LCD Viewing-Angle Control Layer for Privacy and Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display apparatuses with phase difference controlling devices have limited viewing angle ranges and insufficient contrast ratios, making it difficult to effectively control the viewing angle and prevent others from seeing the display screen.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display apparatus with a viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer that can switch between horizontal and vertical alignment states, using a viewing-angle controlling electric field to adjust the alignment and optimize the polarizing layers' axes for improved viewing angle limitation and contrast ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a phase difference controlling liquid crystal device is used to limit viewing angle, then the viewing angle range becomes narrow, but the contrast ratio remains insufficient and the viewing angle limitation effect is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the alignment state parameter of the liquid crystal layer from conventional fixed alignment to switchable horizontal/vertical alignment states. By applying a switching electric field, the liquid crystal molecules can be reoriented to achieve different optical effects, enabling both wide viewing angle (horizontal alignment) and strong viewing angle limitation (vertical alignment) modes with high contrast ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching mechanism that dynamically changes the liquid crystal layer's alignment state between horizontal and vertical configurations. This dynamic capability allows the display apparatus to adaptively adjust viewing angle characteristics based on operational requirements, transitioning from a static contrast ratio limitation to an actively controllable system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the viewing angle is widened to allow more persons to see the display screen, then the viewing angle range increases, but the ability to prevent others from seeing the display screen decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching system that can transition the liquid crystal layer between horizontal alignment (wide viewing angle) and vertical alignment (narrow viewing angle with high contrast limitation) states. This allows the display to adapt to different usage scenarios, providing wide viewing angle when needed for group viewing while maintaining privacy protection capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the alignment state parameter of the liquid crystal layer through electric field control, the patent enables the display apparatus to switch between different viewing angle characteristics. The horizontal alignment state provides wide viewing angle for multi-user access, while the vertical alignment state creates high contrast ratios at oblique angles to prevent unauthorized viewing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a narrow viewing angle display device is used to prevent others from seeing the display screen, then the privacy protection is improved, but the viewing angle range becomes too limited for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switchable alignment mechanism that allows the liquid crystal layer to transition between horizontal and vertical states. In vertical alignment mode, the device provides strong privacy protection with high contrast ratios at oblique angles. In horizontal alignment mode, the viewing angle range is expanded for normal viewing operations, making the device adaptable to both privacy-protected and open viewing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes electric field-controlled parameter changes in the liquid crystal layer to switch between alignment states. This enables the display apparatus to adjust its viewing angle characteristics dynamically, providing narrow viewing angle with high privacy protection when needed while maintaining the capability to expand viewing angle range for practical usability in different contexts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the viewing angle limitation effect while maintaining a wide viewing angle range, effectively preventing others from seeing the display screen by adjusting the liquid crystal layer's alignment and polarizing axes, resulting in improved contrast and reduced light leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer is constructed to change between horizontal and vertical alignment states
Implementation Method 2
a slow axis in the horizontal alignment state of the viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer is disposed in parallel to a polarized-light transmitting or absorbing axis
Implementation Method 3
a viewing-angle controlling electric field applying structure for applying a viewing-angle controlling electric field to the viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 4
a pair of polarizing layers sandwiching the displaying liquid crystal layer therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer that, when in a horizontal alignment state, exhibits a slow axis that is parallel to a polarized-light transmitting or absorbing axis of a polarizing layer that is disposed opposite to the displaying liquid crystal layer from the viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer.