Optical Path Control Layer for Area-Specific Display Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices lack the ability to dynamically control viewing angles based on user environment and safety requirements, necessitating a solution that limits viewing angles differently in various areas of the display.
Innovation Solution
A display device with an optical path control layer featuring horizontal and vertical barrier walls in different areas to control light paths, allowing for selective viewing angle limitations in vertical and horizontal directions, and a manufacturing method that forms these structures using inkjet coating and photoresist processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single uniform optical path control structure is used across the entire display, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the viewing angle cannot be differentiated by area to meet privacy and safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is divided into multiple display areas (first display area and second display area), and the optical path control layer is correspondingly segmented into different structures for each area. The first display area uses horizontal barrier walls while the second display area uses vertical barrier walls, allowing each segment to independently control viewing angles in different directions to meet area-specific privacy and safety requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display panel are assigned different optical path control characteristics. The first display area implements viewing angle limitation primarily in the vertical direction through horizontal barrier walls, while the second display area implements viewing angle limitation primarily in the horizontal direction through vertical barrier walls, providing localized quality optimization for each area
2Reliability
If barrier walls are added to control optical paths in different directions, then viewing angle limitation is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path control is achieved by introducing dimensional differentiation through barrier wall orientation. Horizontal barrier walls extend in the horizontal direction to control vertical viewing angles, while vertical barrier walls extend in the vertical direction to control horizontal viewing angles. This dimensional approach provides effective viewing angle limitation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic structure design
3Ease of operation
If transmissive portions are disposed between barrier walls, then light transmission is maintained for display functionality, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Transmissive portions are extracted and disposed between the barrier walls, creating dedicated light transmission pathways. This extraction allows the barrier walls to focus solely on optical path control while the transmissive portions handle light transmission, maintaining display functionality without requiring the barrier walls themselves to be fully transparent
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 enables simultaneous formation of areas with differing viewing angle directions and degrees, enhancing user privacy and safety by limiting unwanted views, particularly in vehicle environments.
Implementation Method 1
forming a transparent layer on the display panel through an inkjet coating process
Implementation Method 2
forming a light blocking pattern on the transparent layer and the organic pattern layer
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel including a circuit layer and a light emitting element layer and an optical path control layer disposed on the display panel to control an optical path of a light from the display panel. The optical path control layer in a first display area includes horizontal barrier walls arranged in a first direction and each extending in a second direction, the optical path control layer in the second display area includes vertical barrier walls arranged in the second direction and each extending in the first direction, and a transmissive portion is disposed between the horizontal barrier walls and between the vertical barrier walls. The second direction is substantially parallel to a direction toward the second display area from the first display area in a plan view, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction in the plan view.