WO2018028212A1 - Pdlc显示面板、pdlc显示装置及其驱动方法 - Google Patents

Pdlc显示面板、pdlc显示装置及其驱动方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018028212A1
WO2018028212A1 PCT/CN2017/078566 CN2017078566W WO2018028212A1 WO 2018028212 A1 WO2018028212 A1 WO 2018028212A1 CN 2017078566 W CN2017078566 W CN 2017078566W WO 2018028212 A1 WO2018028212 A1 WO 2018028212A1
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pdlc
layer
photochromic
pdlc display
transparent substrate
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PCT/CN2017/078566
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English (en)
French (fr)
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梁蓬霞
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京东方科技集团股份有限公司
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Priority to US15/569,795 priority Critical patent/US20180307068A1/en
Priority to JP2017555773A priority patent/JP2019525211A/ja
Publication of WO2018028212A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018028212A1/zh

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1334—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/20—Filters
    • G02B5/22—Absorbing filters
    • G02B5/23—Photochromic filters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/1336—Illuminating devices
    • G02F1/133617—Illumination with ultraviolet light; Luminescent elements or materials associated to the cell
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1343—Electrodes
    • G02F1/134309—Electrodes characterised by their geometrical arrangement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/135—Liquid crystal cells structurally associated with a photoconducting or a ferro-electric layer, the properties of which can be optically or electrically varied
    • G02F1/1354—Liquid crystal cells structurally associated with a photoconducting or a ferro-electric layer, the properties of which can be optically or electrically varied having a particular photoconducting structure or material
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/136—Liquid crystal cells structurally associated with a semi-conducting layer or substrate, e.g. cells forming part of an integrated circuit
    • G02F1/1362—Active matrix addressed cells
    • G02F1/136286—Wiring, e.g. gate line, drain line
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/13306—Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1343—Electrodes
    • G02F1/134309—Electrodes characterised by their geometrical arrangement
    • G02F1/134345—Subdivided pixels, e.g. for grey scale or redundancy
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
    • G02F2202/10—Materials and properties semiconductor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
    • G02F2202/14—Materials and properties photochromic

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) display panel, a PDLC display device, and a driving method thereof, particularly for transparent display and color display.
  • PDLC Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal
  • a liquid crystal display device utilizes optical anisotropy and birefringence properties of liquid crystal molecules to realize display of an image, which generally requires a polarizing plate, an alignment layer, and the like to be disposed therein.
  • polarizing plates, alignment layers, and the like tend to cause relatively serious optical loss, occlusion, and the like.
  • the PDLC is formed by mixing a small molecule liquid crystal and a prepolymer, and forming a micron-sized liquid crystal droplet by polymerization under certain conditions and uniformly dispersing it in a polymer network.
  • the PDLC realizes electro-optic response characteristics by means of dielectric anisotropy of liquid crystal molecules.
  • the PDLC mainly works between a light scattering state and a transparent state, and is roughly classified into two types, a forward PDLC and a reverse PDLC. For the forward PDLC, the light scattering state is exhibited when the power is turned on, and the transparent state is exhibited when the power is turned off.
  • the opposite is true, that is, a transparent state is present when energized, and a light scattering state is exhibited when power is off. Since the PDLC display device does not require a polarizing plate, an alignment layer, or the like, is easier to manufacture and has higher light utilization efficiency, it has been receiving more and more attention and is widely used in various fields.
  • the color dye is filled in the PDLC layer.
  • two or even more PDLC layers are utilized to achieve color display.
  • the display device since the display device has two or even more layers of PDLC, the light utilization efficiency is invisibly reduced, and to some extent, the transparent display effect of the display device is also affected.
  • embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a PDLC display panel, a PDLC display device, and a method of driving the same in an attempt to at least partially alleviate or eliminate one or more of the disadvantages noted above.
  • a PDLC display panel includes: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on a side of the first transparent substrate adjacent to the second transparent substrate; and a second electrode layer
  • the second electrode layer includes a plurality of second sub-electrodes arranged in an array; the PDLC layer is disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer;
  • the photochromic layer is disposed on a side of the second transparent substrate away from the PDLC layer for color display.
  • the PDLC display panel further includes a plurality of pixel cells defined by intersections of gate lines and data lines, each pixel unit including a second sub-electrode.
  • the photochromic layer comprises a plurality of regions, and each region corresponds to at least three adjacent pixel units of the plurality of pixel units. Further, each region of the photochromic layer corresponds to three adjacent pixel units of the plurality of pixel units, and each of the photochromic layers includes one-to-one correspondence with the corresponding three adjacent pixel units, respectively. The first sub-area, the second sub-area, and the third sub-area.
  • the first sub-region includes a first material that turns red under a photochromic reaction
  • the second sub-region includes a second material that turns green under a photochromic reaction
  • the third sub-region includes photochromism A third material that turns blue under the reaction.
  • the photochromic layer at this time includes a plurality of regions, and each region includes a first sub-region (ie, a R sub-region) and a second sub-region (ie, a G sub-region). And the third sub-area (ie, the B sub-area).
  • the R, G, and B sub-regions will appear red, green, and blue, respectively.
  • different gray scale color displays for each of the regions of the photochromic layer are achieved.
  • the first material, the second material, and the third material of each region of the photochromic layer are selected from one of the following materials: a semiconductor oxide material, a polyacid Composite materials with semiconductors, and composite materials of heteropolymetallic compounds and inorganic semiconductors.
  • the material of the first electrode layer includes indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).
  • the material of the second electrode layer includes indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).
  • the first transparent substrate comprises a transparent glass substrate or a transparent plastic substrate.
  • the second transparent substrate includes a transparent glass substrate or a transparent plastic substrate.
  • the materials listed above are merely examples of specific materials that can be used to form the photochromic layer, the first and/or second electrodes, and the first and/or second transparent substrate, The present disclosure is not limited to this. Those skilled in the art will readily be able to readily obtain other equivalent alternative materials, while benefiting from the teachings of the present disclosure.
