004] Therefore, it can be seen that there is currently a lack of LCD and dual-layer LCD displays on the market that can sense temperature through multiple temperature sensors and adjust the display effect according to different amounts of sunlight and weather. As a result, relevant manufacturers are seeking solutions.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a liquid crystal display and a dual-layer liquid crystal display, which sets a temperature sensor between solar cells to dynamically adjust the driving voltage according to the amount of sunlight and temperature in different areas of the liquid crystal display, thereby improving the visual effect of the displayed image and the power generation efficiency of the solar module.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the structural pattern disclosed herein, a liquid crystal display is provided, comprising a display panel and a solar module. The solar module includes a polymer, a plurality of solar cells, a plurality of temperature sensors, and a light-transmitting layer. The solar cells are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer. The temperature sensors are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer, with each temperature sensor disposed between two adjacent solar cells. The light-transmitting layer is disposed between the display panel and the polymer. Adjacent elements of the display panel, the light-transmitting layer, and the polymer are all bonded together with an optical adhesive.

[0008] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned display panel may have a first length and a first width, the first length being L1 and the first width being W1, and the solar module may have a second length and a second width, the second length being L2 and the second width being W2, which satisfy the following conditions: L2-L1>1mm; and W2-W1>1mm.

[0009] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned liquid crystal display may further include a back panel. The back panel is disposed on one side of the solar module, wherein the other side of the solar module is connected to the display panel.

[0010] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned solar module may further include multiple light-shielding layers. These light-shielding layers are embedded in the polymer, and each of these light-shielding layers corresponds to one of the temperature sensors. These light-shielding layers are disposed between the temperature sensors and the display panel.

[0011] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: the thickness of each of the aforementioned temperature sensors is less than 1 mm.

[0012] Other embodiments of the foregoing implementation are as follows: the aforementioned display panel may be a cholesteric liquid crystal panel, and any of these solar cells may be a silicon wafer solar cell.

[0013] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned display panel has multiple sensing areas, each of which corresponds to a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the sensing area to obtain multiple temperature values.

[0014] Other embodiments of the foregoing implementation are as follows: The aforementioned liquid crystal display may further include a driving circuit. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the temperature sensors and the display panel, and receives the temperature values ​​from the temperature sensors. When a maximum difference between these temperature values ​​is less than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the display panel based on an average temperature of these temperature values. When a maximum difference between these temperature values ​​is greater than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the sensing areas respectively based on these temperature values.

[0015] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: a signal line of the aforementioned display panel, a power output line of the solar module, and multiple sensing signal lines of these temperature sensors are all located on the same side of the solar module.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the structural configuration disclosed herein, a dual-layer liquid crystal display is provided, comprising two display panels and a solar module. The solar module is disposed between the two display panels and includes a polymer, multiple solar cells, multiple temperature sensors, and two light-transmitting layers. The solar cells are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer. The temperature sensors are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer, with each temperature sensor disposed between two adjacent solar cells. The two light-transmitting layers are respectively disposed between the two display panels and the polymer. Adjacent pairs of the two display panels, the two light-transmitting layers, and the polymer are bonded together by an optical adhesive.

[0017] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: Each of the two display panels may have a first length and a first width, the first length being L1 and the first width being W1, and the solar module may have a second length and a second width, the second length being L2 and the second width being W2, which satisfy the following conditions: L2-L1>1mm; and W2-W1>1mm.

[0018] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned solar module may further include multiple light-shielding layers. These light-shielding layers are embedded in the polymer, and each of these light-shielding layers corresponds to one of the temperature sensors. These light-shielding layers are disposed on opposite sides of the temperature sensors.

[0019] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: the thickness of each of the aforementioned temperature sensors is less than 1 mm.

[0020] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: either of the two display panels may be a cholesteric liquid crystal panel, and either of the solar cells may be a silicon wafer solar cell.

[0021] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned two display panels have multiple sensing areas, each of which corresponds to a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the sensing area to obtain multiple temperature values.

[0022] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: The aforementioned dual-layer liquid crystal display may further include a driving circuit. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the temperature sensors and the two display panels, and receives the temperature values ​​from the temperature sensors. When a maximum difference between these temperature values ​​is less than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the two display panels according to an average temperature of these temperature values. When a maximum difference between these temperature values ​​is greater than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the sensing areas respectively according to these temperature values.

