TWI657296B - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a display device. The display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a light guide structure, a first light emitting module, an element array, and a liquid crystal switching layer. The first substrate has an inner surface facing the second substrate. The light guide structure is disposed on an inner surface of the first substrate. The first light emitting module is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate and is adjacent to one side of the light guide structure. The element array is disposed on the second substrate. The liquid crystal switching layer is disposed between the light guide structure and the second substrate.

Description

Display device

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device with a light source disposed on the side of an active array.

Flat displays have the advantages of small size and light weight, so they can be widely used in modern electronic products. Flat-panel displays include various types, with liquid crystal displays being the most common. Generally speaking, a liquid crystal display includes a backlight module, a pair of polarizers on one side of the backlight module, and a liquid crystal module between the pair of polarizers. The pair of polarizers can be used to filter the polarization state of light. However, the polarizer will reduce the light transmittance, so it will reduce the overall optical efficiency of the liquid crystal display. In addition, the backlight module occupies a considerable proportion of the thickness of the liquid crystal display, which hinders the reduction of the thickness of the liquid crystal display.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a light guide structure, a first light emitting module, an element array, and a liquid crystal switching layer. The first substrate has an inner surface facing the second substrate. The light guide structure is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate on. The first light emitting module is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate and is adjacent to one side of the light guide structure. The element array is disposed on the second substrate. The liquid crystal switching layer is disposed between the light guide structure and the second substrate.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a gap filling material and a first light recycling layer. The gap filling material covers the first light emitting module and is adjacent to the side of the light guide structure. The first light recycling layer is disposed on the periphery of the gap filling material.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a second light recycling layer. The second light recycling layer is disposed on the other side of the light guide structure.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a second light emitting module. The second light emitting module is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate. The first light emitting module and the second light emitting module are located on opposite sides of the light guide structure, and the main wavelength range of the first light emitting module is substantially equal to the main wavelength range of the second light emitting module.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a spacer structure. The spacer structure is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and is located in the liquid crystal switching layer. The spacer structure includes a reflective material.

In some embodiments, the light guide structure may include a plurality of light channel structures. The first light emitting module may include a plurality of light emitting elements. The plurality of optical channel structures are arranged along the second direction and extend along the first direction, and there is a gap between two adjacent optical channel structures.

In some embodiments, each light emitting element may be positionally corresponding and adjacent to each light channel structure.

In some embodiments, each light-emitting element may be positioned correspondingly and adjacent to at least two light channel structures.

In some embodiments, the first light emitting module may include a plurality of light emitting elements, and the plurality of light emitting elements may be positioned correspondingly and adjacent to the light channel structure.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a light guide structure, a light emitting module, an element array, and a liquid crystal switching layer. The first substrate has a first inner surface, the second substrate has a second inner surface, and the first inner surface and the second inner surface face each other. The light guide structure is disposed on the first inner surface and includes a plurality of light channel structures. Each optical channel structure has a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to each other. The material of the light guide structure has a refractive index of 1.4 to 1.7. The light emitting module is disposed on the first inner surface, and the positions of the light emitting module correspond to a plurality of first end surfaces of the plurality of light channel structures. The element array is disposed on the second substrate. The liquid crystal switching layer is interposed between the first inner surface of the first substrate and the second inner surface of the second substrate.

In some embodiments, the visible light transmittance of the material of the light guide structure may be 20% to 99%.

In some embodiments, the light emitting module may include a plurality of light emitting elements. Each light channel structure position corresponds to each light emitting element, or at least two positions of the plurality of light channel structures correspond to each light emitting element.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a reflective layer and an insulating protection layer. The reflective layer is disposed on the first inner surface and is located between the first substrate and the light guide structure. The insulating protection layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the light guide structure.

In some embodiments, the thickness and width of each optical channel structure may be 10 μm to 500 μm and 1 μm to 200 μm, respectively. There may be a gap between two adjacent optical channel structures, and the gap may be 1 μm to 100 μm.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, embodiments are hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10‧‧‧ display device

100‧‧‧first substrate

102‧‧‧second substrate

110, 710‧‧‧light guide structure

112, 712a, 712b‧‧‧Optical channel structure

114‧‧‧Reflective layer

116‧‧‧Insulation protective layer

120, 320, 520, 620, 720‧‧‧ first light emitting module

420‧‧‧Second light emitting module

122a, 122b, 122c, 322a, 322b, 322c, 422a, 422b, 422c, 522a, 522b, 522c, 622a, 622b, 622c, 722a, 722b, 722c ...