  • the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate include a flexible film
  • the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer include a flexible conductive film.
  • both the first/second transparent substrate and the first/second electrode layer can be made flexible.
  • the PDLC layer and the photochromic layer as a solid material can be directly disposed on such a flexible film layer, whereby a flexible PDLC display panel can be obtained.
  • the PDLC layer is configured to exhibit a light scattering state upon power up and a transparent state upon power down.
  • the PDLC layer is configured to assume a transparent state upon power up and a light scattering state upon power down. Either way, the PDLC layer is capable of transitioning between a transparent state and a light scattering state.
  • a PDLC display device includes: the PDLC display panel of any of the above embodiments; and a light source, wherein light emitted by the light source causes a photochromic reaction in the photochromic layer after passing through the PDLC layer.
  • the PDLC display device further includes: a light guide plate disposed on a side of the first transparent substrate away from the first electrode layer, and the light source is disposed on a light incident side of the light guide plate, It is especially disposed on the side of the light guide plate.
  • the light guide plate is selected to be a transparent light guide plate.
  • the light source is configured to emit light in the ultraviolet or visible region.
  • the PDLC display device further includes a reset light source configured to fade the photochromic layer after the photochromic reaction and restore its original state.
  • a reset light source configured to fade the photochromic layer after the photochromic reaction and restore its original state.
  • the photochromic layer will undergo a photochromic reaction upon induction of the corresponding light, thereby emitting light of a different color than the initial state.
  • this photochromic reaction of the photochromic layer is caused by a change in molecular structure. Therefore, after the photochromic reaction, even if the light of the light source is cut off, the photochromic layer will maintain a new state after discoloration, rather than the state before the initial discoloration. Based on this, a steady state display can be achieved.
  • the photochromic reaction is first induced by light, then the light is cut off, and the PDLC display device is powered off (ie, the PDLC layer is in a transparent state). After that, since the photochromic layer maintains the state after discoloration, the pattern is continuously displayed (the same as when the PDLC display device is energized and the light source light is applied). Conversely, if it is necessary to display other patterns, or to display the next frame pattern, it is only necessary to simply apply the reset light source to fade the photochromic layer and return to the initial state.
  • a method for driving the PDLC display device of any of the above embodiments includes: applying a constant first voltage to the first electrode layer, and applying second voltages different from each other to the second sub-electrodes of the plurality of pixel units, thereby causing different portions of the PDLC layer to exhibit different light scattering states. And displaying the light emitted from the light source through the PDLC layer exhibiting a light scattering state and irradiating the photochromic layer to cause a photochromic reaction.
  • the PDLC layer exhibits a light scattering state and exhibits different degrees of light scattering due to the difference in voltage applied at different pixel units.
  • a method for driving a PDLC display device further includes: turning off a light source, and cutting off a voltage applied to the first electrode layer and the second sub-electrode,
  • the PDLC layer is rendered transparent.
  • the PDLC display device assumes a transparent state. Due to the photochromic reaction that has occurred before, the photochromic layer will maintain a state of discoloration, that is, different degrees of photochromic reaction occur in different portions due to excitation of different intensity lights. Therefore, the PDLC display device will continue to display the pattern, i.e., the same as when power is applied and the source light is applied, thereby achieving a steady state display.
  • a method for driving a PDLC display device further includes: emitting a resetting light to a photochromic layer by a resetting light source, thereby causing the photochromic layer to fade after the photochromic reaction and returning to its initial state.
  • a reset light source By such a reset light source, display of other patterns or next frame patterns is promoted.
  • a photochromic layer is provided in addition to the PDLC layer sandwiched between the two electrodes. Under the excitation of appropriate light, such a photochromic layer can undergo a photochromic reaction to emit light of a different color from the initial state.
  • a forward PDLC layer is employed, that is, the PDLC layer exhibits a light scattering state upon power-on, and exhibits a transparent state upon power-off. If no voltage is applied to the PDLC layer, since each component (i.e., each layer) in the PDLC display device is in a transparent state, transparent display is realized.
  • the PDLC layer is applied with a voltage, that is, the PDLC layer exhibits light scattering characteristics
  • the light incident on the photochromic layer will have different intensities, thereby inducing different The degree of photochromic reaction.
  • different gray scale displays of the various colors are achieved by the fact that the photochromic layer emits light of different intensities after the photochromic reaction.
  • the PDLC display panel on the one hand, only one PDLC layer is included, and on the other hand, there is no polarizing plate or alignment layer. Therefore, the loss of light is greatly reduced (for example, due to absorption, occlusion, etc.), the utilization of light is improved, and thus the display effect is remarkably enhanced.
  • the PDLC display panel and the PDLC display device are not only advantageous for achieving more efficient and higher quality transparent and color display, but also have a simple structure and strong compatibility with existing TFT-LCF processes. Additionally, such PDLC display panels and devices can be designed as flexible products for achieving a flexible transparent display. Further, the implementation of a more energy efficient and flexible PDLC display panel and device is facilitated in view of the steady state display of the photochromic layer and ease of replacement.
  • FIG. 1A-1B respectively illustrate distribution diagrams of liquid crystal molecules in a PDLC layer of a PDLC display panel when no voltage is applied and voltage applied, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a PDLC display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a photochromic layer in a PDLC display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a photochromic layer in a PDLC display panel and an enlarged top view of one of the regions in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a PDLC display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic flow chart of a method for driving a PDLC display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the PDLC display panel, the PDLC display device, and the driving method thereof disclosed by the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • FIGS. 1A-1B which respectively illustrate distribution diagrams of liquid crystal molecules in a PDLC layer of a PDLC display panel when no voltage is applied and voltage applied, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a reverse PDLC layer is employed, that is, a light scattering state is exhibited when no voltage is applied (see FIG. 1A), and a transparent state is exhibited when a voltage is applied (see FIG. 1B).
  • a forward PDLC layer can also be employed depending on the particular application, ie, exhibiting a light scattering state when a voltage is applied, and exhibiting a transparent state when no voltage is applied, which is opposite to the reverse PDLC layer. The situation is just the opposite. Either way, the PDLC layer is capable of transitioning between a transparent state and a light scattering state.
