Pixel structure and display panel comprising the same

Abstract

This invention discloses a pixel structure having a first sub-pixel, comprising a first pixel electrode, a first switching element, and a first light-shielding layer. The first pixel electrode includes a first electrode strip comprising a first slit portion, a first intermediate corner portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The first intermediate corner portion and the second end portion each have a bend, such that the extension direction of the first intermediate corner portion is inconsistent with that of the adjacent first slit portion, and the extension direction of the second end portion is inconsistent with that of the adjacent first slit portion. The projection of the first end portion in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the first sub-light-shielding layer of the first light-shielding layer, while the projection of the second end portion in the vertical direction does not overlap with the second sub-light-shielding layer of the first light-shielding layer. The first length from the first sub-light-shielding layer to the first intermediate corner portion is equal to the second length from the second end portion to the first intermediate corner portion, thereby making the display brightness uniform, thus avoiding bright line defects, and enabling the display panel containing the pixel structure of this invention to have good display quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pixel structure, and more particularly to a pixel structure and display panel that provides uniform brightness and good display quality. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are widely used in electronic devices of various sizes, such as televisions, laptops, and tablets, due to their advantages of light weight, thinness, energy efficiency, and full-color capability. To reduce the amount of source driver circuitry used, display panels with a half-source driver (HSD) architecture have been developed. This architecture halves the number of data lines in the source driver circuit while doubling the number of gate lines in the gate driver circuit, thereby reducing production costs. In the pixel array of existing display panels with a half-source driver architecture, the switching elements in adjacent sub-pixels in the same row are staggered vertically. Correspondingly, the light-shielding layers on the array substrate are also staggered. Even after adjusting the middle corner positions of adjacent sub-pixels in the same row to the same horizontal line, the overlap between the projections of the upper and lower ends of the pixel electrode within each sub-pixel and the projection of the light-shielding layer in the vertical direction is different. This still results in different liquid crystal efficiencies at the upper and lower ends of the sub-pixel, leading to uneven display brightness and bright line defects. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pixel structure and display panel that exhibits uniform brightness and good display quality.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a pixel structure comprising a first sub-pixel having opposing first and second ends. The first sub-pixel includes a first pixel electrode, a first switching element, and a first light-shielding layer. The first pixel electrode is composed of a plurality of parallel first electrode strips and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is located on at least one side of the plurality of first electrode strips to connect the plurality of first electrode strips. Each first electrode strip includes a first slit, a first intermediate corner, a first end, and a second end. The first end and the second end are respectively adjacent to the first end and the second end of the first sub-pixel. The first slit is located in the region between the first intermediate corner and the first end, and between the first intermediate corner and the second end. The first intermediate corner of each first electrode strip has a bend, such that the extending direction of the first intermediate corner is opposite to the first end. The extension directions of adjacent first slit portions are not on the same straight line, and the second end has a bend, such that the extension direction of the second end is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion; the first switching element is located at the first end of the first sub-pixel, and the first switching element is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode; the first light-shielding layer includes a first sub-light-shielding layer and a second sub-light-shielding layer, respectively located above the first end and the second end of the first sub-pixel, the projection of the first end of each first electrode strip in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the first sub-light-shielding layer, the projection of the second end of each first electrode strip in the vertical direction does not overlap with the second sub-light-shielding layer, the distance from the first sub-light-shielding layer to the first intermediate corner is a first length, the distance from the second end to the first intermediate corner is a second length, and the first length is equal to the second length.

[0005] As an optional technical solution, the first end has a bend, so that the extension direction of the first end is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion.

[0006] As an optional technical solution, the first slit portion has a first angle with the horizontal direction, the first end and the second end have the same second angle with the horizontal direction, and the first angle is greater than the second angle.

