CN118688988A

CN118688988A - Peep-proof element

Info

Publication number: CN118688988A
Application number: CN202310289701.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 徐维志; 刘家宇; 陈谚宗; 叶政谚; 苏振豪
Original assignee: Hannstar Display Corp
Current assignee: Hannstar Display Corp
Priority date: 2023-03-23
Filing date: 2023-03-23
Publication date: 2024-09-24

Abstract

The invention provides a peep-proof element, which is provided with a first area and a second area. The first electrode is arranged in a first area on the first substrate, and the first electrode is not arranged in a second area. The second electrode is arranged in a first area on the second substrate, and the second electrode is not arranged in the second area. The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The control circuit is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode and is used for controlling the voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the visual angle of the first area in the first visual angle mode is different from the visual angle of the first area in the second visual angle mode.

Description

Peep-proof element

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a peep-proof device, and more particularly to a peep-proof device with peep-proof function in a specific area.

Background

Display screens are one of the most common electronic devices in modern life, and are applied in various scenes and situations. The display screen can be additionally provided with a peep-proof element which is connected with a power supply and is connected to a controller, and when the peep-proof function is enabled, the peep-proof element can limit the visual angle of the display screen within a range. In some cases, one area on the display screen needs the peep-proof function, and another area does not need the peep-proof function, for example, an area without the peep-proof function can be displayed to a movie seen by all users, and an area with the peep-proof function can display private information. How to design such a peep-proof element is an issue of interest to those skilled in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a privacy device having a first region and a second region. The privacy element includes the following elements. The first electrode is arranged in a first area on the first substrate, and the first electrode is not arranged in a second area. The second electrode is arranged in a first area on the second substrate, and the second electrode is not arranged in the second area. The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The control circuit is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode and is used for controlling the voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the visual angle of the first area in the first visual angle mode is different from the visual angle of the first area in the second visual angle mode.

In some embodiments, the privacy element further comprises a first redundant electrode disposed in a second region on the first substrate. The first redundant electrode and the first electrode are generated by the same deposition layer through etching process, and the first redundant electrode and the first electrode are electrically insulated.

In some embodiments, the privacy element further comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first redundant electrode is disposed between the spacers and the first substrate.

In some embodiments, the number of first redundant electrodes is greater than 1, the first redundant electrodes respectively correspond to the plurality of spacers, and the first redundant electrodes are not connected with each other.

In some embodiments, the peep-proof element further includes a second redundant electrode disposed in a second region on the second substrate, the second redundant electrode and the second electrode being generated by etching the same deposited layer, and the second redundant electrode and the second electrode being electrically insulated.

In some embodiments, the spacer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the second redundant electrode is disposed between the spacer and the second substrate.

In some embodiments, the number of second redundant electrodes is greater than 1, the second redundant electrodes respectively correspond to the plurality of spacers, and the second redundant electrodes are not connected with each other.

In some embodiments, the spacers are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the distribution density of the spacers in the second region is greater than the distribution density of the spacers in the first region.

In some embodiments, the distribution density of the spacers in the second region is greater than or equal to 1.2 times the distribution density of the spacers in the first region.

In some embodiments, the privacy element further comprises a first polarizer and a second polarizer. The first polaroid is arranged on the other side of the first substrate opposite to the first electrode, wherein the first polaroid is attached to the first substrate in the first area and the second area. The second polaroid is arranged on the other side of the second substrate opposite to the second electrode, wherein the second polaroid is attached to the second substrate in the first area and the second area.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 and fig. 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating a usage situation of the peep-proof element according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a privacy component according to one embodiment;

fig. 4-8 are cross-sectional views of a privacy component according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating spacer density according to one embodiment.

[ Symbolic description ]

100 Peep-proof element

110 First zone

120 Second zone

130,140 User

310 Display panel

311 Light-emitting side

312 Light incident side

320 Control circuit

P1:first polarizer

S1, a first substrate

E1 first electrode

LC liquid crystal layer

E2:second electrode

S2, second substrate

P2:second polarizer

SOC1, SOC2 spacer

R1:first redundant electrode

R2:second redundant electrode

Detailed Description

The terms "first," "second," and the like, as used herein, do not denote a particular order or sequence, but rather are merely used to distinguish one element or operation from another in the same technical term.

In the disclosure, the peep-proof element is disposed on a display screen to provide peep-proof function in a specific viewing angle range, for example, 30-45 degrees, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the peep-proof function of the peep-proof element limits the visual angle range of the display screen. In particular, the peep-proof element disclosed by the invention is divided into at least two areas, wherein the first area has the peep-proof function, and the second area has no peep-proof function. When the peep-proof element is in the normal mode (or first view mode), the user can see the image content of the display screen in the first area and the second area at the front view angle or the side view angle (for example, 30-45 degrees). When the peep-proof element is in the peep-proof mode (or called a second visual angle mode), a user cannot see the image content of the display screen in the first area at a side view angle, but can see the image content of the display screen in the second area.