[0023] Other embodiments of the aforementioned implementation are as follows: the two signal lines of the aforementioned two display panels, the power output line of the solar module, and the multiple sensing signal lines of these temperature sensors are all located on the same side of the solar module. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display along section line 2-2 of Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the driving circuit of the liquid crystal display according to Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the sensing area of ​​the display panel of the liquid crystal display according to Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0029] Figure 6 is a side view of a dual-layer liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100, 100a: Liquid crystal display; 110, 210: Display panel; 120, 220: Solar module; 121, 221: Polymer; 122, 222: Solar cell; 123, 223: Temperature sensor; 124, 224: Light-transmitting layer; 125, 125a, 225: Light-shielding layer; 130: Backplate; 140, 240: Driving circuit; 200: Dual-layer liquid crystal display; A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12: Sensing area; AS: Obstruction; L1: First length; L2: Second length; TA: Temperature sensing array; TH1: Thickness; W1: First width; W2: Second width; WD: Signal line; WP: Power output line; WT: Sensing signal line. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Several embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be set forth in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the scope of this disclosure. That is, in some embodiments of this disclosure, these practical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity in the drawings, some conventionally used structures and elements will be shown in a simple schematic manner; and repeated elements may be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0032] Furthermore, in this document, when a component (or unit or module, etc.) is "connected" to another component, it can mean that the component is directly connected to the other component, or that the component is indirectly connected to the other component, meaning that there is another component between the component and the other component. Only when it is explicitly stated that a component is "directly connected" to another component does it indicate that there is no other component between the component and the other component. The terms "first," "second," and "third" are only used to describe different components and do not limit the components themselves; therefore, "first component" can also be referred to as "second component." Moreover, the combinations of components / units / circuits in this document are not combinations generally known, conventional, or existing in this field. Whether the component / unit / circuit itself is existing cannot be used to determine whether its combination relationship is easily accomplished by someone of ordinary skill in the art.

[0033] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the LCD along section line 2-2 of Figure 1. The LCD 100 includes a display panel 110 and a solar module 120. The solar module 120 includes a polymer 121, a plurality of solar cells 122, a plurality of temperature sensors 123, and a light-transmitting layer 124. The solar cells 122 are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer 121. The temperature sensors 123 are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer 121, with each temperature sensor 123 disposed between two adjacent solar cells 122. The light-transmitting layer 124 is disposed between the display panel 110 and the polymer 121. Adjacent pairs of the display panel 110, the light-transmitting layer 124, and the polymer 121 are bonded together with an optical adhesive. Thus, the LCD 100 of the present disclosure generates renewable energy from ambient light to power the display panel 110 to update the screen, reducing carbon emissions.

[0034] In detail, the display panel 110 may be a cholesteric liquid crystal panel, the polymer 121 may be ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyolefin elastomer (POE), polyvinyl fluoride resin film (Tedlar) or other elastic polymers, any of these solar cells 122 may be a silicon wafer solar cell, each temperature sensor 123 is disposed in the spacing between adjacent solar cells 122, the thickness TH1 of each temperature sensor 123 is less than 1 mm, and the light-transmitting layer 124 may be tempered glass, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0035] The display panel 110 may have a first length and a first width, where the first length is L1 and the first width is W1. The solar module 120 may have a second length and a second width, where the second length is L2 and the second width is W2, satisfying the following conditions: L2-L1>1mm; and W2-W1>1mm. Since the structural strength of the polymer 121 and the light-transmitting layer 124 in the solar module 120 is greater than that of the display panel 110, when the length and width dimensions of the solar module 120 are larger than those of the display panel 110, the light-transmitting layer 124 and the polymer 121 in the solar module 120 can effectively protect the display panel 110, reducing the risk of corner damage to the display panel 110 due to collisions during manufacturing.

[0036] Furthermore, the liquid crystal display 100 may also include a back panel 130. The back panel 130 is disposed on one side of the solar module 120, wherein the other side of the solar module 120 is connected to the display panel 110. The back panel 130 may be made of black or opaque material, which can be used to increase the contrast of the liquid crystal display 100.

[0037] Additionally, the solar module 120 may also include multiple light-shielding layers 125. These light-shielding layers 125 are embedded in the polymer 121 and correspond to the temperature sensors 123 respectively. These light-shielding layers 125 are disposed between the temperature sensors 123 and the display panel 110. Specifically, the light-shielding layers 125 may be a black elastic polymer or a black or dark ink mesh disposed on the light-transmitting layer 124, and their placement can cover the temperature sensors 123 and their circuitry to increase the contrast of the display panel 110.