[0007] As an optional technical solution, the first end and the first slit portion extend in the same direction, and the angle between the first end and the horizontal direction is the same as the angle between the first slit portion and the horizontal direction.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the pixel structure further includes a second sub-pixel adjacent to the first sub-pixel. The second sub-pixel has opposing first and second ends. The second sub-pixel includes a second pixel electrode, a second switching element, and a second light-shielding layer. The second pixel electrode is composed of a plurality of parallel second electrode strips and a second connecting portion. The second connecting portion is located on at least one side of the plurality of second electrode strips to connect the plurality of second electrode strips. Each second electrode strip includes a second slit, a second intermediate corner, a third end, and a fourth end. The third end and the fourth end are respectively adjacent to the first end and the second end of the second sub-pixel. The second slit is located in the region between the second intermediate corner and the third end and between the second intermediate corner and the fourth end. The second intermediate corner of each second electrode strip has a bend, causing the extension of the second intermediate corner to... The extension direction is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion, and the third end has a bend, so that the extension direction of the third end is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion; the second switching element is located at the second end of the second sub-pixel, and the second switching element is electrically connected to the second pixel electrode; the second light-shielding layer includes a third sub-light-shielding layer and a fourth sub-light-shielding layer, respectively located above the first end and the second end of the second sub-pixel, the projection of the fourth end of each second electrode strip in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the fourth sub-light-shielding layer, the projection of the third end of each second electrode strip in the vertical direction does not overlap with the third sub-light-shielding layer, the distance from the third end to the second intermediate corner portion is a third length, the distance from the fourth sub-light-shielding layer to the second intermediate corner portion is a fourth length, and the third length is equal to the fourth length.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the first length, the second length, the third length, and the fourth length are equal.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the first intermediate corner and the second intermediate corner are located on the same horizontal line.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the fourth end has a bend, so that the extension direction of the fourth end is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the first pixel electrode is made of a transparent conductive material.

[0013] The present invention also proposes a display panel comprising the pixel structure described above.

[0014] The pixel structure of the present invention optimizes the structure and position of the pixel electrodes, so that the slits located on both sides of the middle corner and actually serving as light-emitting areas in each sub-pixel of the pixel structure have the same length, resulting in uniform display brightness, thereby avoiding bright line defects and giving the display panel containing the pixel structure of the present invention good display quality.

[0015] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the pixel structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the pixel structure of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to embodiments.

[0018] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the pixel structure of the present invention. Figure 1 The present invention provides a pixel structure comprising a first sub-pixel 100, the first sub-pixel 100 having a first end D1 and a second end D2 opposite to each other, and the first sub-pixel 100 including a first pixel electrode 110, a first switching element 120, and a first light-shielding layer 130. The first switching element 120 is located at the first end D1 of the first sub-pixel 100 and is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode 110. In actual operation, the first switching element 120 is a thin-film transistor, and the drain of the thin-film transistor is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode 110.

[0019] The first pixel electrode 110 consists of a plurality of parallel first electrode strips and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is located on at least one side of the plurality of first electrode strips to connect the plurality of first electrode strips. In this embodiment, the first connecting portion is located on both sides of the plurality of first electrode strips. The first connecting portion is, for example, a long strip structure, which can be arranged parallel or non-parallel to connect the plurality of first electrode strips. The first connecting portion and the plurality of first electrode strips are an integral structure, forming a fence shape. Each first electrode strip includes a first slit portion 111, a first intermediate corner portion 112, a first end portion 113, and a second end portion 114. The first end portion 113 and the second end portion 114 are respectively adjacent to the first end D1 and the second end D2 of the first sub-pixel 100. The first slit portion 111 is located in the region between the first intermediate corner portion 112 and the first end portion 113 and between the first intermediate corner portion 112 and the second end portion 114. The first intermediate corner portion 112 and the second end portion 114 of each first electrode strip have a bend. Typically, the first slit portion 111 of the first pixel electrode 110 serves as the main light-emitting region. The first intermediate corner portion 112 and the second end portion 114, due to their respective winks (i.e., the extension directions of the first intermediate corner portion 112 and the adjacent first slit portion 111 are not aligned), and the extension direction of the second end portion 114 is also not aligned with the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion 111, affect the liquid crystal efficiency in these regions, causing them to not emit light, i.e., they are non-light-emitting regions. In this embodiment, the bend shape of the first intermediate corner portion 112 is a V-shape, but the invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the bend angle of the first intermediate corner portion 112 can be a rounded corner. Furthermore, the first intermediate corner portion 112 can further aid in the alignment of the liquid crystal.

[0020] The first light-shielding layer 130 includes a first sub-light-shielding layer 131 and a second sub-light-shielding layer 132, which are located above the first end D1 and the second end D2 of the first sub-pixel 100, respectively. The first sub-light-shielding layer 131 corresponds to the first switching element 120, and its area is larger than that of the second sub-light-shielding layer 132, and it is closer to the first pixel electrode 110. Figure 1As shown, the projection of the first end 113 of each first electrode strip in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the first sub-light-shielding layer 121, and the projection of the second end 114 of each first electrode strip in the vertical direction does not overlap with the second sub-light-shielding layer 132. The distance from the first sub-light-shielding layer 131 to the first intermediate corner 112 is the first length L1, and the distance from the second end 114 to the first intermediate corner 112 is the second length L2, and the first length L1 is equal to the second length L2. That is to say, the lengths of the areas where the first slits 111 on both sides of the first intermediate corner 112 of the first pixel electrode 110 actually serve as light-emitting areas are the same, making the display brightness uniform and thus avoiding bright line defects.