124‧‧‧Gap Filler

126‧‧‧First light recycling layer

128‧‧‧second light recycling layer

130‧‧‧Element Array

140‧‧‧LCD switching layer

142a, 142b‧‧‧LCD alignment layer

144‧‧‧Transparent electrode

BK‧‧‧ spacer structure

D1‧‧‧ first direction

D2‧‧‧ Second direction

DV‧‧‧Offset

G‧‧‧ Clearance

L‧‧‧ length

LC‧‧‧ Liquid Crystal Molecules

Ne‧‧‧ Long-axis refractive index

No‧‧‧Short-axis refractive index

P‧‧‧ pad

S1‧‧‧First inner surface

S2‧‧‧Second inner surface

SL‧‧‧Frame glue

T‧‧‧thickness

TS1‧‧‧first end face

TS2‧‧‧Second end face

W, W1‧‧‧Width

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device in a first direction in a closed state according to some embodiments of the present invention.

1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present invention in a first direction in an opened state.

1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a structure including a first substrate and a light guide structure along a second direction according to some embodiments of the present invention.

2 to 7 are schematic top views of a first substrate, a light guide structure, and a first light emitting module (or a first light emitting module and a second light emitting module) according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 10 along a first direction D1 in a closed state according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 10 along a first direction D1 in an opened state according to some embodiments of the present invention. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a structure including a first substrate 100 and a light guide structure 110 along a second direction D2 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is some implementations in accordance with the present invention A schematic top view of the example of the first substrate 100, the light guide structure 110, and the first light emitting module 120.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the display device 10 includes a first substrate 100 and a second substrate 102. In some embodiments, the material of the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 102 may include glass, quartz, organic polymers, opaque / reflective materials (eg, conductive materials, metals, wafers, ceramics, etc.) or other suitable materials. s material. The first substrate 100 and the second substrate 102 are disposed opposite each other. In detail, the first substrate 100 has a first inner surface S1, the second substrate 102 also has a second inner surface S2, and the first inner surface S1 faces the second inner surface S2. In some embodiments, the area of the first substrate 100 may be larger than the area of the second substrate 102. In other words, the second substrate 102 does not completely cover the first substrate 100, but exposes a part of the first substrate 100. However, in other embodiments, the area of the first substrate 100 may be equal to or smaller than the area of the second substrate 102, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

1A to 1C and FIG. 2, the display device 10 further includes a light guide structure 110, and the light guide structure 110 is disposed on the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100. In other words, the light guide structure 110 is located between the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 102. In some embodiments, the refractive index of the material of the light guide structure 110 may be 1.4 to 1.7. In other embodiments, the refractive index of the material of the light guide structure 110 may be 1 to 2. In addition, the visible light transmittance of the light guide structure 110 may be 20% to 99%. For example, the material of the light guide structure 110 may include transparent photoresist, glass, acrylic, and any plastic material, including polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethacrylic acid. Methyl ester (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA). In this embodiment, the light guide structure 110 includes a plurality of light channel structures 112 (as shown in FIG. 2). Specifically, each of the optical channel structures 112 may be elongated and extend along the first direction D1. In other words, the light channel structure 112 has a long axis parallel to the first direction D1. In addition, the light channel structure 112 may have a first end surface TS1 and a second end surface TS2 opposite to each other. In some embodiments, the length L of the optical channel structure 112 in the first direction D1 may be 10 μm to 500 μm, and the width W of the optical channel structure 112 in the second direction D2 may be 1 μm to 200 μm. The second direction D2 and the first direction D1 are staggered or intersected with each other, that is, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are not parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the second direction D2 is substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1. In addition, the thickness T of the light channel structure 112 may be 10 μm to 500 μm. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the plurality of optical channel structures 112 are arranged along the second direction D2, and a gap G is provided between two adjacent optical channel structures 112 (refer to FIG. 1C). For example, the width W1 of the gap G may be 1 μm to 100 μm.