  • the PDLC display panel 200 includes: a first transparent substrate 1; a second transparent substrate 2 disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate 1; and a first electrode layer disposed on a side of the first transparent substrate 1 adjacent to the second transparent substrate 2. 3; a second electrode layer 4 disposed on a side of the second transparent substrate 2 adjacent to the first transparent substrate 1, the second electrode layer 4 includes a plurality of second sub-electrodes arranged in an array (not specifically depicted); a PDLC layer 5 between an electrode layer 3 and a second electrode layer 4 (indicated by a left oblique line in FIG.
  • the PDLC display panel 200 further includes a plurality of pixel units defined by intersections of gate lines and data lines, each of the pixel units including a second sub-electrode.
  • the individual pixel units and corresponding second sub-electrodes are not specifically depicted in the figures, but it should be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, and not here Make a specific explanation.
  • a photochromic layer 6 is provided in addition to the PDLC layer 5 sandwiched between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4.
  • the external light C first passes through the PDLC layer 5, then enters the photochromic layer 6, and finally causes a photochromic reaction therein.
  • not only transparent display but also various color displays of different gray levels can be obtained.
  • the above-described PDLC display panel 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure on the one hand, only one layer of PDLC material is included, and on the other hand, there is no polarizing plate. Therefore, the loss of light is greatly reduced (for example, due to absorption or the like), the utilization of light is improved, and thus the display effect is remarkably enhanced.
  • the photochromic layer 6 can be formed from the same material.
  • the photochromic layer 6 is a homogeneous layer, thereby facilitating precise control of different gray scales of various colors.
  • a light source that emits monochromatic light can also be simply used, which makes the structure of the entire display device simpler.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the photochromic layer 6 in the PDLC display panel 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the photochromic layer 6 includes a plurality of regions 60, and each of the regions 60 corresponds to at least three adjacent pixel units of the plurality of pixel units, particularly corresponding to exactly three adjacent pixel units.
  • the reference 4 in addition to a top view of the photochromic layer 6 in the PDLC display panel 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 also illustrates an enlarged top view of each of the regions 60 of the photochromic layer 6.
  • each of the regions 60 of the photochromic layer 6 may include a first sub-region, a second sub-region, and a third sub-region, respectively, corresponding to three corresponding adjacent pixel cells, that is, a red sub-region R ( Illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 with a left diagonal hatching), a green sub-region G (illustratively represented by dotted shading in FIG. 4) and a blue sub-region B (schematically using right oblique in FIG. 4) Line shading).
  • the first material, the second material, and the third material included in each of the three sub-regions R, G, B will become red, green, and blue under the photochromic reaction, respectively.
  • the photochromic layer 6 described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a plurality of regions 60, and each of the regions 60 includes a R sub-region, a G sub-region, and a B sub-region, respectively. .
  • the R, G, and B sub-regions will emit red, green, and blue light, respectively.
  • a different gray scale color display of each of the regions 60 in the photochromic layer 6 is achieved.
  • the photochromic layer 6 can be configured to include a plurality of regions 60 of any shape (such as circular, square, etc.), as desired by the user, and such multiple regions 60 can be arranged in any manner (eg, in an array) Form, in star form, etc.). Based on this, the user can configure the photochromic layer 6 as needed to achieve a customized personalized color display.
  • the first material, the second material, and the third material of each region 60 of the photochromic layer 6 may be selected from one of the following materials: a semiconductor oxide material, a composite of a polyacid and a semiconductor. And composite materials of heteropolymetallic compounds and inorganic semiconductors.
  • a semiconductor oxide material e.g., a composite of a polyacid and a semiconductor.
  • composite materials of heteropolymetallic compounds and inorganic semiconductors e.g., a first material that exhibits red color under a photochromic reaction
  • an inorganic system of BaMgSi system can be selected, which can realize conversion from white to red by irradiation with 365 nm ultraviolet light; alternatively, it can also be selected Different substituents
  • a spiro porphyrin group-modified fulgide-based photochromic compound which can be discolored from white to red by ultraviolet light irradiation.
  • N-methyl-5-carboxy-9'-hydroxyspirozine can be selected, which is changed from colorless to blue after irradiation with ultraviolet light.
  • N-methyl-3,3-dimethylspiroline-naphthoxazine can be selected, which can change from white to blue under irradiation of ultraviolet light (for example, 365 nm).
  • the above-mentioned oxazine system can also be converted from colorless to blue, purple, green after modification of the spiroporphyrin group having different substituents.
  • the present disclosure is not limited to only those specific materials listed above.
  • first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 may include an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode layer or an indium zinc oxide (IZO) electrode layer.
  • first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2 may include a transparent glass substrate or a transparent plastic substrate.
  • the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2 may include a flexible film
  • the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 may include a flexible conductive film.
  • the PDLC layer 5 and the photochromic layer 6 as solid materials can be directly disposed on such a flexible film layer, whereby a flexible PDLC display device can be obtained.
  • a PDLC display device is also provided. Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, a schematic cross-sectional view of a PDLC display device 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.
  • the PDLC display device 500 includes: the PDLC display panel described in any of the above embodiments; and a light source S in which light emitted by the light source S causes a photochromic reaction in the photochromic layer 6 after passing through the PDLC layer 5.
  • the PDLC display device 500 may further include: a light guide plate 7 (particularly, a transparent light guide plate) disposed on a side of the first transparent substrate 1 away from the first electrode layer 3, and the light source S is disposed on the light guide plate.
  • the light source S is configured to emit light in the ultraviolet or visible region.
  • the photochromic response of the photochromic layer 6 to ultraviolet light or visible light after the photochromic reaction, different colors of light emission according to the display can be obtained.
  • the PDLC display device 500 further includes a reset light source (not shown) configured to fade the photochromic layer 6 after the photochromic reaction and return to its original state.