Fig. 1 and fig. 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating a usage situation of the peep-proof element according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the peep-proof element 100 is mounted on a display screen in an automobile, the peep-proof element 100 has a first area 110 and a second area 120, for example, navigation information is displayed on the display screen in the first area 110, and dashboard information is displayed on the display screen in the second area 120, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the peep-proof element 100 may be mounted on a computer screen, a notebook screen, or any screen, and the disclosure is not limited to the image content displayed on the display screens in the first area 110 and the second area 120. In the example of fig. 1 and 2, the privacy element 100 is in a privacy mode, the privacy element 100 limiting the viewing angle of the display screen within the first zone 110. In the scenario of fig. 1, the user 130 is located on the front side of the peep-proof element 100, that is, the user 130 is within the range of viewing angles limited by the first area 110 with the peep-proof function, so that the user 130 can clearly see the image contents of the display screens in the first area 110 and the second area 120. In the context of fig. 2, the user 140 is located at the side of the peep-proof element 100, that is, the user 140 is out of the range of viewing angles limited by the first region 110 with the peep-proof function, so that the image content of the display screen in the first region 110 is not clearly seen. The second area 120 does not have the peep-proof function, so that the user 140 can clearly see the image content of the display screen in the second area 120.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a privacy component according to one embodiment. Referring to fig. 3, the peep-proof device 100 is disposed on a light-emitting side 311 of a display panel 310, and has a first region 110 and a second region 120, the display panel 310 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and a backlight module (not shown) is disposed on a light-incident side 312 of the display panel 310. Alternatively, the display panel 310 may be an active light emitting display panel, such as an organic light emitting diode panel, and in such an instance, a backlight module is not required. The peep-proof element 100 includes a first polarizer P1, a first substrate S1, a first electrode E1, a liquid crystal layer LC, a second electrode E2, a second substrate S2, a second polarizer P2, a spacer SOC1, a spacer SOC2, a first redundant electrode R1, and a control circuit 320. Specifically, the first substrate S1 has two opposite sides, the first electrode E1 is disposed on one side, and the first polarizer P1 is disposed on the other side of the first substrate S1 opposite to the first electrode E1. Similarly, the second substrate S2 has two opposite sides, the second electrode E2 is disposed on one side, and the second polarizer P2 is disposed on the other side of the second substrate S2 opposite to the second electrode E2. Wherein the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 are opposite to each other. The liquid crystal layer LC is disposed between the first substrate S1 and the second substrate S2. The spacer SOC1 is disposed in the first region 110 and between the first substrate S1 and the second substrate S2, and the spacer SOC2 is disposed in the second region 120 and between the first substrate S1 and the second substrate S2. Specifically, the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 are disposed in the first region 110, but the second region 120 does not have the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2.

The peep-proof device 100 also includes a control circuit 320, and the control circuit 320 is electrically connected to the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2. In some embodiments, the control circuit 320 may be bonded to the first substrate S1 or the second substrate S2 in the non-display area, and electrically connected to the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 through the wires, the conductive adhesive, and the like. Alternatively, the control circuit 320 may be disposed on a flexible circuit board, such as a tape carrier package (TAPE CARRIER PACKAGE, TCP) or a Chip On Film (COF), which is electrically connected to the traces on the first substrate S1 or the second substrate S2. The control circuit 320 may control the voltage difference between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 such that the viewing angle of the first region 110 in the first viewing angle mode is different from the viewing angle in the second viewing angle mode. For example, the first viewing angle mode is a normal mode, and the control circuit 320 may set the voltage between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 to be a first voltage. The second viewing angle mode is a peep-proof mode, and the control circuit 320 may set the voltage between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 to be a second voltage. The first voltage is different from the second voltage, so that the viewing angle of the first region 110 in the normal mode is larger than that in the peep-proof mode. In this embodiment, the LC layer LC is of a twisted nematic (TWISTED NEMATIC, TN) type, the transmission axes of the first polarizer P1 and the second polarizer P2 are perpendicular to each other, the first voltage may be 0 v, and the second voltage may be 1.5-5 v, but this is merely an example, and one skilled in the art can understand that the twisted nematic LC does not limit the angular relationship between the transmission axes of the first polarizer P1 and the second polarizer P2 nor limit the values of the first voltage and the second voltage.