[0038] Furthermore, the liquid crystal display 100 may also include a driving circuit 140, which is electrically connected to the signal line WD of the display panel 110, the power output line WP of the solar module 120, and the sensing signal line WT of the temperature sensor 123. The driving circuit 140 transmits the signal corresponding to the image to be displayed to the display panel 110 via the signal line WD. The power output line WP is used to transmit the power stored in the solar cell 122 to the driving circuit 140 to supply power to the driving circuit 140 and the display panel 110. The sensing signal line WT is used to transmit the temperature value sensed by the temperature sensor 123 to the driving circuit 140. In Figure 2, the signal line WD, the power output line WP, and the sensing signal line WT are all located on the same side of the solar module 120. This helps to reduce the bezel size of the liquid crystal display 100.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4, where Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the driving circuit of the liquid crystal display according to Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the sensing area of ​​the display panel of the liquid crystal display according to Figure 1. Temperature sensors 123 are arranged to form a temperature sensing array TA.

[0040] In detail, the display panel 110 has multiple sensing areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, and A12. Sensing areas A1 to A12 each correspond to 12 temperature sensors 123. The temperature sensors 123 detect the temperature of sensing areas A1 to A12 to obtain multiple temperature values. In the first embodiment, the number of sensing areas A1 to A12 is flexibly adjustable according to the placement of the temperature sensors 123 and the overall size of the display panel 110; this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0041] The driving circuit 140 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 123 in the temperature sensing array TA and the display panel 110, and receives the temperature values ​​from the temperature sensor 123. When the maximum difference between all temperature values ​​is less than 3 degrees, the driving circuit 140 drives the display panel 110 according to the average temperature of the temperature values. When the maximum difference between temperature values ​​is greater than 3 degrees, the driving circuit 140 drives the sensing areas A1 to A12 respectively according to the temperature values.

[0042] When the LCD 100 is placed in an outdoor environment, its light-receiving area may change over time and depending on whether it is shaded when exposed to sunlight. In Figure 4, sensing areas A7 to A12 are shaded by the shading object AS, while sensing areas A1 to A6 are directly exposed to sunlight. The temperature of the temperature sensor 123 located in sensing areas A1 to A6 is higher than that of the temperature sensor 123 located in sensing areas A7 to A12. When the temperature difference between the light-receiving area (i.e., sensing areas A1 to A6) and the shaded area (sensing areas A7 to A12) is too large, different driving voltages are required to drive each sensing area A1 to A12 of the display panel 110 to achieve the desired display effect. Furthermore, by sensing the temperature of sensing areas A1 to A12 through the temperature sensor 123, the current brightness state of each sensing area A1 to A12 can also be indirectly inferred. In this way, the liquid crystal display 100 disclosed herein adjusts the driving mode of the display panel 110 according to the temperature of each sensing area A1 to A12 by the temperature sensor 123 in order to present the expected image color.

[0043] Please refer to Figures 1 and 5, where Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid crystal display (LCD) according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The LCD 100 includes a display panel 110, a solar module 120, and a driving circuit 140. The solar module 120 includes a polymer, multiple solar cells, multiple temperature sensors, a light-transmitting layer, and a light-shielding layer 125a. In Figure 5, the display panel 110, driving circuit 140, polymer, solar cells, temperature sensors, and light-transmitting layer of the LCD 100a are structurally identical to those of the LCD 100 in the first embodiment, and will not be described again. Specifically, the light-shielding layer 125a is made of a black or opaque substrate corresponding to the area of ​​the light-transmitting layer, and can be used to increase the contrast of the LCD 100a.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a side view of a dual-layer liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The dual-layer liquid crystal display 200 includes two display panels 210, a solar module 220, and a driving circuit 240. The solar module 220 is disposed between the two display panels 210 and includes a polymer 221, a plurality of solar cells 222, a plurality of temperature sensors 223, two light-transmitting layers 224, and a plurality of light-shielding layers 225. The solar cells 222 are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer 221. The temperature sensors 223 are spaced apart and embedded in the polymer 221, with each temperature sensor 223 disposed between two adjacent solar cells 222. The two light-transmitting layers 224 are respectively disposed between the two display panels 210 and the polymer 221. Adjacent pairs of the two display panels 210, the two light-transmitting layers 224, and the polymer 221 are bonded together with an optical adhesive. A light-shielding layer 225 is embedded in the polymer 221, and the light-shielding layer 225 corresponds to the temperature sensor 223 and is disposed on opposite sides of the temperature sensor 223. The two signal lines WD of the two display panels 210, the power output line WP of the solar module 220, and the multiple sensing signal lines WT of the temperature sensor 223 are all disposed on the same side of the solar module 220.

[0045] Therefore, the dual-layer liquid crystal display 200 disclosed herein uses a dual-layer transparent layer 224 to encapsulate the solar cell 222, which can absorb light from both sides of the solar module 220 to generate electricity and display images on both sides.