[0021] Continue to refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the first end portion 113 of the first pixel electrode 110 also has a bend, that is, the extension direction of the first end portion 113 is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion 111.

[0022] The first slit portion 111 has a first included angle θ1 with the horizontal direction, the first end portion 113 and the second end portion 114 have the same second included angle θ2 with the horizontal direction, and the first included angle θ1 is greater than the second included angle θ2.

[0023] The pixel structure of this invention is applied to a display panel with a semi-source driving architecture, where the switching elements in adjacent sub-pixels of the same row of pixel arrays are arranged vertically in a staggered manner. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the pixel structure also includes a second sub-pixel 200 adjacent to the first sub-pixel 100. The first sub-pixel 100 and the second sub-pixel 200 are typically sub-pixels of different colors. Similar to the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel 200 also has opposing first ends D1 and second ends D2. The second sub-pixel 200 includes a second pixel electrode 210, a second switching element 220, and a second light-shielding layer 230. The second switching element 220 is located at the second end D2 of the second sub-pixel 200 and is electrically connected to the second pixel electrode 210. In other words, the first switching element 120 of the first sub-pixel 100 and the second switching element 220 of the second sub-pixel 200 are arranged vertically in a staggered manner. Correspondingly, the first sub-light-shielding layer 131 and the fourth sub-light-shielding layer 232 located on the array substrate are also arranged in a staggered manner. In actual operation, the first light-shielding layer 130 and the second light-shielding layer 230 are black matrices (BM) used to separate adjacent sub-pixels.

[0024] The second pixel electrode 210 is composed of a plurality of parallel second electrode strips and a second connecting portion. The second connecting portion is located on both sides of the plurality of second electrode strips to connect the plurality of second electrode strips. Each second electrode strip includes a second slit portion 211, a second intermediate corner portion 212, a third end portion 213, and a fourth end portion 214. The third end portion 213 and the fourth end portion 214 are respectively adjacent to the first end D1 and the second end D2 of the second sub-pixel 200. The second slit portion 211 is located in the region between the second intermediate corner portion 212 and the third end portion 213 and between the second intermediate corner portion 212 and the fourth end portion 214. The second intermediate corner portion 212 of each second electrode strip has a bend, so that the extension direction of the second intermediate corner portion 212 and the third end portion 213 is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion 211. The third end portion 213 also has a bend, so that the extension direction of the third end portion 213 is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion 211.

[0025] The second light-shielding layer 230 includes a third sub-light-shielding layer 231 and a fourth sub-light-shielding layer 232, which are located above the first end D1 and the second end D2 of the second sub-pixel 200, respectively. The projection of the fourth end 214 of each second electrode strip in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the fourth sub-light-shielding layer 232. The projection of the third end 213 of each second electrode strip in the vertical direction does not overlap with the third sub-light-shielding layer 231. The distance from the third end 213 to the second intermediate corner 212 is the third length L3. The distance from the fourth sub-light-shielding layer 232 to the second intermediate corner 212 is the fourth length L4, and the third length L3 is equal to the fourth length L4.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3, and the fourth length L4 are equal.

[0027] like Figure 1 The first intermediate corner portion 112 and the second intermediate corner portion 212 are located on the same horizontal line.

[0028] In this embodiment, the fourth end 214 also has a bend, and its arrangement is similar to that of the first end 113 of the first pixel electrode 110, that is, the extension direction of the fourth end 214 is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion 211.

[0029] In actual operation, the first pixel electrode 110 and the second pixel electrode 210 are made of transparent conductive materials, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), aluminum indium oxide (AIO), indium oxide (InO), gallium oxide (GaO), carbon nanotubes, silver nanoparticles, metals or alloys with a thickness of less than 60 nanometers (nm), organic transparent conductive materials, or other suitable transparent conductive materials.