  • a reset light source (not shown) configured to fade the photochromic layer 6 after the photochromic reaction and return to its original state.
  • the photochromic layer 6 will undergo a photochromic reaction upon induction of the corresponding light C, thereby emitting light of a different color from the initial state.
  • this photochromic reaction of the photochromic layer 6 is caused by a change in molecular structure. Therefore, after the photochromic reaction, even if the light C of the light source is cut off, the photochromic layer 6 will maintain a new state after discoloration, instead of the state immediately before the discoloration. Based on this, a steady state display can be achieved. Conversely, if it is necessary to display other patterns or display the next frame pattern, it is only necessary to simply apply the reset light source to fade the photochromic layer 6 and return to the initial state.
  • FIG. 6 a schematic flowchart of a method for driving a PDLC display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.
  • the driving method may include: applying a constant first voltage to the first electrode layer, and applying second voltages different from each other to the second sub-electrodes of the plurality of pixel units, thereby causing different portions of the PDLC layer to exhibit different light scattering a state; and, the light emitted from the light source is passed through a PDLC layer exhibiting a light scattering state and the photochromic layer is irradiated to cause a photochromic reaction, thereby effecting display. Since the voltage of each of the second sub-electrodes is different, the PDLC exhibits a different light scattering state, that is, the amount of light transmitted through it is different, and thus the amount of light irradiated onto the photochromic layer is different.
  • the driving method may further include: turning off the light source, and cutting off a voltage applied to the first electrode layer and the second sub-electrode, thereby causing the PDLC layer to assume a transparent state. Still further, the driving method may further include: emitting a resetting light to the photochromic layer by the resetting light source, thereby causing the photochromic layer to fade after the photochromic reaction and returning to its initial state.
  • the PDLC display device can continue to display the pattern, thereby facilitating the realization of the steady-state display effect.
  • the PDLC display device can be prepared for displaying other images or next frame images simply by resetting the illumination of the light.
  • a PDLC display panel and a PDLC display device The placement is not only conducive to achieving more efficient and higher quality transparent and color display, but also simple in structure and compatibility with existing TFT-LCF processes. Additionally, such PDLC display panels and PDLC display devices can be designed as flexible products for achieving flexible transparent display. Further, in view of the steady state display of the photochromic layer and ease of replacement, the implementation of a more energy efficient and flexible PDLC display panel and PDLC display device is facilitated.