Since the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 are not disposed in the second region 120 to apply an electric field, the second region 120 does not have the peep-proof function, and the thickness of the second region 120 is slightly smaller than that of the first region 110, which results in uneven surface of the peep-proof element 100. In this embodiment, the first redundant electrode R1 is disposed on the first substrate S1 in the second region 120 and between the spacer SOC2 and the first substrate S1, and the first redundant electrode R1 can be used to compensate the thickness difference between the first region 110 and the second region 120. In this embodiment, the first redundant electrode R1 directly contacts the first substrate S1 but does not contact the spacer SOC2, but in other embodiments the first redundant electrode R1 may also directly contact the spacer SOC2. The first redundant electrode R1 and the first electrode E1 are generated by the same deposition layer through the etching process, in other words, the first redundant electrode R1 and the first electrode E1 belong to the same deposition layer, but the deposition layer is etched and cut off at the junction of the first region 110 and the second region 120, so that the first redundant electrode R1 and the first electrode E1 are electrically insulated. In the present disclosure, the first redundant electrodes R1 are all floating.

It should be noted that the first polarizer P1 and the second polarizer P2 are also formed in the second region 120. In other words, the first polarizer P1 is integrally attached to the first substrate S1 in the first region 110 and the second region 120, and the second polarizer P2 is integrally attached to the second substrate S2 in the first region 110 and the second region 120. Since the polarizer itself has color and transmittance, it is possible to maintain the color and transmittance of the first and second regions 110 and 120 consistent, in addition to avoiding the formation of a thickness difference between the first and second regions 110 and 120.

Fig. 4-8 are cross-sectional views of a privacy component according to various embodiments. For simplicity, the first polarizer P1, the second polarizer P2, and the display panel 310 are not shown in fig. 4 to 8.

In the embodiment of fig. 4, the second redundant electrode R2 is disposed on the second substrate S2 in the second region 120 and is located between the second substrate S2 and the spacer SOC2, and in this embodiment, the second redundant electrode R2 is in direct contact with the second substrate S2 and the spacer SOC2. The second redundant electrode R2 and the second electrode E2 are generated by etching the same deposited layer, but the second redundant electrode R2 is electrically insulated from the second electrode E2. In the present disclosure, the second redundant electrodes R2 are all floating.

In the embodiment of fig. 5, the first redundant electrode R1 and the second redundant electrode R2 are not disposed in the second region 120, and the spacer SOC2 is in direct contact with the second substrate S2.

In the embodiment of fig. 6, the first substrate S1 in the second region 120 is provided with the first redundant electrodes R1, but the number of the first redundant electrodes R1 is greater than one. These first redundant electrodes R1 correspond to the spacers SOC2, respectively, and are not connected to each other. For example, the projection of each first redundant electrode R1 onto the first substrate S1 at least partially overlaps the projection of the corresponding spacer SOC2 onto the first substrate S1. In this embodiment, each first redundant electrode R1 directly contacts the first substrate S1 but does not contact the corresponding spacer SOC2, but the first redundant electrode R1 may directly contact the corresponding spacer SOC2 in other embodiments. Compared to the embodiment of fig. 3, the first redundant electrode R1 in fig. 6 is cut into a plurality of blocks, so that the light transmittance of the second region 120 can be improved, and the problem of the excessive thickness difference between the first region 110 and the second region 120 can be solved.

In the embodiment of fig. 7, the second redundant electrode R2 is disposed on the second substrate S2 in the second region 120, but the number of the second redundant electrodes R2 is greater than one. These second redundant electrodes R2 correspond to the spacers SOC2, respectively, and are not connected to each other. For example, the projection of each second redundant electrode R2 onto the second substrate S2 at least partially overlaps the projection of the corresponding spacer SOC2 onto the second substrate S2. In this embodiment, each second redundant electrode R2 directly contacts the second substrate S2 and the corresponding spacer SOC2.