Please refer to FIGS. 1A to 1C. In some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a reflective layer 114 and an insulating protection layer 116, wherein the reflective layer 114 and the insulating protection layer 116 are respectively disposed on the light guide structure 110 and the first substrate 100. The insulating protection layer 116 is disposed between the reflective layer 114 and the light guide structure 110. In some embodiments, the light guide structure 110 does not completely cover the reflective layer 114 and the insulating protection layer 116. In other words, the light guide structure 110 exposes a part of the reflective layer 114 and the insulating protection layer 116. In some embodiments, the reflective layer 114 and the insulating protection layer 116 can be entirely lined on the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100. For example, the material of the reflective layer 114 may include aluminum, silver, titanium, gold, or a combination thereof. The material of the insulating protection layer 116 may be Including silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the display device 10 further includes a first light emitting module 120. The first light emitting module 120 is disposed on the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100. In some embodiments, the first light emitting module 120 may be attached to the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100 via the pad P. For example, the first light emitting module 120 can be attached to the pad P by flip chip bonding or wire bonding. In some embodiments, the pads P are formed on the reflective layer 114 and the insulating protection layer 116. In this way, the insulating protection layer 116 can be located between the reflective layer 114 and the pad P. In addition, the first light emitting module 120 is adjacent to one side of the light guide structure 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the first light emitting module 120 may correspond to the first end surface TS1 of the light channel structure 112. In other words, the first light emitting module 120 may be adjacent to the first end surface TS1 of the light channel structure 112 and relatively far from the second end surface TS2 of the light channel structure 112. In these embodiments, the light emitted by the first light emitting module 120 can enter the light channel structure 112 through the first end surface TS1. In some embodiments, the reflective layer 114 can reflect the light traveling from the first light emitting module 120 to the first substrate 100 so as to indirectly enter the light channel structure 112. In other words, transmitting the reflective layer 114 can ensure that the light of the first light emitting module 120 does not enter the first substrate 100 and cause light leakage. In some embodiments, the insulating protection layer 116 covers the reflective layer 114 to avoid the signal short circuit problem of the reflective layer 114.

In some embodiments, the first light emitting module 120 may include a plurality of light emitting elements, and the display device 10 may include a plurality of first light emitting modules 120 (as shown in FIG. 2). For example, each light emitting module 120 may include a light emitting element 122a, a light emitting element 122b And light-emitting element 122c, and the light-emitting element 122a, light-emitting element 122b, and light-emitting element 122c are respectively corresponding to and adjacent to the plurality of light channel structures 112. In other words, the light emitting elements 122a, 122b, and 122c correspond to and are adjacent to different light channel structures 112. In some embodiments, each light emitting element has a single dominant wavelength range. In such embodiments, each light emitting element may include one or more light emitting diodes having the same dominant wavelength range. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, and the size (ie, length, width, or height) of the light-emitting diode may be 1 μm to 10,000 μm. For example, the light emitting element 122a may include one or more red light emitting diodes, the light emitting element 122b may include one or more green light emitting diodes, and the light emitting element 122c may include one or more blue light emitting diodes body. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the red light emitting diode may be 610 nm to 670 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the green light emitting diode may be 510 nm to 560 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the blue light emitting diode may be 254 nm to 470 nm. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art can adjust the number of light emitting elements in the first light emitting module 120 and its main wavelength range according to design requirements, which is not limited in the present invention. In some embodiments, the light-emitting element 122a, the light-emitting element 122b, and the light-emitting element 122c can all be blue light-emitting diodes, and correspond to at least two of the light-channel structure 112 of the light-emitting element 122a, light-emitting element 122b, and light-emitting element 122c, respectively It may be covered with a wavelength conversion material to enable these light channel structures 112 to pass light of different dominant wavelength ranges. For example, the light channel structure 112 corresponding to the light emitting element 122a may not be covered with a wavelength conversion material, the light channel structure 112 corresponding to the light emitting element 122b may be covered with a red wavelength conversion material and correspond to the light channel of the light emitting element 122c. Knot The structure 112 may be covered with a green wavelength conversion material. In some embodiments, the aforementioned wavelength conversion material may include fluorescent molecules, quantum dots, quantum rods, or a combination thereof.

Please refer to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a gap filling material 124 and a first light recycling layer 126. The first light emitting module 120, the gap filling material 124, and the first light recycling layer 126 are all adjacent to the same side of the light guide structure 110. In this embodiment, the gap filling material 124 covers the first light emitting module 120. Specifically, the first light emitting module 120 may be adjacent to the first end surface TS1 of the light channel structure 112 via the gap filling material 124. In other words, a portion of the gap filling material 124 may be located between the first light emitting module 120 and the light channel structure 112. In some embodiments, the material of the gap-filling material 124 may include a light-hardening resin or a heat-hardening resin. By providing the gap filling material 124, the first light emitting module 120 can be prevented from being affected by water vapor and oxygen in the environment, and the reliability of the first light emitting module 120 can be improved. In this embodiment, the first light recycling layer 126 is disposed on the periphery of the gap filling material 124. Specifically, the first light recycling layer 126 may cover a part of the first light emitting module 120, so that the surface of the first light emitting module 120 that is not directly facing the light guide structure 110 may be reflected and reflected by the first light recycling layer 126 Layer 114 covers. In this way, the light emitted by the first light emitting module 120 can be effectively guided into the light guide structure 110. In some embodiments, the first light recycling layer 126 may extend from the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100 to a side of the light guide structure 110 facing the second substrate 102. In other embodiments, the first light recycling layer 126 may extend from the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100 to the side of the light guide structure 110 facing the second substrate 102, or may be The insulating protection layer 116 extends onto the side of the light guide structure 110. In some embodiments, the material of the first light recycling layer 126 may include aluminum, silver, titanium, gold, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a second light recycling layer 128, wherein the second light recycling layer 128 is disposed on a side of the light guide structure 110 opposite to the first light emitting module 120. For example, the first light emitting module 120 may be adjacent to the first end surface TS1 of the light channel structure 112, and the second light recycling layer 128 may be adjacent to the second end surface TS2 of the light channel structure 112. In some embodiments, the second light recycling layer 128 may be formed on the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100 and cover the second end surface TS2 of the light channel structure 112. In some embodiments, the material of the second light recycling layer 128 may include aluminum, silver, titanium, gold, or a combination thereof. By providing the second light recycling layer 128, light entering the environment from the light channel structure 112 through the second end surface TS2 can be reflected back into the light channel structure 112.

