Switchable Viewing Angle Display With Polarization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices lack a switchable viewing angle capability that can seamlessly transition between a privacy mode and a share mode without increasing power consumption, and there is a need for improved switching speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a switchable viewing angle is designed using a first polarizer, a viewing angle control panel with electrodes and liquid crystal layers, and additional polarizers to control light polarization, employing twisted nematic liquid crystals for fast response and a pixel lens for enhanced efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide viewing angle technique is used to improve image quality in a wide viewing angle range, then viewing angle and image quality are improved, but privacy protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a viewing angle control panel with liquid crystal layers that can dynamically switch between different viewing angle states (wide/share mode and narrow/privacy mode). The liquid crystal molecules reorient based on applied voltage, enabling real-time transition between wide viewing angle for sharing and narrow viewing angle for privacy protection, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the display system by introducing multiple polarizers and liquid crystal layers with specific refractive indices. By controlling the orientation of liquid crystal molecules and the polarization state of light, the system can switch between wide viewing angle mode (with improved luminance) and narrow viewing angle mode, thereby adjusting the viewing angle parameter dynamically.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple polarizers and liquid crystal layers are added to achieve switchable viewing angle, then viewing angle switching capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the viewing angle control function with the existing display structure by integrating the viewing angle control panel (containing liquid crystal layers and polarizers) directly above the display panel. This combined structure allows the same optical components to serve dual purposes: displaying images and controlling viewing angle, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing angle control panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both a display element and a viewing angle regulator. The liquid crystal layers and polarizers are configured to simultaneously control light transmission for image display and adjust the viewing angle characteristics, making the structure multi-functional and reducing the need for separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional viewing angle control methods are used, then privacy mode is achieved, but luminance decreases in share mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a first polarizer and a second polarizer with specific orientation relationships as intermediary elements between the light source and the viewer. These polarizers, combined with the liquid crystal layers, act as optical mediators that can selectively transmit or block light based on the viewing angle and polarization state, enabling both privacy protection and luminance enhancement in different modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite optical structures consisting of multiple polarizers, liquid crystal layers with different refractive indices, and viewing angle control panels. This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of privacy protection (through selective light blocking) and luminance enhancement (through optimized light transmission paths) by leveraging the complementary properties of different optical materials and layers.
4Speed
If switching speed between privacy mode and share mode is improved using fast response liquid crystal, then switching speed increases, but power consumption may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the liquid crystal material by selecting twisted nematic liquid crystal with specific response characteristics. By optimizing the liquid crystal's viscosity, elastic constants, and dielectric anisotropy, the system achieves fast switching speed while maintaining reasonable power consumption levels, as the material's inherent properties enable rapid reorientation with moderate voltage input.
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 device achieves improved luminance and switching speed between privacy and share modes without increased power consumption, and enhances efficiency through light condensation using a pixel lens.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode to selectively change the light of P-wave or S-wave to an S-wave or P-wave
Implementation Method 2
a first polarizer which transmits light of a P-wave or S-wave
Data Source
AI summary
A display device having a switchable viewing angle includes a first polarizer which transmits light of a P-wave or S-wave, a viewing angle control panel which is disposed above the first polarizer, includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode to selectively change the light of P-wave or S-wave to an S-wave or P-wave, and a second polarizer which is disposed above the viewing angle control panel and has a transmission axis perpendicular to a transmission axis of the first polarizer. Therefore, the mode may be switchable to the privacy mode and the share mode and in the share mode, the luminance may be improved without increasing the power consumption.