In the embodiment of fig. 8, a plurality of first redundant electrodes R1 are disposed on the first substrate S1 in the second region 120, and a plurality of second redundant electrodes R2 are disposed on the second substrate S2 in the second region 120. The first redundant electrodes R1 are respectively corresponding to the second redundant electrodes R2 and are disposed on the upper and lower sides of the corresponding spacers SOC 2. For example, the projection of each first redundant electrode R1 onto the first substrate S1 at least partially overlaps the projection of the corresponding spacer SOC2 onto the first substrate S1, and also at least partially overlaps the projection of the corresponding second redundant electrode R2 onto the first substrate S1. In this embodiment, each spacer SOC2 is in direct contact with the corresponding first redundant electrode R1 and the second redundant electrode R2, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating spacer density according to one embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a top view of the privacy component 100. A plurality of spacers SOC1 are provided in the first region 110, and a plurality of spacers SOC2 are provided in the second region 120. In this embodiment, the distribution density of the spacers SOC2 in the second region 120 is greater than the distribution density of the spacers SOC1 in the first region 110. For example, the distribution density of the spacer SOC2 in the second region 120 is 1.2 times or more the distribution density of the spacer SOC1 in the first region 110. As shown in fig. 9, the distribution density of the spacers SOC2 in the second region 120 is the sum of the areas of all the spacers SOC2 divided by the total area of the second region 120. The distribution density of the spacers SOC1 in the first area 110 is the sum of the areas of all the spacers SOC1 divided by the total area of the first area 110, and thus the number and size of the spacers are related to the distribution density, and the number and size shapes of the spacers SOC1 and SOC2 in fig. 9 are only illustrative, and the number, size shape and arrangement of the spacers SOC1 and SOC2 are not limited in the present disclosure. The embodiment of fig. 9 may incorporate any of the above-described fig. 3-7. Since the thickness of the second region 120 is slightly smaller than that of the first region 110 in the embodiment of fig. 3 to 7, the second region 120 may have micro-dishing, so that the larger distribution density of the spacers SOC2 of the second region 120 may provide better support to avoid dishing of the second region 120, which may lead to uneven surface of the peep-preventing device 100.

The materials of the first substrate S1 and the second substrate S2 may include glass, polymer, polyethylene terephthalate (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), polycarbonate (polycarbonate, PC), polyethersulfone (polyether sulfone, PES), cellulose triacetate (TRIACETYL CELLULOSE, TAC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene (polyethylene), cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP), polyimide (PI), and a composite material of Polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. The materials of the first electrode E1, the first redundant electrode R1, the second electrode E2, and the second redundant electrode R2 may include Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (Indium zinc oxide, IZO), antimony tin oxide (antimony tin oxide, ATO), fluorine tin oxide (fluorine tin oxide, FTO), or other conductive and transparent materials, such as nano-wires (nano-silver wires, nano-copper wires).

In the above-mentioned peep-proof element, a flexible design that one area has peep-proof function and other areas have no peep-proof function can be achieved, and the peep-proof element can be applied to a display screen in an automobile or any other suitable display screen.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but rather is capable of modification and variation without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A privacy element having a first region and a second region, the privacy element comprising:

A first substrate;

a first electrode disposed in the first region on the first substrate, wherein the first electrode is not present in the second region;

A second substrate;

A second electrode disposed in the first region on the second substrate, wherein the second electrode is not present in the second region;

A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and

And the control circuit is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode and is used for controlling the voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the visual angle of the first area in the first visual angle mode is different from the visual angle of the first area in the second visual angle mode.

2. The privacy element of claim 1, further comprising:

And the first redundant electrode is arranged in the second region on the first substrate, wherein the first redundant electrode and the first electrode are generated by the same deposition layer through an etching process, and the first redundant electrode and the first electrode are electrically insulated.

3. The privacy element of claim 2, further comprising:

And a plurality of spacers arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first redundant electrode is arranged between the spacers and the first substrate.

4. The privacy element of claim 3, wherein the number of first redundant electrodes is greater than 1, wherein a plurality of first redundant electrodes each correspond to a respective one of the plurality of spacers, and wherein the plurality of first redundant electrodes are not connected to one another.

5. The privacy element of claim 1, further comprising:

and the second redundant electrode is arranged in the second region on the second substrate, wherein the second redundant electrode and the second electrode are generated by the same deposition layer through an etching process, and the second redundant electrode and the second electrode are electrically insulated.

6. The privacy element of claim 5, further comprising:

And a plurality of spacers arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the second redundant electrode is arranged between the spacers and the second substrate.

7. The privacy device of claim 6, wherein the number of the second redundant electrodes is greater than 1, the plurality of second redundant electrodes respectively corresponding to the plurality of spacers, the plurality of second redundant electrodes not being connected to each other.

8. The privacy element of claim 1, further comprising:

The plurality of spacers are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the distribution density of the plurality of spacers in the second area is greater than that of the plurality of spacers in the first area.

9. The privacy element of claim 8, wherein the plurality of septa has a distribution density in the second region that is greater than or equal to 1.2 times the distribution density of the plurality of septa in the first region.

10. The privacy element of claim 1, further comprising:

The first polaroid is arranged on the other side of the first substrate opposite to the first electrode, and the first polaroid is attached to the first substrate in the first area and the second area; and

The second polaroid is arranged on the other side of the second substrate opposite to the second electrode, and the second polaroid is attached to the second substrate in the first area and the second area.