  • first”, “second”, and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features involved. Thus, features defined by “first”, “second”, etc., may be explicitly or implicitly indicated to include one or more of such features. In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more unless otherwise stated.

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Abstract

一种PDLC显示面板（200）、包括PDLC显示面板（200）的PDLC显示装置及其驱动方法，其中PDLC显示面板（200）包括：第一透明基板（1）；第二透明基板（2），与第一透明基板（1）相对设置；第一电极层（3），设置在第一透明基板（1）靠近第二透明基板（2）的一侧上；第二电极层（4），设置在第二透明基板（2）靠近第一透明基板（1）的一侧上，第二电极层（4）包括多个阵列排列的第二子电极；PDLC层（5），设置在第一电极层（3）与第二电极层（4）之间；以及光致变色层（6），设置在第二透明基板（2）远离PDLC层（5）的一侧上以用于实现彩色显示。

Description

PDLC显示面板、PDLC显示装置及其驱动方法
优先权声明
本申请要求2016年8月8日提交的中国专利申请201610640971.1的优先权，该中国专利申请以其整体通过引用并入本文。
技术领域
本公开涉及显示技术领域，并且具体地涉及聚合物分散液晶(PDLC，Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal)显示面板、PDLC显示装置及其驱动方法，其特别地用于透明显示和彩色显示。
背景技术
通常，液晶显示装置利用液晶分子的光学各向异性和双折射性质来实现图像的显示，这一般需要在其中设置偏振片、取向层等。然而，这样的偏振片、取向层等往往容易引起较为严重的光学损耗、遮挡等。
为此，已经提出了使用PDLC显示装置。通过将小分子液晶与预聚物相互混合，并且在一定条件下经聚合反应形成微米级的液晶微滴并使其均匀地分散在高分子网络中，从而形成PDLC。PDLC借助于液晶分子的介电各向异性来实现电光响应特性。PDLC主要工作于光散射状态和透明状态之间，并且大体分为正向PDLC和逆向PDLC这两种类型。对于正向PDLC，在通电时呈现光散射状态，而在断电时呈现透明状态。相反，对于逆向PDLC，情况恰恰相反，即在通电时呈现透明状态，而在断电时呈现光散射状态。由于PDLC显示装置不需要偏振片、取向层等，更加容易制造并且具有更高的光利用率，因此已经受到越来越多的关注并且广泛应用于各种领域中。
目前已经出现了利用PDLC实现透明及彩色显示的装置。根据一种具体实现，将彩色染料填充在PDLC层中。然而，在这种实现中，很难同时将R、G、B三种颜色的PDLC做成子像素而排列在同一像素层中，并且因此基本上只能得到单色PDLC。根据另一种具体实现，利用两个或者甚至更多的PDLC层来实现彩色显示。然而，对于后面这种实现，由于显示装置具有两层或者甚至更多层的PDLC，所以将无形中减少了光的利用率，而且在一定程度上还影响了显示装置的透明显示效果。
发明内容
基于以上所述，本公开的实施例公开了PDLC显示面板、PDLC显示装置及其驱动方法，以试图至少部分地缓解或消除以上指出的缺点中的一个或多个。
根据本公开的一方面，提供了一种PDLC显示面板。该PDLC显示面板包括：第一透明基板；第二透明基板，与第一透明基板相对设置；第一电极层，设置在第一透明基板靠近第二透明基板的一侧上；第二电极层，设置在第二透明基板靠近第一透明基板的一侧上，第二电极层包括多个阵列排列的第二子电极；；PDLC层，设置在第一电极层与第二电极层之间；以及光致变色层，设置在第二透明基板远离PDLC层的一侧上以用于实现彩色显示。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示面板的具体实施例中，PDLC显示面板还包括由栅线和数据线交叉限定的多个像素单元，每个像素单元包括一个第二子电极。根据另外的具体实施例，光致变色层包括多个区域，并且每一个区域与多个像素单元中的至少三个相邻像素单元对应。进一步地，光致变色层的每一个区域与多个像素单元中的三个相邻像素单元对应，并且光致变色层的每一个区域包括分别与对应的三个相邻像素单元一一对应的第一子区域、第二子区域和第三子区域。而且，第一子区域包括在光致变色反应下变成红色的第一材料，第二子区域包括在光致变色反应下变成绿色的第二材料，并且第三子区域包括在光致变色反应下变成蓝色的第三材料。类似于传统RGB彩膜基板中的排列方式，此时的光致变色层包括多个区域，并且每一个区域分别包括第一子区域(即R子区域)、第二子区域(即G子区域)和第三子区域(即B子区域)。利用这样的区域及RGB排布，在发生光致变色反应之后，R、G和B子区域将分别呈现红色、绿色和蓝色。进一步结合诱发光致变色反应的光的不同强度这一特性(在下文详细讨论)，实现了光致变色层中每一个区域的不同灰阶彩色显示。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示面板的具体实施例中，光致变色层的各个区域的上述第一材料、第二材料和第三材料选自包括以下材料中的一个：半导体氧化物材料、多酸与半导体的复合材料、以及杂多金属化合物与无机半导体的复合材料。当然，本领域技术人员能够根据实际需要而适当地选择任何其它合适的光致发光材料，其不仅仅限于 以上所列举的那些种类。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示面板的具体实施例中，第一电极层的材料包括氧化铟锡(ITO)或氧化铟锌(IZO)。类似地，第二电极层的材料包括氧化铟锡(ITO)或氧化铟锌(IZO)。进一步地，第一透明基板包括透明玻璃基板或透明塑料基板。同样，第二透明基板包括透明玻璃基板或透明塑料基板。
当然，如本领域技术人员所能够理解到的，以上列举的材料仅仅是可用于形成光致变色层、第一和/或第二电极以及第一和/或第二透明基板的具体材料示例，本公开不仅仅局限于此。在获益于当前公开内容的教导的情况下，技术人员能够容易地获得其它等同替换材料。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示面板的具体实施例中，第一透明基板和第二透明基板包括柔性膜，并且第一电极层和第二电极层包括柔性导电膜。根据这样的具体实施例，第一/第二透明基板和第一/第二电极层均可以制造成柔性的。而且，作为固态材料的PDLC层和光致变色层可以直接设置于这样的柔性膜层上，由此可以获得柔性PDLC显示面板。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示面板的具体实施例中，PDLC层配置成在通电时呈现光散射状态并且在断电时呈现透明状态。可替换地，PDLC层配置成在通电时呈现透明状态并且在断电时呈现光散射状态。不管是哪种方式，PDLC层都能够在透明状态与光散射状态之间进行转变。
