Touch Display Panel With Switchable Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display panels lack the ability to switch between wide and narrow viewing angles, which is necessary for privacy protection, and existing touch display panels do not support both wide and narrow viewing angles with touch sensing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch display panel with a viewing angle control electrode that allows switching between wide and narrow viewing angles by controlling the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer, combining in-cell touch functionality with the ability to alternate between viewing angles through a time multiplexing common electrode, and simplifying production processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a viewing angle control electrode is applied with voltage to achieve narrow viewing angle mode, then privacy protection is improved, but light leakage occurs and contrast is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The common electrode is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode blocks arranged in an array. Each electrode block can be independently controlled to create different electric field distributions, enabling selective activation of narrow viewing angle regions while maintaining wide viewing angle in other areas, thus reducing overall light leakage
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display panel can have different viewing angle characteristics by applying voltage to specific electrode blocks. The electrode blocks are insulated from each other, allowing local control of liquid crystal tilt angles to achieve narrow viewing angle only where needed, minimizing light leakage in non-active areas
2Device complexity
If the common electrode is used for both image display and touch sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but time multiplexing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The common electrode blocks serve dual functions: during the display period, they generate electric fields for liquid crystal alignment and image display; during the touch sensing period, they function as sensing electrodes to detect touch input. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate touch sensing electrodes, reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel operates in time-multiplexed mode, alternating between display period and touch sensing period. During the display period, voltage is applied to electrode blocks for image display; during the touch sensing period, the same electrode blocks are used to detect touch capacitance changes. This periodic switching enables one electrode structure to perform multiple functions
3Adaptability or versatility
If in-cell touch functionality is added to achieve touch sensing, then touch capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensing function is merged with the common electrode structure of the LCD display. The sensing circuit layer is integrated into the same substrate as the common electrode, and the electrode blocks serve both display and touch sensing purposes. This merging eliminates the need for separate touch electrode layers, reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrode blocks are designed to perform multiple functions: image display during the display period and touch sensing during the touch sensing period. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to serve dual purposes, avoiding the need for additional touch-specific components and simplifying the overall layer structure
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
Enables seamless switching between wide and narrow viewing angles while maintaining touch sensing capabilities, reducing production costs and module thickness, and enhancing user privacy by controlling the voltage applied to the viewing angle control electrode.
Implementation Method 1
a vertical electric field E is generated between the first substrate 51 and the second substrate 52... The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 53 are tilted under the action of the vertical electric field E
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween... the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 53 are tilted under the action of the vertical electric field E
Implementation Method 3
The common electrode includes a plurality of electrode blocks arranged in an array and insulated from each other... the electrode blocks of the common electrode are used for touch sensing during the touch period
Data Source
AI summary
A touch display panel with switchable viewing angles includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate is provided with a viewing angle control electrode. The second substrate is provided with a common electrode and a sensing circuit layer. The common electrode includes a plurality of electrode blocks arranged in an array and insulated from each other. The sensing circuit layer includes a plurality of sensing lines insulated from each other. The sensing lines are electrically connected to the electrode blocks in a one-to-one correspondence, respectively. Each frame of the display panel is divided into a display period and a touch period. The electrode blocks of the common electrode are used for image display during the display period, and the electrode blocks of the common electrode are used for touch sensing during the touch period.