[0030] Continue to refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the pixel structure of the present invention. The difference from the previous embodiment is that the structure of the first end 113 of the first pixel electrode 110 in this embodiment is different from the second end 114. The first end 113 does not have a bend, that is, the extension direction of the first end 113 and the adjacent first slit portion 111 is consistent, and the second angle between the first end 113 and the horizontal direction is the same as the first angle θ1 between the first end 113 and the horizontal direction.

[0031] The present invention also provides a display panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel having a semi-source driving architecture, comprising the pixel structure described above.

[0032] The pixel structure of the present invention optimizes the structure and position of the pixel electrodes, so that the slits located on both sides of the middle corner and actually serving as light-emitting areas in each sub-pixel of the pixel structure have the same length, resulting in uniform display brightness, thereby avoiding bright line defects and giving the display panel containing the pixel structure of the present invention good display quality.

[0033] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pixel structure, characterized in that, The first sub-pixel includes a first sub-pixel having opposing first and second ends. The first sub-pixel includes... A first pixel electrode comprises a plurality of parallel first electrode strips and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is located on at least one side of the plurality of parallel first electrode strips to connect the plurality of parallel first electrode strips. Each first electrode strip includes a first slit portion, a first intermediate corner portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion are respectively adjacent to the first end portion and the second end portion of the first sub-pixel. The first slit portion is located in the region between the first intermediate corner portion and the first end portion and between the first intermediate corner portion and the second end portion. The first intermediate corner portion of each first electrode strip has a bend, such that the extension direction of the first intermediate corner portion is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion. The second end portion also has a bend, such that the extension direction of the second end portion is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion. A first switching element is located at the first end of the first sub-pixel, and the first switching element is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode; and The first light-shielding layer includes a first sub-light-shielding layer and a second sub-light-shielding layer, which are located above the first end and the second end of the first sub-pixel, respectively. The projection of the first end of each first electrode strip in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the first sub-light-shielding layer, and the projection of the second end of each first electrode strip in the vertical direction does not overlap with the second sub-light-shielding layer. The distance from the first sub-light-shielding layer to the first intermediate corner is a first length, and the distance from the second end to the first intermediate corner is a second length, and the first length is equal to the second length. The pixel structure further includes a second sub-pixel adjacent to the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel having opposing first ends and second ends, the second sub-pixel comprising, The second pixel electrode is composed of a plurality of parallel second electrode strips and a second connecting portion. The second connecting portion is located on at least one side of the plurality of parallel second electrode strips to connect the plurality of parallel second electrode strips. Each second electrode strip includes a second slit portion, a second intermediate corner portion, a third end portion, and a fourth end portion. The third end portion and the fourth end portion are respectively adjacent to the first end and the second end portion of the second sub-pixel. The second slit portion is located in the region between the second intermediate corner portion and the third end portion and between the second intermediate corner portion and the fourth end portion. The second intermediate corner portion of each second electrode strip has a bend, such that the extension direction of the second intermediate corner portion is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion. The third end portion also has a bend, such that the extension direction of the third end portion is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit portion. A second switching element is located at the second end of the second sub-pixel, and the second switching element is electrically connected to the electrode of the second pixel; and The second light-shielding layer includes a third sub-light-shielding layer and a fourth sub-light-shielding layer, which are located above the first end and the second end of the second sub-pixel, respectively. The projection of the fourth end of each second electrode strip in the vertical direction completely overlaps with the fourth sub-light-shielding layer. The projection of the third end of each second electrode strip in the vertical direction does not overlap with the third sub-light-shielding layer. The distance from the third end to the second intermediate corner is a third length, and the distance from the fourth sub-light-shielding layer to the second intermediate corner is a fourth length. The third length is equal to the fourth length. The first intermediate corner and the second intermediate corner are located on the same horizontal line.

2. The pixel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first end has a bend, such that the extension direction of the first end is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent first slit portion.

3. The pixel structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first slit portion has a first angle with the horizontal direction, the first end portion and the second end portion have the same second angle with the horizontal direction, and the first angle is greater than the second angle.

4. The pixel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first end portion and the first slit portion extend in the same direction, and the angle between the first end portion and the horizontal direction is the same as the angle between the first slit portion and the horizontal direction.

5. The pixel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first length, the second length, the third length, and the fourth length are equal.

6. The pixel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fourth end has a bend, such that the extension direction of the fourth end is not on the same straight line as the extension direction of the adjacent second slit.

7. The pixel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first pixel electrode is made of a transparent conductive material.

8. A display panel, characterized in that, It includes the pixel structure as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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