In this embodiment, the display device 10 further includes an element array 130, wherein the element array 130 is disposed on the second substrate 102. In some embodiments, the element array 130 may be disposed on the second inner surface S2 of the second substrate 102. For example, the element array 130 may include a pixel circuit, a transparent electrode, and a signal line (all of which are not shown). The pixel circuit may include an active element and a passive element. The active element may include a transistor, and the passive element may include a capacitor. 1A and 1B illustrate the device array 130 in a single-layer structure. However, the element array 130 may actually be a multilayer structure. For example, the multilayer structure may include insulating layers and conductive patterns that are alternately stacked on each other. In this embodiment, the display device 10 further includes a liquid crystal switching layer 140, wherein the liquid crystal switching layer 140 is disposed between the light guide structure 110 and the second substrate 102. In other words, the liquid crystal switching layer 140 It is sandwiched between the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100 and the second inner surface S2 of the second substrate 102. The liquid crystal switching layer 140 includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules LC, and the liquid crystal molecules LC may have a birefringence characteristic. In other words, the rotation direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC in different regions of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 can be controlled by the element array 130 so that the liquid crystal switching layer 140 has two or more different refractive indexes. Specifically, the liquid crystal molecule LC is a birefringent material, that is, it has a long-axis refractive index Ne in the long-axis direction and a short-axis refractive index No in the short-axis direction. Through different rotation directions of the liquid crystal molecules LC, the light is controlled to form a dark state and a bright state through different refractive indices (such as the long-axis refractive index Ne or the short-axis refractive index No). As shown in FIG. 1A, the long axis (or optical axis) of the liquid crystal molecules LC is substantially parallel to the first inner surface S1 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the first substrate 100, and the short axis is substantially perpendicular to the first内 表面 S1。 The inner surface S1. When light passes through the liquid crystal switching layer 140, that is, the light guide structure 110 is intended to enter the liquid crystal switching layer 140, a total reflection is formed due to a difference between the refractive index of the light guiding structure 110 and the short-axis refractive index No of the liquid crystal molecule LC. As a result, most of the light does not penetrate the liquid crystal switching layer 140 and forms a dark state. As shown in FIG. 1B, the long axis (or optical axis) of the liquid crystal molecules LC is substantially perpendicular to the first inner surface S1. When light passes through the liquid crystal switching layer 140, that is, the light guide structure 110 wants to enter the liquid crystal switching layer 140, because the refractive index of the light guide structure 110 is substantially the same as the long-axis refractive index Ne of the liquid crystal molecule LC, and the light can be coupled into the liquid crystal switching layer 140. . In this way, most of the light can penetrate the liquid crystal switching layer 140 to form a bright state. In some embodiments, the long-axis refractive index Ne of the liquid crystal molecules LC is greater than the short-axis refractive index No. In some embodiments, the difference between the major axis refractive index Ne and the minor axis refractive index No may be greater than 0.1, or greater than 0.15. For example, the short axis of the liquid crystal molecule LC The refractive index No may be 1.25 to 1.69. The major axis refractive index Ne of the liquid crystal molecule LC may be 1.4 to 1.7.