根据本公开的另一方面，提供了一种PDLC显示装置。该PDLC显示装置包括：以上任一个实施例所述的PDLC显示面板；以及光源，其中由所述光源发射的光在通过PDLC层之后引起光致变色层中的光致变色反应。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示装置的具体实施例中，PDLC显示装置还包括：导光板，设置在第一透明基板远离第一电极层的一侧上，并且光源设置在导光板的入光侧，特别地设置在导光板的侧面。在具体实施例中，导光板选择为透明的导光板。通过将光源设置在显示装置主体的侧面，避免了非透明光源可能引起的遮挡、吸收等光学损耗，从而进一步提高了整个显示装置的光利用率，并且增强了透明及彩色显示效果。另外，借助于这样的导光板，由光源发射的光可以更加便 利地透射通过PDLC层，并且之后再入射到光致变色层上。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示装置的具体实施例中，光源配置成在紫外区或可见区中发射光。借助于光致变色层对紫外光或可见光的不同光致变色响应，在光致变色反应之后，可以获得根据显示所要求的不同颜色光发射。
在根据本公开的PDLC显示装置的具体实施例中，PDLC显示装置还包括：复位光源，配置用于使光致变色层在光致变色反应之后褪色并恢复其初始状态。如上文所详细描述的，光致变色层在相应光的诱发下将发生光致变色反应，由此发出与初始状态下不同颜色的光。另外，光致变色层的这种光致变色反应是由分子结构上的改变而引起。因此，在经过光致变色反应之后，即便光源的光被切除，光致变色层也将保持变色后的新状态，而不是初始没有变色前的状态。基于这一点，可以实现稳态显示。也就是说，首先通过光诱发光致变色反应，然后再切除光，并且使PDLC显示装置断电(即，PDLC层处于透明状态)。在此之后，由于光致变色层保持变色后的状态，所以继续显示图案(与PDLC显示装置通电并且施加光源光时相同)。反过来，如果需要显示其它图案，或者显示下一帧图案，则仅需要简单地应用复位光源，使光致变色层褪色并回到初始状态即可。
根据本公开的又一方面，提供了一种用于驱动以上任一个实施例所述的PDLC显示装置的方法。该驱动方法包括：向第一电极层施加恒定的第一电压，并且向多个像素单元的第二子电极分别施加相互不同的第二电压，从而使PDLC层的不同部分呈现不同的光散射状态；以及使光源发射的光通过呈现光散射状态的PDLC层并且照射光致变色层以引起光致变色反应，从而实现显示。通过上述驱动过程，PDLC层呈现光散射状态，并且由于在不同像素单元处所施加的电压不同而呈现不同程度的光散射。也就是说，通过控制施加给第一电极层和第二子电极的电压，可以实现PDLC层的不同部分的不同程度光散射。这还意味着，照射到光致变色层的不同部分上的光的强度将不同，由此诱发不同程度的光致变色反应，并且进一步地实现不同灰阶的显示。以这样的方式，实现了PDLC层的图案化以及正常的显示功能。
根据本公开的具体实施例，用于驱动PDLC显示装置的方法还包括：关闭光源，并且切断施加给第一电极层和第二子电极的电压，从 而使PDLC层呈现透明状态。在这样的情况下，PDLC显示装置呈现透明状态。而由于之前已经发生的光致变色反应，所以光致变色层将保持变色后的状态，即不同部分由于不同强度光的激发而发生不同程度的光致变色反应。因此，PDLC显示装置将会继续显示图案，即与通电并且施加光源光时的情况相同，从而实现稳态显示。
根据本公开的具体实施例，用于驱动PDLC显示装置的方法还包括：通过复位光源向光致变色层发射复位光，从而使光致变色层在光致变色反应之后褪色并且恢复其初始状态。通过这样的复位光源，促进了其它图案或者下一帧图案的显示。
由此可见，在由本公开的实施例公开的上述PDLC显示面板、PDLC显示装置及其驱动方法中，除了夹在两个电极之间的PDLC层之外，还设置了光致变色层。在适当光的激发下，这样的光致变色层能够发生光致变色反应，从而发出与初始状态不同颜色的光。在这样的情况下，假设采用正向PDLC层，即PDLC层在通电时呈现光散射状态，并且在断电时呈现透明状态。如果没有向PDLC层施加电压，那么由于PDLC显示装置中的各个组成部件(即各层)均呈现透明状态，因此实现了透明显示。而另一方面，如果PDLC层施加有电压，即PDLC层呈现光散射特性，那么通过控制施加给PDLC层的不同电压值，入射到光致变色层上的光将具有不同强度，由此诱发不同程度的光致变色反应。在此之后，借助于光致变色层在光致变色反应之后发出不同强度的光这一事实，实现了各种颜色的不同灰阶显示。由此可见，根据本公开的实施例，不仅能够实现透明显示，而且还能够获得不同灰阶的各种彩色显示。此外，在根据本公开的实施例的上述PDLC显示面板中，一方面仅包括了一个PDLC层，另一方面也不存在任何偏振片或取向层。因此，极大地减小了光的损耗(例如由于吸收、遮挡等引起)，提高了光的利用率，并且因此显著地增强了显示效果。
另外，根据本公开的实施例，PDLC显示面板和PDLC显示装置不仅有利于实现更加高效和更高质量的透明及彩色显示，而且它们结构简单、与现有TFT-LCF工艺的兼容性强。另外，这样的PDLC显示面板和装置可以设计成柔性产品以用于实现柔性透明显示。进一步地，考虑到光致变色层的稳态显示以及容易替换性，促进了更加节能和灵活的PDLC显示面板和装置的实现。
附图说明
图1A-1B分别图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板的PDLC层中的液晶分子在不施加以及施加电压时的分布示意图；
图2图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板的示例性截面视图；
图3图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板中的光致变色层的俯视图；
图4图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板中的光致变色层的俯视图以及其中一个区域的放大俯视图；
图5图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示装置的示意性截面视图；以及
图6图示了根据本公开的实施例的用于驱动PDLC显示装置的方法的示意性流程图。
具体实施方式
在下文中连同图示了本公开的原理的附图一起来提供对本公开的一个或多个实施例的详细描述。结合这样的实施例描述本公开，但是本公开不限于任何实施例。本公开的范围仅由权利要求限制并且本公开涵盖众多可替换方案、修改和等同方案。在以下描述中阐述众多具体细节以便提供对本公开的透彻理解。仅出于示例的目的而提供这些细节并且本公开可以在没有这些具体细节中的一些或全部的情况下根据权利要求而实践。出于清楚性目的，尚未详细描述在涉及本公开的技术领域中已知的技术素材使得不会以非必要的细节使本公开模糊。