[0046] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the liquid crystal display and dual-layer liquid crystal display disclosed herein have the following advantages: First, they use ambient light to generate renewable energy to drive the display panel to update the image, reducing carbon emissions; second, they reduce the bezel size; third, they use temperature sensors to adjust the driving mode of the display panel according to the temperature of each sensing area to present the expected image color; fourth, the dual-layer liquid crystal display uses a double-layer transparent layer to encapsulate the solar cell, which can absorb light from both sides of the solar module to generate electricity and display the image on both sides.

[0047] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any person skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the concept and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display, characterized in that, Include: A display panel; and A solar module, comprising: A polymer; Multiple solar cells are embedded in the polymer at intervals; Multiple temperature sensors are embedded at intervals in the polymer, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors is disposed between two adjacent plurality of solar cells; and A light-transmitting layer is disposed between the display panel and the polymer; The display panel, the light-transmitting layer, and the polymer are all bonded together by an optical adhesive.

2. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel has a first length and a first width, the first length being L1 and the first width being W1. The solar module has a second length and a second width, the second length being L2 and the second width being W2, which satisfy the following conditions: L2-L1>1mm; and W2-W1>1mm.

3. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A back panel is disposed on one side of the solar module, wherein the other side of the solar module is connected to the display panel.

4. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The solar module also includes: Multiple light-shielding layers are embedded in the polymer, and each of the multiple light-shielding layers corresponds to one of the multiple temperature sensors. The plurality of light-shielding layers are disposed between the plurality of temperature sensors and the display panel.

5. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of temperature sensors has a thickness of less than 1 millimeter.

6. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel is a cholesteric liquid crystal panel, and any one of the plurality of solar cells is a silicon wafer solar cell.

7. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel has multiple sensing areas, each corresponding to a multiple temperature sensor. The multiple temperature sensors detect the temperature of the multiple sensing areas to obtain multiple temperature values.

8. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: A driving circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of temperature sensors and the display panel, and receives the plurality of temperature values ​​from the plurality of temperature sensors; When the maximum difference between the plurality of temperature values ​​is less than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the display panel based on the average temperature of the plurality of temperature values. Specifically, when the maximum difference between the multiple temperature values ​​is greater than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the multiple sensing areas respectively according to the multiple temperature values.

9. The liquid crystal display as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A signal line of the display panel, a power output line of the solar module, and multiple sensing signal lines of the multiple temperature sensors are all located on the same side of the solar module.

10. A dual-layer liquid crystal display, characterized in that, Include: Two display panels; and A solar module, positioned between the two display panels, includes: A polymer; Multiple solar cells are embedded in the polymer at intervals; Multiple temperature sensors are embedded at intervals in the polymer, wherein each of the multiple temperature sensors is disposed between two adjacent multiple solar cells; and Two light-transmitting layers are respectively disposed between the two display panels and the polymer; The two display panels, the two light-transmitting layers, and the polymer are all bonded together by an optical adhesive.

11. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Each of the two display panels has a first length and a first width, the first length being L1 and the first width being W1. The solar module has a second length and a second width, the second length being L2 and the second width being W2, which satisfy the following conditions: L2-L1>1mm; and W2-W1>1mm.

12. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The solar module also includes: Multiple light-shielding layers are embedded in the polymer, and each of the multiple light-shielding layers corresponds to one of the multiple temperature sensors. The plurality of light-shielding layers are disposed on opposite sides of the plurality of temperature sensors.

13. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of temperature sensors has a thickness of less than 1 millimeter.

14. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Either of the two display panels is a cholesteric liquid crystal panel, and either of the plurality of solar cells is a silicon wafer solar cell.

15. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The two display panels have multiple sensing areas, each corresponding to a multiple temperature sensor. The multiple temperature sensors detect the temperature of the multiple sensing areas to obtain multiple temperature values.

16. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 15, characterized in that, Also includes: A driving circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of temperature sensors and the two display panels, and receives the plurality of temperature values ​​from the plurality of temperature sensors; When the maximum difference between the plurality of temperature values ​​is less than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the two display panels according to the average temperature of the plurality of temperature values. Specifically, when the maximum difference between the multiple temperature values ​​is greater than 3 degrees, the driving circuit drives the multiple sensing areas respectively according to the multiple temperature values.

17. The dual-layer liquid crystal display as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The two signal lines of the two display panels, the power output line of the solar module, and the multiple sensing signal lines of the multiple temperature sensors are all located on the same side of the solar module.

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