In addition, the material of the light guide structure 110 may be selected to have a long-axis refractive index Ne substantially equal to the liquid crystal molecules LC. In some embodiments, the difference between the refractive index of the light guide structure 110 and the long-axis refractive index Ne of the liquid crystal molecule LC may be less than 0.1. For example, the material of the light guide structure 110 may be transparent photoresist, glass, acrylic, and any plastic material including polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethacrylic acid. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and the material of the liquid crystal molecule LC can be positive or negative liquid crystal. Since the long-axis refractive index Ne of the liquid crystal molecule LC is larger than the short-axis refractive index No, the refractive index of the light guide structure 110 is also larger than the short-axis refractive index No of the liquid crystal molecule LC. In some embodiments, the difference between the refractive index of the light guide structure 110 and the short-axis refractive index No of the liquid crystal molecule LC may range from 0.1 to 0.3. In this way, the liquid crystal molecules LC in some regions of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 are oriented as shown in FIG. 1A, and the light from the first light emitting module 120 travels to this region of the light guide structure 110 and the liquid crystal switching layer 140 The interface between them will cause total reflection, so it cannot enter the liquid crystal switching layer 140. In other words, when the liquid crystal molecules LC in some regions of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 rotate to a specific direction, those regions of the display device 10 assume a dark state. On the other hand, the liquid crystal molecules LC in some regions of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 are oriented as shown in FIG. 1B, and light from the first light emitting module 120 can smoothly pass through the light guide structure 110 and the liquid crystal switching layer 140. This region passes through the second substrate 102 without total reflection between the light guide structure 110 and the liquid crystal switching layer 140. In other words, liquid crystal molecules in some regions of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 When the LC is rotated to another specific direction, the areas of the display device 10 are in a bright state.

In some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a spacer structure BK, wherein the spacer structure BK is disposed between the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 102. In some embodiments, the number of the spacer structures BK may be a majority. The liquid crystal switching layer 140 may be located in a space between the plurality of spacer structures BK. It can be seen that some of the spacer structures BK may be located in the liquid crystal switching layer 140. In some embodiments, the spacer structure BK may include a reflective material. In other embodiments, a reflective layer (not shown) may be formed on the surface of the spacer structure BK. In this way, light traveling from the liquid crystal switching layer 140 to both sides in a direction substantially parallel to the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 102 can be reflected back to the liquid crystal switching layer 140 by the spacer structure BK.

1A to 1C, in some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a pair of liquid crystal alignment layers, such as a first liquid crystal alignment layer 142a and a second liquid crystal alignment layer 142b. The liquid crystal switching layer 140 is located at the first Between the liquid crystal alignment layer 142a and the second liquid crystal alignment layer 142b. In this embodiment, the first liquid crystal alignment layer 142 a may be disposed on the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100, and the second liquid crystal alignment layer 142 b is located on the second inner surface S2 of the second substrate 102. In some embodiments, the first liquid crystal alignment layer 142a is a continuous structure in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In other embodiments, the first liquid crystal alignment layer 142a is not continuous (not shown) in the second direction D2, but has a gap between adjacent optical channel structures 112. This gap is in communication with the gap G between adjacent optical channel structures 112, and may have the same or different widths. For example, the materials of the first liquid crystal alignment layer 142a and the second liquid crystal alignment layer 142b may include diamond-like carbon (diamond-like carboon, DLC), silicon carbide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tin oxide, zinc titanate, polyimide, poly (vinyl cinnamate), PVCN), polymethacrylic acid Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a pair of transparent electrodes, which are respectively disposed on a side of the first liquid crystal alignment layer 142 a and the second liquid crystal alignment layer 142 b opposite to the liquid crystal switching layer 140. In some embodiments, the transparent electrode 144 in the pair of transparent electrodes may be located between the first liquid crystal alignment layer 142 a and the light guide structure 110. In some embodiments, the transparent electrode 144 is not continuous in the second direction D2, but has a gap between adjacent optical channel structures 112 (as shown in FIG. 1C). This gap is in communication with the gap G between adjacent optical channel structures 112, and may have the same or different widths. On the other hand, a transparent electrode (not shown) disposed on a side of the second liquid crystal alignment layer 142 b opposite to the liquid crystal switching layer 140 may be integrated into the element array 130, or may be located on the element array 130 and the second liquid crystal alignment layer. 142b (not shown). For example, the materials of the pair of transparent electrodes may include indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or a combination thereof. . A pair of transparent electrodes on opposite sides of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 may be configured to control the turning of the liquid crystal molecules LC, thereby controlling the bright or dark states of different regions of the display device 10. In some embodiments, the display device 10 may further include a frame adhesive SL, wherein the frame adhesive SL is disposed between the first substrate 100 and the second substrate 102. In some embodiments, the sealant SL may be disposed on a side of the light guide structure 110 facing the second substrate 102 and extends to the second liquid crystal alignment layer 142b, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the frame glue SL can be set at An edge region of the second substrate 102. Although FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B only show a part of the sealant SL, the sealant SL may actually surround the liquid crystal switching layer 140 to prevent the liquid crystal switching layer 140 from being affected by water vapor and oxygen of the external environment. In some embodiments, the material of the sealant SL may include a light hardening resin or a heat hardening resin.