下面结合附图对由本公开的实施例公开的PDLC显示面板、PDLC显示装置及其驱动方法进行详细描述。
参照图1A-1B，其分别图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板的PDLC层中的液晶分子在不施加以及施加电压时的分布示意图。在所示图1A-1B中，采用了逆向PDLC层，即在不施加电压时呈现光散射状态(参见图1A)，并且在施加电压时呈现透明状态(参见图1B)。当然，如本领域技术人员所容易理解到的，也可以根据具体应用而采用正向PDLC层，即在施加电压时呈现光散射状态，并且在不施加电压时呈现透明状态，这与逆向PDLC层的情况正好相反。不管是哪种方式，PDLC层都能够在透明状态与光散射状态之间进行转变。
进一步参照图2，其图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板200的示例性截面视图。该PDLC显示面板200包括：第一透明基板1；与第一透明基板1相对设置的第二透明基板2；设置于第一透明基板1靠近第二透明基板2的一侧上的第一电极层3；设置于第二透明基板2靠近第一透明基板1的一侧上的第二电极层4，第二电极层4包括多个阵列排列的第二子电极(未具体描绘)；设置在第一电极层3与第二电极层4之间的PDLC层5(在图2中利用左斜线阴影表示)；以及设置在第二透明基板2远离PDLC层5的一侧上的光致变色层6(在图2中利用右斜线阴影表示)。另外，在图1中，还利用两个箭头C示意性地表示了入射到PDLC显示面板200上的光。在具体实现中，PDLC显示面板200还包括由栅线和数据线交叉限定的多个像素单元，每个像素单元包括一个第二子电极。出于清楚起见，没有在附图中具体地描绘各个像素单元以及相应的第二子电极，但是对于获益于本公开内容的本领域技术人员而言，这应当是显而易见的，并且在此不做具体说明。
在这样的PDLC显示面板200中，除了夹在第一电极层3和第二电极层4之间的PDLC层5之外，还设置了光致变色层6。另外，外部光C首先经过PDLC层5，然后再进入光致变色层6，并且最后引起其中的光致变色反应。在这样的情况下，不仅能够实现透明显示，而且还能够得到不同灰阶的各种彩色显示。此外，在根据本公开的实施例的上述PDLC显示面板200中，一方面仅包括一层PDLC材料，另一方面也不存在任何偏振片。因此，极大地减小了光的损耗(例如由于吸收等引起)，提高了光的利用率，并且因此显著地增强了显示效果。
在具体实现中，光致变色层6可以通过同一种材料形成。在这样的情况下，光致变色层6是均质层，从而有利于精确地控制各种颜色的不同灰阶。而且此时，对于诱发光致变色反应的光源，也可以简单地采用发射单色光的光源，这使得整个显示装置的结构更为简单。
进一步地，参照图3，更加详细地描述根据本公开的实施例的光致变色层6的具体实现。具体地，图3图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板200中的光致变色层6的俯视图。此时，光致变色层6包括多个区域60，并且每一个区域60与多个像素单元中的至少三个相邻像素单元对应，特别地与精确地三个相邻像素单元对应。进一步地，参 见图4，除了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示面板200中的光致变色层6的俯视图之外，图4还图示了光致变色层6中的每一个区域60的放大俯视图。从图4可见，光致变色层6的每一个区域60可以包括分别与对应的三个相邻像素单元对应的第一子区域、第二子区域和第三子区域，即红色子区域R(示意性地在图4中利用左斜线阴影表示)、绿色子区域G(示意性地在图4中利用点状阴影表示)和蓝色子区域B(示意性地在图4中利用右斜线阴影表示)。具体地，三个子区域R，G，B中各自所包括的第一材料、第二材料和第三材料在光致变色反应下将分别变成红色、绿色和蓝色。尽管在图4中将这三个子区域R，G，B图示为竖直并排排布，但是这仅仅是一种示意性表示，其不代表对本公开的任何限制。在获益于当前公开内容的基础上，本领域技术人员可以容易地设想到三个子区域R，G，B的其它等同排布方式。
类似于传统RGB彩膜基板中的排列方式，以上参照图3和4所描述的光致变色层6包括多个区域60，并且每一个区域60分别包括R子区域、G子区域和B子区域。利用这样的区域及RGB排布，在发生光致变色反应之后，R、G和B子区域将分别发出红光、绿光和蓝光。进一步结合诱发光致变色反应的光的不同强度这一特性，实现了光致变色层6中每一个区域60的不同灰阶彩色显示。
作为进一步的扩展，从以上光致变色层6的多区域60(其中每一个区域60包括R、G、B子区段)布置出发，我们可以更加灵活地设置光致变色层6的图案化排布方式，以实现用户自定义的个性化彩色显示。具体地，按照用户的期望，光致变色层6可以配置成包括任何形状的多个区域60(比如圆形、方形等)，并且这样的多个区域60可以以任何方式进行布置(比如以阵列形式、以星形形式等)。基于此，用户可以根据需要配置光致变色层6，以实现自定义的个性化彩色显示。
在具体实现中，光致变色层6的各个区域60的以上所述第一材料、第二材料和第三材料可以选自以下材料中的一个：半导体氧化物材料、多酸与半导体的复合材料、以及杂多金属化合物与无机半导体的复合材料。作为具体示例，对于在光致变色反应下呈现红色的第一材料，可以选择无机体系的BaMgSi体系，其经过365nm紫外光的照射可以实现从白色到红色的转化；可替换地，也可以选择具有不同取代基的 螺吲哚啉基团修饰的俘精酸酐类光致变色化合物，其可以通过紫外光照射而实现从白色到红色的变色。另外，对于在光致变色反应下呈现蓝色的第三材料，可以选择N-甲基-5-羧基-9’-羟基螺噁嗪，其在紫外光的照射之后由无色变成蓝色；或者，可以选择N-甲基-3，3-二甲基螺吲哚啉-萘并噁嗪，其在紫外光(例如365nm)的照射下可以从白色变为蓝色。附加地，以上提及的噁嗪体系在经过具有不同取代基的螺吲哚啉基团的修饰之后，还可以实现从无色到蓝色、紫色、绿色的转化。当然，如本领域技术人员所容易理解的，本公开不仅仅限于以上所列出的那些具体材料。
进一步地，第一电极层3和第二电极层4可以包括氧化铟锡(ITO)电极层或氧化铟锌(IZO)电极层。进一步地，第一透明基板1和第二透明基板2可以包括透明玻璃基板或透明塑料基板。当然，在获益于当前公开内容的教导的情况下，技术人员能够容易获得其它等同替换材料，并且本公开绝不仅仅限于以上示例性列举的这些材料。
在具体实现中，第一透明基板1和第二透明基板2可以包括柔性膜，并且第一电极层3和第二电极层4可以包括柔性导电膜。此时，作为固态材料的PDLC层5和光致变色层6可以直接设置于这样的柔性膜层上，由此可以获得柔性PDLC显示装置。
根据本公开的另一方面，还提供了一种PDLC显示装置。具体地，参照图5，其图示了根据本公开的实施例的PDLC显示装置500的示意性截面视图。该PDLC显示装置500包括：以上任一个实施例所述的PDLC显示面板；以及光源S，其中由光源S发射的光在通过PDLC层5之后引起光致变色层6中的光致变色反应。