Based on the foregoing, compared to controlling the turning on and off of the display device by controlling the polarization direction of the light, the embodiment of the present invention can use the birefringence characteristic of the liquid crystal switching layer 140 to control the total reflection path and the light coupling path of the light. The dark state and the bright state of the display device 10 are formed. In this way, it is not necessary to provide polarizers on the opposite sides of the liquid crystal switching layer 140, and it is not necessary to provide a color filter. Therefore, the light transmittance of the display device 10 can be greatly improved, and the optical efficiency of the display device 10 can also be improved. In addition, compared with the backlight module disposed outside a pair of substrates of the display device, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first light emitting module 120 is disposed between the pair of substrates of the display device 10 (that is, the first Between the substrate 100 and the second substrate 102). In this way, the thickness of the display device 10 can be further reduced.

3 is a schematic top view of a first substrate 100, a light guide structure 110, and a first light emitting module 320 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The first substrate 100, the light guide structure 110 and the first light emitting module 320 shown in FIG. 3 are similar to the first substrate 100, the light guide structure 110 and the first light emitting module 120 shown in FIG. 2. . The difference between the two is that the plurality of first light-emitting modules 320 shown in FIG. 3 respectively correspond to positions and are adjacent to the plurality of light channel structures 112. For example, the position of each first light emitting module 320 corresponds to and is adjacent to the first end surface TS1 of each light channel structure 112. Each first light emitting module 320 may include a plurality of light emitting devices. Device, and multiple light emitting devices are adjacent to the same light channel structure 112. For example, each first light emitting module 320 may include a light emitting element 322a, a light emitting element 322b, and a light emitting element 322c. Each light emitting element may include one or more light emitting diodes having the same dominant wavelength range. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, and the size of the light-emitting diode may be 1 μm to 10000 μm. For example, the light emitting element 322a may include one or more red light emitting diodes, the light emitting element 322b may include one or more green light emitting diodes, and the light emitting element 322c may include one or more blue light emitting diodes body. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the red light emitting diode may be 610 nm to 670 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the green light emitting diode may be 510 nm to 560 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the blue light emitting diode may be 254 nm to 470 nm. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art can adjust the number of light emitting elements in the first light emitting module 320 and its main wavelength range according to design requirements, which is not limited in the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of light-emitting elements in the first light-emitting module 320 can be controlled by a driving circuit (not shown), so that the first light-emitting module 320 can issue different masters according to a specific timing. Wavelength range of light. In other words, in some embodiments, the first light emitting module 320 emits light of a single dominant wavelength range at the same time, and can emit a plurality of types of light having a plurality of different dominant wavelength ranges in a period of time.

4 is a schematic top view of a first substrate 100, a light guide structure 110, a first light emitting module 120, and a second light emitting module 420 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The difference between the two is that the display device shown in FIG. 4 may further include a plurality of second devices. The light emitting module 420 replaces the second light recycling layer 128 of FIG. 2, wherein a plurality of second light emitting modules 420 are disposed on the first inner surface S1 of the first substrate 100. In addition, the plurality of second light emitting modules 420 and the plurality of first light emitting modules 120 are located on opposite sides of the light guide structure 110. Each second light emitting module 420 may include a plurality of light emitting elements. For example, each second light-emitting module 420 may include a light-emitting element 422a, a light-emitting element 422b, and a light-emitting element 422c. In some embodiments, the light-emitting element 422a, the light-emitting element 422b, and the light-emitting element 422c of the second light-emitting module 420 are respectively corresponding to and adjacent to the second end faces TS2 of the plurality of light channel structures 112, and the light-emitting of the first light-emitting module 420 The element 122a, the light-emitting element 122b, and the light-emitting element 122c are respectively corresponding to and adjacent to the first end faces TS1 of the plurality of light channel structures 112. In some embodiments, each light-emitting element of the second light-emitting module 420 has a single dominant wavelength range. In such embodiments, each light emitting element may include one or more light emitting diodes having the same dominant wavelength range. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, and the size of the light-emitting diode may be 1 μm to 10000 μm. For example, the light emitting element 422a may include one or more red light emitting diodes, the light emitting element 422b may include one or more green light emitting diodes, and the light emitting element 422c may include one or more blue light emitting diodes body. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the red light emitting diode may be 610 nm to 670 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the green light emitting diode may be 510 nm to 560 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the blue light emitting diode may be 254 nm to 470 nm. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art can adjust the number of light emitting elements in the second light emitting module 420 and its main wavelength range according to design requirements, which is not limited in the present invention.

In some embodiments, the first light emitting module 120 and the second light emitting module 420 opposite to each other have the same dominant wavelength range. In other words, the light-emitting elements of the first light-emitting module 120 and the second light-emitting module 420 having the same main wavelength range are adjacent to the first end surface TS1 and the second end surface TS2 of the same optical channel structure 112, respectively. For example, the light-emitting element 122 a and the light-emitting element 422 a each including one or more red light-emitting diodes may be located correspondingly and adjacent to the first end surface TS1 and the second end surface TS2 of the light channel structure 112. As such, light entering the optical channel structure 112 from the first end surface TS1 and the second end surface TS2 of the optical channel structure 112 may have substantially the same wavelength range. In other words, light emitting elements of the same wavelength are provided on both end surfaces of the same optical channel structure 112. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting module 120 and the second light-emitting module 420 can be driven simultaneously or in a time-sharing manner.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the first substrate 100, the light guide structure 110, and the first light emitting module 520 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The difference between the two is that each light emitting element position of the first light emitting module 520 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to and is adjacent to one side of the at least two light channel structures 112. For example, the first light-emitting module 520 may include a light-emitting element 522a, a light-emitting element 522b, and a light-emitting element 522c, and the light-emitting element 522a, the light-emitting element 522b, and the light-emitting element 522c are respectively located correspondingly and adjacent to the first One end TS1. Each light emitting element may include one or more light emitting diodes having the same dominant wavelength range. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, and the size of the light-emitting diode may be 100 μm to 10000 μm. For example, luminescent element The piece 522a may include one or more red light emitting diodes, the light emitting element 522b may include one or more green light emitting diodes, and the light emitting element 522c may include one or more blue light emitting diodes. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the red light emitting diode may be 610 nm to 670 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the green light emitting diode may be 510 nm to 560 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the blue light emitting diode may be 254 nm to 470 nm. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art can adjust the number of light emitting elements in the first light emitting module 520 and its main wavelength range according to design requirements, which is not limited in the present invention.

In some embodiments, the light-emitting element 522a, the light-emitting element 522b, and the light-emitting element 522c may all be blue light-emitting diodes, and correspond to at least the plurality of sets of light channel structures 112 of the light-emitting element 522a, light-emitting element 522b, and light-emitting element 522c. The two groups may be covered with a wavelength conversion material so that the optical channel structures 112 of these groups can transmit light of different dominant wavelength ranges. For example, a group of light channel structures 112 corresponding to the light emitting element 522a may not be covered with a wavelength conversion material, and a group of light channel structures 112 corresponding to the light emitting element 522b may be covered with a red wavelength conversion material and correspond to the light emitting element A set of optical channel structures 112 of 522c may be covered with a green wavelength conversion material. In some embodiments, the aforementioned wavelength conversion material may include fluorescent molecules, quantum dots, quantum rods, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the first substrate 100, the light guide structure 110, and the first light emitting module 620 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The difference between the two is that each of the first light emitting modules 620 shown in FIG. Each light-emitting element is in a position corresponding to and adjacent to one side of the same light channel structure 112. For example, each first light-emitting module 620 may include a light-emitting element 622a, a light-emitting element 622b, and a light-emitting element 622c, and the light-emitting element 622a, the light-emitting element 622b, and the light-emitting element 622c are all corresponding to each other and adjacent to the three light channel structures. First end face 112 of 112. Each light emitting element may include one or more light emitting diodes having the same dominant wavelength range. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, and the size of the light-emitting diode may be 100 μm to 10000 μm. For example, the light emitting element 622a may include one or more red light emitting diodes, the light emitting element 622b may include one or more green light emitting diodes, and the light emitting element 622c may include one or more blue light emitting diodes body. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the red light emitting diode may be 610 nm to 670 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the green light emitting diode may be 510 nm to 560 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the blue light emitting diode may be 254 nm to 470 nm. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art can adjust the number of light emitting elements in the first light emitting module 620 and its main wavelength range according to design requirements, which is not limited in the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of light-emitting elements in the first light-emitting module 620 can be controlled by a driving circuit (not shown), so that the first light-emitting module 620 can issue different masters at a specific timing. Wavelength range of light. In other words, in some embodiments, the first light emitting module 620 emits light of only a single dominant wavelength range at the same time, and can emit multiple types of light with multiple different dominant wavelength ranges at different times.