在具体实现中，PDLC显示装置500还可以包括：导光板7(特别地，透明导光板)，设置在第一透明基板1远离第一电极层3的一侧上，并且光源S设置在导光板7的入光侧，特别地侧面。通过将光源S设置在显示装置500主体的侧面，避免了非透明光源可能引起的遮挡、吸收等光学损耗，从而进一步提高了整个显示装置的光利用率，并且增强了透明及彩色显示效果。另外特别地，借助于透明的导光板7，由光源S发射的光可以更加便利地透射通过PDLC层5，并且之后再入射到光致变色层6上。
在具体实现中，光源S配置成在紫外区或可见区中发射光。借助 于光致变色层6对紫外光或可见光的不同光致变色响应，在光致变色反应之后，可以获得根据显示所要求的不同颜色光发射。
在具体实现中，PDLC显示装置500还包括配置用于使光致变色层6在光致变色反应之后褪色并恢复其初始状态的复位光源(未在图中示出)。根据以上公开内容，光致变色层6在相应光C的诱发下将发生光致变色反应，由此发出与初始状态下不同颜色的光。另外，光致变色层6的这种光致变色反应是由分子结构上的改变而引起。因此，在经过光致变色反应之后，即便光源的光C被切除，光致变色层6也将保持变色后的新状态，而不是初始没有变色前的状态。基于此，可以实现稳态显示。反过来，如果需要显示其它图案，或者显示下一帧图案，则仅需要简单地应用复位光源，使光致变色层6褪色并回到初始状态即可。
根据本公开的又一方面，还提供了一种用于驱动以上任一个实施例所述的PDLC显示装置的方法。具体地，参照图6，其图示了根据本公开的实施例的用于驱动PDLC显示装置的方法的示意性流程图。该驱动方法可以包括：向第一电极层施加恒定的第一电压，并且向多个像素单元的第二子电极分别施加相互不同的第二电压，从而使PDLC层的不同部分呈现不同的光散射状态；以及，使光源发射的光通过呈现光散射状态的PDLC层并且照射光致变色层以引起光致变色反应，从而实现显示。由于每一个第二子电极的电压不同，所以PDLC呈现的光散射状态不同，即其透过的光量不同，并且由此导致照射到光致变色层上的光量不同。通过这样的方式，可以实现不同灰阶的彩色显示。进一步地，该驱动方法还可以包括：关闭光源，并且切断施加给第一电极层和第二子电极的电压，从而使PDLC层呈现透明状态。又进一步地，该驱动方法还可以包括：通过复位光源向光致变色层发射复位光，从而使光致变色层在光致变色反应之后褪色并且恢复其初始状态。通过这样的驱动方法，实现了PDLC层的图案化以及PDLC显示装置的正常显示。另外，在驱动之后，即使断电，PDLC显示装置也能够继续显示图案，由此促进了稳态显示效果的实现。而且，简单地通过复位光的照射，就可以使PDLC显示装置准备用于显示其它图像或者下一帧图像。
由此可见，根据本公开的实施例，PDLC显示面板和PDLC显示装 置不仅有利于实现更加高效和更高质量的透明及彩色显示，而且它们结构简单、与现有TFT-LCF工艺的兼容性强。另外，这样的PDLC显示面板和PDLC显示装置可以设计成柔性产品以用于实现柔性透明显示。进一步地，考虑到光致变色层的稳态显示以及容易替换性，促进了更加节能和灵活的PDLC显示面板和PDLC显示装置的实现。
需要指出的是，在本公开的描述中，通过术语“中心”、“上方”、“下方”、“前方”、“后方”、“左侧”、“右侧”、“竖直”、“水平”、“顶部”、“底部”、“内部”、“外部”等指示的方位或位置关系为基于附图而示出的方位或位置关系，其仅是为了便于描述本公开，而不用于指示或暗示所指装置或元件必须具有特定的方位或者以特定的方位构造和操作，因此不应理解为对本公开的限制。
术语“第一”、“第二”等仅用于描述目的，而不应理解为指示或暗示相对重要性或者隐含指明所涉及的技术特征的数目。因此，由“第一”、“第二”等限定的特征可以明确地或者隐含地指示包括一个或多个这样的特征。在本公开的描述中，除非另有说明，否则“多个”的含义是两个或两个以上。
在本说明书的描述中，所公开的具体特征、结构、材料或特点可以在任何一个或多个实施例或示例中以任何合适的方式组合。
尽管已经示出和描述了本公开的特定实施例，但是本领域技术人员将显而易见的是，可以做出修改和改变而不脱离以其较宽方面的本公开，并且因此，随附权利要求要在其范围内涵盖如落在本公开的真实精神或范围内的所有这样的修改和改变。

Claims (10)

  1. 一种PDLC显示面板，包括：
    第一透明基板；
    第二透明基板，与所述第一透明基板相对设置；
    第一电极层，设置在所述第一透明基板靠近所述第二透明基板的一侧上；
    第二电极层，设置在所述第二透明基板靠近所述第一透明基板的一侧上，所述第二电极层包括多个阵列排列的第二子电极；
    PDLC层，设置在所述第一电极层与所述第二电极层之间；以及
    光致变色层，设置在所述第二透明基板远离所述PDLC层的一侧上以用于实现彩色显示。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的PDLC显示面板，还包括：由栅线和数据线交叉限定的多个像素单元，每个所述像素单元包括一个所述第二子电极。
  3. 根据权利要求2所述的PDLC显示面板，其中，
    所述光致变色层包括多个区域，每一个所述区域与所述多个像素单元中的至少三个相邻像素单元对应。
  4. 根据权利要求3所述的PDLC显示面板，其中，
    所述光致变色层的每一个区域与所述多个像素单元中的三个相邻像素单元对应，并且
    所述光致变色层的每一个区域包括分别与对应的三个相邻像素单元一一对应的第一子区域、第二子区域和第三子区域。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的PDLC显示面板，其中，
    所述第一子区域包括在光致变色反应下变成红色的第一材料，
    所述第二子区域包括在光致变色反应下变成绿色的第二材料，并且
    所述第三子区域包括在光致变色反应下变成蓝色的第三材料。
  6. 根据权利要求5所述的PDLC显示面板，其中，
    所述第一材料、第二材料和第三材料选自以下材料中的一个：半导体氧化物材料、多酸与半导体的复合材料、以及杂多金属化合物与无机半导体的复合材料。
  7. 一种PDLC显示装置，包括：
    根据权利要求1-6中任一项所述的PDLC显示面板；以及
    光源。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的PDLC显示装置，其中，
    所述PDLC显示装置还包括：导光板，设置在所述第一透明基板远离所述第一电极层的一侧上，并且
    所述光源设置在所述导光板的入光侧。
  9. 根据权利要求7或8所述的PDLC显示装置，其中，
    所述光源配置成在紫外区或可见区中发射光。
  10. 根据权利要求7-9中任一项所述的PDLC显示装置，其中，
    所述PDLC显示装置还包括：复位光源，配置用于使所述光致变色层在光致变色反应之后褪色并恢复其初始状态。
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