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the first substrate 100, the light guide structure 710, and the first light emitting module 720 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The difference between the two is that a plurality of light emitting elements of each first light emitting module 720 shown in FIG. 7 are alternately disposed on opposite sides of the light guide structure 710 along the second direction D2. In addition, the plurality of light channel structures of the light guide structure 710 are alternately shifted along the second direction D2 toward the first direction D1 (for example, the positive and negative directions of the first direction D1) opposite to each other. Based on the offset direction of the optical channel structure, the multiple optical channel structures can be divided into an optical channel structure 712a and an optical channel structure 712b. Specifically, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the pair of adjacent optical channel structures 712 a and 712 b have an offset DV in the first direction D1. For example, each first light-emitting module 720 may include a light-emitting element 722a, a light-emitting element 722b, and a light-emitting element 722c that are sequentially arranged along the second direction D2. The light-emitting element 722a, the light-emitting element 722b, and the light-emitting element 722c are respectively corresponding to and adjacent to the two light channel structures. In some embodiments, the light-emitting element 722a and the light-emitting element 722c are respectively located corresponding to and adjacent to the first end faces TS1 of the two light channel structures 712a, and the light-emitting element 722b is located corresponding to and adjacent to the second end faces of the two light channel structures 712b. TS2. Each light emitting element may include one or more light emitting diodes having the same dominant wavelength range. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, and the size of the light-emitting diode may be 100 μm to 10000 μm. For example, the light emitting element 722a may include one or more red light emitting diodes, the light emitting element 722b may include one or more green light emitting diodes, and the light emitting element 722c may include one or more blue light emitting diodes body. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the red light emitting diode may be 610 nm to 670 nm. The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the green light emitting diode may be 510 nm to 560 nm. Blue light glow The main wavelength range of the light emitted by the diode may be 254nm to 470nm. Those skilled in the art can adjust the number of light-emitting elements in the first light-emitting module 720 and its main wavelength range according to design requirements, which is not limited in the present invention. In another modified embodiment, a second recycling layer may be provided at an appropriate position of the light channel (such as corresponding to the other end surface of the light-emitting element) according to different requirements, so as to improve light utilization and brightness.

In summary, compared to controlling the turning on and off of the display device by controlling the polarization direction of the light, the embodiment of the present invention can use the birefringence characteristic of the liquid crystal switching layer to control the total reflection path and the light coupling path of the light. To form a dark state and a bright state of the display device. In this way, it is not necessary to provide polarizers on opposite sides of the liquid crystal switching layer, and it is not necessary to provide color filters. Therefore, the light transmittance of the display device can be significantly improved. In other words, the optical efficiency of the display device can be improved. In addition, compared with the backlight module disposed outside a pair of substrates of the display device, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first light emitting module is disposed between the pair of substrates of the display device (that is, the first substrate and the Between the second substrates). In this way, the thickness of the display device can be further reduced.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with the examples, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some modifications and retouching without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Claims (13)

A display device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate has an inner surface facing the second substrate; a light guide structure is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate; A first light emitting module is disposed on the inner surface and is adjacent to one side of the light guide structure; an element array is provided on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal switching layer is provided on the light guide structure and the second substrate Between, wherein the light guide structure includes a plurality of light channel structures, the first light emitting module includes a plurality of light emitting elements, the light channel structures are arranged along a second direction and extend along a first direction, and two adjacent There is a gap between the optical channel structures. The display device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further comprising: a gap-filling material covering the first light emitting module and adjacent to the side of the light guide structure; and a first light recycling layer disposed on The gap fills the periphery of the material. The display device according to item 1 of the patent application scope further includes: a second light recycling layer disposed on the other side of the light guide structure. The display device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further comprising: a second light emitting module disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate, wherein the first light emitting module and the second light emitting module are located Opposite sides of the light guide structure, and a main wavelength range of the first light emitting module is substantially equal to a main wavelength range of the second light emitting module. The display device according to item 1 of the patent application scope further includes: a spacer structure disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and located in the liquid crystal switching layer, wherein the spacer structure includes a reflective material. The display device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the positions of the light emitting elements are corresponding to and adjacent to the light channel structures. The display device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein each of the light-emitting elements has a position corresponding to and adjacent to one of the at least two light channel structures. The display device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first light-emitting module includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, and the light-emitting elements have positions corresponding to and adjacent to the light channel structures. A display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate has a first inner surface, the second substrate has a second inner surface, and the first inner surface and the second inner surface are adjacent to each other. Facing; a light guide structure disposed on the first inner surface and including a plurality of light channel structures, wherein each light channel structure has a first end face and a second end face opposite to each other, and a material of the light guide structure The refractive index is 1.4 to 1.7; a light-emitting module is disposed on the first inner surface, and the position of the light-emitting module corresponds to the first end faces of the light channel structures; an element array is disposed on the first Two substrates; and a liquid crystal switching layer sandwiched between the first inner surface of the first substrate and the second inner surface of the second substrate. The display device according to item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the visible light transmittance of the material of the light guide structure is 20% to 99%. The display device according to item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the light emitting module includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and each of the light channel structure positions corresponds to each of the light emitting element positions, or at least two of the light channel structure positions correspond to At each of the light emitting elements. The display device according to item 9 of the scope of patent application, further comprising: a reflective layer provided on the first inner surface and between the first substrate and the light guide structure; and an insulating protection layer provided on the Between the reflective layer and the light guide structure. The display device according to item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the thickness and width of each of the light channel structures are 10 μm to 500 μm and 1 μm to 200 μm, and there is a gap between two adjacent ones of the light channel structures. And the pitch is 1 μm to 100 μm.